Though the Stars Fall (United Humanity Marine Corps Book 1)

by Bill Roberts

  Langsdorf is wrapping things up: “You all are here to form the cadre of what will hopefully be many Kodiak armed units. As I mentioned earlier we do not have a lot of time,” he gestures towards the pilots standing next to him. “I have broken you down into ten groups. Each group will have a mentor and instructor. We have six months to teach you everything you need to know. Let’s get to work.” Langsdorf heads to my left for the door.

  I go first. I step forward and announce loudly: “I am going to read off a list of ten names. When I am done you will follow me.” We had thought long and hard about how we were going to do this. The debate really revolved around two ideas. On the one hand we could keep the services and nations in their own groups. This would have had the advantage of keeping people that knew each other and had similar customs working together. It would have made things simpler. The other idea involved mixing everyone up. I had argued very hard for this method. If we are all going to end up working together to save the Earth it is best to start that process early. This school of thought had won out. I read my list of names loudly. It has two U.S. Army Soldiers, two U.S. Marines, two British soldiers, two Canadian soldiers, an Australian soldier, and a New Zealander. They all stand up and I wave for them to follow me. As we leave the briefing room Lieutenant Colonel Thurgood USAF steps forward and begins shouting names.

  Once outside the briefing room I head for the stairs. Our first stop will be the billeting area set aside for my guys on the third floor. Nobody makes a sound behind me. The only noise is the thumping and squeaking of our boots on the polished tile floor. I imagine everyone is still trying to digest the unimaginable information they have just been given. I say: “I know you all have a ton of questions, but first I’m going to take you to your rooms. Inside you should have everything you need. I will give you ten minutes to get changed into your pilot’s suit and check out your room. We have tried to make sure that the suits have the appropriate rank and setup from your various countries. If we messed something up let me know and we’ll get it fixed.” I get a few inarticulate noises of assent in reply, but that is about it.

  We climb the stairs at the end of the hall and on the third floor I head down another hallway and point out each person’s room. With various murmurs of thanks they all head in. Alone I head back to the stairwell to wait. As I get there Thurgood walks by with his group in tow. I smile and bump fists with him as he walks by. It is a calculated move. The first moments of meeting and joining a unit are very important. It can set the tone for months to come. By giving Thurgood a relaxed greeting I am sending a message. We are not big on military folderol around here. Things are far too important for that shit to get in the way.

  I repeat this process a couple more times as other members of Heavy Combat Systems lead their charges down the hall. After about eight minutes my crew begins exiting their rooms. They look around and see me standing at the end of the hall and head down to join me. As they do so I exchange greetings with them. When they all arrive I say: “Well I would ask you if you like your rooms, but honestly I know they make prison cells look cozy.” I smile broadly and continue: “But it beats living in tents. If you would be so kind as to follow me.”

  I head down the stairs to the first floor. Once there I head for one of the meeting rooms and lead everyone inside. The room has a large conference table with a small 3D display set in the center of it. I gesture for everyone to take a seat and seat myself at the head of the table. First things first: “We are all new to each other. So before I get to your questions let’s go around the table and introduce ourselves.”

  I gesture to the Marine sitting to my right to begin. He says: “I’m Major Jeffery Clark United States Marines. I came here from 2nd Tank Battalion out of Camp Lejeune. Originally I’m from Ohio.”

  The introductions continue in this way around the table. When everyone else has finished I say: “Lieutenant Colonel Shawn Morris. Once upon a time I was a tanker in the Marines. I have been here about seven months. Originally I’m from Detroit.” I pause for a moment then continue: “So let’s get to your questions. I will take as long as you like. I want there to be no confusion before we start the training.”

  The New Zealander, a major from Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles, asks the first question: “Why are we here?” I like this guy already.

  I fight down a smile as I think back to that pivotal day with Langsdorf when I asked him a very similar question. “We don’t really know anything about the Synti. We guess, we speculate, but we honestly have no idea. So we have brought you all here because whatever they are we want to be as ready as possible. America will most likely not be able to fend off this invasion alone. It is going to require the combined effort of as much of humanity as possible.” I cock my head and continue hesitantly: “I’m not really sure how to say this. But, in my opinion the world as we know it has ended. Most people just don’t know it yet, but whatever happens during the Synti invasion will be pivotal to the future of the human race. Countries, races, religion, politics, these will all have to be ignored or changed. We must unite.” I sweep my hand in a broad gesture. “There are billions of stars in our galaxy alone. We already know there are two other alien races out there. There have got to be more. To face them will take the combined forces of humanity working together.”

  One of the U.S. Soldiers speaks softly: “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

  I respond: “Ben Franklin. I like it. That explains the problem succinctly.” I arch an eyebrow inviting more questions.

  One of the Brits, a Lieutenant Colonel from the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, asks: “What do we know about these Watchers?”

  “That is a great question,” I reply. “The truth is we know practically nothing about them. I wish we knew more but...” I pause a moment then continue thoughtfully: “Again I’m not sure, but I have noticed something in how they contacted us. It seems that they have something of a sense of humor. An almost human sense of humor. That, to me, is very promising.”

