“How does it feel?” Captain Griffin asked after they had finally been released from the senate chambers, “To make it all the way to Sergeant in a matter of two years?”

“I’m not quite sure how it feels yet. If I had to put words to it, I would say that I’m not ready for the rank nor the title.” Jack replied.

“That is probably the most self-actualized response that anyone could’ve asked for. The fact that you came to that answer on your own is in itself impressive.”

“Thank you ma’am. The truth is that I don’t feel like either of these things should be mine alone. Sure, I led the squad, but if it wasn’t for my team, we would have all died on that planet.”

“Instead, you and yours rallied together not only to accomplish the mission, but get the other squads out of harms way before anything major could happen.” First Sergeant Summers interjected.

Most of Spier squad had left the moment the doors to the senate chamber had opened. As much as Jack wanted to be leaving with them, he’d been called over as soon as they stepped out of the building. At first, it had started off as a simple congratulations for achieving an award that so few managed to get, but it had quickly evolved into a deeper topic.

“Honestly, I think that the most important part to me is that the others are recognized for their parts. I understand that being made Specialists was a large step in rank for everyone, but I want it to be known that they played just as much, if not more, of a part than I did.” Jack said.

“That’s a good stance to take, and in your place as a full Squad leader and not simply the junior crew, you will have every opportunity to do so.” Summers replied, “We simply wanted talk to you for a moment and let you know how proud we are of you. He wasn’t lying when he said how few people he’s given that award to.”

“To my recollection, the ratio is about one to one hundred. The other Unranked’s tend to give those awards much more liberally than their stoic counterpart.” Griffin said, “Go ahead and catch up with your squad. We have about three hours before takeoff, so that should give you ample time to get back to the elevator and return to the ship.”

Nodding, Jack threw his Captain a final salute before walking away to catch up with his friends. There wasn’t much time, but if they hurried, they might be able to grab some street food before returning back to military life.

“Nice to have you back, Sergeant.” Cecile said with a mocking tone after he finally found them milling around outside the Government complex.

“We only have about three hours before the Washington leaves without us,” Jack said, ignoring the barb, “Personally, I want to walk on real land as long as possible, but if you guys would rather get some last minute shopping done, we can grab a cab or two.”

“I’ll walk.” Thea said, sidling up to him and slipping her arm in his, “That way if we pass something I like, you can buy it for me with that big Sergeant salary.”

“So that’s all I am then? A walking wallet?” He replied playfully.

“And don’t you forget it.” She shot back with a finger in his face.

“As much fun as it is watching you two verbally flirt for two hours, I’m going to get a head start on this hike. I tend to agree that getting all the planet side life we can is important, but I don’t want to listen to your crap all day.” Alec said, beginning the walk with Dave in tow.

By the time they were nearing the elevator platform, the group dynamic had returned in full force. While they had enjoyed the walk in general, it turned out that Thea was right in saying that they would pass by some shops that sold items they were each interested in. Every one of them had decided to take the time to stop and upgrade their Vis-HUD’s to a more rugged and efficient model, especially since they didn’t know how long it would be before they saw a thriving human world again.

“Hey,” Nessa whispered, leaning in to Jack’s ear as they walked, “Is that who I think it is?”

Walking off of the platform was the familiar visage of someone they’d each wished would remain in the past. The face had remained unchanged. Apparently, the things he’d been subjected to while in the Special program on Algol had allowed him to keep that feature.

Everything else though, was changed. Even with his uniform hiding much, it was impossible for the squad not to notice the glint of silver that ran in small lines along the backs of his hands and fingers. If they missed that small detail, it was even more unlikely that they wouldn’t notice the metallic glint of Nano-Graft covering the entirety of his neck and everything visible beneath.

Under the hope that whatever happened on Algol changed him for the better, Jack called out to the man.

Like a striking snake, Chet whipped his head in their direction at the sound of his name. Only then did they notice that he didn’t wear a Vis-HUD as much as it wore him. An eye had been removed in order for him to be upgraded into a better soldier.

“Oh look, it’s the bleeding hearts club,” he said with a sneer.

“How have you been? When did you get off of Algol?” Jack asked, trying to start a conversation.

“I was released from that hellhole two months after you decided my future. They told me that since I wouldn’t obey, they needed to find a world that fit my particular skill sets. What they didn’t tell me, is that this battalion has the highest mortality rate of any in the AHF.” He said, his voice not wavering from the sheer hate in his voice.

“Looks like you’ve survived pretty well.” Dave said, looping his thumbs into his beltloops, covertly placing a hand on the knife-hilt he kept tucked there.

“Survived, Survived!” He yelled, raising his hand and showing the extent of the grafts, “They claimed that I had anger issues and couldn’t follow orders. So, as their next best option, they replaced part of my body with machines that ANY possessor could control. I do not even own my own body anymore. Hell, I’m no better than a drone you bastard!”

