<div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">SitRep</div><div class="spoiler_body"><div align="center">(http://i.imgur.com/v6hSD9d.png)</div><strong>17.5k Vigilance</strong> Remaining<br/><strong>49,760 Xorians</strong> Remaining<br/><br/>Vigilance Deathkorps shelling of the Xorians has proved minorly effective but generally funnels the horde towards the gatehouse, as intended.<br/><br/>Tau Ceti Limited has lain its trap and is taking up positions.<br/><br/>The neutral space falls to the Xorian advance.<br/><br/>Initial engagements imminent.<br/></div></div><br/><strong>Abera</strong><br/><br/>Abera felt explosions rending the earth far away, and then, the heavy footfalls and proud heartbeat of something else.  Among the countless throng of insectoids surging up from the south one stood out amidst a horde of other voices, lives clamouring to die.  This life clamoured for more.  This life would be heard.<br/><br/>If she acted decisively, Abera believed she could fall upon this one while he was unawares at the initial clash of combatants.  From their shaking and excitement Abera could tell the Vigilance troops he was about to slam his column into, the Boolarian Regulars, were hardly a match under any sustained fighting and would fold quickly once the killing began.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><strong>Ashitaka</strong><br/><br/>Ashitaka managed to make something of the rune before the Xorians were simply too close to sustain his focus, their gibbering rage at having been shelled making the noise all the more omnipresent and trying.<br/><br/>There was still enough time to withdraw before the advance, however if he stayed any longer he'd find himself killing his way out of a pulsating mass of Xorian slayers.  Biotic blades grown of bone and chitten swiped and chattered for as far as the eye could see down the jungle lane, and Ashitaka stood alone there.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><strong>Pierce</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Woa-oh!  Fine by me sister, sheesh."</strong>The horny trooper backed away and re-affixed his codpiece.  The others took note of Pierce's attitude but if they cared didn't display much emotion.<br/><br/><strong>"All squads report to the rendezvous.  It's about to be show time, get those turrets locked and loaded."</strong>The Lieutenant's voice came as something of a relief.  All business, she'd never allow such shenanigans while there was any chance it could compromise the mission.  Or Pierce's safety.<strong>"Callow and attachment, that means you, too.  Especially you.  Something doesn't smell right about the shakedown and I'm not having you stolen out from under my nose.  It'd undermine everything we've worked to accomplish here."</strong>The men of the squad all became visually psyched up, with hoots and slaps of their guns and meaningful, longing stares into one-another's eyes.  The T-Troopers took up formation around Pierce, all eyes on her, nudging her towards the L-T's position.<br/><br/>After an awkward moment someone remembered to press the button and the superhard steel separating Pierce's legs disappeared with a twist of blue light and a fizzle.<br/><br/>Fucking came second to them at this point.  After all, they were about to get to fight!<br/><br/><em>You've been ordered to fall back to the Tau Ceit Limited base-camp.  Your NPC companions anticipate full compliance.</em>