Jozefina’s eyes were wide behind her visor as she swallowed nervously, ‘But you are so positive…you motivate people…how?’
The young marine smiled warmly, glancing across both their startled faces as he stiffened slightly, ‘We have to go on or we will perish and fall…death needs to make us stronger and more determined. That is my belief!’ He extended a gloved hand towards her, ‘I am Babon…communications marine for these squads…and yours. We have not been introduced.’
Jozefina smiled widely, grasping his outstretched arm with both hands eagerly and staring up into deep blue eyes, ‘Will you be with us when we land?’ David exhaled heavily, folding his arms in annoyance and leaning back.
Babon nodded eagerly, ‘Yes Ma’am…I think I should say?’ Jozefina blushed, shaking her head as the young Trevakian seemed confused, ‘Your internet stated that was the term to address a lady?’
David coughed in exasperation, Jozefina blushing as the speakers burbled once more, the pilot’s voice interrupting them, ‘Engine and power checks complete, no faults detected. Redistributing power to boosters and shields. Initial flight checks and preparations complete.’
Jozefina glanced round, shaking her head, ‘I am Jozefina…no need for Ma’am…I am just a soldier, not a lady.’
David grimaced, shaking his head as he glimpsed the two still holding hands, his low voice disapprovingly sarcastic, ‘Lady? For heaven’s sake, you can let him go now…’
The two dropped their hands, the Trevakian grinning self-consciously, ‘Jozefina it is then…I will always be close to you both, try and make you safe…’ He flushed further, becoming more serious, ‘It is my duty to safeguard our allies…the battle will be upon us soon. You will see many dead, the fallen of your own race as we progress…and we will be victorious. Your planet has suffered, but will be reborn…we will win and save them.’
David stiffened as Jozefina stared up at the young marine intently in belief, the airport manager’s voice inquisitive, ‘How bad is it on earth? Where are we landing?’
Babon shrugged, slowly rising, his eyes never leaving Jozefina’s as he whispered, ‘I cannot say…but you…we are going to your home…earth.’ His eyes glistened briefly as his voice became more vigorous, his adrenalin rising, ‘This will be the initiation of the final battle for survival…what happens on your earth will resound across the galaxies. This is the beginning of the end for either us or the Morgons…what happens here will either give hope and courage to our forces, or plunge us into defeat. The Trevakians will now fight by your side to the end, whatever the outcome…that is our pledge to you for your loyalty and the allegiance our constitution evokes. We are bound together until death or victory…and we will defeat this enemy!’
Jozefina nodded willingly as David stared up at the younger Trevakian in awe, several marines to either side expressing their agreement, reaching for their laser rifles as one shouted enthusiastically from the front of the transport, ‘Together to victory! We must kill them all!’
Babon smiled, his lips pursing as he shouted across the rear compartment, still staring excitedly and in relish into Jozefina’s eyes, ‘We are landing to kill the Morgons…to defeat them completely! We will free human earth from their evil and tainted will! We will destroy them and their ships…send the ultimate message to their entrenched forces across the galaxies…that they can and will lose!’ He stepped back, raising his voice further, ‘Many will fall, but we must not waver…we must defeat them now or face extermination! Are you with me and the humans?’
Cheers rose around them, David seeming shocked at his own rising excitement, the Trevakian glancing from side to side excitedly before looking back down at Jozefina and smiling warmly, his voice virtually a hissed whisper, ‘We will free your planet from this filth…everything in your world will change from now! There will be other things to come…we will never desert you.’
The speakers crackled, the pilot’s voice seeming strained, ‘Final marker reached…Morgon target warship ahead, fleet readying to engage. Cloaking secure…final disembarkation point established…make ready!’
The whirr of engines filled the rear cabin, Babon grinning with adrenalin, ‘I must take my seat…now is our time…a time for vengeance!’ He turned away, Jozefina sighing as she stared at his lower frame with excitement, David drawing breath in annoyance as the communications marine shouted, ‘We are to drop…fasten belts…make yourself safe and breathe. Today we meet our enemy…let us fight hard!’
Jozefina gritted her teeth as the engine power seemed to grip the drop ship, her voice a low whisper, ‘He is very sexy!’
David thrust his head back, rolling his eyes, ‘Yes, I realised…he is meant to be…to draw us all in.’ He winced as Jozefina nudged him forcefully in distain.
Then the vessel seemed to rise, the hull creaking as the hum of engines rose in intensity, the whir of mechanics and a deep clank as the undercarriage withdrew, the pilot’s voice surging through the speakers, ‘Brace for descent!’
Jozefina screamed as the drop ship suddenly shot forward, David clenching his teeth as the upward force on his shoulders increased dramatically, the transport vessel shooting out into space and falling dramatically, an adrenalin fuelled voice surging through their strained bodies, ‘Departure complete…nuclear cloud incoming, descent increasing!’
The armoured craft hull shrieked as the pressure outside increased dramatically, the voice seeming calmer, ‘Mother ship cleared…entering nuclear polluted cloud, visibility decreased.’ The pause
