The Devil Inside Ch. 7

[Shinobi]

Notes: Alrighty here we go. Crsipn and Sousuke square off!

Er, yeah so here's the next chapter.

Adn stuff.


The Devil Inside
Chapter 7

Sgt. Major Melissa Mao blinked and stared at Lance Corporal Crispin Daniels. The AS engineer was standing outside their safe house with a stupid grin on his face. The Sgt. Major?s eyes narrowed.

She grabbed the young corporal by collar and slammed him against the wall in the entryway. ?What are you doing here?? She asked with deadly calm.

?Hey, if you wanted me so bad Sgt. Major all you had to do was ask.? Crispin?s smirk widened.

?Daniels!? Kurz exclaimed and stepped from behind the corner. ?What the hell??

?Ugh! I don?t need this!? Melissa released the corporal with a scowl. She stormed back into the main living area in the safe house. ?Of all people! The ?Old Man? sent you? What the hell is he thinking?? She turned and glared at the corporal, who just shrugged.

?Yeah, since when did a grease monkey get sent to do a spook?s job?? Kurz exclaimed. This assignment was getting stranger and stranger.

?Weber,? Crispin said as he stepped into the safe house, ?unlike you, some of us actually have multiple talents!? He ignored Kurz?s annoyed shout when he spotted Sousuke cuffed to a folding chair.

?Sagara!? He stared, ?what in the hell are you doing?? He started laughing and answered his own question. ?I get it! Chidori locked you into that thing didn?t she!? He roared with laughter. ?You?re her stalker??

?No, I?m her bodyguard.? Sousuke scowled. ?I?ve been assigned by Cmdr. Kalinin to-?

?Did you actually break into the girl?s locker room?? Crispin interrupted with a laugh.

?No, I walked in.? Sousuke frowned in puzzlement. He failed to see the problem. ?I could not observe her movements. I thought it best-?.

?You would!? Sousuke was again cut off by the AS engineer?s roaring laughter. ?You?re a real piece of work Sagara!? He chuckled and sat down at one of the empty chairs scattered around the dining room table. He was the only one seated. ?I always knew that fat head of yours was empty, but this-?

?That?s enough!? Melissa snapped. ?I don?t have time for your games, Daniels!? She turned toward Kurz, ?Get the laser drill and get him loose.? She gestured to Sousuke with her head. As the blonde sergeant nodded and left to retrieve the drill from the equipment van she turned back toward Crispin. ?You, start talking!? She took a seat herself.

Crispin sighed as Kurz left. ?Fine, what do you want to know Sgt. Major?? He leaned back as he explained everything he knew about the target. Her physiological and psyche profile. The in and outs of her schedule. And every other detail he?d learned about the surrounding area and local populace.

?I?d be careful of trees and the parks. There?s a lot of pigeons in the area and they?ll shit on anything. Even an M9 with its ECS activated.?

?Already know that,? Kurz grunted. He had returned with the drill and a wisp of smoke could be seen emanating from the lock of Sousuke?s handcuffs as the laser bore thru. ?Think you could?ve warned us a little earlier.?

?Don?t blame me!? Crispin yelled. ?I?m not the ones who showed up twenty-hours early!?

Kurz opened his mouth to retort but Melissa beat him to it. ?Damnit!? She slammed her palm on the table. ?I?m sick of you?re crap! I don?t care what the ?Old Man?s thinking! I?ll throw you in the stockade myself if you keep this shit up!?

Crispin propped his feet on the table and leaned his chair back. ?Well, Sgt. Major.? He drawled. ?Be my guest.? He smirked as the dark-haired women growled.

Without warning, Melissa jumped up. Her foot lashed out and knocked the corporal?s chair out from under him and sent him crashing to the floor. Before Crispin could recover she flipped him on his stomach and pinned him to the ground with her knee.

?Argh!? Crispin panted in pain. ?Get off me bitch!? His right hand flared in agony as the dark-haired woman twisted it behind his back. He froze when the muzzle of her pistol was shoved against the back of his head.

