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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 5113616" data-attributes="member: 143">Time for a new player.* * * * * Interlude: Transfer Orders (August 18, 2009)Sgt. Hadrian L. Jones, USMC, hastily brushed grit and sand of the Mohave off his BDUs as he trotted up to HQ.  Inside, a clerk pointed him to a chair outside Colonel Hernandez's office.  The message had said Report ASAP, but in typical military fashion, it had meant, hurry up and wait. As he sat, he mentally reviewed the squad's performance in the exercise vs. the OPFOR units.  While his recon element had executed their spotting mission as planned, the parent battalion had taken a drubbing.  Those Blackhorse guys were good, no question about it.  The Colonel would be tearing the major a new one, that was certain, but the whole point of the exercises was to find and fix problems and keep folks from getting complacent.  In that respect, mission definitely accomplished.  A buzzer sounded and the clerk motioned him towards the CO's door.Hadrian marched in, came to attention and offered a crisp salute, which the Colonel acknowledged as he glanced up from a stack of files on his desk.  “At ease, Sergeant Jones, and take a seat,” he ordered as he opened and looked over a dossier.  “A-1 job in the exercise, glad to see at least a few marines get the better of the army.”  He scanned the open file again.“How long have we known each other Hadrian?” the Colonel queried disarmingly. Jones smiled thinly.  “15 years sir, since that tour in Afghanistan.  You were fresh out of Annapolis, a newly minted butter-bar.” Hernandez nodded, “I learned a lot from you in those six months. Seems like a life time ago now doesn't it?”“Indeed it does, sir.”The Colonel studied the dossier for a moment and fixed his gaze on Jones.  “Hadrian, your current enlistment is up another couple months, you'll have your 20 years in then, as you've not re-upped are you planning on taking early retirement?” Hadrian pondered a moment. “Well sir, as we've been busy with the exercises here, I've not really had time to give it much thought.  However, the Corps is my home, and I'm satisfied with my work and the chance to serve my country, so I'll likely file the papers when we get back to our regular base in Okinawa at the end of the month.  Assuming the Corps still wants me.”Hernandez visibly relaxed.  “Glad to hear that Hadrian, would hate to lose a man of your talent and experience. It also makes what I have to tell you next much easier.”He paused for a moment before continuing.  “Hadrian, the Corps is changing, the world is changing and the enemy is changing.  I assume you've heard and seen the reports of these alien attacks as well as our counterattacks?”Hadrian nodded slowly.The Colonel continued, “The US is part of an international response force known as X-COM.  I've been ordered to submit likely candidates for screening for this group.  I've chosen to second you from RECON group for this assignment.  I'm afraid I can't tell you anything further.  You are to report to helo pad one at zero dark thirty for immediate transport.  Your status and assignment are classified, you are to answer no questions nor inform anyone of your mission status.  You are allowed one duffel bag for personal items, all other gear and furnishings will be provided.  Is that clear?”“Yes sir!”“Very well, Sergeant Jones, that is all.  You are dismissed.  Semper Fi!”Hadrian stood to attention, saluted, wheeled, and marched out of the office back into the summer heat.Twelve hours later, he sat crouched in a helo winging through the dark desert skies eastward.  He wondered what the new posting would entail.  He knew nothing about aliens, or even much science for that matter.  He did know about scouting and killing though, and whenever and wherever there was war, those services were always needed.</blockquote>

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