Snippet #2300693

As Arthur finally got to the room, the door shut behind him. Other than the low hum of the lights in the room, it was silent. Locke looked from one to the next, examining each one to try and read how everyone was taking their time during preparation for the invasion of Khyranus. He could see Arthur's hair was stained with sweat from his exercises he was doing not too long ago, and from what Aleksey said, she remained on top of her field. Matt (what Locke called Alex Matt) was obviously buzzed from a little too much alcohol, and Anthony was serious as usual. He turned to Arthur.

"I hope your exercises do not affect your performance, Arthur. I understand your condition, but I must keep my team ready and prepared for the most important and daring invasion of the war," Locke said. He walked up the lines of soldiers with his hands behind his back. "The most important and daring of the war- speaking of which, Aleksey a few moments ago reminded us of another shot we have to get for a disease that's especially rampant on Inari," he announced. Locke liked to keep a level of informality between teammates because when you're on the field of combat, you trust the person next to you with your life, and ranks or names shouldn't be something to worry about when your life is on the line. His voice was rather calm for now but there was obviously something more he'd like to say.

"I also understand that with the exception of me, all of our team's classes are of a utility or supporting nature, Matt's sniping, Aleksey's first-aid, Arthur's technical work, and Anthony's explosives expertise. Only two people are capable of engaging in a prolonged firefight and performing well, that happens to be me and Aleksey. I know that perhaps we haven't had to engage in one, and hopefully this simulation would give us a better understanding of where we stand, so this is to you, Arthur and Anthony: pick up a rifle, it won't kill you. We need all the support we can get and you both know how to use one," he preached, walking back down the line of soldiers. Locke usually kept an air about him like this, mentoring his soldiers as they are initially called together and then he would lead them on to the real purpose of the gathering. But he couldn't do that just yet. He fixed his eyes upon Matt and walked to where he was standing. For a moment, he just stared Matt down to see how he would react. He then lifted his hand, three fingers were raised but since they weren't separated, Matt could easily think its four fingers in his drunken state.

"How many fingers am I holding up, soldier?" he demanded from him, his voice filled the room with a booming projection. He stood and waited for the response of Alex Matt, where it just might be the end of him.