War Games: Gladiators of the 21st century

Nathaniel looked up from his now reassembled and sight-adjusted rifle at the newcomer. Headstrong, impulsive, most likely disregards orders. Risk on a mission: She will most likely lessen our odds of survival. Best to try to lessen her chances of jeopardizing our mission. Standing to head for the exit, he stopped by the new team member and held his hand out to her, "Sergeant Tyhaun, pleased to join forces with you. My name is First Lieutenant Nathaniel Pike."
 
Via gave a quick and firm nod to Jason, turning around after checking her watch. Still enough time to pack, claim a bed and such. She wanted to get straight to the mission at hand, but another part of her knew it was necessary to take precautions and create a plan first, although information for this mission was somewhat limited on her end.

She then stops plainly as she looks up, noticing a man holding his hand out to her. His name was... First Lieutenant... Pike. Via's desire to ascend up through the ranks burned even harder as she was outclassed once more, but she managed to keep her face expressionless as she steadily brings up her hand, giving Pike's hand a firm shake.
"As am I. Pleased to meet you." Via says cooly, but with a somewhat irritated tone laying in the background of her voice with a passive click of her neck, releasing the hand after shaking it.
"I will be serving as your close quarters combat support; judging by your FAL model rifle you have and your current gear at hand, I take it you will be taking a scouting role in the mission at hand."
 
"You are correct, my job is officially to provide recon for our unit. However, I suppose I'm to also assist you and our fourth member, a private by the name of Samuel, in assaulting and breaking enemy forces and morale," Nathaniel noted the irritation in her voice and knew his assessment of her was proving spot-on. Deciding to change the subject, he glanced at her own rifle, "I see close quarters specialists are also advocates for guns of FN Herstal makings. Tell me, is the gun meant to denote that you have exceptional abilities as I seldom see a F2000 in the hands of ordinary grunts?"
 
Jason watched the interaction between the two. The mood was cold at best and he decided to step out before they got into something he'd have to settle. Let his guys finish their own disputes. As long as it didn't affect the mission performance he didn't care. He looked around and decided he might as well head to the mess hall for some chow.
 
Via was silent for a moment as Pike asked about the F2000 at her side. She is speechless as looks down at the floor, her greyish-blue eyes seemingly in remorseful thought for a moment. In a few seconds, she looks back up to the lieutenant again with a plain blink.
"I suppose you could say that. This F2000 was gifted to me due to my old captain's previous analysis of my ability, and... she... said it would compliment my ambush-styled attacks. She knew I always liked the weapon. We were quite close." Via said with a slight smile of good memories as she idly strokes the stock of the bullpup rifle. Via then stops abruptly, losing her smile with an emotionless stare into the ground.
"She died the next day." Via said plainly, and she was silent for a few moments before looking up again.
"But events in the past are of... no importance... now. I take it the camp has access to camouflage paint somewhere? It is vital to my combat techniques." Via says plainly, her stomach rumbling a tiny bit. She figured to dump her stuff, eat, overlook the area and then practice applying camouflage.
 
Jason stepped into the mess hall where a few fellow soldiers were eating and unwinding. He got a few nods and salutes as they noticed the rank on his collar which made him feel slightly uncomfortable. He grabbed his food and was looking for a place to sit when he noticed private Samuel sitting by himself. He walked over and sat down across from him.
 
Nathaniel frowned at the mention of Van's former commander's death. Emotional baggage resulting in stress could affect operational effectiveness. The network probably has not treated her for the it or removed her from the field due to wanting to pump ratings up. Report the issue to the Captain once able to. His frown disappeared as he replied back, "I apologize for bringing up painful memories. I can understand that it doesn't get easier losing friends out here, even when the incidents are far and in between."

Having said his piece on the subject, Pike took a breath before continuing on, "In regards to your question, the Quartermaster tent nearby should hold what you are looking for. If you would like, I would be willing to show you the way once we eat."
 
"Hey Captain," Samuel said in between bites of his ham sandwich. "I guess I wasn't the only one who was hungry."
 
(Nice profile pic) "Apparently not," he muttered as he took a bite. "We got a new addition to the team. She out ranks you so I'm going to have to revoke your command of the assault team."
 
Via gives another simple nod in reply, exiting the tent as she looked around the camp, watching the horizon for a moment as the dusty air blew through her short and black hair. She didn't want to remember. But it lingered there, even now. Via knew it was a hinderance, but you just couldn't forget some things, no matter how hard you tried.

