Year 2718, April 26thcopyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeLYD43sUg
Neutral sector, twenty-six lightyears from Duross spacecopyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNW31WF8Lp
Neutral system, Hellrain surface, Operation Mistwalkcopyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ThEcLmNTx
Dwayne marched through the snow filled valley in his white winter gear armor. The silver visor was protecting his face from the falling snow. He held a Holstein O3 Battle-rifle-assault rifle class-in his arms. His heavy breathing could be heard from outside his helmet. At least by himself. He currently thought of Katie. He wished he could go back soon and hold her again. It hadn’t been that long sense he left New England but it felt like an eternity. Good god, he missed her badly. Her beautiful voice, soft skin, cute and sweet laugher and even her horrible cooking.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TMURqZVSU
He chuckled to himself.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnH8rI46RQ
Behind him walked his four team members. A far shorter-then himself-feminine frame came up on his right. She was holding a Holstein O3 Battle-rifle as well. She looked up towards the sky and noted that the snow storm was getting worse. The snow was falling quicker and faster by the minute. Lieutenant Rachel Holt looked over at Dwayne.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXJNCVzZJt
“Congratulations by the way, Commander,” she suddenly said.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSmjNdKM8D
Dwayne turned his head to her.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk0nsr6xxX
“Holt?”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3U6Qw2qwL
“The kid,” she replied. “You’re soon to be born child.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3Efmrt7dC
“Oh, right. Thanks Rachel.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTXKgpcmWK
“I just realized I didn’t congratulate you earlier and this felt as good a time as any,” she finished with a shrug.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkOeqFLt5h
Dwayne smirked under his helmet.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYlTeHkHOx
“Always appreciated, Rachel.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzrhkHGx4D
“Could always arrange a playdate with my kitties,” she said. “You know. In a few years when yours is actually born and old enough.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpY5DoKpSQ
“Didn’t actually need to explain that part,” Dwayne said, letting out a snicker. “Sounds like a fair idea. Sure Katie’s gonna love meeting ya.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7O203KkKz
“Yeah,” she said in a cocky voice. “Doesn’t everybody?”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡS58jmt1306
“Oh Christ,” a male voice mumbled from the back.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡHivFn948zW
It came from Gunnery Sergeant Kaiden Hendricks. He shook his helmet covered head.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg4Oj4R4pC
“Here we go again.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhHMA4gB7g
1st Sergeant Pedro Milligan laughed. He was the teams marksman.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPyduWmy5V
“Nah. Leave it, Kaiden,” he suggested. “Don’t piss her off. Especially sense she’s a better fighter when you.” He looked over at Rachel and Dwayne. “That’s a policy I like. Always go by it and tend to get out without starting a fight I can’t win.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4czSwEJA3
“Use that tactic with your boyfriend?” Dwayne asked. “Heard he was, like a mountain or something.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡlek30V7gwf
Pedro laughed.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe45sy2O77
“You kiddin’, Dwayne? Jonathan’s a computer geek. Work for the Intelligence agency back on Earth.” He shook his head. “Thinkin’ of settlin’ down at some point, ya know right? Back on Earth. Probably close to his parents. They’re not doin’ so hot so we figure’d we’d be close at hand until they go in the ground.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCbWc4sQN2
“Sorry man,” Kaiden said sympathetically. “What’s wrong with them? Old age kicking in?”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9gech9kyG
Pedro nodded.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5VDbncdbj
“Nah, Nebulosus fever. Jonathan’s handling it great, but he’s sister ain’t. Poor Tabitha. She’s just sixteen ya know. Shouldn’t lose ya parents when ya sixteen.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVWwR9AjZo
Dwayne shook his head. Nebulosus fever. Something that had no cure yet. It would-as far as scientist’s thought-take years to manufacture one.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTyD7LUh5t
Trying to get the mood up, Kaiden turned to the fifth team member. Corporal Keith Pyke. He was their Vanguard and carried a heavy machinegun in his armored arms.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEySiKguXr
“Hey, Keith. You had it good on leave?”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡOinLPfUqzU
Pyke nodded.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVNmyV7tcd
“Sure.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9Sv2afiFd
“What you do?” Kaiden continued, keeping the conversation going.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuw7glmaLV
“My sister’s birthdays. Celebrated with whole goddamn family. Uncles, aunts and cousins and all. Including grandparents and grandkids,” Keith explained in a Greek accent.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ARSXqN5T0
“What are the odds of your sisters having the same birthday anyway?” Kaiden asked amused.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP9akclzv1
Keith smirked.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfwjnMEKXq
“Pretty damn small I think. I mean, first Annie is born on April the 10th. Two years later I’m born on December the 28th. Another two years after that Anita’s born on April the 10th. Odds are pretty fucking small of that happening within the same family.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡG10xUXXI2Q
“Gotta make celebrations easier,” Dwayne theorized. “One less birthday to arrange, I mean.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlGSw05SAA
