Bonding Of The Eleven Cannons
Surge
asda4a3sklflkgh Join Date: 2002-07-14 Member: 944Members
asda4a3sklflkgh Join Date: 2002-07-14 Member: 944Members
<div class="IPBDescription">Not NS-related</div> Didn't know where the hell to put this, off-topic or fan-fic. I finally stopped and landed my finger on Fan-Fiction. So anyways, here it is.
(This is an exact copy of the same work I put on the BGH Forums, so don't be surprised if there's something you don't understand. For example, I always used to call the Galaz "Gen Mo'Kai". I changed them around a bit, to make it more original.)
Sadly, some of the bad language is going to be censored in this story. But use whatever makes you happy in place of "**obscenity**". Just use context. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
<b>Note: Before I start, I want to get something clear. The Gen Mo'Kai are now <i>Galaz</i>. This is to help make my universe unique. I changed them so much that they started to not look like the Gen Mo'Kai anymore, so I decided to just change them altogether. I am making cosmetic changes to their faces, however, which still look quite similar. The antenna on the top of their heads is now forked, into two. Females just have a short stub on top. There are no longer the antennae on the sides of their heads. They still have the dreadlocks, however, I just couldn't bear to get rid of those. Their blood is not green. It's blue now. Just a note. This is only really a name change. Just make sure you take note of that.</b>
This particular story is a pretty important one. It outlines the forming and bonding of the X-Division, Storm Platoon, Faithful Company. A select group of 11 (the ideal number for a Confederate Squad) showed outstanding performance and was immediately assigned to a squad, all of them. Their squad is called the Eleven Cannons. Their unmistakable blue cloth pieces tied around their upper arms and left shin makes them completely identifiable by their peers.
X-Division soldiers are special in the fact that they have no specific role. They are not specialized. They are trained to fight anywhere, any time, as any role; whether that be Titan, Engineer, Sniper, or Marine. However, each soldier has his specialized role that he is best at.
Not to mention the first most important person in a long time is the leader of this squad: Benjamin Daniels. Benjamin Daniels has no specialization. He is superior in all forms of combat. He is the greatest soldier the X-Division has ever seen.
The Members of this squad are (human unless otherwise noted):
1- Benjamin Daniels: Ben is skilled, as you have read above. There isn't much else to say except that he is quiet, almost a schizo. He is shy towards people he doesn't know, and tries to be overly polite to strangers. He has a square chin and always manages to look tired; black circles line his eyes.
2- Wedge Konnings (Marksman/Recon): Wedge is a very skilled sniper who is quite full of himself. His marksman skills equal, if not surpass, Benjamin's. Ben never grew to like Wedge. He was annoying and always seemed to find it funny to joke about something. But there was one good thing about him; he kept morale up.
3- Basho (Galaz, Medic/Science Officer): Basho has always been interested in other races and creatures. He developed a good sense of reason and morals. He never really got into fighting. He carries little more than a pistol, depending on the mission. He knows much about anatomy on many creatures, including all the Intels (short for "Intelligent Races". Describes Galaz, Humans, and Lizardmen). He tends to get angry somewhat easily, especially when insulted, but generally he's nice. He was a great choice for Medic. Basho is a good medic; But he's green.
4- Kreichek Re Scar Deel (Lizardman, Marine/Demolitions): Kreichek is very large, smart, and strong. He is slow, however. Kreichek isn't exactly good-natured. He tends to joke a bit and get angry easily to hide his inside feelings. He is bitter on the inside, bitter at... well, he forgot what he was angry at, so he's just angry all the time. He and Basho tend to not get along well early on. Deel gets his third name from his nearly always-frowning and scarred face.
5- Roger McGee (Marine): Roger is quiet and reserved. He is friendly and does his best, and what is best for the mission. He has a good aim. He has some type of reverse psychology. He tends to operate better in dark, confined spaces, and works better than usual when under pressure. As such, Benjamin usually has Roger do the more dangerous jobs and keeps Roger near the front of the line.
6- Krinn (Galaz, Grenadier): Krinn is Basho's long-time friend. His preferred weapon is the B19 with a underslung grenade launcher, hence his specialization. He is content with his job; he likes guns. He tends to correct people (he attempts to be friendly about it, especially toward Kreichek, who mixes up weapons a lot) about weaponry. He likes to talk, and tends to keep morale up. His mind stays focused yet he still talks and remains calm. He tends to not get angry easily. When he does get angry, he tries to talk things out. He is probably the main reason why Basho and Kreichek haven't torn eachother to pieces.
