Jess strode in to the conference "room" with all her equipment, as commanded. She had her standard COG armour on, her Lancer and Gnasher Shotgun on her back, her helmet under one arm and her med-kit in the same hand. After she walked in and noticed the two men looking them up and down and the others glancing around casually, a subtle flick of her head caused her reddish-purple hair to fall over her face, her long fringe covering her left eye and much of that side of her face, but not<b>them.</b>They were still visible through her hair, much as she tried.<br/><br/>Jess listened to the briefing, wishing to hear what worthless job she was being sent on with this new squad. Oh what she wouldn't give for her old squad back. They knew her, they liked her, but most of all she trusted them and they trusted her. Van, the big brute with the Scorcher who hid his true self behind a facade of dumb toughness. She'd only just got past that facade of dumb toughness when he died. Mel, their Marksman. She'd saved their asses countless times with her pinpoint accuracy. She was the best sniper Jess had ever seen. And then there was their squad leader, who she called simply "Boss" and who called her "Doc". That man had a brilliant tactical mind and it was a wonder he'd never progressed higher than he did.<br/><br/>They were all that was left back outside Jacinto of Echo 5, and now Jess was the last. A small, rare smile played across her lips as she thought back on that while also taking in the briefing. She whispered in a soft, mournful voice, "<span style="color: Magenta">Echo 5 for life. However short that may be.</span>" Their motto. A thing made up on the spot while fighting what seemed like insurmountable odds. Mel and her rifle had saved them there too.<br/><br/>Jess took in all the information the Captain and the man she thought was named Darion gave, then turned to leave. She was just behind Darion and the pilot and muttered quietly to herself, "<span style="color: Magenta">Great. We're being sent to the shop to pick up some smokes. I survived when Van, the Boss and Mel didn't for this?</span>" Jess placed her helmet on her head as she left the tent, thereby hiding her scarred features, and quickly made her way over to the King Raven.<br/><br/>She listened to Darion's briefing in the chopper half heartedly, preferring to gaze out at the land below. When he finished, all she said was "<span style="color: Magenta">As long as there are some Locust to kill I'm happy.</span>" She added almost as an afterthought, so quiet you'd have to strain to hear, "<span style="color: Magenta">It may make this worthwhile...</span>" although what "this" was was anyone's guess. Her tone made it clear she didn't mean the mission.<br/><br/>"<span style="color: DarkOrchid">Hold on to your lunch-rolls, boys and girls, rough air ahead.</span>"<br/><br/>When the chopper began its attempt at dancing, Jess was completely unprepared and was thrown left and right until she managed to get a hold of something to steady herself. A small thought crawled in her head as she held on to whatever it was and used it to pull herself back in to her seat.<i>This pilot's trying to kill us! I think I like her.</i>She wondered what the pilot's story was. If she was just crazy or if she had a reason for acting the way she did while flying. It intrigued her.<br/><br/>"<span style="color: DarkOrchid">Ladies and gentlemen, if you'll look out your windows you'll see the abandoned town of Ilinar. Tourist hotspots include casinos, red light districts and five star hotels.</span>"<br/><br/>A small laugh emanated from Jessica's mouth and she replied to the other non-pilot woman's angry remark with, "<span style="color: Magenta">If she'd wanted to kill us she wouldn't have pulled up.</span>" A small amount of mirth was evident in her voice as she spoke. Jess felt alive. She'd loved the rush the whole thing had given her. At this very moment she was acting very un Jess-like. "<span style="color: Magenta">Too bad its abandoned now, huh? Sounds like it would have been a fun vacation spot.</span>" This time as a genuine afterthought she added "<span style="color: Magenta">Maybe it still is...</span>"<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>