Thanks, I am not happy with this part, it is kind of boring. I hope for next one I will have some better idea, after I do some RT missions and hopefully get another global. Thanks for reading.
UNDEAD MENACE Incoming transmission... Receiving audio signal... Reproducing... "Greetings old friend, congratulations on your promotion. I know you are currently on Rocktropia and I want to ask you if you will be so kind to do something for me. Our reports indicating that significant number of low level IFN personnel is currently on that shattered space rock. One of my operatives that was sent to gather some intelligence is missing presume dead. His orders was to collect information what are those grunts doing there and is that have something to do with growing influence of Smugglers among IFN ranks. There is some concern that Smugglers are expanding their network to other worlds. Find out did they established base of operations on Rocktropia. You are to report your findings ASAP. That is all info that you need to know. Best regards, Hermit" Reproducing complete... Transmission ended... Wow, this is new... How did they knew what planet I am on? From colonist to soldier, from soldier to spy, another step in my military career, or another nail in my coffin in this God forsaken backwater. Btw, that didn't sound like asking a favor after all, I wonder what would happen if I reply that I don't really have time, ha ha ha. Probably I would experience some kind of "accident". Well, better not to go that way, I can ask few questions while I am here. I remember i have seen few IFN uniforms in place where we were collecting Vibrant Sweat from those crazy Haters. It is so strange how too much forum hate and trolling can damage someones mind. On my way to South Gate Studio or something like that. I was right, same moment I emerged from teleport I could see 5-6 IFN soldiers and few civilians. "Hello, fellow sweaters" - I said to them - "how is sweating going today?" "Not bad, those brainless just move around hitting us with not much damage" - one replied. "I see, nice, nice... So, easy to gather sweat for making Welding Wire" - I said. "Nah, we are selling it, our ped cards have gone poor, ha ha ha". We had nice smalltalk while sweating for hours. During that conversation I didn't hear anything bad toward IFN from those sweaters. Not even close, they was talking about IFN and its commander with big respect. While we were talking about mining in Arkadia Underground they even say some pretty bad things about Smugglers. Some of them didn't even heard about Smugglers at all. Or they are too careful or they are just regular people trying to earn some ped sweating. While we are relaxing suddenly one stressed old man run close to us yelling: "Flee... save yourselves... the dead has come to feast on the world of living... end... rotten..." "What is wrong, grandpa, take it easy" - one of us told him. "Yeah, tell us what have you drinking and where we can buy it, ha ha" - another one continue. "Flee... Undead... Rotten... friends eaten... flee... must warn living..." He run away and we couldn't see him anymore. While we was wondering what was that all about walls around us started to collapse and hundreds of moving corpses were rushing towards our position. Zombies!!! Here? Those of sweaters closest to teleport rush to that phone cabin and dematerialized. One girl had spawned sleipnir, climb low in air and incinerated dozens of undead things but that was not nearly enough to stop their onslaught. "Defensive positions" - I yelled - "let's make our stand near that wall!!!" "No" - one civilian told me - "There is too much of them to stop them and they are fast moving. We must break through across that hill. There is secret path I know, follow me." I wasn't in mood of arguing so simultaneous we started to follow him clearing path in front of him. When we were crossing MulHolland road bunch of zombies blocked are way. They was rushing our way and there was a lot of them. I already had a feeling their teeth biting me. We were shooting at them making their undead heads explode and still they was closing fast. Our ammo was going low. Same moment I was replacing my last clip counting how much cursed ones will I be able to take out before meet my destiny sleipnir was descending upon largest group in front of us and once again gave best regards from his thrusters. And it was well timed. We cleared remaining few that was still in our way and escape. This was so close. After we escaped we split up and I was running toward nearest teleport. I decided to go to Neverdie club to warn some people about zombie threat. I resupply my ammo at trade terminal and went out of the club. First thing I noticed is Vixen robots are more aggressive than before. Could this things be related, I never before see undead leaving Zomhattan area. Maybe another thing to investigate this strange behavior. I rushed toward my ship to use its transmitter and send warning to all in ship range when group of vixens attacked me. Compared to undead, this angry home machines didn't pose any significant threat. Without much trouble I send all of those between me and my ship to metal scrapyard. When I searched what was left from them to see can I find anything useful found something interesting. Most of them hold usual robot parts, but one had Lacerating Attack Nanochip III (L) with more than 7 ped in value plus some shrapnel. So, about 10 ped just on this one. Strange, why would robot need nanochip? Robot creators experimenting with mind force? That is alarming news, new version of vixens have some amount of Vibrant Sweat, not sure if that is related but I wouldn't like to see Vixens using nanochips on people. Anyway, I sent warning to people nearby. Now, time to check out surroundings to see if zombie incursion is stopped and to look is there any Smugglers activity on Rocktropia.
