The Colony Ship the Mayflower and her escort the Amphibious Assault Carrier Aurora docked at 8 am in New Albany that day. After adjusting their clocks to match the timing of sunrise and sunset, the fledging colony is now slowly but surely getting its feet deep into the ground in the new world they inhabit. The 'second wave' of colonists and materials are being disembarked from the cargo holds of the Mayflower as it stood side by side to her sister ship the Eodem. Welcoming videos were being played on loops as the new colonists made their way to their designate homes that the pre-purchased when they signed up to volunteer for the brave colonial expansion effort. Yet the old fervor that had once awestruck the United Federation of Earth is slowly fading as the government began to lessen the expansion of their realm in favor of administrating their numerous colonies. The Benham-3 Expedition was probably going to be the last of their colonial expansion efforts for a long period time as the ruling party, the Common State Party, seeks to divert resources into properly governing their already existing holdings, but the unexpected introduction of a whole, living breathing and intelligently inhabited world has caused the big wigs back on Earth to reconsider.

In addition, the UFE Navy had also sent out, with full Marine Complements 2 Escort Frigates to assist in the Security of the fledgling Benham-3 Colony, the ‘Intrepid’ and the ‘Mount Cheyenne’.

Stryder group alongside Colonel Polonsky and several members of the New Albany Militia were by the docks that day. But however, instead of greeting the immigrants they were standing idly by for the arrival of Major Elias Holyfield, Commander of the UFE Taskforce sent to reinforce the New Albany Colonial Militia. Their coming was joined by a variety of military assets ranging from two Marine Companies of a grand total of Five Hundred who's combat missions were 119th Mechanized Airborne and 53rd Engineering, a Fleet of Airplanes ranging consisting of Multirole and Ground Attack planes and a greatly needed resupply of ammunition.

For Iris, marveled at the influx of new faces and materials pouring through the gate. There were strange gizmos she could only describe as something only a mad man can conceive. Machinery, Tools and Clothing, not even the dreams she had melded with Kayin could prepare her for what she saw.

"Kayin, what is that giant looking egg over there?" the Vampire pointed to one of the ovoid objects being imported through the cargo bay.

It had a glowing white-blue center contained in a transparent glass chamber with the yellow-black 'Hazard' warning sign plastered on top of it. Iris was told by Kayin that she should NEVER approach anything in New Albany that has that sign posted next to it. Otherwise, as she can remember from the words of Samantha.

"You will die of AID's, Cancer or maybe even AID's-Cancer." The recollected voice of the Lieutenant said.

She remembered also asking her what exactly 'AID's' and 'Cancer' is.

"It's painful. Painful as hell." Crocker answered her question.

Kayin, who was standing methodically still tilted his head slightly to Iris' left side so that he doesn't appear to be neglecting his militaristic posture.

"That's an Energy Reactor. Gives electricity to the Colony." He briefly described.

Iris remembered the explanation she got about electricity, at least based on how the UFE can best explain it to her. 'A Stored Lightning Bolt' they said. At first, she thought that the Earthlings can literally catch a lightning from a thunderstorm. Her statement made the Stryder group, especially the normally work minded Kayin and the methodical Samantha burst into laughter. But now she understands the measurement and yes, the concrete measurements of how much power can be held within a just a single box sized battery.

As the Energy Reactor being hauled away, the shadow of an airplane blanketed the ground they stand in darkness. The winds began to pick up heavily due to the influence of the VTOL aircraft's rotor blades coming from its jets. Iris had to keep hold on to her dress from the violent rhythm of the winds. A panel opened from the sides and a small flight of stairs was made from the back of the panel allowing entrance and exit from the aircraft. A sharply dressed man in Military Formal wear emerged from the aircraft and descended the stairs. He was proud and haughty in appearance and the glares from his eyes could instill a cold-hearted dread among the Militia soldiers as he slowly made his approach. The man raised his hands to salute the soldiers as he began to stand in front of his Militia counterpart.

"Colonel." Major Benjamin Holyfield. He was a large physically imposing man who had both the body build of Sargent Crocker and the dark blackish-brown skin of Kayin.

