*As Daniyal Finished his drink,he walked to where Agent Hart and Agent Black were sitting,as he took a seat,he replied to some message in his PDA,and he carefully slipped the PDA into a leg pocket*
Gunnery Sgt. Thomas peers longingly at the crest of the Ucota's bow from Ortega's port window. The vessel LNC00-57 "Ucota" was decommissioned after 12 battles against Rhienland Military the ship was crippled severely. Before Gunnery Sgt. Thomas (Senior Agent- Instructor within the Liberty Security Forces) retired and served as an instructor at West Point he serve with the Ucota for 18 years as a liaison LSF officer. Often in charge of deployment of escort ships and pilot training, patrols, and assaults. The LNC00-57 was officially removed from registry May of 818AS. It was purchased by the LSF to be converted into a long range hunter killer. However it's purpose was derailed after several policy changes and now is under low priority operations. Granted only minimum crew and supplies the Ucota operates as mediator of foreign policy or escort for Liberty Officials. Since its resigning the Ucota has only been in one battle. Suffering no damage and inflicting the same amount received. Still SA.GS. Thomas, who carries his old Army Rank, intends to put the Ucota back on the front lines. Despite having command of the vessel, out of a promise, he never allowed his rank to become Captain. Deep down he is waiting for the vessel to be given full discretion on entering and leaving military front lines. He awaits the latest reports from the crew. He stirs his drink slowly as the Post Dock Lights glisten the rim of the glass and shimmers through the liquid and ice.
- Thomas looks around at the young pilots
"Do any of you puppies know how to play Texas'Holdem?"
Seeing how each blank face in the crowd was too young to remember the quote from Lt. Arrzon, when he stood above the Rhienland Chambers in the Nomad War of 801AS, where he spoke triumphantly, "Damn jelly, they already got jammed." He motions to the eldest of the crew, 47, who he had trained in the academy. He appealed to the familiar face, as he often feels that he had lived too long. Considering none of his friends from the war, post war, and this war are alive. And the Gunny wasn't an easy person to like with his, "We don't cry, because we are men, and we certainly don't hand our balls up to be willingly chopped off." Which he often would refer it to government controls over the LSF or brass weak orders during the mid years through the war with Rhienland. And his most favorite is the demasculinize of male pilots of the most recent years under new Directors feminizing the LSF males. Still former students rank one step above useless and often shared a special connection. The man was named Jeremiah Hamphet. Bretonia born and raised orthodox Libertian his political standings was par with the Gunny's poker face. Hard, immovable, and deaf. Five years in the academy together each developed a crude sense of reasoning. So they set up the table, and rolled out the poker chips.
"Ah, well couldn't expect much out of them." "Hey, Gunny I hate to cut the usual crap early, but I got something for you." "Your o'lady's panties? What's the story?" "Chip (Gunny's nick name), You still pilot right? Well I have a lead on a weapons cartel, low end small arms, and there is a shipment heading out of Penny. My CO hasn't done a cover for it." "Small arms deal, so what the Liberty Government has been lax of late." "Thing is, not what they have it's where they're going. I don't have the capacity in my ship to get a cloaking device to work, I've tried. I've watched these shipments for some time and none of them have gone to the same place twice." "What does that mean?" "Means there is a secret platform, or base in the general area. They take small amounts and disperse the routes so that it cannot be followed. I've got a guy working on a recharge system that could virtually make the cloaking device remain on. Expect we won't have any weapons or a shield...or heating. We'll have to go in a suits. I need you to pilot my team. You up for it?" "I'm too old to be a taxi driver..."
The Gunny lifts his face up to meet the half stunned gaze of his former student.