Please state your name. My name is Commander Alexander Perry, Sir.

What happened on the days 13-15 of April, 2347? I looked up for the thousandth time at the man who was talking to me. Admiral James Keller, commander of the Nibelungenlied stationed above Orleans VII, and began to tell my story The pod was completely black inside after they closed the door. I heard three beeps, followed shortly by a dull thud and a sharp whistling sound. The sound stopped after a while and when it stopped, I noticed that I was in free fall. I was in command of an elite squad of marines, who were being dropped onto Myth IV. Our mission was to find and destroy the Confederate incursion on the neutral planet of Myth IV. Recent efforts of reconnaissance had been foiled, so little was known about the true strength of the Confederate presence. The mission was blind, and thats why they called in the best: Foxtrot Group. Myth IV was a hospitable planet, much like earth. It had developed flora and fauna concentrations, and a breathable atmosphere. The planet looked a lot like earth with about 50 percent of the planets surface being water. One Confederate base had been located in the outskirts of a large coniferous forest towards the center of the main continent. There was a large mountain chain 500 kilometers to the west of the base, and the extraction was planned to take place in the foothills. The insertion was to take place about 300 kilometers to the south of the base. We were to make our way to the base, infiltrate, destroy, exit, and extract. This was a shot over the prow of the Confederate ship. It was to be nothing big, just a warning.

My group consisted of my second in command, Lieutenant Commander John Crow Winter, Lt. Lee Wizard Simons, Lt. Gregory Jester Noble, Lt. Charles Biggy Cline, and Lt. Arthur Tank Davison, and we had just been ejected from the Erasmus with six other pods identical to ours containing all of the gear we needed for the mission. The pods we were in were used for Long-Range Extra-Planetary Insertion. A ship could enter a system, calculate the launch patterns for the pods, launch the pods, and be gone in under 30 seconds. This was useful for low profile, tricky insertions since the pods were completely invisible to most planetary sensors and a guard ship could only spot them if it was very, very lucky. I heard the whining sound start up again, but this time, my body was accelerating towards the top of the pod. Slowly, the pod began to rotate, and gravity shifted from the top, to my side, and then to my feet. This was a very nauseating and disorienting experience. The whining carried on for about three minutes before I felt a quick tug downward and heard a faint thump at the bottom of the pod. I presumed we had just entered the atmosphere. The pod began to heat up considerably. Sweat dripped into my eyes. Two beeps burst the near silence of the pod, startling me. That was the warning for impact. I braced myself and just a few seconds later, the pod crashed into the ground, jarring me into near insensibility. The door opened enough to let some light in. I popped the fasteners on my safety harness, and pushed my way out of the wreckage of the pod. The sunlight was blinding after so long in the complete darkness of the pod. I checked my locator, searching for heat signatures. There were eleven blips within a mile of my location. I opened up short wave radio communication with them (a form of communication rarely surveyed by modern sensor equipment). Five responded and hooked up with my HUD (facemask; Heads-Up Display).

Duke, this is Crow. Duke, Biggy here. Wizard here, Duke Jester here. This is Tank. Rendezvous at the point Ive marked on your maps, I said as I sent a message through our HUD interfaces. I drew my pistol, and loped to the position I had marked. Tank was already there when I arrived. Jester showed up shortly after me, and Wizard and Crow came together. Right. Welcome to Myth IV. You all know our mission, and its going to be tricky. Were blind, and thats not a good thing. Weve got to go carefully and weve got to go quietly. We are not here; and if we are killed or left behind, we no longer exist. This is a very unstable position we are in. Tread carefully and follow orders. This is nothing new, weve done it before. Lets not make any mistakes this time. Youve been assigned a pod to recover. Go get your gear, and meet back here, I said. I jogged five minutes west to another pod, where I opened it up and pulled out my rifle, a modified BRK-650 with attached grenade launcher. It had an extended clip, a longer range scope, and a barrel extension. I then proceeded to unpack and assemble my Shark hover bike. There wasnt much to do with it: hook up the rear steering fins, assemble the machine gun mounted on the front, and turn on the computer. I stuck my ammo box and spare gear behind the seat of my Shark and slung my gun over my shoulder. I hopped on and flew it to the rendezvous point. This time, I was the first arrive. Shortly after, Jester showed up with his monstrously large 750 sniper rifle. Crow came next with his light sniper and assault rifles. Biggy and Tank came up

