BGM: Land of Beginnings

The country of Cyprus, a small island right next to the coasts of Syria and Turkey. This was the meeting place for all candidates enlisted to the known Operation: Symbiote. The new and old soldiers were all disperse around the Alaminos Pier, at the Larnaca District. Perhaps there was some anticipation, especially among the recent enlisting members. It wasn't pretty full of people and not all of them were in combat gear right from the start. It was for the best, though. The new recruits weren't just simpletons who would grab a gun. In fact, they needed no gun...

Arms Masters. Those were most of the operation's new recruits. Each of them with their own unique ability, whether to attack or to support, was there to ensure the success of the operation's mission: to ensure peace between humanity and Arms Masters, finishing the war that has begun because of their differences and the prejudice each side began to hold against each other. The ones chosen to Operation: Symbiote shared the same goal. All they wished was peace, so that live could progress without the need of people dying at all sides of the world.

Or so it seemed to be... after all, not all of them shared the same perspective.

BGM: Mary, the Magician

He was sitting on a bench. Silent, holding a strange-looking knife for some seconds before it vanished. He had a view to the sea right ahead of him. Tranquility was the last thing his mind had though. He looked around, seeing the big amount of people reunited around him... and that scared him. By following logic, wouldn't he need to interact with them from now on? Wouldn't he need to live his life around all of those strangers around him? If that would be the case, he had been tricked. But the person who brought him here didn't lie... did he?

"Ein, I'm back." A voice spoke. When the boy named Ein looked, someone was right next to him. It was André Dias, ex-police officer and now member of Operation: Symbiote. The one who took care of Ein over these past years. The man kneeled and looked at him. "The boat will be coming soon. Once we board in, we're already in Operation: Symbiote." André spoke. Ein looked down and spoke, quiet and soft. "... André, I... why am I needed?" He asked. "It was a direct request from my superiors. They didn't explain to me why, but they requested that you join Operation: Symbiote with me, Ein. Besides, I can't leave you alone back at home." He spoke. "B-But... I can take care of myself-"

That's when André reached his hand out to Ein's shoulder. In a fast reaction, Ein backslapped it away. "A-Ah! I-I'm sorry... I...!" Ein began to panic a little after doing what he did. "See? We've been together for a good amount of time and you still don't let me touch you. You also don't talk that often so leaving you with a stranger is impossible." André spoke. It's true, Ein never let someone touch him, not even André. The human touch was something he feared to extremes... because it would always remind him of the past. "E-Even so, I-I don't like it here... there's too many people around and..." Ein said. "We can't turn back now, unfortunately. The airspace around here is too unstable due to the war. You'll have to endure it, Ein." André spoke.

Ein saw he had no choice, but couldn't do anything other than looking down once more. "Don't worry. I'll be here with you, OK? If you get scared, just stick close to me." André reassured him. That was actually a lie. The plans for Ein would involve something other than the comfort offered to him. Still, for now, it would be for the best to calm him down. Ein's response was a nod, showing his trust in his caretaker.

The Pier

Pablo was at the very edge of the Pier, his Noble Arm held out. Two bodyguards were close by him, one of them Eliza and another an ordinary person. Their purpose: To indicate that was Pabo was going to do was both allowed and ordered. As the boy from Trinidad dipped his mystic weapon through the water, willing the forces of Primordial Truth to flow through him, he saw his own secrets, his own shames and guilt once again.

He saw how pride had infected him, how his belief that he was the main keystone to Operation Symbiosis' success was as much a hindrance to his growth as much as it was a motivation for working hard. He saw the needs and wants of the various people and groups on the expedition, and the need to factor them in. He saw the lies he told himself and the lies told by others, as well as trod the various futures of the expedition.

Lifting his sword and hand from the dirty saltwater, Pablo looked at Eliza and said, "There are people here, people who've suffered in ways no one should suffer."

The lingering power of the sword told him not to think of them as broken objects to be 'fixed', but to see them as people. They had independent wills or the seeds of them, and those deserved respect. Respect others, respect yourself, Pablo thought to himself, while at the same time knowing this: That once the sword's power faded, the seeds of arrogance would sprout inside his mind once more, and potentially bring pain to himself and other people. Be on guard. You are not perfect or omnipotent and others can't cover for you if you just demand that of them.

And with that, he walked towards Ein. Ein the broken, Ein the adorable, Ein, who caused feelings within him to stir. The power of Truth had made those feelings uncomfortable, because he knew this, that what he felt was not Love yet, and that even if it was, a possible future might have him break Ein's heart if he reached out to someone more shattered than the latter. Abbadon - The pitiable enemy. He who can still be redeemed.

As Eliza greeted Andre, Pablo looked at Ein before trying to introduce himself. "Umm... My name is Pablo Legazpi and we'll be working together. My sword can reveal hidden truths as well as tap into primordial energies - Apparently, Truth and Primordial Energy share the same source."

A faint smile as Eliza finished her introductions. "I'm happy to meet you."

That was sincere.

