Tales from New Terra

Chapter 7: Devil Dogs

The skies over Qua-Toyne

February 23, 51 After Arrival

"TEN MINUTES TO DROP!"

The cargo bay of the MC-10 Quantradyne special operations support aircraft buzzed with activity as the Marines aboard went over their equipment one last time. The high-pitched whine of capacitors charging and discharging cut through the low roar of the aircraft's engines as some soldiers primed their rifles. Others double-checked the pallet straps securing their Logistics Support Vehicles: small, tracked autonomous vehicles meant to haul additional supplies for Marine fireteams, affectionately nicknamed Lewis by many in the Marine Corps.

"FIVE MINUTES TO DROP!"

Private First Class Jordan Chang of the First Marine Battalion, Delta Company, Alpha Squad felt a loud clank as his squad leader, Sergeant Klaudius Brzezinski, clapped him on his heavily armored shoulder. "Nervous, kid?" asked Brzezinski.

"Uh, yes sir! I mean no sir!" was Private Chang's hasty reply.

"Kid, you've earned your armor and rifle, just like the rest of us here. I don't care if we're fighting demons, dragons, or angels out there. If it lives and breathes, we'll send 'em to hell. You're gonna do great."

Chang could only gulp and nod in response. In truth, he was deathly afraid of heights, and had only barely passed parachute training despite the advanced algorithms of the CMC-400 powered combat suit that were meant to automatically orient its wearer in the air.

"THIRTY SECONDS TO DROP!" bellowed the jumpmaster. On cue, the rear bay doors of the Quantradyne began to open.

Sergeant Brzezinski took his position at the rear of the dropship. As squad leader, it fell on him to lead his men into enemy fire. He silently cleared his throat, before yelling out with an electronically-amplified voice.

"WHO ARE WE?"

Alpha Squad gave their response. "MARINES!"

"WHAT DO WE DO?"

"MEET NEW PEOPLE!"

"AND THEN WHAT?"

"WE KILL THEM!"

"OORAH, LADS!"

"OORAH!"

"DROP IN TEN!"

"NINE!"

"EIGHT!"

"SEVEN!"

"SIX!"

"FIVE!"

"FOUR!"

"THREE!"

"TWO!"

"ONE!"

A buzzer reverberated throughout the jet as the previously-red drop indicator light flashed green.

"GO! GO! GO!" yelled the jumpmaster.

Private Chang took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves, before charging out the Quantradyne's open cargo bay. Around him, he saw the rest of his squad and their Logistics Support Vehicles outlined in green on his HUD, diving into the unknown at terminal velocity. Private Chang tried to close his eyes, but soon opened them due to his suit's insistent warnings.

"Sarge! We're dropping straight into a hot zone!" yelled Chang.

"Hell yeah we are! Let's send those Lourian sons of bitches straight down to Satan's fiery lair!"

Contrary to Brzezinski's bravado, however, the Marines' CMC-400 suits steered them towards the hopefully friendly Qua-Toynian lines. Seconds later, they hit solid ground with a loud thump. They were shocked to see equally surprised, elf-like Qua-Toynians, who quickly went back to firing at the oncoming Lourian assault upon seeing the black-and-red eagle emblazoned on the marines' shoulder pauldrons.