30

In the briefing room, there's a fair amount of noise as mostly everyone inside is busy talking amongst themselves. Based on the few snippets you pick up when you enter the room, it's just the standard morning talk and work gossip. You scan the area for your teammates, but before you can locate them, there's a loud rap on the door, and everyone turns to look as the unit leader, Captain Altug, enters. "All right, everyone, simmer down. We've got work to do," she says waspishly.

"You all know the drill for the patrol," Altug starts to say, her voice deep yet mellow as she adjusts the eye-patch that covers her right eye, an injury incurred during a skirmish with pirates. "So I'm not going to repeat them again. Just stick to your assigned patrol routes and report any suspicious activity to base command before you go and investigate so that we know why you've gone missing. Are we clear?"

"Crystal!" the entire room barks back at her, causing her to break out into a feral grin. "All right! That's it for now, boys and girls! Now suit up and your patrol route and team will be forwarded to your suit," she says, putting a lot of enthusiasm into her words as you all march out to get equipped.

One hour later…