?Listen up Daniels!? She hissed and clicked the hammer back on her weapon, ?I?m only saying this once.? Kurz and Sousuke watched in stunned silence as their team leader threatened the corporal. ?Novello was a good friend of mine. We served in the Corps together. It was my recommendation that got him into MOTC in the first place. He?ll be lucky to walk again because of you!?

Melissa paused for breath, ?And if you even THINK of trying the same crap you did back on the de Danaan I will kill you. Got that?? When she received no answer she dug the muzzle into his head deeper. ?Got it!?

?Go ahead. Do it!? Crispin dared the Sgt. Major. ?No one here?s gonna stop ya.?
?Unlike you, Daniels!? Melissa spat. ?I don?t try to kill a man when his back?s turned!? She removed the pistol, but kept Crispin pinned to the ground. ?This isn?t some empty threat. It?s a promise. I will kill you if you fuck up! Are we clear??

?Crystal.? Crispin finally ground out. ?Sgt. Major? The last was an afterthought.

?Good, now on your feet!? Melissa released the corporal. Crispin slowly stood and glared at her. ?Do you have anything to add to your report Cpl??

?No, Sgt. Major.? Crispin bit out. The sound of the scrambler crackling with static stopped whatever he was going to add.

?This is Urzu-2,? Melissa ignored Daniels and picked up the headset. Her team mates would deal with him if he tried anything. ?What?? She frowned at the reply she received. ?No, I understand. Stand by.? She turned and held out the headset to Daniels. ?It?s for you.?

?Me?? Crispin stared stupidly at the headset. ?Who?d want to talk to me??

?It?s the ?Old Man?!? Melissa snapped. ?Now sit your ass down and make it quick!? She stood up as Daniels took the headset and placed it over his head.

?Judas-1. This is Golden Goose. Over?

?Yeah, Judas-1 here.? Crispin frowned at the radio?s mike. ?What do you want Old Man??

?Judas-1. I?d advise you to maintain radio protocol. Over.?

?Sure, I hear ya. Over.? The AS engineer snorted.

?Judas-1. Some data is being transmitted. You are to go over it and report your findings directly to me. This data is for your eyes only. Over.?

Crispin gave a start and glanced back at the three members of Team-Urzu. ?I don?t think that?s gonna work Golden Goose. Over.? His mind reeled at the implication.

?Urzu-2 has been advised of the situation. Prepare a written document of your conclusions. You will deliver them personally at the conclusion of your current assignment. Over. ?

?Roger. Awaiting data. Over.? Crispin frowned. This was unexpected.

?Data transmission to start in sixty. Over.?

?When do I get my money back?? Crispin suddenly demanded. ?The deposit for this apartment wasn?t cheap you know? ?Over.? He added lamely.

?As explained before Judas-1. This is not a reward. Golden Goose Out.?

?Wait a minute you goddamn Russky!? Crispin yelled into the microphone, but he?d already been cut off. Crispin swore and yanked the headset off.

?Mind telling us what that was all about?? Kurz asked wryly. He had finally cut Sousuke loose of the cuffs, who stood next to him. Both men stared at the corporal suspiciously.

Crispin turned and was about to reply when he was interrupted by Melissa.

?That?s not important.? She said. ?We?ve got a job to do tomorrow.? She regarded her two teammates. ?You two turn in. I?ll keep watch tonight.? She regarded Daniels coldly as her teammates reluctantly complied. ?Once you?ve received your data. I want you out of here. Understood??

?Yeah, I hear ya.? Crispin shrugged and added. ?Sgt. Major.? He stood up.

?Good. You work on whatever it is the commander has you doing. We?ll keep an eye on Angel.? Melissa sat down in front of the radio and placed the headset back on her ear.

?So that?s it?? Crispin said scornfully. ?I do all the fucking homework for your team and get kicked to the curb without so much as a thank you!? He clenched his fist and resisted the urge to attack the female Sgt. Major.

"That?s exactly it, Daniels.? Melissa said without looking up. ?You should be grateful you?re not rotting in the Danaan?s stockade.? She smiled up at the lance corporal and added sweetly, ?But I?ll be happy to send you back there if you like.?