7- Thomas Wilson (Marine): Wilson takes things easy. He prefers not to worry about the future and just stick with what's going on at that moment. However, when he does start to worry about future events, he gets worried. Wilson is generally in a good mood. He does get freaked out easy, though.
8- John Towers (Titan/Shock Trooper): Towers is the only black man in the Eleven Cannons. But his presence is welcome. He generally likes to joke around, especially crude and perveted jokes. He kids with his teammate a lot. Towers is fond of some of the larger weapons, such as miniguns and rocket launchers. Not to mention he is quite proficient with them. Towers gets angry at thing easily, especially when they aren't going as simple as they should.
9- B.J. Ford (Engineer): Ford has been into electronics and machines since he was a child, and dreamed of joining some engineering organization. And he happened to join one of the best. He attended electronics and engineering classes a few years before he joined the Confederate Military. Ford keeps to himself and likes to win. He secretly thinks himself many times greater when he accomplishes something. On the downside, he feels down whenever he botches something. He is an experienced hacker and engineer.
10- Jacob Highway (Marine): Highway is a tough, strong-willed man. Had Daniels failed his leadership exam and test of leadership, Jacob <i>definitely</i> would've taken his place. Highway is known for his persistence and cool-headedness. He is generally quiet and doesn't speak unless necessary. Intelligent and perceptive, Highway was the perfect choice as a first mate for Ben Daniels. Daniels admires him for his unbiased opinions and thoughts, and loyalty. He would throw himself against a Gelatinous Cube if Daniels ordered him. Highway is the nearly the oldest person in the group, only younger than Basho.
11- Leon Ta Eve Melbourne (Lizardwoman, Shock Trooper): Leon is the only female member of the Eleven Cannons. Konnings and Towers love to joke that Melbourne is the <i>token bad-**obscenity** female soldier</i> in their outfit ("Like Aliens, man!"), but they are quickly quieted by her harsh stare. Had she not been so hot-headed, like Kreichek, she would've been Daniel's first-mate. Kreichek doesn't like Melbourne, but he does his best not to **obscenity** her off, for fear of getting his ticket punched. Leon loves to fight more than any other person in the squad (except perhaps Benjamin Daniels, who thinks he was born to kill), and urges people who think otherwise to reconsider. It's amazing that she has stayed in the Storm platoon with her temper and attitude; some say that Sous-Commander Brimm (leader of Storm Platoon) is too afraid to have her removed; others say he likes her attitude.
Well that's about it for the squad description. Now, I'm tired of writing all this, but I'll continue later. I'll just start with this short passage.
Daniels walked into Brimm's office.
"Sit down, Sergeant." Brimm turned away from the window and motioned to the chair across the desk, "It's funny, Sergeant.... Take a look at the stars. If you think, you could really say that the number of those killed in war outnumbers the stars themselves. And now..." Brimm turned around and sat down at his desk, "We can add to that list."
Daniels looked away.
"Take off that helmet, Daniels, we're not fighting now." Brimm pulled out a slip of paper, "Who made it back? And sit down, for Inyath's sake." Ben sat down.
It was several seconds before he spoke, "Highway."
"That it?" the old Commander looked up.
"Yes sir."
"Damn. Well at least it was him that returned."
"I lost 9 men... Sir."
"I realize that. If it makes you feel any better I'm blaming it on you."
"Yes sir." Daniels paused as Brimm wrote some things down.
"What really happened?"
"Artillery fire. Bravo team failed to make the LZ. They picked us off." he leaned back, "**obscenity** Terrorists, **obscenity**. That ain't no way for them to die."
"I realize that," Brimm stood up and walked back over to his window, pausing for a few seconds. Then, "I'm going to assign you to another squad."
"Forward Colony defense?" Daniels asked, almost hopefully.
"Are you out of your mind? You're too good for us to be putting you on some half-assed Colonial Marine outfit." Brimm turned around. Hearing him insult another group was almost funny, "I'm putting you in charge of another squad."
"But what about-"
"Listen, Sergeant. I don't think that was your fault back there, myself. You're too good for that."
"Thank you, Sir."
"It's funny that you should mention Forward Colony, soldier. In fact, we're planning on sending you and your outfit to FC-121."
"121?" Ben cocked his head.
"Yep. Terrorists are setting up gun and artillery positions under the radar. We need you to recon and destroy."
"I see. When do we start, Sir?"
"Immediately. I'll be giving you a group of new recruits. Now you're dismissed. Head for the mess hall. This isn't going to be very formal. We're short on time."
"New recruits? Isn't this mission a little too intensive for that?"
"New recruits to <b>X-Division</b>. They were in small military divisions before. They're some of the best in their line of work, and they've got what it takes. I'm sure you'll like them."
