Jack awoke the next morning to an incessant alarm that simply refused to let him sleep in. After the previous day’s – and night’s – endeavor, he had a hangover that felt like someone was jabbing his eyes with a thousand needles. When combined with the splitting migrane and nausea, the end result was one of the worst morning after’s he’d ever experienced.

“Shut the hell up Bob.” He yelled at the AI living in his HUD. While new recruits had to take the device off in order to recharge every night, fully changed soldiers simply chose to wear it at all times for convienence. “Can’t you see that I’ve had a hard night?”

“Oh, excuse me. I was under the impression that a party constitutes fun, not difficulty. However, if I am wrong I will be sure to constantly badger you every time you end up in that situation.”

“Yeah yeah, and I’ll drop you out of the nearest airlock as well.” Jack retorted as he slowly got to his feet and dressed for the day. “I thought Thea spent the night?”

“She did, but unlike her nightmarishly irresponsible boyfriend, she’s been up and getting prepared for today since the first notice went out.”

“What first notice?”

“Oh, now you want to know? A second ago you were telling me to shut the hell up. Now you are sooo interesting in why I was trying to wake you in the first place. What an inconsiderate life form.” Bob ranted for a few moments, only stopping when Jack was ready to leave the cabin. “If you must know, I am currently leading you to the briefing room of Charlie company. You were sent a notice to arrive by 06:00 and if you would have woken up sooner, you would have more than six minutes to get there.”

Shocked and dismayed by the news, Jack took off in a sprint and just barely managing to get into the lift before the doors closed. Missing the lift would mean waiting for several minutes and potentially missing vital information in the briefing. Especially since it was well known that Captain Griffin did not wait for anyone, not even her First Sergeant.

The doors of the lift opened up on an amptheater type room that was a much smaller simulacrum of the larger one in the brigade area. Calmly walking as if he hadn’t woken up ten minutes before, Jack joined his fellow members of Turaspeir squad near the back of the room. Lucky enough for him, the briefing had yet to start.

“Where were you?” Nessa whispered harshly.

“Sleeping off last nights bender,” He replied, “You?”

“I knew it would be rough so I slept here.”

“Shit darling, that’s almost as bad as going on a date in your barn cloths.” Dave whispered, “Alec can tell you all about that one.”

“Not right now he cant,” Thea said, “Better yet, how did you know this was going down?”

“Because, apparently they do this every time a new batch of Privates hits the field. They plan an insanely early briefing and expect you to be here the day after the party.” Warren said quietly as he also slid into his chair. “I figured that if I could figure it out, so could you.”

“Well, we didn’t. I couldn’t even find underwear in time for this little shindig.” Alec said manically.

“COMPANY, ATTENTION!” First Sergeant Summers called as the captain walked in.

“As you were.” She said, quickly making her way to the lecturn. “Good morning Charlie, as you have probably put together, we have been assigned a mission from up top. While yes, this does coincide with the usual bullshit we pull with new soldiers, it is a much more serious matter than finding a can of indigenous XCRAMT.”

A small chuckle rippled through the company giving the impression that what she mentioned was a normal prank that was pulled. A wave pulled up the orbital view of a planet that Jack knew nothing about. With one more flick of the wrist, the hologram started to slowly spin.

“What you see before you is a jungle planet primarily inhabited by a race of lizard-like people called the Oteric. These little guys look more like simple house lizards than their terrifying cousins, the Zvarnnaja. Unlike their cousins, the Oteric are some of the best engineers in the known universe, and as such we are being sent to liberate a piece of machinery that they’ve created. We expect it to be guarded, but not heavily. These people are not warlike, and as such their military is not known for being terribly effective.”

To Jack, it sounded more like a smash and grab than honorable combat.

“Unfortunately, due to high magnatism in the atmosphere we are not able to simply gate you into their research lab for a grab and go. You will be dropped in pods to the surface and assault the lab from there. Once you are ready for extraction, we will use your armor as an anchor and lock on. Team, this is a simple mission and I know we can accomplish it with little to no difficulties. However, if things do go south, we are relying on you as boots on ground to keep us in the loop.”

Jack put his head in his hands while he listened to the Captain continue to explain the ground strategy. He really didn’t want to be trying to run his first mission with this bad of a hangover, but is that was the case, so be it.

His HUD pinged with a message from his lieutenant; Private, I know you are not sleeping in this mission briefing.

Jack crafted a quick reply; No sir, just a headache. Seems like a pretty cut and dry mission though.

You’re not wrong. Are you ready to lead your first mission? He asked.

I still don’t understand why we aren’t led by more experienced soldiers sir. Jack said.

Yeah. It’s kinda fucked up, but we us the old spartan mentality that a unit that knows eachother will fight harder. You guys don’t know me. Sure I do your paperwork, but you’ve never run a mission with me. For that reason, there is no way that you could truly trust me with your life. That’s why you’re in charge down there, and I’m in charge up here.

