Shadows of JiangXi

[Tomtomrawr]

Commissar-Captain Robert Miller had yet to decide if going first had been an advantage or a disadvantage. He'd be the first to trudge through the terrain, so would probably face the most opposition from stubborn plant-life. He could even be clearing a path for the others, if they could find the same way. Animals would most likely smell him first and latch onto stalking him. And he'd had the least amount of time to prepare himself physically and mentally.

But on the other hand... He couldn't think of anything. It was a massive disadvantage.

Why had this trial been started at such an unstable time? It had only been days since Scott's revolution had been quelled and the Coalition was still very shaky. He was training the Commissars under order of Colonel Gonzalez and preparing for the trial on JiangXi had left him no time to do that. Relentless physical training had been a priority for him, with a day of rest before the drop-off day. Making sure he had everything he needed in his backpack to survive for the week.

He'd had to leave behind his dressing gown. And slippers. Even apples would have taken too much space in the bag. He hadn't even been able to take a thermos of tea, much to his dismay. He was a Bretonian gentleman, of course he wanted tea. His backpack was filled with insta-meals, a water purifier, extra ammunition and various other bits and bobs.

He sighed into the mask. He was getting used to the feeling of it constantly being on his face. And it was doing its job well. He didn't have any trouble breathing, or moving around in his clothing. What he was wearing resembled more of a poncho than a radiation suit, but he had been assured that it would do its job.

His movements became automatic. His legs pushed through vines and bushes as he followed his compass to the best of his ability. On that screen was also shown the position of all the others undertaking the challenge. Tracking devices that he'd slipped into their backpacks, hopefully they would do their jobs through the radiation. At least for the distance that he needed. His thoughts consumed him as he thought back to the last few days.

He'd been acting differently, some had said. They all assumed it was because he had been preparing himself mentally for the trial. That was part of it, but the truth was he was in mourning. He had checked the list of dead from Scott's revolt, and found her name on there. The young technician, a sweet young girl in her mid-twenties. He had escorted her to the Christmas party and just days later she was dead. She had been so kind, and her passing had been on Miller's mind since he had heard the news.

A rustling, up ahead. He snapped from Bretonian gentleman to Coalition soldier. As he had told the Commissars immediately after Scott's revolt: 'Adapt to become what you are needed when it is needed', so he took his own message aboard. He rose his AK-74, crouched down and began to move forward.

---

[17:45:39] Wolfs Ghost (Murphy): Tom, you have problems. Go kill yourself.
[19:25:12] Johnny (Jam): Tomtom, I will beat you with a spoon.
[14:22:56] Prarabdh Thakur: KILL HIM WITH A SHEEP.
[17:40:48] Eagle (Junes): Tom should be slapped with a spoon.
[11:32:18] Warspite: Thank you for being so awesome Tom. <3
[18:17:36] Metano: I love you tomtom
[20:06:24] Warspite: I will seriously give you epic head.

Edit: also, Tomtomrawr, fappin' like a boss.