After they all got the message, all crew and new recruits stood up and went towards the rendezvous point. He took both his tourniquets out and then saw where the blue one was standing. It was still there, only more relaxed now, and seemed to be waiting for him.

"Guess you are waiting for me blue one, what you wanna ask?"

"I was wondering about who you really were, I know you are not a simple scout from the terrans, your abilities far surpass that of a scout."

"Digging for secrets, are we? Well don’t you worry, if we make it past, we will have a couple of opportunities to grab a beer and talk it over. I am Logan before you ask, and you are?" he asked with a grin on his face, the alien wanted information, that enough was clear.

"I am Xocarion" the alien said looking at him directly in the eyes. "it is good to meet you, Logan. Let's get back to the ship, then we can discuss your beers"

The tone in which he said it sounded strange, maybe this xeno wasn’t used to drinking or maybe he hadn’t had any beers. Either way, he was gonna find more info about the xeno sooner or later. He packed his stuff and made the way towards the RDV point.

While they walked it was quiet. The blue xeno didn’t talk much and was tracking and alert, 'good, at least this one knows what he's doing, why do I have a feeling we will be paired together?' and he kept walking.

After a good hour they made it back to the shuttle, and some crewmembers and new recruits were already there. As he suspected, everyone seemed to already be selected, the exercise was more to help the crew rank them and assign them to the units that corresponded to their level.

'Never hurts to have lower tier troops that you can train up, but it will harm a good unit if they assign a completely new recruit. Seems they at least know what they are doing.'

"It is good to see we are complete now, let me congratulate you all on passing this exercise, it allowed us to see your capacities and what role would suit you best. Please go inside the shuttle and we will dock with the Brave, they are in orbit and waiting for us."

All of them went inside the shuttle. The ride back was a quiet one. Until one of the Zaalik's opened their mouth.

"Human, you hunted like a ghost, and with ferocity that reminded me of great beast from our core world, where could one learn such skills and tactics?"

All eyes were on him now, all the xenos looked at him with wary eyes, perhaps now realizing what had killed them during the exercise.

"It's Logan, not human, and a magician never reveals his tricks Zaalik. I believed you xenos were proud in your ways and never adopted other ways of fighting, are you jealous Zaalik?" he said with a playful tone, he wanted to know how cool headed those xenos were.

"My apologies Logan, one would like to know where these skills might be learned. I have heard of soldiers like you but believed them to be a myth from the Terrans." All xenos now stared at him, except the blue one.

"Well you need to give my government some credit, they produce real killing machines. As for where you can get as good as myself: a couple of trips to hell would be a start, along with leaving behind every brother you know."

The mood turned quite dark, very quickly. The xenos knew of lost brothers, perhaps that is why many of them were there among mercs instead of with their governments. Maybe they lost too much, or perhaps they just wanted away from many bad memories. They didn’t strike as the greedy type, but money always made it easier to get out of the army life.

After a couple more minutes the shuttle arrived at the Brave, it was a big ship, seemed even bigger in space, he could tell this because of the absurdly large hangars. At least 20 shuttles could be parked here. Not to mention he saw a hangar the same size in the other side of the ship. It was a big ship, meant for capital combat, he imagined it had a fair amount of fighters, around 10 to 20 since you could always pack 5 on the bottom of the ship, put some armor around and make it open and close to have a fast response capabilities.

'A very nice ship indeed, it would give a couple of cruisers a hard time.'

The doors slowly opened once the shuttle and apart from the new recruits already on the shuttle, there were only 2 crewmen actually there, Xiqar and Rashs. They seemed as stoic as all xenos seemed to him, but he could see some hints of pride among Rashs.

"Welcome all aboard the Brave. This ship is home to all of you now, your contracts will be discussed in the next few days, do not worry, it is a significant sum, provided you accept to stay with us for 2 years." The xeno looked around and no one hesitated at this. "Now all the combat teams please go with Rashs, he will introduce you to your new teammates and jobs. For the 2 others, with me." Xiqar said as he began to walk.