"What about Highway?" Ben stood up.
"He'll be with you. We're going to get 9 more men... and a woman."
Ben groaned as he walked towards the door, "A woman?"
"Yes... but trust me, you'll like her." Brimm grinned, "Or <i>it</i> if you prefer."
"Ah, I see."
"Now get out of here. I've got other things to do."
Ben saluted before he left.
---
Daniels made his way to the <i>Echelon</i>'s nearest mess hall.
The large room was dimly lit, with only a small corner of the place really lit well. He saw a group of people standing there, talking with eachother.
<i>It must be my squad...</i> Ben walked towards it. The smell of burnt pots and soup reached his nose. Dinner wasn't that long gone. He could still hear sinks running in the back, and the clanging of pots.
Ben snapped his attention to the group when he heard someone shout.
"Hey are you lost?" There was a trace of sarcasm, but in a friendly way.
"No." Ben shook his head as he stood in front of the group. <i>Jesus they look like misfits...</i> he frowned. Half of them weren't even half-way prepared to get into a battlefield.... or armor. A shirt-less skinny man with a goatee and sideburns and a trim brown crew cut wearing a wifebeater is where the remark had come from.
"What you need here? You with the group?" the man was chewing gum. Ben slowly looked over the group. The two lizardmen looked at him with frowning eyes. A black man near the back of the group, putting on some shoes was looking at him with a queer face.
Footsteps from behind caught Ben's attention. He turned around. It was Highway. He was in his combat gear.
"Looks like someone's expecting a Major...." the black man remarked as Highway stopped a few feet in front and to the left of Ben, at attention.
Highway's visor snapped open and he shouted "Commander on the deck!"
The soldiers snapped up and ran over to stand beside Highway. After a few seconds, they turned toward the entrance to the mess hall, as if thinking their squad leader was walking in. They saw nothing. They looked at eachother, and then at Highway, who stood with eyes straight forward, hands behind his back, chest out. The others relaxed. The goateed man spoke.
"What is this, some kind of joke?" then turning to Daniels, "Why aren't you in line?"
Ben frowned. "I am the squad leader."
The soldiers shifted a bit and tried to act as if they knew it all along. The man with the goatee's face turned red.
"Listen up! I'm not going to say anything about your sorry state and lack of effort right now because we're on a tight schedule and I'd just be wasting my breath on you group of scumbuckets!" Ben barked, "When we're out on the field, I expect nothing less than loyalty. I will not tolerate insubordination! Anybody who thinks otherwise wins a month of scrubbing the bathrooms for Christmas! You got me?"
"Yes sir!" most of the group shouted. Ben would let it slide this time. He moved down the line, eyeing the group. He spotted a large lizardman looking around.
"What the hell is your problem?!" Ben went up to the lizardman and looked up at him.
"Nothing." he answered. His voice was very deep and powerful. This didn't stop Ben from chewing him out. He was fearless.
"What the hell did you say to me?!"
"Nothing, sir!"
"Damn straight. Now stand at attention or I'll make sure you don't stand at all for months! What is your **obscenity** name?!"
"Deel, sir!"
"Full name! Speak up!"
"Kreichek Re Scar Deel, Sir!"
"Answer me the first time or I'll be sure you live up to your name! Now get back in line!"
Ben stepped back, "At ease!"
The group relaxed. The black man raised his hand.
"What?" Ben was getting a headache. He'd never seen such a lousy group of soldiers since he was with...
"When do we go to our position, sir?" he asked.
Ben checked the schedule, "Two days from now."
"Two days? What about prep time?"
"Excuse me? Until we get a good ability to communicate, you will address me as Sir, dirtbag!"
"Er... what about prep time, sir?" he asked.
"That's all we have. The Echelon is on the way to FC-121 as we speak. They're in need of us now. This is what we do in Storm division. Improvise." Ben tossed the man a mesh-suit.
"Harness up!" Ben said as he walked off, "We depart tomorrow! And write your names on the pad! I want to know who I'm shitting on tomorrow!"
The colorful opinions began after he was out of sight.
"I say we 'frag' this commander..." Kreichek growled as he sat down at started to put on his mesh-suit.
"**obscenity**' A., man...." the black man, Towers, agreed.
"Daniels is a good leader." Highway said, leaning against a wall.
"How would you know this?" Krinn, a Galaz man, asked.
"I've been working with him for a few years. He and I tested the quick drop prototypes."
Several of the squadmembers looked up.
"You mean <i>that</i> Daniels?" the goateed man, Wedge, asked, picking up the mesh-suit straps.
