Soldiers of the Stars

Chapter 36: Shock and Awe

SOLARA PROVIDENCE, BEXAS

(CT- 8732) CAPTAIN WINTERS

     My men nearly rioted when they learned GAR pulled our five-rotation pass. Had the 506th known we only had three days on Coruscant, we would've appreciated our time more.

     I reluctantly postponed a second date with Rona, a waitress at a diner where the boys and I regularly ate in the lower levels. I noticed her around a year ago but never dared to strike up a conversation that didn't revolve around the weather or my order. Two months ago, I elected to make a fool of myself and hang around till closing to ask her on a date. Once I got over the shock that she didn't shoot down my offer, we went as far as exchanging correspondence until I returned to take her out for an evening. Little did I know Brass would cut our visit short, so we decided to keep our relationship where it was until the war ended. It was for the best. I couldn't afford such distractions with Easy Company depending on me, and she worked three part-time jobs to support her late brother's children she was left to raise. But I swore to myself that I'd go back, sweep her off her feet, and get that second date when all this was over.

     When the 239th made first contact, Infinity's Wake had yet to exit hyperspace. I couldn't reach Acrux, but luckily, I could contact Commander Rook and Rear Admiral Ja'Marr of the 887th Starfleet. When the white, fifteen-minute warning lights began to flash, the battle station alarm blared throughout the ship. I made my way to the docking bays to assist my men.

     "The bottom one," I corrected for the third time.

     "Right, sorry, Captain." Beads of sweat dotted the shiny's forehead. He quickly swept them away. The V-Series 3 Orbital Drop pods had no ventilation, and the thick insulation wall to protect the pod from orbital entry added to the misery. Seasoned paratroopers hardly spared the heat a thought, but for shinies, who only knew the damp coldness of Kamino, first missions offered additional challenges. "The top button launches the pod from the ship; the bottom activates air brakes. What about the middle?"

     "If the pod is damaged during the drop and you are stuck or need immediate help, this will alert any pods within a klick of your location. Think of it like a distress beckon." I shot a sideways glance at him to make sure he followed. He tugged on his rucksack, eyes darted from the pod's vitals display to the central console as he bit his lip.

     "Situate your gear."

     The shiny heaved his rucksack off his shoulder and shoved it into the top storage compartment.

     "Your helmet, vod'ika," I reminded him, pointing to the red bucket with shock trooper lines still protruding from his pack. The shiny apologized again as he yanked his bag down, nearly taking me out. He fumbled for a moment. While I waited, I ran a manual test on the pod. Sergeant Kelton and his crew thoroughly inspected each drop pod before every mission. However, this mission, being last minute, only gave them a half day to prep. When the storage compartment door clicked shut, I decided the pod looked alright.

     The shiny stumbled into the single seat and strapped himself in.

     "What's your name?"

     "Achar."

     "First mission?"

     "My third day off Kamino, Sir."

     Do they keep moving graduation up or what? Each new shipment of shinies got younger and younger.

     The strap across his torso slacked. I shook my head and leaned over. "If you can fit a hand between the belt and yourself, it's too loose," I said, tightening it. "These belts have a mind of their own, so make sure during the drop that it remains tight." An unfortunate flaw Kelton's crew didn't have time to work around.