Chapter 8 Soldiers

Chapter 8 Soldiers

Base “C” Somewhere in the wastelands 2111

I stood in front of our barracks with a couple dozen of my classmates. We’ve been here for 5 months and what we woke up to this morning had shocked all of us, even me. Every day had been over 30 degrees and humid training in the middle of this warm wet jungle, but this morning we awoke to find a thick layer of snow on the ground. I looked to be about 15 cm of now melting, heavy wet snow. It was so incredibly strange, even this morning shortly after sunrise it felt like it was already 20 degrees again. A layer of fog was forming above the cold snow it was so warm. One of the officers pushed passed us and stepped in front of us. “Have none of you seen snow before? Common! Off the range you go we got firing drills to do!” Having lived the first 21 years of my life in the northern hemisphere of Earth so of course I’ve seen snow before. I’ve seen a LOT more snow. I’ve seen snow up to my waist! I’ve never seen snow in the middle of a hot jungle, this much, overnight. We started heading to the range.

I caught up and walked beside the officer, she also seemed rather annoyed at the icy arrival, but almost equally annoyed at the fact that I had cough up to her, but I thought maybe she might know, what the hell? “Sir?” I got her attention and she looked at me as she walked “I grew up where it snows every winter, I’ve seen lots of snow, but not from 30 degrees to snow and back to 30 degrees overnight! Does anyone have an idea what causes this?”

Annoyed by the question but she did respond “We don’t know exactly what causes it, but we think it’s random pockets of cold air that form on this planet. Strangely enough it only seems to affect this region. If we knew this happened we might have put the base elsewhere. This was one of the smaller events. The first year the base was here we got 2 meters of snow in one night, like this. It took almost a week to melt. Strangely it doesn’t even follow the seasons, tends to happen at random. Just a heads up it happens in groups of 3 or 4, so it’ll likely happen again now in this last month of your before you go.” she paused “What are you now meathead? A meteorologist?”

“No, Sir, just a curious guy I guess”

“Well stow the curiosity for now, it’s time for us to play with our boom sticks!” I did like her better than Skro, but honestly I wish the nicknamed hadn’t have stuck. We walked up to the range and half our class walked up to the tables. 25 of them, and we would take turns for a couple hours. Then switch with the other half of the class, who was left at the parade to do some hand to hand combat training this morning. I learned I did like the range. I had never fired a gun or even picked on up before this boot camp and my first few times at the range were pretty pathetic, but I caught on pretty fast, and was now I had a pretty good aim and excellent grouping. Half of us stepped up to the tables, and stood at attention. We were not allowed to touch the riffles until we were ordered to. Dragon guns were not equipped with a safety like humans ones are. We’re taught, that if you’re holding a gun, it’s because you’re going to kill something. Our guns looked somewhat similar to human assault riffles, but also seemed beefier. The casing was thicker, the end of the barrel was also thick and round, the last 5cm had large holes through it to dissipate the gases and muzzle flash. The clip, instead of going in near the middle, went in at the butt.

The range officer started the usual speech. “When handling a gun it is only ever pointed at two things. The ground in front of you, or what you want to kill. You do NOT point it at your feet, your fellow soldiers, your mom, my mom, or civilians! Pick up you riffle now and put in a clip, do not chamber a round until the go ahead to begin firing has been given!” That was our safety, we removed the clip, and pulled charging handle to remove the round inside, shoving it back into the clip if possible. We don’t chamber a round until we intend to kill something. plain and simple. “Arm yourselves!” the range officer yelled, those of us in the first group picked up the riffle and held it in front of our chest, pointing the muzzle at the ground. “Load!” we each picked up a magazine from the ammo box on the table, and slid it in the bottom side of the butt making a satisfying click. I looked around, a couple of the others were still having trouble getting it in quickly and fumbled somewhat, but after a couple seconds we were all ready. “Chamber!” he ordered again. 25 simultaneous sounds of the lever on the side of the butt being pulled and released. The fun part was coming. “Fire!” We all aimed down the range, a paper target was 20 meters away, I pulled my trigger and a single shot came out, the casing ejected away from my face. The thunder of 25 riffles going off filled the air, explosions of dirt flying into the air from the large dirt mound at the end of the range. Holding steady I fired again and again, forgetting to keep count, about 30 times until the last time I pulled my trigger there was nothing but a click. I ejected the clip and placed both the gun and the empty clip on the table beside me. A few more rounds were still going off, I was usually the first to empty out now. After the firing stopped the range officer ordered us to pull back our paper targets, the hung on wires that pulled them back. Both the range officer and extra barracks officer started making their way along the way the line, picking at our aim and givings up tips, or somethings just insulting the bad aim. 30 holes were in my paper, down and to the left, I guess the sight on this one might have been a bit off. “Good grouping” the ranger officer said when he got to me “But you need to get better at compensating for crooked sights” I nodded in agreement.

