<strong>"Rad, we were looking for some hooch too!"</strong>Dan interjected before getting a swift punch in the arm.<strong>"Not so loud, asshole,"</strong>his compatriot scolds him with a glance over her shoulder for any officers who might be about.  They were not prohibited from bringing things back from them, but drinking on the job was not really encouraged.  Whether they were on the job right now was an academic distinction nobody felt like trying to debate right now.  Citing regulation was likely not Dan or the crew's strong suit.  The infantry mostly came from service in regional militias and smaller outfits.  A few were even rumoured to come from the more efficient gangs of the region, although in some cases the distinction between a gang and a militia was generally whether one had rural or urban combat experience.<br/><br/>So long as one was not a drug runner or human trafficker, a blind eye was generally turned on well ordered soldiers who could fight.  They were in high demand from all sides these days.  While some groups kept a quantity-over-quality approach, or simply took whatever they could get, Aleph Base was in a position to be choosy.  Housing, equipping, and caring for soldiers was pricey.<br/><br/><strong>"Oh gosh, I'm a sucker for sushi, but the last time we did karaoke..."</strong>Dan trailed off as the rest of the group laughed.<br/><br/><strong>"Turnkey sounds good."  <br/><br/>"I'm down for some Irish."</strong><br/><br/>The group seemed to come to a swift consensus as the rain dribbled around them and a few cars<em>scree'd </em>by, rubber to road, hydroplaning a little on the turns.<br/><br/>The group all made their introductions at hers--Rogers, Doyle, Lamar, Vend, Markka, and Esco.  Dan rubbed his head and chuckled.<br/><br/><strong>"Cotton huh?  I like it.  Bunny suits you though."</strong>He looked around and pulled his helmet on to shelter from the rain.<strong>"I'm down for the Turnkey, you wanna lead the way Warrior?"</strong>he asked with a warm smile for Bunny.  The whole group seemed happy to have her with them, and were genuinely grateful for what they had done.  The hijackers had been alarmingly well armed.  This was far from a usual ambush--and one with a mech on their side!  Now that was rare.  Whoever that woman had been, she probably had something of a regional reputation.<br/><br/>