EARLY BRIEFING Incoming transmission... Playing video... Unable to open received video file... Possible file corruption... Reproducing audio... "Sergeant Daka, your presence is required in briefing room. report at HQ in 30 minutes." Reproduction complete... Cold metallic voice was talking to me via speakers. No matter how much I hare robotic voices of machines that speak, or any other machines more complicated than toasters, good thing is I am not in trouble this time. If I am to be punish for my late return to Arkadia I guess some of the my superiors will call me personally. Or a firing squad would knock on my door. Well, time to go to see what is going on. When I get there almost everyone already arrived. One of the majors entered and after proper salutation he approach the center of the room near big briefing screen. He was too young to be major in my opinion, got to be one of those doing-everything-by-the-book guys, they get promoted fast. I would like to see one of them how they perform in battle for a change. "Welcome gentlemen, and thank you for arrive in briefing room in short notice. I apologize to you all, according to rules you should be informed in time, but we have serious technology issues and were unable to send requests for presence in time. We hope it won't happen again..." O brother, I knew it... Regulations, regulations... This guy could talk hours about regulations, procedures, insignificant stuff... "... and we received intel reports that there are no Smugglers bases on other worlds which is good thing indeed. Now, we are coming to the second and main reason why you are here. I know you are all eager to hear about it so I will go straight to the point" - he said smiling at us. "Administration has informed us that there are less mining materials on market than it was before. Considering latest increasing of Oratan attacks on mining digsites we increased number of security personnel guarding miners but that didn't give any results. Oratan attack in large groups and we don't have enough soldiers to be in all places all the time. So, we are sending you deep in side Oratan controlled territory to keep them busy and make enough damage as you can. We hope that will force Oratan to reduce their attacks on miners and deal with our teams causing mayhem in their own backyard. During that you need to collect standard information about Oratan positions, numbers and some special information. Those special information we want you to collect will be given to you by your superior officers and that is top secret so far. You will receive those orders when you reach designated checkpoints on map location. This is just measure of precaution, dismissed." Hmmm, secret orders... I have a feeling they suspect there is a Smuggler spy among us here. I hope my failure to find any possible Smuggler base on RT isn't reason for them to have suspicions in me. Better to get to armory fast and start this mission. I picked up my weapon I get from token trader on Calypso as long ago my mentor suggested. Small TT value gun but it is said extra durable. We shall see. I was suppose to meet with others assigned to my group in Celeste Quarry. After analyzing soldiers info assigned to me I should prepare some stuff. Besides few battle hardened veterans there is few rookies, some of them wasn't even engaged in battles so far. I bought more ammo than I need just in case those guys don't have enough. I don't want to end with our guns empty inside a sea of angry Oratan. Maybe I should craft some weapons too. I picked up cheap ones, Herman ARK-0, not state of the art but would do the trick. After made few of those which cost me about 70 pec per attempt... boom... around 23 PED Metal Residue and one projectile weapon blueprint. Nice indeed, that will cost some loses from terrible loot last few days. And my inventory computer didn't even registered a global entry. Can't complain. This day wasn't so bad after all. Better to put that in storage and meet with my small rag-tag army.