“Pretty much. Our parents still laugh it up. It’s a bit of a running joke back home, right.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡToPqHdcmX9
As they started reaching the top of the hill, Dwayne waved Pedro forward.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDbMb6K9OM
“You’re up next Pedro.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡZx8GpEHuwi
Pedro jogged up to him and Rachel.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qGUQn73J5
Reaching the top Pedro used his sniper rifle to get a closer look into what was beyond the hill in the valley. It was hard with the snow storm close to max, but he could see structured covered in snow one-hundred meters away. It was almost impossible to see anything of them, and barely the buildings themselves.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwIpiUv33k
“At least four buildings,” Pedro counted. “Probably more. Too much damn snow. Id’ say one-hundred meters straight ahead.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3RYJhCqL9
“Anyone home?” Rachel asked.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQzpLqMTtw
Pedro shook his head.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH2H6lBBoF
“Too hard to tell.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeINdr4PSQ
“Let’s move out. We’ll sneak closer in cover of the storm,” Dwayne said.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBGy0sYNls
“No way they’ll see us,” Rachel said confidently. “I barely see us.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡkk9n2fJER7
They made their way down the hillside towards the buildings, through the storm. Slowly but surely they made way through the thirty centimeter deep and cold snow. Given it was nighttime, it did not make it any better. The wind was cold as ice and would have chilled them if they hadn’t their winter armor on. Their weapons were a color mix of grey and white, a part of their camouflage and winter gear.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNm1AztEpl
As they got closer they saw a guard tower with a light looking around. But with the storm it was pretty much impossible. Dwayne could see the frame of two figures at the top of the tower. Fifteen meters ahead walked a lone figure. He or she was holding a rifle in hand. Five white snow and ice covered buildings stood around the tower. Three of them were smaller whilst one was twenty meters.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoXbWYDVLZ
Dwayne gestured for Pedro to take up a sniping position and cover them. He nodded and readied himself. He made sure to have both figures in the tower in sight.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6kwtmMc0D
Rachel sneaked towards the figure walking alone. She grabbed her knife and waited for the figure-turning out upon a closer look to be a male-to get out of view of the tower. When he finally did, she moved up and cut his throat quickly. He whimpered and flayed his arms for a moment. She gently laid his down. He wore a thick winter military issue coat. It was a standard issue winter coat used by the Terran Earth Protectorate, although it had been slightly modified. The man had a white helmet with wool inside and a pair of glasses covering his eyes. He wore a scarf around his neck. He was clearly human.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjqHl0gOEG
“One down,” Rachel said in her comm.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡa947k16YWR
“Copy,” Dwayne said. “Pedro. You’re up.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjYiPsFBFF
Pedro squeezed the trigger and put a bullet through the head of the first man. He turned and fired another slug through the skull and helmet of the second in the tower.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZZFHkFX9k
“Two down,” he confirmed after five seconds in total.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjuIrPJxNF
“Kaiden with me,” Dwayne ordered.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLZn4PQJqv
As the two moved into the camp, Rachel and Keith sneaked in from another direction. Rachel quickly opened the door and Keith rushed in with his heavy machinegun aimed to shoot. The building was empty. Only supply boxes were inside.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFuolbJ09S
“First clear,” he said in his comm.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡlObPwDFgas
“Copy, continue search,” Dwayne replied. “Checking second. Move on to third.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAeWXiLN2b
“Copy,” Keith affirmed.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡirRNPcZyd9
Pedro moved in towards the camp to join the others.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzXCpuf4Lq
“Clear.” It was Rachel he heard, affirming that they checked the third building.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI0LEY4pM6
“Found a staircase in second building,” Dwayne said.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5ysTnFSWT
“Guess we’re going underground next commander,” Rachel said.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nsZ0RtgWe
“Indeed. Check the last house and join us. Pedro, moving out?”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtWHeBGj0s
“Entering camp, commander.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBxX3rlJji
As he made his way inside the building he breathed out and reached to remove his helmet.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡClG5kGXOWT
“Keep it on,” Dwayne ordered. “Not till missions complete. Until then, keep the gear on.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Dm0lAB1TB
Pedro nodded and added a sigh.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡujc2hgtDZN
He noted that Kaiden had dragged the body of the man Rachel killed inside. The bloody man lied on the floor. Pedro looked down and kneeled beside the body. He started removing the helmet and covering glasses. The man had tanned skin. His neck and coat around the neck was completely covered in blood.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC8BHtiEhf
“Think this guy’s Marauder?” Pedro asked.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlTTleuWgo
“Who else would be on Hellrain?” Dwayne asked.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKIKN00gD0