next with their BRK-690s, the big guns. Tank had a rocket attachment to his, whereas Biggy had a separate mortar launcher. They were our heavy weapons for this mission. Wizard showed up last, he had the most gear to assemble: his light assault rifle, his bike, and his computer. Everyone reported in and we all mounted up. The bikes hummed into action and we sped north by north-east into the dense conifers. The monumental blue-green pines flew past as we cruised towards the base. The sun was setting in the south, behind us, as the mountains got larger and larger on our left. The sun had just set, and there was a purplish haze on the southern horizon. Myths fourth moon was scheduled to rise in an hour, at 22:34 EST (Earth Standard Time). Just before moonrise was when we were going to strike. The plan gave us about ten minutes to set explosives and take out the guards. If it wasnt enough time, at 2:58 EST, the fourth moon would be setting in about the same place as the planets eighth, creating a total lunar eclipse for about six minutes, and partial for about 15 minutes before and 15 after. It was calculated that this particular cosmological phenomenon occurred every 3.12 million years. We couldnt have asked for a better night. As we neared the base, I rehashed the plan in my mind. Jester was to stay far enough back that he could shoot the guards without being heard. He was going to cover us from guards on the main tower right above the gate. Biggy and Tank were going to begin scaling the main tower, which was adjacent to the control tower. After removing the guards on the main tower, Jester was to focus on the control tower and cover Biggy and Tank. Crow, Jester, and I would wait at the main gate. Biggy and Tank were to take control of the tower with as little noise as possible, open the main gate, and shut down everything they could without blowing anything up. Jester would remain in cover, and pot any enemy snipers he could find whilst the rest of us enjoyed destroying the base with all the explosives we had packed along.

That was the plan. We arrived within shooting distance of the base at 22:15. We had about ten minutes before everyone had to be in position. Jester hopped off his bike and took a look around the base through his scope. All the buildings were in the same places as the Confederate protocol called for. Nothing was out of place. No extra guards on the walls, no buildings we hadnt counted on; we were in for a good night of demolition. At 22:22, Crow, Wizard, Tank, Biggy, and I took off for the base on foot. The Sharks had such a low energy emission that they couldnt be traced by themselves, but in a group, they gave off enough heat to be seen so we went by foot. We were in position at 22:33 and at 22:34 on the dot; Jester said the guards were down. Ten minutes, boys. Get movin, I said. Tank, Wizard, and Biggy launched their ziplines, and sailed up to the rampart. Crow and I were waiting at the gate, ready. Crow had out his assault rifle. After just a few seconds, the gate shuddered and gave off a low buzzing noise as it began to rise. Crow and I rolled under the gate and gave Wizard an okay for him to stop. Tank and Biggy ran silently down the steps to the grounds opposite us. Wizard would remain at the control tower, observing and making sure the alarm system was shut off. Alright, have at it, I said. Crow ran off to the bunker, Biggy would cover the power plant and barracks, and Tank would shut down the command center and help Biggy with the barracks. My job was to wire up the hangars and garages. I got to make the most noise.

I was pressed into the shadows made by the southern garage that Id just plastered. There was a guard staring right at me, though not seeing me. I had three minutes before things were about to blow, and I had one whole hangar to finish yet. This guard was costing me time. Slowly, I reached down to my thigh where I had my silenced pistol. I felt my hand close around the grip. The guard was still looking at me. I drew, and shot the guard through the neck. He collapsed, and twitched once or twice. I ran out of my hiding place and dragged the body of the guard back to where I had been standing only moments before. Duke, we got a problem. A lot of low flying fighters are comin in real fast. ETA: 30 seconds! I heard Jester say over the intercom. Damn! I said. Then on the link to everybody, Abort mission, rendezvous at Jesters position and well make to the extraction point from there. I was already running as I said this. The unfortunate arrival of the fighters couldve been avoided by not having entered this mission blind, but whats done is done. I heard gunfire as I rounded the turn into the central courtyard. Heavy fire over here! I heard Tank say. Require assistance! Im comin! I heard Biggy yell. Me too, I said into the comlink. Shit, he got me! said Tank. How about this? As I entered the fire fight, I heard, more than saw, an explosion back by the enemy position. Biggy was taking cover on the building opposite me and Tank was in the alley between us. He was pinned down behind a rapidly disintegrating dumpster. The enemy was holed up in a building about 75 yards from Biggy and me. Tank, drop a smoke grenade, and get back here on my mark, I said.

