Chase couldn't have heard right. But, he knew he wasn't just hearing things. He could see Odin's lips moving to form the words, after all. Just as he was about to open his mouth to speak, he found himself shutting his lips again as his heart skipped up to his throat at the sudden appearance of Max.

Silently, the male watched the two and he pitied Odin when the male had bit onto his wrist. The pain being unbearable shouldn't pose a problem if in exchange, one gets to use their bionic arms and legs like that of a normal human being.

"Ah... yeah." Nodding at the other's words about Max and his disappearing act, he chuckled lightly and smiled at Odin. "Yes, sir. I believe I did." He was far too caught up with his thoughts to be bothered by Odin murmuring something and he unbuttoned his top to take it off. He left himself in his tank top, undid his belt buckle and his shoes.

"So, sir... what exactly happens now? And, who is this other member that knows about Sir Max?" Pausing for a moment, Chase grinned sheepishly. He wasn't sure if he could ask that yet. After all, he'd just joined the rebellion.

"Now you get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow we'll be starting early on the survival training. As for your other question...it matters little. You know if he decides you're to know. If we have need for your...talents and knowledge you'll be told through me. Until then be serious about your training and not a word." Odin said as he shifted back in his usual upright back to the wall sleeping position and closed his eyes. He knew he'd be up before long again as his biorhythm dictated.

Chase nodded at that and smiled. "Yes sir," he replied firmly before he'd shifted to lay down on his bed and clasp his hands behind his head. Looking over at the other when he'd heard the words 'you know if he decides you're to know', he went back to thinking again who the hell the 'he' was that Odin was talking about. He hadn't even expected Odin to be one of the men in the rebellion.

At least, he didn't think he'd be so lucky to be assigned to someone who was one of the people who'll soon stop his father and the government with their dastardly ways.

"You can trust me not to say anything to anyone, sir," he said and watched Odin's eyes close. By now, he was pretty much used to the other sleeping position but it made him wonder. Would it hurt for the other to sleep in a normal position? Deciding to keep his mind away from that thought, he shifted to lay on his side with his back on his superior and yawned. Whatever the reason for Odin's sleeping posture, he was sure he'll be knowing it soon when that time comes. For now, sleep beckoned him.


Owens looked up from the papers he was skimming through at the knock on his door and he replied with a short, "Come in," in a rather deep voice. He was currently leaning on his seat in quite a relaxed position with his leg crossed over the other. When he saw that it was just the soldier who had helped him with the troublesome old man a while ago, he nodded his way and shut the folder. He put the folder onto the table and slowly got up to his feet.

"Report."

"The police have kept him behind bars, sir. He is to be executed tomorrow morning and they wish for your presence, sir."

Pouring himself a glass of water, he took the glass just as he'd put the pitcher down. "All right," was his only reply and he put the glass a little bit under his nose. "I will be there."

"Shall I tell officer Lowe, sir?"

Owens shook his head at this and he turned to look back at the man. "There's no need for that. He should be busy tomorrow," Putting his empty glass down onto the tray, he went back to his table to take a pen and a notebook. "You will be accompanying me tomorrow and we are to leave at six sharp. Please inform the soldiers about it." Once the man had given him a salute, the superior dismissed him and left his office.

It was getting late and he was going to need at least an hour of sleep. Tonight, it looks like he's going to be luckier, though. At least, three hours of sleep for him.

As expected Odin was up early. He did his usual workout routine to focus himself before heading off to the commander's chambers to give him the chip with the information Max had given him to check. He greeted Owens as per usual as the man came out of his room just as Odin arrived there.
"Got something from our mutual friend for you. It's got all the goodies you wanted on it." he said giving Owens the chip full of data and blue prints.
"Make sure he stays dead this time." Odin murmured as he walked past the commander after giving the chip; proving once again that his skill at hacking hadn't gone rusty yet.

After he gave the commander his chip he left to prepare for the day's work. He awaited his trainees outside the mess hall.
"Now that you're all here...you can turn right around and march your collective asses to the main building. There you'll receive a backpack. You'll be responsible for it and its contents so make sure you don't lose it or the contents. If you do you'll be hungry and cold. Today you'll learn survival tactics that means no breakfast this morning! You'll be hiking with me the next two days and live on the bars in your backpack. There are enough to last you the duration of our survival trip if you go about it the right way and because I know you'll just bitch and moan about it anyways no I didn't have breakfast either. As said you'll learn quite quickly that I never ask of you what I can't or won't do myself. Now get moving we've got a lot of ground to cover if we're to reach our camp by nightfall." Odin said walking ahead of his troops and also taking one of the backpacks lined up and guarded by the base staff assigned to it.

