Tifa & Yuffie 3

[Yuffie Kisaragi]

Alex seemed to flinch slightly in surprise at the name, and though this merited a confused glance from several of his team members he kept quiet. Though none of them knew it, if this 'Dresner' was the same one whom Alex thought it was, then there was quite a history between them. They had met at the recruiting office and later trained together, were assigned to the same rookie Marine battalion and later when Alex was promoted into the ODST team, they had been forced to say goodbye. Alex had never figured they would meet each other again, and he was almost anxious to see his old friend, knowing both of them will have changed somewhat.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Cass made no comment at Alex's reaction, but as she was quite familiar with his service history as well, it didn't take a genius to work out that he and Saika Dresner had served together before.
"So, if there are no further questions, you are dismissed."

[Yuffie Kisaragi]

The ODSTs all saluted once more, before leaving, most making mental notes to be at the armoury at 0700 tomorrow. Whilst most of the team had gone to the cafeteria, Alex had headed straight back to his room to find some old photographs. The pictures were of him and Dresner in training together, when they had first become friends...Alex had been a much more open person, then...it was before his sister died, so back then he felt he had a purpose. "Saika Dresner....I wonder if you've changed much?" he mused, moving to put the picture back in its book, but he stopped before he did, changing his mind. He instead grabbed a magnet and tacked it to the metal frame of his cabin's mirror. He needed to make some time to remember once in a while.

That done, he then headed for the cafeteria, dodging his way through the crowded tables to where his squad were seated. Despite them asking what took him so long, he just shrugged and remained silent, deep in thought and memory. He wondered if Saika would even recognise him, with his new battle-scar and not to mention he was talking and since then his hair had lost most of its almost blond streaks which he used to have from sunbleaching...he had been in space for so long that he'd lost the pale streaks, he looked so much different from the picture now hanging on his mirror-frame. He figured Saika had probably changed too.

[Tifa Lockhart]

The time for them to meet came around faster then anyone could have really expected. Cass would be the first to arrive as always, She was in the armoury by about 0630, cleaning her weapons. She sat on one of the arms tables, going over her DMR, her helmet sat beside her on the table.

[Yuffie Kisaragi]

Alex was the first of the ODSTs to arrive, as prompt as ever as he arrived at 0700 exactly, like always. He swiftly put on his armour and strapped his weapons to his thigh and his back but instead of leaving his helmet off for now, like he would usually, he instead put on the new helmet now, before he turned to lean on the wall next to the door, waiting for the others.

Everyone else got to the armoury at about the same time, quickly getting their gear on but leaving helmets off, not to mention a couple gave Alex odd looks because he already had his helmet on. Alex looked calm as ever, but really he was quite nervous; firstly this was his first mission with only one eye and secondly he was almost afraid to be seeing his old friend again.
Scarlet spoke up then. "hey, where's the newbie? ain't he s'posed to be here by now?" she asked, propping her hands on her hips and scowling in that impatient way of hers. Alex simply shrugged and turned his gaze to Cass, seeking her opinion.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Cass greeted each of her squad members with a nod as they arrived, taking notice of the fact that Alex had put his helmet on immediately upon arriving. She expected it to be a self-conscious thing on account of his newly acquired half-blindness and scarring.
"I've already been informed that our new recruit is somewhat of a disciplinarian's nightmare. He's aparently very good at his job, just a little on the delinquent side," Cass offered in explanation for their new squad-mates absence.

"Delinquent?" a voice then said from the doorway. "That's a new one, one of the nicer ones in fact."
The speaker was a tall, perfectly proportioned man who looked about 17, perhaps nearly 18. There was a tatoo of some form on his neck, visible just above the collar of his helljumper suit. He carried his helmet which bore a few additonal items of radio-related equipment, under his arm.
"About time you joined us Dresner," Cass snapped, not really sounding that angry. "At least TRY to be on time next time."
The newcomer saluted her slackly, grinning almost childishly, "Corporal Dresner reporting ma'am. It's a pleasure to be joining your team."
"Introduce yourselves," Cass instructed her team firmly.

[Yuffie Kisaragi]

Axel spoke up first, waving to the corporal and grinning cheerfully. "Heya! name's Axel Red, Corporal Red. Nice to meet you!" he greeted, just as Scarlet stepped up, eying up the newcomer in a scrutinizing manner. "you need to get yourself in gear, kid, this is dangerous business here. I'll be willing to bet that with THAT attitude you won't last five minutes on the front line! You'd best be as good as we're told. Corporal Scarlet Sempl, kid, and this here..." she grabbed Maxus by the collar and dragged him into a noogie. "is my annoying brat."
"Lance Corporal Maxus Sempl, sir!" The rookie greeted, saluting the higher-ranked soldier.
Maran then stepped up, his towering figure even managing to overshadow the tall German boy. "name's Maran, Sergeant Maran Selaph. You'd best be quicker or we might leave without you in future and that won't look good on your record." he instructed, stepping back and turning to Alex, expecting him to speak.