---

Eliza Lopez spoke to Andre, "Greetings, Andre Dias. I am Sargeant First Class Eliza Lopez, assigned to protect prime asset Pablo Legazpi as well as those associated with him. These now include you and your ward. Now, if you could follow me into the ship..."

As she received their responses, then led the way, she would begin some exposition, "I am an Arms Master as well, with a sword that can generate fire and with a moment's concentration, 'modulate' said fire not to inflict physical damage to people I do not wish to harm. I am also a licensed babysitter with experience in taking care of children and teenagers."

A chuckle, a signal she was trying to be humorous. "You've been brought here for your investigative skills, Mr. Dias, and those are going to be needed in the future. Operation: Symbiosis is a gordian knot of competing interests - Not all of them are interested in peace or even stability. And I'm not even including the people who want the expedition to fail."

As they walked on to the transport's residential quarters, Eliza continued, "You've heard rumors that the Operation is a front for a large social experiment on whether Arms Masters and normal people can actually live in harmony and that if it fails, thousands of wealthy and influential people will give up on the concept of peace." She paused, turned around, and looked at them. "Those rumors are true, as Pablo can attest."

They finally reached a set of rooms with numbers that matched keys they had been given beforehand. "And we're here; your quarters."

@Smike@MagusDream@Argonaut@Qrow Storm@rawkhawk64@Renny@Bob the Grunt@Nimbus@Chi:

Carmilla Arde

---

---

---

In the godforsaken city of Raqqa

Only the hot breeze carrying residue of sand and dirt is the only audible sound you can hear.

It was silent as a crypt.

The stench of gunpowder and iron loams in the air.

Territorial disputes are common in these parts, As two factions duke it out for the battle of supremacy.

Whereas a small town located in that area was desecrated and was freshly painted in red as countless civilian bodies were impaled from where they stand. Metal spikes<?> sprouting from corpses making the once populated town an unpleasant sight to bare.

You can tell there was an inhumane execution beforehand. A one-sided massacre if you will..

In that carnage lies a maiden. A beautiful maiden that stands tall to all of the remaining survivors, along with her brothers in arms, wielding the flag of the "hammers".

She lets out a sigh before speaking. Standing firm, holding a strange spear at hand. She glares at people, skimming the area, almost tasting the fear from their sheer terrified look on their faces only to be met by her cold deadpan cast.

"Listen up! I gave them the chance to yield. Unfortunately, they are unwise and chose poorly, Know your place dogs! If this was my other brethrens, none of you will be spared. Consider yourselves lucky, Cooperate and you might just live throughout this." She snarled, leaving an ominous threat to the remaining survivors.

The spear maiden paused and snorted, looking down upon the remaining terrified people. Without another word, She left the area and return to their temporal camp, knowing that her declaration of conquest was sent and got straight in their heads. A mic drop if you will.

This piece of land belongs to the Hammers now. Ruled by fear under her command.

Ishaq sat on the bunk in his living quarters on the ship. A cell phone placed in a cup made for decent sound amplification as one of his favorite songs played. He leaned back and closed his eyes, letting the soothing vibrations of the cello wash over him. He had no doubt that he would meet God soon and that this would likely be his last mission. He had lived to see the day that Israel and Palestine made peace, albeit tense and tentative, and for him, that was enough. All this conflict between arms masters and normal people was not something he felt had a foreseeable end. Yet here he was, on a mission to find that end, offered up by the Israeli-Palestinian coalition as an 'asset'. Once again, he would have to place greater value on some lives over others, offer his gift of life to a limited few, and potentially watch the others that he had abandoned die. Perhaps it might be easier to just listen to orders and let those in command be responsible for making since decisions. But for that to happen, he'd have to advise them how to best utilize the power of his noble arms. He glanced over at his wheelchair, folded up and secured to a wall. It wasn't that he couldn't walk, just that he was often too weak to support himself, so he relied on it to get around to conserve his strength. It wasn't that his usefulness required him to be mobile anyways. But the wheelchair was folded up because in the ships cramped hallways, the thing was just too cumbersome to maneuver. He sighed, remembering that he had heard that some of the other 'assets' were children. If only the world would leave all the fighting to the old people, who upon dying, would take all the violence of the world with them to the grave.

BGM: Mary, the Magician still playing

Eliza Lopez spoke to Andre, "Greetings, Andre Dias. I am Sargeant First Class Eliza Lopez, assigned to protect prime asset Pablo Legazpi as well as those associated with him. These now include you and your ward. Now, if you could follow me into the ship..."

As Pablo and Eliza approached them, both Ein and André got up. "Greetings, Sergeant Lopez. Private André Dias reporting for duty. With me, I've brought Ein Rubicante as requested." He said, presenting Ein. As Ein looked to Eliza, he instantly hid himself behind André, with no intentions of speaking anything. He looked away at the sea, just as so he wouldn't need to look at her. "Ein, that's not a nice thing to do. You know what you have to say to people." André said. Still not looking at them, Ein spoke quitely. "... H-Hi..."