“Good point.” Pedro shrugged and stood up.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zCcajFtYX
Rachel and Keith stepped inside.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡIviBpDPUz6
“Area secured, commander,” Rachel said.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7R1RE1SVF
Dwayne nodded and gestured towards the door to the staircase. Kaiden was standing there, aiming downward in the lighted staircase.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYeubpOQSM
“Rachel you’re up front with me. I’m on point,” Dwayne decided. “Keith, cover the rear.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAi6bIJ1Cj
Keith nodded in confirmation over the order. The team moved down the staircase in unison.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VrZXiEZbz
“Hey Rachel,” Pedro said in a low voice. “How old’s Lisa now anyways?”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3yTxJimAa
“Two.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oLruW9eYM
He cracked a smile under his helmet.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6HZ6FiKFt
“How’d the barbeque you talked so much about go?”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjwSd4Cvqc
“Great actually. Lisa tried bacon for the first time. She absolutely loved it. Verner got a chance to show his grilling skills, he always talks about. But after he burnt the first batch of burgers and sausages, I took over.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzAr05o9jn
Kaiden snickered.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRuDQAj8lY
“Verner’s great and all but he’s a shitty cook.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFi8xvca1C
“Katie and he would get along great,” Dwayne joined the conversation.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIbXab2ylm
“Least she’s not burning stuff, right?” Rachel asked.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhdqU40ddl
“No. When she cooks, it’s mostly uneatable. Wouldn’t even let a Drakken try it.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡcP0uXy0aJ1
The group chuckled lightly and very, very quietly.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5JY3Ua5sw
“Hey, where’s Davis, he in yet?” A male voice asked in a room up ahead.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡspNFPIKQWY
Dwayne stopped the others and listened.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8NcDLLDVu
“Up in the tower, I’d imagine, Rufus,” someone else replied. “Why? You wanna chance shifts?”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIApHDjSJM
God no, Spector,” the first replied with a mix between a snort and a laugh.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡobbcR0UCRQ
Spector, Dwayne thought. A Marauder rank. A quite important officer actually. He gestured for Rachel and Pedro to move up with him. Pedro had switched to a submachinegun and hung the marksman rifle over his back.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2ZnfC91f5
With a nod, Rachel skipped around the corner, aiming her Holstein O3 Battle-rifle. Around the corner stood a man with no shirt and a pair of baggy jeans. He-Rufus-looked half awake. He was roughing up his sand colored hair when Rachel came into sight. His eyes widened and he gasped. With a slug and a silencer, his body collapsed into a pile of dead meat.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUN6kvKDou
Rachel quickly moved past him towards the open door a few meters away. Kaiden was right behind with the rest coming up after him.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNFBZxCT9t
“Screw you!” A female voice snapped.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJwJ7LlgNB
A couple of men laughed. It was suddenly cut short.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡljw9qQEau3
“Whoa, whoa! Hey!” The Spector cried out. “Put the meat axe down Jane, for fucksake!”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUQkvPR7J1
“Fuck off, Vaughn!” The female yelled.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtK7dRSy7G
“Put it down or, we’ll put you down!” The Spector exclaimed.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡatZGCqxhB1
Rachel looked back at Dwayne who just shrugged.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgVaArZszI
“Hey, you can’t kill me,” the woman replied cockily. “I’m too important, remember? Ultimate Spector Ivanovsky would skin you alive, you know that right?”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9cehp69Ye
“Won’t kill ya. But if you don’t put that axe down the boys and I’ll use you as entertainment,” the Spector said threateningly.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8HPPjgnBR
Dwayne turned the corner and pulled the trigger. Splashing the Spector’s brains on the floor as he collapsed. The second man, an Asian with black thick hair pulled a handgun in his pants but Rachel and Kaiden unloaded on him. He dropped down dead.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV7l5IM5bl
The woman standing wielding an axe stared at them.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFv1UMq0Wp
“Drop it,” Dwayne demanded. “Get one warning, Marauder.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMyWCngSLR
She narrowed her eyes on him, raised the axe and charged one step. Dwayne blew her brains out with a slug through her skull.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaMSvSAhYM
Pedro looked at the dead woman.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMr8NmVemR
“Crazy bitch,” he murmured. “Why you gotta force our hand?” he shook his head disapprovingly.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBEcxgzO9k
“She’s Marauder,” Keith reminded, nodding to the dead woman’s body. “They all crazy fucks.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTvrL0kmhi
Pedro couldn’t argue with that.copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8U5A3TXY8j
“This is it?” Rachel asked. She turned to Dwayne. “Only five people here?”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMVvYtLyhV
“Looks like it. A supply or research outpost maybe. Could been looking for something,” Dwayne mused. “Keith, get me contact with HQ.”copyright protection226ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWPooBoIXG
ns18.210.24.208da2