BAPTISM OF FIRE Our meeting point was Celeste Quarry. That place was so crowded at the moment I was there. Apparently, Oratan launched new attack on Repulse Firebase, but strength of attack wasn't something that would give IFN something to be worried about. A lot of colonists, some people arrived from other planets, side by side with IFN soldiers quickly eliminated Oratan Lancers and other supporting Oratan units with not much effort. So, usually quiet Quarry was full of activity, people was selling things they looted from dead Oratan, crafters did they usual stuff, few people was dancing. Nice sight indeed, man can just hope that Quarry will often be this full. It would be good for economy. While i was listening what those people yelling about, stuff they selling, known face approached to me. It was old friend who came with me to Calypso. "Hiya, Daka" - he said - "long time no see, I guess I should be saluting you now, ha ha". "Old friend, glad to see you again." - I replied - "You should, ha ha. I was surprised when your name appeared on the list of people who is assigned to me for this mission. I didn't see you since robots destroyed our ship near Calypso, I didn't even knew you are still alive". "Well, I was injured and almost dead indeed. They patched me up in Calypso, so after venturing and exploring this space, recently I enrolled to IFN. There is some other grunts who volunteered for mission, but unlike two of us they don't have any combat experience." "Speaking about us, don't you" - one smiling soldier from a small group that is closing to us said. "No matter what this old grumpy man told you we are eager to join the battle. I am sure you will be satisfied with our battle performance, we had intense combat training". "Combat training, simulators and shooting in computer generated targets is not same as standing face to face with hordes of Oratan warriors. They are violent and genetically engineered for war, so anytime you think you are ready for them, think again. No one is ever ready for terror they are capable of, soldier". They faces changed expressions from smiling to worried, even afraid. "But don't be alarmed, heroes" - I continued - "If you listen to your orders you will perform well indeed. And for the record, I never lost any soldier in combat. Now, go to terminals and arm yourselves. We go same moment as you are ready." They left toward terminals. "Ha ha, Daka, playing tough sergeant with these grunts. I never figured you are this kind of military type. And correct me if I am wrong, but this is the first time you leading other soldiers in battle, right?" "Ha ha, you are right, my friend, I don't like this 'seargenting' stuff, but they will be grateful at end. If they engage enemy with 'we are so ready' attitude they will easy get killed. Considering you last remark it is true this is my first time I lead people on mission. So, technical it is truth that I didn't lose anyone in battle, yet. Ha ha ha. But ok, looks like our rookies are ready. Lets make some damage". We went to Victorious Firebase trough teleport. It was night already, one of those arkadian nights where you can't see carabok until he bite your nose. We gather up in vehicle area. After checking our equipment, put on our armors and make sure everything is in good shape we jump in Gungnir that is suppose to take us behind enemy lines under cover of darkness. Flight was peaceful, nothing indicated our incursion into Oratan controlled territory was noticed by them. We encountered only few birds in air and we have seen large group of prospectors in distance. Our landing site was clear, nothing around except sand dunes. After we jumped out Gungnir immediately left and we were in middle of nowhere alone and dark and dead silence was surrounding us. "Alright guys" - my voice broke the silence - "we are here where we suppose to be. Few kilometers ahead is large group of Oratan Prospectors, mostly Thieves. We will come close to their position, our mission is to interrupt their mining activity. For those who don't understand what "interrupting" is let me say it simple - kill them all and take all their loot." "Yes, sir!" - rookies said almost in same time. We started our approach to enemy positions. We had to move carefully, probably there will be no Oratan patrols here but you never know, one time to get ambushed can be one time too much. Our movement was slow but distance between us and Oratan was shortening rapidly. It was about 1 hour before dawn when we arrived at our destination. "All right guys, get ready" - I whispered - "we attack, with first rays of sun. We will take position on this hill southeast from here. Everyone know his position, teams of two will cover target areas. First two your area of shooting is from those Miluca trees to that road, my team will cover middle, last team will cover from that bush over there to that stone formation to the right. All teams will provide overlapping fire in range of 25 meters between areas if large group of Oratan take that path." Everybody climb with their heads giving sign they understood. Soon, sun started to appear over the hills on horizon. Prospectors continue to dig like they did during the night. We couldn't see anything except their pickaxes in their arsenal so this should be easy. Almost simultaneously we opened fire. Prospectors closest to us were dropped down and