Affirmative, he dropped the smoke. I saw the grey begin to waft up. Now! I yelled and launched a grenade into the enemys building. It was at that point that I heard the fighters overhead. Gotta go now, Tank! Biggy and I abandoned our positions as Tank reached me. We sprinted towards the gate as bullets kicked up dirt on either side of us. Wizard and Crow were waiting at the gate for us. I nodded to Wizard and he reached down to his wrist and most of the base exploded. The shockwaves emanating from the blast made me stumble in my mad sprint for the forest. Jester, you got us covered? I asked. As well as I can. Theres bout 25-30 guys runnin behind you. Tank was visibly lagging as we reached the trees. Pack it up, Jester, I said as I jumped on my Shark. We flew west as fast as we could go, keeping in the forest as much as possible. It was about 2.8 hours EST to the extraction point, but we covered the 500 kilometers in 2.7 hours. Every so often, wed hear jets roar overhead, but met no infantry patrols. My HUD beeped as we approached the extraction point. The choppers would be here in 17 minutes. The hill that was planned for our extraction was about 100 meters tall with a 30o slope on the east side, and a 65o slope on the west. The north and south sides climbed at about 50o. The summit was covered in large boulders and natural ditches formed by water drainage, presumably into the valley that lay to the west of it. The hill was maybe 150 meters north to south, and 100 meters wide east to west. Dismount and set up a perimeter. Were going to need defenses, lots of them. The entire might of an invasion force could be on us in just a few minutes.

Biggy, I want you to set up your mortar behind that rock, I said pointing. Tank, keep your rocket launcher at the ready in case of strafers or choppers. Wizard, you are in the back, keep in contact with our extraction team. Jester and Crow, find somewhere to shoot from. Ill be back with Wizard, call if you need help. Remember, Ive basically got sniper rifle, too. Hop to it. They had already started digging in as I turned back to Wizard who was busily tuning in to the extraction teams signal. Wiz, send me a line when youve got one, ok? Sure, Cap, he replied. I went over to Biggy and helped him position his mortar. Once assembled, I grabbed the extra ammo for it and brought it to him. He was calibrating the sight because it had gotten hit pretty hard in the landing. Jester was cleaning his gun and reloading clips. A practiced calm had fallen over our bivouac. I nodded with satisfaction at their cool daring in the face of almost certain death. Cap, got some blips on long range radar. Looks like two DGC-467s comin in real fast. NNE, about 600 kays. Shit, strafers. You ready, Tank? I asked. Yeah, as he looked down the sight. Two black dots appeared on the horizon. I got a lock! The two aircraft rapidly grew larger. One pulled left into a climb. The other kept its course, straight at our position. Damn, lost it, said Tank Well, lock the other one -- now! I shouted.

I heard a bleep and a click and saw the plane explode just as it came within a kilometer of our hilltop. The deafening explosion rattled us as the fireball expanded in an inferno of roiling gases. It quickly receded. Tother ones comin around again, I heard Wizard say. Found him, replied Tank. Locked. Gunfire skittered across the dirt and rocks on the hill. The plane was firing on us. I crouched behind a large rock. Again: click, boom. I braced myself against the rock as the explosion roared in my ears. Cap, got a line with the crew, here you go, called Wizard. A vid-screen materialized in the upper left corner of my HUD. Were in a pretty tight situation. I dont have much time to talk. Whats your ETA? Were flying as fast as these things can go. At most, 12 minutes. Make it faster. Thats too long. Well try. Out. Out. Cap, large numbers of troop transports and other ground vehicles approaching from the east, along with what appear to be screamers. Give me some numbers, Wizard. Approximately 15 transports and four screamers. Maybe two tanks, its hard to tell. You sure? Thats my best guess. I trust you. Can you give me an ETA?

Maybe six, maybe seven minutes. Thats going to be rough. Gentlemen, were going to have maybe six minutes of hard combat before our transports are here. They throwing everything they could scramble right away at us, and thats nothing to scoff at. Over 100 foot soldiers, two tanks and possibly four screamers-- Ive got a visual, Duke! called Jester. Order to fire? Affirmative. Aim for the drivers of the troop transports. Biggy, hit the tanks. Dont worry about the transports. Well take care of them. The vid-screen appeared on my HUD. Were about 100 kilometers from you, but were under heavy fire. Weve lost one of our decoys already. Weve got to take a detour. Im sorry. That is unacceptable! I yelled. Im sorry Commander, its necessary, with that, the pilot closed the link. Bastards! I shouted. Gunfire began to pepper the hill. Dust spurted up around us and we heard the familiar sound of bullets on rock. The transports are beginning to circle up and form a perimeter around us. Theyre deploying into a movable fort, Jester said. I patched into his HUD, and saw what he was talking about. The transports were forming a semi-circle about a half a kilometer away from the hill. Their sides were unfolding to reveal turrets and the bays at the back were flipping to the side to connect to the next troop transport. This maneuver was not unknown to us. In fact, most Bear transports (thats what they were called, Bears) had hooks and clasps to fasten to other transports.

