Russell smiled as Niko approached the Humvees, leading an elderly rabbit-woman who she seemed to know quite well. As Lt Black began offering various goods to the rabbit-woman Russell was kept busy for a while translating between his commander and the beast-kyn trader, and then they started demonstrating their wares to the gathered crowd. Gasps and exclamations of surprise filled the village square as Sebastian broke a chemlight, the green glow shining in the evening gloom, and the young Marine had to struggle to keep pace with the rapid-fire questions directed at the lieutenant. Lt Black passed the chemlight to a little cat-child, and Russell couldn't keep from grinning as the toddler ran around brandishing her new treasure. Explaining about the MREs the team carried strained his Gatespeak vocabulary to the limit, but they had no trouble selling some of their spare rations. But what really caught Russell by surprise was the demand for the team's rainproof ponchos. He certainly wasn't complaining and, if the gleam in her eye was any hint, neither was the elderly rabbit-woman who was making money hand over fist.<br/><br/>It was full dark by the time the impromptu trade fair had finished and the elderly woman handed over a pair of coin bags over to the team. After purchasing some fruit and bread that Niko insisted was elven the Americans loaded up into their vehicles, waving goodbye to the elderly trader and several townsfolk who had stayed in the square. The rabbit-woman made a comment to Niko that had the elf blushing and Russell doubting his ears.<em>Did she just...</em>he began, letting his voice trail off as he looked at the elf. When Niko nodded and repeated her friend's offer of marriage Russell blinked in surprise. Then he grinned enthusiastically.<em>"Niko, is one of her daughters Rana, the rabbit-girl maid that met us at your uncle's house? Because if that's the case your friend might find someone willing to take her up on her offer,"</em>he commented, glancing at Lt Black as the Humvees peeled out of the town.<br/><br/>The 13th Recon set up camp a few hundred metres outside the town, far enough away to keep from getting in the townsfolk's way but close enough that they weren't stuck out in the boonies. The soldiers of the 13th quickly checked out the clearing in which the vehicles were parked, making sure there were no branches which could drop on them in the middle of the night or animal tracks to indicate that they might be joined by unwanted visitors. Russell nodded in silent approval as a couple of Marines dug out shallow foxholes a little outside the camp, where the sentries could belly down and take cover for their duty shift, while a couple of other soldiers set up the small stoves included in their MRE packs and began brewing up coffee. Once everyone had settled down Russell and Jessica moved through the group, passing out the fruit and elven bread that they had purchased in the town, but the blue eyed Marine had another duty in mind. As he distributed the fresh food he spoke quietly with each of his fellow Americans, warning them to keep alert and careful while on guard duty.<br/><br/>Russell snared a cup of coffee from one of the Army troopers then pulled a bottle of water from the trunk of the Humvee in which he rode, before heading back to join Niko. The elven woman toyed curiously with a chemlight, the green light illuminating her face with a radiance that made her look positively ethereal. The machinegunner watched her for a long moment, admiring her pale hair and high cheekbones, and once again was struck by how beautiful he was. While he might have been snarky towards Lt Black about his open admiration of the beast-kyn maids at Namos' villa Russell Davis had to admit that he was an ardent admirer of the female form - or to put it bluntly, while he was a poon hound he wasn't a sleazebag. Niko was in no way unattractive and he spent several long moments watching her as she played with the light in her hands. When she looked up at him and asked if the chemlights' secret was that they contained dragon's blood Russell barely kept himself from spitting out a mouthful of coffee in shock. But the expression on Niko's face was perfectly honest and she clearly regarded it as a serious question. The handsome young Marine set down his coffee, opened the bottle of water and passed it to her as he shepherded his thoughts into order.<br/><br/><em>"Niko,"</em>he began,<em>"in my world there aren't any dragons. They only exist in stories for children. But then again, so did orcs and elves."</em>Russell grimaced suddenly.<em>"And then the gates opened, and armies of orcs and dark elves marched into our world looking to kill and conquer. Now we know of the existence of this world my people have to take a long hard look at what's real and what isn't. That's why scout teams like us were sent out. Part of it was to make friends, but part of it was to see who or what else might come through the gates."</em>His mouth narrowed to a determined line. "<em>And to be ready for them the next time they come through."</em>Russell's eyes flickered down to the cup of coffee in his hands, but the look in his eyes made it clear that he wasn't seeing the beverage he held. "Semper fidelis," he murmured, not bothering to translate the Marine Corps creed for Niko's benefit.<br/><br/>The sound of music flowing from the Stryker's sound system made the Marine's head snap up like a hound which had caught a scent. Russell gritted his teeth in irritation but kept silent as Sebastian stepped out of the armoured vehicle and advised him that the higher-ups had organised a fuel delivery by helicopter in the morning. However the news that another member would be joining the team, and a Russian at that, caught him by surprise. The effort to secure the gates had been coordinated by the United Nations, but the individual teams had each been a single nationality to encourage internal cohesion. Now, however, it looked like politics was rearing it's ugly head "So what's the Ruskie joining us for, Lieutenant?" Russell enquired. "Is he some diplomat that's been added now the mission is going up a level and we're dealing with local royalty?"<br/><br/>When Sebastian advised that he would be pulling a double shift on guard duty, however, the Marine corporal decided enough was enough. Setting down his empty coffee mug he walked over to Lt Black, standing quite close as he addressed him in a quiet voice. "Sir," he began, "you pulling a double shift standing sentry is not the best idea. Your job is to command, not to just be another grunt with an M-4 in hand. Plus with this Ruskie showing up tomorrow that means you'll be the one who has to keep him reined in, and that means you're gonna need to be well-rested. Now, I've had words with the guys who are going to be on the perimeter tonight, and told them to be easy on the trigger. We made a good impression with the locals earlier, and the last thing we want to do is deep-six that good work by giving some local snooping around the perimeter a couple of five-five-six souvenirs in the chest." The Marine straightened up and regarded the Army lieutenant carefully. "Sir, our job is to do the grunt work around here Your job is to make sure you're well-rested for tomorrow."<br/>