Marcus Wakefield, Bastion Eos, 2nd of february 240

Because Subal asked me to join their strike mission on a targetting station just after dinner, I had a double planned agenda. Which in and of itself is not unusual, but this one was problematic: Helping and potentially saving people on a strike mission, or a mass to Maïr?

I quickly walked to Lira in the chapel of Maïr quickly explaining a that I had to go on mission with the Dugo, because they would need me to stay alive. She wholeheartedly agreed, since she knew I would be the only one proficient with stimms on this mission. We both know the value of life, and especially on Eos.

After quickly walking to Numitor to ask if i was allowed go, one of my new routines since i married Lira, I was assigned as requested, but with Rapax as my bodyguard. Whether or not they were informed, I still dont know.

I quickly put all my gear on and checked my stimms, I had been lucky collecting stimms. I had managed to get 13 stimms together. Quickly calculating, 13 stimms would be able to keep 26 people fighting for a second round if need be.

After flying with quite a big group to the location with more Pendzal than I anticipated and Dugo as the leading faction the group was quickly split in two attack groups. I was not happy with this from my point of view, it would limit me to help only half of the people in need. But from the tactical view, it would be better.

After identifying several hostiles behind forcefields, it was clear it would be a messy fight. I knew I could not mix myself into the fight, for I would be pinned down and unable to help others. So I stayed at a tactical distance with a couple of engineers. Teaming up with Chen Ché was quite nice, for his view of the battlefield was different than mine, but we both kept communicating with each other on potential risks.

After walking in the rear of both groups the engineers were working on disabling the force fields, I saw several people getting shot down. While running between the groups on a good distance from the gunfights I stimmed quite a few, keeping count was not my first priority. At the end I realized how many stimms I used during this interval. Which added up to a total of 9 stimms used, which meant 18 people stimmed up and put into combat again.

After the gunfight was concluded, several opted for a medevac which I decided to join to keep them all stable during the flight back. A broken cyborg was assigned to follow me since his programs kept failing to fully comprehend the situation. Last second before the ship left, someone from the remaining group asked something, and I realized that they actually might need my help further here. Not realizing I was going to risk myself, and thus the anger of my in-laws I jumped out and quickly ran towards the remaining group and joined them into a building.

After slowly walking into the building no hostiles were seen here. Someone, I believe Akizuki, ran from behind towards us yelling: "Hostiles incoming!" My first response was getting as many people inside to keep them safe. Subal was just behind me and closed the door. After a couple of seconds I realized that Akizuki was still at the other side of the door fighting 3 to 4 hostiles.

In this stalemate position the engineers went upstairs to the second room, to deconstruct the targeting station, for which the original mission was intended. They started to torture Akizuki to get us out. I kept pushing Subal to make a choice, either we rush out and try something or wait. He did not respond, and I concluded that working with Octavius is a whole lot different than other strike-leaders.

After several minutes the hostiles, which we identified as ecoform personnel with skull-masks were trying to open the door, which almost succeeded several times, even though Subal used his bionics. Later Jericho Tertius opted to use a grenade to try and kill the hostiles and hopefully retrieve Akizuki, who was still being tortured in front of our eyes. Subal quickly opened the door just wide enough for the grenade, Tertius threw the grenade but missed the opening. Quickly grabbing it again the grenade and shoving it just outside the door. Seeing this, I knew I should have never gone on this mission. Maybe I am just too used to the precision and accuracy of CMXCI.

Unfortunately the grenade only killed Akizuki, the first person under my medical watch that has died. This realization came slowly, time slowed and I did not see a way out anymore.

Through the haze I remember saying: "Tell the colony I am stuck here." Especially the new Pendzal were frowning and did not understand this: "Why would someone come back for you," was their remark. I could only say: "My in-laws are special ops. They will come here, and you will see how cavalry works here on Eos." At that moment I saw three people grabbing their comm’s units to reach the bastion, Aquila, Dugo and Pendzal comms were being used. I remember someone asking me if pilot Valeria should stay or go back. My short answer was, get back to base and get the cavalry.

While waiting to the engineers to finalize their business upstairs, I was told to go to the rear to help others in case they were shot down.

I remember hearing gunshots outside and people walking in front of me down the stairs. I knew I only wanted to see Lira, for she keeps me sane and keeps my mind calm. While I ran to her she said, “Don't worry, loves. Cavalry's here”.

While still not comprehending the whole situation I followed, led by CMXCI. Hearing the Pendzal argue about who should go on the first flight back. The shouting of both Octavius and Lira was refreshing and put me back in place. Now I knew on whom I could count in stressful situations. Clear orders and people who are trained for this. First shuttle is gone, second shuttle is gone. While waiting for the third shuttle Octavius quickly rearranged everybody in a perimeter to keep watch to the surrounding. Looking around me I realized I was put in the center for the final rally command. In the bushes several hostiles were spotted and are quickly advancing. When the shuttle was above us, I shouted “Rally, Rally”. All around me stood up and ran towards the shuttle. I am told Kat played music, but my recollection of this is hazy. After stepping out of the shuttle I saw Sevso’s face, but I was in no mood for any conversation. Recollecting the room with the least people in it was the councillor’s room, I went there to find refuge from my thoughts.

About the first person I was unable to save, Akizuki of 808 Gubat Bantay