He was just a poor, young soldier boy—Hoorah! Hoorah!
A brilliant white flash erupts from the void just outside the system’s boundary, heralding the arrival of a spaceship. The ship is a blocky affair, with many protrusions jutting out from the main hull in an almost abstract way. The form is further broken up by the smaller turrets that are mounted upon hull and silos for missiles. Large, spindly pylons stand erect over all of the ship like a porcupine’s quills. On the bow of the ship, in large, black letters is “FFS Spire of Fire” next to two, thick parallel diagonal lines bisected perpendicularly by another, lone diagonal line.
The quills of the ship retract into the hull, thick and armored doors closing once the pylons are fully retracted.
The ship stands still in the outer system, beyond the reach of the furthest interstellar object, silent. A bright, yellow star hangs in the void, surrounded by asteroid fields, and planets. Of the planets, there are four: two in the inner most section of the system, and another two in the outer most section. Splitting the inner and outer system are two, concentric rings of asteroids composed of rock, ice, and metal.
who had not joined for brass or coin—Hoorah! Hoorah!
The Captain sits in a chair facing the numerous monitors which show the empty void of space around them. 7 men and women sit in an outward facing semi-circle in front of the Captain. They all watch their own monitors, managing the ship through their headsets and stations. All is silent as everyone waits for the Captain.
“Operations?” He asks, staring at the ship’s status on the main display pensively.
“Quills stored, ship is ready for normal flight, Captain.” The Operations Officer reports after an icon on his display panel lit up.
“Roger Operations, Engineering?” Again, the Captain asks.
“All systems are green; Spire is cleared for normal flight.” The Engineering Officer responds.
“Roger Engineering. Sensors, confirm there are no enemy ships within or around the system. Authorizing use of active sensors, standby.”
“Aye-aye Captain, conducting search now sir.” The Sensors Officer calls, his hands flying over his console.
He became a legend within his ranks; he’ll meet his end on this path of fate!
The matte, gunmetal grey ship looms near the boundary of the system, none of the usual navigation or cosmetic lights seen in the inky blackness of space.
Blue, blinding light erupts from numerous lasers from the blocky ship. It travels down into the system, hitting planets and other celestial objects on its way. The metal asteroids reflect the lasers like a mirror wall, concealing any objects that float behind them.
Simultaneously, energy is emitted from the ship, thrown out into the system like a mist to detect the formations of celestial bodies in a hazy way.
But hidden amongst the asteroids, nestled between two metallic rocks, sits something more than loose space debris.
And we’ll all march along to the cadence of his song—we’ll all sing a song for the people we have lost!
“Scan complete, Captain. The space appears clear, but there’s a dense ring of asteroids that decide the 2nd and 3rd planets.” The Sensors Officer calls.
“Roger Sensors.” The Captain responds. “Hazard report.”
“Sir—” The Tactical Officer begins, “the asteroids appear to be composed primarily of metals, iron and titanium, which may hide any enemy ship. We know they have used similar tactics in the past, and it would be wise to go up above the asteroid belts relative to their orbital plain.”
“Roger Tactical. Navigation?”
“Captain, there are numerous hazards that may block our progress into the system. The asteroids prevent us from using a direct route to the objective, and the objective has many planets that will interfere with any orbit we secure over the planet’s surface.”
The Captain, pausing for a moment, asked, “Roger Navigation, do you have a recommended course in mind?”
“Oh—right.” The Navigations Officer spluttered, “I’d suggest using the 4th planet’s gravity to sling ourselves into a polar orbit with the sun and burn retrograde to intercept the objective planet.”
“Roger Navigation.” The Captain says, “Plot a course to the planet using…” he stares at the system display. “…using approach Bravo.” He decides.
“Aye-aye Captain!” The bridge crew chorused and set about following their orders.
The Captain sat, his head propped up by his right arm, looking over the displays ahead of him, before he motioned for his XO. The XO moved to the Captain’s right, waiting.
The Captain leaned over to his XO, and—barely above a whisper—said: “XO, go down to the port hangar bay and supervise and brief the upcoming operation preparation.”
“Aye-aye Captain.” Said the XO, turning to leave the bridge.
