January YC 107 – Domain – Classified Imperial Army Outpost
A white mist fills the air as Alex exhales heavily. Behind him, his 20-man platoon known as ‘Rock-hard’ tries to keep up. Three feet of snow and a cold win push against them as they make their way up the 8 mile trek known as Agony Hill. As one of the soldiers starts to fall behind Alex slows his pace and looks back towards his men.
“We finish this together, as one. No one falls behind!” He points to his best runner and then to the struggling soldier, “Help out your buddy.”
For weeks now, Alex had been pushing his men up the snowy mountain, forcing them into the best shape of their lives. Everyone knew of the Blood Raider’s treacherous attack on Amarr, and it was only a matter of time before they were called up to deploy. As they reached the summit 20 minutes later and everyone stopped to catch their breath Alex’s neocom started beeping loudly, catching everyone by surprise. Alexander’s raised brow turned into a sheepish grin as he read the message aloud.
“By order of Emperor Doriam II you are hereby summoned to report to Hanger 317A for immediate deployment. You have two hours to secure your equipment and gather in the Assembly Area.”
July YC 107 – Bleak Lands Region – Sahtogas
Fully fitted in Imperial Army combat gear, 2nd Lieutenant Audaci stands in the middle of his 20 man platoon as their drop ship prepares to hurtle towards the planet’s surface. He is clearly younger than most of the men surrounding him, but his unusually calm demeanor suggests there’s a level of unseen maturity. Slowly, his cold blue eyes move around the room, stopping momentarily on each Soldier.
“This is it, men. This is our moment. The hikes, the runs, the seemingly never-ending training exercises, now is the time to put everything we’ve been through and everything we’ve learned to use. The Blood Raiders think they can poison our people and get away with it, they think they can hide down there where the Navy can’t go, but these bastards are about meet a Righteous end, and we’re here to make sure they do. This shit isn’t going to be pretty, I guarantee you that, but remember our training, stick with the man on your right, and we’ll make it out alive.”
As the countdown light turns to yellow, a booming voice echoes through the ship’s hull, “Two Minutes to Launch.” Alex makes his way around the drop ship and checks the straps holding each soldier in place with a sharp tug. At each stop he pauses, places a firm hand on his comrades shoulder and calmly whispers their motto, “Remember Agony.”
Just as the countdown light turned green Alex finished strapping himself in. The drop ship shot downward, forcing the men into their harnesses while they raced towards the planet’s surface, and a calming female voice filled hull.
Face the enemy as a solid wall ¶ For faith is your armor ¶ And through it, the enemy
will find no breach ¶ Wrap your arms around the enemy ¶ For faith is your fire ¶ And with it, burn away his evil — Amarr Askura, 10:3
Abruptly, the drop ship struck the ground with tremendous force and the harnesses holding the men in place automatically released. Some threw up, most dropped to their knees, but when Alex ordered “Stand to!” they instantly formed up on the door. Gunfire could be heard banging against the ship’s hull from the outside, and as the ramp dropped down with a whoosh of air the sounds of combat and screaming men filled Alex’s ears.
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