Crispin?s retort was cut off by the whir of the fax machine. He walked over and waited for the data Kalinin sent. Once he?d received it, all fifty-three pages, he shoved the data into his bag and turned toward Melissa. ?Will that be all Sgt. Major?? He asked in a tight voice.

?Yes. You?re dismissed.? Melissa turned and watched the corporal leave. When the door shut she turned toward one of the shadowed corners. ?Kurz, secure that door. I don?t want any surprises tonight.? The blonde sergeant stepped out from the shadows and nodded.

?Sousuke, I thought I told you to get some rest!? Melissa snapped as Kurz locked the front door. The black-haired sergeant stepped out of the corner opposite of Kurz.

?Yes, Sgt. Major.? Sousuke nodded as he lowered his weapon. ?But it seemed prudent not to take any chances. Daniels is not to be underestimated?

?Thanks.? Melissa smiled as Kurz returned. ?But I can handle Daniels. He?s not half as tough as he thinks he is.? She frowned at the younger sergeant. ?You just focus on protecting Chidori. Got it.?

?I understand.? Sousuke turned smartly and returned to his bunk.

?Man,? Kurz spun a chair around and sat in it. ?That guy?s a load of laughs.?

?Which one?? Melissa joked. As Kurz laughed she frowned and looked across the street to the darkened Angel?s apartment. ?I don?t like this. Why send Daniels here? He?s as dangerous as any terrorist.?

?Yeah, he?s a son of a bitch,? Kurz agreed. Three month?s ago his M9?s ninety-six had detonated when he tried to fire it. Daniels had been the last mechanic to work on it. If not for Sousuke, he wouldn?t have made it out of that fire fight alive. ?What the hell is the ?Old Man? thinking??

?I don?t know.? Melissa frowned. ?You just keep an eye on Sousuke. I?ll worry about Daniels.? Suddenly she grabbed the blonde sergeant?s ear and yanked him down to eye level. ?And didn?t I just tell you to turn in?? She growled.

?AH!? Kurz yelped in pain. ?I?m going! I?m going!? When he was released he rubbed his ear and muttered as he headed for his own bunk. ?Geez, what is it with women??

**

The next morning, Crispin walked bleary eyed to school. He?d spent half the night going through the data Kalinin had sent him, and none of it made any sense. ?What the fuck does he think I am?? Crispin thought, ?Some kind of miracle worker!?

He passed through the gates and saw two familiar figures by the main doors and called loudly. ?Ladies! How the hell are ya?? All conversation stopped in the courtyard. Everybody starred at Crispin, who shrugged and continued walking.

?What did I tell you?? Kaname scolded Crispin as he walked up. ?Ugh, you?re both horrible! Why me?? She huffed and crossed her arms.

Crispin frowned and leaned over to Kyouko and whispered. ?What?s eating her?? He regarded the bespectacled girl a moment, ?And why are you so red??

?Uh,? Kyouko blushed from Crispin?s close proximity but quickly recovered. ?Kaname?s just mad about him.? She pointed to the opposite wall from where they stood.

?Who?? Crispin turned and scowled when he saw Sagara Sousuke leaning against the wall in question. The Mithril Sgt. was staring intently at Kaname, but what bothered Crispin the most was that he never even saw the young sergeant. ?That?s your little toy soldier?? Crispin finally asked Kaname.

?He is NOT my anything!? Kaname whirled on him with fire in her eyes. ?So stop saying it!? She pointed at Kyouko, ?And you stop encouraging him!? The blue-haired girl finally turned and stormed over to the Mithril Sgt. watching her.

?What?s your problem!? She snapped at a startled Sousuke. ?Do you have something to say? Is there something on my face? Whatever it is stop staring at me!?

?I wasn?t staring.? Sousuke responded calmly. ?I was studying the architecture of this facility.? He nodded in satisfaction. ?It is very well built. I imagine it could survive a direct impact of a 80mm HE shell at least.? He directed his attention back to Kaname. ?Wouldn?t you agree.?

?Agree!? Kaname yelled. ?I don?t even know what you?re talking about! How could I-argh!? She threw her hands up in the air.