  One of the Australians chimes in: “Then why don’t they help us directly?”

  Another great question. I answer: “I think we need look no further than their name. It is most likely their nature to just watch. With that understanding they are helping us directly, in their way. Their message to us implies that it was a momentous decision for them to intervene at all.” I pause for a moment and then change tacks: “Besides, we intervened for years in Iraq and Afghanistan after the initial fighting ended. How well did that work? I am inclined to agree with these Watchers. We should handle the Synti ourselves, now that they have given us the tools to do so.”

  I do not know if my answers are really satisfying them. Everyone keeps their face and posture guarded and controlled. Well at least they keep asking questions. The next one comes from the Major from 2nd Tanks. “Sir, why did you all go with these Kodiaks and Cougars? It seems to me that it would’ve been much simpler to just build a more advanced tank.”

  “Two main reasons.” I hold up a finger. “First, a Kodiak has vastly more capability than any tank we could have built. It has far better mobility, more firepower, and more flexibility.” I hold up a second finger. “Second, repelling the Synti attack is only the first step. After that we are going to have to take the war to them or eventually they will simply overwhelm us.”

  I see some confused expressions. We had spent a lot of time talking about this in our tactical discussions here at Wonderland so I am quickly able to elaborate: “Think about it. How do you attack a defended planet? More than that, how do you attack a defended planet that is nothing like Earth? How do you fight an alien race that does not rely on cities or roads? How do you deal with things we do not even know exist? The Kodiak is not just designed to go and fight anywhere on Earth, it is designed to go and fight anywhere in the galaxy.”

  One of the U.S. Soldiers lets out a low whistle. One of the Britons says: “Bloody Hell,
you all thought that far ahead?”

  The Briton’s tone and posture is respectful, but for some reason his statement angers me. What in the name of God does he think is going on around here. I bang a fist on the table so hard the 3-D display rattles loudly. I snap out: “If you have heard nothing else I have said hear me now. Everything you thought you knew before you got here is outdated and ignorant. Of course we thought that far ahead. Think. Really think! The survival of the species is on the line. Everything we have wrought to this point: music, architecture, literature, is in grave danger of disappearing forever.” I point to all of them. “Everything you hold dear is on the verge of vanishing from the face of the cosmos. If we lose it won’t just be a change in government and a redrawing of borders.” I wave my hand in a cutting motion in front of me. “If we lose we are finished.” I pause and the anger leaves me as quickly as it arrived. I look at their shocked faces and a great sadness fills me. I do not want everything to just disappear. There is far too much greatness in humanity. The galaxy will be a darker place without us. I continue: “This isn’t a game. This is going to be war at its worst. We better all start thinking that far ahead or no matter how well we fight we are doomed.”

  I look upon a table of grim faces now. Maybe the reality of what is going on is finally sinking in. Silence fills the room. I let it sit. At the far end of the table one of the Australians suddenly smiles. It is a wolfish sort of smile. He speaks: “Well mate I don’t plan on losing any time soon. What do we do first?”

  I return his predatory smile with one of my own. I pick up the remote for the 3D display off the table. I punch a button and a diagram of a Kodiak erupts from the display. “For the rest of the afternoon I am going to teach you about the Kodiak. How it is designed, how it works, et cetera. Tonight I will give you a tour of the facility. Tomorrow, you are all going to medical for the day.”

  One of the Marines speaks up: “Medical, Sir?”

  “You don’t think I look this young naturally do you?” I smile broadly. “But, that is for tomorrow. Right now let me formally introduce you to the greatest war machine humanity has ever built …”

  The next morning at medical Captain Jennifer Roberts Army Medical Corps greets me warmly as I enter the waiting room. “Good Morning Colonel Morris.”

  My group of students crowd into the room behind me. I wave them forward and say: “Good Morning Jennifer. You all set?”

  “Of course,” she replies brightly. I wonder why she is so happy this morning. I mean Roberts is a pretty happy person in general, but this morning there seems to be a little extra bounce in her step.

  I study her quizzically as she starts addressing the room: “Good Morning gentlemen. Welcome to the Heavy Combat Systems medical clinic. Unfortunately, this is going to take the rest of the day.” One of the medical orderlies opens the door to the patient rooms and she gestures towards it. As she gestures I catch a new glint on her left hand. Holy shit. I decide I am going to have a rather pointed conversation with Lance on what one does and does not inform their best friend about. Very pointed. Roberts continues: “If you will follow the orderly in to the hall he will take you to your rooms.”

  My students file through the door and it shuts with a click. I head to the half wall of the reception desk and say: “That is a very pretty ring you’re wearing.”

  Roberts blushes mightily at this comment. “Thank you,” she says. “Lance proposed last night.”

  “About time,” I reply. “Lance is a lucky man.”

  “He was nervous as a schoolboy,” she responds happily. “I have no idea why. Sometimes you Marines can be so dense. I’ve been hoping he would ask for a couple of months now.” Her smile disappears and she becomes a bit somber as she continues: “I know bad things are coming. I also know that we have no idea what the future will bring Lance and me. But, we’ve got to keep living our lives.”