After catching up to him with all of the stuff they went on for a while, moving in the middle section of the ship, towards bigger and bigger cabins, something he appreciated. They stopped in front of what seemed a meeting room. And inside where 10 other crew members. But there was enough place to sit around 40 crew.

'Either a shit ton died recently, they haven’t been able to get new recruits as often or they just never were that many to begin with.'

"Gentlemen, please enter, to the front and towards your new team." As soon as both of us entered, Xiqar went inside, closed the door, and went to the front of the room with us. He stood at our side and spoke: "Allow me to introduce you our 2 newest probable recruits. Commando Xocarion Harax from the Tarasha Conglomerate, and Logan from the Terran Confederation, former Drop Assault and Reconnaissance unit."

"And your last name, Logan? Or are the rumors true?" Another xeno spoke, from the same race as Xiqar.

"Just Logan, sir. And what rumors are you referring to? I cannot confirm or deny something that I am not aware of, sir."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Do not treat us as fools, " the xeno who spoke was one of Rashs, but seemed older "it is said you were one of the Devils, one of the Confederacy best soldiers, is this true?"

"I was not aware my unit was called Devils by other empires, but yes I was part of it, alongside my brothers who now lay dead in Terra."

'Silence, the xenos were not expecting my response. Perhaps they never thought that the rumors were true?'

"I took my chance when I could retire early. It was either that or die in the army, but I am not one to break promises. I believe that should answer your questions, now if I might demand, who are you, sirs?"

They seemed accepting of his answer, something told him they all knew too well loss and the feeling of grief, if not why would they be in the ship with all the rest. He felt calm, as if he had found a place for him again.

"We are your new trainers, we will test your abilities, but if all what I heard is true you will complete our training and assessment fairly quickly. With the report I was given you show great potential as a great operative. It has been a while since a lone wolf took out so many, how many were there Logan?"

"There were 24, sir, maybe 25 if the exercise had continued a bit longer and I would have got the chance to measure up against Xocarion."

"Formidable Logan and for yourself Xocarion? How many?"

"20 in total, sire. That is without counting Logan."

He smiled at the xenos remark. Yeah, he might have got him with 2 tourniquets, but he had a few old tricks that the xenos was not aware of. Either way the trainers seemed happy enough and did a gesture to Xiqar who proceeded to escort them out and take them to their new barracks.

"You pulled quite an impression on them you both, it is not everyday we get former special operatives from units with such renown as yours Xocarion, and everyone believed your unit was a myth, so you are something else Logan. Either way, I am sure you will find a new home in this ship and your new teammates once you pass your test. As for now, you may install yourselves in this chamber, once you pass the training you will move to another room with your new team."

"It is an honor to serve alongside a crew such as yours sire, I will not disappoint" said Xocarion, moving inside with his stuff.

"Glad you weren’t disappointed, when will we start the test?"

"We will start at 0200, in around 8 hours. See yourself inside, grab something to eat, get to know the ship and its crew. Also, Rashs wanted to speak with you, so ask around for him. Once the training begins, it will take around 1 to 2 weeks to complete. Good luck" Xiqar said and walked the way they came.

'Well looks like I don’t have a lot of time. First things first, eat something and then find Rashs. Also, Xocarion stills owes me that beer.'

He went inside, unpacked his stuff, all his combat fatigues and then put his arms in the locker. Xocarion was ahead of him and watched the guns he took out. Perhaps the xenos was curious about his equipment.

"How many years did you serve Logan?" the xenos asked as it continued to pull stuff out and arrange it in his locker.

"Ten total, and you?" he was almost finished unpacking, he picked his old armor, it had been a good couple of years since he last wore it into actual combat. And training the grunts of some random planet didn’t made him use his armor much, if at all.

"Eight, " when Xocarion saw the armor he almost seemed speechless, but asked the one question everyone asked, "… how come you have your service armor? Is it a Terran tradition? Or one of your own unit? And what does it do? Is it made for your unit only? I had never seen a Terran with armor like yours."

