“Yeah, civil war has broken out there, and most of the time, Marines are not involved in civil wars. It’s usually for the planetary force to handle. However, there seems to be a package there that an entire marine legion is assigned for.”
“Whoa,” Rolland said. “Has the war spread to other planets?”
“No. Why don’t we sit down and eat, and I’ll explain more.” I said. Everyone nodded and headed to their seats. I was the first to fix my plate. My hand trembled as everyone watched me place slices of cheese on my spaghetti and let it melt. After me, the rest started fixing their plates.
“So, why are we here?” Alicia said softly.
“You all are my squad leaders,” I said. Everyone froze.
“What?!” A female said. Her name was Maria, and she was a blonde that was as gorgeous as Alicia. It was like that girl from the metamorphosis center said, everyone was attractive. After a while, you simply become desensitized to seeing a pretty girl. She had green eyes and was from a hydra world—a world dedicated to manufacturing water for the kingdom. I heard those worlds were even more luxurious than metropolis worlds.
“We can’t lead squads. We just started in the military. We barely have any experience.” Maria said. I steadied my voice like they taught me in public speaking when receiving push back.
“I understand that, but you all are the best candidates for leadership in my company. Just like you all, I’m a new commander, and this is my first company.”
“So not only are all of us inexperienced but so are you… We’re dead.” A round-faced girl with black and pink hair said. Her name was Jen. She crossed her arms over her petite frame and glared at me with her purple eyes. I clenched my jaw.
“I’m not inexperienced,” I said.
“Training doesn’t count.” She snapped.
“I’m not talking about training...” I said, with a sharpness to my voice. Everyone shifted their eyes to me with questioning stares. I had said too much. They could surely ask me where I received my experience, but I couldn’t tell them. I didn’t want anyone to know I used to be in a gang. That I grew up killing innocents, not knowing any better. That was my past, and I wanted to keep it buried.
“It shouldn’t be that bad.” One guy said. His name was Justin. He trailed his hands through his brown curly hair and grinned with confidence showing his overbite. His grey eyes found me. “We just fighting rebels. It’s not like we fighting any aliens. This will be good training.” That relieved several of them, and they finally started eating.
The cheese on my spaghetti had melted, and I enjoyed the taste of a lifetime. Every time I ate delicious food, my heart sang with joy. A starved childhood made every bite of delicious food grand. After many had eaten for a few minutes, it grew awkwardly silent. I didn’t want to seem weird, and finally, my soon to be best friend spoke.
“Hold on now,” Jerry said. “Ain’t no way you looked at my records and said ‘this the guy I want leading squads.’” A few laughed at the table.
“Don’t worry, Jerry. You’re the squad leader of my personal squad. So you’ll be mostly passing along my orders.” I said. Jerry sighed and relaxed his shoulders.
“Ah, that’s good,” Jerry said, leaning back and pressing his hand on the chair. This earned a scowl from Alicia.
“Why did you join the military?” Alicia asked. Jerry’s eyebrow rose.
“To get out of the hellhole called my planet. Unlike a lot of you, I was raised in a cradle World. Not just any cradle world, one ran by gangs.” Jerry said.
“Bullshit. You’re too happy-go-lucky.” Jen said.
“Whoa, I’ve watched a documentary on those worlds,” Maria added.
“No-fooling. That was my life. Wasn’t it Blu?” He said. My heart stopped a moment as I thought he was referring to my childhood. Then I calm when I realized he was asking for support.
“Yeah, he’s from a cradle World. I didn’t know it was dominated by gangs, though.” I admitted. He was just like me but was so much happier. Wasn’t he weight down by guilt? Was his gang as brutal as mines, or was he just a ticking bomb, holding in all his negative emotions? I read about those characters in many stories. I wondered if I was a bomb waiting for the right trigger.
“So, you joined the military to get away from your world?” Rolland asked, sounding more in disbelief.