"Good to see you again Major. It's been a long while." Colonel Polonsky saluted.

The two promptly began to walk together in a strafe to get an overview of the soldiers who made up the welcoming committee for Holyfield's arrival.

"I do say Polonsky, your men have been doing well despite the limitations and… unexpected outcomes." Holyfield commented.

"Thank you Major. I am also glad you can arrive in such a short notice and despite the reluctance of the Big Wigs upstairs." Polonsky nodded.

"Yeah, the Wigs have been scrambling lately and it was only through my insistence that they allowed me to join you. I do have to work with less resources then what I am used to for this new assignment but at least I get less people to yell at. So, we are dealing with primitive 'Fantasy World' people am I correct?" Holyfield asked.

"Indeed. So far, we have firsthand experience with some of the natives. We took some casualties but we managed to pull through and established an uneasy peace with the locals at least for now it's uneasy. This is all thanks to the efforts of Lieutenant Samantha Rose. She is very attentive and subservient to the colony's goals almost Robot-like even. Everything I have ordered her to do was met with nothing short of success. She is a good soldier like all should be."

"And you also accomplished this with the help of a cooperative native by the codename of 'Sacagawea' and I believe this woman right in front of me is her?" Holyfield said as he stopped in front of Iris.

It wasn't that hard for the Major to spot her from the crowd of Military Camo's since she herself is wearing a dark purple dress that looked more in line of a noblewoman's party attire than a normal Grunt in for an inspection. Major Holyfield examined her quietly from head to toe. Normally if someone were to check her out for this long at such a close distance, they would be mesmerized by Iris inhumanly acquired beauty thanks to her Vampiric heritage. But Holyfield examined her like a fear-inducing judge who will reprimand you for the slightest of mistakes.

"You seemed to be handling the sun quite well… for a Vampire." Holyfield bluntly said.

"So they told you too? Tell me, are you not afraid of me?" Iris asked. Yet she had to contain the shock of the man openly telling her secret in such an open setting.

Benjamin leaned closer to the Vampire with a grievously judgmental aura resonating from him.

"I have seen much worse in my career, 'Vampire'. I do not care how old you are. You cannot fathom the terrible things these old eyes have seen or the heaviest things I had to carry nor the hard choices I had to make as an Officer of the UFE Military." Holyfield gallantly said. "But I am not here to discuss philosophies with a real-life horror movie monster. I am here to get my boots on the ground and protect the people of this colony from the horrors of this new world. I do not know if you ever asked this question to yourself before but are you a friend or foe to us?" the Major said.

Iris silently looked at the grim eyes of the Major. She can sense the man's resolve and experience judging by his face alone. Makes sense as it would take someone of his character to achieve such a high rank in the Earthling's Military.

"You do not need to answer that question now Vampire. But perhaps you can convince yourself in the Governor White's Board Room." The Major said.

---------------------(Fast Forward to the Governor's Palace in New Albany) -------------

Building where the Earthling's established their seat of power has come a long way from being a large ditch in the ground about two weeks ago into a finely built establishment with Romanesque style exterior and a classical European style interior. Iris was invited to the first meeting of leaders that will discuss the Earthling's future in the fantastical planet of Gliesia. Her purpose was to brief the newly arrived VIP's from the Aurora and the Mayflower. Iris recognized several familiar faces such as Doctor Mahelona who was seated with other scientists with their matching white coats. Major Holyfield and Colonel Polonsky plus other high-ranking members of the Militia sat across them in all of their olive garments and colorful medals and badges that hung on their breasts proudly like laurels on Triumphant General's head. There were other leaders too at that room that ranged from those who represent the Colony's most influential Private Business owners and Engineering Executives in charge of building New Albany's Infrastructure. Governor White sat at the most Authoritative position in the conference table, at the right-handed side of the table in view of all attendees. This allows the Governor to oversee all of his attendants and those who represent all the important structures that pillar the entire political entity of New Albany.