And with that, he walked towards Ein. Ein the broken, Ein the adorable, Ein, who caused feelings within him to stir. The power of Truth had made those feelings uncomfortable, because he knew this, that what he felt was not Love yet, and that even if it was, a possible future might have him break Ein's heart if he reached out to someone more shattered than the latter. Abbadon - The pitiable enemy. He who can still be redeemed.

As Eliza greeted Andre, Pablo looked at Ein before trying to introduce himself. "Umm... My name is Pablo Legazpi and we'll be working together. My sword can reveal hidden truths as well as tap into primordial energies - Apparently, Truth and Primordial Energy share the same source."

A faint smile as Eliza finished her introductions. "I'm happy to meet you."

That was sincere.

To Ein's surprise, a stranger named Pablo had approached him. He jumped away, nervous and shaking. "P-P-Please, don't get near me!" He stuttered while wrapping himself in his arms. The sincerity Pablo had on introducing himself was the same sincerity Ein had on distancing himself. He didn't want Pablo to get close, he didn't want to talk... he didn't want to relive his past. "Sorry, little Pablo. Ein... doesn't like people getting close to him." André spoke.

Soon, Eliza went to the ship. "C'mon, you two, let's follow her." André said, going towards the ship as well. Ein followed him as fast as he could.

As she received their responses, then led the way, she would begin some exposition, "I am an Arms Master as well, with a sword that can generate fire and with a moment's concentration, 'modulate' said fire not to inflict physical damage to people I do not wish to harm. I am also a licensed babysitter with experience in taking care of children and teenagers."

A chuckle, a signal she was trying to be humorous. "You've been brought here for your investigative skills, Mr. Dias, and those are going to be needed in the future. Operation: Symbiosis is a gordian knot of competing interests - Not all of them are interested in peace or even stability. And I'm not even including the people who want the expedition to fail."

As they walked on to the transport's residential quarters, Eliza continued, "You've heard rumors that the Operation is a front for a large social experiment on whether Arms Masters and normal people can actually live in harmony and that if it fails, thousands of wealthy and influential people will give up on the concept of peace." She paused, turned around, and looked at them. "Those rumors are true, as Pablo can attest."

They finally reached a set of rooms with numbers that matched keys they had been given beforehand. "And we're here; your quarters."

With the explanation given, André gave her a smile. "Understood, Sergeant. I'll use my experience as an detective to the operation's favor." He spoke. However, that scared Ein. Wouldn't that mean André was going to leave him alone? "Y-You're not leaving me alone... r-right?!" He asked, worried and trembling a little. "No, of course not. We'll be together, but... not all the time. It'll be just like at home." André spoke. Even so, Ein protested a little. "I... want to stay with you... don't leave me..." He said, almost crying. André hugged Ein for him to calm down. "There, there... calm down, calm down-" He spoke, but Ein pushed him away.

"S-Sorry, Ein. I got... carried away again." He spoke. Ein nodded, but he was still scared of the outcome.

The Ship

Pablo looked downwards, inwardly sad for Ein. In response to Andre's words, Pablo nodded and said, "I can understand."

The power of Truth, the Primordial Forces, they warned me about being too touchy-feely towards Ein. Pablo had known this, that he will be - that he was - tempted to try and 'fix' Ein and make him into a 'normal' person. And he felt that those impulses will have to be met with caution. Same for the overwhelming desire to be with the intensely cute, intensely sad, prettyboy. As Eliza led them into the ship and their living quarters, Pablo tried to ease himself into new habits and responses, and said habits and responses were - Don't hurt Ein.

In the ship, Eliza then continued, "I and Pablo have seperate rooms next to yours and Ein's joint quarters, Mr. Dias. Each room has a bed, a sub-room for the toilet, and a small laptop with internet - Albeit internet continualy monitored and restricted by High Command. Oh, and a fridge for snacks and cold water - Alchohol will be allowed but kept out of public view once the Operation's deployment begins."

It was then that Pablo received a call from his superiors in the Military Police. Looking at Eliza, Ein and Andre, the young man then said, "We're to meet Ein's new mentor, Sumizome no Shion. He's in the Cafeteria, at a corner table."

---

Sumizome no Shion had been ordered to await the coming of his new apprentice at the corner of the cafeteria, and also to use his Noble Arm to put up a 'cone of silence' using his wind powers. He had been given an encrypted note containing his mission: To expose a group of CIA Agents who were using the fact that most of the expedition was American to hide among the troops. Normally, this would be allowed, if not for the fact that said CIA Agents were bringing in illegal torture equipment abroad ship. Sumizome was to be overall leader of this mission, tasked with briefing Pablo, Ein, Eliza and Andre with its objectives although Pablo probably already knew. Not just that, but he was also given full discretion on how to accomplish said mission as long as he didn't cause a diplomatic incident.