Owens wasn't the least bit surprised to see Odin outside of his room. When he was handed the chip, he easily slid this into his pocket and smiled. "I intend to see it to the end," was all he'd said before he'd made his way out to meet with that soldier he was talking to last night.

Chase stood with his other co-recruits and held back a yawn. Apparently, he was still used to sleeping in. He had to remind himself that he wouldn't be getting the luxuries until he proved his point to both Odin and Owens. Following after Odin as the rest of the members grumbled quietly under their breaths with each other, he took his own backpack and slipped it on. He hadn't expected it to be heavy but he didn't complain.

"You think you can live without breakfast and only on bars?" The black-haired male blinked as he turned to look up at the man who'd walked alongside him. He was talking so low that Chase had almost missed it. "We're here to prove that, aren't we?" he asked before he grinned and flushed in embarrassment at the sound his stomach had let go. His hunger was going to pass, he knew. It'd happened before, after all.

"On the streets kids of all ages from as young as a year to as old as 18 and even adults live with little to no shelter, no clean water and they eat whatever they can find that's edible to some degree. I lived like that. No clean water, no shelter, no decent food. I ate from trashcans. Moldy sandwiches and half rotten meats and vegetables were kings meals back then. Most of the time there was no more then bugs and worms and some thrown out used coffee grinds. Those who know true hunger will eat anything that lets them live an hour longer. You won't alway have the luxury of a well supplied base. When you're out there face first in the mud tracking enemy troupes you won't have a meal ready and waiting so you'll do best to learn on this trip. Ration your bars and water and learn to remember what's edible in nature. One day it might save your ass." Odin called setting a punishing pace up hill from the base.

By late evening they reached the camping area. Along the way Odin had pointed out different berries, leaves and other plant-life and told the troupes how to recognize the edible ones and which might make good weapons if you're intending to sabotage an enemy camp when low on ammo.

"Okay you lot. Get a move on and set up those tents as I showed you. It'll be 2 to a tent as per the groupings of the base's dorm. No complaints and no bitching ladies. Girls you get a spot left of my tent. Any of you ladies who bother the women will find out what the fastest way off this mountain is." Odin said as he pulled out his ration bar and broke off another bit of it. He hadn't told the recruits, but he'd only taken a single bar with him. He figured that it'd be more fun the next morning to rub it in that it is doable to survive on a single bar for multiple days. After all he'd never ask what he couldn't deliver himself, but that didn't mean he was going to ask what he knew he could. No that'd be...mean? Harsh? Both probably.
"Come on highness let's see your camping skills." Odin said to Chase pulling down his tent own tent so Chase could give it a shot at setting it up. He hoped the other at least had some camping experience if only camping out in his spacious backyard or some such.
"Oh and because I'm an ass sometimes; tomorrow night you'll be making shelter from what we've got on this hilltop rather then you getting to sleep in a tent. Wouldn't want you poor babies to be at a lost without your tents." Odin said teasingly.

Chase blinked, not in surprise, but in awe at the other's experiences. Just how much torture did Odin have to go through before he got to where he was? Was it all worth it? As he thought this thought, he couldn't help but find himself smiling in amusement at the other recruits groaning at the thought of eating bugs and worms from the forest. Chase, as he pushed a tree branch aside, looked back up at Odin's way.

Somehow, from afar, he really did look like a dignified man. One that seemed really worth respecting.

The moment they've reached the camping area, Chase moved to stand by Odin's side as he barked out the orders for the recruits. He gave a few waves and a few smiles to the pitying looks that were sent his way. It just simply amused him, really. Looking back at Odin, he raised his eyebrows at the sight of the male taking just a small piece of the ration bar. "You look like you only have one piece of that," he started before he'd went to set up the tent. He, of course, knew how to make a tent and just as he was about to finish it, he found himself making a mistake and having to redo everything again from scratch.

"Think I can't do it, eh?" he asked as he'd returned to doing his tent again. He was determined to show Odin that he was wrong. It didn't even occur to him that he might be getting sick because of that. "Tomorrow night then, I'll be sleeping out." Smiling mostly in what seemed to be a rather teasing look, he got up as he nodded towards Odin's way. He'd even said mockingly:

"After you, my lord."

Chase had woken up early the next day, feeling a little more woozy than usual. Apparently, the cold temperature got to him with what little clothes he wore. The male didn't show any signs of weakness, though, and simply got out of the tent to take care of his morning issues before he'd washed his hands a bit with water before eating a small piece from his bar. Everyone else was still getting up, he noted, and he was already getting his backpack ready to continue on the trek.