Iris had scoffed at the way that the Earthlings conduct their form of 'Monarchy' called 'Democracy' where the power of the Civilian Government whose reign is superior to the Military. For a woman who lives in a Feudal Society where the Lord is not only the administrator of civilian affairs but also the commander-in-chief of the land's armed forces. Keeping these two aspects apart was unthinkable to her and even to everyone in Gliesia too.

The discussions began, after the exchange of formalities and titles is with Doctor Mahelona who gave an updated report on his research's progress. He has found that the Mana Crystals, aka Element 120 or Unbinillium as dubbed by the Doctor. He had an air of pride resonating from his girth due to his discovery of a brand-new element. Yet what is strange is that it was a naturally occurring one. Normally the elements that are above Atomic Number 80 and over were man-made elements yet he found a naturally occurring element with such powerful properties. He was using the very few samples he has ranging from a recovered personal stash of Mana Crystals from the raided Devicco Mansion and to Iris shock, her own necklace. She had conflicting feelings over the study of her family heirloom. One such feeling was anger that the Purified Mana Crystal Necklace passed down to her was being used like some toy for the scientists to play with their tools with. In contrast, she knew that the Doctors were capable of discovering many fantastic insights with their knowledge and tools, yet she disapproves of the usage of her necklace for their research.

Dr. Mahelona stood up from the podium and announced his research findings.

"It's through my study, that Element-120 or known on this planet as 'Mana Crystals' as a brand-new source of energy similar to Uranium but rather curiously, without the dangerous radiation." The Doctor declared.

The room was lit abuzz with his statements as all the significant characters whispered to each other about the implications of the Doctor's findings. Such the discovery of a mineral would revolutionize the way the UFE can extract, generate, and consume energy. The desire to obtain more of this new 'Element-120' galvanized everyone.

"So I propose that with the Governor's Permission and with the help of the Militia to obtain more of these 'Mana Crystals'. I have already scouted out several deposits with some probes and with permission I want a retrieval team to obtain samples for my team to research with." Mahelona requested.

"I think that can be arranged." The Governor enacted.

"Don't you have one already? Some sort of necklace?" one of the 'Second Wave' engineers from the back of the room asked.

"It's already tiring enough to work with the only sample we have right now which is the necklace we obtained from the bandit attack several weeks ago. The necklace is currently our only sample of Element-120 and I couldn't perform more… 'invasive' means of probing without risking accidentally destroying the sample. The necklace, for your information, is the property of Iris Cadohagan who is present in this room right now. Am I correct my lady?" the Doctor bowed politely to her.

All the eyes in the conference room turned to the Vampire who blushed in nervousness over the sudden spotlight. She was so used to hiding behind everyone noses so such a massive spotlight activated her social anxiety within her. Sweat began to fall down on her snow-white skin as she struggled to utter any words.

Noticing her hesitancy, Governor White intervened.

"It seems that 'Sacagawea' is not in the mood to talk right now. Let me talk about her." Jeremy said. "So, Iris Cadohagan, codenamed 'Sacagawea' is a guide who has been, coerced for lack of a better term, to help us in surviving and integrating ourselves into this new world. She has been an invaluable asset in charge of cultural studies and linguistics for the people of Gliesia, or a the very least in Tyr Rian right now." Jeremy said.

"Its' quite impressive such a young and beautiful looking human is working for us if I say so myself." Another attendee who belonged to the 'Second Wave' complimented Iris.

"Oh, she is as human as she can be." Jeremy replied, his gaze directed itself to Iris in a serious tone as he nodded to her discreetly from across the table. "Anyway, next topic! Let's talk about our infrastructure plans. Engineer MacTavish, please take the floor with your proposition to establish a road system throughout the Principality." He continued.

---------------------------(Meanwhile back in New Albany at a Restobar) -------------------

The cracking sounds of Billiards Balls impacting each other and the laughter of people filled Casey's Sports Bar. The Business catered to virtually any person looking for a leisurely time away from the hustle and bustle of their day to day work. In contrast to what Lieutenant Rose has seen with Lutheor's Drunken Bastard, Casey's had wider space, can accommodate more people and best of all it had more Modern aged technology from a refrigerated Beer Tap, a wide selection of alcoholic drinks that had just arrived at the same time the Second Wave Colonists touched down and a 152-inch 4K Plasma TV which at the moment is still being assembled onto a wall and trying to establish satellite TV connection.

