I do have to let myself admit I had felt quite proud of my own accomplishments lately. Ever since news had reached Super Earth of six hundred thousand lives lost on Draupnir, the need to spread Democracy swelled within my breast. I enlisted almost immediately, I hadn’t been the only one. The line burst through the door of the local recruitment center wrapping itself around the block. Hundreds had come, answering the call to defend democracy without hesitation.
Basic training had been simple. Frankly, if you knew how to run, crouch, dive, and which end of your weapon to point at the enemy, you were bound to pass and earn your cape. The real moments of pressure were learning to interact with your stratagem interface, the lifeline to your destroyer in low orbit. Stratagems could give you a resupply, weapons, strikes, or even defense platforms like sentries. I never felt comfortable with that system, but maybe it was by design. I worried for those who did. The poor saps who were so quick and nimble with their fingers in a controlled, protected environment. I don’t think they made it far when the bullets started flying.
I’ll always remember my first drop, sabotaging an illegal comms broadcast. Nerves scraped across every fiber of my being in that pod. I had opted to drop alone rather than a squad feeling if I couldn’t handle this myself, how could I ever help a others? Little did I know most squads don’t stay together, or alive for that matter, for very long. Truthfully, I didn’t want to be responsible for my mistakes costing another Hell Diver’s life. If I made a mistake at least it would be my life and my life alone.
My quick and effective strike into bug territory had netted recognition from a few veterans in high orbit. Upon my return to the SES Gauntlet of War, I found a transmission requesting permission to board from TheDailyDad. After a brief discussion, I gladly accepted the company. As much as I wanted to get a feel for combat on my own, I would have been foolish to reject the offer.
Daily Dad had been a great mentor during early drops. Despite my lack of tactical awareness, Double D provided overwatch and more importantly guidance beyond just do this or that. Together, we would complete successful Operations against Terminid and Automaton alike! Limbs and metal bodies lay scattered in our wake as we carved our way through enemy ranks. After narrowly holding an outpost against an Automaton onslaught, I returned to my ship weary, yet hungry for more. I felt as if I was truly making a difference out here.
As the drop ship door opened, a sense of change felt heavy on the command deck. The blinking node on the Galactic map felt more like a warning than a welcomed message. I opened it with much hesitation. Without disclosing too much intel, effective immediately TheDailyDad was to redeploy to the defense campaign on Ingmar where his fortification knowledge was heavily needed to hold the line. To my surprise, I was being recalled back to Terminid controlled space, specifically Erata Prime.
I read further, “To train and assist new recruits?!” I hollered bewildered, the words echoing around the chamber. “ME?! Of all the Divers out here, why me?”
Daily Dad chuckled and slapped an armored hand across my pauldron, “Time to pay it forward kid. I’ll see you back here soon enough.”
I wanted to argue more, to keep our squad together and take the fight to the enemy as we had done so many times. I knew he wouldn’t hear anymore, Daily Dad would say something like “All Divers must give back and train the next wave!”, or something profound and stoic in similar nature. We exchanged one final explosive handshake, the universal symbol of a bond forged in fire and blood.
I held those words in my thoughts with a vice like grip, I’ll see you back here soon enough. A deep thought in the back of my mind told me this was the last time we would see each other, I buried it deeper. He was right, it was time to pay it forward and keep some new blood alive as long as I could. While the ship lurched into FTL travel, a feeling rested over me like a lead blanket. Since my first drop into Hell, I was alone.
********
I observed the sickening yellow-green planet of Erata Prime as it consumed the viewport. Excitement hadn’t replaced, but rather suppressed the nerves residing within me. Even if things didn’t quite work out with the new recruits, I could use some unorthodox methods to dispense democracy I may not have been able to earlier. There was also an odd feeling, one that seemed almost a distant memory since I dove into “the suck”. There was a fear present, not one of battle but one of death, my death.
Hell Divers were expendable, that’s what we had always been told. Those words rang through my head on almost every mission. By now, I was no stranger to it. Loss was a part of everyday life for those who descended from above into the meat grinder. You did your best to prevent it, but when it inevitably did happen, you channeled it and moved forward.
My first command, there was a lot that could go wrong. Frankly, I was more worried I’d become a statistic to friendly fire than anything else. A glorious career cut far too short thanks to an ally? I sequestered the fiery sensation welling within me. An audible chime signaled the arrival of three new destroyers, separating me from my thoughts. Before long, three shiny armored recruits stood proudly before me on deck.