- - -

Owens, on the other hand, had taken care of the old man's judgment. He had been hanged, proclaimed dead and was obviously burned before his ashes were buried underground. It was finally his revenge for the old man's deeds. For having hurt his favorite soldier and from preventing him from hurting or training any more. Hell, he was even surprised to see him take care of three other small kids who obviously had been street rats and had been ploying to destroy the government. No one else was going to destroy the government but him and he made an oath to that.

With Odin by his side, he was sure he'd be able to do anything.

"Morning, Max," he started when he'd gotten into Max's place. He had wanted to check on the boy and see if his deliveries had gone through. This time, too, he'd managed to get a few good items he wanted to use. He was also here to see if he could make Max create some other things for him to get this coup started.

"Got some awesome toys the other day. Most of it's been fixed, some I tweaked for better performance. It's over there. Figured ya might like em. The bastard good n dead this time?" Max said leaned against the wall beside the door in the shadows.

"Our mutual friend had a message. Woodward knows and has agreed to join our club. He seems...eager..." Max said grinning.



Odin smirked at how eager Chase seemed to prove himself. He'd already noticed the boy's big mistake though and it was proven the next morning as the boy came out of his tent. Odin shook his head and went back to ordering the men around that were slacking off still. He waited for Chase to prepare to hoist up his back pack then dropped a sweater on the boy's head.
"Better put that on. Or you'll come down with a cold before noon. Would be embarrassing for you if I had to carry you back to base. Next time pack one warm and one cold weather set of clothes." he murmured before hoisting his own backpack and making his way to the other side of the mountain where half way down they'd cross a river on their way back to camp.

When they reached the river there were two men already awaiting them. Odin greeted them and turned to his trainees.
"Watch closely and pay attention. River-crossing without a bridge can be done any number of ways and I'll be showing you the hardest one today. you won't be doing this until I decide you're ready. So take notes and pay attention closely." Odin said calmly.

He proceeded to explain how to recognize shallow water and the importance of poking around with a sizable stick before putting your feet down.
"Clear water is treacherous and will look more shallow then it is in reality. You keep dry by using a branch of a tree or any long stick you happen to find along the way to poke the water ahead of you to determine where it's shallow. You will be doing this later so I hope you took good notes. The second way is one we hardly use. It's the best one, but also takes forever and you don't always have the supplies on hand to build a bridge on land to cross a river and some will be wide...Now the last way is the most effective, but also most dangerous." Odin began as he put down his pack and began to take out lengths of rope from it.
"You start by choosing carefully who gets to wade through the water. As you can see it's rough. You'll want the best swimmer or someone who can handle the force of the water pressing against their side constantly." Odin said motioning to the raging river before them and pointing first to the soldier left of him and then to himself even though the other was built like a brick wall and seemed more equipped for handling the force of the water.
You again use a stick to find the shallower point in the water. Raging rivers like this generally go on for miles before slowing down enough to wade across safely and you won't always have all the time in the world to get across to your destination. Now watch closely. Step one tie the rope securely around the guy who's going in and double check that your knot won't let go no matter the force put on it." Odin said as the man right from him tied the rope to his middle and checked it before letting the other man check it as well.
Next tie the other end to a nearby tree at about waist level. Tie the primary bridge rope to the tree at foot level and tie the secondary rope just above your head to the same tree. You'll now want to hang on to the middle rope rope in case your teammate slips. It will be his primary lifeline with the bridge ropes as secondary lifeline." Odin went on as his two soldiers each took up position beside the rope and held it loosely.
Next I will enter the water and wait a second for my body to get over the initial shock of the cold water. I will then swim with the current. Swimming against it will tire you in second get you dragged down river. Swim diagonally to where the current goes. Your rope should be long enough to allow that. You'll then want to get out as soon as you reach the other side. You walk back until you are straight across where your rope is tied down. You'll find a tree or rock that's nice and secure and tie the ropes down. The one from your middle goes at your feet level and the other one goes at head level again. once they are secured you'll test them see if they hold or need to be tighter. Then the first person will cross with a rope around his waist again that he and his partner earlier tied to one another before you left." Odin explained before stepping into the water.

"Okay kiddies. Watch closely and line up in pairs of 2. Once the captain has tied off the ropes you'll be going across one by one. You Woodward? C'mere you'll go first." Said the first of the two soldiers as Odin got out of the river on the other side and signaled him.
Remember the guy crossing depends on who he's tied to to be their anchor if they fall. Once you're across you'll be anchor for your partner. So be careful. Okay pay attention. Woodward, step on the bottom rope and hold the top one then shift step by step across it to the other side." the soldier instructed.