All was exciting and merry just like the Jubilation Samantha has attended yesterday. But she wasn't enjoying any of it. She sat alone with Dr. Hana at a lonely corner table at the Restobar drinking away several rounds of Margaritas.

"Robot-like? That's a Synonym for *hic* slave I tell you! Like I am sort of drone that Polonsky can just *hic* order around like some sort of puppet." Samantha drunkenly said to Dr. Hana.

Evaluating her psychological state, Dr. Lee Haneul had to struggle to piece together the young officer's mental well-being. She was reluctant to allow her to drink copious amounts of alcohol but Samantha insisted she be allowed to drink if she wanted to let out her bottled-up frustrations. And Hana knew that angry emotion when stored for long periods of time can be very detrimental to her decision making for a woman of her rank.

The Lieutenant felt offended by what the Colonel her. But she didn't have to bravery nor the appropriate atmosphere to call Polonsky out. His words were simply insulting to her father and to the very vow she took when she first joined the Military in his footsteps.

"I thought to have the Colonel calling you 'a good soldier' a good thing? Yet the way your treating it, it's like he said something horrible." Hana deduced.

"Damn right it's horri- *Hic* able! My father, the great and honorable Desmond Rose, the Angel of Bel-Taviv didn't earn his medal of honor through blindly obeying his commanders when the Odds were stacked against him. He was a fighter! He was a Hero and He was… my Dad!" Samantha cried as she slammed her head to the table and began to sob.

Captain Desmond Rose, her late father, ignored orders from his High Command to retreat in order to rescue stranded refugees and those of his own unit's soldiers when violent Separatist Rebels from the planet of Bel-Aviv rebelled against the UFE Colonial Government. Many off-shot colonies, especially those very far away from the Core Human worlds would often rebel against the Government for many reasons ranging from Religious Extremism, Old Tribal Earth Xenophobia, Oppressive Taxation and Land Grabbing to name a few. The rebellion in Bel-Aviv was the result of a series of Fundamentalist Political Ideologue Extremism in a similar vein to Maoist Communism from the corrupt Colonial Government whose leader set himself up as a Dictator and established a Rogue State in his planet in reflection to the Old Dictatorships of Earth-like North Korea and Libya. The UFE intervened at the side of the Rebels and Samantha's Father, Captain Rose was one of the soldiers to carry out the liberation.

However, their intelligence on the enemy's strength was off. The Dictator had a secret army of androids armed with heavy rifles and supported by Autonomous Drones. The robotic army countered the invasion with an unhinged Blitzkrieg which pushed the Rebels and the UFE army back to a corner. The robots were ruthless in their assault due to their lack of humanity and a sense of self-preservation. They didn't discriminate on civilians and combatants. This has prompted the UFE High Command to evacuate the plan and glass the surface into oblivion with a heavy barrage of Kinetic Batteries from the Navy's Guns. Ordering those who have survived the failed invasion to evacuate to a designated area. Yet not all people managed to keep up with the general retreat as many people fell behind. Seeing a large swathe surrounded by over a Million fleeing refugees trapped in an isolated urban part of the planet being surrounded by hundreds of the Corrupt Governor's forces.

Her father was told to leave them behind because there were only a few hours left before the bombardment. Yet, Desmond couldn't bare himself to leave the people behind to their destructive fate. Cutting off his communications with High Command, Captain Rose ordered his men and all those who could join him to move up to the pinned down refugees and helped them escape. Although he suffered heavy casualties from the UFE forces side, thanks to Rose's selfless act, he managed to get most of the trapped civilians out of there and were successfully evacuated right before the scheduled Kinetic Bombardment was about to commence.

For his bravery at the face of overwhelming odds stacked against him. Captain Desmond Rose was awarded the Medal of Honor. Samantha remembered being right next to her father as he received his medal then made an inspiring speech where he talked about 'Sometimes, you have to just do the right thing even when others say you shouldn't.'. Samantha was so inspired by her father's words that she, much to her mother's shock and initial disapproval, signed up to become a Soldier of the UFE Military in her Father's footsteps.

