At six-thirty in the morning on July 27.
Augustus's 3rd Platoon assembled on time at the military camp parade ground. After their new platoon commander carefully inspected everyone's uniforms to ensure they were clean, neat, and met hygiene and military appearance standards, the platoon's forty-four Marines, all dressed in winter uniforms, boarded two buses bound for the fortress opera house.
"I didn't know the opera house was putting on a children's play today." Tychus sat across from Augustus. "Mengsk, the only thing I want to do is kick those actors' ridiculous asses for wasting my precious time."
"Come to think of it, I fell asleep last time." Harnack said sheepishly. "You can't blame me. I thought it was going to be some sexy morale-boosting show."
"I thought the epic opera depicting Ande, Hero of the Galaxy, was excellent!" No one agreed with Londerstein.
"I heard it was supposed to be a speech," Augustus said.
"Good thing I brought a pillow and blanket." Josephine's words drew a burst of laughter.
"Fine. Tonight, I'll take you all to the bars in Howe Town." Augustus looked at them.
"Yeah!" Harnack shouted.
"Now I'm not sleepy anymore."
When the buses stopped in front of the rather narrow entrance to the fortress opera house, 3rd Platoon got off and formed up at the door. Augustus demanded neat formation from them at all times.
A female assistant sergeant with short brown hair was waiting for them at the entrance. She had curly brown hair, large azure eyes, and rosy lips. Her fitted army uniform outlined her graceful figure.
"Sergeant Mengsk." Carrying a stack of document folders, the sergeant walked straight to Augustus. "You can let your soldiers enter."
"Has Major Warfield arrived?" Augustus waved his men into the opera house.
"He said he would be here