<strong>Lcpl. Roman "Rome" Beneke</strong><br/><br/>Fear. Fear can be a dangerous and destructive force. In the life of a marine, fear is the difference between success and failure, sanity and insanity, life and death. Fear is a topic which is paramount in the training of Colonial Marines. The lessons: Understanding that every marine, no matter how much of a bad-ass they are, experiences fear. Recognizing fear. Controlling fear rather than letting fear control you. And finally, turning fear into a weapon<em>for</em>you instead of a weapon<em>against</em>you. In the service of a trained, battle-hardened marine... fear can be the most dangerous weapon in a marine's arsenal.<br/><br/>The lessons and training in controlling fear came flooding back into Rome's mind in a fleeting moment. Feeling the effects of fear beginning to coil inside his mind like a deadly viper, Rome's hypothalamus was stimulated causing a chemical "SOS" to be broadcast to his adrenal glands, in turn activating his sympathetic nervous system and sending him into the excited state in which he now found himself. As his adrenal glands released the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine, his eyes widened and his pupils dilated. He made a conscious effort to slow his breathing and focus his mind on the task at hand, recalling into play the lessons learned governing fear but already Rome's heart rate was elevated, his respiration increased, and his muscles were able to contract at a much higher rate than normal. All of these are important factors in helping one deal with fear and the danger that faces them. But all of these effects paled in comparison to the effect fear could have on the mind, the ability to take in and process more information than would otherwise be humanly possible... and react to it.<br/><br/>Rome watched in fascination as the world around him suddenly seemed to slow down, everything happening at an impossibly slow rate. He felt detached as he watched himself standing near the "B" sentry gun, his eyes wide, his mouth open wide in a primal scream of defiance at their attackers. Fire and lead spat from his M-56 and the sentry guns like fire-breathing dragons belching flame at its prey. Despite the sense of detachment he still felt a relative control of everything, watching himself turn this way and that even as the thought presented itself in his mind. Rome watch in twisted amusement as his actions chewed to bits several of the strange creatures as they turned on their approach of Kilo's firing line. With his slowed perception of reality and adrenaline enhanced senses, Rome’s mind quickly calculated the path of the creatures, the trajectory of his weapon’s lethal volley and Kilo’s location and released the trigger a mere instant before deadly predators were upon his squad mates. Even with the IFF transponders, friendly fire was still a reality of combat, but these creatures presented the additional threat of being able to cover his team in an acidic shower of alien blood which would be tantamount to putting a round in the ear of his fellow marines.<br/><br/>Rome stood there watching the final moments of the battle for what seemed to him like hours. His eyes remained wide as everything still moved in slow motion. Hearing the shouts and yells of the other marines, Rome said nothing and stood motionless, letting the adrenalin's effects quickly fade. He glanced to Senjo as she addressed him,<strong>"You can stand down marine, we won."</strong>Rome was well aware of the outcome of the fray, of course, but he was unable to find his voice for a brief moment, giving Senjo a quick nod of acknowledgment instead. He slowly gathered his composure and shifted his weight, collecting his legs squarely underneath him again. His chest still heaved in and out, his body's effort to pump oxygen-rich blood to his brain, muscles and other critical regions. It wasn't until he heard MSgt. O'Shay call his name that he blinked rapidly, seemingly snapping out of his adrenalin high.<strong>"Rome! If you're not dead, get your ass over here!"</strong><br/><br/>Again, military training kicked in and instead of one of his usual sarcastic or macho retorts he simply complied, much louder than was necessary<strong>"YES! MASTER SERGEANT!"</strong>. Thumbing the safety on, he slung the business end of the M-56 skyward and locked it into the safe position, freeing both hands for other uses. He ran over to where the rest of Kilo was gathered extending a leather gloved hand down to Reaper.<strong>"Nap time's over Reaper"</strong>he half grinned to the man as his body finally calmed and he returned to "normal."<br/>