"I understand, I know your Father's story and I respect that," Hana said.

"Oh rea---wwwyyy?" Samantha sarcastically chided in her intoxicated state.

"Please, Sam get rid of this first and look at me."

The Korean woman pushed aside Samantha's half-full Margarita from and groped the hair of her head. Her breath reeked of alcohol and complimentary salted peanut appetizers. Doctor Hana stared at Sam's eyes and noticed that they were lazily moving apart from their synchronized form under the influence of the bottle. She could barely make a proper unaided diagnosis when a loud cheering noise shrieked behind her. The source of the noise was that the men were cheering that they can now watch Live Sports via the newly set up Satellite TV on their 152 Inch 4k Plasma TV Screen. The noise and cheering couldn't let up as they saw the game being played in front of them which Hana couldn't stand listening to when her patient is in need of her help. She immediately carried Samantha over her shoulder and very discreetly rushed to the Women's Restroom.

Since the building was mostly catered to men since it's a Sport's Bar, very few women would be enticed to visit such a raucously masculine establishment. The Women's Toilets were very quiet and very empty at a place like this. After making their way inside the room, Samantha pushed herself away from the Doctor, grasping her stomach in one hand and her mouth with the other, she pushed the cubicle doors of the nearest Toilet Stall open and knelt down to the toilet to throw up. She hurled away the toxic elements that she overloaded her systems with. Hana walked behind her and patted Sam's back to comfort her. After a brief moment, Samantha stood up and walked to the sinks and stared at herself at the mirror.

The skin around her eyes were of a hint of black in addition to the slight crimsoning of the eye whites themselves, her hair was a bushy mess compared to the prim and proper form earlier thanks to her constant cringe induced groping from being called 'Obedient' by the Colonel.

"I… I… I just got hurt back there you know Doc. I didn't want to show it to the squad or the other men. I just… didn't want to appear weak in front of them." Samantha said.

"That I can understand from you, both as a woman and as a person in charge. It's always hard to not show your emotions to other soldiers. Said to reduce combat effectiveness. But for a Woman, it can be much harder than a man and this is not a sexist thing, it's simply a fact that every woman must accept that we are all more emotional than the men." Hana lectured.

"I know…" Samantha quietly lowered her head. "But I don't want to be like some puppet that High Command can just pull my strings attached every time they use me. I need… some independence… assertiveness." Samantha said.

"Well, I do know that with the Second Wave of Colonists coming in already and the expansion of our facilities, there's going to be a lot of work that needs to be done. 'Volunteer' work." Hana emphasized.

Samantha's eyes widened in surprise as she turned her head to Hana.

"What kind of work?" she asked.

"Well more Recon and 'Studies and Observations' just like what you were doing for the past few weeks. But this time, the S.O.G. has the freedom to choose where they will do their traveling and scouting next." Hana explained.

"How did you know of this? This is… technically for Military Ears only for crying out loud!" Samantha flipped herself over from Hana's forbidden knowledge.

"Some of the soldiers at the Med-bay mentioned their excitement over the new change of M.O. to me. It was just announced right after the Colonel left for that meeting at the Governor's Palace. I thought you knew."

"I just… stormed out of the Air Strip! How the hell was I supposed to know!"

"Well, maybe you should learn some self-control my Red Headed friend."

Samantha hugged Hana joyfully as she tightly wrapped her arms around the Korean Physician.

"Oh thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Samantha ecstatically gave her gratitude.

"Don't mention it. Just remember to not let your emotions get the best of you, at least in front of your men. If you need some time to be yourself. You can always call me." Hana replied.

"Promise?" Samantha pouted.

"Pinky Promise." Hana clasped her finger around Samantha's.

-----------------------(The Next Day in the Command Room) ------------------------

The room was bustling with activity as familiar faces mingled with new ones. The sounds of conversations echoed loudly in a serious undertone like a busy but normal day in a Stock Exchange as everyone got to work. Thanks to the additional staff and communication technology from Major Holyfield, the efficiency of the Command Room was increased exponentially.

