A Good Day To Die

Chapter 1: Wrong Stars

3rd POV

That smell, that lovely burning smell of charred bugs was all Scott could think of as he and his troops cleared an evacuation zone for the survivors. An up and coming colony that showed industrial promise was situated near rare ore deposits that had an undiscovered Arachnid hive nearby. Even with extensive security and tracking sensors, the bugs eventually discovered weak points in the security and slowly but surely exploited them. By the time the colony signalled for help, it was already classified as a level three infestation. That started only a month before today when civilians were being evacuated. So now after a week of clearing the colony block by block and building by building, the remaining civilians and security personnel were discovered and rescued. The colonial spaceport was currently the last stronghold awaiting dropships to evac the last survivors, which is where we come to Colonel Clarke of the 303rd.

Insectoid screams and whining war cries filled the streets as masses of bugs swarmed their way toward the spaceport. The screams eventually died down and were instead blocked out by the intense muzzle flashes and roars of gunfire at all spaceport entrances. Most notably was the pure jet black HASS suit that held the main entrance with minimal infantry support. All that could be seen from the mobile infantry were the amount of shell casings that fell to the ground as if there was a vast thunderstorm raging above. Though in some ways the storm of bullets that flew through the air reminded some of rain as each and every square inch seemed to be nothing but a wall of lead. As we near the HASS suit which seems to a pure black while the infantry are instead covered in a digital black camoflauge in this snowy environment, there's a small inscription written on the port side just under the cockpit, "Heavy as a Feather."

Communications from the HASS suit begin to flood to nearby infantry regarding both their defense and evacuation status. "Status update reports the last survivors have boarded the dropships and are currently enroute toward the evacuationfleet. All squads withdraw toward the main landing pad, Marauders cover their retreat." Colonel Clarke reported over the comms to his troopers.

All infantry squads proceed to withdraw toward the main pad in a wedge formation while both Clarke and the maruaders backstep while laying down a hailstorm of fire as everyone preps for evac themselves. Though with everyone now in one place, things start to get a little hectic with the amount of bugs only increasing.

"Clarke to the Rico. I need a status update on those evac ships for us, kind of don't want to encourage bug batteries with us all in one place." Colonel Clarke asked as he contacted his own fleet. The flagship responded with an audible double beep. "Acknowledged. Dropships and mech transport are enroute to your location. Be advised bug batteries are enroute to your location though most are focused on the evacuation fleet. Current orders are moving the lfeet to high orbit to lessen incoming fire but that'll encourage your location instead." "Roger, just tell the pilots to hurry it up. I haven't loss anyone today YET I'd rather not break that streak." Clarke replied with an annoyed tone. "Understood Colonel, transport is expediting." The flagship responded with another audible acknowledge before ending the message.

Clarke proceeds to announce to his troopers over his suit loud speaker regarding the transports. "Aright boys and girls, we've got evac incoming along with bug batteries! Hold that formation and don't get heroic!" The troops replied with a notable, "Sir Yes Sir."

"Dostya, how far until those batteries are within range of us?" Clarke asked as he radioed his SIC and wife regarding the intelligence update. "Should just enter range right before transport arrives but it won't be accurate." Dostya responded in her russian accent that could sooth Clarke in the most stressful suicide mission. "Alright that'll have to do, let's just hope no one gets shot down today." Clake told Dostya as he currently didn't want his zero casualty day to unexpectedly end for someone.