[Thessaloniki - The Vents]
"They're warbeasts," Gaius replies. "Hard to kill. Very strong. And very clever. The Legion uses them on missions they wouldn't think of sending actual soldiers on. Like, say, crawling through the volcanic vents to get into the city."
Sorta like what happened here!
As for the shape shifter it doesn't look like anything is lurking behind the numerous pillars that dot the surroundings. And there are plenty of sounds. Sounds of his companions. Sounds of machinery. Sounds of steam. Sounds of explosions in the far distance. Sounds of rodents crawling around in the walls.
And the sound of a single coin-sized piece of plaster landing right in the middle of the party.
That's the only warning they get before the the half-ton Wyvern slams into the ground and aims to bisect Tavish with one of its orahalcum vibro-blades.
Apparently the monster was clinging to the ceiling just behind an archway and waiting for them to pass underneath. And visible light simply wasn't interacting with her. And a nearby heating duct was masking her already dampened thermal signature.
Clever girl...
[Thessaloniki - The Gate]
"We're putting together a team right now. We've got a wizard who knows how to baffle The Legion's detection gear with us," the fellow in the cloak replies, gesturing at a guy who's wearing similarly muted attire. Doesn't look like your standard flashy wizard at all! "There's no point standing around here and letting the Legion roll over use. We're moving out."
The wizardry fellow walks over to the wall and places a hand on it causing a small section to become briefly translucent. Dippy should be able to feel a breeze from outside the city filtering through. "They've got these walls warded something fierce. I can't keep this up for long. Get moving!"
They'll have a great view of the incoming enemy forces in the distance. Wonder how they'll get all the way over to the camp?
[The Legion - C&C Tent]
Those still inside are hurried off to the remaining transport along with Centurion Legate. That should include the triplets, the bald newcomer, and the weird bug man. "Everyone inside! MOVE! You'll be briefed on your mission on the way!"
[Legion Transport - Sammy and Eighty]
The men have fallen into their conversation again now that the briefing/pep talk is over. Specific orders scroll across the HUDs on their helmets informing them of what mundane and boring task they'll be stuck with in place of shooting rebels in the face.
Eighty watches Sammy closely. His expressions. His body language. Even his heart-rate. Everything suggests that he's really quite angry. She just... she can't understand it. Order and discipline is everything in the Legion. You don't speak out against an officer. You don't disobey. You don't talk back. You follow your orders and if that means you die then you die for the glory of the Legion and for Mars.
She just can't comprehend his defiance and rebellion.
It must be because he's from somewhere else. Somewhere outside The Legion. Somewhere that forces people to fend for themselves rather than having a strong centralized society to lend them strength. That must be it. He's just from a barbarian land. He doesn't know better.
Maybe... Maybe when the battle is over he could come back to the Capital with her! That would be the best place to learn medicine. And to learn order and respect and honor! The Wyverns are all on display in their Eyrie when they aren't deployed. He could come visit her! It would be perfect.
When the boy replies Eighty gently nudges Sammy in the shoulder with her nose. "I wasn't hurt. I was just surprised is all. Don't worry for me, I'll be fine."