Premise: The Crescent and the Dragon

Life of a Legionnaire is hard, compared to a different mercenary groups and corps we have rules and pay our lives with sweat, tears, dedication and a lot more a hundred times more. Not many have lasted long with their service in the legion yet I wonder why many are vying to be part of them. Their leader despite looking negligent. He is no pain in the ass, a dependable man and serves as the best example a legionary could be.

Marcus, one of the toughest legionnaires have ended his service. Elmer and Hermes have also been terminated for gross negligence and many of their shady activities. Despite of being strict and tight, there are still others who bend the rules and do things their own way.

I still have at least five years left in serving the Legion. If I wish to renew my contract I could have a serve for more than ten years. Life as a mercenary is hard, I guess I'd end my service right away after the expiration of my contract. So far my life is good despite of the dangers of our missions.

I am sitting in our sleeping quarters when a comrade of ours arrived and sat in front of me.

"What's up?" I said.

"Good afternoon Damon, we haven't seen you in the mess hall." He replied.

I scratched the back of my head and yawned a bit then shifted my attention to him, "I am a bit drowsy of last night's watch. I haven't got a good night's sleep lately."

He is Leonard, he is one of the best marksman of the Legion. He came from the southwestern regions of Tornth. His homeland is a Dome that is surrounded by rain forests. A humid jungle that is surrounded by rivers. He is expert in jungle warfare and survival.

"How is everything recently?" I asked him in return.

"Not good, there's a word that reached from outside the border that some erratic fools have done something bad. You know, breaking the rules again." He sighed out of disappointment.

"Could be trouble for us if you ask me..." I said in reply.

"How about we change the topic?" Leonard said.

I nodded my head in reply and speak something that is bothering my mind.

"Have you ever wondered these renegade brigands called the Crescent and the Dragon?"

Hearing this my friend in front of me reacted with a surprised face and asked.

"How do you know of them?"

Looking at his reaction he may know something about them that made him turn pale.

"I just happen to overhear of them recently. They have been active I hear. I think they even start randomly targeting numerous mercenary corps. Killing scores of their members and even officers."

"What's with these people? Are they better than us?" I asked in reply.

He frighteningly replied to me, "No, they are a hundred folds better! They are not the type of people you would mess around with. Big time syndicates and criminal rings hire them to do their dirty work. Local governments cannot even interfere with their activities. If you are marked for death then its better you'd close your eyes and let them slit your throat."

I stood up as one of our superior officer arrived and called our attention.

"Attention boys, you are called to the briefing room."

Leonard proceeded before me and I followed but was stopped by the officer and said to me.

"I overheard your conversation about the Crescent and the Dragon. I do not want to hear you talking about them in these quarters. You are not even allowed to talk about them with your other comrades in the camp."

I asked in reply and said, "What about them sir?"

"That's far as what you would know. You'd better keep your mouth shut about it. No one actually lived to tell the tale of their encounters. They even have the best spies around."

Hearing this my blood suddenly turned cold and sweated hard.

"You do not need to worry about much about them overhearing your conversation. However, it is not advisable you badmouth or insult any of them. Try to get into their bad side you'd see a dagger right in your back. Just for the sake of your own safety!" He replied and told me to continue on my way.

"Roger that sir, I'm going!" I exited our sleeping quarters and went on my way.

I arrived in the briefing room and most of our top officers are there. They look serious as usual and are talking about something. Seeing my face on their side of the window they stopped talking and I knocked on the door before I entered.

"You may sit Damon." One of the top officers said and did as what instructed.

The atmosphere in the room is tense. I could feel that something is not right with the way the officers were looking at each other.

"We are currently short in hand. We need as much manpower as we can in order to make this mission possible. I know you are a bit inexperienced despite of your beyond satisfactory performance in the legion. You are a promising legionnaire and may lack experience but because of the recent killings, desertions and lay offs. We have no choice but to send you in this mission." One of the officers said to me in a serious tone.

"I guess I cannot refuse this task. What shall I do?" I asked after clearing my throat.

"Officer Williams will brief you of your current mission. This way please!" The officer who talked to me earlier guided me to my seat along with my teammates during the mission.

The officer looked at me as I went to my seat. She paused for a while and then started to talk after I sit down. "For the new comer's sake, I shall reintroduce myself. I am Captain Felicas Anrai Williams, I am an intelligence officer and the second in command in this mission."