Chase blinked at the lights suddenly going off. It took him a while to realize that someone had put something over his head. At least, Odin's words were enough to tell him that. Sometimes... I just wonder how he does it, he thought before he'd quietly sighed and smiled a little to himself. The male took off his back pack again to slip on the sweater before he'd put on his back pack.

The very thought of being carried back to the base didn't sound at all appealing. It'd be best if he didn't exhaust himself too much.

The moment they'd reached the river, he watched Odin turn to them and start talking. He didn't really understand half of what Odin had instructed when his roommate-slash-superior was done talking but he decided to not think too much about it. He'd rather not have his head leave him when he had to cross a raging river. That, and he had his mind full of the slight pain he was feeling in his tonsils.

When he'd heard his name be called out from one of the soldiers that Odin had greeted there, he let out a short and stern, "Yes sir," before he'd done as he was instructed to do with the rope. He just hoped he won't mess this up; he'd rather not have Odin be disappointed at him.

- - -

Owens smiled at Max's reply. He wasn't at all taken aback by the man's blunt nature. Not even when he didn't receive a reply for his greeting. "You know me too well," was all he said with a smile of amusement before he'd raised his brows a bit at the other's last words. Eager?

"Well, that's not a surprise considering he has plans of putting his father down from his place," he said as he ran through the items Max made, "The cameras here, could you make them smaller, perhaps?" Turning to look over at Max, he held a palm-sized camera and asked again, "Perhaps about half of this size?"

"Could make em to fit on the head of a pin if needed." Max said pulling out 9 more camera's each smaller then the next until the last was indeed the size he said.


Odin watched as Chase slowly made his way across and quietly hoped that the boy wouldn't slip and fall. He was already suffering the beginnings of a cold and the frozen water would have him get sick for sure if he fell in.

Chase, for a moment there, lost his grip on the rope. He was quick to grab again on the rope, though, so the only part of his body that was shocked by the cold water were his legs and, well, his crotch. It had him shivering just a tad but he forced himself to get through to the other side. By the time he'd gotten to dry land, his hands were numb and his arms were aching like hell. Looks like he needed to do more push-ups in his routine workout everyday.

His cheeks were a little flushed from the lack of oxygen as he fell to a sitting position and let out a sigh of relief. It had the group in the other side of the river cheer for him and he couldn't really bring himself to grin cheekily at them. Instead, he'd only smiled. He rested his hand on the ground behind him and he looked over at Odin.

"Sorry to make you worry, sir," he said with another small smile.

- - -

Owens blinked at what he'd seen and he found himself laughing, which was characteristically unlike him. "Looks like I need not ask with you," he said as he got up to his feet and walked back to Max to look at the said cameras. The smallest one was really a wonder and it had Owens smiling as he'd inspected it up-close.

"You used a magnifier for this, didn't you?" he asked as he'd pulled back and turned to look at Max. "Are you free tonight, as well? I'll be needing you to disguise yourself and put these cameras exactly the locations I want them in."

Max let out a bitter laugh.
"I'm technically dead to the world I got all the time ya need me fer. Ah no jus a jewelers magnifier I found among the old junk. Wus in working order n useful fer detail less bulky then a microscope an almost as effective." he said.



Odin hissed softly as Chase slipped. He kept his eye on the boy while prepping hot chocolate and a thermal blanket he had in his pack. He didn't speak when the boy reached the other side and apologized, but immediately set to pulling off the boy's wet boots which he knew were hell as the leather just tightened with water and it'd need to be forced off.
"Get those pants off before you catch your death of cold." he ordered dumping the warm thermal blanket on the boy and returning to his fixing of hot chocolate to warm the boy quickly and watched the others from the corner of his eye.
"Drink." he ordered pulling out another blanket and giving a freshly arrived trainee the orders to treat his crossing partner to a hot chocolate and the blanket the moment he got out of his wet clothes as they together pulled the struggling man on dry land.

Chase massaged his upper arms. He was just about to get up and see what he could do with his wet clothes when he'd felt his eyes widen at the man pulling off his wet boots. The moment he'd opened his mouth, he knew better than to talk back and shut his mouth again before he'd nodded dumbly. His cheeks flushed, too, in embarrassment.

