If anyone can draw or knows someone who can draw, I needs a cover picture :p

--------------

Steel didn't need much for the expedition, he just refilled his potions back to his original 10 each. He didn't need any stamina potions, since he didn't have an opportunity to use them last time.

"In retrospect." He mused, "I probably should have used them when we were running from the alpha, but Hunie was in my arms and I forgot." He would need them this time, he was sure of it.

Hunie didn't ask for anything; instead, she pulled out a rather wicked set of glove claws and fiddles with the straps. She gave up after getting the first one on and asked Steel for help to get other other on.

"Hunie, where did you get these claws?" He asked surprised.

"I bought them Master." She said cheerfully, twisting her hands to examine the claws, "I used the money you gave me to get them."

Steel narrowed his eyes, "Really? Did you now. I though Mema told me you lost all the silver I had earned and came into the guild hungry and depressed?"

Hunie looked everywhere but at Steel, "Hunie has no idea what you are talking about master, Hunie did nothing of the like."

"Hunie." He said in a warning tone, folding his arms, "What happened to my silver?"

She gulped, toeing the ground, "That's a long story Master, but, um, I don't have it anymore."

Knowing that already, Steel sighed and shook his head, "Okay, now that you are being honest, how did you get those claws for you hands?"

An evil, cheeky smile appeared on her face, "Lets just say your maid was thorough in taking out the trash. Don't worry Master, I'll show you the other stuff I found when we get back." She gave a creepy laugh as she stared into the distance, looking at something he couldn't see. He reflexively took a step back, she oozed danger. Just as quickly as it appeared, Hunie's face resumed it's usual cheerful appearance.

"Let's go Master, time to lead the troops!" She hummed to herself as she marked back tot he meeting spot. Steel watched her, and shook his head.

"You learn new things about people everyday." He said wistfully.

------------------------

Hawk, James, Olaf, and Nina were all waiting for them as they approached the spot. They all had their real weapons on them, and also some heavier armor on the guys. Steel observed them then put his hands around his back.

"Troops, attention!" He barked, inwardly living the moment.

The four and Hunie immediately stiffened and looked straight ahead. He stood in front of them and observed each on for a moment.

"I see all of you are ready, good job." He nodded, beginning to pace, "Now, we are in charge of getting the other 96 members of the expedition to the lair without any avoidable accidents, so are you familiar with what could happen in the grassland and forest?"

Hawk spoke up, "Sir, trap plants, Hungry Bunnies, grass rats, and weed snakes could appear in our path through the grassland."

Steel blinked, 'Huh, haven't seen the last two yet.' He thought to himself. He nodded, "Right you are Private Hawk, how about the forest, anyone?"

All four shook their heads. As new guard members, they were unfamiliar with the forest and it's inhabitants.

Hunie raised her hand, "Wolves and bears, right Master?"

He nodded at, "That is correct Hunie, those two are the main concern. Due to the demon and devil wolves, however, we are unlikely to encounter anything else the closer we get to the lair. We will deal with any demon wolves we come across, but anything stronger do not engage, none of you are strong enough yet. For that matter, a single demon wolf would give all of you extreme trouble if by yourself."

He pointed, "We will move together through the grassland, but once we hit the forest we'll split into 3 groups and walk parallel to each other, this way covering more ground and lowering the chances of flanking. Is that understood?" He barked the last bit out.

"Yes sir!" They answered.

He smiled at them, "Good, now our squad was given a name, courtesy of Captain Harkin." Steel cleared his throat, a little embarrassed.

----{Flashback}----

"That is your squad name, understood Scout Steel?" Captain Harkin informed Steel as he was waiting for the potion requisition.

"Err, sir, are you sure? Not to be rude, but, it's a bit embarrassing." Steel said awkwardly, trying to process what he had just been told.

The captain guffawed at him, "Of course I'm serious Steel, now you better use it, otherwise I'll be very...displeased." He gave Steel a very even glare at his words.

Sighing, Steel excepted the inevitable and hung his head. The captain chuckled and patted him on the back.

"Don't worry son, just work hard and make the name into something everyone will fear." He smiled reassuringly, "Now, get your men to the gate as soon as possible, you're our walking stick in this blind operation."

He laughed at his own analogy and walked off, leaving a sighing Steel behind him.

----{End Flashback}----

"We will be using this as our name, and all orders will be addressed accordingly during this operation." He paused, taking in their eager faces, feeling sad they would be let down. He coughed.

"We are the Shield Scout Squad, led by Scout Steel." He finally said.

The area was quite silent for a while, the four and Hunie keeping their faces as neutral as possible. Then, Hawk snorted, and they all broke down into laughter. Hunie even fell to the ground and started rolling around, giggling uncontrollable.

"Heh heh, snort, we're the Triple S squad." She snorted on the ground.

Olaf was bent over, his beard vibrating from all the laughter, "Ha ha ha ha, Triple shit!"

James and Hawk were leaning on each other now, their face in their own hands, their weapons hanging uselessly on their sides.

Steel sighed, he had completely expected this reaction. Even Nina was having a giggle fit, her cute form vibrating from all the movement.