Nodie, Irish, and Shuffy stood silently behind their armored helms. If they had any qualms about enlisting or even being here, at least they were doing well at hiding it. I paced back and forth eyeing them from head to toe, scrambling what words to say to these rookies. “Welcome to the suck recruits.”
First, we toured the ship showing them what upgrades and weaponry to ask for first, while also giving some tips and tricks to, well, “pulling one over” on High command isn’t exactly the right term. Hey sometimes you need really big guns and don’t have time for red tape ok? The three seemed quite at home aboard the Gauntlet, as we awaited our deployment I took the time to try and get to know each of them. I asked them basic friendly questions, enough to lower their guard but not enough to truly feel close to them, after all, Hell Divers are expendable.
I scanned the galactic map, desperately trying to find a mission with a, better, chance of survival than others. Look, I like scything through the enemy like any other Diver but it wouldn’t do any good to get these rookies killed off rip. I spied a “seek and destroy” type mission where High Command had deemed some bug holes worthy of being granted the gift of liberty.
I dialed in the coordinates and in a flash, our squadron had repositioned over the coordinates. All three recruits had stated they received some sort of combat exposure, at the very least I was thankful for that. Even if it was minor, it was better than nothing and, they had survived after all. Whether it was dumb luck or skill would remain to be seen.
After quickly briefing my “new responsibilities” on our objectives I explained why we were landing where we were. “If you land at extraction, you can move quickly and circle the entire map. Later on, once you get some experience under you we can split up and cover more ground so we can collect samples, we’ll need those for our ships.” I paused for a brief moment scanning the statue like figures, there wasn’t anything left to say except, “It’s time to Dive.”
******
It was quiet in the dropship on the way up. The rumble as we broke through the atmosphere was the only audible sound within our helmets. Shuffy sat covered in green goo after my Breaker had extinguished a smaller Terminid a bit too close to where he was standing. Nodie’s armor was sliced across his chest, dry blood caked around the opening before the stim had been applied. I suspected Irish was hurt, but if he was he hadn’t shown it yet.
I noticed his armor was scorched along his right arm, the flamethrower leaving lasting marks on both he and the stalker he had turned to a puddle of ooze with it. I gave myself a mental once over, all limbs and digits were attached still, no major cuts or scrapes. All in all, it could have been better but it could have also been worse, far worse.
The ramp slammed into the docking bay floor with a heavy thud that gave the impression it was not trying to be gentle. With a rapid pace I moved the squad up the steps to the open area near the ship terminals. With a short about face I stopped them in their tracks raising my hand, “You did well, but there is much to debrief. Check your requisition and see what new toys you can purchase. We will reconvene shortly.”
I turned on my heels and strode forth towards the galactic map. Just as I reached the edge of hearing range I could hear the three turn and celebrate with each other. In truth, the mission had gone exceedingly well. They followed orders, they moved quickly, and most importantly distributed democracy without question nor hesitation. They had all the makings of a Hell Diver within them. If I didn’t have my helmet on they just might have seen me smile.
The map illuminated as I approached the terminal. Operation information fanned across the projection and began translating the data into comprehensible words. “Search and Destroy – Mission Complete”. I breathed a sigh of relief, we had done our part this day.
A few quick taps across the terminal interface zoomed the map out to a wider perspective. Several planets were under Terminid threat yet most if not all of the front line planets were well defended or the Legions of Liberty were actively gaining ground. A few more taps and I was back staring at the bleak surface of Erata Prime scanning for missions my squad could gain valuable experience from while also keeping them alive as best I could.
A strobe caught my attention, the red light signaling an incoming transmission from High Command yet again. Normally, Command sends notification across the entire army, defense reports, loss reports, KIA lists, things of that nature. To my surprise, this was an order. Mostly, Hell Divers were free to link up or to run solo as they wish, but this was a direct order. I opened it feverishly, and my stomach immediately felt as if it had been thrust into my throat.
Turning away from the terminal, my vision began to blur. My heart and brain simultaneously beat what felt like a half dozen drums behind my eyeballs. The echo of my boots on the metal floor added to the symphony. I opened my mouth, desperately trying to find the sound that was eluding me. “Alright listen up!” I managed to spew from my lips without choking on my dry tongue. Immediately the three fell in line before me, “New Orders, we’re moving out. Make sure your ship’s systems are coded to mine for the FTL jump.”
