Fireteam Omega

Chapter 3-Test

0700 Hours

July 3rd, 2544

Military Calendar

Epsilon Eridani System

Planet Reach

Ryan exited his personnel bunk room in their temporary building. The main orphanage in the courtyard was quiet on the outside. He ordered the two marine escorts he had with him to escort the six children that had been selected onto the ship quickly. They saluted and gathered them from their individual rooms as he went and met with the Army unit disassembling the medical tent, who were just packing up the last of it and transporting it back into the cement building.

The Sergeant noticed him approaching and saluted. Everly returned the salute and gave the sergeant a smile "Thank you for your help sergeant, I trust your team offloaded all the supplies?"
"Yes sir, we appreciate the drop off." One of the privates called out, informing him that they were taking the last of the gear inside.

The squad lead nodded and gave a final salute before turning and leaving. Once the Sergeant was inside and out of sight he motioned for the two marine escorts, who moved the kids into the freighter cargo hold. With a final look around Everly closed the door just as the ship began to lift off.

Reed was slightly confused as to what was happening but he didn't let the emotions play on his face. He learned in the Refugee camp and orphanage really quick that letting your emotions be shown was a quick way into trouble.

Around him the five other kids were up to their own devices. The one that was the youngest of the bunch, a small girl with blue eyes and dirty blonde hair who seemed to have an angry look on her face constantly was staring at one of the seven year olds with a fiery gaze.

The next one, a six year old with almost black eyes and brown hair. His eyes were studying everything, bouncing around to the crates around them and the main cabin at the front of the ship where the soldiers had disappeared into.

The other six year old, with brown eyes and black hair, whose skin was a shade darker than the rest of them, most likely a descendent of those from Central America back on earth. He had a permanent smirk painted on his face. When he noticed Reed glancing at him from his left he leaned over and said "Hi, I'm Demyx. The other kids call me Dem though."

Reed responded to the start of the conversation "I'm Reed."

"Never seen you before, where were you in that prison?"

The five year old glanced to his left and then his right, he had always remained in the background of everything, making his living by not being noticed "I was there, just tried to stay out of the way."

Dem raised an eyebrow "Smart, whatever happens, me and you stick together alright?" Dem wanted him on his side. He had seen the younger kid examining the other kids and made the decision that this was someone who would be a good ally, other than the hothead four year old or the bully seven year old.

Reed continued his survey, spotting the burly seven year old with close cut blonde hair and green eyes. His eyes were closed but he knew better than to assume he was sleeping. Everything about the kid reminded him of the bullies that he had witnessed taking everything from the younger kids.

The next seven year old, with brown eyes and hair, had his head focused on the metal floor. He looked more like a fighter to Reed than the other one. He was strong but not overly big with a medium build, similar to his own if he was that age.

The ship had exited Reach's atmosphere and was heading for the ONI Prowler that sat in low orbit when Everly came back into the cargo hold, addressing the kids. This time he had his ONI Fatigues on, all black with the patch of the Office of Naval Intelligence on his shoulder. "Each of you had endured hardship, but each of you have preserved through that to get you to where you are now. The six of you will be placed in one of the barracks of the Ironclad. You will not speak to the crew and you will not leave unless ordered to do so. You will listen to me until we arrive at our destination. Understood?"

Reed asked the question that was on everyone's mind "Where are we going?" "That will be addressed at the appropriate time." The ship jolted slightly as it entered the hangar of the ONI ship and finalized the docking procedures.

The cargo door opened to reveal the small hangar of the ONI ship, with only a couple other pelicans docked inside the ship. LT Everly walked out of the ship and beckoned the six others to follow him "Come on then." He led them out of the Hangar and through the halls of the ship.

The group didn't encounter a single other person as they walked through the ship, finally reaching their destination. Everly keyed open a door to reveal a room lined with three bunks of two beds and a single table with two benches on either end. "This is where you'll be staying for the next couple days. I don't care how you arrange yourselves, just do it." He turned and left the room.

The first thing Grant did once he left was move to the control pad and test the door "It's locked." He said. Logan looked at the group of kids "He did say that we aren't allowed out of here. I'm Logan by the way." The tan skinned kid spoke up next "Dem." The one by the door followed "Grant." The four year old, who had already climbed onto the top bunk closest to the door went forth "I'm Liz." Next was Reed, who had settled into the bottom bed just below Liz "Reed." and the last one remaining, who had grabbed the last bottom bunk answered "David."