The male managed to take off his pants under the warm thermal blanket and he pulled the sleeves of Odin's sweater down to cover his cold hands. "Y-Yes sir," he said, looking quite surprised as well when he was handed the hot chocolate, "Thank you, sir." He watched Odin work on the other trainers and felt himself hide a smile as he took a sip from the hot drink that warmed his body instantly. With his hands holding the mug and with him putting it close to his cheek, he let out a deep breath and wished he could help the others too.

Damned fever. It always did appear when he wasn't thinking of it at all.

- - -

Owens patted Max's upper arm and he gave the other a small smile. "At least you're not dead to us," he said before he'd handed Max the palm-sized camera, "I'll have your disguise sent tomorrow morning. We'll be leaving around 1 in the morning."

Odin kept a close eye on Chase. He could tell the symptoms of fever by now and he wasn't liking what he saw. Once all the recruits had made it across the river more or less safe and dry he sat down by the warm fire some trainees had started without his having to inform them. He smiled when he noted said recruits already ushering their wet comrades closer to the fire. Odin himself was soaked to the bone. Earlier he'd been forced to jump into the river and rescue a struggling trainee who in his panic had cut off his safety rope and was fighting the current. Odin had given the man a scolding about following regulations and safety procedures after he hoisted said man's fat ass back on to dry land, but hadn't gotten the chance to change into anything dry yet because not two minutes before he reached the shore the last trainee crossing slipped and went under without coming up. Odin once again jumped into the freezing water and a tense five minutes later he reappeared a bit down stream with the unconscious recruit. The senior officer who'd been one of the two men supervising the crossing joined him and administered first aid. With this done the boy soon woke and it seemed that other then being soaked to the bone and having a nice lump on his head he didn't suffer much from his adventure.
"Now then. In light of the river crossing I have decided we'll cover improvising shelter tomorrow. Let's get the tents set up and get some sleep. Before that though I would like to complement you all on your first successful or in some cases almost successful river crossing. Peterson, Thomas and Mason compliments on starting that fire and passing out thermal blankets while I was dragging Madison's fat ass out of the river. Woodward, there should be some fever suppressant in my pack. Use it. Thomson you're sharing a tent with Vic. Wake him every hour just to be safe. That's all." Odin said calmly before getting up and setting up his own tent quickly. He didn't bother to check if Chase took the medicine or not.



"I'll be ready and waiting and most likely bored. So you know." Max said grinning. If Odin had been at the base that day he'd have told the Commander to make sure to be there early. A bored Max wasn't something anyone would like. Last time Max was bored all the toilets on the base grounds had gotten rigged to go off and spout rainbow colored paint every time someone entered the restroom. Of course that'd been nothing compared to the time Max had rigged all the seats on base to automatically eject anyone who sat on them, but then that time the commander didn't keep a promise and as Odin had often warned Max didn't get angry; he gets even. In truth though there were only 2 things that would get Max to lose his smile and get angry. Anything else just meant you got pranked the most vicious way possible while the petit mechanic watched from a safe place and laughed his ass off

Chase's respect for Odin grew even more when he saw the other bravely get through the rough waters to bring some of the trainees that had fallen into the river. But, he had to give it to him, he really was experienced in these sorts of things and Chase wished he could've had helped if he weren't in his current condition. When he was told to use the other's fever suppressant, he raised his eyebrows a little and put his mug down to go for it. He didn't want to burden the group and not especially Odin when he had enough on his hands to taking care of the whole troop. "Sir," he started after managing to down the medicine without any liquid. He'd also grabbed himself some spare pants from his back pack, "You better change. I'll work on the tent."

The male put the thermal blanket he had on him around Odin's shoulder and smiled at him before he'd resumed the other's work on the tent. He'd finished a few minutes later and he made sure he planted them right so it wouldn't fly off should there be any strong winds. "Thank you, too, for the medicine." The male shivered a bit from the cold air but he blatantly ignored it as he picked up his and Odin's back pack to put it by their tent. He wasn't going to let a fever beat him, at least, when he was on dry land.

- - -

Owens blinked at that and smiled in amusement. "I'll keep that in mind," he said as he shook his head, "So I know you wouldn't cause us any more trouble like the last time."

Odin blinked and looked down at himself as if only just then realizing he hadn't changed yet. He took a look around and was happy to note everyone was already in their tents and sleeping and so he did as told and changed into dry clothing."Get some sleep. The fever suppressant should do its work. You'll feel much better come morning." Odin said while toweling dry his hair. He then got into his sleeping back and with his face to the opening of the tent closed his eyes and rested.