Via quickly heads to one of the tents assigned for sleeping in, spotting an empty bed and resting her F2000 aside it, shrugging the pack and army jacket off her shoulders, and dumping them on her bed before plainly walking outside again, her body now comfortable and free in her grey tanktop and khaki shorts. She left her cap on her head however, pulling it down on her head a little before exhaling deeply. Just forget.

She then turned to the area she could only assume was the mess hall judging from the chattering and eating coming from inside. She enters, a few glances shot to her from some of the troops eating, but the gazes quickly averted back to their food. Via took one of the plain bowls of stew on offer, sitting at the end of a bench and starting to chew on the food. She knew why she was getting glances: because a female soldier was rare in this line of work. Clenching her fist a little as she ate, Via wished inside that she wasn't different. She just wished she wouldn't be looked at like she wasn't like everyone else... that was what made her and her old captain in the past so close. They were both alike, a female alongside a line of work in the army occupied by large percentages of men. Via wiped her mouth, taking another spoonful of stew as she chewed thoughtfully.
 
Jason noticed his new sergeant sitting alone at the end one of the tables. "Sergeant Tyhaun," he called out gesturing for her to come over. "Come meet the last member of the team."
 
"'She'? This is the first I've heard of a female in these games. I guess that must be her then," Samuel said as Jason beckoned to her.
 
Via looks up as her name is called, and she recognises the voice of her Captain as she gets to her feet, doing as he asked and sitting down near the new, and apparently final member in the team. As she puts her bowl of stew down in her new position near the captain and the new man in her group, Via fidgeted a little in agitation as he mentions she was the first female in the... games... but she still managed to keep a level head. She was also somewhat assured someone was below her in the ranks; the man seemed to be a private, judging by his ranking badge.
"As he mentioned, I am Sergeant Via Tyhaun. Close quarter specialist of our team. I am..." Via struggled to get her lips to say the next sentence, so she eats a spoonful of stew, chewing it slowly and swallowing it down before finishing her sentence.
"...Pleased to meet you."
 
Jason went back to his food, chewing at the mix of slop before him. "It's a tv show. Guns, blood, and pretty women is the selling point. No offense," he finished as he took another bite. "I expect you'll be able to fight just as good, or better than most of the men here," he smiled.
 
"Pleased to meet you too. I'm Samuel. I guess I'll be taking orders from two people now, as you've replaced me as leader of the assault team." He takes the final bite of his sandwich. "At least I won't be alone out in the field."
 
Nathaniel had followed quietly behind Via, not seeing any reason to potentially bring up more trauma for her. Lagging behind as they entered into the mess hall, he watched as the other troops stared at his comrade. Their perception of her is most likely that she needs protecting or that she is a risk because of her gender. Will most likely upset her, damaging our odds on the mission. Most find a way to disprove the notion of her being weak.

Grabbing a plate of food, he sat down at the table his unit had occupied. It seemed Samuel had taken the initiative and introduced himself to Via, and now the conversation had turned partially to the show itself, "The show appears to appeal to a male audience of 18 through 35. The watchers like to think they're living through us, acting out a power fantasy by watching us. It explains why there are few female soldiers, as males wouldn't connect as well with someone such as Via."

Taking a bite of scrambled eggs, Pike swallowed it before continuing, "Our parent species is weird."
 
"Interesting," Jason muttered. "I say let the higher ups worry about ratings. Our job is to accomplish the mission and get each other home safely, if a bit worse for wear," he finished with a chuckle, doing his best to keep the mood light.
 
"Agreed, I had best not speak of their insanity anymore or they might realize they're not as good as us," Nathaniel began to quickly eat, finishing off his food and glass of juice.
 
Jason finished, standing up quickly and placing his tray on the pile in the back. I could use some target practice he thought. It was therapeutic to him. Somehow, laying on the ground and lining up a shot through a scope calmed him. The longer the distance the more he had to concentrate, wind, gravity, his favorites were longer ones where the gyroscopic spin of the bullet and the rotation of the Earth had to be taken into account, which is why he loved high caliber rifles. He headed for the shooting range, hoping to take out his nervousness about being in charge of other's lives on a few plastic targets.
 
Samuel stood up and followed Jason to the back of the room. He left the mess hall and walked back to the sleeping quarters. Sitting down on his bed, he opened his footlocker and dismantled his gun for cleaning. He couldn't get Via and her rank of Sergeant out of his mind. Outranked by a girl, he thought. I'd better make sure I get a promotion soon.
 
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