Our line did this 3 more times, before swapping out with the other half of the group. We would get some theory and gun maintenance training as the others shot. We’ve been doing it like this for a few weeks now, early morning was exercise, then after breakfast was weapons and combat training, then afternoon was usually more of the same unless we did some practical theory. The evenings were interesting, learning about ships and life in space and a simulator for the ships’ guns. Those of us who also excelled in the evening courses were likely to get a place on a ship crew rather than infantry, though it was all the same army. Even ship crews would sometimes get sent into a ground battle if they were short, well, as we were told, I didn’t know anything yet really.

Parith was in our group as well, but in the firing team opposite to me, I couldn’t help but watch him. We hadn’t gotten along and did mostly avoid each other but every once in a while we did end up close like this. I watched as the Range officer gave the order to load the clip, and he was one of those still fumbling this step a little. The order to fire came and he emptied out his clip. The targets were brought back and I looked at his. His grouping was just as good as mine and little closer to the middle. He made up for the fumble with the handling of the gun with good aim. That dragon was a dickhead, but was also turning into a good soldier.

After a couple hours it was times to switch with the other half. Along the walk on the path we passed the other group, it was split up differently every day, today Jude and Larice ended up in the other half. As we passed Jude playfully bumped my shoulder and Larice smiled and pushed me. We got back to the parade and Skro told it was disarming drills today. Him and another officer handing out 25 toy guns, plastic stand ins for the real thing. Actual children’s toys, I guess our budget was kind of low, which got me thinking, who was paying for all this? I shook the thought from my head, none of my business for now and the officer handed Parith a toy gun. I guess we were both a little distracted and didn’t realize we were next to each other. A little demonstration from Skro and his officer on how to grab the gun and push the “assailant” over your leg to trip them to the ground. We had all been through this before over the past few months, I think everyone knew what to do.

I turned to Parith and his spikes were a little gray, obviously also annoyed at this accidental paring, but also looking a little silly holding the plastic gun. I followed through as we were expect, but quicker than he had expected. I pushed the gun into his chest as I placed my right leg behind him, he toppled to the ground, the toy gun now in my hands. “Good!” a passing officer barked. Parith stood back up. He quickly performed a nearly identical move, except pushing with every bit of strength. He strength did catch me off guard a little. He was pretty skinny and I did expect a little less force. I tumbled on his leg and hit the ground hard. My wing stubs hitting first and taking all my weight, pain shot through my upper back. Now the toy gun was in his hand. I got back up, a little slower than he did, trying to ignore the pain in my back. I grabbed the gun and did things a little different this time. Instead of pushing I twisted myself and managed to get my shoulder towards him and shoulder checked him. I kept twisting, my tail instead of my leg ended up behind him and he tripped, landing on his ass with an audible thud. This move was also taught to us, it worked better for me with the lack of wings, letting me get more force behind the shove.