?This is priceless.? Crispin thought gleefully. ?Oh, come off it Sagara.? Crispin finally spoke. ?Is that the best you can do? Some lame ass excuse about the school? Why don?t you just admit the truth.? Sousuke and the girls looked at Crispin curiously. He pointed at the building in question. ?It?s hollow dumb-ass. The walls aren?t solid concrete that?d be way too expensive. All it?d take is a fifty cal to bring this place down.? He turned and glanced sideways at the sergeant. ?Admit it! You just want to cop a feel.?

?Cop a feel?? Sousuke was completely baffled. ?Feel of what??

?You. You PERVERT!? Kaname screamed and smashed Sousuke into the wall. As the Mithril sergeant recovered from the blow. Kaname turned toward her best friend, who snapped a quick picture, ?Come on Kyouko!? She walked away in a rage.

Crispin leaned over the recovering Sousuke with a grin, ?What?s the matter Sagara? Mission too much for you? Kalinin?s perfect little soldier don?t got what it takes??

Sousuke surged to his feet and glared at Crispin, ?That was uncalled for. I had the target calm when you lied.? His fist clenched as he regarded the AS engineer. ?Stop interfere in my mission.? He said the last in a fierce whisper.

?Watch it Sagara,? Crispin stepped in front of the shorter sergeant. ?That sounded like a threat.? His glare hardened. ?And you?re little SRT buddies won?t help you here. They can?t risk revealing themselves.?

?I don?t need their help.? Sousuke said darkly. ?In any case this is not the time or place for this discussion. Stand aside, I have a job to do.?

?And a fine job you?ve doing too.? Crispin taunted. ?Mithril?s perfect soldier. Ready to save the world or die trying!? He grinned viciously. ?Getting his ass handed to him by a high-school girl. A fine job indeed.? He laughed mockingly. ?It?s comedy hour far as I?m concerned.? Crispin laughed again.

At some unnamed signal both boy?s hands shot out and grabbed the other by the collar.

?What is going on here!? A stern voice demanded. Both teens looked to see the blonde Nakumura-sensei towering before them. As each boy released the other, she continued. ?Detention for both of you!? She glared at Crispin, ?Mr. Daniels, you may be one of my best students, but that doesn?t give you the right to flaunt the rules!? She rounded on Sousuke, ?And you! You?re our new transfer aren?t you? Well, that?s no excuse. I?ll be informing your homeroom teacher!? She turned to walk into the school, ?Mr. Daniels, follow me!?

Sousuke watched the AS mechanic nonchalantly follow the furious teacher inside. Crispin turned and threw a jaunty wave his way and disappeared into the building. Sousuke heard a rumbling and was shocked to discover it was coming from his chest. He was growling in anger at the corporal. ?I have to get to my assignment,? Sousuke frowned and walked inside as the bell rung.

**

That afternoon, Crispin looked up as a loud shout and crash carried though the air. He was sitting outside going over a pre-med textbook trying to decipher the data Kalinin sent him. ?What the hell??

**

?I was moving the sculpture for art class, when he started yelling about kidnappers or something!? Kaname waved in disgust at the dark-haired boy sweeping up bits of broken plaster. She looked at Kyouko, ?Can you blame me??

?There, there!? Kyouko patted her on the shoulder.

?I?m sorry.? Sousuke explained. ?I was an accident. I slipped and fell.?

Kaname collapsed against Kyouko, ?An accident? Sure, the running and shouting had nothing to do with it. Just leave me alone.?

Crispin stuck his head inside. He spotted Sousuke sweeping up the remains of the sculpture he shattered and snorted as he strode into the second year?s art room. ?What?s the matter Sagara? Mr. Perfect-Soldier tripped?? He looked at the mess all around and shook his head. ?I should?ve know you were behind all the noise.?

?Umm,? Kyouko snapped another picture. ?Do you know each other?? She asked.

Kaname turned toward Crispin curious and missed Sousuke stiffen at Kyouko?s question. ?You know this maniac?? She scowled at the thought.

?Oh, yeah!? Crispin said. ?Me and Sagara go way back.? He regarded the sergeant who was glaring at him. ?We worked at the same job last summer. Isn?t that right?? He smiled at Sousuke.