Highway nodded.
"Hot damn."
"Anybody else think he looked familiar?" Basho, another Galaz, asked.
"Who gives a **obscenity**? All I know is that he's gonna get us owned out there." Kreichek slammed his fist into the wall with a loud crash, his muscles bulging.
"Easy, big guy." Krinn said.
"Ah you stay out of my business you **obscenity**' Quaker."
"There's no reason to get angry at him!" Basho growled at him.
"You too, ya humpbunny."
Basho stood up. Krinn grabbed him.
"Hey."
"Yeah." Basho nodded, sitting down.
"Yeah, you sit down you wimp."
Basho ignored him.
The group idly put on their suits for a minute. Wedge spoke.
"Anybody else in here know how easy it is to pop a Terrorist?" he grinned.
"You are too full of yourself, you ignorant scum." Leon, the lizardwoman, commented. She walked off, dressed in full BDU already.
Everyone paused. Then Kreichek himself said, "Damn, what's her problem?" The others glanced at Deel.
"Must be PMS." Towers said. He and Wedge high-fived.
"Now I see why she thinks you're ignorant...." Kreichek got up and walked off, ready.
"Hey Ford." Basho said as he fitted his helmet on, opening the visor.
"Yeah?" Ford turned around, picking up his tools and starting for the door.
"What are those really for? Never really see them on people." Basho motioned toward Ford's eyes.
"Huh?"
"The glass things."
"Glasses? Oh," Ford took them off, "Well, they let me see better."
"Like corrective eye surgery?"
"Well yeah sort-of, but I can take these off. And haven't you heard of contacts?"
"Yeah. Of course."
"These are like those."
"Oooooh, I see. Never really see them on people."
"You said that already." Krinn corrected Basho, as usual.
"Oh yeah, thanks." Basho nodded.
The group finished getting ready, and left the hall.
(This is an exact copy of the same work I put on the BGH Forums, so don't be surprised if there's something you don't understand. For example, I always used to call the Galaz "Gen Mo'Kai". I changed them around a bit, to make it more original.)
Sadly, some of the bad language is going to be censored in this story. But use whatever makes you happy in place of "**obscenity**". Just use context. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
<b>Note: Before I start, I want to get something clear. The Gen Mo'Kai are now <i>Galaz</i>. This is to help make my universe unique. I changed them so much that they started to not look like the Gen Mo'Kai anymore, so I decided to just change them altogether. I am making cosmetic changes to their faces, however, which still look quite similar. The antenna on the top of their heads is now forked, into two. Females just have a short stub on top. There are no longer the antennae on the sides of their heads. They still have the dreadlocks, however, I just couldn't bear to get rid of those. Their blood is not green. It's blue now. Just a note. This is only really a name change. Just make sure you take note of that.</b>
This particular story is a pretty important one. It outlines the forming and bonding of the X-Division, Storm Platoon, Faithful Company. A select group of 11 (the ideal number for a Confederate Squad) showed outstanding performance and was immediately assigned to a squad, all of them. Their squad is called the Eleven Cannons. Their unmistakable blue cloth pieces tied around their upper arms and left shin makes them completely identifiable by their peers.
X-Division soldiers are special in the fact that they have no specific role. They are not specialized. They are trained to fight anywhere, any time, as any role; whether that be Titan, Engineer, Sniper, or Marine. However, each soldier has his specialized role that he is best at.
Not to mention the first most important person in a long time is the leader of this squad: Benjamin Daniels. Benjamin Daniels has no specialization. He is superior in all forms of combat. He is the greatest soldier the X-Division has ever seen.
The Members of this squad are (human unless otherwise noted):
1- Benjamin Daniels: Ben is skilled, as you have read above. There isn't much else to say except that he is quiet, almost a schizo. He is shy towards people he doesn't know, and tries to be overly polite to strangers. He has a square chin and always manages to look tired; black circles line his eyes.
2- Wedge Konnings (Marksman/Recon): Wedge is a very skilled sniper who is quite full of himself. His marksman skills equal, if not surpass, Benjamin's. Ben never grew to like Wedge. He was annoying and always seemed to find it funny to joke about something. But there was one good thing about him; he kept morale up.
3- Basho (Galaz, Medic/Science Officer): Basho has always been interested in other races and creatures. He developed a good sense of reason and morals. He never really got into fighting. He carries little more than a pistol, depending on the mission. He knows much about anatomy on many creatures, including all the Intels (short for "Intelligent Races". Describes Galaz, Humans, and Lizardmen). He tends to get angry somewhat easily, especially when insulted, but generally he's nice. He was a great choice for Medic. Basho is a good medic; But he's green.