He hadn't slept more then 2 hours when he woke again. Odin groaned quietly. He was cold and wet from sweat and he felt like he was breathing stale air. He quickly and as quietly as he could while feeling like the world was on a roller-coaster from the fever shoved his soaked sleeping bag in a corner of the tent and pulled out a spare from the bottom of his pack; a thin little thing. He grabbed his thermal blanket just to be safe and switched to his spare clothes. He popped a pair of his fever suppressants in his mouth and swallowed them with a swig of water from his field-bottle. he then went back to sleep and prayed Chase hadn't woken up from all that. The boy needed his rest.

It wasn't until late the next morning by his biological rhythm that something seemed to rouse him from his sleep. He felt very disorientated and applied his survival skills by faking sleep and assessing his situation with his other senses until he recalled where and what and most importantly who.



Max yawned boredly as he waited for the commander to join him for their mission. Ten more minutes and that bucket in the corner was going over the door. Childish and overdone, but very much worth it if the commander kept him waiting much longer. It was already 1:30 after all.

Chase blinked at the order from Odin before he nodded and smiled. "Yeah," he said as he'd gotten into the tent first and settled himself into his sleeping bag. His back was on Odin when the man had come in and he had fallen asleep even before he could start thinking again. It was pretty strange how he could just fall asleep like that but he let himself only to awaken two hours after. It was dark, thankfully, so Odin wasn't able to see Chase's eyes open to watch him.

Worry instantly took over the male but he stayed down. He didn't want to worry Odin, after all. No more than sooner, though, he found himself falling asleep again. Chase woke up a few hours later, looking rather tired but better. He was feeling better, at least, from his fever the day before.

The male propped himself up on his elbow and looked over at Odin. He raised his eyebrows a bit in surprise. Usually, Odin would be awake by this time. It just surprised him to see him still in his sleeping bag. Without even asking a question, the dark-haired male reached out to put his hand over the man's forehead. He used his free hand to feel his own. The other's temperature seemed colder but he might be wrong. Brushing Odin's hair off from his face, he decided to get out of bed and wash his face by the river before he started eating a bit from the bar he had.

- - -

It was only five more minutes past one thirty in the morning when the said commander had come in to Max's hideout. He was dressed rather lavishly like Max, except that each of them wore a different color. It was a suit that greatly resembled what businessmen wore. What they'll be doing isn't exactly legal and Owens couldn't risk having his uniform be seen. Hell, he'd even worn eyeglasses to give himself a different look. A somewhat different look, anyway.

"You weren't planning to do the bucket thing, were you?" he asked when he'd seen the bucket at the corner. It was the only thing he could think of as of the moment as he adjusted his glasses and tilted his head towards the dark hallway. "Let's head out if we want to get there before the officials wake. I need those cameras up before that happens."

Odin sat up once the person had left and determined he was in camp thus safe and fell back asleep again in his sleeping bag under the thermal blanket. It wasn't until later when the two soldiers who'd been at the river-crossing had decided to take a look that Odin woke again. They talked a moment and much to Odin's dismay the men made their decision and one left.

"Okay you lot listen up! We're making the track back home today and you'll be given time to get showered and have a decent meal before the captain wants you to write a report on what you learned along the way. I hope you paid attention earlier because there will be a quiz on those herbs and berries later on as well as a shallow water test on how much you manage to remember of the river-crossing and what NOT to do right Madison? So let's pack up those tents and get going. I'll be in charge until we get back since the captain is a little under the weather. My name is Jack McNeil and you'll refer to me as Private McNeil." the soldier said watching the recruits as his companion came out of the captain's tent and shook his head.
"Shoulda know...stubborn brat...Get a move on you lazy bums! There's going to be double calisthenics for everyone if you don't get a move on! Don't think you can take it easy just because the captain isn't feeling so good." Jack muttered sourly as he realized this meant Odin had refused to ride back with the other private.



"Can't say I was Sir." Max said grinning. He'd intended to do so, but hadn't planned it.
"Well if someone hadn't taken so much time preenin' I coulda been done. Let's go." Max said. He'd put in a contact and wore an eye patch that had some rather expensive looking bling on it as well as a hat and cane to accompany the look the commander had chosen for them. He let the Commander lead the way, but halted the man a second before going in.
"A little sumthin I cooked up." he said grinning before running a finger through his own very recognizable blond hair which caused it to turn pitch black and much longer. It had a slicked back look and Max dropped the hat on the Commander's head. He took a deep breath and slipped into the role he had to play before following the commander and awaiting his chance to slip off and put up cameras where needed.