others started to look from where shots are coming. Not long after initial shots our position was discovered and all out Oratan attack was aimed toward hill where we took positions. Thieves was closing fast, wielding their pickaxes, most of them was getting killed before even get close to us. Suddenly, one of the our soldiers got shot in head. "Medic!!!" - somebody yelled - "we are under sniper fire". Another rookie took his FAP and started to heal wounded man. "Team one, continue firing upon your targets, team three find that sniper". "Over there sir, left from us in Miluca forest!!!" "OK, take him out, NOW!!!" - i yelled but hardly anyone could hear my voice because same moment that position was shred to pieces followed by loud explosion. I look behind me and my friend was holding smoking Skildek Lancehead. "Nice shot" - I said. While we are busy with sniper pickaxe warriors was really close to hill and we have engaged in hand to hand combat. Unfortunately, some of them had pistols that were using against us from close range. Our armors started to taking serious damage from their attacks. Even if their onslaught was brutal and our position was in great danger to be overrun Oratan numbers were reducing fast by our fire. Combination of laser/blp fire and flamethrowers keep them away from top of the hill. Shortly, all was silent again, every single Prospector was dead, our weapons didn't talk anymore and only my grumpy voice was breaking the silence. "All right, men, let's loot them and get the hell out of here before Oratan reinforcements come." Like usual they had decent stack of timber and mined materials. Besides that we pick up few Scott & Barlow guns and large amount of shrapnel. I went to that place where sniper is firing upon us and my inventory computer registered global entry. Headshot I scope for ranged weapons and shrapnel. Entry recorded 13 PED value. Nice, never seen before Oratan using scopes, I wonder what else they have in their arsenal. I guess soon we will find out, this mission is far from over. "Daka, we have everything, we are ready to go". "All right, lets move out. Great work guys" - I replied and we leave that place as fast as we could. Wind that was blowing from north will do well to us covering our tracks.
LUMBERJACK After last battle situation on the field forced us to hide during daytime and moving under cover of darkness. Oratan patrols has increased in numbers after our incursion and sweeping the area looking for us. We managed to use resources we collected from initial contact with Prospectors for improvised shelters. Miluca timber served well for this purpose, covered with camouflage net in sand colors with few scattered stones just to give impression of ordinary desert landscape. Grunts found out that strings dipped in Zolphic oil has greater strength than dry strings. That was really useful for keeping our shelters together under the gusts of wind. Winds are strong in these parts, we just hope Oratan don't have animal senses and that wind will not bring our smell to them. Just in case, we covered our skin with animal oil residue to block our human smell. From air probably our cover would be spotted, but from the ground we should be safe as long as sentry eyes remain vigilant and spot enemy from long distance. After sun goes to sleep behind distant hills in horizon we would break our camp and move fast and silent. This kind of moving was hard for grunts, they were doing most of muscle jobs setting up shelters before sunrise and packing stuff at first starlight, but that is only way continue to be elusive pray for our Oratan pursuers. We performed this way few days so far and we didn't had any encounter with Oratan. We covered our tracks nicely, so maybe its time for another surprise attack, we should... I didn't managed to finish that sentence in my head when one of the recruits interrupted me: "Sir, there is a small group in nearby Miluca trees location. We can't tell if they are Oratan or some of our people, but they are acting strange." "Define strange, trooper". - I replied. "Well, they are running toward trees, moving like drunk. Fun part is that location is not far away rock formation that is perfect for ambush. We suspect Oratan must have warriors placed there because from that site they have perfect view on surrounding area. And as we can see from here, I doubt they are wearing uniforms, they must be civilians. Should we use radio?" "Negative, our orders are to remain radio silence. We will approach them closer to see who are they." We moved fast in their direction, strange they seems like totally unaware of our presence or any other threat that could end whatever they are were doing in violent way. When we approached enough we could see they are civilians indeed. Using some kind of saws and harvesting lumber from forest. Weird, they didn't chop any lumber, like they were seeking specific trees. I gave sign and grunts surrounded them and instantly capture them all from different directions. All 5 of them. They didn't even know what happens. "Who are you?!" - one of soldiers was yelling on them - "what are you doing here?" They were so frightened to answer, so guys slap one who look like they leader because others were looking at him confused with new situation they fall into. Surprised man, frightened to death, start talking immediately. "Please sir, let us