4- Kreichek Re Scar Deel (Lizardman, Marine/Demolitions): Kreichek is very large, smart, and strong. He is slow, however. Kreichek isn't exactly good-natured. He tends to joke a bit and get angry easily to hide his inside feelings. He is bitter on the inside, bitter at... well, he forgot what he was angry at, so he's just angry all the time. He and Basho tend to not get along well early on. Deel gets his third name from his nearly always-frowning and scarred face.
5- Roger McGee (Marine): Roger is quiet and reserved. He is friendly and does his best, and what is best for the mission. He has a good aim. He has some type of reverse psychology. He tends to operate better in dark, confined spaces, and works better than usual when under pressure. As such, Benjamin usually has Roger do the more dangerous jobs and keeps Roger near the front of the line.
6- Krinn (Galaz, Grenadier): Krinn is Basho's long-time friend. His preferred weapon is the B19 with a underslung grenade launcher, hence his specialization. He is content with his job; he likes guns. He tends to correct people (he attempts to be friendly about it, especially toward Kreichek, who mixes up weapons a lot) about weaponry. He likes to talk, and tends to keep morale up. His mind stays focused yet he still talks and remains calm. He tends to not get angry easily. When he does get angry, he tries to talk things out. He is probably the main reason why Basho and Kreichek haven't torn eachother to pieces.
7- Thomas Wilson (Marine): Wilson takes things easy. He prefers not to worry about the future and just stick with what's going on at that moment. However, when he does start to worry about future events, he gets worried. Wilson is generally in a good mood. He does get freaked out easy, though.
8- John Towers (Titan/Shock Trooper): Towers is the only black man in the Eleven Cannons. But his presence is welcome. He generally likes to joke around, especially crude and perveted jokes. He kids with his teammate a lot. Towers is fond of some of the larger weapons, such as miniguns and rocket launchers. Not to mention he is quite proficient with them. Towers gets angry at thing easily, especially when they aren't going as simple as they should.
9- B.J. Ford (Engineer): Ford has been into electronics and machines since he was a child, and dreamed of joining some engineering organization. And he happened to join one of the best. He attended electronics and engineering classes a few years before he joined the Confederate Military. Ford keeps to himself and likes to win. He secretly thinks himself many times greater when he accomplishes something. On the downside, he feels down whenever he botches something. He is an experienced hacker and engineer.
10- Jacob Highway (Marine): Highway is a tough, strong-willed man. Had Daniels failed his leadership exam and test of leadership, Jacob <i>definitely</i> would've taken his place. Highway is known for his persistence and cool-headedness. He is generally quiet and doesn't speak unless necessary. Intelligent and perceptive, Highway was the perfect choice as a first mate for Ben Daniels. Daniels admires him for his unbiased opinions and thoughts, and loyalty. He would throw himself against a Gelatinous Cube if Daniels ordered him. Highway is the nearly the oldest person in the group, only younger than Basho.
11- Leon Ta Eve Melbourne (Lizardwoman, Shock Trooper): Leon is the only female member of the Eleven Cannons. Konnings and Towers love to joke that Melbourne is the <i>token bad-**obscenity** female soldier</i> in their outfit ("Like Aliens, man!"), but they are quickly quieted by her harsh stare. Had she not been so hot-headed, like Kreichek, she would've been Daniel's first-mate. Kreichek doesn't like Melbourne, but he does his best not to **obscenity** her off, for fear of getting his ticket punched. Leon loves to fight more than any other person in the squad (except perhaps Benjamin Daniels, who thinks he was born to kill), and urges people who think otherwise to reconsider. It's amazing that she has stayed in the Storm platoon with her temper and attitude; some say that Sous-Commander Brimm (leader of Storm Platoon) is too afraid to have her removed; others say he likes her attitude.
Well that's about it for the squad description. Now, I'm tired of writing all this, but I'll continue later. I'll just start with this short passage.
Daniels walked into Brimm's office.
"Sit down, Sergeant." Brimm turned away from the window and motioned to the chair across the desk, "It's funny, Sergeant.... Take a look at the stars. If you think, you could really say that the number of those killed in war outnumbers the stars themselves. And now..." Brimm turned around and sat down at his desk, "We can add to that list."
Daniels looked away.
"Take off that helmet, Daniels, we're not fighting now." Brimm pulled out a slip of paper, "Who made it back? And sit down, for Inyath's sake." Ben sat down.
It was several seconds before he spoke, "Highway."
"That it?" the old Commander looked up.
"Yes sir."
"Damn. Well at least it was him that returned."
