37 – Benefactor“Listen up, Skulls,” Sergeant Rios growled, pacing the narrow aisle between the jump-seats. He scanned left and right, looking at the squad, meeting their eyes, ensuring everyone was paying attention. “This drop is hot—we’re here to put down a rift-break.”“But, Sarge, the INN says those don’t really happen!” Parker cried, holding a hand to his chest as he pretended to faint.“Shut the fuck up, Parker.” Sarge glared at Diego. “Shut him up, Montez!”“Sarge!” Montez pulled his J-blade, and it hummed menacingly as he held it in front of Parker’s chin. Hector wasn’t worried; it was all a show—a routine that felt as normal as pulling on your socks before slipping your feet into your boots; Parker would mouth off, the Sarge would tell one of the Aegifers to shut him up, and then the briefing would continue.“Like I was saying,” Rios growled, “it’s a rift-break, and that means aura, and that means you better damn well listen to your Decanus down there. You’re going to see things that training can’t prepare you for. Forget about the vids. Forget about ghost stories that your bunkmate whispered when you thought Sarge wasn’t listening.” He thumped his chest, grinning. “The outpost is designated graveyard, and that means we’re weapons-hot. Eyes open, heads on a swivel. Watch your LOF. I’m sending you reference images of reapers, claw-nests, lurkers, and spine-bags. You see any of those, who do you call?” He spun, his gaze falling on Hector. “Olivares?”“We call our Decanus, Sarge!”“That’s right! Unless you’re designated aura-tier bronze, which none of you troopers are, then you will not engage the afore-listed incursion spawn without a Decanus present!” He stepped toward the front of the drop shuttle bay. “Now, strap in, open your safeties, and close your mouths; we’re going on a bug hunt!”###Hector’s mouth (...)