[b]State of Affairs[/b] [i]Undisclosed NTR Facility, New Terra[/i] Colbern sighed, and looked down at his watch with an inexpressive face. It was unusual for Eric to be late; the boy was incredibly timely, but considering what had transpired recently, he would let that slight go. He had been in his shoes before, many times, but he had years of experience to prepare for that eventuality, whereas Eric had just turned 22. A quick knock, followed by the sound of a doorknob opening was what woke him from his reverie, and when he looked up he saw the pale face of Eric Cooper standing at the other side of the room. The kid looked like hell, with his usually short black hair rustled, and in need of a trimming, and dark circles had begun to form under his pale, emotionless blue eyes. Colbern inwardly sighed, sensing that Eric hadn't quite recovered yet, but this meeting was far too important to dismiss for a personal vendetta. He gestured for Eric to sit in a chair opposite of his desk, which he did, and then softly began to speak, [b]"How are you Cooper? You look like hell."[/b] Eric smiled grimly, now looking a little more focused. "My apologies sir, I've been a little distracted of late." [b]"No need to apologize for that soldier; I've been in your shoes before, and I know how tough it can be. You're a tough man Eric, I know you'll get over her eventually."[/b] The look in Cooper's eyes clearly suggested how uncomfortable he was talking about this, so Colbern decided to drop the topic altogether. [b]"Look, I didn't call you here to talk about Contact, I've called you here to talk with you in light of recent events. You've been in the field there, no?"[/b] Eric nodded, "Yes sir: three operations, to be exact. After First Contact, Coalition forces fortified their position around their LZ, and began sending more ships through. By the time a stalemate was achieved, both sides had nothing short of an army assembled. We established a DMZ between there, and where our Rangers first engaged, and we've been talking ever since." [b]"Yes, indeed we have, and as I'm sure you've noticed, it isn't going well. There are three confirmed factions emerging from the slipspace portal connecting wherever the hell they came from, to here: the Triumvirate, which has yet to make a formalized appearance; Bastion, which seems like nothing more than a weapons dealer, and numerous divisions of the Serpens Hyperes Military, which we have made extended contact with. From what we have seen, they are at least centuries more advanced than we are, but their soldiers are lazy and untrained. We have only encountered Humans, but we have no reason to assume that they are an exclusively Human organization. Their goal as of now is to both peacefully claim NTR territory as Coalition Space, and to assimilate us into their ranks, as equals. Naturally, our representatives didn't take too kindly to that, least of all General JT."[/b] Eric chuckled at that. [b]"It's been a rough few days, aye, which is why I need you assigned to the DMZ indefinitely. You've got a cool head, and a ton of potential kid: just don't let your nostalgia overwhelm you. The future isn't meant to be spent focusing on the past, after all. Understood?[/b] Eric nodded, and unconsciously began twirling his new prosthetic arm in an indiscernible emotion. Eagerness, or frustration? [b]"Well then, you're dismissed. Good luck soldier."[/b] As Eric left the room, Colbern's eyes followed him closely out. If the NTR was ever to find a solution to this dilemma, it would come from brave men, like Eric, JT, and Pavel.

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