"I lost 9 men... Sir."
"I realize that. If it makes you feel any better I'm blaming it on you."
"Yes sir." Daniels paused as Brimm wrote some things down.
"What really happened?"
"Artillery fire. Bravo team failed to make the LZ. They picked us off." he leaned back, "**obscenity** Terrorists, **obscenity**. That ain't no way for them to die."
"I realize that," Brimm stood up and walked back over to his window, pausing for a few seconds. Then, "I'm going to assign you to another squad."
"Forward Colony defense?" Daniels asked, almost hopefully.
"Are you out of your mind? You're too good for us to be putting you on some half-assed Colonial Marine outfit." Brimm turned around. Hearing him insult another group was almost funny, "I'm putting you in charge of another squad."
"But what about-"
"Listen, Sergeant. I don't think that was your fault back there, myself. You're too good for that."
"Thank you, Sir."
"It's funny that you should mention Forward Colony, soldier. In fact, we're planning on sending you and your outfit to FC-121."
"121?" Ben cocked his head.
"Yep. Terrorists are setting up gun and artillery positions under the radar. We need you to recon and destroy."
"I see. When do we start, Sir?"
"Immediately. I'll be giving you a group of new recruits. Now you're dismissed. Head for the mess hall. This isn't going to be very formal. We're short on time."
"New recruits? Isn't this mission a little too intensive for that?"
"New recruits to <b>X-Division</b>. They were in small military divisions before. They're some of the best in their line of work, and they've got what it takes. I'm sure you'll like them."
"What about Highway?" Ben stood up.
"He'll be with you. We're going to get 9 more men... and a woman."
Ben groaned as he walked towards the door, "A woman?"
"Yes... but trust me, you'll like her." Brimm grinned, "Or <i>it</i> if you prefer."
"Ah, I see."
"Now get out of here. I've got other things to do."
Ben saluted before he left.
---
Daniels made his way to the <i>Echelon</i>'s nearest mess hall.
The large room was dimly lit, with only a small corner of the place really lit well. He saw a group of people standing there, talking with eachother.
<i>It must be my squad...</i> Ben walked towards it. The smell of burnt pots and soup reached his nose. Dinner wasn't that long gone. He could still hear sinks running in the back, and the clanging of pots.
Ben snapped his attention to the group when he heard someone shout.
"Hey are you lost?" There was a trace of sarcasm, but in a friendly way.
"No." Ben shook his head as he stood in front of the group. <i>Jesus they look like misfits...</i> he frowned. Half of them weren't even half-way prepared to get into a battlefield.... or armor. A shirt-less skinny man with a goatee and sideburns and a trim brown crew cut wearing a wifebeater is where the remark had come from.
"What you need here? You with the group?" the man was chewing gum. Ben slowly looked over the group. The two lizardmen looked at him with frowning eyes. A black man near the back of the group, putting on some shoes was looking at him with a queer face.
Footsteps from behind caught Ben's attention. He turned around. It was Highway. He was in his combat gear.
"Looks like someone's expecting a Major...." the black man remarked as Highway stopped a few feet in front and to the left of Ben, at attention.
Highway's visor snapped open and he shouted "Commander on the deck!"
The soldiers snapped up and ran over to stand beside Highway. After a few seconds, they turned toward the entrance to the mess hall, as if thinking their squad leader was walking in. They saw nothing. They looked at eachother, and then at Highway, who stood with eyes straight forward, hands behind his back, chest out. The others relaxed. The goateed man spoke.
"What is this, some kind of joke?" then turning to Daniels, "Why aren't you in line?"
Ben frowned. "I am the squad leader."
The soldiers shifted a bit and tried to act as if they knew it all along. The man with the goatee's face turned red.
"Listen up! I'm not going to say anything about your sorry state and lack of effort right now because we're on a tight schedule and I'd just be wasting my breath on you group of scumbuckets!" Ben barked, "When we're out on the field, I expect nothing less than loyalty. I will not tolerate insubordination! Anybody who thinks otherwise wins a month of scrubbing the bathrooms for Christmas! You got me?"
"Yes sir!" most of the group shouted. Ben would let it slide this time. He moved down the line, eyeing the group. He spotted a large lizardman looking around.
"What the hell is your problem?!" Ben went up to the lizardman and looked up at him.
"Nothing." he answered. His voice was very deep and powerful. This didn't stop Ben from chewing him out. He was fearless.
"What the hell did you say to me?!"
"Nothing, sir!"
"Damn straight. Now stand at attention or I'll make sure you don't stand at all for months! What is your **obscenity** name?!"
"Deel, sir!"
