Rally
The skies glowed a warm crimson, but none could mistake it for a serene sunset.
Ordinance—millions of tons of it—broke against the planetary shield in the upper atmosphere. They painted the sky blood-red as they exploded. The air groaned, crackled, and boomed as the shield held firm.
But it could not hold forever.
Major Hood exited the transponder capsule with an audible sigh. “Ladies, Gentlemen.”
His officer cadre stood at attention. They exhibited professionalism and confidence, yet their eyes betrayed weariness and hopelessness.
“I just got news from the top,” Hood began.
Lieutenant Wagner piped up. “Bad news?”
The major stared at the cynic. “Yeah.”
Wagner shrugged. “The fleet’s not going to arrive in time?”
“That was yesterday’s bad news. Now they told me that the shield will only hold for another hour.”
“We get to kill some Xenos after that?” Captain Becker eagerly inquired.
“There won’t be any killing, just dying,” Hood shot back. Becker groaned. Hood just stared at him.
“Once the shield is down, everything those ships are firing at the shield will hit us. If—by some miracle—we aren’t scorch marks by that point, top estimates two billion troops will make planetfall.”
The room somehow grew even quieter.
Finally, Lieutenant Harrison ended the silence with a whisper. “What do we do, sir?”
Hood glanced over at her. “None of the NCOs or enlisted will hear a mouse fart about this. Assemble the battalion. Dismissed.“
His officers filed out of the room, burdened by conscience.
Fifty minutes later, the Major was outside, the golden oak leaf denoting his rank glowing on his suit’s visor.
“Boys and girls!”
The Ground Defense Battalion snapped to attention.
“Are you bursting with pride?”
Visible confusion. Major Hood repeated himself.
“Tell me now, are you bursting with pride?”
A half-hearted cry echoed through the ranks.
“An hour ago I received news from the top. They’re almost through the shield. Unfortunately, we don’t know precisely what they’re going to throw at us after it does.”
“But whatever comes through that shield, be it an antimatter missile, be it a swarm of combat drones, be it a warform taller than an arcology—we will stand our ground!”
“Two hundred years ago, your grandparents founded this proud colony. One hundred years ago, your parents transformed it into the booming ecumenopolis that it is today.”
“Look upon her! Her towering arcologies, her ponderous foundries, her colossal museums. Recall the billions who call her home, your families, your friends, your loved ones!”
“Are you going to sit around while these heinous machines come to destroy everything you’ve ever loved, everyone you’ve ever known, and everything humanity has stood for?”
“No!” The roar boomed louder than the dying shield.
“Be proud, boys and girls. You are the first to face the Xenos. Those navy wipes who left us stranded here? They saw a blip on their holograms and tucked tail.”
“You, boys and girls, have the privilege of seeing these aliens face to face.“
A cheer coursed through his ranks like adrenaline. Hood almost forgot about their impending death.
“Boys and girls, mankind has had ten thousand years of fighting experience. Let’s show those Xenos what we can do!”
Hood’s troops cried out in determination and fury.
The shield broke with a deafening crack, and hell began falling from the heavens.
Hood closed his eyes.
He smiled his last.