Divided Stars by C. B. Adams

Author:C. B. Adams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nextone Inc
Published: 2024-01-25T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8:

THE ALARIAN FRONT

T

he shuttle began shaking slightly as it entered the atmosphere. Wilhelm looked out of the small viewport at the planet’s surface. Alaria had become the center point of the Gradinan-Tassari War that had been raging for the last ten years. Its surface was blanketed in white snow with large splotches of black and brown upturned dirt and rock from continued bombardment. The shuttle began rocking back and forth in an evasive pattern as it neared the landing platform of the extensive fortification. As the heavy transport shuttle touched down, its two escort fighters veered off, returning to the ship in the upper atmosphere from where they had come. The shuttle came to a sudden and less-than-smooth stop as it landed on the platform that hung over a large canyon.

The inside of the shuttle was silent, save a cough or sneeze, the only light a faint red glow emanating from the small overhead bulb. The blinding light of day entered the widening gap as the shuttle doors slowly opened. Wilhelm and the others gathered their belongings and began marching out of the transport. Freezing air hit Wilhelm’s face as he stepped onto the platform. Following the rest of the men, he marched into a small building near the landing pad. The men stood in their formation until an officer and some sergeants entered the room. The sergeants went from row to row, grabbing groups of soldiers and shouting orders.

A sergeant approached Wilhelm, Romanov, and a few other soldiers and ushered them into another room, where several men were gathered at a small table. The men formed a line and presented their identification books to the officer at the table, one by one. Wilhelm came to the table and handed the officer his papers. The officer took Wilhelm’s identification and looked at a list before scanning the identification papers and handing them back to him. He then pointed off to the side at the wall, and Wilhelm left, followed shortly by Romanov and one other soldier standing with them.

Wilhelm looked at his identification card and looked at the unit he was now assigned to, 44th Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion 6th Company. Romanov glanced at Wilhelm’s papers.

“You got the 44th as well; guess they want to keep us together,” Romanov stated.

“Looks like it; maybe they’re hoping for the two birds, one stone situation,” Wilhelm said jokingly.

“Perhaps, given they threw us in with the greenhorns,” said Romanov.

After about an hour of waiting, the three men were escorted outside, with the other men numbering around five hundred. The three came to an X87 All Purpose Infantry Vehicle, commonly nicknamed the “Wasp” due to its heavy chain gun mounted on its rear. The vehicle held four soldiers, as well as the driver and gunner. It was light and highly mobile and made for an excellent troop transport and fighting vehicle. After receiving their arms and ammunition, the three men loaded into the back of the Wasp.

“All right, boys! Get comfortable! We have about

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