Underdogs

[Ethan Talon]

82nd Division CP, Camp Grant, Terra Alpha -

Ethan stood at the head of the conference table in the briefing room adjacent to his office. The five regimental commanders, their XOs, his XO, the division Command Sergeant Major, sat around the table staring back at him. Two lieutenants, who served as his aide-de-camp stood against the back wall.

"Third Division," Ethan started, "has been selected as our opponent in this year's war games. We will be outnumbered, and they are regular troops. Three out of their five regiments were active during the Imperium War. They have an artillery battalion, which we don't have."

David shook his head and swore under his breath. The other regiment commanders looked back in a similar nonplussed expression.

"The good news is they can't use their big guns. Their gunners will be given rifles. After all there isn't a stun setting for phaser canons and micro torpedoes. Also our 69th is one of the most experienced regiments in the entire Crops, not to mention the 23rd and 78th have experienced commanders and Marines under them."

Dougal, and the Narlin Colonel both nodded in agreement at the same time.

Ethan smiled in admiration, "We aren't expected to route the 3rd, but General Fraser does want us to give them a good show. I say to hell with that! We are going into this to win or not at all."

[Kalia Lei]

"Good speech." Kalia said as she raised her hand. "So, does this mean we're playing to win or are we still playing... nice?" she gave Ethan a smirk. "I have a ton of things we can do, Imperium training did teach how to win, even if we played things... a bit dirtier. BUT if this is a war game, then when is war ever 'fair'? There's no referee with a whistle calling a flag on a play during a battle."

[Ethan Talon]

"We don't have to play dirty, we just have to be tougher and more flexible. We are thought as undisciplined, a rabble with weapons if you will. Let's show Terra Alpha that we are none of those things." Ethan shrugged, "Besides a little pomp is good moral."

"I ken what that bloody look means," Dougal said with an edge to his voice.

Ethan chuckled, "I'm thinking we ought to give the president a little impromptu parade as we move to the training grounds."

"I take it you haven't cleared this with anyone boyo?" Murphy asked.

Ethan laughed, "God no! But, this entire planet is on edge with Dominus and the Ajem looming. Let's give them something to celebrate."

[Kalia Lei]

"Like a famous man once said, 'can't go wrong waving the flag'. I'll handle getting the streets cleared. There's a councilman that I think I can sweet talk. Your wife isn't the only woman on this planet that can move mountains with a smile." Kalia said and gave Dougal a look. "How many pipers do you have? The more the better. Drummers too. It'll psych up the men and psych out the others. Even rabble can be organized."

[Dougal MacDonald]

Dougal laughed, "Dinnae fash lass. I think I can organize a pipe o' two."

Ethan smirked and leaned in close to her, "He's got like 20 pipes and ten or fifteen more in drum in a company of color guard. Men and women who wanted to serve, but were too old or had moral objections to fighting."

[Kalia Lei]

"That'll do. Plus it makes it look like you've got more than you really have." Kalia said and gave him a look. "Trinity thinks I should take her role while she's... figuring out things. At least for the war games. I do technically have a Major's rank and I while I was more of an interrogator I was trained in battle tactics. I was Whisper's Legacy... if I didn't cut and run I'd probably be helping my brother run the Imperium... which I really don't want to do."

[Ethan Talon]

Ethan clicked his tongue, "You can't be leading the division with your commanders outranking your. I'll have to rectify that, Colonel."

[Kalia Lei]

"Thank you General." Kalia said with a crisp salute. "So let's win this thing and prove to not only the rest of the Corps, but our own men that they are exactly what the Alliance needs. Even if sometimes it feels like they're Team 'Fuck it hold my beer'. They get results!"

[Ethan Talon]

Ethan nodded, "We will rally at Cheeseman Park at 0700 tomorrow. We'll march down Central Avenue, which puts us past the presidential residence, and down to 4th Steet, and out to the five, to take us into the training grounds outside of the city. Full dress uniforms ladies and gentlemen."

[Kalia Lei]

"That should work." Kalia tapped her chin. "How much hardware should we roll with us?" she took her padd and made a few notes. "We should fire something off to annoy the First Lady." she said with a smirk. "Bella Price needs to be shaken from her funk, piss her off a bit, get her fired up... I'm sure President Price will appreciate it."