  I reach out and touch her hand resting on the reception desk. “We certainly do. I’m really happy for you guys.”

  “Thank you,” she replies seriously. We meet eyes for a moment and both see fear lurking in the background. Roberts shakes it off first and continues: “Well I better start taking people’s vitals.”

  I smile at her. “See you at dinner.”

  “See ya,” she shoots back as she heads for the patient rooms.

  I leave medical full of conflicting emotions. Happiness for Lance and Roberts. Dread for all of the bad things that might get in the way. And anger at the Synti for not just leaving us the hell alone. I try and settle myself as I head for my room. Because my students will be in medical for the rest of the day I have the day off. I am going to take the opportunity to video call my family from the computer in my room. I talk to them as often as I can, but it is never enough. God I miss them.

  I settle into the chair in front of my computer and fire it up. When I first got here I could only do this during scheduled times. They were scheduled so the security guys could monitor them to make sure none of us spilled out any of the secrets of this place. It was a stupid rule, as so many are. If you did not trust us to keep a secret than you should not have given it to us in the first place. Langsdorf had fought hard to get the time restrictions and monitoring removed. A couple of months ago he had prevailed. I send him a silent thanks as the video call software comes online. I select my wife’s profile and hit the button to make the call.

  Liz’s beautiful face soon fills the screen. She smiles at me and says: “Well hello stranger.”

  “Hi Liz,” I respond. I admire her bright face. Her long blond hair is pulled back into a ponytail and her cheeks are flushed. I see she is wearing workout clothing. I probably caught her in the middle of her morning exercise routine. Her bright green eyes search my face, and she grows serious. I better put a stop to that. I force a smile and say: “How goes the workout?”

  “Fine. What’s wrong with you?” No fooling Liz. After twenty years of dating and marriage, I cannot fool her for a second.

  “Nothing,” I reply lamely. Time for a new strategy. “Looks like Lance is getting married.”

  “Seriously? I thought he was a bachelor for life. Is it that Army captain you were telling me about?” My tactic has probably not really worked, but Liz knows better than to press the issue. I would love to tell her about it. I would love to unload on her. She is my partner, my best friend, and she would be such a huge help in dealing with the fear that I can never fully dismiss. But, secrets are secrets.

  “Yep. Of course he didn’t clue me in on it. I found out when I bumped into his affianced this morning.” I scowl theatrically as I say that last sentence.

  Liz laughs brightly. “Look at you. You look like Lance kicked your puppy or something.”

  I laugh back. God I love her. Always knows how to cheer me up. “All right I’ll go easy on him. But I’m still gonna have to patiently explain to him what best friends tell each other. What are the kids up to?”

  “Josh is doing school and fall soccer practices. Esther has a date this Friday, isn’t that exciting?” Liz tries hard to make that last sentence sound positive.

  My dad instincts go into high gear. “A date, huh?”

  “Now don’t go all Neanderthal Shawn. He’s a nice kid and Esther has a good head on her shoulders. She’s thirteen. It was bound to happen sooner or later.”

  I check my watch theatrically. “I could make it back in time. I’m sure Langsdorf would understand. I would love to personally express to him what happens to boys who would mess with my daughter.”

  Liz rolls her eyes at me. “Dads. You all seem to think that sort of thing works. Esther will be fine. I’m driving them to a movie and picking them up right afterward. No big deal. I was thirteen when I went on my first date.”

  A sigh escapes me. I know intellectually that Liz is right. I just cannot believe how fast my kids are growing up. Stupid Marine Corps made me miss entirely too muc
h of it. I think about the Synti. Okay maybe I am not being fair to the Corps. What I am doing in Wonderland is incredibly important. Esther will not get to go on any dates again if we are not ready. “All right, all right. I will chill out with the crazy dad routine. What else is going on?”

  Liz starts giving me the low down on the going ons of the Morris household. I listen attentively. Occasionally I interject with various one liners. I miss my family, and I really miss Liz, but I find I often have very little to say. I cannot talk about work. Everything about that is classified to the hilt. I remember months ago when Liz really noticed how young I now look. When she asked me about it I had to tell her to pretend not to notice, and to please not ask about it again. I cannot really talk about what I am feeling. That would be too frightening. I could picture that conversation all too clearly. ‘Oh I feel this constant dread that we are all going to die.’ Yep, real pleasant conversation starter. Not to mention the hordes of questions it would open up that I cannot answer.

  Liz starts to wrap things up. “I really miss you Shawn. I miss snuggling in to bed with you every night. I miss you always being here to make me laugh. I miss you helping Josh and Esther grow up.”

  So do I. “I’m sorry my love.”

  “It’s okay,” she replies. “I know you can’t tell me what is really going on. But I’m not stupid. I can tell that, whatever you’re doing, it’s extremely important. You never complain about your job. You always look so serious and somber. It reminds me of how you sounded when you would call me from Iraq. You know the first time, when you were fighting every day. Just know that no matter what I love you, and every day I pray for you to be safe and strong.”