Parith got up again, quickly, his face spikes were jet black. Expecting another disarming move he grabbed the gun but pulled, catching me off guard, and his fist started hitting my ribs. I let go of the gun and stepped back, they toy clattered on the dirt ground and a fist landed on the left side my muzzle. My fist instinctively came up and I blocked the next blow from the other fist, but the next blow came too fast and landed back on my muzzle again hitting the same place. The militia training was working well as I ignored the hits, but he was just as well trained now too. A fourth blow came at my face, but now I was no longer off guard, I ducked low and started to turn on one foot quickly, my tail came around and hooked his feet and pulled hard. His feet came out from under him and he landed on his back. I stood and dove onto him, landing a fist to his muzzle. I threw a couple more blows into his muzzle and cheeks. My other hand grabbed his top and pulled it toward me, winding up for another punch I stopped myself with a low growl behind my voice I yelled in his face, “YOU HAD ENOUGH?”

“WHAT IN THE FLYING FUCK IS THIS SHIT?!!?” Skro’s voice boomed from behind me. I scrambled to my feet and stood at attention, the left side of my muzzle started throbbing. Parith slowly got up and stood at attention. “MEATHEAD! YOU’RE BEING A FUCKING MEATHEAD AGAIN!”

“Sorry, Sir, He swung at-”

“I DON’T GIVE A FUCK HOW THIS STARTED BUT YOU TWO NEED TO GET YOUR FUCKING SHIT TOGETHER! IF YOU END UP IN THE SAME FUCKING UNIT YOU’RE GOING TO END UP FUCKING DEAD!” He looked at Parith “I saw the whole fucking thing Shitstain! 30 fucking laps around the fucking parade you piece of shit!” He looked at me as Parith started to run “You should have left if after you tripped him! 10 laps for you, keep half a field I don’t want you two fighting again!” He turned and walked back to the other cadets, all of whom staring now “Young dumb and full of cum those two fucking idiots. BACK TO DRILLS! He yelled”

I waited until I saw Parith opposite the field to myself, and I started running, maintaining the distance away as ordered.

I chewed, slowly, my face still hurt. Jude sat beside my, Larice across from me, and a couple more we were friendly with had sat to hear my side of the story. “What a fucking asshole” Jude said “Just out of the blue, for what? Knocking him down like you’re supposed to?”

“I don’ t get the guy, he’s always pissed about something. But what Skro said, about getting assigned the same unit as him, that’s kind of ruining my mood.” I said, then eased another spoon full of much into my sore maw.

“I wouldn’t worry about that” Larice said, after swallowing another bite “If he keeps that shit up they might turf him. He’s a great shot and knows few things, but he’s been a pain in everyone’s neck”

“You might be right” I glanced over at the table where he sat, with three other dragons, telling them his side, likely about how I was too aggressive or something. It’s military training, the point is to be aggressive, it’ll save our lives someday!

Skro Stood up and yelled, top of his lungs as usual “Company 2, simulator time! First ten numbers with me!” My ears perked up, I loved the simulator. It was a chair with real gun controls, a ship’s cannon. I was excelling at this, my good aim translated with these big machines. They would throw scenarios into the system, target orders would come from the imaginary command deck, just like a real ship, and we were to shoot shit down as ordered. It was like a big video game. I think Larice noticed my swollen face light up.

“You really like going pew pew in space huh?” She joked

“Yea I think I’m good at it, well, the simulator anyway, we’ll see about real life, I hope!”

“Me too” Jude spoke up “I really hope you and me both get gunner on a ship, maybe even together!”

“We’ll know in a few weeks!” I thought about it, Skro told us about 10 or so from every class that excel are taken right to the ships, and get to skip infantry duty, the militia was really short staffed and people were moving up the ranks pretty quick as the military filled out. He told us we had new ships coming, not even captured ships like most of our fleet was now, but one of the planets in the wastelands had our backs. Our intelligence had apparently gotten a hold of warship plans from one of the guilds and were making the same ships with some modifications. Apparently newer power cores designs and an extra set of guns.

