Shattered Pieces (Book 1)

Shattered pt. 1

Heiller! I'm warning you that this chapter contains blood. Lots of it!
I should get to the chapter, but nah! I'm warning you of blood. If you can't handle that type of stuff, DO NOT READ THESE NEXT FEW CHAPTERS!
Okay?
I don't want to be the reason behind anyone doing something they shouldn't.
Okay? Okay.
You have been warned!

I saw bright light flash, and then I was back in a debriefing session for the battle. The last stand. My hands were shaking, so I clasped them tightly together. I was staring fixedly at one spot on the the table. Flashbacks suck. It's even worse when they're not even real yet, but they're going to be. I was so lost that I didn't even notice when the Admiral dismissed us to begin preparations. Adam was the last one to leave, but he turned back when he saw that I didn't get up.

"Hey, Takashi, what's wrong?"

I didn't answer, because I don't think that I could.

"Takashi, look at me. Tell me what's wrong. We need to get out there ASAP!"

I tried to shake my head. I was already in my armor, and I was ready to go.

"Alright, fine. You don't have to tell me. But let's go."

I walked out after Adam. I really wanted to say goodbye to my daughter and the other cadets that she'd adopted as family, but they were on lockdown, so I couldn't. I stood in the door to the hanger, tears silently running down my face. I wiped them off my face as I made my way over to Matt, the pilot who would be flying me to the battlefield. Everyone was already with their respective pilots, waiting for me to give a command. I had never been given control of a team like this.

"Load up. We're supposed to attack the Galra in about 12 doboshes." My voice cracked a little, but no one seemed to notice. I looked at Matt.

"You ready for this, Shiro?" He looked sullen.

"As I'll ever be." I responded, my voice calm and quiet. I hopped into the MFE, putting my helmet on. My ears made it a bit difficult, but I adjusted the settings so that it fit my head. Matt situated himself, moving the controls, and powering up the ship. I turned on the com.

"We're ready to leave on your mark, Admiral."

This was it. It was really happening. Our last stand.

"3..."

"2..."

"1..."

"Mark!"

And with that, we were off. I closed my eyes, running over plans in my head....

Future vision

It was pitch black. Then there was a blinding white light. I was laying on my side. Everything hurt. A warm, sticky liquid coated my armor. I put my paw to my chest, pulling it away as soon as I felt a hole in my armor. I looked at my paw. It was coated in blood.
"Quiznack!" I slowly sat up, ignoring the pain in my entire body. I looked down at my chest. I gaped in horror to see several holes in my armor, all dripping blood. Gashes seemed to blossom on my chest, torso, legs and arm. I looked at my crystal. It was cracking, breaking apart. The cracks were glowing purple. I felt more blood dripping down from the wounds on my head. I flopped back down, unable to hold myself up, blood flooding my mouth and falling in thin streams down my jaw. I was.... dying. My pulse started to get weaker and weaker, my breathing getting shorter and shorter. I was losing too much blood. I couldn't be saved. I felt it pulse out of my eyes and nose. I couldn't breathe. I was drowning in my own blood. I looked at my crystal one last time. It broke, shattering into tiny little pieces. The Jet Crystal Bearer. Gone. My eyes fluttered closed, a blinding white replaced with pitch black.

Back to present time

I opened my eyes again. I heard Matt speak up.

"Alright Crystal Bearers. This is it. We are nearing the location. Shiro, what are your orders?" I thought for a second.

"Stay out of sight for as long as possible. Crystal Bearers, be ready to fight when you land. I'll look for Commander Thace. Is that understood?"

"Yes sir!" The rest of the Crystal Bearers responded in unison.

We reached the drop zone out of sight. Matt turned and looked at me.

"Well, see you on the other side, Captain." He gave me a strained smile. I nodded, and he pressed the "eject" button. I was sent flying out of the ship, free falling towards Earth....

(Words: 717) Heiller again! It's getting real y'all! Hope you've been enjoying the book so far!
(I wrote this at 1:30am! Halp!) These next few parts are going to be intense with some trigger warnings and angst. Lots of angst. I really hope y'all can keep reading this book. If not, I'm completely fine with that.