Chase blinked when he'd heard another voice. An unfamiliar voice, that is. That wasn't Odin at all. When he'd turned to look up at who spoke, he found his gaze moving back to the tent where Odin was and he frowned a bit. He suddenly found himself worrying over the captain. He was, pretty much, acting weird. Making sure that none of the soldiers were looking, he slipped back into the tent and crouched down to reach out and put his hand over Odin's forehead. "In return," he started, "You should give me some of your things in your bag. That way, your load would be lighter."

It should be normal. After all, Odin had helped him when he was sick and he was sure that if this one started up just this morning, it could either get worse or have the other faint even if he drank any medicine.

"And I'm not taking 'no' for an answer, sir."

- - -

Owens made a face at that. He couldn't help it. He had to look good. Not that he isn't good-looking enough already. Once they've arrived at the place, he raised his eyebrows out of curiosity when he was stopped. The male turned to look over at Max and he felt his eyes widen just a tad. It took a moment for him to recover but he'd smiled a small smile. It was as he'd expected from a genius. He could even barely recognize the man as who he'd been. "Let's finish this quick."

Leading him to a bathroom and into one of the stalls, Owens showed Max the places he wanted bugged. He also specifically told Max where he'd want it and that he wanted him to do it while he distracted whoever was inside. There were no cameras inside the rooms, strangely. There were only out in the hallways.

By the time they've finished, Owens was driving them back to the base. "Good work."

Odin gave Chase a long look then slowly raised an eyebrow before he spoke the one word.
"No."
The soldier who was with him laughed merrily at this.
"He's a stubborn one our captain. Good luck gettin' him to take it easy." the man said smirking.

------------

Max set to his task with practiced ease and while the captain had been running interference Max had enough time for his job and then some.

He joined the commander again on the way out and made a comment on the bathroom being hidden well and when asked admitted to having gone out for a bit. One of the men had commented on the need for a smoke and Max had merely shrugged leaving it out in the open for them to decide upon.

Once in the car he tossed the commander some devices.
"Audio n video will get sent to that thing no need for retrieval of materials. Once you got what you need from them press the red button an the cams die without anyone going near the place anymore." Max commented before closing his only visible eye and seeming to go to sleep.

Chase knew he was going to get that reply. He turned to look at the soldier who said those words and he sighed before he'd given him a little frown. "I did say I won't be taking no for an answer." The male held out his hand to Odin and gave him a stare right back.

"Hand the heavy things over, Sir. Please."

- - -

Owens blinked as he caught the devices. He heard his words and smiled at that. There really wasn't much he could say so he'd become silent while he parked the car back into the base. The captain took the devices and reached out to pat Max's hand a little. "You should get some rest," he told him as he nodded, "You look tired."

Getting out of the car with the devices, he tugged at his tie a little and shut the door to the driver's seat. The male made sure Max left first before he did.

"I don't have any heavy things." Odin muttered while getting up and hoisting his backpack on his back.

The other soldier chuckled amusedly and settled to watch the exchange mentally making a bet on which of the two was more stubborn. Ultimately it'd be the most stubborn one that would get his way and Odin was known for being stubborn to a fault as well as an ass.

Odin simply left the tent and ordered for Chase to break it up. The soldier followed him out giving Chase a shrug. Odin surveyed the camp and was glad to note they'd all packed up. At some point during his survey of things he noticed a glint in the bushes. He quickly pinpointed it and realized the threat.

In a rush of adrenaline he shoved Chase back into the tent and drew his own gun. He fired and hit his mark despite the fever that blurred his vision slightly. He wasted no time dashing to where the wounded shooter was and overpowering the man with some trouble and the help of the soldier who'd followed him as backup.

"You're under arrest. You have the right to remain silent, but speaking will be in your best interest. You don't have the right to an attorney but the state demands you get one anyways and everything you say will be used against you. Resisting arrest is going to hurt like hell; just don't." Odin said as his soldier held the man down and he put some cuffs on the man before searching and relieving him of all his weapons.

"Sir, take five. We'll take it from here." Jack said calmly as he and the other soldier hoisted the guy to his feet.
"Okay you lot settle down and review your learned materials. We'll be letting you off easy and you'll be driven home." Jack said calmly before hauling his captive off to his truck.

Meanwhile Odin pulled out his phone and dialed Owens' private number.
"It's me. Someone targeted his highness today. I want the works done on this guy. Who he is, where he lives, who he knows. Better nip this in the butt before we lose a valuable playing piece. Oh our Perp might be a little banged up. I didn't exactly see where I shot him or where I drop-kicked his sorry ass in the mud for that matter; nor do I particularly care." Odin said once Owens answered.

