A training field that was all too familiar to a mercenary in the Sudeki Clan lay empty before the eyes of Genzen as he waited. Today was the day of his 19th birthday and as someone in the Main Family he was being assigned a leadership role. He wasn't sure if he liked the prospect, it's not like he had any great achievements to call on to inspire the others besides the lottery of birth. He had above average insight and personal speed, but that only really applied so much on the field. Though he had suggested a few strategies that worked out in the past, he truly wondered if he could do something like that consistently enough to be a leader.

While he stood there contemplating his dark black eyes scanned the area as he tried to formulate a plan for the exercise that was meant to take place. Eventually the team showed up and gave Genzen a slight bow of respect for his station. He decided to return the bow a little deeper than theirs to show respect. An understanding of the situation as he was younger than them and was less experienced.

"Welcome, I know today is going to be more or less a test, the first thing I'd like to do is pick one of you to be a Sergeant to this unit, to keep discipline in check as well as advise me on things I may not know or be prepared for. I'd like to make the decision quickly for today, so which of you has the most experience?"

A man stepped forward, short black hair, shoulder armor and a sword at his hip. He looked to be nearly thirty, while everyone else seemed to be mid twenties.

"My name is Talo. I've actually been in missions with most of the others already, and it's been established I've been doing this longer than them."

Genzen watched the man, he carried himself with pride and strength, but there was no puffed arrogance to his body language. He was simply stating facts, and the way his arm remained bent at his side ready to grab his weapon made it heavily obvious he was disciplined.

"Alright, Talo will be this units Sergeant. In the field his authority is as good as mine, and he will also advise us of information we may not be aware of."

With that they spent a few hours discussing capabilities and training to see where everyone was. The Magitech gadgets the Sudeki produce were specialized to each persons skills or unique abilities, so it was good to go over. Thats when it became time to begin the training exercise. Simple capture the flag between two bases on the training field. It was 200 acres apart making it just over 2 miles from one base to the other. Both teams were very familiar with the land make up and where the bases were so it wasn't going to be a game of hide and seek. Nor was it a protect the king situation.

"We have no intelligence, we dont know the enemy numbers, or who they are. We need scouts , we need to set up a perimeter, and a flag guard. I'm used to scout work, so one other as back up would be fine. Talo, set up the guard and perimeter while we get some info."

A woman stepped up to go with Genzen. She was named Meril if his memory served, she was about as fast and agile as he was, and her abilities worked on attraction and repulsion. Useful as they set out into the wooded area quickly and quietly to see what the other team was made of. Eventually after dodging some patrols and counting who they came across they made it near the base. There were so many... At least twice their own numbers. If they went into a full charge it'd be a massacre easily. They may not know that.

Genzen's eyes turned red as he counted the number of life aura's inside the base as well. Meril's eyes also turned red as she used her ability to attract sound to her so she could hear conversations and she would be the only one to hear any noise they made. After a few moments Meril signaled Genzen to pull back. After retreating for a while they felt like they were in a safe place and Genzen could only see the life aura's of animals around them.

"The enemy knows its a test for you as a leader, and they dont think you will be capable at all. They are biding their time to march across the woods and take us out by force."

Genzen stayed silent and nodded. He motioned for them to full retreat back to base, when they got there they informed the crew of what they found. This seemed to annoy a few of them, so they had to make a plan. When Genzen smirked.

"Actually it might be a few teams combined to be our enemy... Which means they have numbers, but they also might not know who all is who. We could plant someone to cause a big enough distraction that we might be able to get maybe two or three to the flag and out."

Talo nodded, and thought.

"It's not a bad plan, but thats still more than 2 miles with the flag to get here, and they will notice."

"Exactly, we will have to spread ourselves into very small teams for ambushes and slowing tactics, leaving our flag completely unguarded. It will take all of us."

After a second or two Talo would laugh.

"Thats pretty bold, Lets try it. We move in ten minutes, you, you team one."

Talo began ordering and making the teams. Before getting to Meril and Genzen.

"You two will be the team to take the flag, and I'll plant myself in their team and set a fire. The smoke will be the signal."

The operation would begin in the next mission