The Warrior's Code

[Warre]

“Don't be confused, I'm not saying that they're not men and of the species of human, boyo. I'm saying that they're not Warreic. You can't be talking to these Singlish like that, if they ask you what a thing costs, you say nothing and give them it, or you tell them the sum in Luminata Notes, not in any slangs and by gods I've better not be hearing you saying 'Luach Cóir le haghaidh na mBó' to any of them, there's nothing that'll confuse them more than that; no matter if they've studied Gaelige here or in Eireann or back in their Wing Sing; they've not a chance at understanding what the words 'A Fair Value for a Cow' in the way we common people use it. Got me? Don't confuse them or make fun of them. They're our cousins -oh, cousins of sorts-, and they're our allies. One of the few peoples who we see as valuable allies.”

“So no callin' them squints, ser?”

“Of course no callin' them squints. They aren't dirty Germanise, or something of that sort. And they haven't ever done the Warres any wrong, or their peoples; so no need to call them any rude stereotypical names.”

“What about little mouse...?”

“Would ye call your little brother little mouse?”

“I do.”

“Well then you can call 'em that, lieutenant.”

“Aye, Ser.”

And so; the first members of the Seventh Warreic Rangers that were designated to meet the new group of Singlish Guard coming to train waited. Lieutenant Keiran O'Cathail and Major [Ser] Seanna Callaghan stood in wait at the secluded stretch of land approximately a fourth-Dabhach (2.046 M²; 5.3km²) from the nearest Warreic Army base which had an airstrip; the place where the Singlish were supposed to be landing. They stood in their dress Mahoganies, not in actual camouflage or anything else. Of course; they were going to be doing training with the Singlish, but they didn't need to turn into fatigues quite yet. They were in a fairly rural place by Warreic standards, so as the Singlish landed; surely they'd think they were in a primordial jungle. Did this many trees and unattended meadows really exist?

What was to come? Only the Fini and the seers might know; and neither group would tell. It could be good, it could be bad; but it'd be a learning experience, for sure.

 

[Keida]

“I realize none of you have been to the High Kingdom before,” The NCO stepped out from the cockpit of the heavy cargo plane into the cabin where all his recruits were waiting. The pilot had just announced the start of the descent into Warre. He wore one bar and two chevrons on his shoulders, the mark of a 中士, Zungsi, often called a Sergeant internationally. He also wore a flat expression, pulled from his distaste for chaperoning an overseas backpacking trip, “I know Ip has never even been out of Wing Sing.” The squirrely, native-born Singlishman shrunk in his seat. “And I know you've all been briefed on this a hundred times already. But bear in mind that this is a whole other world from back home. We're going to be out in the wilderness with a lot of folks who don't look or talk very much like us... except maybe you, Wong,” the Zungsi nodded to his 上等兵 Soengdang Bing, or First-Class Private, ethnically Georgian. “Anyway, just remember the phrase 'Cad atá tú ag caint faoi?' Remember to be polite, but stand up for yourselves and your country. Remember that you're on the Technocracy's time. And remember that you're here to learn, so pay attention.”

The whole plane fired back a loud, “Sir, yes, sir!” Feeling the turbulence start to pick up, Pan Zungsi went back to the cockpit to take his seat. Out the windshield, he could see the lush green country rising up to meet the plane. “This is my fourth trip to Warre,” he said to the Warreic pilot, buckling his seat belt, “But it's the first one where I'm running the show.” The NCO straightened his birth-control glasses and looked over his briefing. He hoped his Warreic counterparts would be more helpful than the ones during his last joint training exercise. He also hoped his red-haired sweetheart in Tarah hadn't fallen in with a new man. “You're good people. And I'm not sure if, man-for-man, there are better fighters in the world.”

The plane touched down a little more roughly than anyone would have liked. But the soldiers quickly gathered up their belongings and headed out with military precision. Within an hour, they had changed into base uniforms, prepared their packs and mustered for new orders. Pan Zungsi counted them out:

潘謹申中士 – David PAN Kunsun Zungsi
黃國雄上等兵 – Stefaan WONG Gwokhung Soengdang Bing (Born Zaza Targamadze, Akhaltsikhe)
謝國柱二等兵 – Robin JE Gwokche Yidang Bing
葉家騮二等兵 – Willem IP Gaalau Yidang Bing
陳秀蘭二等兵 – Karine CHAN Saulan Yidang Bing
林君彥二等兵 – Peter LAM Gwanyuen Yidang Bing (Born Sanoh Wichaidit, Sinhai)
湯永達二等兵 – Hagen TONG Wingdat Yidang Bing

...and the rest.

 

[Warre]

It was Fourteen Hundred [14:00]; the plane had landed at 13:00. While the Ser-Major and the Lieutenant waited in the aforementioned meeting place, their own troops having arrived and mustered while waiting; and they did so in a mixture of solemn silence and in fevered excitement. Not a lot of the people in the squad had ever even left Warre; and some of them thought that this would be a waste of time, some of them were excited to meet the Singlish who'd be coming. After all, the Singlish, despite their nation's tiny size, were one of the most capable countries in their region; and their country was one of the handful of nations in the realm of the world which Warre considered a true friend. One of only a few that Warre considered a brother; and this had been drilled into the troops that didn't already know.

Even as private first class Willhem O'Conner was sent on a run up and down the rural stretch of road [for he had showed up for duty intoxicated and needed to be punished]; at the minute base where the Singlish had landed, the secondary adjunct to the Major [Callaghan] stood waiting. Second Lieutenant Sarah O'Bannon stood in wait, standing in her Dress Mahoganies, and with her strawberry blonde hair tucked into her hat, and looking intently.

Over her shoulders, a backpack filled with her supplies stood, and she looked directly for the Singlish Sergeant whom was her counterpart for the moment; until they got to the meeting place. As soon as she saw him, she'd give a quick and enthusiastic greeting in Singlish [and with only a bit of an accent, at that!] and then switch back to home tongue, Gaelige; "Whenever you're ready, we'll begin the trek to the meeting place. Major Callaghan sends his regards." And following that, a smile to melt a Fjalladrottning iceberg followed.

As soon as the Singlish had mustered and the Sergeant was ready, they'd begin a marching [run] to the meeting place where they would meet up with the Seventh Warreic Rangers.

 

[Keida]

"Born ready," Pan said with an eager nod, "Isn't that right, men?" He called over his shoulder,

"Aye, Sergeant!"

"Then up your gear and over the hill! Don't make our hosts wait."

Ip and Je took the lead, since they were the biggest. Put your best foot forward, head of the column to hide the rest.