My mind wandered as my friends spoke, fantasizing about maybe having my own ship someday, taking the giant right down onto Titan’s tower palace and ending it all once and for all…

“WAKE THE FUCK UP!” Skro and his officer were playing the same trick, pounding on metal sheets with ladles again, as I opened my eyes something felt different, The light had been turned on but the air still felt cooler, I looked out the window, and it was still dark. “I SAID GET THE FUCK UP NOW! NOW! NOW!” something definitly was different, there was an urgency in Skro’s voice “GET THE FUCK OUT OF BED AND GET TO THE PARADE RIGHT FUCKING NOW! MAKE SURE YOU ARE WEARING YOUR TACT VEST AS WELL!”

That was an odd request, our tact vest was just a vest, thrown over our tops, for holding ammo but notably our ranks were on the front, a velcro patch, all of ours simply read “Cadet” in Draconis. I stumbled out of bed and pulled my pack form under our bunk, Jude stepped down doing the same, we pulled those vests form our packs and stood up throwing them over our heads. One of the few benefits of having no wings anymore was that I could through one of these on in less than a second, like a human with a shirt. But the others had to fumble behind their backs to clip the vest on under their wings. In groggy fog of just waking up we made our way into the night air.

It was close to the end of training, VERY close, we only had today left and tomorrow, but something had had changed some plans. Skro’s officers scrambled, putting up a folding table and bringing out some containers and setting things up quickly as we were ordered to fall into formation. Things were hastily put together but some sense of importance and respect was among the officers. Skro threw a container to the ground and stood atop of it. Things suddenly felt surreal.

“As the power given to me, by this militia and it’s commanders, I hereby grant you all the rank of Private! Congratulations! You have all passed and are now officially part of the Revolutionist Militia” The crows started to murmur, it was a full two days early “SHUT THE FUCK UP PRIVATES I’M NOT DONE!” Skro waited for the talking to stop “Normally we have a bit of a ceremony, you all get good treatment and a pat on the back and a fucking snack baggy before being sent off to kill, but shit is FUCKED RIGHT UP! We’ve had a good retention this class, 4 drop outs and only 3 turfed! It’s been a good group, and I think some of you will go on to greatness. As I told you before our manpower is spread thing, and you’re lucky enough, if you don’t get killed, you’ll climb the ranks fast! NOW!

“Onto our urgency, there will be no graduation ceremony! Our intelligence reports that there are military forces already en route to fuck some shit up, one of our base locations was found out by Titan and his military. We need to evacuate that base right fucking now! If those ships reach the base before the evacuation is complete, we need to defend it until everyone is out! Also, as I’ve told you, we got 5 new ships, 2 of them are there and 1 more is coming in 2 days. The other 3 are already headed to that base. Those of you assigned to the 2 new ships over our heads now will need to grab your pack, and get the fuck into orbit!” Skro looked into the black sky, as if pretending to tell time from the moon or something “We got 2 hours to get through this! The ‘Defiant’ and the ‘Wild’ are now in orbit, originally they were planned to stay until after you pussies graduated but the plans got changed!. Your lieutenants are waiting in the lading pad for their new recruits. The ‘Rebel” will be here in two days. This class has been split between those three ships. I will now start reading out your assignments starting with the Defiant. When your number and name is called proceed up here to get your private ranking patch on your tact vest, then go grab your shit from inside, and head to the landing ports north side of the base! I haven’t completed sign off on all of you yet, be aware of that if your CO asks, but I will forward it your ships along with your personal file in the next 24 hours!

“I’m going to read out the infantry first!” Skro started listing out numbers and names, the bed we were assigned to and each name, followed by “Infantry!” These were to be our front line people. There was no shame in this, the strongest and best fighters were chosen here, even if they excelled in other areas, they were chosen to be our front line, everyone else’s job was to project them and have their backs. He read off 20 names, the did as they were told, going to the front where the supply officer ripped off their “Cadet” tag off the vest and replaced it with a single bar, and telling them “Congratulations, private”

The next part surprised me.

“As I’ve told you, we are short people to man these new ships! The following 5, please come forward and obtain your rank of Crewman and position!” He read off 5 names, each followed with “Crewmen, Gunner” their new rank and position within that rank.