---

Ishaq, Axel, Robert and Callie were to be given their orders: They were to support the upcoming landing in Latakia, Syria, to the best of their ability, and make sure that collateral damage was kept to a minimum. Their ship, which was the same ship Pablo and the others were in, was already moving towards the target, and the four Noble Arms users were tasked with 1.) Finding and disarming any naval mines or other obstructions in the way, and 2.) Support a group of Elite Marines as they make the initial landing at Latakia's docks, and 3.) Splitting up, with Callie creating a portal to transport her, Robert, and a group of SAS troopers behind enemy lines to cause havoc.

@Smike@MagusDream@Argonaut@Qrow Storm@rawkhawk64@Bob the Grunt@Nimbus@Chi:

Larnaca International Airport

The fair-skinned, grey-eyed woman with shining blonde hair cut far above the neck is hardly a startling sight among the British tourists making their way out of passport checks at Larnaca International Airport, what with her grey tank top, camouflage trousers and skin glistening with sun cream; the only thing that she perhaps lacks to complete the picture would be a pair of sunglasses.

Upon closer inspection, however, an observer might notice certain things to mark her out. Her stride is remarkably assured, even as her fingers rapidly tap at her thighs in ever more complex patterns; she scans her surroundings, pupils focussing and dilating as she does so.

Of course, after a few minutes idling irritably at the baggage claim, the great pack and metal case that she plucks from the conveyor belt separate her further.

Stepping into the sunlight at the airport’s exit, she leans back, feeling the warm air and the Sun’s radiance on her face. For half a second, the sensation consumes her – the light shining through the skin of her eyelids, the heat running across her cheeks and brow like a caressing hand of flame.

It is only a half-second. After all, unlike those others on the plane, her primary goal isn’t enjoying herself.

Slinging her pack up onto her shoulders, she flicks through the case’s combination lock, which opens with a satisfying click. Opening it, she reaches past the assault rifle with the strange-looking rail to take hold of a cylinder of brass, glass and ivory, the button in its compartment released as she does so.

A pain but no point in trying to get around it. Security’s security.

Nonetheless, she smiles as if to an old and familiar friend as she looks upon the spyglass again. Then, purposeful, she flicks it open, holding it at the far end and raising the other to her face, wedging it between her nose and cheekbone as she looks towards the hills above Larnaca.

Yep, they’ll more than do.

In one moment, she is by the airport, checking the left and right to make sure she won’t bifurcate anyone by mistake. In the next, she is adjacent to one such hill. And, in the moment after that, with a quick step forward, she is atop them.

The smile becomes a grin.

Looking back, she pulls and unfolds the printed map from her pocket, eyes drawn immediately to her pen circle marked ‘Dock’ in tidy, efficient scrawl. Gaze skimming between it and the coast before her, aligning the two, she finds her true target. Dropping the case, she takes the spyglass in both hands now, adjusting it.

There she looks upon glorious opportunity.

Callie Lidmann steps forward once again.

John Smith
Somewhere in Syria

There was a certain level of finesse that went into running a worldwide organization bent on the destruction of the current order. Smith was the absolute commander of an army consisting of thousands of Arms Users with weapons and vehicles, two major cities and a large swath of the Middle East as well as millions of dollars scattered across the globe in secret accounts and stashes. It was no mean feat managing it all. Shipments of Type 56 rifles from Cambodia, surplus LAW rockets stolen and sold by leftist and rightist factions in South America, an influx of foreign volunteers to train and equip, Soviet era tanks to station at hidden outposts, a horde of mind controlled double agents to put to use scrounging up information and assassinating threats...

Things every leader had to deal with.

Luckily for him his underlings were mostly competent. Amaterasu and Abbadon were both out preparing for the initial invasion, brother and sister setting up some nasty surprises for the Symbiosis bastards. He could also draw on the support on a intelligent and loyal officer corp, dedicated men and women who could lead with the perfect mixture of respect and fear from their troops. One of them was in the perfect position to deal with a couple of problems for him. The dignified man scribbled down a note and handed it off to one of the many junior officers and guards scattered about the makeshift office.

A few minutes later Carmilla's radio buzzed to life, a curt female voice detailing the errands that needed to be ran. "Orders from HQ. You're given the choice as to which one you'd prefer to handle, as long as you do so in a timely manner. You can take ten men with you, please send the remainder back to base. As always efficiency is valued, and failure will reflect poorly on you." It was the standard polite warning: fuck up too many times or even look like you're a threat to the security of the Hammers and you will be dealt with violently.

"The first errand involves a DFS armory holding a variety of small arms as well as explosives and anti-vehicle weaponry. Obviously this material is better off in our hands. You will go to the coordinates sent and'persuade' the militia there to hand over there supplies on pain of death.

"The second option is a one person job. Dr. Leslie Black, general practitioner from Sydney and advocate for healthcare initiatives in impoverished areas, has recently stumbled into business she should keep out of. During one of her visits to the outskirts of Hama to distribute medical supplies and do check ups one of her young patients let slip his father's involvement in our organization. She and an armed guard are currently driving back to Rasafeh, where she might let someone know about what she learned. You will stop her vehicle and take her, alive, to a drop off point."