?Yes,? Sousuke answered quickly. ?We were food service providers at the mess hall.?

?Wha?? Kaname and Kyouko starred at Sousuke like he had grown an extra head.

?We were waiters at a local restaurant.? Crispin translated helpfully.

?Oh.? Both girls nodded in understanding.

?That?s so cool! And now you?ve met again here at Jindai High!? Kyouko exclaimed happily. She took another picture.

?Yeah, isn?t that great Sagara?? Crispin grinned wickedly at Sousuke, who scowled in return.

?So has he always been like this?? Kaname asked slowly. She could feel a thickening of the air, like when a thunderstorm was forming. She didn?t like it.

?Oh yeah!? Crispin exclaimed. ?In fact, now that I know he?s here, all those crazy stories circulating around since yesterday actually make sense. Right Sagara.?

Sousuke remained silent.

?What?s the matter hero?? Crispin drew out the last word like an insult. ?Cat got your tongue? Brain overloaded? Need me to use smaller words??

?There?s nothing to say,? Sousuke explained evenly. He turned to the broken sculpture. ?I have work to do.?

?That?s right,? Crispin mocked, ?you have work to do. And Sousuke Sagara always does what he?s told.? Sousuke frowned as Crispin continued. ?Just like a good little soldier.?

?Cris?? Kyouko hesitated. There was something wrong with him, and it worried her. She hadn?t seen him like this since? the fight. ?That?s enough. Stop, please!?

?Your freaking me out.? Kaname agreed. ?Okay guys, jokes over!? She forced a laugh, but it died in her throat.

?What?s the matter, Sagara?? Crispin ignored the girls and advanced on the sergeant.

Sousuke glanced over at the worried looking Kaname and Kyouko and stepped back. ?There?s no problem. I just need to complete the task assigned to me.?

?No problem.? Crispin whispered. ?That?s good.? He smiled cruelly. ?Do you believe in heaven, Sagara??

?What?? Sousuke blinked at the sudden shift in topic. ?I don?t-?

?Did you know?? Crispin interrupted. ?That some people believe in Angels?? He nodded at the stunned look, ?Yeah. Some even say that Angels walk among us. And that sometimes if your fortunate, or persistent, you might just catch one.? He turned and looked at Kaname. ?Isn?t that what you?re doing Sagara? Trying to catch an Angel-? He was cut off when Sousuke grabbed him by the collar and slammed him into the wall.

Sousuke?s teeth were bared as he glared at the stocky boy.

?Stop it! Both of you!? Kaname yelled and advanced on the two boys. ?Stop it or I?ll call a teacher!?

Sousuke blinked and slowly stepped away from Crispin. ?Yes. I apologize Miss Chidori. That was uncalled for.?

Kaname and Kyouko sighed.

?That?s it?? Crispin taunted. ?I expected more from you Sagara.? He pushed Sousuke in the shoulder. ?Come on.? Another push. ?Is that all you got??

?Daniels.? Sousuke said in a low voice. The knuckles of his fist were white as he glared at the stocky corporal. ?I?d appreciate it if you?d stop.?

Crispin laughed and pushed Sousuke again. ?Mr. Perfect Fucking Solider Sagara!? He sneered and shoved the teen sergeant again. ?Fucking Russky?s wind up toy! Ready for duty,? He drew the last word out as an insult, ?Sergeant!?

It wasn?t clear who finally threw the first punch, but suddenly both teens were swinging their fist and trying to kill the other. Kyouko screamed and Kaname yelled at them to stop. They knocked desks over and damaged one of the classroom walls, before Kagurazaka-Sensei ran inside.

?What?s going on here!? The brown-haired teacher demanded. ?Stop this both of you!?

Finally Sousuke landed a hard right into Crispin?s stomach, who gasped and fell to his knees. Sousuke wiped some blood from his lip and came to attention. ?I apologize ma?am. I don?t know what overcame me.?

?Sure you don?t?? Crispin wheezed.

?That?s enough!? Kagurazaka-sensei yelled. ?Now will someone tell me what?s going on!? Sousuke and Crispin glared at each other and looked away.