go, we are just simple people trying to harvest this wood and make some profit. We didn't do anything wrong..." "Do you know where are you???" - I was stunned with his answer. I have never seen that someone would jeopardized himself and other people in this manner just to earn few peds. There must be other ways to make profit for civilians that not including exposing unarmed people to Oratan rage. "Please sir, we seen these trees and wanted to harvest timber, thats all." "Listen you, this is Oratan controlled territory and no matter why are you came here you risk your neck and lives of those who followed you. And what is so special in these trees?" "Sir, our new acquired tool can harvest timber from only specific trees, nature of Arkadian flora is that we can't process any tree." "Hmm, I never seen that tools before, and never seen lumberjack on this world anyway, let me see that tool" - I replied while taking that saw from him to get closer look. "Sorry sir, these tools was selling in trade terminals for few days now, after last maintaining of Arkadia network. You don't know about those stuff?" "Not really, we are behind enemy lines few weeks now. Anyway, whatever you doing, you should do it in another place, maybe some place without Oratan activity?" "Ah, kind sir, thank you for you care, but we are not afraid of the Oratan. We almost have what we need and..." "Oratan!!!" - one of our soldiers yelled - "closing from south, west and east sir. They cut off our escape routes" "Ah, clever beasts, they must have started surrounding us while we was dealing with these 5 vice guys. Alright, all of you, move fast to the south, we are sitting duck here." "Sir, another Oratan formation approaching from south, we are encircled." "Alright, move to that crystal formation over, we will make ours stand there. And give those woodpeckers any spare weapons you have, we will need as many fighters as we can get. Move out." We started to run like never before, but Oratan was still closing, they are faster runners it appears. Few laser beams from Oratan weapons was shot at us, but they are inaccurate. Inside crystal formation we took defensive positions and waited for Oratan to come closer. Soon, we find ourselves in the middle of sea of Oratan. That moment, single thought has occupied my mind, what if Oratan long ago spotted theses civilians and was using them as bait for us. Maybe they are not that brainless as we initially thought. Or these we are about to fight are some kind of elite warriors. We shall see soon enough I guess.
DEATH FROM ABOVE As we took defensive positions inside crystal formations Oratan has already closed circle around us. There is no place to escape, besieged inside the sea of Oratan creatures with only personal stock of ammo, outgunned and outnumbered. As they start they assault on our position we were able to kill closest to us. Our laser bursts and bullets almost with every shot taken out some of them, was real hard to miss, but that would hardly make any change because there was so large number of attackers... almost endless... Everyone was so silent, shooting at Oratan approaching from all sides. If someone was to look at our faces he would see only soldiers with no hope, like some sinister big shadow has dropped on us, stealing all our life energy and condemned us to slow and painful death... or something even worse if those monsters capture us alive. Even arkadian sun was hiding behind clouds darkening battlefield. I issued orders to the radioman to establish contact with Victorious Firebase as we others continue to fight. Civilians proved themselves to be useful, their basic training in handling weapons was not in vain. "Sir, we have Firebase on radio" - soldier yelled to me trying to make his voice louder then our gunfire. "Victorious Firebase, we need aerial support, we are hit hard by the Oratan, surrounded by hostiles from all sides. Please respond!!!" "Who the hell ordered break of radio silence? Who is that maggot that has broken strict orders?" - angry voice from other side said. "Sir, we are already spotted, ambushed and our positions will be overrun in 10 minutes top. We need aerial evac, we have civilians with us, seems Oratan was using them as baits to lure us into trap. BEL Vic Team 7 reporting. Over" "Ah, sergeant D, I wondered when you will screw up something again. How did you managed to get ambushed by those brain-dead things? However, all of our birds are engaged elsewhere. We have only infantry and land armored units, unfortunately they can't come to you in time to aid." - voice said with change in his tone. It was like he feel sorry for us, like speaking with the dead who didn't yet realized the are no more counted among the world of living. "Sir, what about artillery?" - I asked. "Batteries are functional, but their crews have never use them on distance this large. Are you suggesting what I think you suggesting?" "Yes, sir, we have no other options. We are sending our coordinates as we speak together with air temperature, wind strength and direction." "You boys have balls, I must admit that. Our crews are already running to their positions. Expect initial explosion in 56 seconds. Faster, faster, you gunnery rats, those men need help. Firing elements already computed, let those guns sing symphony of death. MOVE IT!!!" - we were able to here orders given to artillery