“You don’t know what a gang world is like,” Jerry said.
He was right; they didn’t.
When gang leaders grow powerful enough to rule regions, they are no different than devils, and their domains become hell. Memories crawled up in my head, causing me to tense up enough to bend my fork into my plate. Alicia noticed me with concern written on her face but focus back on Jerry. I tried to shove them down and focused on the theatrical and comical Jerry. He was everything I wanted to be: social, confident, and free.
“So that’s my story. Since you heard my story, why don’t we go around and share? Starting with my best friend in the whole world, Alicia.” Jerry said. Alicia’s face blushed, and I wanted to save her, but she cleared her throat.
“I just wanted to do something with my life. I’m a Lastborn, and all my older siblings were all doing great things, and I was just sitting at home. I figure military service would make my dad proud. I know, boring story.”
“Naw, I like it,” I said. Alicia smiled. Jerry made a fart noise.
“Ugh, next,” Jerry said. Alicia growled at him, but then the person next to her spoke. His name was Gary, and he had been reticent during the entire time. With dark skin, thick dreadlocks, and almost as tall as Rolland, Gary could have been a bruiser in my gang.
“I want to be a hero, like a Vindicator.” He said. A long moment of silence followed. If I stunned the table into silence like that, I would need a rag for the sweat forming on my brow. Gary, however, shrugged and went back to eating his spaghetti. It gave me courage.
“I want to be a Vindicator too,” I added. Gary bobbed his head up and widened his eyes at me.
“Really?! Every time I mention it, I get laughed at by others or get straight silence.”
“Of course you would! Being a Vindicator is like trying to become a Megastar. It’s nearly impossible.” A quiet boy named Darryl said. He fixed his glasses and rubbed his messy dark hair. With a napkin, he wiped spaghetti sauce off his milky white skin. His back straightened as if he was about to present a grand speech. Though small, he carried confidence about him that made me envious. He had finished his food and crossed his arms.
“You don’t know that,” Gary said, pounding the table with his large hand.
“To become Vindicator, you need to gain the king’s attention. That means you need to be apart of famous battles and wars. You also need to shine in these battles and wars. Then there are the odds. There are a thousand marine legions, each marine legion housing eighty thousand marines. That’s eighty million to one. It’s basically suicide to try to gain the king’s attention.” Darryl added. That was a blow to my confidence if there ever was one. I never thought about the odds or how much luck was involve in becoming Vindicator. I wondered how Raven managed it.
“He has a point,” Justin added. “The king wants you to break your back for him, and what does he do for anyone else?” Justin said, shrugging. That statement drew odd looks from everyone at the table. Alicia almost jumped out of her seat but quickly settled. If I wasn’t sitting next to her, I wouldn’t have noticed it.
“Uh, he makes it safe for the trillions of us,” Alicia said.
“No, we make it safe,” Justin retorted.
“The king has been ruling for a thousand years. You think we would be able to get this far without him?”
“Yes,” Justin said. Slowly, the table started to devolve into many smaller arguments. Gary argued with Darryl, Alicia argued with Justin. Also, Jerry argued with Maria over the last piece of garlic bread for one reason or another. Rolland simply watched everyone while Jen placed headphones in her ears and started to tune everyone ou
t. I clenched my jaw.
Already my company is falling apart. This is because of my incompetence in choosing squad leaders. I had to control the situation before it spiraled even more. For some reason, my mind raced back to how my gang leaders would silence everyone, and I reacted.
“Quiet!” I snapped with base in my voice and slamming my hand on the table. Everyone calmed down, which was surprising for me. I noticed my food plate empty and many others. “It looked like we’ve gotten to know each other a bit. So I’ve uploaded your portals with your roster. I build your squads based on commonality as best as I can. I would like you to get to know your squadmates before the campaign begins. The entire legion is linked to the same virtual reality hub while you sleep, so seek them out. Now, return to your sleeping pods. When you awaken again, you will go to war. “ I said. Everyone peeled off some in pairs to continue their arguments, except Alicia, who remained seated.