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Gunfire spattered across the hill, miniature explosions kicked dirt up into the air. Bullets cracked above my head. I couldnt move; I was completely pinned down. Jester, I said, you still able to shoot? Yeah. Good, see if you cant take out some of the guys on turrets. Aye. Wizard, keep an eye out for flanking. If that happens, were toast. During a brief lull in the gunfire, I spun around and launched a grenade out into the midst of the fort. I was rewarded with a flash of light and a gap in the wall of transports. I let off a couple of rounds at the men on turrets. Biggys mortar thumped, Oh, it looks goodYeah! Got one of the tanks! No offense pal. None taken, said Tank. Cap, the other tank is changing course, said Jester, ever calm. It looks like its turnin north to run us over. Biggy, take up a position on the other side, I said pointing to my left. Get the tank, quickly. Aye, Cap. Biggy dashed behind me with mortar in hand, bullets still flying all around. I heard Wizard say, Duke, theyre mounting an assault. It looks like about 30 comin straight up the hill, with the others splitting and trying to pincer us.

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Abandon your current positions! Relocate one half kilometer to the west on top of that hill, I said pointing to where I was talking about. Biggy, once the tank is out of commission, follow us. Aye, Duke. Wizard, I want a line to our evac team, now! We jumped on our bikes and flew down the west face of the hill and up to the peak of the hill on the other side of the dividing valley. I saw Biggy not far behind us. Once on top of the hill, the vid-screen materialized on my HUD. Take up positions your, quickly. This is going to be tight. I opened the link and said, Where are you? There was a new face on the other end, Just about there. Maybe another minute. I noticed a blood spatter on the ceiling and some bullet holes in the cockpit. See you soon. Over. Wizard, you got a reading on evac? Yeah, there are two choppers left. In pretty rough shape by the looks of it. ETA: 30 seconds. I could hear the choppers over the gunfire now. It was at that point that the enemy breasted the first hill. I saw one of them gesturing wildly. One soldier left the group with a shoulder mounted missile launcher. Dear god, no. Jester, get him! The one with the missile! I saw the choppers on my left, approaching fast. Jester fired, Got him! I saw the man with the shoulder launcher fall.

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One of the choppers split from the formation and began to strafe the enemy groups. The lead chopper slowed and lowered down above us. Ziplines dropped from the vehicle. I saw a flash from the other side of the hill and a streak of smoke across the sky. The object collided with the evac chopper and detonated. Get down! I shouted to my team. The helicopter exploded in a blinding burst of flames and tumbled 50 meters down to the ground. With it went our hopes. I had dived between two rocks, protecting me from the choppers shrapnel and the bullets from the enemy. Wizard was not that lucky, he got some of the choppers blades in his arm. The other helicopter was out of reach. It was engaged in combat with the ground troops, and seemed to be loosing. They were putting more holes into it than it was putting into them. I lobbed a couple of grenades over there, hoping upon hope that it would help, but it didnt. Mount up! I yelled. We got to get moving. That chopper wont last much longer! Set a course for the big mountain up there to the northwest. We sped off leaving an enormous dust trail behind us. We were pushing the bikes as fast as they could go, but the batteries were going to expire. Soon wed have to switch to generator power. I set the bike to autopilot and clicked open the map in my HUD. This was one area where our satellites had gotten clear recon. I zoomed in on the area we were heading to. There was an odd smudge near a large pass between the mountain and a neighboring one. I zoomed in again. The pixilation was intense, but I could make out the familiar features of an abandoned bunker. Computer, overlay current course on map, I said. A dotted yellow line appeared. It headed just a few degrees to the north of the bunker. I turned off the autopilot and adjusted my course to meet the bunker.

