1
Aleiko Saban wanted to puke. This gastronomical condition was at least in part to
a constant bouncing around caused by the turbulence of the planet Anhydra’s atmosphere
on the drop vessel. The only light was a small red "not ready yet" glow coming from the
hatch. Better enjoy even this much light as long as possible. Soon he would be relying on
the infrared visor attached to his helmet to avoid the knife-weilding cutthroats he came to
exterminate in their comfy pitch darkness.
No one else on the drop shuttle was talking either. Saban knew this absolutely gut
wrenching moment was going to happen for over a year when he joined the ranks of the
Consortium Legion. His only hope before now was that the Consortium would give up
on the rock’s mines and biobomb the devils to their eternal reward. Looks like that ain’t
gonna happen. Maybe he should have joined the Navy.
About every fifth breath or so was a nervy sigh. Saban was not sure how many
times he could recheck his pulse rifle, burning the relative location of its component parts
into his brain so he could minimize any such stumbling during combat. That, and making
sure his other equipment was secured. Frag grenades, combat knife, pulse clips, tiny joke
of a medkit. Also a hard to find spare modulator for his rifle. Everyone knows those
modulators are unreliable and he could see it going out on him at the most inopportune
moment. Saban pushed the test button on his headset communicator. Seems okay.
It was difficult not to think that perhaps it would be better to have relief from this
anxious torment if their drop shuttle was destroyed during descent. Guess you can’t kill
what’s already dead.
Eyes opened wide as the drop ship fired retros and finally made its descent. The
ship rattled so hard it felt like it could bust apart.
"This is no drill." Sergeant Ovalle spoke firmly, restating the obvious, "We will
enter directly into a hot city zone. It’s dark. Our fellow Legionaires are being overrun by
a large population of Abhumans. Lots of hand to hand combat. Any questions?"
(
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