"So take your pick and good luck. HQ out."

The radio call dies out in a crackle of static, leaving the agent with her choice.

Carmilla Arde, Raqqa en route to Rasafeh
@Smike

---

---

"I will not disappoint" determined to get the job done with little time to waste, The spear maiden puts out her gameface on, strap in her cape and armor, recalls her cursed spear to her possession and bolted out her tent as soon as the message ended.

She struts with an imposing figure. A fierce knight on a mission, commanding left and right to her flunkies to run a brief background check on this Dr. Leslie Black and where her current coordinates are with Intel drones scattered around these parts.

She prepares her trusty steed and armaments for this solo mission in doing so. The spear maiden is a bit of an old fashioned when it comes traveling, preferring a horse over any modern vehicles, A weird and questionable choice to say the least. Either way, She thinks it's more mobile than any tanks or buggies in this terrain as far as she is concerned.

Carmilla choose the abduction mission simply out of curiosity, I mean she could butt heads with some armed people and hijack their weapon and armory, but thinks that's too messy for her taste. Negotiations aren't her strong suit, seeing how she lay waste to this small town without a second thought for defying the will of the hammers. Carmilla has her doubts most of them will be persuaded that won't end in needless bloodshed.

Option two seems the more pacifist route to say the least and got her interested the most. Determine to find the answer, Carmilla mounted her steed along with her stocks of explosives and firearms, all set for the task ahead to hunt down her prey.

"Coordinate with me if you spot anything, I'll find and bring back this so-called nuisance of a doctor who dares foil our cause" She said to her troops.

With a tug of the reigns, the Knight wielding a curse spear and her black horse gallop and sprints towards the direction of Rasafeh. The game is afoot for the knight, the doctor and her mysterious bodyguard who seems to be protecting her.

From there, Carmilla's objective is clear as day: Intercept, Retrieve the target alive<?> and Eliminate any hindrances if necessary.

On the Road Towards Rasafeh

The troops nodded and murmured varying words of assent, as well as a few muttered comments about her way of speaking and dress. What kind of person wore full medieval armor to fight in a desert? The horse made some sense, but a cape and plate mail? And why did she speak like that? "So-called nuisance who dares foil our cause?" What was that about

It only takes an hour or so of riding under the bone bleaching Syrian sun before the Hammer agent is contacted via her radio by one of her underlings. "Hey boss, hope you're not too hot in that armor. the nameless voice snickered. "Anyway, intel from the Holy Trinity: the good Doctor is traveling in a white Jeep Wrangler with tinted windows and is believed to be accompanied by two private security guards working for Academi, formerly known as Blackwater Security Company. According to files pulled from records, you're dealing with Martin Eichmann, a former US Navy SEAL, and Marissa Short, graduate of the Seaborn Acadamy of Arms. Short is a C ranked Arms User while Eichmann is simply well trained and well equipped. You are advised to deal with both of them in a way that minimizes risk to Dr. Black. Keep riding and report in when you have her subdued."

The call ends and within minutes the target vehicle is in site, dust streaked Jeep barreling down the road and leaving a cloud of dirt in its wake. Nearly two hundred feet off from the armor-clad woman the jeeps veers to the left as if making room for her to pass by.

@Argonaut

Ishaq sat through the briefing quietly and pensively, looking at the others present and trying to gauge their mission-critical-ness. The Blood of the Martyrs was no cheap gift, so either he'd have to determine who was most deserving, or whoever was planning the operations would have to give him an order. As their objectives were laid out, Ishaq saw that he could do little to help with the first objective, that of mine detection, unless they intended to test for miens by having people swim into them. Sure, he could bring the poor saps back, but it just seemed like a sick joke if that's really what they were going to attempt. Of course, Ishaq knew that to express these thoughts out loud would be in poor taste. Instead, he just sat there, smiling at his 'comrades', hoping to at least build rapport with them. He did however say, "There's not much I can help with in the first objective of clearing mines, unless the operation involves a high likelihood of grievous physical harm. I'm Ishaq Alkhawaja, by the way. Arms master. Support-type."

Kagami wasn't supposed to walk alone.

He was a high value asset after all. Though only possessing a single ability, his Arms were the only one of their kind - able to completely disable another Arms Master. Of course that came at a high price to him but in the end, what didn't?

He walked down a dark alley between two shops, hoping to find something in the pitch black. Then, a tongue of flame came out from behind him, barely missing his right cheek.

"Kagami Shiroyama, what are you doing on your own?" A voice behind him hissed in a high-pitched voice. "One of the Operation's highest value members without any security at all. Why are you so special?" Another sound came from behind him, that of a metal clanking and a fire being started.

Kagami turned around and grabbed something from out of thin air - a dart. In a single quick movement, he launched the dart at his opponent. The man fell back, onto his back. The dart had found its mark and buried itself in his stomach.

"Why you!" The assailant made a throwing movement directed at Kagami but nothing came of it. "WHAT THE FUCK?!"