Samantha made her way quietly but confidently to Colonel Polonsky who was standing idly by tapping away on his tablet which he gets information and news of the Militia's day to day operations in real-time.

"Lieutenant! I was just about to tell you something. Your pretty happy today? Is it the new Spaghetti shipment?" the colonel turned to her.

"I haven't tested it yet I'm afraid. But I am here to choose a new assignment for my squad. Let me see what needs to be done." Samantha confidently answered she stepped her foot down ready for adventure.

"Well, you're being quite proud today. Just like your late father, God Rest his soul." He tempered down his voice in respect to the War Hero. "So here is what needs to be done for the day. I got a Hearts and Minds mission that involves building some asphalt roads across the Principality and the Marine Engineers could use some extra hands. Then I got this request for assistance for some kidnap for ransom bandits from Prince Clovich that Mendoza could use extra guns for and the other one is something nobody has taken an interest of, a requisitions request for a large cache of Unbinilium from Doctor Mahelona that involves going to some hill east of here that----."

"I will take the for the good doctor." Samantha interrupted putting her foot down again.

"That Iris told me is haunted…" Polonsky finished his sentence.

"I will still take it. The Doctor needs those Mana Crystals for his research. Plus, Iris has attached to my squad anyway so might as well come along with us there. Can give some of her 'Expert Opinion' on the place." She reasoned.

"Well consider yourself on the case then Lieutenant. By the way, I was about to tell you something important." Polonsky nodded.

Samantha gestured him to continue with her hands, eager to hear what the Colonel has to say.

"Thanks to the Marines and Major Holyfield, we got additional personnel to work with. I know that there are certain roles in your squad that are still vacant so the Major took the liberties of filling out one such role. A Radioman, here's the transfer orders. He should be hanging around the Aurora's barracks right now." Polonsky passed her a cardboard file with the UFE Military's insignia imprinted on it.

She opened the file and read its contents.

Her new Squadmate is named Edward Clay a Communications Technician of the rank of Corporal from the 119th Mechanized Airborne Company. Tall and strong of the expected build of a man who towers at 6'1 feet. Alongside his Assault Rifle, he carries the standard issued Wideband Tactical Radio System that was tucked comfortably in its compact form around his back. His qualifications include being a Broadcast Operator and coordinating precision Airstrikes and Artillery Barrages.

Samantha smiled at the new addition. Comm Technicians, as she knows from Officer School, were like the secretaries for C.O. keeping track of all the orders, radio traffic, and doing the complicated geometric mental gymnastics in coordinating strikes and barrages. The burden of such tasks lifted from her is a welcoming relief. She was never someone who functions well when multiple people are talking to her at once as she could get very socially anxious at times. This flaw only happens when she is off of the battlefield since she feels more at home yelling out orders to as few people as possible, whether they were directly going to enact her orders or delegate it to others below her in peak efficiency was how Lieutenant Rose would ideally have as her command structure, it is simple and old as time, but effective.

"I expect you to give me a report by the afternoon Rose. Dismiss!" the Colonel said.

---------------------------------(An hour later at the Vehicle Bay)-----------------------------

"So this Hot Elf Chick, me and Diaz here were surrounded by these nasty critters and we barely survived." Obediah relayed the events of his hunting trip with Vincent to Crocker who was busy cleaning and loading up the mounted machine gun on Stryder Group's Land Crusier.

"Damn, and you managed to take photo of this girl before she left? Let me see." Crocker requested.

Switching open his phone, Diaz tapped to the Gallery folder and opened his picture of the mysterious Elf Archer woman named 'Aliathra'. Turning his found around, Crocker leaned downwards from his elevated position to examine it. He was astonished and amazed by the young woman's serene features, golden blonde hair, azure colored eyes and her fair skin with a slight tanning on her cheeks.

"Well Holy Fucking shit. She's pretty damn beautiful! Just like them old books and movies about them. Being Elves, long-lived, and supermodel sexy and all. Since they exist, maybe we can go traveling to whatever big ass tree house village city place they live in." Crocker commented.

