"The Arrow that broke the occupier's armies." | PART TWO; "Neptune's Trident" | CW: Warfare (including gore descriptions, psychological oriented elements), violence, heavy topics, existential discussion, vulgar language, some politics) | Feralist-oriented story.
Onboard a transport cargo ship, Arrow platoon is crammed into a cargo crate. 2551. Neptunis Tridentis D+0200 hours, 1340 local time.
Rose looked around her, the dark cabin of the crate her platoon was squished into choking her and everyone else in pitch black darkness. Darkness that did not recede even when using Night-Vision, comorbidly, it was deafeningly quiet, not only because they had been instructed to remain quiet to prevent suspicion from possible Affini boarding actions, but because no one had anything to talk about. After all, they all knew each other were miserable, even the few Terran Communists that were among them had lost their "Revolutionary Optimism" in the face of such monotony.
Then, creaking was heard outside, the entire platoon bucked up startled, Rose grabbed her rifle and raised it to the door, pushing Lance Corporal Samuel Millington, the platoon sniper's spotter to the side to have a clear shot on the door.
***"***H-Ow! Watch it red." Samuel said, elbowing backward and missing Rose's arm by an inch, Rose with precision and coordination uncrossed her seat, sliding her legs around her waste and to a knee, then standing up, all while keeping her rifle on the door.
The door continued to creek, then SCRATCH, the door opened to a very startled TCN sailor, whom was understandably so, seeing as he had 19 firearms pointed at him. Rose and the rest of the platoon let out a collective sigh of relief, standing up and gathering their gear, Rose pushed on her absurdly heavy Rucksack again. Them folded her Rifle's stock, sliding it back on its sling under her poncho.
Sergeant Major Lance Marshal, often known as simply "The Marshal" simply spoke "Don't ask. Way above your paygrade." Over to the sailor, whom silently nodded and walked off, leaving the container open.
The Marshal turned back and spoke up "Alright, Arrow platoon, we will be dividing into two fireteams throughout this operation, as follows." The Sergeant cleared his throat "the platoon is in three elements, first element, consisting of myself and 2nd in command Sergeant Hacklethon as command element, Second element as 2nd Fireteam with Corporal Eryx on TL as DMR, Lance Millington as assistant DMR, Lance Mödel as SAW Gunner, PFC Colt on Assistant gunner, finally PFC Roland as Engineer. In that order, the second Fireteam is our support element, that's Arrow 2-your number. Finally, Arrow 3 will be led by Sergeant Hacklethon, he is still 1-2, alongside Corporal Shacklehoff as Pointwoman and rifle woman, Corporal Schwarzkopf as Medic, Lance Pillsy as Grenadier, Lance Molosivik as JTAC, and PFC Ferris as Automatic Rifle woman. You all are Arrow 3-your number. Understood Arrow Platoon?"
"Yes, sir." The platoon robotically responded in unison.
"Good, keep your ponchos on, we're heading out." The Marshal formed a knife hand, twirling it above his collar like a lasso "Arrow platoon, on me." The platoon stood up.
The container clanged as the sound of hiking and combat boots moved out of it. Staying a bit of distance away from each other, they walked along the Ferroaluminium alloy floor, stepping out finally onto the planet of Altair, their transit destination that would see them board a ship to Corvus.
Shacklehoff walked at the rear of their loose formation, joined by Pillsy, a short man from New York with Grey colored retinas, Brown hair, and a neutral face that always held, even in the heat of combat.
"So, Red, what do you think this'll last?"
Rose glanced over, continuing to walk "I'm not sure. Happy as hell to finally get some action though, couped up in that Carrier made me want to turn me' m32 on myself." She joked.
Pillsy chuckled "You ever think it's weird the jokes we make as a platoon? Very... Colorful sense of humor."
"Gallows humor' I suppose. Certainly is one of the ways to stay sane of all time." Rose responded.
"True...I guess it is." Pillsy conceded lightheartedly.
"Gallows humor' assumes we're gonna die." Sergeant Hacklethon, their TL interjected "Sure as hell the plants will, not us."
"Amen to that. Still though, same kind of self deprecating humor" Rose said, the group passing a small market, vendor stands on each side, for someone that was from Earth itself, it seemed rather primitive compared to the neon displays and shining billboards of capitalism that dotted the blue marble. The booths were constructed from rebar & wood, tarps over the top to protect from Altair's desert esque sun, no fancy advertisements aside from handwritten signs."FRUIT! GET YA FRUIT HERE, STRAIGHT FROM EARTH!" Shouted a vendor as the group passed, paying no mind.
"I suppose it is.." Hacklethon replied, the group crossed the bazaar and now entered their second spaceport of the day, walking through the matinence entrance they stepped out onto the concrete landing pad, where workers refueled the shuttle as civilians boarded it, Arrow platoon walked past and in, each of them moving with confidence, and as a result no one questioned it, the platoon took seats at the back of the shuttle. Rose, ever the imaginary one, took a seat at the right window of the 7th row.
A soft chime was heard, drawing Arrow platoon and the passenger's attention, "Good afternoon this is flight 973A from Altair to Corvus, please ensure you are buckled and your belongings are secure, please do not stand until the belt light is off, thank you for choosing Altairlines and enjoy your flight." The chime played once more before the PA went silent.
The shuttle's engines roared to life with a bone-shaking whir, soon compressing Rose into her seat as it lifted up, angling toward its flight path it then replaced the whir with a muffled Rocket Engine, slamming passengers back in their seats as it tore through the atmosphere.
Rose watched as the reddish atmosphere of Altair gave way in the window to the black void of space, receding like a wave before a tsunami, the lack of distinction slowly blurred the time together, hours passed in relative peace, the eye of the storm had hit, but after it, Rose knew, the gates of hell would break loose.
To be continued....
Part one: