First to Fight by David Sherman; Dan Cragg

Author:David Sherman; Dan Cragg
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science Fiction - Adventure, Science Fiction - High Tech, Fiction - Science Fiction, High Tech, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction - Military, Space Opera, Fiction, Science Fiction, Adventure, Military, Marines, General
ISBN: 9780345406224
Publisher: Random House, Inc.
Published: 1997-08-30T10:31:56.838000+00:00

"For several years the nomadic tribes have been warring against each other and with the independent settlements. This has not been sporadic warring, but constant, and recently it has become very serious—some observers have called it genocidal. The best-case estimate is the fighting has reduced the planet's population by twenty-five percent. Some estimates go above fifty percent. Because of the fighting, agriculture has failed and famine is now endemic. Hundreds of thousands of people have died of starvation on Elneal in the past two years.

"The Confederation hasn't stood by idly while the fighting has been going on. There have been repeated and continuing attempts to get food and medical supplies into the countryside to feed the starving people. In many instances, food convoys have been attacked and the food taken by the raiders or destroyed in place. In such cases, the crews of the attacked convoys have been killed almost without exception. In places where food and medical supplies have been flown in and central distribution points established, those points have been attacked, the food and medical supplies taken or destroyed, and the staffs killed. Social order on Elneal, such as it is, is on the verge of collapse, as is the entire population." The Skipper paused for a moment, to let his words sink in, before continuing. "A few weeks ago, the leaders of the major warring factions agreed to lay down their arms if the Confederation would guarantee their safety so that food and medical supplies could be distributed. That's our job. Company L, 34th FIST, is the lead unit of a Provisional Marine Brigade being assembled and sent to Elneal to guarantee security of food distribution to end the famine, and secondarily to oversee the disarmament of the warring factions so that the central government can resume control over the world.

"Now I'm going to hand the briefing over to First Sergeant Myer. I'm sure he'll give you the detailed information you need in a forthright manner that I could not match. First Sergeant." Without waiting for acknowledgment, Captain Conorado left. The other officers followed him.

"Aye aye, sir." Top Myer bounded to the top of the closest table and crossed the room rear to front by jumping from table to table over the seated men. With the officers safely gone, Top Myer nodded at Gunny Thatcher, who closed the hatch and dogged it. The first sergeant took his time looking at the troops. He knew what he had to say was accurate, since he'd gotten it direct from the lips of other senior NCOs who had recently been on Elneal—and he himself had served a short tour many years earlier with the security detachment at the Confederation consulate in New Obbia. The information he was about to present wouldn't appear on any official document or in any Page 95

command-sanctioned briefing. He took his time getting started because he wanted to impress on the men the seriousness of what he was about to say.

"Listen up and listen up good," he began, his voice gruff.

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