"You say that like you really want to go Crock." Diaz said.

"Well, this old soldier would love to see something pretty for a change. Been through shit and more shit. Earth, Mars, Centauri Prime, Kesserheim…"

"Wait Kesserheim?" Diaz interrupted.

"Yeah served there for a year. The city is nice but the slums are basically like them old Brazilian Favelas in classic Drug Cartel movies." Crocker answered.

"That's where I used to work in before I got arrested and all. I wonder if my locker is still there now that I am gone… I miss my stuff. Custom Guns, my Heist Mask with a Smart Hud that the best can money buy and my old Car! I miss Marlboro. I am quite the driver." Diaz boasted.

"I didn't know that," Kayin said jumping into their conversation.

"Well, I tend to be more proficient in lighter-weight vehicles. This Land Cruiser is as fast as a fat kid chasing an ice cream truck. I am quite by normal standard reckless. I can't drive 'like a normal person' as Mr. Bianchin told me all the time after I cause thousands in property damage just getting to Point A to B" Diaz scratched his head in chagrin to his confession.

"Well leave the driving to me then Diaz." Kayin said. The penal soldiers backed away from the group.

"Where's the El-tee?" Obediah asked.

"Right here, everybody." Samantha walked in. Alongside her was a man of African American descent slightly short of Crocker's height. The man also sported a radio antenna from his right shoulder and had the badge of a Communications Technician alongside his insignia.

"Who's he?" Crocker asked.

"Command has given us additional resources and manpower thanks to the arrival of the Aurora. This is Corporal Edward Clay. He will be our Communications Technician. He got the qualifications to talk with command and call in support of all kinds just to sum up his resume." Samantha explained.

"It will be a great pleasure to work with all of you." Clay saluted.

"Hey don't forget me!" Iris interrupted them.

"Iris! I thought you were going to be giving lectures on the planet Gliesia to the Second Wave colonists?" Kayin questioned.

"AFTER I help you getting this Mana Crystal Cache. The Doctor wants me to evaluate the quality of the crystals once we see them for ourselves." The Vampire answered.

"Well okay. Expect to get a bit tight inside since we got a new guy. Corporal Clay, Radioman. Likes to make… 'miracles' if you catch my drift." Diaz joked to break the ice with their new squad member.

The Earthlings chuckled at the suggestive fantasy elements of the Penal Soldier's joke. The Radioman's job is to call forth 'miracles'.

"You're a mage? A powerful one?" Iris asked. Not fully absorbed by Diaz's attempt at humor.

"Yes, Sacagawea. I can call forth four kinds of 'Miracle Spells'. They're called 'Airstrike', 'Artillery Barrage', 'Supply Drop' and 'Medevac'. Without these spells, Oh my! The UFE Army will crumble down!" Clay followed in with the joke.

"I never heard of those 'Spells' before although Kayin did told me they were… hey… that's not magic!" Iris snapped.

"It is if it helps you. Maybe one day you will see some of my 'Miracles' yourself. You speak good English for an Alien. How did you learn our language so fast?" Clay asked.

"That's a long story. That I would rather not talk about." She replied.

"Yeah it's best you don't want to know. Trust me in this one." Samantha tapped the New Guy's shoulder. "Anyhow, our mission is to scout out a cache of Unbinilium that Doctor Mahelona has detected west just next to the border of the Principality." She briefed everyone.

"You got to be careful. I hear lots of brigands and Orcish Nomads like to run around those parts of the land." Iris warned.

"That's why we will have Air Support at the ready in case the worse happens and a few extra squads to secure the sight. We just need to scout it out for them first before they can move in." Samantha.

"Sounds like a plan El-Tee." Obediah nodded.

"Right!" Crocker enthusiastically affirmed as he cocked the now belt-fed Verdun Machine Gun making it ready to fire at any opposition that stands in the way of New Albany's progress.

"Buckle up people we movin' out!" Samantha twirled her finger as all of the Stryder group boarded the Land Cruiser. Rose walked up to the Shotgun seat and closed the door.

"Let's go." Samantha pointed the way forward.