crews before radio contact was over. Prospector was already near us and they were falling fast, our team has firing accurate and with large firing rate. Almost hill of dead Oratan bodies has amassed around our position making 'natural' barrier that was slowing down attackers. Any of them fast enough and lucky to jump over it was incinerated by our flamethrowers. Suddenly, Oratan gunfire has become more inaccurate and going above our heads. We didn't had time to think why is that because next moment we have heard sound of stone cracking and one large crystal pillar started to collapse and falling on place where most of us was standing. "Watch out, one of civilians yelled, move" - In last second we jump in side and pillar has broken to pieces with large noise and cloud of dust. Almost simultaneously air was cut by whistling sound and 50 meters in front of us large HE shell has fallen and exploded accompanied by ear-tearing sound. Large dust cloud has arise making us hard to see anything and confusing Oratan that they stopped they attack. Probably they had hard time to see their targets as well because detonation blast has covered us in dust and pined us to the ground. When we again stand iup I heard radioman voice again: "Victorious Firebase, correction of fire, plus 100 left 50, battery fire 300 depth." "All right, men" - I yelled - "we have about 1 minute before starting to rain death again, gather up here. Start numbering." Everyone was said their numbers loudly, including civilians so one thing was good in all this, we are all still alive. Oratan started to move again, laser beams and bullets again started to fly to our position, more accurate this time and 2 civilians have injured. Trying to be louder than their cry for help medic was faping them and said in my direction: "Sergeant, they are patched, we are ready to go" "All right, to the north, run like entire hell and his demons is chasing you and shoot everything that look nonhuman. We must..." Rest of my sentence was interrupted by series of explosions. Lucky for us explosion started to seed death not long after Oratan continued their attack. Scene was dazzling, large explosions in wall of Oratan on front of us, tearing apart their hands and legs, body parts was flying high in the sky, dust clouds making cloak of invisibility given to us from above. Sound of screaming deadly injured Oratan was bloodcurdling. Firing to anything that moves in front of us we managed to break through lines of confused Oratan hoping we would soon be outside of their circle. Decimated by death from above Prospectors started to retreat in disarray in all direction. We followed smallest group and when we get closer killed them all. Path before us was clear. Hope was rising and our moral as we realized we are saved. Like sentenced to death who has given another chance. I didn't even had chance to smile when I felt sharp pain in my left leg. I was shot. What was that, damn it... Prospectors was still retreating to whatever is the name of filthy place they have come out. When did that shot came from? "Sir, on the hill!!!" - corporal said pointing with his finger on nearby hill. Artillery fire has finished and desert was silent once again. On the hill we have seen group of 12-15 Oratan all armed with with ranged weapons, no pickaxes. They started to rush toward our position firing with deadly accuracy. Our armors started to decays fast and it seems they are using our own weapons against us. Those Scott & Barlow things. Their movements was so fast, faster than Prospectors and they had some weird battle formation we never seem Oratan using before. They didn't rushing like regular Oratan waves, they were covering each other while attacking. Our shots would slow them down, but they were just refusing to die. They don't seem to wear any armors, or at least no armor as we can see but their bodies was so resilient to damage taken. They was so close and we dropped few shock grenades on them, split second after that flamethrower guys roasted them. All except two largest Oratans, they were fighting like beasts. "Concentrate fire" - I was screaming - "take them one by one." Concentration of fire gave result as there was too much damage inflicted on them. They seems to be stronger than others of their brethren but even them couldn't survive that much bullets shot in their bodies. They were screaming at as unable to shoot anymore after corporal cut off their hands with his sword. We all come closer, surround them and shooting until they heads were unrecognizable from so many holes in them and our guns magazines become empty. We search them fast and gather all the loot this group had and our inventory computers registered 2 global entries, 21 and 20 ped. They carried Scott & Barlow weapons in good shape which we taken with us and left alone on the battlefield we had time to recover all the shrapnel we filled Oratan bodies with. Largest Oratan and fiercest fighters so far we encountered behind enemy lines. Alive and profit, nice combination indeed. Looting was done in 30 seconds and again shots was fired in our direction. These came from Prospectors that was behind us before artillery started its beautiful song. Encouraged by stop of explosions they started to chase us. "Move out, people" - I whispered so tired I couldn't even talk loud - "we don't want to be encircled again. Run fast."