Kagami pulled out his gun and shot both of the man's two feet.

"We've got him!" He yelled. His subordinates ran into the alley, took hold of the man by his shoulders and led him out.

He pulled his communicator out from his belt and asked,

"Orders?"

Ishaq, Axel, Robert and Callie were to be given their orders: They were to support the upcoming landing in Latakia, Syria, to the best of their ability, and make sure that collateral damage was kept to a minimum. Their ship, which was the same ship Pablo and the others were in, was already moving towards the target, and the four Noble Arms users were tasked with 1.) Finding and disarming any naval mines or other obstructions in the way, and 2.) Support a group of Elite Marines as they make the initial landing at Latakia's docks, and 3.) Splitting up, with Callie creating a portal to transport her, Robert, and a group of SAS troopers behind enemy lines to cause havoc.

Robert listens through the briefing silently, scratching notes into a well-worn note book. "Support Marines Landing - Latakia", he noted at the top. "Minimum collateral damage??" he added, underlined and question marked. "Infiltrate enemy lines - SAS, Callie, self." As the briefing appeared to come to a close, he asked questions.

"Aside from us, what is the landing force composed of?"

"And what kind of opposition are we expecting? Do we know who's in control of Latakia right now? Against any serious enemy, minimizing collateral damage would seem extremely limiting. Landing in the middle of a city certainly doesn't help that"

This was particularly relevant to his own explosive ability.

"Has command determined our Rules of Engagement?"

The Ship

Robert's commanding officer spoke, "The forces deployed for the landing are 55,000 soldiers, more than one-third of the overall force of Operation: Symbiosis. These include artillery, tank, and light vehicle crews, each of whom have dozens of spare vehicles. This landing is transported by an entire flotilla of transport ships, covered by an entire carrier group escorted by missile cruisers, and several wings of aircraft, drones, and gunships."

The commanding officer then sighed at Robert's next questions, "The Disablers are well-armed and well-trained - They have to be to defeat Arms Masters. Think Hezbollah in Lebanon - They have tunnels, they have traps and IEDs, they have stinger missiles, they have rocket artillery, they have drones of their own, and of course, a flood of AK-47s. If not for our own Arms Masters, including you, a battle with minimal civilian casualties will be a pipe dream."

The middle-aged woman then smiled, her greying red hair glinting in the light. "But it isn't, because of people like you and Callie. With her spyglass Noble Arm and her portals, we can find the main concentrations of Disabler troops. We can avoid places such as hospitals, schools, and mosques. Those are the rules of engagement, soldier - Callie shows you where to go and what to shoot at, and you do so."

---

N/A, waiting for Agni.

Kagami's Location

Command was prompt to respond. "Operative Shiromaya, you are tasked with a secret expedition to Hammer of Masters' territory in North-Central Syria and Iraq. You are to aid the Democratic Forces of Syria and Iraq in beseiging the city of Raqqa in Syria, and make a good impression with their forces and operatives. They are the only ones who can guarantee the support of the various civilians in the former Union of Arab Republics - So make sure you don't fail. As for transportation, a stealth aircraft will be sent to paradrop you and your operatives to just outside Raqqa. You will also be given secret passwords, codes, and items to prove to the DFSI that you are allies..."

@Smike@MagusDream@Argonaut@rawkhawk64@Bob the Grunt@Nimbus@Chi@o0V0o

After the briefing given by Eliza, the group left to the cafeteria. There, they found Sergeant Sumizome no Shion, waiting for them at the table. They walked towards him as he got up from the chair. "Good morning, Sergeant Lopez. And you three must be Pablo Legazpi, Ein Rubicante and André Dias." Shion spoke. "Greetings sir. I am Private André Dias, recently enlisted to Operation: Symbiote and caretaker of Ein Rubicante." André saluted. Shion, with an imposing figure, looked at Ein. "A-Ah...! H-H-H-Hi..." Ein stuttere, while hiding behind André. "Forgive me, Sergeant sir. Ein is... completely adverse to strangers." André apologized. "Ease your worries. As his new mentor, I was well instructed on Rubicante's current mental stability." Shion spoke.

"Allow me to introduce myself then. I am Sumizome no Shion, Sergeant of Operation: Symbiote's Intelligence Squad. You will be under my care from now on, Private Dias and Rubicante." Shion introduced himself. "T-Then... I-I can... stay with André...?" Ein asked. "Yes, you two will be together on the same squad." Shion said. Ein felt relieved after hearing those words. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. I would like to know about our mission, if possible." André asked. Shion nodded and opened the note he received, laying it on the table.

BGM: Mission Briefing

"As Sergeant Lopez explained to you, we will need your investigative skills, Private Dias. Our mission is to uncover torture methods being used by CIA agents aboard this very own ship. They deny the usage of said methods, but it has been a recent remark that captured enemy soldiers return injured from these interrogations. Some more than other, with few not resisting some of those injuries and dying. Operation: Symbiote holds itlsef by the banner of peace, which is why such things cannot go on anymore." Shion spoke. "T-Torture... methods..." Ein muttered to himself. "Understood, sir. However, if you permit me to ask, why is this task imposed on Pablo and Ein as well?" André asked. "As you know, we cannot send them to war, due to both being underage. However, the reason is the value their powers will present in such missions other than actual combat." Shion spoke. "How so, Sir?"