My heartbeat slowly rose. I sat down in front of her. She kept her eyes from mine and continued to look down at the table. Then she glanced at me one time and shied away. I realized I would have to say something when I noticed the blush on her face and a lingering silence.
“Is there a problem?”
“I’m sorry,” Alicia said. “I’m so awkward. I just don’t think I should be a squad leader. I’m not very confident in myself, and I know you only made me squad leader because we’re friends. I’m better off in your personal squad. I’ll be a much better second than Jerry.” Alicia begged. It looked like it took a lot for her to say all that, but I had to decline.
“I’m sorry, Alicia, but it’s because I trust you that I want you to lead a squad. I know you have confidence issues, but your leadership scores were top in the company.” I said. Alicia’s eyes widened.
“They were?”
No. Not really. Rolland had the top score, but hers were second.
“Yes. You seem to have an innate ability to lead, and I want you to lead. I know you can do it.” I then tried to think of something I learned from reading all those books. “The first step is always the hardest,” I said. Our eyes locked for several moments before she took a deep breath and nodded. She was about to exit, but I wanted to speak to her more. I haven’t seen her in weeks. My mind scurried to find a reason to keep her, and then I thought about the topic. Before she entirely left her seat, I sprung.
“I didn’t know you were so invested in the king. All we talked about is nerdy stuff.” I said. Alicia's eyebrows raised, and she grinned a bit. I bet she knew I was just trying to keep her with me a bit longer. Alicia's test scores were near perfect in everything. Spending time with her showed me how she was detail-oriented. It seemed a bit ridiculous that she was even in the army. She could be anything, but I wasn’t going to pry.
“Because the king is the best leader humanity has ever had. I’m more of a fan of the late High queen, though. However, I see why she loved the king so much.” Alicia said, sliding back on the table. The smile on her face was enough for me for the week.
“So, the queen is your idol?” I asked. Alicia cocked her head to the side.
“She’s every woman’s idol. Well, most women’s idol. I mean, she created the metamorphosis process that got rid of a lot of age-old illnesses, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes. Then the high king, in his infinite wisdom, made it a public service. Now everyone can live for up to five hundred years, free of disease and illness. She also perfected cloning techniques from the old world that allows for new organs to be cloned for people.” One trait about Alicia I’ve grown to like was when she talked about a topic she liked. She went from a quiet girl to one who didn’t know how to push the off button.
I was initially surprised but then became immersed in the wealth of knowledge she possessed. I hadn’t a clue how much the king and late queen did for the kingdom. The king made it so that everyone was provided with water, energy, education up to their first bachelor's degree, healthcare, security for free. All people in the kingdom had to pay for was Rent, food, insurances, and taxes. Since so many people lived in the kingdom, high taxes were not needed to fund the kingdom’s expenses.
Speaking to Alicia had sparked my interest in history and birth a desire to learn more about the king and queen. I only knew the basics of Old Earth, but now I wanted to see every depth of it. I felt like someone who had just been introduced to new types of foods, and I couldn’t wait for another helping.
Entry 5
Phoenician Date: August 30, 1026AR
Military Time: 13:00
Phoenician Classified World: Alexandria Prime
World Type: Metropolis
I don’t know why I stressed about this war. As soon as we landed on the planet, the precious general desired a freshly made fortress as his personal command center. It turned out many marines of the legion nicknamed him General Pillow Forts.
“You know the general got to build his fortress before he does anything.” A senior marine would say out of earshot.
“You think we’ll get to fight this campaign before Warmaster Noxxic solos the enemy?” Another had said. Apparently, my warmaster was a real warmonger and loved the taste of battle more than he loved food or women. I was hoping to see the man on the battlefield, but the general kept my company on his stronghold.