"Full name! Speak up!"
"Kreichek Re Scar Deel, Sir!"
"Answer me the first time or I'll be sure you live up to your name! Now get back in line!"
Ben stepped back, "At ease!"
The group relaxed. The black man raised his hand.
"What?" Ben was getting a headache. He'd never seen such a lousy group of soldiers since he was with...
"When do we go to our position, sir?" he asked.
Ben checked the schedule, "Two days from now."
"Two days? What about prep time?"
"Excuse me? Until we get a good ability to communicate, you will address me as Sir, dirtbag!"
"Er... what about prep time, sir?" he asked.
"That's all we have. The Echelon is on the way to FC-121 as we speak. They're in need of us now. This is what we do in Storm division. Improvise." Ben tossed the man a mesh-suit.
"Harness up!" Ben said as he walked off, "We depart tomorrow! And write your names on the pad! I want to know who I'm shitting on tomorrow!"
The colorful opinions began after he was out of sight.
"I say we 'frag' this commander..." Kreichek growled as he sat down at started to put on his mesh-suit.
"**obscenity**' A., man...." the black man, Towers, agreed.
"Daniels is a good leader." Highway said, leaning against a wall.
"How would you know this?" Krinn, a Galaz man, asked.
"I've been working with him for a few years. He and I tested the quick drop prototypes."
Several of the squadmembers looked up.
"You mean <i>that</i> Daniels?" the goateed man, Wedge, asked, picking up the mesh-suit straps.
Highway nodded.
"Hot damn."
"Anybody else think he looked familiar?" Basho, another Galaz, asked.
"Who gives a **obscenity**? All I know is that he's gonna get us owned out there." Kreichek slammed his fist into the wall with a loud crash, his muscles bulging.
"Easy, big guy." Krinn said.
"Ah you stay out of my business you **obscenity**' Quaker."
"There's no reason to get angry at him!" Basho growled at him.
"You too, ya humpbunny."
Basho stood up. Krinn grabbed him.
"Hey."
"Yeah." Basho nodded, sitting down.
"Yeah, you sit down you wimp."
Basho ignored him.
The group idly put on their suits for a minute. Wedge spoke.
"Anybody else in here know how easy it is to pop a Terrorist?" he grinned.
"You are too full of yourself, you ignorant scum." Leon, the lizardwoman, commented. She walked off, dressed in full BDU already.
Everyone paused. Then Kreichek himself said, "Damn, what's her problem?" The others glanced at Deel.
"Must be PMS." Towers said. He and Wedge high-fived.
"Now I see why she thinks you're ignorant...." Kreichek got up and walked off, ready.
"Hey Ford." Basho said as he fitted his helmet on, opening the visor.
"Yeah?" Ford turned around, picking up his tools and starting for the door.
"What are those really for? Never really see them on people." Basho motioned toward Ford's eyes.
"Huh?"
"The glass things."
"Glasses? Oh," Ford took them off, "Well, they let me see better."
"Like corrective eye surgery?"
"Well yeah sort-of, but I can take these off. And haven't you heard of contacts?"
"Yeah. Of course."
"These are like those."
"Oooooh, I see. Never really see them on people."
"You said that already." Krinn corrected Basho, as usual.
"Oh yeah, thanks." Basho nodded.
The group finished getting ready, and left the hall.
Comments
"I really never saw the intelligence in putting blood from another man into oneself." Basho noted, making sure his supply of medical gloves was filled.
"It's a last resort." Highway replied, "Besides. You won't care when it keeps you alive."
Basho nodded to himself, strapping some morphine injection devices onto his belt.
Wedge grinned, "Hey Towers, I'm getting the sudden feeling Basho and Kreichek are gonna turn this into a buddy movie, like Lethal Weapon or something."
Towers smiled and pursed his lips, making a "smootch" sound. They chuckled. "Old skool movie, man."
"If it makes you feel better, I wouldn't trust Basho with a burnt-out match." Kreichek said, giving Wedge the finger.
"Never heard of it." Basho shrugged.
"Old movie. Before the Genesis project."
"Ah, you mean on Earth. I see. Oh and Kreichek, you're gonna have to trust me if I'm gonna be the medical officer here."
"I won't get hurt, fuckhead." Kreichek growled.
"Never hurts to be cautious." McGee said. It was the first thing he'd said since Mess hall.
"Don't give me that **obscenity**, man." Wilson replied. He sounded worried.
"Why do we have to wear these gloves?" Ford frowned, "It just makes it harder to be precise."
"You don't <i>have</i> to wear them. Besides, you can just cut the fingers off the end." Wedge said.