The Captain focused on the main display, lost within his own thoughts. His hand stroking his chin as his vision unfocused, his attention turning inward. Leaving his crew to their own devices as they carried on their tasks. The ship bucking forward as the engines began to push the ship along their course.
On the unknown planet, location: unknown—Hoorah! Hoorah!
The XO moved through the walkways of the port side of the ship with purpose. The occasional enlisted spacer either ducking out of the way of the XO or saluting her as they passed. After more than a month of just traveling through the Force’s controlled systems they have finally arrived in the system. The XO reflected on her time with the Captain, as she turned the corner and found herself at the hangar bay blast doors. She had to admit that, even if this was her first voyage as the Captain’s XO, he amazing trusting her—and his subordinates—to be a part of the process rather than just a cog in a machine. It was an amazing feeling, and now that she tasted it, she’d never want to go back to her original posting.
As the blast doors parted, the chaos of the hangar bay was slowly revealing itself. Spacers ran to and from various shuttle craft inspecting their systems and fixing anything that broke. A few wheeled vehicles drove to the shuttles bearing fuel and spare parts. Every craft’s landing ramp was lowered allowing for the company of Army Soldiers given to the ship for the mission to load the necessary gear and equipment into the waiting shuttles. Above the sea of soldiers and spacers, shouting orders and yelling at the occasional spacer, was the Hangar Chief standing atop a couple of stacked crates.
“YOU THERE” He shouted above the roaring engines and conversations of numerous craft and spacers, “MOVE THAT SUPPLY CRATE TO SHUTTLE SIERRA 2-3!”
He continued to yell from his position above the crowd—not noticing the XO having walked onto his hangar deck. She waited for a moment wondering when the Hangar Chief would notice the 2nd most important person aboard the ship.
Eventually, his eyes wandered over to the XO, and he quickly dismounted the ad-hoc tower to join her near the entrance.
“XO.” The Hangar Chief greeted, raising a hand in salute.
“Hangar Chief.” The XO reciprocated, “How are preparations for the mission coming along?”
“Smoothly ma’am; we’ve prepared all birds for flight and have been loading the FOB supplies onto them. Should be about another hour before all birds are buttoned up and ready for launch.” The Hangar Chief replied.
“Outstanding.” The XO said turning to focus on the company of soldiers assisting in the loading effort. She looked around for a bit, searching for something. After a second, she found what she was looking for and called over a trooper.
“SERGEANT!” The XO called. In return, a head from the crowd turned to face her. The trooper she had called was soon beside her, standing at attention.
“Sergeant...” she paused, reading the stenciled callsign of the trooper before her “...Sok, I need you to rally your company’s leadership. I will be briefing them on the mission objectives and intel. I want them in the troop bay in 15 minutes. That is all.”
Much to the XO’s surprise, the trooper gave her a double beep before turning back to face the horde. Evidently, the Hangar Chief caught on to what she was thinking.
“Yeah, I was surprised too.” The Hangar Chief started, “But apparently, their squad took heavy casualties in some other ground operation.”
The XO turned to face the Hangar Chief, “Oh?” She prompted.
“Yeah,” the Hangar Chief continued, “Apparently their company had been almost wiped out from the defense of some crucial choke point. Real bloody stuff”
“Yeah…” The XO trailed off, checking her watch, “Carry on, Hangar Chief, I’ll need to brief the ground team.”
“Aye ma’am.” The Hangar Chief said to the XO’s back.
As the XO left, another spacer, a flight system’s engineer, came up to the Hangar Chief with a clipboard.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“Something to report?” The Hangar Chief asked the engineer.
“Aye, Hangar Chief.” The engineer said, handing the clipboard to the Hangar Chief. Going to a parade rest once the documents were out of her hands.
The Hangar Chief scanned the page before handing it back to the spacer: “Sierra 2-3’s autopilot is on the fritz?”
“Aye, Hangar Chief. The technicians say it’s some electrical problem with the planet. Apparently, the planet is emitting a strong enough EMP to get through some of the shuttle’s systems.”
“Does Spire know about this?” The Hangar Chief asked, referring to the Captain.
“Aye, the bridge’s Sensors Officer confirmed the presence of the EMP, though its origins remain unknown.”
