Titus spat a wad of dust-ridden phlegm. 'We're Legion, brother. Legion<span style="font-style: italic">officers</span>, no less.' He glanced at the sister. 'We're professionals. I might have time for silliness like that when I'm old and feeble and retired. Right now, though, we've got work to do. We always have work to do. Our recon boys went missing. They're long overdue to come back, so it's our job to track them down.'<br/><br/>The paladin paused to adjust his scarf, a standard-issue piece of kit meant to prevent armor and the surface's sand from chafing at the neck. The collar of his chainmail had gotten under it again. 'Right now, friend, it seems like we're in a whole different world, doesn't it? I can't say much more than you. This sort of thing wasn't exactly explored in detail by the textbooks.'<br/><br/>Dropping his claw-scarred tower shield atop his bedroll, Titus switched it out for the smaller buckler clipped to his travel pack. 'Natural rock formations beyond the scope of any caves we've seen before, crystal growths the size of the Imperial Quarter back in the capital, and pools of bioluminescent creatures. Probably Deep Ones all around, too. As for the POG, I can't say much. Passed basic with good scores. Mental fortitude higher than XIV standard, but that should be no surprise. Untested in combat. As it stands, she might make a good backliner, but I wouldn't trust her at the shield line just yet.'<br/><br/>The other legionnaires followed him inside the tent, making their own pre-mission preparations. 'And there's all the gods-damned dust!' complained one of the men. 'All this glowy spore crap, gets in our armor and packs and boots. Chafes like a bastard.'<br/><br/>'Least it smells nice,' replied another.<br/><br/>'Only because you'd snort this rubbish if you could, man.'<br/><br/>Titus rolled his eyes and stepped out, waiting for the others to get ready. 'Well, turns out sometimes, the crazy folk are right. I'm guessing your dad would be laughing his ass off, eh, Ab?'<br/><br/>He drew his combat blade, a gladius freshly sharpened, its sheen dulled with a bit of dirt and leather polish. The camp gates creaked open, revealing the silent jungle in all its eerie beauty. He turned to regard the soldiers assembled behind him.<br/><br/>'From now on, we're going to earn our stories, boys and girls.'