I particularly enjoyed "Janissaries". He writes science fiction with a military focus, because this is his background and expertise. This is not the main reason why I liked it, but why your writings reminded me of him. He also wrote a lot in collaboration with Larry Niven ("Lucifer's Hammer", "Inferno" and more), all thick novels making for great escapes when laying with a flu, e.g.
5 days have past since we last time see Oratan soldiers. Boys are getting better and better in stealth movement, Oratan scouts had hard time tracking us. Good for us they don't have forces in air so it was easier for us to conceal our movement. Today is real warm day, like arkadian sun wants to melt our armors. After long march we decided to rest in shade of one large Miluca tree, few hundred meters from our position we sent guards to watch if some threat closing our way. Guards shifts were 1 hour long so everyone can have much needed rest. While sitting in shade and watching in the horizon I couldn't see anything but sand, sand and more sand with few tree formations. Trees in place where I could expect to see only cactus or something like that, strange planet indeed this Arkadia. Beautiful, but strange. Leaves on this tree wasn't making smallest move. Air was dry, total absence of wind was making leaves motionless. Another strange thing, I hope we will soon leave this desert, it is becoming unbearable. Well, as long we doing nothing here I have time to clean my weapons, it could be very unpleasant if it start malfunctioning in the middle of the fight. After I done that I used my communicator and wrote text message to my wife. Of course I didn't said anything about mission and location, no need to make her beautiful head something to worry about. Better she think we have some kind of military training in filed far away from frontlines. And if censorship guys delete sentences with info about current mission and stuff like that what is left after they done with cutting work will be funny and pointless. Better to avoid that. INCOMING TRANSMISSION FROM VICTORIOUS FIREBASE... Wow, message from base. I wonder what is that all about. OPENING CHANNEL... "Staff Sergeant Daka, report status of your mission" - cold metallic voice from the other said. "I am only a Sergeant, and we have 0 casualties. We find that Prospectors have nothing except usual loot. We picked up few civilians and escape Oratan pursuers." "You have fulfilled designed number of completed daily mission and you have been promoted to Staff Sergeant by orders of your superior officers since today 02:00 standard Arkadian hours. Congratulations." - same voice continued. "Ah, so nice, I knew in deep of his heart my superior officer like me". Like a thunder from clear sky rough voice was yelling from other side so hard I started to think that communicator will explode. "Like you? You miserable rat, only thing what I like about you is a sight you cleaning toilets in barracks with your toothbrush. And toothbrush is optional provided I am in good mood. You lucky soldier wannabe you will get you sorry ass back to base ASAP, you mission there is completed. I expect to see you in base 26 hours from now and report on my desk about your mission. And if you even think to arrive late I will use you as example why former colonists should be allowed to get promotion by IFN regulations. Everyone things he can put armor, take gun and be a soldier. In my time..." "Sorry for interrupting your inspired speech, kind sir, I know you are busy and I am sure you would like to share your precious monologues with other IFN personnel, but we have no means of transport and we can't get there that fast." - I replied. "My monologue?" - storm from others side was getting stronger - "listen to me you arrogant piece of #%&^.!@#, if I don't see your ugly face in my office at designated time, not a microsecond later I will make you sorry moment when you set foot on Arkadian soil. Is that clear?" "Loud and clear sir. With accent on loud. Over and out" "Hey Daka, you sure it is smart to talk to superiors like that? I don't think that particular one is crazy about you" - one of grunts said. "Nah, he expect that I behave like this. Old man could get stroke if I start behave like all-by-the-book soldier. And we don't want that do we, ha ha ha. All right, we have to move, direction home, I hope you have your rest because we will have to move fast from now on." We gathered and start to move toward frontlines, if we lucky enough we will get to IFN controlled territory unnoticed. Guys had their rest and our movement fast pretty fast. we didn't spotted any Oratan activity for few hours we were on march when suddenly few kilometers east we see smoke rising in the air. And besides that we could here distant noise, something like explosions but we were not sure about that. "OK, boys. We go that way, we must investigate this" Without a single word troops