”Where to boss?” Nodie questioned.
“Hopefully somewhere I can squash some more bugs!” Irish shouted elatedly, “I’ve got a bone to pick with them scratching my armor.”
“Oh can I try out my new Eagle Strike?!” Shuffy stated more than questioned.
I raised my hand silencing them. For a moment I stared at them, feeling as if the assignment had suddenly been incredibly unfair. There’s no reason to send new recruits there, this has to be a mistake. I buried my doubts, I suppressed my anger, I spoke as confidently as I could “We’re going to the Creek.”
******
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, I’d like to believe any Hell Diver dropping into this wretched place for the first time would be. By now I’d fought all over the galaxy, spreading Democracy and Liberty without prejudice, I should have nothing to fear. Malevelon Creek is a place that quite simply I cannot explain. When we lost Draupnir I thought we had seen the worst, “The Creek” as we’ve come to call it, would show us Hell truly does have levels.
You hear the stories in basic, squads mutilated by automaton forces grinding them under heel. Bodies taken away to be transformed into grotesque mindless killing machines, later to be released onto the battlefield against us in some form of twisted psychological warfare. We had been fighting, and losing here for so long I began to wonder if it made more sense to let the planet fall and return later with more firepower. I was a bit relieved that decision was far above my pay grade.
My pod impacted the dirt with a precise thud snapping my focus back into the moment. My canopy opened, the platform raising me to the top of the pod efficiently. I glanced around as my heads up display clicked on. Shuffy, Nodie, where the hell is…there’s Irish. “Comms check”.
“November Two Locked and loaded”
“Sierra Four Ready”
“India three on your six”
“Sierra One Ready”, Suddenly beacons sprout from the ground sending their illumination skyward. A few seconds later several pods made landfall striking the earth with such force the stabilizers in my helmet kicked in to keep my vision focused. As the pod I summoned projected the storage platform upward, I quickly grabbed and donned my supply pack. Good, I didn’t have to say it this time, I said to myself watching my rookies grab their respective belongings.
The mission was simple, clear the automatons and raise three flags across the area to establish a forward operating base. Recon maps showed the heaviest fighting occurring far from our position. Command had tasked us with reestablishing an area eligible for a forward operating base, or a F.O.B. as we called it. This region had been deemed less infested than others, i guess that was supposed to be reassuring.
I opened my tactical map, “Squad on me, first objective is close, due East.” Before I finished the sentence Shuffy sprinted forward Liberator at the ready. My mind had become incredibly aware I was the only squad member with a Breaker Shotgun in hand. I knew their Liberators might be able to handle most of the Automaton threats but if push came to shove, the only one really capable of blasting out of the situation would be me.
Squashing any doubt I pressed forward, we would succeed no matter the cost. My HUD displayed Nodie’s “N1” marker off to my left, I could tell by the movement he was climbing a rock formation. “All stop, recon pattern Alpha.” The “S4” marker dropped as Shuffy dove behind the nearest downed tree. Irish was on our rear, ready to drop his sentry turret in case we found ourselves suddenly surrounded.
It was almost peaceful. The moon hung high in the sky, illuminating the entire landscape before us as if it were a dim version of daytime. From our vantage point, I could see the first area clearly, No clouds, something’s actually going our way. The only problem, the hundred yards of open ground between us.
Well, might as well get her over with. “Nodie, overwatch detail, what do you see?” I knew he was staring down the barrel of his anti-material rifle, finger far from being off the trigger.
“Grunts boss. Marauders, Troopers, a few Raiders.”
I thought for a second, “Shuffy! You wanna try out your new toy?” I didn’t have to see it to know he was smiling.
********
The Impact of the Cluster Bomb was beautiful. Fire erupted skywards in a brilliant display of Liberty and ferocity. Had myself, Irish, and Shuffy not been busy running for our lives across that open ground I might have appreciated it more. I burst through a gap in the fence, courtesy of the former air strike. My breaker shotgun at the ready, I cleared my corners and let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding in.
“Sierra Four, Clear”
”India three, clear.”
”Overwatch clear, no signs of the bad guys. Gotta get me one of them things Shuff!”
“Sierra One clear, stow the chatter. Irish, drop a turret, Shuffy, check the area for any samples or anything of use. Nodie reposition, I don’t think we got away with that one just yet.” I kicked over the limp arm of an Automaton Trooper. The metal clanking together felt far too loud within the sudden silence that encapsulated us. Without having to look, I heard Irish’s turret impact. The fight would be on soon.