They were making a scene, and the last thing Jack needed was to be held up over old grudges. “Listen Chet, we made a hard choice back there, and I’m sorry that it had to happen. You know just as well as I do what you did, do you really think Roberts would’ve even given us the option if he thought you could change?”

“I don’t give a fuck about how hard your choice was Monroe. I had my body torn apart just so they could observe Light bonding with the cells of a human. Apparently, the proves is so old that I am experiment 270,531.” He spat, pulling his collar to the side and showing the number cut into his skin. “I owe you so much pain, more than I could possibly impart with a years’ time. The problem is, my lease is so short that if I even try to attack you, I’ll be laying here is in a puddle of my own piss. You took everything from me, and stars help me if I cant do the same to you!”

Without another word, the soldier pulled his sleeve back down and stormed away. Jack simply stood, both dumbfounded and stricken by guilt at what he’d allowed that man to go through.

“Jack, we have to go.” Thea said, placing her hand on his arm and pulling slightly. “We can talk about this on the Washington.”

Like snapping out of a dream, Jack nodded his head and allowed himself to be pulled onto the platform. As the elevator started to rise, the entire group stood in silence simply staring at the place where Private Chet Davis disappeared into the crowd.

“It’s not your fault.” Warren said, breaking the silence, “It’s not any of our fault.”

Dave raised an eyebrow to the smaller man, implying that he should explain.

“Sure, we voted to have him removed from our company, but you each need to remember what drove us to that point. Better yet, remember what Nessa went through when that asshole’s friend nearly murdered her in our final exam.”

“He has a point.” Alec replied, “If he wouldn’t have left, someone probably would’ve died. His rage was just unstoppable.”

“Still can’t believe I hog tied him on the pavilion.” Dave said, breaking the solemnity with a grin, “I mean, he tried to charge me like a bull, so I treated him that way. If he wouldn’t have had murder in his eyes, he might’ve done pretty well.”

“You do have a point.” Alec laughed, “Now he just looks like a bond villain. Except that he has no money, power, or friends that we know of.”

“Coming from you, I am not so sure that is a valid descriptor.” Cecile quipped, “Look at you; You’re one good grease bath away from being part of the engine. You cant exactly judge people appearances.”

“Who said that wasn’t what I was. Lets face it, every mechanic that is worth his salt has greased an engine or two in blood.” Alec shot back, “That’s not even talking about the amount of grease that we eat. Personally, a sandwich ain’t its best until it has grease stains on it.”

“That’s disgusting.” Nessa said, shooting the man a weary look. “I thought I’d already heard all of your bullshit, but this is a new one.”

“Nah, just wait until he tells you what he used to lube up a sock one night.” Dave added.

“Dude! I had nothing else to use, and that was confidential.” He yelled in a hurt tone.

“I was in the room, the next bunk over. Not only did you use grease, you passed not one but two commissaries on the way to our room.” Dave said flatly.

The familiar banter helped to pass the time and ease the minds of the member of Spier squad. In fact, it helped so well that it seemed only minutes before the platform came to a halt, signaling that they were back on the ring city of Orasinel.

Before the barrier that separated the elevator from the rest of the station could fully dissipate, Jack had already pulled up the directions to the ship on his Vis-HUD. With only forty-five minutes until take-off, the squad opted to run the entire way. Luckily, having the newly minted Sergeant leading the group meant that nobody bothered or tried to stop them.

“Damn Monroe,” SGT Crocker said as the squad walked up the ramp with only five minutes to go, “You’re only on your first shore leave and you wanna be late getting back? Shame shame shame.”

“Thanks Crock, we got held up for a bit, but we’re here now.”

“No problem Private. No, wait what is that?” the ramp attendant said, pausing when he say the strips on Jacks uniform, “You know you cant be wearing rank you didn’t earn. What, you think you can just put on Sergeant strips and get laid all night?”

“I’m right here.” Thea said impatiently, “And while he most assuredly did get laid all night, it was me doing to the laying.”

“So why the fake rank?”

“Because its real. I was promoted right after the hearing.” Jack answered. All sense of hustle gone now that his feet were actually on the Washington.

“Well I’ll be… You can just head on in to the… what the fuck are you doing with a Nova boy?” He said in surprise when he caught sight of the award pinned to Jack’s chest.

“That was the other half of the promotion.” Jack replied with a grin.

“Well, go ahead and get your decorated ass up to Charlie companies headquarters. Looks like Captain Griffin wants to see everyone. I got an alert right before you got here.”

“Thanks again Crock.” Jack turned and headed for the company meeting, glowing from the admiration.

“Now that we are all here, we can begin this briefing.” Captain Griffin said to the assembled company once the final stragglers took their places. The disapproving glare she shot one of the gathered platoons was the only real evidence that she was truly annoyed at being forced to wait.

“Come on Cap, you can’t be serious right now,” a Lieutenant interrupted, “We haven’t even gotten a taste of good old ship food and we are already being sent off again?”

