It's almost like the hard times circle round;
A couple drops, and they all start coming down.
I might feel defeated, and I might hang my head,
I might be barely breathing, but I'm not dead.
'Cause tomorrow's another day, and I am not afraid,
So bring on the rain.
Despite being the smallest branch of the military, the Scouting Legion is generally regarded as producing the best soldiers around due to being generally the only ones (in 835 at least) dealing with the Titans. In order to survive in the Legion for any length of time, a soldier has to be smart, skilled, and quick on the draw.
But among those, there are a handful of scouts who still stand above the rest.
Squad 18 is one of three squads whose task is search-and-rescue. Without radio communications, things can get very bad very quickly when a squad or small group of soldiers get separated from their unit. With a typical strength of only three hundred, the Scouting Legion cannot afford to abandon entire squads for a reason as petty as getting lost.
The search-and-rescue squads serve under Major Dorian Lindholm; as such, they're considered part of the cavalry.
In order to be chosen for search-and-rescue, soldiers must:
Be proficient in dispatching targets, with a kill average of 3 per expedition or better.
Operate smoothly and calmly under pressure and/or while surrounded by enemy.
Be flexible enough to adjust strategy at a moment's notice.
Have exceptional horsemanship, being able to ride at top speeds for extended periods of time.
Possess an excellent skill and speed with the three dimensional maneuver gear, able to make a one-mile obstacle circuit in under ninety seconds and potentially carry a wounded comrade.
Have at least a basic understanding of emergency survival skills in the event of long-term (more than twenty-four hours) separation from the main Scouting Legion formation.
The bond between search-and-rescue squads is typically exceptionally close; since they often operate far from the main support group, trust and teamwork is equally important to skill. In fact, this quality is generally seen in the best squads regardless of division (up to and including the Special Operations Squad in 850).
Squad 18 is led by First Lieutenant Antony LeFevre. At twenty-four years of age, LeFevre is now entering his eighth year of service in the Scouting Legion. He has been said by many to keep an attitude of absolute realism, calculating true odds without favor toward one goal or another, which makes him singularly valuable in the field.
Second Lieutenant Rois (pronounced roy) Giovanni is LeFevre's right-hand-man. A three-year veteran of the tender age of eighteen, he's known to be willing to take risks in the field which sometimes reap major rewards. In person, he strikes a quiet but intense figure.
When you're lost in the middle of Titan territory, there's only one thing you pray for. Squad 18 is that thing.