The boy looked over at the new corporal, surprised to see he was not that much different, though taller, than when they last met. The familiar appearance was almost comforting. It sort of assured him that Saika hadn't changed at all.
He nodded greeting to the slightly older soldier and spoke quickly, hoping his voice wouldn't sound familiar at all...he didn't want Saika to know it was him, in a way...he'd changed to much and he was afraid of how Saika would react to the change, knowing the individual's personality. "welcome to the team, Corporal" was all he said, knowing that his name would, of course, be a dead giveaway.
Maxus looked over at the man curiously.
"hey, man, what's got you so quiet?" he asked, folding his arms and tilting his head in a curious manner. Alex just shrugged and stood up off of the wall, making sure his weapons were good and secure, remaining silent.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Of course, despite the attitude that Saika acted up, he was actually an extremely talented and dedicated soldier. He'd read up on the files of his team-mates, so Alex's attempt to hide his identity was wasted. First up, Saika addressed the rather rude female who'd had a shot at him.
"No offense intended ma'am, but someone with a file history like yours really shouldn't be criticising me," his eyes flashed slightly, making it obvious that this - while not a threat - was him making sure she knew that he knew ALL about her past indescretions. He then turned his attentions to Maxus. "Nice to meet you kid."
He offered similar greetings to Axel, and kept his reply to Maran's warning polite and in line. Maran was a model soldier according to his file, and Saika had no intention to butt heads with him.

Now he was finally able to address the final member of the team, Alex.
"How's your eye, Ricky?" he asked, smirking slightly. This was the nickname he'd given Alex during their training together.

[Yuffie Kisaragi]

Scarlet just huffed angrily and turned away to go and polish her weapons. She already didn't like him, he was a bit stuck-up, and she didn't like people as stuffy as herself XD.

When Saika addressed Alex, he flinched, turning his gaze away, his whole calm air immediately evaporating. He paused for a moment before he slowly removed his helmet, not looking at his old friend, yet. "I suppose it's been a while, huh?" he mused, before casting a sidelong glance to Saika, keeping his head turned so only his good eyes was facing the corporal...he was rather self-conscious of the scar and he knew Saika would make a scene about it. "I see you haven't changed...arrogant and care-free as always, Sai" he greeted, before folding his arms and frowning "you could be a little more polite to your superiors, you know. I might be younger than you, but you're a corporal and I'm a Sergeant" he huffed, if one thing hadn't changed about the young man it was his defensive nature against insults to his pride.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"I'd heard you were a sour-crout now," Saikia retorted casually, not seeming that perterbed by Alex's behaviour. His expression softened a little though, he knew why his friend had closed up into his shell so badly.
"I'm sorry to hear about Lila, man," he offered softly, his expression and tone of voice showing that he was completely legitimate.

[Yuffie Kisaragi]

Alex flinched at mention of his sister, but he knew that Saika meant what he said. The German had always been particularly bound to the truth and rarely spoke a lie unless one was needed. "it's fine...thanks for the sympathy, Sai, but it's not needed." he put his helmet back on then, switching back to his professional, cold nature. "are you clued-in on the mission, Corporal?" he asked, retreating back into his shell again.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"I'm all good," Saika replied with an almost mysterious edge to his voice. "Ready to get cracking."

"Good," Cass said, interupting and making any further conversation impossible, "Let's get going then. Saddle up."
She turned her back on all of them and continued through the armoury to the drop-pod room beyond.

[Yuffie Kisaragi]

Alex followed behind Cass silently, the rest of the team following behind, looking rather surprised by Alex's knowing the newcomer. Once they reached the drop room, Alex proceeded with the usual run-down. "Helmets on!" he called, the squad following the order as always before heading to their drop-pods. Once all were secured in their drop-pods with the hatches shut the usual countdown began. "Griffyn Squadron prepared for drop in 5."[/i] the ship maneuvered into position for the drop as this was said. "3...2...1...release!"[/i] the locks released and the pods dropped from the main ship into the atmosphere of the planet. moments after the ODSTs pods struck ground and flung the hatches open, more pods dropped around them, and as the hatches blew off of their fronts, Elite soldiers sprung forth, ready to fight alongside their human allies. Most of the Elites seemed completely focused on thei work and payed little mind to their allies, but some seemed a little less than pleased to be working with humans, though not necessarily object to it.

[Tifa Lockhart]

The moment the two different squads had touched down a particularly large elite, clad in the white armour of a special Operations Commander stepped forward. This elite was easily eight foot tall and very imposing. There was something a little different about the way they regarded the humans however. While many of the lesser elites eyed their human comrades with restrained disdain, there was a deep sense of respect in this one's pit-like eyes.
"Greetings Human," the elite said as he came to stand opposite Cass. "I am commander Cthar Achum, we appreciate your hasty arrival."
"Cass, SPARTAN 113. I'm the commander of Griffyn squad, these are my men," Cass gestured to all of the others.
Cthar swept his intimidating glance over each of them in turn, offering a respectful bow of the head to each, "I pray our work is completely swiftly."

[Yuffie Kisaragi]

Maxus awkwardly bowed to the Elite, out of respect, whilst Axel seemed too preoccupied cowering from the massive creature. Scarlet didn't look very pleased but nodded her head in greeting, keeping her thoughts to herself, mostly out of fear, since she was more than aware of how strong Elites were. Maran nodded respectfully but said nothing, Alex's immediate response was awe at the sheer size of the Elite, but he then dipped into a respectful bow. "It will be an honour working with you, Commander" he said, pulling his weapon from his back. "we're ready when you are, sir" he said, turning to Cass.

One of the Elites seemed particularly interested in them, though not necessarily approving. This one was different, though...it seemed smaller than the others and much thinner and more agile. Alex simply guessed it was a much younger male, though it seemed unusual for a younger one to be wearing the white -and slightly less ornate- armour of an Ultra. The Elite turned up it's nose at the men and turned to prepare its weapons, voicing no opinions. It didn't seem openly hostile, but it clearly wasn't fond of the idea of working with them.