In his time with Charlie company, Jack had learned that certain formalities we simply not observed in the slightest by many of the more experienced soldiers. Most of the NCO’s and nearly every officer simply didn’t care about decorum. Though he didn’t know it for a fact, he suspected that Summer’s relaxed demeanor was founded in a company exactly like this one.

“Yeah Amor, we are being sent off already. I figured with twenty years under your belt that you’d learn shore leave is nothing but an excuse to send us out on mission even faster.”

“Ain’t that the truth. But shit Cap, they could at least give us time to take a dump before calling for deployment. What is it this time, new colony getting eaten?”

“Old colony, but yes.” She replied, accessing everyone’s Vis-HUD and sharing the mission details, “Unfortunately though, it isn’t just a simple elimination of targets. If it was, then I would forgo this meeting and just tell you to get suited up.”

“Isn’t the local battalion holding the line? That’s the entire reason we keep one on each colony, right?” Another soldier called, “New colonies don’t have the defense grid built yet, but why in the hell would we need to defend an old one?”

“Because, the Raak’Shee came in with a force of five thousand and wiped out the grid on Galileo. Considering the number of defensive measures we have there, we estimate the attack cost them roughly half of that number.”

The room was speechless. Galileo was one of the UHR’s oldest and well protected settlements. Not only was it a massive hub for human life, it was the primary location where the Serum was manufactured. If the enemy had control of that precious substance, it was only a matter of time before they would be fighting Light empowered Raak’Shee.

“Well, fuck.” Amor said, summing up the feelings in the room pretty accurately. “And they want us, a single company, to take back the planet?”

“Not exactly. The rest of the 416th will be joining us on this mission, but theirs will be directed in a different area. Our primary task is to take back bravo factory, barring that we are to completely obliterate the factory in order to keep our power source out of the hands of the invaders.”

“Well, at least you don’t ask for much.” Amor replied, trying in vain to lighten the mood.

“Exactly. The good news is that since this is a human settlement, we wont need to drop you in via the pods. We should be able to Gate right down to the surface with no interference. That said, there are several parts of the factory that need to be secured.”

The scene in front of Jacks eyes changed to depict an overhead view of the factory complex with various areas highlighted.

“First and second platoons, your fighting squads will be in charge of handling the outer perimeter. This area may have a higher-than-normal concentration of enemy combatants, but I’m sure that the two of you can handle that. I’m not going to say easily, considering the enemy, but I will say that it is doable.”

“Where are the drop points?” Amor asked, all joviality drained from his voice. This was information he and his men needed to survive; he would not risk missing details.

“Here and here,” She replied, highlighting another two areas on the map.

“I don’t know if that spot will work for First, but I would feel much more confident in our approach if we were dropped here in this area.” He selected an area about a kilometer further away from the wall before continuing, “This will allow my long range to climb over this ridge and provide cover fire. If we are dropped too close, we will be fighting long before my snipers can get in position.”

“What about you Singh?” Griffin asked, turning to the first platoon leader, “Any issues with your drop point?”

“No ma’am.” She replied, “I will load out Striker squad with heavier gear to deal with the physical size difference. We have three Dragoon’s anyway so the extra weight is not new for them.”

“Understood. Third platoon, your objective will be to locate and disarm the complex’s security measures. There are three security posts located here, here, and here.” She explained, coloring in those areas and highlighting the most direct route to that location from their drop zone.” Your drop zone is non-negotiable. Out of all our potential areas, this one is not only the most direct, but also provides the lowest chance of discovery from sudden materialization.”

“Roger that ma’am.” The small form of Lieutenant Valentine said, falling silent as she so often did. No matter the mission, she never fought back or argued during the briefings. Her platoon, and by extension fighting squad, simply learned to make due with what they were given.

“Finally, Fourth Platoon. Your objective is to infiltrate the main building and locate the serum vault. If it is too well guarded, you are to locate the master control room and start a meltdown sequence in each of the four production machines. Yours is a task of search and destroy, any creature in that building that is not human needs to die and with much prejudice.”

“What if we manage to clear the building and secure the vault?” Hawkins asked.

“Then you have accomplished the primary mission. So long as the other three platoons manage to complete theirs, then we can keep the factory without destroying one of our only sources of the Serum.” She explained, “Unfortunately, command has decided that you will also be running a secondary objective while inside the building. We were able to get confirmation that the Raak’Shee have brought prisoners into the building. Locate these prisoners and help them in whatever way is deemed best. If that is simply slapping a locator on them and having us Gate them up here, fine. In fact, that would be the best way to handle it if you ask me. But I’m not in the field.”

“Understood. Where is our drop zone?”

“Due to the amount of Light interference inside the actual facility, you will be dropped here.” She said, coloring in a rock formation near the building’s peak, “There is an emergency entrance there that a Possessor or Dragoon should be able to access without triggering an alarm.”

“Got it.”

Relinquishing their HUD’s, Captain Griffin stood and addressed them without the visual obstruction. “This is not going to be an easy mission. But it is one that needs to be done. Be safe, and come home in one piece. Dismissed.”