Reasons

1

The bunkroom was dark and quiet. Its usual occupants, the members of the 3rd Marine Engineer Battalion's Alpha Company, were all out and about, enjoying the scant hours of R and R remaining, before their next mission began. All, that is, save one. The activation of a holo pendant bathed the room in an ethereal glow. With a sad smile, Carl Matson gazed wistfully into the face projected by the pendent, its soft features bringing the hint of a tear to his eye. She was pretty, in a down to earth way, with long blond hair and gentle eyes, which hid a fire as brilliant as any star in the quadrant. She had always been calm and kind, Carl reflected, but also passionate, passionate about making her dreams, no, their dreams a reality.

And now she was gone.

Now, all he had left of her was this portrait in his holo pendent, an image that conjured up only bittersweet memories of times lost to him forever. He clenched his fist tightly. They would pay for taking her from him. He would make sure of it.

Suddenly, the door slid open, and Carl turned to see the form of Sergeant Hal Abrams silhouetted against the light from the corridor beyond.

"Time to get goin', Carl," Hal said, pointing his thumb down the passageway. "Briefing's in five minutes."

"Roger," Carl replied, as he rose to his feet. "Thanks for giving me a heads up."

"Don't mention it," Hal responded with a smile. "I know you needed some time alone, so I really don't mind you switchin' off the comm, even if it is against regs. Besides, what are old friends for?"

Carl knew it was his good fortune that his current squad leader was none other than his former head of security, back when he had been the director of the agricultural colony upon the world that bore his name. The first few months of any colony's existence was always a challenging time, but also an exciting one, and that excitement had fueled both Carl and Hal's efforts to ensure their colony's success. They had worked quite well together, and Carl considered the older man to be his most trusted friend. Yes, Carl reflected, it had been an exciting time indeed, full of great expectations; expectations the Xykdap had turned to ash. That shattered dream was a bond both men shared, and although Carl's loss was by far the greater, the fact that Hal empathized with it meant that he granted the former colony director a considerable degree of leniency in regard to how Carl chose to deal with the painful memories still haunting him.

"Y'know, Carl," Hal continued, "This being your first mission, and all, well, jitters ain't nothing to be ashamed of. I mean, I remember my first time in combat… I was jittery as a june bug! Shucks, sometimes I still—"

"No, it's nothing like that," Carl replied with a slight smile. "Don't worry about me, this is what I've been waiting for."

Then, lowering his voice, he added grimly, "I was just reminding myself of the promise I made. Reminding myself that I have a reason for being here."

"I figured as much," Hal said softly.

Then, to himself, he added, And that's what I was afraid of.

I awake with a feeling of profound apprehension. The day has arrived. Today, I shall finally fulfill the purpose for which I was created. Today, I shall undertake my first mission as a true Unit of the Line. My personality matrix fills with joy at the thought of engaging in battle, for to defend humanity from all of its myriad foes is the sole reason for any Unit of the Line's existence. I have faced many challenges on my journey to this moment, but now, at long last, I am ready.

Opening myself to the Total Systems Data Sharing Network, I am flooded by a torrent of information. Status reports and tactical analyses from my fellow Combat Units, as well as insertion data from our transports' AIs join with a final review of mission parameters, to coalesce into a sensation of overwhelming confidence. We are fully prepared. Now, all that remains is to await deployment.

I am eager to begin.