"The armor is made to fit each member individually, it can morph around to fit someone around my size but has a couple of neat combat drugs tailored to my own DNA, it has helped me survive many shitty situations. And for how I still have it, let's say higher ups owed me some favors."

"I see. My armor was partially destroyed during my last OP, but I still have it " Xocarion said pointing to a kind of stealth suit, but better armored. "I have modified it in the years since I've left. Perhaps combat stimulants could be a nice addition."

The two finished unpacking and arranging their bunks. Then headed outside, after a couple of hours in the jungle, they both needed to grab something to eat. The way there went quietly and when they finally crossed some crew of the ship, they all were headed to the cafeteria.

'At least they have standard hours to eat, seems like the military alright'

"Ah our newest recruits, come with us!" Said Rashs who was with some Zaaliks "we were waiting for you, grab something to eat and come back here!"

As they did the line, Logan noticed the rations were actually decent, meat was ample, and they served some sort of salad, it was good to know not all crew members were carnivorous. He ended up picking what could be the equivalent as a nice red steak, some rice like food and a sort of salad. Xocarion went for the meat and rice. They made their way back to Rashs and the others.

"Glad you all made it in one piece, now it is time for the proper introductions. Let's start with me, I'm Rashs Lxar, former shock troop from the Eqarioth Empire."

"I am Urak Shesh, former lieutenant in the Zaalik Coalition, this are my men: Talesh Railek, staff sergeant; Qartion Shain, sergeant first class; Rudok Shali, sergeant; Ulion Shali, sergeant, and yes they are brothers; Uldar Warsh, sergeant; Arlek Brahs, corporal; Rushael Rollsh, corporal; Portesh Shqan, specialist; and Xerak Mashik, specialist. We are glad to have found a new place to call home" he said, looking at Rashs, who did something akin to a smile.

"I am Xocarion Harax, former Commando from the Tarasha Conglomerate. It is a pleasure to meet soldiers with your abilities." They all seemed a bit surprised, but nodded and turned to look at Logan, intrigued about what he would say.

"I am Logan, former member of the Terran Confederation Army, pleased to meet y'all." They looked as if they had some questions but accepted his introduction.

They all ate quietly, the Zaaliks talked among themselves and Rashs seemed to jump in on the discussion they were having. All in all, the food was good and the Zaaliks did a couple of good jokes that helped with the general good mood around the table.

'Those ones were a unit, they seem pretty close to each other, something that is always good to have. Perhaps they will be their own little group'

Once they finished eating, Rashs bid his farewells to the group, after he received a call in his display.

'Another time then'.

As they finished Xocarion asked him if he was returning to the cabin or was doing a recon, he told him he would find what bar there was aboard the ship and grab a beer, then head to bed.

"I would like to accompany you, if that is good with you"

"Sure, tag along." Xocarion seemed a bit puzzled at his way of talking but went with him to find the ships bar.

After a couple of minutes asking some crewmembers about the bar, they all signaled them in the same direction and proceeded to find out that the bar was not very packed.

'Perfect, some peace and quiet would be welcome'

He ordered a beer and Xocarion some weird xenos drink. They sat at a table nearby.

"To a new future" he said looking the xenos straight in the eye, raising his beer

"To new beginnings" Xocarion responded.

They finished the beer quietly, it seemed they both enjoyed the calm and quietness of the place, he noticed the xeno was in his own thoughts and he did the same, thinking about what new life awaited him. It could not be as bad as the last couple of his missions, some of them still haunted him, the faces, the names, he remembered them all, the hell they had gone through. The thing he remembered the most was how he saw his brothers die, how he explained to their brothers families how he was the only one that stood alive and not their loved ones, before he could continue down the old spiral of grief, he raised his beer and said quietly "for you my brothers".

With those words Xocarion looked at him, understanding the grief and guilt he felt. And raised his drink with him. After a couple more minutes they both stood, and head back to their quarters. Not a word was spoken, both understanding the others need for silence and quietness.