"Legazpi's power will allow us to cause a breakthrough to whatever lies these agents will spawn. Rubicante's power will allow us to use him as a spy, in order to catch the actions right into place. I am certain these two will prove themselves well, even if this is their first mission. I will be there to instruct you all, so you will not go unprepared." Shion spoke. "Understood. Well, Pablo and Ein, we'll be working together from now on. I'll be counting on you two." André spoke to both of the young boys. "R-Right..." Ein spoke. "That will be all for now. I shall await good results from the three of you." Shion finished the instructions. André saluted firmly, with Ein saluting nervously a little afterwards.

*BGM ends*

Right after the salutations, Shion's mouth wriggled around a little. He seemed to be holding something back. "Uh, sir? Is everything okay?" André asked.

Shion's Theme: Blackjack

"Pffft... alright, new reminder: never act as imposing. It doesn't work since it cracks laughters on me. Eliza-san, remind me to leave this "serious talking" stuff to you, alright?" Shion laughed. They got confused. Was that imposing presence just an act? That was confirmed, since Shion took out a lollipop out of his pockets and started to savor it as if it was nothing. "Want one, André-kun? I have some here with me." He asked. "N-No sir... wait, what did you call me?" André asked. "I'm not calling you as Private or Dias or whatever of these technical stuff. I don't work that way." Shion spoke. That made André wonder if Shion was really taking this mission seriously or if he was completely out of his mind. "Sergeant, perhaps I should remind you that we're in war. We're supposed to treat each other according to our ranks and-" André began to speak, but Shion interrupted him. He took another lollipop, removed the plastic around it and put it in André's mouth while he was speaking. "Strawberry. It's a nice flavor, if you ask me." He said.

He had to admit, it was good. However, the taste of candy was the last thing scurrying over André's mind. Seeing his superior act so friendly and nonchalant put him in a tough spot. "Sergeant, could you please take this more seriously? This isn't the time for us to be joking around, you know!" André complained. "So you're really going to play two pairs while I have a four of a kind, André-kun? You should change your taste, since you're so much of a tower that you're the last piece to be moved." Shion said, all while smiling. "What... what does poker and chess have anything to do with the mission?!" André questioned, visibly irritated. "Look, your investigation skills were recommended and you seem pretty organized, by the looks of it. Yet still, you let your perfectionism stand in your sight so much, the world's always black or white to you. Only walking through straight paths will take you nowhere." Shion spoke.

Now André was left impressed. He was a perfectionist, well-organized young man, always preferring to be safe than sorry. However, he has been toppled by this stranger whom he never seen before. On top of that, he was thoroughly described by Shion, in a conversation that couldn't have gone for more than 10 minutes. "W-What the... what is this? S-Sergeant Lopez, with all respect, but is this some sort of joke?" Wordless, that was all he could say for the moment.

“Thank you, Ma’am; that will not be a problem for me,” Callie answers, with a respectful nod towards their commanding officer. She then turns to Robert and Ishaq, offering a winning smile. “Sapper Callie Lidmann, Reconnaissance, Mobility and Damage-type Arms Master, formerly of the Royal Engineers. Good to meet you both.”

She looks back to the woman in charge, her expression turning serious again. “Ma’am, I share Alkhawaja’s concern. Charter can’t see into deep water; I’m sure I can clear mines if I know what their surroundings look like but I can’t do that on my own. Do we have minehunting drones aboard that we could use?”

The Ship

Pablo smiles at Shion dropping his mask, then says, "This transport ship has a surprising number of rooms, but an earlier use of my power has given me the location of the Agents and the Torture Equipment - It's in a hidden chamber beside the kitchens. That said... I don't think they're torturing anyone now, yet, so I think that the best plan would be to take photos of the equipment, then destroy said equipment, and then get the CIA Agents expelled from the expedition and ship so that we don't cause an incident by 'terminating' them."

Eliza nods at Shion's shift in mood before she said her next words, "Investigator Dias, Shion really is serious about... Not being serious. He's allowed to be unorthodox. Either way, give us the orders and we can move out to apprehend the Agents - Assuming that the CIA don't have a person here keeping tabs on us." She then looked at Shion and Pablo and said, "It is very much possible that this could be a diversion from the actual CIA activities in Operation Symbiosis as they are not blind to Pablo's power and its potential."

She looked at everyone, certain that Shion was still putting up a 'Cone of Silence', and said, "I watched Pablo use his power on the waters around the entire expedition earlier, just before we met with Ein and Andre. The objective was to see the Operation's possible futures, as well as any secrets that can potentially disable them. However, despite this gain in information, there's only so much that one person can do, which is why we need your help - If I were the CIA, I'd toss literal hundreds of distractions at Pablo Legazpi so that he won't be able to stop their real agenda. That or just kill him and damn the consequences."