Those 5 proceeded to the front, among them, Parith. Despite his behavior he had proven himself worthy with both handheld and ship guns, a great aim and did amazing on the simulator. I hated his guts, I knew that crew was getting a good soldier and a good gunner.

All 25 recruits had hurried inside the barracks to grab their packs and anything else they needed to before running off the landing pads.

“Next, the ‘Wild’, the following are assigned to this ship as infantry!” he proceeded the same, 20 more recruits were listed off, went to the front, received their patch as private, a short congratulations and ran off to grab their stuff. Next he listed of 5 more names, again followed by “Crewman, Gunner” and Those five went to the table, had their cadet patch torn off, and replaced with a patch with two thin bars.

28 of us remained, in a broken formation full of holes from the others leaving suddenly. Skro took a calmer position now. “You lucky fuckers can get a couple days of R and R before going to war, There’s little point in doing much more, we were essentially done anyways. Now fall into closer formation!” We expertly closed the group into 3 rows of 6 and the two rear rows of 5. Skro Picked up his tablet again. “We can do this last group with a little more dignity now.” He and his officers made their way through for formation, ripping the Cadet Tag off and slapping on the Private rank. After a while the entire group was done. But he wasn’t. “This group is a little bigger, and the Rebel is also a little short staffed, so there’s 5 more promotions in this group!” He looked at the small screen and then back at us. “Number 18, Private Din, come to the front!”

One of the privates from the back row marched to the front, Din had done well, great aim, and nailed the obstacle course. One before Skro he ripped off the fresh Private tag. “I hereby grant you the rank of Crewman Gunner, to serve aboard the Rebel” and he grabbed a new tag with the two bars from the table and pressed it ceremoniously on her vest” He put his hand on his chest and she followed, saluting each to other, something the others who had to run out of here had to miss. He waited for her to fall back into formation and read the next number. If was past mine, my heart sank a little, but was quickly replaced with excitement. “Number 33, Private Jude, please come forward” Jude stepped out of formation, making his way to the front. He received same treatment, a new tag indicating his rank. He fell back into formation when another officer leaned into to whisper something to Skro. I could barely make out what he was saying but I heard him from my position. “I’m going to take my time okay? Do the award at the end.”

“Next, Number 34, Private Larice, come forward!” I was happy for her, she really deserved it too. She marched to the front and again the same act, The private tag was ripped form her vest and replaced with the Crewman rank. She got her Salute, and fell back into the formation. “Number 87, Private Gily, come forward!” Once more the act went through it’s paces, a new tag, and salute, and fell back into formation. I wasn’t expecting what was next though. “Number 21, Private Weathers, come forward!” I thought he was doing this in order! The private came from formation and marched to the front. But this time was a little different. Ripping his Private rank from his vest he started to speak “I hereby grant you the rank of Crewman Gunner, and in addition you are recognized for your exceptional marksmanship on the gun range.” One of the others handed a small square plate to Skro, who then in turned handed Weathers the award “Every class there is someone we choose who shows exceptional skill with ranged weapons, you are this class’s recipient the Marksmanship award. Congratulations on your rank and award, Crewman!” he gave his salute and with a smile on his face, Weathers fell back into formation. Skro seemed to busy himself for a moment until another officer leaned in. Openly he waved his hand away “Yeah yeah, I’m doing this in my own time” He repeated, then looked up at the formation

“Number 32, Cadet Jake, Come forward!” I’ll admit I was filled with pride, but I didn’t know my treatment would be a little different as well. I stood attention in from of Skro, he ripped off my private tag and reached for a Crewman Tag from the table. He actually seemed a little proud himself as he pressed the tag onto my vest. “Private Jake, I hereby grant you rank the rank of Crewman Gunner!” But then I noticed his supply officer slip something into his hands. “Also in every class we recognize the dragon who shows exception skill as a ship gunner, your total scores actually set a new record!” He handed me the plate. “Congratulations on your rank and award, Crewman!” he paused “Crewman Meathead” He said quietly, as so only I could hear, but with a smile. We saluted in I took my place back in the formation, the trophy plate in my hand.

