Stifling a smile of pride, she glanced up and down the immaculate new uniforms, the dull reinforced fabric sensing the lowered body temperatures and lack of adrenalin, the camouflage sediment dormant under the dull parade deck wall lights. The silver leopard emblazoned shoulder armour fitted even more snugly to the female and male bodies in front of her, additional resin abdomen shields complimented with shin and thigh protection, the arms also covered with additional padding at the knee and elbow joints.
As with the body armour, the dull black helmets virtually protected the whole head, a narrow gap between the rim and the shoulder plates, the bubbled resin across the whole body edged in red, the colour dimming whilst in action. Each protective head piece was fitted with radio communications synchronised with the owner, all able to communicate amongst each company or nearby allies, the devices useless once removed or if the technology sensed the user’s life signs had ceased. In addition, medical alerts would be sent to the nearest qualified medics and comrades for assistance should the soldier become wounded or incapacitated, the Fahimian additions to Trevakian technology enhancing the kit.
She nodded as Tregan stepped forward from the first company, formally stiffening to attention, ‘Yankee and Zulu companies ready for your briefing captain!’
The captain stifled a grin, ‘Good…continue please!’
Tregan stiffened further, barking his order, ‘Companies to attention!’
Six hundred pairs of boots slammed together in unison, the crack echoing across the walls as fists rose to right chest plates, the uniformed men and women stiffening to attention. Lights glowed across the wall opposite, the captain smiling as she glimpsed a few scrutinising stares, the illuminations swirling slightly before national flags began to form, the display of all the nations stood in the room, in the middle, the poster of a Trevakian and human stood side by side forming last, the last formation being the slogan below, ‘Our time together is now!’
Several soldiers breathed heavily in pride, their bodies seeming to stiffen even further, determination filling their eyes as the slim captain looked on in satisfaction, raising her voice, ‘We are now within the human galaxy…progressing past a planet named Pluto. We will soon reduce speed and join with our remaining ship in this galaxy for final preparations.’
She walked further along the line, the soldiers all staring forward in unison, ‘This is a new unit and your individual companies have been selected for you after your individual displays in aptitude tests and on the training deck. Each platoon you are lined in has collectively similar abilities and performance levels to ensure your chances of combat success are maximised…and your ultimate survival.’
Captain Dugachard stopped in the centre of the room, turning abruptly to stare over her command, the poster of the Trevakian and human soldiers directly behind and above her, her chest inflating in pride in the new uniform, ‘Now for the battle to come…we are tasked with supporting none other than the Fahimian commando units in battle.’ She glanced across the soldiers, seeing some attempting to prevent their surprise becoming evident, her voice rising, ‘The Fahimians requested our unit accompany them into battle…along with companies from the Trevakian 76th Infantry Division.’
The captain indicated to Tregan, the Trevakian soldier raising a small tablet in his hands as Dugachard continued, ‘We will now mark your new shoulder plates with the awards and recognition you have received.’ She stepped forward, smiling, ‘All human soldiers received the Trevakian Galactic Medal and in addition, we believed appropriate, the Zaxon B battle clasp beneath.’
Tregan tapped on the tablet briefly, wisps of smoke rose from the shoulders and chest plates as the small gold star with red outline appeared, underneath two crossed silver swords. Further wisps of smoke drifted upwards as individual ranks and recognitions were awarded to the new uniforms, David Bland’s pip returning along with one for Debra Hardie, much to her surprise. Riaz glanced down suspiciously as his nostrils twitched, his eyes widening in relish as a single short horizontal red line appeared above his decoration, Shino gritting her teeth in annoyance next to him.
Captain Dugachard glanced away quickly as he looked up, having conservatively observed his response, her voice echoing across the parade deck, ‘Now for the rear of your helmets…your new unit will be displayed alongside your name and company.’ She nodded towards Tregan, the Trevakian tapping the tablet once more.
The soldier behind Shino smiled as the smoke rose from the shorter Philippine’s helmet, the words, ‘Shino’, ‘Freedom Battalion’ and a smaller ‘Zulu’ appearing, his eyes moving to look at the next helmet, ‘Riaz’, ‘Freedom Battalion’ and ‘Zulu’ complimented by a short red line beneath.
Captain Dugachard turned to walk along the line once more, her jaw tensing, ‘We will deploy to the armoury for weapon issue in eight hours precisely, drop ships will be ready to depart in nine hours…’ She turned, her boots squealing once more, her voice becoming instructive, ‘In thirty minutes you will be assigned to quarters to rest…’ Hesitating, she smiled, indicating to the rear curtain, ‘Until then, the admiral has provided Trevakian wine and a strange fizzy substance we have replicated for your refreshment…the humans call it beer I believe...you will be permitted one glass back to your barrack rooms after a brief socialising event.’
Slowly, the curtains drew back, a long table full of refreshments being revealed behind as she grinned, ‘Freedom
