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Life of a UNSC Marine Part II
Posted By: Tygpj<tygpj@aol.com>
Date: 16 March 2003, 11:08 PM
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As through a Soldier's Eyes:
Life of a UNSC Soldier
Ironside
The six weeks of training went by fast and during the training I excelled in Battlefield Tactics and Basic Survival. Little did I know how important that would be for the what was going to be the most important event in my life. After I was dismissed from Basic Training, I left for the dropship that would take me to the Ironside.
"A198. This is it." I boarded the new 429 Pelican and locked in. The men with me were no older than 17. Ever since the Covenant, the UNSC has let in younger and younger men to their forces. These weren't men. They were just kids.
15 minutes past by and I arrived one the Ironside. I was greeted by a short, stocky, Lieutenant that quickly welcomed me to the Ironside.
"Welcome to the warship Ironside. I will lead you to the bridge so you can be welcomed by the Captain. He likes to greet every addition to his crew personally. After that you will be given quarters." We walked down a long hallway to an elevator and went two floors up. The doors opened up to a large semi-circular room with the Captain at the main display.
When I saw Captain White for the first time he looked about in his 50s, but still in his prime. His silvery, white hair complemented his eyes, which cut through me with great indifference. He talked like he was giving orders and started his welcome for me with the clearing of his throat.
"Welcome to the Ironside, Son. I am Captain Michael White and I hope you will enjoy your stay here on the Ironside. You will be working with some of the UNSC's finest while you are here. As of now, you and the other marines are on reserve." He paused. "Until we ship out tomorrow. Lieutenant Smith, show the Private to his quarters." The first man to speak with me on the Ironside then replied,
"Yes sir!" He then turned towards me. "Follow me Private." I did as he said and followed him to the elevator and went inside. He pressed the #3 button and we went down 15 floors. During the elevator ride he informed me of my duties. "Private, you will be assigned to the Orion Squad of the 2nd Platoon. That's in the 29th Company of the 31st Battalion. Your roommate will help you get acquainted with the Ironside and your squad members. Your squad has the 0800 hr and 1600 hr patrols, for two hours each, along the 3rd floor port side lifepods. Your roommate Private Paul Brecht, and if you have any problems, contact me or the Captain." The doors of the elevator opened and we walked down a corridor to a room with the number 004 on the door. "Good luck." And with that he left.
When I heard the name Brecht, it sounded quite familiar, but I couldn't remember where I heard it from. I calmly opened the door to reveal a dead man. Blood was spattered all over the room. I gasped in horror at the sight a drew a nearby weapon to be ready for an attack. Then the body lunged at me and tackled me to the ground. I started to laugh. It was "Ears" Brecht, my old highschool buddy. He had joined the UNSC a month before graduation and no one saw him afterwards.
"You crazy basterd!" I yelled. "Are you trying to scare me to death!"
"Hey! Gates! Is that any way to treat an old friend? Besides, I've been waiting for you to join for four years. Remember our old deal?" Paul was an Israel exchange student for our high school. He had dark hair that matched his skin and deep blue eyes. His big ears and extra sensitive hearing, contributed to his nickname. In all he was a warm funny guy, despite the cold look he has about him. He didn't change a bit.
"Yeah, I remember it. Haven't I held up my end?"
"Yep. Took you four years, but you came through." He smiled gently. "It's good to see you."
"You too "Ears".
"Hey, I hate that name. Call me Paul, ok?"
"Okay. So, what about the rest of the squad?"
"Follow me to the squad room." With that, he cleaned himself and we went out the door and to the left. All the way to the end of the hall. Paul opened the last door to a large room with four guys doing various activities. The room include a workout center, a shooting range, a bar with soft beverages, and a pool table.
"This is the squad room where the Orion Squad can train and have fun. See that guy at the bar. The one that looks like he just ate a Warthog. He's Jug, our Explosives expert. The blonde at the shooting range is Luke. He's our #1 sniper. The lady over there is Joan and she can drive anything with ease."
"She's pretty. Ever make any moves on her?"
"Yeah. Once I did but she put me in an arm lock and kick me in the balls. Don't get any ideas about her. She wants to cut off all of our penises and grow one of her own." We both look down at our own crotches. Simultaneously we said, "Ouch!"and laughed. Paul continued,
"And there is Zack, our Squad Leader, he can be a jerk sometimes, but would do anything for you on the battlefield. Oh yeah, I am the Engineering expert. What did you excel in during Basic Training?"
"I did well in Battlefield Tactics and Basic survival."
"Hmm... Maybe you can assist Zack if we ever go to battle. Here let me introduce you."
"No, that's okay Paul." He ignored me and got the attention of the fellow squad members.
"Hey you guys! Here is the new recruit that will be joining us. His name is Gates and he is an expert in Battlefield Tactics. Give him a nice welcome." All of the men came over to me, introduced themselves, and greeted me warmly. They were all in on the body gag and laughed hysterically when Paul told them about my reaction. Zack was the only on who continued his own business. He looked at me coldly and I knew he felt that I was a threat to him. He wasn't happy I was there. He snapped at Paul,
"Would you shut the hell up about that rookie and start packing up. We are shipping out tomorrow and the Captain will brief us on the situation at 0800."
"All right" Paul retorted. "Come on Gates. Lets pack up. It looks like we might just do some fighting after all."
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