He turned to the formation to give a little more of a speech “The rebel will be here in two days to pick up my trash, I mean you fine soldiers! She’s going to be late to the party, so you all might be seeing action in as little as 4 days. She’s getting both our award winners and some fine additions to her crew. DON’T MAKE ME LOOK LIKE A DUMBASS, SOLDIERS! SHOW THEM EVERYTHING WE TAUGHT YOU!” he took a breath “Like was previously said, you got a little time for R and R unlike the others, use that time wisely. The rebel is due here at 18 hundred in two days, roll call will be fore 6 am that day.” He paused “Help my officers clean up our impromptu ceremony then off to breakfast! DISMISSED!”

“Sir?” one of his subordinates asked as he turned.

“Sorry, I got to get these personnel files in order, the ca- privates will help” He turned to his tablet and started walking away.

As well fell out of formation there was warm congratulations from all our remaining classmates, Jude and Larice congratulated me on the award and we turned to congratulate Weathers on his. After a few minutes of chatter one of the officers cleared her throat, indicating clean up time. We helped put everything back in the barracks at the sun rose, the other barracks cadets coming out to be chased around the parade. After that was all done we all went to the mess hall for some breakfast, our minds spinning…

“I heard there’s a club there Jake!”

“So? We don’t have any money, Jude!” We had heard there was indeed a small town nearby, I would have guessed that right from the drunk officers coming back the first week I stayed here before training. It was early in the evening now and were frankly bored, and wanted to get our minds off the fact we could be at war in 4 days.

“No, Jake, YOU don’t have any money!” Jude smile, and pulled is pack out from under our bunk, reached in and pulled out a satchel, jingling it to prove the existence of coin. “I saved the last year on Industry, every coin I could, then withdrew it slowly over the last few weeks to not raise suspicion! I’ve got more than enough to buy everyone here a couple round!”

“Is that money even good here? I’m not even sure how it works with different guilds and cur-”

“If you privates are going into to town…” We looked up to see Skro standing over us, issuing on final order “You fuckers make damn sure you represent the revolutionist militia with honor, no drunk bar fights, no puking on the sidewalk, and don’t be cunts to the locals! I fucking mean it!”

“Of course, Sir!” Larice retorted “We will be perfect soldiers!”

Skro scoffed and walked away “You’d fucking better be”

“That doesn’t answer if that coin is any good he-” I started to point out but Jude already knew, and so did Larice

“Physical coin is good everywhere, Jake. They’d be insane not to take this money!” Jude said

“Yea, gold is gold!” Explained Larice “Every guild respects it, there’s no reason those townsfolk wouldn’t!”

I think maybe I was looking for an excuse, something felt off, not really with the situation, or getting some R and R, but I felt off, something in my lower gut, nearly like I was catching something. Maybe it’ll be fine, if I only have a couple drinks.

“Well, okay, if you guys are going so am I! All 28 of us though?”

“Count me out! I’m too stressed out!” said one of the privates from behind us

“But I’d love to celebrate!” Gily came up behind us “I’m pretty proud, would love a glass to celebrate, nothing extreme though, we are going to war in two days after all”

Jude Nodded, “That’s 4!” and soon we had invited more, until a group of about a dozen of us had gathered, some with coin, some without, Jude offering to buy mine and Larice’s drinks. We all straighten up and started walking in a direction we never had gone before. I guess we could of asked but maybe finding the town would be more fun?

We walked through the path in the jungle for about 40 minutes before we came to some buildings, and another 10 minutes of walking past those until we found this mysteriously close town we had lived next to for 6 months but never got to see. It was an odd mix of basic wooden buildings but also modern ones with signs, some stores, concrete would give way to a wooden building, giving way to another concrete one. It didn’t take long before we found this club, a strong looking dragon stood out front to keep out the riff raff, but saw the proud military crew coming and stepped aside. “No fighting and no touching the performers without consent!” he warned us as we entered. Wait, Performers?