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Team, follow my lead. Set a new course, I said, giving them the coordinates of the base. Our chances of getting off this rock have just skyrocketed. As we drove, I listened to Jester and Tank banter with each other. They had been friends ever since I knew them. They had attended Academy together and had been roommates. They always had time for a joke. The sun was high overhead as we began our climb up the mountains. Wed been on Myth for more than 24 EST hours now. We regularly saw fighters fly overhead -- often there were wings of them that would cruise overhead, but they rarely shot at us. After about two hours of flight, the batteries died and we switched to generator power. We reached the bunker in another hour. We stopped and dismounted. Proceed with caution; we cannot afford a man down. We need every one of you. I am not expecting anyone to be in there, but we cant make that assumption. That is how you get killed. Always expect the unexpected. I want you to scout out the surrounding terrain for possible booby traps. Scout out the interior of the bunker. I want to know of any supplies that might be had: guns, ammunition, food, anything. Wizard, I want you to keep an eye in the sky. Routinely check for friendly capital ships entering Myth space; check for fighters or dropships. Jester, youre my scout. Youll be investigating the exterior terrain. Everyone else, inside. Lets go! Jester kept in constant contact, reporting and recording everything he found. Tank and Crow found the store-room for ammo and weapons. It was still full. I had found the food lockers. Most of it was inedible, but the canned stuff and the chocolates were still good. We unloaded the newly-found material and set it in our center of operations. Our command center had no windows.

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It was completely cut off from the outside except for two doors on opposite ends of the room and an air duct in the ceiling that lead to the life support chamber, next door to the command center. The bunker was, like most military bunkers, compact, cramped, and grey. There were only two visible entrances: one walk-in entrance (the one we came in) and a large steel door to the garage. The first entrance led to the decon decontamination -- chamber, which opened into the main hall. On the right was the mess hall and straight ahead was a hallway to the armory. The hallway had several windows looking out on the approach up the mountain. They could be airlocked in need. The armory had lots of weapons and on the left was a munitions storage locker. Straight ahead was a hallway that led to the Medical Bay, Officer Hall and the Command Center. From there, you could head to the garage or the life support/generator room. There was an emergency exit from the life support room we learned of from the computer bank in the command center. To prepare for the oncoming attack, I had Tank and Biggy blockade the hallway past the decon chamber. We pirated the turrets from our bikes, and attached spare targeting computers to them that we found in the armory. We set those up around the bunker. We found three more autoturrets in the armory, and set them up, too. Jester and Tank booby-trapped the approach up the mountain and set up some IEDs Improvised Explosive Devices -- in the halls. We also managed to kick the generator into action, which turned on the self-defense grid. Unfortunately, with the generator running, our position would be given away. Wizard patched into the computer system so he could run and monitor everything from his system. He sent me a line, and I monitored from the commandants chair. We pushed everything we didnt need to the side of the command center and pulled in some bunks for resting and cover. We had a nearly unlimited supply of ammo in the command center and several weeks worth of food and medical supplies. We were prepared.

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We were eating our first food in days when Wizard said, I got some blips on the west approach. Not movin too fast, Ill check it out. I heard him clicking a few buttons, Ummm, looks like some of the transports we encountered earlier today. I dropped my food, grabbed my gun and said, Jester, Crow, lets go. I hurried out of the command center and down the hallway to the armory. I pocketed a couple of extra clips and ran into the hallway with the windows. I took one, Jester took one, and Crow took the other. Aim for the pilots, I said. They nodded confidently. We all stuck our guns out the slits that constituted windows and aimed. We fired, and two transports stopped. I fired again, a third stopped. The fourth and fifth kept on coming. I checked my map, and smiled. The fourth one suddenly exploded as it passed over one of Jesters traps. The fifth one continued to advance and the first, second, and third began moving again. Keep on firing, I said, The more we take out now, the fewer well have to deal with later. Cap, Wizard said over the com-link, four more coming from the same direction. Roger that; I got a visual on them. I emptied two clips at the transports, but they still kept coming. We abandoned our positions when the first transport left our view and we presumed that it must have made it to the main entrance. It wouldnt be long until they would compromise the bunker and be inside. We hurried back to the command center, turning on any autoturrets we saw along the way. It would no longer be safe for anyone to walk through here until they had been destroyed. Now it was just a waiting game: we would just have to wait for them to come get us in the command center.