“Thanks for bringing this to me, spacer.” He thanked the young enlisted woman, “Dismissed.”
She moved to the position of attention before marching off to another shuttle.
The Hangar Chief paid no mind to her, as his attention was wholly focused on the report in his hands.
When a platoon of men was all alone—Hoorah! Hoorah!
The Captain still stared at the display, watching the projected course take shape as the ship burned to adjust its course. They had long since passed the 4th planet and were now ascending relative to the ecliptic. His eyes narrowed as his gaze roamed to the 2 asteroid belts.
“Tactical, assume your prediction is correct. Take active measures to find the enemy. I have a suspicion that you’re right. Keep me apprised.” The Captain ordered.
“Aye-aye sir,” The Tactical Officer responded, “Com-Sec?” She asked.
“Full active sensors, no preemptive fire.” The Captain answered.
“Aye sir.” She responded, before going about her task.
“Captain, port side hangar bay reports all flight preparations and cargo have been made and loaded. They are standing by on your orders.” The Operations Officer said.
“Aye Operations.” The Captain said, now turning to face the Navigation Officer: “Navigation?”
“We’re a go, Captain.” The Navigation Officer called from his station.
The Captain nodded, leaving the crew to their duties.
The Hero came—once again—to shield the men on their claim to pain!
The XO and a few of the Spire’s Intel officers sat in their seats near the front of the troop bay’s briefing room, waiting for the shuttle crew and company K’s leadership. A moment later, the pilots and officers of the upcoming operation shuffled into the room.
“Gentlemen,” she began the brief, “In a few short days your mission will commence. You will load up in the birds and make planet fall within the week. Your mission is to secure a beach head on the planet, which had once been colonized a few hundred years ago. The mission, troopers, is to confirm or deny the presence of any sentient race on the planet. If there has been a confirmed instance of life, our mission is to make first contact with the planet in the hopes of turning the world into a supply depot.” She paused looking over the crowd and noticed some had notebooks in their hands.
“However,” she continued, “Command and the government at large have lost records of the colonization efforts. We, however suspect the lost colony to have been decimated by another, now nonexistent, nation. Expect no resistance from the ground.”
“The details over possible Landing Zones will be given by the intelligence officer to my right.” The XO passed the torch along the line of specialists presenting.
“Thank you, XO.” The intelligence officer said before diving into their prepared material.
The history of the planet as a lost colony was interesting, but ultimately just a quirk. More likely is that the colonists had died out, and their structures whittled away by the march of time. Command, however, had thought the probability of the colonists persisting for this long was high enough to merit the preparation of first contact. The XO had her reservations about that, but an order’s an order.
Over the course of the mission brief, the mission was unveiled before the company. They would be descending into the atmosphere from the Spire to a landing site chosen by the company. From there, the company would secure the location and form a perimeter around the base site. Once secure, the cargo shuttles would descend and begin delivering supplies and personnel to the base site. The base would be constructed and manned by the deployed company and the spacers, and after the logistical node had been secured, the base would be used to facilitate a formal search for sentient life. Then, once the planet has been deemed devoid of sentient life, the construction ships and corporations would use the base to mine and settle the planet. The only problem was the planet was located along the border of both empires, so there was a chance that the enemy may descend upon the Spire and force its withdrawal. That, however, would be on the crew of the Spire to deal with.
“Ma’am, why haven’t we already checked on the planet before?” Asked a pilot, a Lieutenant, from the back.
The XO paused, pressing her lips together to from a small line—the other members in the briefing murmuring their agreement with the lieutenant’s line of questioning.
“It was… lost in the bureaucratic mess of our government.” She finally answered.
“Really ma’am? A whole planet?” Lieutenant Harper pressed.
“What’s your name, Lieutenant?” The XO asked.
“Harper, ma’am.” The lieutenant supplied.
“Well then, Lieutenant Harper…” The XO started, “The truth of the matter is when the war broke out, the records of this planet were mostly destroyed on an attack—the assault that instigated the war we now find ourselves in. Unfortunately, the government hadn’t made copies of this information which leads to us now tracking down those loose threads.” The XO finished.
"I see, ma'am." Lieutenant Harper said.
The XO turned to face the captain of company K, taking a moment to lock eyes with the man.