We walked into a dimly light club, my eyes taking a second to adjust to the darkness. The place was far from packed, but it was also definitely not barren. There was indeed a performer. A effeminate red dragon was dancing on a round stage in the middle of the club, long ribbons following her (or his?) hands. They were wearing a satin see through cloth with gold jewelry around their waist. A second cloth on their face, giving just a hint of their muzzle and drawing attention to their eyes. They were BEAUTIFUL! Their well practiced movements were nearly memorizing, and very attractive. Suddenly a glass was at my chest, full of a dark liquid, being held by Jude’s light blue paw.

“Stop staring at the stripper and cheers to finishing boot camp!” I took the glass and drank, it tasted awful! Like Earth beer but worst! The alcohol content tasted about same luckily. I had have a few drinks on Earth before we were taken away. I had a moment about not knowing for sure if I could handle my booze, I better only have a couple drinks. “Drink up Jake, I got you!” Jude said cheerily

I took my time, enjoying the socializing, and loosening up with my new friends. We had spent months just a few feet apart most of the time, so it was refreshing to see them in a relaxed state. We celebrated and got to know each other. I watched as the ‘performers’ switched out, now a light green dragon was slowly dancing around on the stage, smooth slow music with low bass played, I couldn’t describe in human terms, a little slower then typical human music. We found a section that had some seats and sat down.

The drinks kept flowing, I wasn’t keeping up but I also wasn’t trying, the feeling within me was growing, I really hoped I wasn’t coming down with anything. Jude was a little concerned, he mentioned I was only on my second while most the others had 4 or 5 in them now.

“I don’t want to make a fool of myself Jude, I’m not very experienced with drinks”

“OH! YOU DON’T WANT TO MAKE A FOOL OF YOURSELF!” he yelled, he was a little tipsy now, maybe a little more, but there was a giant smile on his face “THEN LET US MAKE YOU A FOOL!”

I don’t know what he was planning and I’m not sure i liked it, he waved at someone and suddenly a performer appeared, the red one who was on stage. Jude just let it out, no shame, no worries, no embarrassment “Give our award winning gunner here a night to remember!”

“Sure thing you blue cutie” she said, now in range her voice was definitely female. At first I laughed but she came up to the chair I was sitting in and she placed her arms around my shoulders. I caught my own reflection in a piece of chrome trim on a nearby pillar. My spikes were a rosy pink, I was somewhat embarrassed. She put her legs over the arms of the chair and lowered herself into my lap, Suddenly it was a little more serious for me. She was definitely attractive, her body was gorgeous, and I was definitely noticing.

\<addendum starts here>

She started grinding lightly, suddenly that feeling from earlier was strong, very strong, but not like I was sick, like something else was happening. “So what do you like, hot stuff?” she asked, I was starting to shake. I caught my reflection int eh chrome trip again, my face spikes were now a deep blood red. Suddenly I realized what was wrong, something ignored, something that hasn’t happened in a long time due to my poor physical health until now. Something I was completely out of sync with from the others due to my time on Earth. I was starting my reproductive cycle!

I gently pushed her away, she seemed offended at first but I think she suddenly caught on. I ran out the front door. There was a railing at the front door just outside, I grabbed it and held on, panting hard as I tried to suppress the intense feelings. The bouncer came out the door, worried I had too much to drink already asked me “Hey, you okay bud-” but as I turned to look at him he saw my red spikes, “Oh, they’re that good aren’t they!” he proudly exclaimed.

Jude, Larice, and a couple others came out the door a moment, worried the same as the bouncer. “Hey, buddy, how you doing?” I panted and held on tight to the railing. I looked at him “Dude, it was just a lap dance!”

Embarrassed to admit it, it took a second “Jude, I didn’t know, I’m in heat, I can’t go back in there”

“Comon! We’ll tie you to a chair to keep you form touching them or something!” he tried to convince me

Larice was a little more sympathetic “Did it just start? How is it so sudden?”

