“Since the beginning.” Alon watched Gunny as he took his seat. “I’ll tell you the story when we get back from this.”
“So rescue mission, huh?” Tiller asked. “Sounds pretty straightforward. Won’t be too big of a deal to collect a couple people I’d imagine.”
“Scans aren’t working,” Alon said. “So it might be harder than you think. With those animals out there trying to stop us, this might be a real fight.”
“With these things?” Vesper patted her rifle. “I would be surprised if shootouts take very long.”
Ah, they’re overconfident because of the weapons. Alon smirked. He pulled on his helmet. “Yes, well. The good news is your armor can take three direct hits before it has to recharge. So keep that in mind before you go charging someone. They’re designed for deflection, not absorption. Do you understand the distinction?”
The two put on their helmets, which made communication a lot easier. Sound from the engines died down though once they departed the hangar that wouldn’t be a problem anymore.
“I don’t,” Vesper replied, “I mean, they take hits, right? That’s what armor does.”
“Absorption is the idea you can just take direct hits over and over like a ship might,” Alon explained. “Deflection is taking a blow while you’re in the act of evading an attack. The tactics here do not involve charging enemy positions. We still utilize cover, still take and hold positions. Basically, your normal training with better toys.”
“I can dig that,” Tiller said. “I’m psyched, right?” He belted out the last statement, bringing out a hooah from the others.
Alon rolled his eyes, grateful his helmet hid his general disdain for their excitement. He wanted to be part of the war. He didn’t look forward to participating in combat. That was a necessary side effect of involvement. And it’s the only thing I’m good at. Otherwise, I’d be happy to sit on the ship to evaluate data.
“We’ll be hitting the atmosphere in five minutes!” Gunny shouted. “From there, it’s an eight minute trip to the surface. Won’t be pleasant either. We’re taking it fast so hold your lunch! None of you bastards better puke in your helmet. Take it off, I swear to God! None of us will smell it.”
“Yes, sir!” the entire troop shouted at the same time. Alon excluded. He leaned back in his chair, preparing himself for the g-force. He’d been through hundreds of simulated drops. Only five real ones. They weren’t that bad but some guys had a real hard time with them.
At least we don’t have to jump out of a moving vehicle at five thousand feet. Alon didn’t particularly care for heights. The tallest jump they tended to make was off the ramp of a ship at ten feet. Not the best thing in the world, but at least he got over that concern fast. Now to work on feeling dizzy on the fifty floor of a building.
That wasn’t to say he hadn’t experienced a real drop before. The other soldiers insisted on attempting a higher jump in the armor, one they had to use parachutes for. That had been the worst day of his life. He’d never needed to attempt such a thing in the militia and his fear of heights nearly paralyzed him.
Fortunately, Gunny got him through it. Hard as the older man was, he had a soft spot for Alon after their experience at the colony.
“Hey,” Tiller leaned close, “you see what these things can do to a person yet?”
Alon nodded. Fortunately, the young man couldn’t see his grave look. It probably wouldn’t help his morale. “You won’t believe how bad it is.”
“Really? Like…”
“Like I can’t prepare you by saying.” Alon was about to say more when Gunny shouted his name. He looked up to see the man wave at him to approach the cockpit. “Sorry. Gotta go. You’ll be fine.” As he stood, some of the others clapped him on the back with a customary oo sound, like he’d done something wrong in a classroom.
“Hey.” Gunny pulled him into the cockpit area. “We’re heading for orbit now but take a look. The enemy seems to be sending a ship down. You got a better look at what they had before. That basically the same thing?”
Alon peered out the cockpit but the thing was way too far away to make out. He leaned over the copilot for a view of the scanner. The silhouette was unmistakable. He’d never forget that thing for the rest of his life. If Andrews had been their pilot, he figured he’d say the same thing.
“Yeah, no difference.”
“Okay.” Gunny patted Andrews on the shoulder. “We’re going down in the forest near the last known location. When we do, you have to get your ass moving in case they feel frisky and want to turn you into fireworks. You got that?”
“Yes, sir,” Andrews replied. “Just like last time.”
Alon knew Andrews well. He considered him a friend after what they went through together. They were closer to the planet than their opponents. This is a race to find the people. But not just that. It’s our first real engagement against these people. If the other soldiers aren’t itching for a fight, I’d be damn surprised.
“Sir,” Alon turned to Gunny, “have we attempted to contact the people we’re here to save?”
“Not yet.” Gunny smirked at him. “I get where you’re coming from but we’ve got to break atmo first. Then we’ll be able to mask our signal, at least a little bit. Gotta keep from letting these buggers know where we are, right?”
Alon nodded. “Should I return to my seat?”
“Stay up here. I might have more questions. Just hang on tight. This is going to be bumpy as hell. Hopefully those newbies back there hold it together. We’re heading for the surface fast.”
I hope I can handle it!