?Sensei,? Kyouko hesitated. ?They were talking about an old job they worked at together, and then about angels, and then?and then.? She trailed off on the verge of tears.

?This jerk started taunting the idiot here!? Kaname finished and indicated first Crispin and then Sousuke. She huffed and glared at both.

?Thank you girls.? Kagurazaka-Sensei turned toward the other students in the class. ?You may go home. Don?t worry about clean up today.? She turned back toward Sousuke and Crispin. ?You two! My office. Now!? She pointed and lead them to her office.

Kaname and Kyouko glanced at each other and quickly followed.

**

Kagurazaka-Sensei was yelling at the two teens while Kaname and Kyouko hovered outside the office door. They peeked in through a crack thru the door?s edge.

?Detention for three weeks! Cleanup duty! And extra assignments!? Kagurazaka-Sensei berated the two teenaged boys. ?I don?t know about were you came from, but that kind of behavior will NOT be tolerated at this school! Am I clear??

?Yes ma?am!? Sousuke snapped to attention.

?Yeah, sure.? Crispin answered in a bored tone.

?You sure you want to take a picture?? Kaname asked as her friend raised her camera.

?Yeah,? Kyouko said haltingly. ?I guess so.? However she took no picture but instead starred at the boy she thought she knew and realized she did not.

Kaname patted her friend comfortingly and said, ?Hey, let?s get out of here. Forget about these losers.?

?Okay.? Kyouko agreed sadly. They both got up and crept away. The teacher could still be heard yelling.

?Another incident like this and you WILL be suspended! Is that understood!?

?Yes ma?am!? Sousuke snapped to attention.

?Yeah, sure.? Crispin answered bored.

**

Two hours later, Crispin finally walked out of Jindai High. ?Damn that Kagurazaka?s got a pair of lungs on her!? He rubbed his stomach and grimaced. ?Fucking bastard. Thinks he so big, just cause he the ?Old Man?s favorite!? Crispin continued on his way home and contemplated dark thoughts about the Mithril sergeant?s fate.

**

?Two days!? Kurz exclaimed as he patched up Sousuke at the safe house. ?And you?re already busted up.? He shook his head. ?Not to mention dealing with Daniels. You?ll be dead by the end of the week.?

?Sousuke?s point man because he can handle all this craziness.? Melissa said from her chair by the window overlooking Kaname?s apartment. ?We'll need him running on all cylinders when the enmy makes their move. And don't worry about Daniels. I?ll deal with him.?

?I apologize.? Sousuke said. ?I should never have allowed the fight to happen.?

?Don?t blame yourself. ?Melissa consoled.

?Yeah,? Kurz laughed. ?If it?d been me I?d have taken his head off, or just put a bullet in him. School or not.? He finished his work on Sousuke?s wounds. ?But look at the bright side. Next time you?ll take care of that bastard!? He slapped the younger sergeant on the back for luck.

?No, he won?t.? Melissa scowled. ?I told Daniels what?d happen if he pulled this crap. I?ll deal with him.? She stared hard at Sousuke, ?You?re going to have to be extra careful from now on. We, and Angel, can?t afford to have you expelled. That means no jumping the gun. You don?t act until you?ve made positive confirmation of the situation. Understood??

?Understood, Sgt. Major!? Sousuke snapped to attention. ?I won?t let you down.?

?I know you won?t.? Melissa smiled. ?Now get some rest. You?ve earned it.?

?I?m fine. I should take my watch tonight as originally scheduled.

?I said get some rest!? Melissa snapped. Sousuke blinked. At the woman?s glare he nodded and turned toward his bunk.

?Man,? Kurz sighed. ?What a day. I knew I should?ve done something in the courtyard this morning.? He sat at the table and laid his head down.

?Don?t blame yourself.? Melissa said. ?Daniels is a grade-A asshole. I would?ve shot him if I?d been in Sousuke?s place.?

?You?re not really going to?? Kurz trailed off.

