Leni sighs "Right. Sergeanting. Gimme a moment... What the leutenant actually means is: Our mission, for those who were either not paying attention in the mission briefing OR let all that unimportant information trickle out of your brains during this s~**ty excuse for a stroll through a metal park is to fan out and find some kind of entrance into the enemy installation. THEN go in there and look for something important to disable or blow up. Hopefully important enough that we'll gain a definite advantage. Say: win us the war. Not that it's likely grunts like us will do something that important but who says we can't wish to the emperor for it anyway?"
She gives the others a brief second to let that sink in before she continues:
"So basically Duct just told us mission objective one is probably completed: we have our entrance. Now we need a way to go in and break something important. And probably kill a lot of rotten tech people trying to get there. Just regular soldering. You know this stuff."
She flashes a grin at this point.
"So who's most sure in taking a look while not being seen by the techno sorcery of the turrets and possible sentries? I want one person along with Duct to take a peek at how that gate actually looks right now. We'll make a concrete plan based on that info."
Thud scratches the exposed metal patch in his skull. That was a lot of words and not alot of them were about da Emprah so most just don't click. But Mama Leni is very likely not looking at him, so he doesn't voulenteer. Or should he? He's good at going places with people!
He starts to raise his hand...
"Do you have a question Thud? Because if you are about to volunteer, remember, we need someone fast and sneaky.
You are many things, but not that..."
Thuds hand slowly floats back down.
Nah. ElTee
He has barely enough smarts to look a little embarrassed, but he manages it.
Rising to his feet, Cormaeg wipes his mouth and places his canteen back in his belt.
"Right, never ask someone to do something you won't do yourself as they say.
Enginseer Vidic, I shall be your escort for now.
I am leaving Sergeant Tivnan in charge, she has my full confidence."
Drawing his power sword, Cormaeg gives it a quick inspection and then steps up with Duct.
Leni puts on a bittersweet smile. Now... how do I say this without undermining any authority?
"Sorry Sir but if you don't come back then the whole squad will get court martialled for supposedly turning on the ranking officer because who would believe that the man in charge would put themselves in harms way first? Asking permission to go in your stead. I was reluctant to go because of all that training 'you help more staying in the back and keeping an eye on the overall situation' but I in fact do have the equip" she points a thumb at the camo-cloak fluttering from her back. "and while I usually do this to treat wounded while under fire I have a little experience using it."
Cormaeg raises an eyebrow and then snorts.
"And you didn't think you had what it took to be in a position of leadership..."
Slowly putting his sword back in it's sheath, cormaeg nods and steps aside.
"Right, change of plans.
Sergeant Tivnan will accompany the Enginseer to scout further ahead.
Meanwhile, I want a defensible position set up here.
We'll check in every 15 minutes, if possible, with a short burst of static.
Three bursts is an all clear, one burst is a request for immediate assistance."
Cormaeg starts to scan the surroundings for positions and material to set up some rudimentary barricades and such.
"Right you lot, hop to it!"
Leni salutes to Cormaeg, then turns to the rest of the squad: "I don't want to hear any complaints from the LT when I come back."
She then tucks the camo cloak tighter around herself, somewhat blurring into the surroundings with its pattern and turns to Duct "I'll take point, let me check around corners and I'll vox you the go ahead or what we'll have to do to stay undetected."
They then start to move towards the direction Duct indicated earlier, with Leni stopping ever so often, waiting for the camo cloak to take to the surroundings before spying around a corner or over cover.
The actual staying in cover and hiding is pretty good - for as long as the squad still has them in sight - the staying silent less so. Probably because when using stealth while under fire staying silent is somewhat optional.
Everyone's com bead:
The voice is the tiniest whisper and just barely intelligible.
"Tactical Opportunity. Catch up to Cogboy at brisk pace. Please confirm. Over."
You think it is Sgt. Tivnan.