Redemptions Revolution PT6 Painted Edge

June 20th, 2507 Surface of Harvest

“…I know most of you boys are of the rural sort,” Allen says to a group of young men sitting on benches under an open sided awning, “and to many you are not worth handing a weapon and expecting to fight longer than it takes you to shit your pants and miss your momma.”

Amongst them the younger ones chuckle, the older ones snarl under their breath.

“It is okay to laugh now. But those of you grumbling better have a good time while you can. As you, we are volunteers.” Amarok steps out of a nearby communication tent and seems dazed as Allen continues, “Under certain conditions set upon us four, your training instructors,” Ursus and the nearly featureless Odachi stand on the ends of the lines facing Allen, “we hold only the rank of private and will only be addressed by our call signs. The stout fella to my right is training instructor Ursus. The hardass to my left is training instructor Odachi. Training instructor Amarok will be with us shortly. I am Training Instructor Rider. As I have told you before we all hold the rank of private. For everyone our call sign is our name. We hold no static unit. We do what we are told when we are told to do it. Usually the upper echelon sends us on outings much like this one. You have already received your basic combat training but we are here to enhance your woodcraft and prepare you for operations behind enemy lines.”

Amarok joins Allen standing before the group. He seems visibly shaken.

“You all have been chosen from separate parts of the ‘verse for various reasons. One. You all showed exceptional levels of knowledge in several fields. Two. You all have shown an acceptable amount of independent thought and reasoning. Three. You all come from out of the way parts of the ‘verse making you all virtual strangers. “Allen turns and looks at Amarok for a moment before continuing.

“I want all of you to think long and hard about the call sign you choose. Maintain some identity to you peop