Reckless Abandon

[Stoat]

On New London, Rachel hit the ground running. She was getting tired now. Physical training was all well and good, but she wanted to be in the cockpit, not stuck planet-side, running through mud, water and god knows what else. She pictured herself strapping into her Templar and a smile crossed her lips, just as she ran headlong into the fence she'd forgotten she had to jump. Her breath whooshed out of her as she folded double over the wooden rail before sliding ungracefully back into the mud.

"Furlough!!" came a scream, echoing across the assault course. Red faced and angry, Sergeant Major Jones was making a bee-line for her. She groaned, but not loud enough for the Sergeant Major to hear. "What the hell do you think you are doing, Furlough, sitting there on your arse in the middle of my assault course? Get up! Get the hell up, and if you run into another of my obstacles you'll be running into my fist in the ring!! You got me, Furlough?"

Rachel hauled herself to her feet and snapped to attention, or at least the closest she could manage with mud and water dripping off her.

"Sir, yes sir!" she barked.

"So, get moving Furlough!"

"Sir, yes sir!"

She vaulted the fence with ease, leaving the fuming Jones behind. She made sure she concentrated for the remainder of the course, and as she crossed the finish collapsed to the ground, joining the majority of her squad in the mud. When she sat up, she saw an officer standing not five feet away, studying her. She hauled herself to her feet and saluted.

"Ensign Furlough," said the officer, returning her salute. "You have been assigned. Get showered, get your gear, and get to the space port. You're heading for the Harlow."

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