After a month, many other companies were sent out on assignment since the walls were built. Rammed earth, four feet thick, were the types of walls the general wanted. The technique was labor-intensive but made walls that would last. The companies that lacked the general’s favor had to build up his personal command center and defenses. My company was split. Some wanted to get their first blood, while others were contended to be happy little builders. It was easy to forget that most of my company has never killed a man, and maybe those who wanted to build were the wise ones.
“It’s the warmaster!” Someone said. I whirled from my work station, which was digging a hole for turret placement. Sweat drenched from my neck to my waist. I had to remove much of my armor and the upper part of my combat skin. I patted my hands and slid on my combat skin. I rushed to meet the warmaster as he strolled off a dropship.
The man was easily a few centuries old—even his hair was gray. His milky skin had few wrinkles, but it showed the lines of his age. He had battle scars across his face and neck. His armor was black and red, with a helmet resembling a ram roped against his side. It was a far cry from the glittery silver-gold like armor my general wore. In my gang days, you could tell a lot about a person by how much wealth they wore. Only two types of people dressed flashy, fools and bait. Just watching him walk made me wish I served under him instead of the worm that was my general.
“General Pillow Fort.” Warmaster Noxxic called out. A few of the marines snickered as my general rushed toward the warmaster. He saluted and revealed a scowl to the general.
“My lord, please use my actual name if you may.” My general corrected, but Warmaster Noxxic ignored him. His sharp green eyes took a gander at the fort. His eyes waved over me a few times and then back at the fort.
“I see your gates aren’t completely placed yet.” Warmaster Noxxic said. “Do you even have scouts posts and sensors installed yet? Anyone could just walk in.”
“I’ve sent many of my best companies out to fight in various areas. This location is mostly docile, and I will isolate the rebel leader in this region within the month. I have no need to be so…” That’s when a loud screech came from one of the unfinished gates. The old man grinned, and that’s when I knew he expected them to come. He probably spotted them on his way here and couldn’t wait to rub it in my general’s face.
A large truck bashed through the incomplete iron gate, allowing for a small hole under the ruined gateway. Bare-chested men ran through, roaring battle cries and war paint on their faces. They were Warloons―throwaway goons that gangs commonly deployed to water down the enemy.
“See. This is what happens when you get caught up in your fort building and not taking the ar
ea seriously. Just because they ain’t aliens doesn’t mean they aren’t worthy foes.” Warmaster Noxxic explained, throwing on his helmet. My focus became laser as I realized I would get to see him fight.
“Marines, form a firing line, now!” General Plows yelled.
“You will do no such thing!” Warmaster Noxxic roared as he drew his custom war mace in one hand and a cleaver blade in the other. “These marvelous bastards charged us bared-chested. We won’t insult their bravery by gunning them down.”
“More like they are just too crazy and stupid to wear armor,” Jerry mumbled.
“We will meet them head-on and melee with them in glorious combat!”
“That will cause unnecessary casualties.”
“Charge!” Warmaster Noxxic yelled, running. Funny enough, everyone set after Warmaster Noxxic, ignoring our general’s command to grab firearms. I knew I should join, but I couldn’t help but watch as the warmaster talked shit and fought: “Ora, ora, ora! Boom, son!” he said as he smashed a warloon in the face with his mace. He followed up by bashing through three Warloons with his mace. With his cleaver, he carved through another two. The old man was a monster. He used his mace, blade, feet, and even his head to deliver damage to anyone daring enough to challenge him. It only took him three minutes to kill two dozen, and after that, I lost count. Despite having armor on, he didn’t let one Warloon touch him. The man’s experience shined.
I had to focus on my fight. It had been almost a year since I’d been in a battle. My eyes shut, and I dug deep down to that trauma that made me survive my childhood. Anger, fear, sadness, and so much pain erupted out of me, and I roared.
I am nothing but a weapon. I am nothing but a weapon. I am nothing. I thought my silent prayer before tapping into my kill side.
Song of Blu Page 4