---

"We do," said the commanding officer to Callie. "We have plenty of mine-hunting drones, mostly Chinese models 'willingly' - Note the quotation marks - given by their higher-ups. But be warned, the Disablers have Humvees, six to ten Main Battle Tanks, and dozens of Technicals as well as three to ten Mortars and six pieces of artillery. Even with Noble Arms, even with ressurectives," a reference to Ishaq, "This battle won't be easy."

Kagami's Location

N/A

@Smike@MagusDream@Argonaut@rawkhawk64@Bob the Grunt@Nimbus@Chi@o0V0o

A tactical ambush it is.

Carmilla's target is inbound and has her sights set on them, 200ft between her and her objective. It's now or never as far as the situation goes.

Hopefully, those buffoons back at the base have given her the correct info on her current target and their right coordinates are. Otherwise, This could end disastrously as far as the mission goes. For all she knows, this could be a decoy or trap set for those who attempt to endanger Dr. Black's life, seeing how important of an asset she is. Either way, Carmilla has to take a chance or rather the bait in front of her.

Escorted by two formidable bodyguards, huh? sounds like a challenge. I'll be the judge of that if they survive my initial attack

"Hiya!" The knight fiercely charges forth.

Her noble steed screeches and races underneath the blazing rays of the scorching sun. The sound of its hooves can be heard thunderously, her metal armor clink-clanks like crazy from the speed she is going as spear maiden is in hot pursuit of the jeep. Either way, at this rate, She has to find some way to bridge the gap between her and her moving prey.

As Carmilla rides towards behind her target, The tip of her spear glows faintly, letting it dangle by her side, grazing the ground below her as she moves.

Time to show where the 'Earthslayer' Noble arms got its name from.

The ground began to violently shake from the effects of the cursed spear, drawing its lines on the sand. Ores, metals, and other various minerals underneath began to tremble, heeding the call of the Knight's lance.

A living tremor soon unfolds, erecting a path of countless metal stakes from the ground below. It crawls rather rapidly, following and blocking the jeep's path, puncturing it left and right. Abruptly flipping and trashing it in the process like a tin can, blowing it out of its balance so it wouldn't escape.

An wall of spikes was set around the area in its wake. The spear maiden comes close within the distance of her cornered target. Her trusty steed comes to a screeching halt, visibly exhausted from the chase.

Carmilla pants heavily, standing tall while anxiously awaits what remains will crawl out of the toppled vehicle. She only hopes this relentless assault doesn't kill the good doctor as her only intention is to rough them up and take them for easy pickings.

@Bob the Grunt @Letter Bee @Nimbus

Ishaq listened as the commanding officer explained what forces the enemy was expected to have, and shared Robert's cynicism. There would likely be casualties. But then again, tactics was not his strong point. Looking around the room, it seemed that Callie also functioned more as support and transport, making Robert the most likely target of Ishaq's Noble Arm. "I've always just followed orders, and let others use my ability as they saw fit," Ishaq said with some resignation, "so I should explain fully how I can help. I can support a high-priority target. If the target dies, they return to my side, alive and well. This has two main uses. It allows the target to engage in a suicide mission, without the permanent loss of the target. It also allows the target to complete one objective and immediately begin on another objective in a separate location. That is, if upon completing their objective, the target terminates himself, and I am at the site of the second objective. Essentially, teleportation, the only cost for the target is experiencing the pain of death, but I doubt something like that will bother someone like you, will it?" Ishaq looked at the other man, implying that Robert would likely be his target. "We seem...understaffed for an operation like this, so we'll need to capitalize on making the most of what we have."

Callie looks between Ishaq and Robert for a moment, raising an eyebrow at the implication of the former. “I did say that I’ve got attacking capabilities too.” She picks up her copy of the briefing notes, holding them up to the other two; with her other hand she plucks Charter out of the air and, with a moment’s focus, forms and then dismisses a tiny portal with either end inside the corner of the sheets, trifurcating it in an instant. Callie grins. “Specifically surgical, silent attacking capabilities. Charter’s portals can cut through anything – walls, barricades, equipment – so long as I know where it is and what it looks like. Against enemy personnel, meanwhile…” She turns to the commanding officer again. “If we have any holding cells, could I see them after this? With your permission, I’ll memorise them and drop people through – weapons disabled, obviously.”

Callie turns back to the other two. “Beyond that – jets or sheets of ultra-pressurised water from the Marianas Trench; heat and fire from Kilauea; I can even bring in lightning from Lake Maracaibo on a good day by cutting the distance from the stormclouds there to wherever I want. Path of least resistance. Charter also allows me to see as far as the Earth’s curvature and the terrain allows, so I can do all of this at range or just scout. And there’s transportation too.” She smiles to Ishaq. “If you want, you can focus on keeping us alive and I can handle moving us around. You know your Arm better than I do.”