“Are there any questions?” Captain Griffin said, poised to slip from the room as quickly as possible. “No? Then gear up and get moving.”

“Are you kids ready to rock?” Their squad quartermaster, Staff Sergeant Smith asked as they were putting the final touches on the gear they would bring on the mission.

“I believe so,” Jack replied hesitantly, “We have a back up comm system and beacon in case I fall.”

“Kid, it’s just a smash and grab. You’re not going to get injured, much less get killed.” Sergeant Smith said, “Besides, with Walker and Neilson covering you from short and long range, there’s just no way the enemy even gets close enough for a kiss.”

“I think what we have here is a classic case of the pre-mission jitters Smith,” Lieutenant Hawkins said without stopping the hardware anylisis on their weapons and armor. “You’ve done your job and I’ve done mine. They have everything they need plus a few nasty suprises for the enemy if they so happen to get the drop on them. I’ve run my checks and can sign off that the armor has formed it’s seal and is passing all tests.”

“Well shit LT, I know that. I’m just trying to see where these cats are mentally before putting them in a cannon and shooting them at a damn planet.”

“Still playing unit psych huh?” Hawkins said before turning to Speir squad, “He has this thing where he tries to be your doctor, I think he’s done it to damn near every squad he’s ever been with.”

“I don’t think we mind having someone to bouce our problems off of.” Ortiz said with a grin, “Unless of course you want nine soldiers to tell you why they are sad that Private sexy pants is sleeping with someone that isn’t them.”

“He has a point LT,” Smith said, “You really want to deal with all that… again?”

“No.” Hawkins said, “My office doesn’t look good with the couch, maybe it is better if they just let you handle their problems. I’ll just be a good little officer and do my paperwork.”

At first, the banter had confused him, but the longer they spoke the more at ease Jack felt. It struck him that perhaps the two men knew the level of tension they felt, and were using humor try and lessen it. More than likely, this was a tradition they’d had for quite some time. And, through years of repetition, they knew that the conversation would mask the feelings of dread.

“No worries sir, I’m sure that luxurious Officer Cabin would be perfect to double as a therapy office.” Jack quipped.

“You cant afford my rates on Private salary.” He shot back.

“Yeah, but I’m sure that Alexander and Ortiz could find a way to pay you for the time.” Neilson joined in.

“Alright, alright I give.” He said, throwing his hands into the air, “I’m not going to be your cabin mother, but I will take you all out for drinks after you come back with the engine, OK?”

“Deal.” Dave and Alec replied in unison.

“You have no idea just how many drinks we can put down Sir.” Dave said, promising a night of heavy drinking and a considerably lighter wallet for the the Officer.

They followed the two men out of the armory and down the stairs to a large room filled with shuttle like pods. Without stopping, they led the new squad to pod four and opened the hatch and gestured for them to climb in. Inside was a column that reached from ceiling to floor with docking clamps spaced out in nine intervals around its base.

“The clamps at your feet will hold you in place, and the ones between your shoulders will connect you to the ship.” Smith said, guiding them into position. “Once flight begins, your AI will take over the armors motor functions and lock your arms in place by your sides. Trust me, this is for your own safety. Monroe’s AI will be guiding the ship as much as possible given the atmospheric issues on the ground.”

Loud thunks were heard as nine pairs of boots were locked into position, “Once you land you will have thirty seconds while the locks disengage and the walls open like a flower in bloom. After that, any and everything done is up to you as long it pertains to the mission.”

He stepped out of the pod as the door closed and sealed. Faint whirring could be heard as each suit finished it’s connection. The lights dimmed as the felt themselves moving, each making the correct assumption that they were being loaded into the cannons designed to quickly deliver soldiers to the surface of a planet.

“Guys, I’m willing to admit it. I’m terrified.” Dave said over the comms.

“Yeah buddy, I think we all are. Unfortunately, there is more to being a real soldier than just sitting back and drinking beer.” Alec replied. “We all knew that we would be sent out eventually.”

“We graduated yesterday. I honestly thought we would have more time than that.” Dave complained.

“Why?” Nessa asked, “It makes sense to test new soldiers as quickly as possible. That way they know what they have in case of a real emergency.”

“Damn you Nessa for being so logical.” Candice said, “Look guys, its just a smash and grab. We get in, grab the goods, and get out. Easy.”

“And if you piss yourself during the real fighting remember that Smith will make you clean your own armor.” Ortiz added unhelpfully.

“Your damn right I will.” Smith said once the movement stopped, “But seriously, good lick out there Privates. Remember what Hayward said; get in, get out, and for gods sake don’t be hero’s. If the situation looks too bleak, scrub the mission. Bob, you are good to take over.”

“Thank you Sergeant.” Jacks AI said, “AI’s please restrain your flesh transportation unit until we come to a complete stop.”

At those words Jack felt that his movements were no longer his own. Instead the armor was pinning his arms to his sides and no amount of resistance was going to change that. Once they were in place, the lights went out completely.

“Launch in 5… 4 … 3… 2… 1…”