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We got back just in time to hear Wizard saying, entry hatch has been compromised. Theyre inside. Wizards last words had a note of finality and the room went very quiet. Tank looked down at his feet and said to Jester, Thats what she said. The tension was broken and everyone was laughing, even I was. Wizards computer blipped. Theyve opened up the decon chamber, but I think theyll wait until all theyre troops have assembled to go any further. Sure enough, it was several minutes before the door into the main hall was forced. Patching into Defense Turrets 1 and 2, now. Im showing it up on the large screen. We can see the enemy from the turrets thermal eye. Here they come, now. Up on the screen, we could see the soldiers as blobs of red on blue crowding the door. The turret clicked and whizzed and began firing at the door. Flashes of yellow flew through the air. Several bodies fell to the ground and the rest backed quickly into the room behind. Shortly, someone crawled from the safety of their cover with a rocket launcher on his shoulder. The turret made short work of his face. A gun popped behind the door and fired a few rounds blindly, the barrel heated up enough that the turret blew it out of the soldiers hand. We could barely see the small object that was hurled across the room at the defense turret. It must have been a sticky grenade, because it latched to the wall behind the turret and when it detonated, it destroyed the turret, too. The screen went fuzzy, then black as Wizard turned off the link. On the screen for Defense Turret 2, we saw several more soldiers cautiously enter the room with guns at the ready. The turret clicked and began to fire. The three that were in the room quickly died. The fourth had presence of mind enough to toss a grenade before he was shot down. The screen went slightly

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static, but no real damage was done. The soldiers in the room repeated the process of lobbing a sticky grenade at the turret. It destroyed the turret upon detonation. We can now hope that they split up. Then well have fewer to deal with at one time, I stated. Hold, a sec, said Wizard. He punched a few buttons, and two screens appeared on the main monitor again. Defense Turrets 3 and 15. In the mess hall and window hall. We watched as one group entered the window hall where they were mowed down by an autoturret and a defense turret. The other group had four turrets in the mess hall to contend with. Autoturrets were easier to deal with since they were mounted on the ground and could be dispatched with any old grenade, whereas the defense turrets were mounted on the ceilings. In the mess hall, the soldiers were having trouble with the near turret because of the angle. It could see their feet before they could see it. Suddenly, Defense Turret 3 blacked out without a shot being fired that we could see. Wizard was surprised. He thought, and then punched a couple of buttons. Defense Turret 4 appeared on screen. Ah hah. They must have split, one group went through the barracks to flank the third defense turret, but took heavy casualties from the other defense turret in the room and the two auto turrets. They destroyed all of the turrets, but had lost at least fifteen men. Meanwhile, in the window hall, a well-tossed sticky grenade had taken care of both turrets. They must have waited to regroup on the other side of the armory because it was several minutes before they blew down the door. There were six turrets in the armory, two autoturrets, one in the corner right next to the door, the other in the opposite corner. There were four autoturrets spaced around the room. This was our primary kill-trap. Our last chance to thin their numbers quickly. The door opened and they came charging in, guns blazing. The first wave quickly died, but using the first wave as a

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decoy, the second came out with RPGs and rocket launchers. They got the autoturret directly to their right and two of the defense turrets. Theyd lost close to twenty men. They did the same thing again, except the first wave lasted much longer, giving the second more time to aim and destroy the turrets. They got all but the last autoturret, which they couldnt see as it was hidden in a rack of rifles. They searched the repair shop and were just about to check the other two doors, when the turret opened fire, taking down another five soldiers who were so startled, they didnt know how to react. The rest took cover behind overturned tables and racks of weapons. They fired blindly, trying to find the weapon. The turret kept on firing, slowly taking them out soldier by soldier. We knew it couldnt last, but when the enemy finally figured out where the gunfire was coming from and launched a grenade, we were disappointed. They had taken nearly 25 casualties. Now, by our nearest count, they were down to about 45 men. After recuperating for a short time, the Confederate soldiers charged through the door into the last hallway. A couple of grenades quickly took care of Defense Turret 7. From there, they had two options, right into the officers hall, or left into the garage. They sent three men right to check the garage for us. After getting shot at by the turrets, they realized we werent there. At which point, the three soldiers turned tail and regrouped with their contingent. The last door opened, and they were met with gunfire from an autoturret and a defense turret. We could clearly hear the fight right outside the doors. Quickly and quietly, we took cover behind our prearranged defenses. The door on the left opened and we all emptied our clips at them. They retreated, leaving one of their own in the doorway. I launched a grenade after them and the ensuing shouts of pain and agony informed me that I had hit my mark. This is it, gentlemen. If we make it out of here, I think Ill retire, I said. Biggy and Crow nodded in agreement. They were getting on in age and could commiserate with me.