?Kill him?? Melissa raised an eyebrow. ?If I have to, yes. You know I don?t make idle threats.? At Kurz?s frown she smiled, ?Don?t worry. I won?t have to. Like I said, Daniels isn?t half as tough as he thinks he is.? She turned away from her puzzled teammate and resumed monitoring Angel?s apartment.

End Chapter 7.





The Devil Inside-Glossary of Terms

MCMJ -Mithril Code of Military Justice. Basically the legal code and rules of conduct all Mithril personal are subject to.

CO - Commanding Officer (This is actually used by the US military)

MCF- Mithril Correctional Facility. Most ships and bases have their own brigs or jails, but those are only designed to keep a prisoner for a short period of time. The MCF serves as Mithril?s more permanent jail. It?s used to hold those who are awaiting their hearing or trail, and for those who?ve been sentenced for longer than a month, to a maximum sentence of a year or two.

MDC- Mithril Detention Center - basically prison. This is where Mithril throw's their hard-cases and long terms sentences. It's a great place where you get to spend twelve hours a day making little rocks out of big rocks. Sounds fun doesn't it?
Basically, think of it as Mithril's equivalent to Ft. Lebonworth.

Old Man - just an affectionate way the soldiers of Mithril have of referring to Kalinin. Of course, they'd never address him like that!

LP/OP ?Listing Post and Observation Post.

FARP ?Fuel And Rearming Point. It?s a forward staging area combat-vehicles (such as an Arm-Slave) can use without having to leave the combat zone.

Mikes ?short-hand for minutes.

ETA ?Estimated Time of Arrival

Hawkeye ?Refers to a US radar plane. The Hawkeye usually flies ahead of a US naval task force (among other things) and gathers useful information about the area and reports it back.

AS- Arm Slave. Ya know, those big freaking robots Sousuke and the others pilot.

SRT- Special Response Team. Sousuke, Melissa, and Kurz are member of Mithril?s SRTs. The way I look at it, the Special Response Teams are Mithril?s equivalent of Special Forces. They do many of the same tasks as special forces: Recon. Infiltration. Sabotage. Lightning raids, Hostage rescue, and assorted other tasks.

MOTC ? Mithril?s Officer Training Course. Most military organizations have additional requirements for their officers besides just time in service and demonstrated ability. Most officers under go specific and grueling training and are usually required to have a four year college degree of some kind.

M9- Called the ?Gernsback? it?s the AS used by Mithril. Considered the next generation of AS.

M6- the AS used by the US Military.

RK-92- Soviet era Arm Slave. To quote Sousuke. ?Move you Soviet-made piece of Junk!?

Ninety-six- refers to the ASG 96-B manufactured by Bofors. It?s a 57 mm smooth-bore rifle and part of the M9?s standard armament. It?s the rifle Kurz used in episode five during his duel with Gauron.

NCOIC- Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge. It refers to the highest ranking enlisted person within a unit. In the case of Crispin?s orders it refers to Melissa.

DI ?Drill Instructor. Another way of referring to a Drill Sergeant.

SitRep- Situation Report. Basically a quick run down of what your situation in a field (or combat) environment.

WA2000- very high-quality German sniper rifle. Considered by some to be one of the best in the world. It?s only down side is its weight. (16 lbs) and cost. It?s highly customizable and sleek in design. It seemed appropriate for Kurz to use. Though I?m think the one he?s shown actually using is a PGS-1(another German rifle). I?m not certain.

Tac-Net- Tactical Network. A radio network set up and used by members of the same unit during tactical (i.e. combat) situations.

HE- High Explosive.

Fifty Cal ? short hand for fifty caliber. Which is the size of a heavy machine gun. A machine gun this large must be mounted on a tripod or vehicle in order to fire it. A fifty caliber round is about six inches long and can tear a man in half, and it can also destroy trucks, light armored vehicles and buildings.

NVGs -- Night Vision Goggles

EOD ? Explosive Ordinance Disposal

FTX ?Field Training Exercise.

[pilot03]

Wonderful addition so far. I can't wait til the next chapter.

[necowaffer]

I loved this chapter! Excellent work.

[PeRiDoTs13]

interesting. interesting. this daniels/sagara hostility might just mess up the assignment to protect angels. boys. honestly.