Except, it never came. We waited and waited, eyes darting back and forth across the horizon, sights looking skyward for dropships or smoke plumes from the larger creations. Yet, the nightmare fuel robots never showed, nor did they after clearing the second location. The third surely would bring a force to our doorstep no? Yet again, we seemed to waltz through unscathed.
“Ha!! These Automatons are nothing! I thought w-“
“Stow it Shuff!” I had responded a bit harsher than I meant to. “I’ve seen these things rip Divers to pieces, we’re getting lucky, my question is why?” My shoulders began to ache from the tension I had been carrying within them all night. “Nodie move to extraction. Irish, Shuff, check for anything valuable we might’ve missed. Might as well take the time while we have it.”
“Hey boss, I don’t think you’re going to have the time to do that…” A ping suddenly appeared in the corner of my HUD. Hundred of meters out, the faint outlines of multiple dropships, dark spots against the moonlit sky, were heading our way.
****
“IRISH DROP!”
No sooner had Irish’s feet left the dirt than the trail of an anti material round went screaming narrowly over his head into the chest of the oncoming Commissar. The machine liferom exploded on impact, buying Irish critical time to get back to his feet.
“Thanks Nodie!”
“Got ya back like a butt crack junior now get up here!”
He’ll be a fine squad leader one day. The dam robots had waited until the last possible moment. The moment they knew we would be most vulnerable. Dam them. I kept saying as I unleashed round after round of my breaker Shotgun into the closest lifeforms attempting to move us from our roost.
Automaton dropships had dropped a massive response force one hundred meters away. Troopers, Marauders, and Commissars came at us in overwhelming numbers ready to end our already short life expectancy here and now. “Shuffy How much time until that dam drop ship gets here?!”
“Minute left!” He shouted back, dumping the rest of his magazine into the face of oncoming marauder. His armor was covered in oil as we hue turned to look at us, “Anyone got some mags?”
“Grab a refill and get back to it,” I shouted over the symphony of combat. “Irish where’s that turret?!”
“Incoming now sir!” I heard the impact behind me followed closely by the expenditure of bullets in rapid succession from the barrel.
“BOSS! WE GOT A PROBLEM!” Nodie shouted into his comms.I wheeled just as I saw the ping highlight our exact “problem”. A problem it indeed was.
Charging through the automaton ranks were several berserkers, dual chain saw style swords revving with the fervor of bloodlust. The towering monstrosities even cut down any of their own who might have impeded their attempt to get to us. “Irish, Shuffy aim for the chest and don’t stop shooting until they stop moving! Nodie, hit them in the head with that rifle and they’ll drop!”
With the three of them firing on the major threat, I used my Breaker to clean up any lesser units around our tiny beacon of hope. A sudden vibration and hum filled the air, the dropships weren’t afraid to get close now. “They’re reinforcing!” I screamed into my mic. There isn’t enough time. “Deploy anything you have left!”
Red beacons sprung quickly from the ground. The resulting firework display as precision strikes, cluster bombs, Gatling barrages, and whatever else we had is something I will never forget as long as I may live. Just as I thought we had made it, a sound from behind reassured me I wasn’t safe just yet.
My Breaker felt like a lead balloon trying to swing it into position in time, the Berserker that had flanked us had another idea. As I realized I didn’t have time to fire a shot, I managed to narrowly duck the horizontal slice. Have you ever heard the sound of their blades scraping against the armor of your helmet? Promise you won’t forget it.
From my new position on my back, I stared at the monstrosity before me, engines and machine parts revving and whirring in an anticipation of the bloodshed about to unfold. I blinked just as the first rounds impacted the lifeform’s chest causing it to step back, the creatures program desperate to regain its footing.
The monstrosity lunged forward yet again, this time the anti material round that pierced the skull caused the body to slump sideways just as the familiar jet trails of our drop ship descended on our beacon. I scrambled to my feet and dove into the personnel bay. I immediately felt several armored hands pull me inward and place me in my jump seat.
“Shit boss, that thing almost had you!”
“Yea, you really gotta be aware out there!”
“I know Hell Divers are expendable but let’s not waste it eh sir?”
I laughed inside my helmet. Maybe, they’ll be great Hell Divers after all