"Coordinate your squads with the Hangar Chief, Company Commander." She addressed the Company Commander.
The Company Commander nodded and turned to leave through the door.
And They all gave their all to keep the freedom that they love!
“Sentinel Officer K - 224, reporting.” The deep voice of the Sentinel rumbled out.
“Right” said the Company Commander after the Sentinel entered the briefing room within the company garrison, “The operation will call for the establishment of a foothold on the 2nd planet—the habitable one.”
The Company First Sergeant rolled his eyes and stepped forward to continue the brief: “The planet itself has a solid, mostly breathable, atmosphere and a decent gravitational pull. In addition to this, the planet has been observed by the Spire’s observational sensors and it has been confirmed: there is life on the planet, a leftover from the colonist’s efforts no doubt.”
“We’ll be inserting into the atmosphere and establishing a plot for a future FOB.” The Company First Sergeant went on, “Once established, we will be performing long range reconnaissance to secure a circular zone with a radius of 50 miles from the base in every direction.”
"However, we must first survey the potential landing sites that both the spacers and ourselves have picked.” Cut in the Company Commander, “We have tasked our detachment of Sentinels and some machine soldiers to recon these potential base sites for the main force as we orbit over the planet.”
”This vanguard will be headed by Sentinel Officer K - 224 and his squad.” The Company Commander spoke, “Vanguard echelon, prepare for deployment. Briefing is dismissed.”
The lone Sentinel in the room beeped out an acknowledgement, saluting the Company Commander, before marching out of the briefing.
Years go by a son has grown—Hoorah! Hoorah!
The planet’s expansive biome swirled and covered the world below, coloring the planet with wild and exotic colors with before had only existed in fantasy. Blue oceans, green forests, white ice caps, grey mountains, yellow deserts were all there along with purple, red, and black too. Numerous clouds swirled above the ground in just as many colors as the world below.
Looming over the planet, slowly closing the colossal distance of space, the Spire approaches—massive engines moving her into orbit above the planet. Smaller thrusters pivoted the ship around its center, rolling right to put the ventral side toward the planet as it decelerates into an equatorial orbit over the planet. Simultaneously, numerous flood lights switch on to reveal a massive pair of hangar bay doors on the port side. Several moments later, the doors yawn open as enormous motors pulling the armored grey doors open with the whine of machinery. They part to reveal a huge cavern filled to the brim with shuttles and spacecraft mounted on a system of trusses and rigging attached to the hangar bay ceiling.
He'd Never seen his Papa go—Hoorah! Hoorah!
A rotating beacon illuminated the inside bay in a cycle, periodically revealing numerous skeletal assemblies engineered of bare metal struts, wires, and fluid lines forming a massive arm holding each shuttle on the ceiling in line with the numerous catwalks and gangways that crisscrossed the ceiling. Bright red lights blinked under one of the shuttle’s rigging, the arm extending to lower the shuttle craft, as the hum of hydraulics echoed throughout the bay. The arm suddenly jerked to a stop, the mechanisms of the arm locking in place, as another rotating beacon turned on.
Separated from the vacuum, behind a thick barrier of glass, a dozen operators sat at their wall stations. In the center of the room sat the port side Flight Controller.
“Sierra 2-3, This is Flight Control, conditions for flight are met on our end.”
The faint crackle of the radio came as the Pilot gave their reply: “Sierra 2-3 to Flight Control, copy. Shuttle status is go for launch prep.”
From beyond the reinforced glass, the Flight Controller watched as the lone shuttle’s engines began spool up, flickers of blue plasma peeking out of the engine’s exhaust. It’s navigation lights switched on.
“Detach fuel and power lines from docking arm 7.” The Flight controller said aloud, the workers around him working over their controls.
In the hangar bay, come of the long cables detached from the shuttle, falling limply away from the craft before retracting into the arm.
“Sierra 2-3, Flight Control—All systems green. Give the signal for launch.”
“Roger Flight Control, preparing for launch in 10…” The countdown began, the spacers within the command room sat ready for the signal to release the shuttle’s mag clamps.
“…3, 2, 1–ready, down.” The pilot said, and the signal to release was given.
Just as the clamps released from the shuttle, the craft shot out of the hangar bay on its engines.