He clapped his hands, "All right, all right now. Come on guys, control yourselves." He watched as words had zero affect on them, their laughter too great.

He had an idea.

"Last one laughing gets to clean the horse shit out of the stables after the expedition." He said with a cunning smile.

His squad members immediately regained their composure, their faces growing slightly pale. Guard horses weren't often used, so the stables had an almost unhealthy amount of feces at any given time. It was one of the worst punishments a guard member could be given, besides searching for stolen chamber pots and cleaning the guard house floors.

Hunie, unfortunately for her, had no idea of the mess, and continued laughing until she noticed her quiet companions.

"Fueee! Wait, I have to do it?" She shot up in fear, her eyes pleading with Steel.

He smiled evilly at her, "I would think a professional maid like you would look forward to the challenge, isn't that what you are always calling your self?"

She held her head down, unable to refute her words. She was not looking forward to the experience.

The comedic moment over, the six of them walked to the gate, where the other squads were gathering. They marched up to the front of the group, right up to the gate. Captain Harkin met them, his face solemn and serious.

"Shield Scout Squad, good, your here." He nodded at them, "In a moment, you'll be leaving through these gates, the lives of a hundred men in your hands. At least until you reach the lair anyway." He shook Steel's hand, "I'll be here managing the rest of the guard, so you will answer to the commanding officer of this expedition, Sergeant Hamilton."

A large man stepped forward, his height taller than Steel, but a little less than the captain. He had a large scar on the right side of his face, and no hair on his head. He fixed Steel with his eyes and said, "I'm Sergeant Hamilton, leader of the expedition." He looked Steel up and down, his face not betraying any thought. "I've read the reports on you actions, I look forward to seeing how you handle this."

Steel saluted him, "Sir, my squad and I will make sure your men arrive battle ready for the lair."

The sergeant nodded, losing interest as he walked over to another squad group. Captain Harkin watched him a moment, then turned back to Steel.

"See that you do a good job Steel." He walked away, but not before whispering "Good Luck" to Steel, who smiled and motioned for the squad to join him.

"Gates are opening!" A shout came from the wall. The large gate opened slowly inward, the grassland stretched out in front of everyone's eyes. Steel smiled, "All right men, let's go!"

---------------------------------------

The expedition group moved slowly out into the grassland. Being that the lair was in the forest, the horses were pulling carriages instead of carrying men, empty with the hopes that the loot would fill all 3. The entire group traveled about the same speed as Steel had the first time he gone this way, meaning that it would be a good few hours before they reached the part of the forest to enter.

Due to the size of the group, most of the creatures in the area stayed away, lowering the encounter rate in the area. A few players hunting had come up and asked about the expedition, but were all given the same response:

"This is a matter that does not involve you, please turn back. An announcement will be made in a few days by the lord of the city." In other words, a typical NPC response to player interference.

Steel couldn't help but feel a little smug at their dismissal, after all, he was one of the few players part of the expedition. Besides himself and Nina, Steel had notices a few player names floating around some of the squads. It was to be expected, some players were all about justice, or law, or being corrupted from within the system. They weren't his problem.

Steel had enough on his plate anyway, for example the third trap plant in the way of the expedition. He blocked a slam from it's mouth as Olaf and Hunie pummeled the stem. Trap plants moved during the night, so they were never in the same place twice each day. Thankfully, Hunie was able to sniff them out, so the squad had triggered them with stones. Olaf's ax cut straight through the stem, and the plant died, wailing in defeat.

The plants had only dropped plant parts so far, which everyone had given to Steel, seeing as they had no need for any of it. Each part had a crafting symbol, which made Steel interested on what he could build with them. He had been in every battle, with the others rotating each time to allow for rest. He had received a total of 150 exp, and Nina informed him that she had earned 150 from her two fights as well.

Steel wiped his brow, sifting through the loot.

"Let's see, another plant stem, leaf, and some copper." He mused, "Olaf, your turn getting the copper!"

Olaf accepted the 5 coppers with a nod. Steel had been surprised to find copper in the loot, but he figured some unfortunate player had gotten himself eaten. The copper would cover a small meal, but he didn't find distributing the wealth to his squad mates.

'Got to keep them loyal.' He mused, 'Can't have them decide someone else is a better leader.'

His plan of dominance had gone off without a hitch so far. He had them fight each other, reinforcing their hierarchy of strength between themselves. Then he made the strongest, Nina, face Hunie and lose, resulting in the thought that Hunie was the strongest. Then he beat Hunie, and disciplined her in front of them, making him the strongest in their eyes. He then gave Hunie the punishment, establishing fear and respect for him in their hearts. Now, letting them share in the spoils added loyalty to the mix. He smiled to himself, looking toward the future. Once they were ready, he'd use his special skill, and then make them the best squad in the guard.

He straightened himself and stared at his squad, "Good job men, Hawk and James your up next." They nodded, smiling and slapping their swords with their hands. The slapping had become their signal for confirmation, Steel figured good squad mates would eventually be able to communicate without words, and this was the start.

He stared out into the field ahead. "Another 2 hours, then we reach the forest, lets go!"

--------

They kicked me out of my spot, let me know of I missed something important :)