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Apparently, the enemy had regrouped and came charging in through both doors. The autoturret we had set up on the far left of the room helped us a great deal. We pushed them back again and they took more casualties. On their next push, they tossed a grenade at the turret which blew up, allowing them to take a foothold behind some pillars in the back of the room. I tossed a grenade at the pillar and ran around to the right. I fired constantly at the enemy position and they were forced to give way back into the hallway. They tried again immediately, before Id had time to return to my position. I turned around again to see a small grey object clatter onto the floor. Thinking quickly, I grabbed Jester and jumped backwards to the other side of an overturned bunk. The grenade blew up, and we were pushed back into the wall. The bed was destroyed. I tossed one of my own grenades at them and was again true in my aim. Wizard was pinned down pretty badly; he couldnt even stick up his head. I ran up to him and blind-fired a couple of rounds. Jester returned to his old position. The gunfire petered off into a standoff. Again, I reached up and blind-fired at where I thought the enemy was. I got to my knees and stuck my head above the bullet riddled-mattress. I saw someone doing the same on the other side. I took aim and fired. The body crumpled. Wizard, cover me. Im going to do something stupid. Wizard nodded. I climbed over my cover, and jumped behind the pillar. Someone stood up to shoot at me, but Wizard made short work of him. I reached around my pillar and lobbed my last grenade into the hallway. I dropped a smoke and charged around the pillar. Somebody was directly on the other side, so I kicked his knee and hit him with the butt of my gun. I heard something crack, but for safe measure, I bayoneted him. I

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looked up in time to see someone readying their gun, but I was faster. I shot him in the leg, then in the chest. He crumpled and lay still. I leapt over to his dead body, turned the cover around so I was near the position of the turret before it was destroyed, and emptied several clips at the rest of the soldiers before they pulled out again. I abandoned this position and crept back to my original place. Good work, Cap, said Tank. Thanks, I replied. The remaining 20 or so cautiously came into the room, tossing a grenade into the corner where I had been moments previously. They fired at us, but soon pulled back into the hallway without a real fight. I was surprised. Duke, said Wizard, More blips on radar. Im thinkin more transports. Damn. We almost had em, too, I said. Does anybody know if there are any more autoturrets in the armory? There arent, but theres one more in the garage, offered Biggy. Not good enough. I need two or three, I replied. Hey Cap, you know how you asked me to keep an eye in the sky? Well it looks like battle groups Romeo Tango Sierra, Romeo Papa Golf, and Foxtrot Papa Sierra have entered the orbit of Myth IV. What? I said, startled. I hurried over to Wizard and looked at his computer. Well, Ill be damned. Send them our coordinates. Verification code: Bravo Romeo Three X-ray Charlie Sierra Nine. Okay.

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I looked at the ceiling. Id noticed the air duct previously, but now it would save our lives. Listen up, I said, talking quickly. Wizard, are the enemy reinforcements here yet? No, he answered. Good. Biggy, I want you to get the turret out of the garage immediately after Im finished talking. Tank, youll stay here and hold down the fort. Wizard and Crow, youll climb out of the air duct into the life support room and leave through the emergency exit. Ill stay here with Tank and Biggy. Crow, as soon as youre out, take cover in the trees behind the bunker. Well find you. Lets go! Biggy ran out of the room to retrieve the turret. Crow and Wizard climbed out of the room, leaving a zipline attached to the ceiling through the air duct. I set my back against an overturned table and reloaded. Wizard, they here yet? Who, sir? The enemy. Yes, theyre in the armory. Biggy ran into the room. Get that set up right there, fast! I yelled. He set the turret down in the middle of the room, and turned it on. He sat back against the cover offered by another table. Alright, I said. After we push back the first wave, Im going to leave. Then after the second, Biggy, youre out. Tank, whenever you can. The turretll keep them guessing for a little while, but eventually theyll rush the room. They both nodded in agreement.

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The Confederate marines charged into the room, but were quickly repelled, leaving several bodies behind. Here I take my leave of you. See you outside. I climbed up the zipline into the air duct. It was cramped and claustrophobic, but it was only a short way before I dropped out next to the secret exit. I left quickly with the sounds of gunfire coming behind me. The sun was setting again outside. My HUD led me to Wizard and Crow. I crouched down in the trees with them. Wheres Tank? asked Jester. Hell be coming out shortly. Shouldnt you be the last one out? questioned Jester. I would if I had a gun the size of Tanks or Biggys. Thats the only reason. Jester seemed appeased, but frowned disapprovingly. Moments later, Biggy came out. What, Tanks last! exclaimed Jester. Why? Thats the way it worked out, Im sorry. Biggy came up to us, Its pretty hot in there, I wasnt happy to leave Tank. Cap, here comes our evac! said Wizard excitedly. Three large black shapes rapidly grew in the sky as they approached our position. Wheres Tank? He should be out by now, asked Jester. The dropship came to stop above us and lowered its ziplines. Go, go, go! I yelled.