--------------------------

"Wouldn't of been tired if I did havta wait half a night for you to finish preenin' so I c'n do m' work. Work which I coulda done over coffee an' a bagel if ya told me whut it wus earlier. Woulda saved ya s'm trouble o goin' yaself." Max said calmly. His voice and single visible eye showing it wasn't just boasting on Max's part.

Max then slipped into a nearby shadow and made his way back to his lab. He sat down at his work bench and opened a drawer. From it he drew a half burned bible and stared at it quietly. He quickly got lost in memory.

Chase's eyes widened and he let out a short, "Whoa!" when he was pushed back into the tent. He hadn't expected that at all. His back had hurt when his backpack was the first one to collide with the floor of the tent. Gasping for air to return to his lungs after the collision, he managed to turn to his side and wheeze for air before he'd snapped his gaze towards outside of the tent at the sound of a gun. The hell?! he thought as he'd scrambled to his feet to get the half of his body out of the tent and see Odin dashing somewhere. What just... happened?

A few minutes later, he saw Jack hauling someone to his truck and he got back up to his feet. Getting out of the tent, Chase followed Odin's footsteps and stood a few steps away from him. He heard him talking to Owen and saying something that made him frown. Was he who Odin was calling a 'valuable playing piece'?

- - -

Owens shook his head and smiled at Max. "Would it hurt to say I wanted to spend some time with you?" he asked, almost teasingly before he'd chuckled and raised an eyebrow at his phone ringing. He didn't bother watching Max slip away from him and into the darkness. After all, he knew where he was headed to. The moment he'd heard Odin in the other line, he found himself pursing his lips a little in both surprise and contempt. Contempt for having belittled the sorry asses of the government. They knew something was up, especially when one of the kids of their players is joining the other team - the enemy team.

"That doesn't sound good at all," he said sternly, almost icily as he thought for a second or two. He loosened his tie and unbuttoned the button that held his collar together. "I'll get to it. Just be sure to keep him out of trouble." Not that he really needed to remind Odin. Odin was the most responsible amongst all the men in the military and he could trust him with his life. After all, he had looked out for Odin. He was sure the man would do the same for him.

Max raised an eyebrow at the question as he left."Dunno, would it?" he countered the question before leaving Owens to his call.

Several hours later as dawn approached it found Max staring still at the half burned bible in his left hand. His right was loosely holding a now empty bottle of unknown contents as it had no lable; it smelled very strongly of alcohol though suggesting an alcoholic liquor of high alcohol content. Max's visible eye showed only a lost look and only the smell of alcohol on his breath betrayed his having drunk any.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Will do sir. I have to go now. Jack's bringing in our perp as we speak. Davis the other guy who helped with the river crossing is spoiling my fun and letting them all off easy. We'll be back by bus in one hour." Odin told Owens. If the phone had allowed for visual as well as audio then Owens would've been in for quite the surprise as Odin actually pouted at the memory of Davis and Jack pulling the unsuited to make decisions card on him; allowing them to override his ranking and take command from him for the duration of the return trip.

Odin closed the phone and turned to Chase.
"Tent, packed, less then 2 minutes, go go go!" he said coldly before stalking over to Davis to check on the ETA for the bus. Davis simply told him to go sit down and save his energy for when they got back. Odin simply plopped down looking for all the world pissed off beyond belief, but actually being in full sulk mode and simply annoyed at being doted and fussed over. He stubbornly popped another fever suppressant pill in his mouth and downed some water after it.

Indeed, Owens would be in for a surprise if he saw Odin pouting. At least, he didn't think it was possible for the man to pout. Shutting the phone once the call had ended, he had returned to his room to start with the investigation. Nothing like a little exercise on his skills. Speaking of skills...

Owens sent Max a message through their line. It was sent in morse code and decoding, of course, wouldn't be so hard for Max. 'Get some rest. I want you watching the surroundings later in the evening while I'm gone. There's a possible inside-job.'

Without him around, the most he could trust was Max while Odin handled the soldiers. He was sure, too, that Max would tell Odin anything should he find something. And I need to gather more people. Four is too small a number.

- - -

Chase's eyebrows rose in surprise at the other pouting. He hadn't thought Odin would be able to hold such an expression. Well, he was still human despite his somewhat cold nature. The moment the call had ended, though, and he was told to pack, he noted that he didn't have to be told. He was already packed. Silently, too, he'd gotten both their bags and hauled it up his shoulders. "You know, they're just worried about you," he told him with a grin and stood by his side, "Much as I am, too."