Colonel Lloyd Morrissy was trying not to look like he was going to take off someone’s head, as he nearly marched from the Governor's Mansion. Damn the old man, there wasn’t much more he could do about the raiders, there were patrols and the forts were manned but the Elvanti would come from beyond the frontier in the night. If he had more cavalry then just the 5th and a handful of companies from the Local Horse, he might have staged counter raids against the natives but as it was, he needed what few mounted troops he had to check the farms and villages. He might have sent the SNC but there was some fear, at least from the Governor’s Office, that the locals might just betray them and run off to join the raiders.<br/><br/>The Colonel shook his head a little, this line of thought was not helping, in fact it was only , making him more angry. Taking a deep breath, he came to a stop, just in sight of the barrack and quickly made sure his dark blue uniform wasn’t rumbled from his rapid pace, before running his fingers over the massively bushy mustache, which dominated his face. Feeling presentable again, he resumed his path to the barrack, this time at a calmer and slower pace. When he reached the gate, he was met by his aid, Lieutenant Everette Watton and a section from the 12th, which would be put under Captain Lawson’s commanded.<br/><br/>Not pausing, Lloyd continued on through the gates and into the parade ground. Boots crashed loudly on the stones behind him, as the Lieutenant and the eight man section hurried to catch up, forming a line of blue clad soldiers. Before him, the officer could see a ragged block of troops, standing loosely at what they must have thought attention before a man in proper uniform. Like most of the scout companies found the the SNC (and most other companies), the 3ed was under strength but even if it had been brought up to full, it would have been smaller than a line company.<br/><br/>“Captain Lawson” said Morrissy, his voice carrying in that command tone, as he stepped around the assembled company and come to stand near the officer he was sending beyond the frontier, as the men from the 12th fell in on the company’s flank, near to where Lomasi stood, “Is your company ready to move?”<br/><br/>As Lawson made his answer, The Colonel swept his eyes over the company and noticed a single Elvanti female, decked out with weapons, standing by herself. One eyebrow raised in a questioning but demanding arch, as the high pitched wail of a steam whistle, sounded out in the harbor.<br/>