“I felt funny earlier, but, I’ve been starving and skinny for the last 6 years, but now I’m in the best shape of my life, and it’s so strong!” I swallowed hard “I only had 3 prior on earth, and I don’t remember them being this strong, and so fast!” The bouncer behind me laughed.

“Yea, you’re healthy now!” Larice patted my back “You going to try to tough it out in a few minutes of resting or are you going back?”

I thought for a moment, I was having fun, a LOT of fun, but considering the nature of the club, and how strong the feelings were, I thought it best to go back and concentrate on ignoring things. “I should go, yes, I should go back to base”

“Okay dude, listen I’ll have a couple more for you okay?” Jude patted me on the back

Then Larice surprised me “I’m going to walk with him, make sure he doesn’t get caught by an animal or fuck a tree on the way back. Once he’s back on base I’ll come back! The night is still young!”

“Okay, take care of our best gunner, and see you soon Larice!” Jude said as Larice pulled my arm and started walking with me towards base.

I wasn’t aware her plan was not to take me back to base at all. We reached about halfway, talking about things to keep my mind off it. Mostly small talk, like about things in Industry, how training went, even that mysterious snowfall. But suddenly she pulled my arm and whispered “Follow me!” She pulled me into the jungle in the dimming light, removed her uniform, and she took away my virginity, helping me to relieve my heat at least for now. The look in her eyes told me this would not be our only time.

Relieved and cleared in the head, she did convince me to return the club with her, and I did. Funny enough Gily was receiving the lap dance that I ran out on! There was some murmurs of suspicion from our brief disappearance, but otherwise the party went on, I enjoyed a few more drinks with my friends, including Larice!

\<addendum ends here>

We stumbled back late at night, the officers were still awake, Skro still working on personnel files but seemingly calm. He didn’t say much as we all stumbled to our beds, some more than others, I didn’t personally drink much, just in case the feelings returned.

The next morning was rough for a few, luckily not me, strangely not Jude, considering the shape he was in last night. Larice only complained of a headache.. I found it strange that Skro didn’t wake us all at dawn, but around 8 am he did make those who slept in that late get out of bed. There we waited for another day. It was eerie and silent, and I wish I had been assigned to one of the ships that had already left, the suspense and boredom was so painful. Some of use made one more round, walking around the parade, grabbing our last meals from the mess hall. I sort of felt like my first few days on the base, but at least now I had friends to talk to.

We slept one more time, and 6 am took it’s time getting to us. We were all nervous, about what we would see, how things would go. We had our breakfast and did what little packing for what we had that afternoon. Solemnly at 18:00 as scheduled, we lifted off from the landing pad, and headed for the Rebel now in orbit waiting for us, leaving our training grounds behind.

We arrived near the end of the battle, the base had been evacuated but the ships were still being attacked as they tried to make their escape. Our ships have 4 forward and 2 rear facing guns on each side. As we were fresh we weren’t yet trusted with the front guns until we proved ourselves. Better experience does the main shooting. As rear gunners our job is to fend off followers or fire off rounds from the rear as we passed the enemy ships, as ordered by the lead gunner on the command deck. I was on the left outer gun, Jude on the left inner, and Larice on the right outer. Being rear gun did mean less action, we were only engaged for 15 minutes, just long enough for all the ships to scatter. Being the freshest we were also the last ones to run. I got off a total of 5 shots, but 100% accuracy. Jude got off 6 but missed 2. Larice never got the opportunity to shoot, and was rather annoyed about it.

The Wild took heavy damage to the right side, seemingly the attacking ships tried to take out her new warp coils so she couldn’t run, they knew she was faster. Luckily she was able to escape on one, but would be down for repairs for months while her brand new armor and drive was restored. Thankfully, this small skirmish was 100% success for us. We lost zero personnel or ships, and all people and important equipment was removed from the base. As for us, we took a hit just above the command deck, but the Rebel held tight, and no major damage was done, only her first scar.