Thomas Rico has been in the mobile infantry for three years now. What will he think when he hears his little brother Johnny has decided to follow in his footsteps much to their parent's dismay.
On Planet P the roughnecks move through canyons of towering wind-carved rock formation. Gillespie carries the communications gear.
Gillespie: "I don't understand it, Lieutenant. It's not getting anything from the 4th brigade...not even their transponder."
Rasczak: "Keep trying, Sergeant."
They walk in a column far below. Something is watching from above...Hoppers, lots of them, moving from rock to rock for better position.
Thomas sees something out the corner of his eye.
Thomas: "BUGS!..."
The hoppers hit. Several roughnecks go down. Everyone opens up fire. Dive bombing bugs are blown to bits as roughnecks set them on fire when they hit the ground.
Dizzy: "Thomas, watch out!"
A burning bug hurls itself at Thomas. He jumps out of the way as Dizzy fires, blowing it apart. The deadly hoppers seem to be everywhere above them in the rocks.
Rasczak: "LET'S GO! ON THE BOUNCE!"
They move out into the open. In the distance they see the 4th brigades HQ, a walled compound and partially constructed landing pad.
Rasczak: "Gillespie, put in the call for retrieval. We're off this rock. Gillespie, do you read me?"
Gillespie: "AAAAAAAA!"
Two hoppers pull him into the rocks where other bugs join the feast.
Thomas: "Throw a rifle!"
Johnny tosses his Morita. Gillespie squirms in the hopper's claws. Thomas fires, killing him.
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Rasczak: "I expect any one here to do the same for me... Rico's, Watkins, Flores, Levy prepare for rear guard action. The rest of you make for 4th brigade."
Johnny and the others cover the roughnecks retreat as hoppers soar down on the flat lands from the canyon walls.
Rasczak: "FIRE...!"
Johnny and the others blast bugs out of the air.
Rasczak: "FALL BACK 100 METERS...!"
A second wave of hoppers come in.
Rasczak: "AND FIRE...!"
For now, the sky is clear.
Rasczak: "4TH BRIGADE HQ! ON THE BOUNCE!"
The outpost is 50 meters by 100, standard issue prefab. The roughnecks land on the compound wall. Inside, worker bugs graze on the remains of 200 dead cap troopers strewn over the complex.
