The troopers around you have clearly seen action, and they spare you only a few glances as they establish a perimeter in the hangar. You do a quick self-check, glad for your rifle even though you're very low on ammo. Your armor is mostly intact, if riddled with impacts, and overall you feel like your body is in one piece. You notice a tall trooper hustling over to you, and you actually manage to smile up at Lieutenant Karim.
"Hey Nubes," he says with a grin. "I can't believe it."
"Can't believe I beat you here?" you ask.
"Can't believe you're still alive!" He slaps you on the shoulder. "Where's your platoon?"
You give him a brief summary of the events since landing thirty-some hours ago. He fills you in on his own platoon's adventures. They're still a cohesive unit, but they've been badly mauled by persistent rebel attacks.
"We were just readying another push against a rebel watch tower," he concludes, "when all units were ordered here."
You look around the hangar again, watching troopers advance cautiously toward the tunnels.
"I need a helmet," you say, "and a forearm display…and ammo."
Karim barks an order back to one of his troopers, who jogs out through one of the entrance tunnels.
"I gotta hand it to these rebels," Karim mutters for your ears only, "they're smart and tough. Too bad we're not all on the same side."
You're surprised at the comment, but appreciate his sense of respect for his enemy.
The trooper returns quickly with equipment for you plus a satchel of magazines. You strap on the helmet and forearm display, and conduct a download of the most recent tactical information as you take your share of the ammo. No less than half the regiment is pouring into this rebel stronghold, with strike fighters clearing the skies and drop ship support. You recognize Lieutenant Halliday's callsign nearby and realize that Commander Celi must be close. You glance toward the dark tunnels again, wondering where Amori is.