David interrupted, wary all the soldiers were now listening, ‘They volunteered…exactly! They knew what could happen…’
Jozefina shook her head, pursing her lips in anger, ‘No…I arranged it, got the company to agree!’
A solemn raised voice cut in from behind them, the Trevakian marine leaning forward as they all turned to stare, several heads moving round the rack supports, ‘I fought with an earth security officer…a Morris from something called ‘Campus Security’…airfield if I remember correctly, he volunteered. He told me it was the greatest adventure he had ever been on…spoke very highly of you for allowing them to come…’ He slumped back slowly, wary of the rising intrigue and attention, his voice trailing off, ‘He was killed in the outer eastern villages on Zaxon B…Morgon sniper bullet to the head in the early morning just after he woke up…as he stretched.’ The soldier glanced round in embarrassment as several marines glared at him, attempting to regain the situation as Jozefina sobbed once more, ‘H-he loved it there…the camaraderie and excitement…told me that even if he was killed it was his wish to fight against this enemy…that someone had to.’
The marine coughed nervously as the glares continued, smiling faintly in recollection, ‘We had become friends just before he died...it was only a couple of days. We slept in the same trench and we shared our different coloured ration tins for fun…’ Tears gradually filled the soldier’s eyes, the marines next to him grasping his arms in comfort, ‘It was so very cold at night…we began to sleep next to each other for warmth.’ His voice became strained with emotion, glancing round as the soldiers around him nodded in agreement for him continue, some clearly becoming bleary eyed with similar emotional memories, ‘We used to speak before we drifted asleep, tell each other of where we came from, about our lives. He was originally from somewhere in…Shottland…no, Scotland?’ He continued, noticing David nod his approval discretely, Jozefina listening intently as the marine grinned fondly, ‘Morris liked scotch alcohol and an earth dish called haggis with chips…his father was an engineer on the oil rigs…I was proud to have been his friend, if only for a short time.’ The marine stared directly towards Jozefina, ‘He said several times you were the one that made his and others dreams come true…to see unbelievable things and become something his parents would be ultimately proud of.’ He coughed nervously, ‘Morris also said that again the night before he died…he loved that you created the chance for him.’
The marine slumped back, clearly overwhelmed with emotion, Jozefina wording ‘thank you’ silently as hushed whispers spread around the rear compartment of the vessel, the marine nodding as the troopers on either side attempted to console him.
The door to the cockpit suddenly swung sideways, dim light filtering through the opening, the marines stiffening as the flight officer’s helmeted head emerged, his voice determined and exhilarated, ‘Get ready! Galactic Freedom is accelerating; we will be dropping soon…Our time is now!’ His eyes strained in confusion at the startled red faces and embarrassed emotional stares in the hold before continuing, ‘This combat section is assigned to a sector in northern Europe...apparently there is some fighting there.’ He glanced at a couple of the marines suspiciously before nodding towards two or three further back, ‘Get the morale up, and quickly...we will be landing in a combat zone, I don’t want any tearful eyes facing the enemy...’ He shook his head in irritation, ‘Damn mixed units...leave you alone for a couple of minutes and look at you...’ Pursing his lips, he continued, glaring at David Bland and Jozefina, ‘You will have comms from the cockpit as motivation...I am not letting you talk too much!’
He turned and disappeared back into the cockpit, the door slamming behind, two of the chosen marines unfastening their belts and rising, one...a younger male raising his voice, Jozefina noticing he had a yellow star on his shoulder plate, ‘You heard the officer! What we have listened to is simply an expression of camaraderie…that our two races are meant to be together!’ The young blue eyed soldier’s voice rose further with exhilaration, Jozefina studying his muscular frame, ‘We are Yankee company...this is our chance to defeat the enemy!’ The hum of engines increased in the background as he continued, the craft creaking and seeming to lean slightly as Galactic Freedom changed course, ‘This is our time! A time to beat the enemy...let us show them what we can do, defeat them in open battle and crush their belief of ultimate supremacy!’ The younger soldier leant forward, shouting with encouragement as the marines stiffened in resolve, ‘Now...Are you with me?’
Several nods, a few enthusiastic murmurs as the young soldier began to step up and down the aisle before him, whispering further words of motivation, his colleague adopting a similar behaviour between the next set of seats. Then the speakers burbled, the pilot’s gravelled voice booming across the rear hold, ‘Freedom’s velocity continuing to increase...cloaking stable with brief power surges...thirty seconds to next zone...’
Jozefina’s eyes widened with David’s, the solemn voice seeming perfectly calm as the heavy duty speakers crackled, adrenalin clearly rising in the rear compartment, ‘System checks complete...oxygen levels stable, port and starboard laser guns fully responsive...’
The young motivational soldier reached them, his body lowering as Jozefina smiled broadly, his demeanour attractive to her even with puffed and tear dried eyes, the young marine’s eyes widening at the interest from the slightly older female as she whispered provocatively in forced fun, ‘Are you fully motivated?’
David rolled his eyes, gritting his teeth as he shook his head in distain, the young marine blushing behind his visor, ‘I am sorry...she is rather excitable at present...’
The younger marine grinned sheepishly, nodding to David with respect as he lowered to a crouch, ‘Not a problem, Lieutenant…’ He glanced back at Jozefina and winked, ‘We all have similar stories, your human soldiers have
