Imperial Marine by James David Victor

Author:James David Victor [Victor, James David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-09T00:00:00+00:00

10

FIRST MISSION: STARS

“IT’S GOING to be a simple one. All I am asking you to do is to travel to the nearest moonlet over there and overcome any adversaries. Simple, right? Especially for Imperial Marines who have been designed for battle!” Major Ovid barked at them from the front of the hangar bay after they had all lined up.

I’m not buying that. I bet there’s nothing simple about it, Keel thought but had the wisdom not to say as the major clanked across their vision.

“I know that most of you can fight, at least at a primitive level. What I am asking you to do now is to act in formation, like a real squad. Your superior for today will be⁠—”

Ovid spun around and pointed at Tobin Vandale.

“Sir!?” Tobin’s voice, although mechanized, sounded panicked.

Keel turned to look at his friend and saw a holo of a small bronze shield appear on his vision over Tobin’s head.

“You are to be the commander for today’s mission. You will be responsible for keeping your squad alive,” Ovid said.

“But, sir, I don’t know anything about—” Tobin started to protest, which was a mistake.

“Did I tell you that failure was an option!? Your expectations create your success, Private! Or should I say, Commander?” Ovid snapped before dismissing him back to the line. “Your suit is already programmed with every formation and tactic you need. Trust the Imperial Marine Corps, robots. We know what we are doing and how to do it. All you have to do, Commander Vandale, is to decide what tactic to employ and when.”

Ovid turned to address the rest of the squad. “And all you lot have to do is to obey! Understood?”

“SIR! Yes, sir!” they chorused, even though Keel had a sinking feeling in his gut.

But what is the enemy? The targets? What are we to expect? Why are we carrying pulse rifles and swords?

It was only too soon that Keel had far greater and more pressing problems on his mind, such as learning how to use a jet suit at very short notice.

MISSION 01: Overcome

/ MISSION START…

As soon as the major stepped aside, there was a moment of queasy silence as Tobin hesitated, then stepped forward.

C’mon, Vandale, you got this! Keel silently wished him well. He was one of the few other downloaded Souls here who hadn’t been an idiot to him, and Keel knew that Tobin would have to make a good impression. Just like pit-fighting, even if you didn’t know what you were doing, you had to look like you did.

Tobin half-turned toward them and nodded. “Right, everyone, well—” He raised a hand to his own wrist, clearly manipulating a command hologram that only he could see.

/ MISSION DISEMBARK…

Green holo words flashed across his vision, and he saw the giant metal bulkhead doors start to slide open, revealing the canopy of stars.

Frack! Keel took a panicked half-step back, as did several of the others, but then he saw the flicker of a blue energy field across the expanding gap and sighed in relief.

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