"Isn't that illegal? Destruction of military property?" Ford had a worried look on his face.
"Yeah, well who gives a **obscenity** when you're in the field? They also say we can't drink on the job now don't they?"
"I don't drink."
"Well I do."
"**obscenity**' A., man." Towers said. He and Wedge high-fived.
"Highway," McGee started, "You know what time the dropship departs, exactly?"
Highway shook his head, "Negative. I was told as much as you. Possibly less. As for the day-"
The intercomm came on, "Attention, all military personnel. Lights out. Rest time for the drop tomorrow. No exceptions."
"Speakin' of the devils...." Wilson muttered.
"Last R&R 'til we drop," Krinn said.
"Do yourself a favor," Highway reached into a locker and removed a Roget Model 1301 12.7mm pistol, "take this." he tossed it to Basho.
"Isn't that illegal?" Basho had a surprised look on.
"Let me put it this way," Highway said as he reached for the lightswitch in his bunk, in full armor (the Confederate military thought sleeping in armor helped to prepare the soldier and get him used to it before going in) "Wedge knew what he was talking about." Click.
A blaring bell woke up the soldiers.
"What the <b>**obscenity**</b>?!" Wedge said as he sat up, hitting his head on the bunk above him. This woke up Leon.
"Watch it, you swit!"
"How could that bell not wake <i>you</i> up?!" replied Wedge as he rubbed his head.
Leon jumped off her bunk with a loud thud as she hit the ground and walked over to her locker and removed her helmet and weaponry. Highway was already standing with his helmet and gear ready.
"We pick up ammunition on the dropship, be on the deck in 10." Highway left the barracks and went toward the docking bay E1.
"Well he's really into his job." Ford said.
"Aren't you into yours?" Krinn replied.
"Ah, true."
"When you guys are done **obscenity** around, I suggest you get your **obscenity** down to the Docking bay," Leon said, walking out, weapons in tow.
"Damn she has some problems." Towers noted.
"Daniels'll probably love her..." Wilson commented as he strapped on his shinguard and walked out.
The docking bay was nearly empty. No other person was in sight besides the cleaning crew and squad.
"Is this the right deck?" Wilson asked, worried again.
"It says E on the command screen..." Wedge tapped his Optica to make sure it was working properly.
"Of course it is!" Ben said as he walked in. Brock a lizardman, and also Brimm's right-hand officer, walked beside him.
"Commanders on the deck!" Highway shouted as he ran over.
"Stand at ease." the squad grouped in a semicircle around him, leaning on some of the crates, "What you guys are leaning on is a shipment of rations, ammunition, and scrolls. Our goal is simple: deliver them to Outpost 11 on FC121. Yes, Konnings?"
"So this is babysitting job?"
"Let me finish, lameswit. Our secondary objectives are to assist the Outpost in any way possible. This includes taking out those artillery positions. Yes, you in the back there. Deel, was it?"
"Yes sir. What kind of support we getting?"
"I thought you didn't need support." Basho snapped, still a little sore about Kreichek's remarks the day before.
"<b>Secure that **obscenity**!</b>" Brock boomed. He was big.
Ben continued, "Only what is brought. We will get armored support. And mobilized infantry." he smiled, "But no artillery support. We're going to take out the Terrorist's artillery with C3 explosives on the barrels and then salvage the rest."
"When do we get out?" Wilson spoke out.
"Estimated Mission time is between one and two hours, starting from when our feet touch the ground. This shouldn't take long." Brock said.
"Thank you, Commander Reme." Daniels then said, "Alright, saddle up. Grab ammunition from inside the dropship and then get ready for launch. We're running on a tight schedule. Hooah?"
"Hooah!" the group stood up and jumped into the dropship, walking over to the ammo pockets.
"You think they'll make it?" Brock asked Daniels.
Ben paused, "Yeah. I know at least one will. Highway. Hey, Highway!"
Highway jumped out of the ship and ran over, "Sir!?"
"You're going to have to help me babysit." Ben frowned worryingly, "These guys look like they haven't seen much combat."
"You think Brimm lied?" Brock asked.
"...Possibly. He might not have wanted me to be worried."
"Sir, you're the most qualified person to lead these men. They are experienced but they ain't seen a battlefield, that's for sure. This Konnings fellow is a **obscenity**." Highway looked over toward the laughing man, "Makes me feel bad looking at him."
Ben sighed, looking down, "Alright. Let's just move. Ain't no use worrying about this **obscenity** until we get there."
"Yes sir."
"...Hey."
Highway turned.
"Watch your back, Jacob." Ben said.
He stepped onto the ship.