started to run in that direction. Strange, those frightened recruits has somehow become killing machines eager to join the combat. I wonder has this war changed me too? Is our advanced technology making us more civilized or we are just same as Oratan, bloodthirsty race with expensive weaponry? OK, no time for philosophy, we are approaching killing fields. We climb to highest dune and on the other side we could see some kind of ruins where dozen of civilians has taking shelter while large number of Oratan assaulting their position. There was already infinite number of Oratan dead bodies on the sand filling dry substance with Oratan blood. Their vehicles has been destroyed and stockpile of something I guess was oil has been hit and set to fire. While we were running this way we could often hear explosion from grenade launchers but now that was rare, probably running out of ammo. They will be overrun in minute if we don't intervene. Lucky for them, and us, we restocked our ammo supplies after our last skirmish with Oratan. "Fire at will" - I ordered - "And don't spare your ammo, show these things what are they dealing with" Instantly, a wave of laser beams, bullets and projectiles was finding their targets in Oratan flesh. They were completely surprised and confused. That few seconds of confusion we used to further diminish their numbers. One part of them started assaulting our position and that was bad decision indeed. Before they could even get closer to us they would be dead and amount of corpses on the sand was making them harder to move. Unexpected help had boosted moral of ruin defenders so they started to fire whatever they got at Oratan attackers. Caught between two fires Oratan started to retreat, well not sure if that is correct word, they started to run away to save their own lives. In that run they were falling one over each other and fast they would stand up and continue escape if lucky enough not to be shred to pieces by our gunfire. Our flamethrower soldier burned tens of closest Oratans and flaming screaming bodies still running toward their brethren increased amount of fear they must have been feeling at that moment. "Stop, troops, don't pursue them anymore, we must take care about those people over there" - I yelled - "We did a great job today, corporal, take 2 soldiers and loot those creatures, others let meet those guys there in the ruins". We approach to them and they have come out of their shelter to meet us. "Welcome friends" - one of them has started to talk to me - "thank you for rescuing us, soon our heads would be scenery on some spike in Oratan settlement, glad you have come in the right moment." "Its OK, my friend, we were passing by, glad to be of service." - I replied. "My name is of no importance but my friends call me Timber Bill, I am in charge of Miluca tree cutting expedition in theses parts. This is my employees here, skilful with high tech chainsaws and laser weapons when needed." "I can see that, nice to meet you Bill. But is it kinda too dangerous to harvest tree in Oratan territory?" "Indeed it is, but high profit don't come without high risk, and we are willing to take the risk, ha ha. Maybe we did miscalculated Oratan strength here and made bad assumption we wasn't spotted bu everything has ended good for us. We have most of our resources secured and Oratan loot will be nice bonus for all of us, don't you think?" "I will drink for good loot any time of day, my friend" - I smiled. "May I ask what you and you man doing here? You have some strange composition of troops, soldiers accompanied with guys I presume are woodcutters too. Is IFN started to provide escort for our expeditions?" "Not really, we found those woodpeckers same way like we met you. Unfortunately, I can't tell you about our mission here, it is classified. But we are heading back for our base and unfortunately like you we are deep inside enemy territory. And as we can see, all of your vehicles are destroyed so not sure if any of us and your resources will ever again see Arkadian cities. Those Oratan will return in matter of hours, maybe minutes." - I answered and looked at their destroyed land vehicles with sadness in my eyes. "Well, you are not quite right about that, my friend, you see fortune often is kind towards brace people, ha ha ha. You can never know when something lucky will descend from sky" - he replied and all his men started so smile loud. "I am not sure I understand. We are surrounded by..." - I stopped at half of that sentence because I heard good known sound of Gungnirs. Few second later we could see 6 choppers closing and starting landing sequence. So, these guys had already aerial transport coming for them, we were lucky indeed to find them in these forsaken parts of desert. Its look like I will arrive to that debriefing on time after all, I can't wait to see face of my superior officer when he see me. On time.