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I saw Tank come running out of the exit. He was limping badly. Gunfire popped from the tunnel behind Tank. I saw the blood spray from his chest. His back arched and slowly he fell. NOOOOOOO, Jester was yelling. He dropped off his zipline. Crow, Wizard, and Biggy clambered into the dropship. I dropped off my zipline as well. I hit the ground rolling; I lobbed grenades into the tunnel and fired spastically. I knelt beside Tank. Jester was standing over him draining clip after clip at the enemy crying and shouting the whole time. Jester, lets go. Help me carry him to the ship. He couldnt hear me. I kicked him in the ankle, Cmon Jester, help me take Tank back to the ship! Jester looked down at me with hatred. He shouldered his gun and grabbed Tank beneath the armpits. I tried to help him, but he shook me off. I turned around and fired at the tunnel. Jester slowly walked backwards to the dropship, attaching himself and Tank to the lines. I ran backwards, firing at the soldiers that were starting to come out of the tunnel. The dropship began shooting its massive guns. I clipped on and was ratcheted up into the cabin. The door closed behind me and I got heavily to my feet. Nobody was talking in the cabin. Jester was cradling Tanks head in his lap, talking to him softly and crying. I walked over to them and knelt beside Tank. Jester looked at me loathsomely. I bowed my head over Tank. Im sorry, I murmured. I could see Tank breathing heavily. Blood was dripping from his nose and he was coughing blood. He looked me in the eyes and nodded. He breathed one last breath and shuddered, lying still and peaceful. Jesters sobs grew heavier, racking through him. I reached over to close Tanks eyes. Dont touch him! screamed Jester.

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I pulled my hand away and backed off. I sat in the opposite corner of the ship, leaving Jester to his grief. Please buckle up, said the captain over the intercom. Were about to leave the atmosphere. I pulled my shoulder straps down and clicked them into place. Jester took a sheet and wrapped Tank in it, tying him down, before sitting down himself. By the time we docked at the ship, Jester had worked through his tears, and was brooding sullenly. My team walked through the docking bay and into the decon chamber. Jester had been gently, but firmly told that he could not bring Tank in with him. Tank would be taken to the morgue shortly. I thought Jester was going to kill the poor captain, but he stalked off, leaving Tank with the captain. We were shown our quarters, told what time reveille was in the morning, and left alone. I took a shower, shaved, and put on my pajamas before collapsing onto the bunk. The next morning, I woke up for reveille, but they served a meager breakfast for us in our rooms. We were not allowed to associate with anyone before debrief. I was led to the conference room where I sat next to Wizard. Sleep well? I asked him. As well as you can on those boxes of rocks, he replied, grinning. Fleet bunks were notorious for being the most uncomfortable to sleep on save a bed of razors. The rest of my team trickled in and then shortly Vice Admiral Colin Harris walked in. He closed and locked the door behind him. I hope the accommodations have been satisfactory?

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We nodded. Alright, lets get down to business. Commander, what happened, exactly as you can remember, since you landed on the planet? I told our story exactly as I remembered it, omitting no detail, while Admiral Harris busily took notes. When I had finished, he asked if anybody else had something to add. Everybody shook their heads. I looked at Jester, who hadnt moved the whole time. He was just staring straight ahead. Well, I suppose its my turn to tell a tale. After your first extraction attempt failed, Command had given up hope. Then things turned around. Apparently, matters on Myth had gotten far enough for the Confederate High Command, who ordered the awaited-for invasion into Terran Space. So, legally we were able to send a fleet into Myths orbit and evacuate you without starting a war because they had already initiated the conflict. Im sorry for your loss, gentlemen. Please excuse me. Pressing matters await, the admiral stood up and saluted. We all stood and returned his salute. Youve all done a very brave thing, he said. You are dismissed. Thank you, sir, we said and followed him out the door. The next morning I woke to the news that I was being investigated for the circumstances surrounding the death of Lt. Arthur Tank Davison. I stared at the messenger in disbelief, and slowly closed my door. So you see, Admiral, that is everything that has happened and why I am here.

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