THE SKIROSS GATE INCIDENT.

Arc 2 part 2

Snow piled all over the rally point behind the frontline, the cold winds whistling as the men of the 3rd Platoon gathered. Equipment was laid down on the snow-covered ground as the troops waited for Skrosamzy to give the order to start the mission to find these so-called Archedian Rangers. Spirits were high, and soldiers conversed and talked with one another, as though there was nothing wrong. A few laughed, others simply checked their weapons again, and Dian, she enjoyed another cigarette before turning around to face her squadmates.
She walked back towards them, smoke trailing from her mouth as she smiled. Seeing her brother, she gave him a heavy tap on the shoulder and said.
"You alright, bro?"

"Ah, Ja." Jonas replied.
"I was just finishing a cup of hot chocolate before we go... Wait, isn't that your 4th cigar today?"

Dian chuckled.
"Yeah, it is. Why?"

"... Sis, I understand your obsession with cigars, but can't you at least check in with the Regimental medics? All that smoking might have damaged your lungs."

Dian looked at him, a genuinely happy expression on her face.
"Aww, is my bro worried about her, sis? That's sweet of ya, Jonas." She coughed a little after that but still continued smoking.

"Ja... I'm not stopping you from smoking, but I am concerned about your health, I know lung cancer can be fixed with healing beam tech, but... I don't want to see you suffer, I would rather avoid that."

Dian chuckled a little and then punched Jonas on the shoulder in a playful manner.
"That's sweet of ya, little bro... Alright, tell ya what, that'll be my last cigar for the day, just for you."

Jonas looked at her, his lips slowly moving upwards to a smile.
"Thanks, sis."

"Oh, and where did you get those cigars anyway?" Jonas asked.

"Got it from some Partisans. Those guys have some fine cigars, hehe."

As the two siblings looked around, they saw the rest of their squad coming along, as well as Sargent Wittman, and his men were also approaching from the direction of the trenches. The siblings noted that none of them were bringing AT weapons. They weren't needed for this mission.

The siblings then stood up and started to put on their winter coats. Everyone on the frontline was wearing them, thick coats that blended well with the environment.
The entire squad had these, too.

Bernhard stood there, shivering a little from the cold. He braced himself and held the fabric of his clothing tight around himself

Before he knew it, though, he felt the warm hands of someone come over and place an extra coat on him. Surprised, she turned around and saw his dear friend Michael standing there. He smiled and said.
"I noticed you were getting cold, so I requisitioned an extra coat."

"T-thanks!" Bernhard said.

Pearl was standing there, checking on her drones, all of which flew around her before she got them all lined up neatly behind her.
"Say, where's Conrad and Bruno?"

Chloe, who was checking on her charger pack, looked at her and said.
"Having a little conversation with the Leuitenant. Probably talking about how they are gonna catch these Archedian rangers, no doubt."
She gave a sigh.
"Geez... What I would give to get the hell out of these trenches."

"Hehe, tired of the ice and snow?" Asked Susie, crossing her arms as she stood close by.

"Oh, hey there, girl." Chloe said.
"Yeah... This place reminds me of a hell of a lot of some of the most boring places you can imagine. This hunt for rangers is a breath of fresh air for me."

Chloe stood up, her eyes closed as she began stretching out her arms and legs. She could feel the sensation associated with such an act. She felt good after doing that. As her muscles got stretched, she did a few jumps, getting her heart pumping for the day ahead.