“Roger that, Lieutenant Dodger. May Hellfire guide your path.”
“May Lantern’s light yours. Out.” The crackle came—unbeknownst to everyone—for the last time.
He wished his father would come on home; his mother cried, all alone!
The bay was dark, with only a dim red light softly revealing the silhouettes of the armored figures inside. There were 10 such figures in all, split into two lines facing each other, their backs against the shuttle’s walls.
“Sentinels,” spoke the figure closest to the red light, “the mission: survey potential base site to facilitate the establishment of a foothold on the planet. MS-7812546709, display geographical hologram of the first location.”
A beep came in reply, and a blue hued 3D map floated around their waists. The light from the hologram illuminated each soldier, revealing the heavily armored and armed troopers. 5 troopers were thin, almost skeletal, with “Machine Soldier” stenciled on their left breast followed by a serial number.
“This is the first location to be examined; Observations?” The same voice, Sentinel Officer K-224, said again, their voice suddenly robotic.
“Mountains to the west and north, and the rest is a heavily forested region; a jungle.” A trooper, Sentinel ‘Hawk’, said aloud. “What’s beyond the mountain ridge? Deserts?”
"No” Sentinel ‘Sok’ responded, “It appears to be a continuous sea of lava, with the mountains tall enough to block most moisture from crossing.”
“What’s the Temperature of the LZ?” Asked another Sentinel, ‘Thunder’ stenciled onto his breast.
“The mountain range is vast enough that no heat can pass, forming an enormous natural wall that doesn’t let anything pass.” Sok replied.
The 5 Sentinels continued to go over all the details of the mission, from where they would land to any place of interest. The Machine Soldiers stood rigid, just passively observing and recording data.
“The briefing has concluded. MS-7812546709, the hologram is no longer needed.” Sok said to the Machine Soldier, receiving another beep in reply before the image powered off. “Weapons check.” The squad’s leader called out.
“10 assault rifles, 10 carbines, 3 light machine guns, 3 Rocket launchers, 2 battle rifles, 10 pistols, and 5 Grenade Launchers.” The count came from another Sentinel: ‘Roger’ this time.
“Equipment Check.” Called Sentinel Sok again.
And again, Sentinel Roger listed off all the things they had brought with them. Besides the gear to communicate with the Spire and other standard gear, they brought supplies to sustain themselves in a forest: weather gear, lights, proximity sensors, the normal survival gear, solar panels, etc.
So, once the ground team has made sure they had everything with them, the Sentinel Officer gave the go ahead for the pilot to start his entry.
The troopers stowed their gear and strapped into the crash seats on either side of the craft, The rest of their supplies securely fastened to the space in between the 2 lines.
“Troopers Ready?” Sok shouted.
“Ready for war!” The booming reply came from the Sentinels and Machine Soldiers alike.
So, he joined the good ol' 69th to find his father's tomb—he joined the good ol' scouts to bring his father home!
When the Sergeant in the troop bay gave the signal, he yawed the craft left, using the pedals to activate the maneuvering thrusters to position him just so in the weightless environment. And, once the craft had turned retrograde, he pushed the throttle to the stop. There was a sudden jerk as the craft decelerated quickly from its orbit, putting its flight path into the atmosphere. The pilot cut the throttle and yawed the craft again to face the direction it traveled; diving headfirst into the unknown, never to return again.
TO THE TUNE OF: "When Johnny Comes Marching Home"
He was just a poor, young soldier boy—Hoorah! Hoorah!
who had not joined for brass or coin—Hoorah! Hoorah!
He became a legend within his ranks; he’ll meet his end on this path of fate!
And we’ll all march along to the cadence of his song—we’ll all sing a song for the people we have lost!
On the unknown planet, location: unknown—Hoorah! Hoorah!
When a platoon of men was all alone—Hoorah! Hoorah!
The Hero came—once again—to shield the men on their claim to pain!
And They all gave their all to keep the freedom that they love!
Years go by a son has grown—hoorah, hoorah.
He'd Never seen his Papa go—Hoorah! Hoorah!
He wished his father would come on home; his mother cried, all alone!
So, he joined the good ol' 69th to find his father's tomb—he joined the good ol' scouts to bring his father home!
