Gears Of War: Carmine's Story
Act One: Another Day
My name is Anthony Carmine. I'm a soldier serving in the COG (Coalition of Ordered Government) army, also known as the Gears. Currently at 18, I plan on becoming a truly elite soldier when I'm older. Our home world of Sera has seen some horrific attacks in the past decade by some alien creatures called the Locust. We've been at war with them for 14 years now, so the government decided to gather the greatest able soldiers and assemble them into an army. That's how COG was formed.
A guy named Marcus Fenix, a COG soldier who was put in military prison for disobeying orders, is my idol. He's one of the best Gears there is, if not the best. Our commanding officer, Colonel Hoffman, is a bit of an asshole but I still respect him as a leader. As for myself, I'm an excellent soldier, not afraid to get stuck in when it all gets messy. Although I've never undergone training, my battle experience still keeps me alive and kicking.
Sadly, I have no family to speak of as my mother died in birth and my father was shot in the head by a Locust sniper during the battle of Aspho Fields, the same battle that caused Marcus Fenix to be imprisoned.
Anyway, I'm currently aboard a helicopter, about to ride into the heat of battle. Apparently, a Corpser was spotted in the vicinity. Man, I really hate those things. Their spider-like legs make me nervous as I have arachnophobia. The chopper lands and I load my Lancer Assault Rifle. I rev up the chainsaw bayonet and charge into the fight. A Locust drone attempts to fire at me but I take cover behind a broken piece of a pillar. Then, the silly bastard jams his gun when trying to reload so I seize the opportunity and blast him with my shotgun. His blood spatters my helmet and it becomes difficult for me to see what's coming next. Suddenly, the ground begins the tremble. I thought to myself corpser. With no sense of direction, I strive on the voices on the other COGs. This is incompetent as they all eventually get shot anyway. I panic and wipe my helmet but to my own surprise, the corpser is nowhere to be found or
seen. That's when I soon realise it is just an emergence hole. Many Locust drones and grenadiers approach me with their weapons held up, so I make hast towards the nearest building, the Stranded Museum. Inside are Gears, including my buddy, Justin Cooler.
"Damn Carmine, you still alive?" he asks.
"Of course," I reply.
"I'd like you to meet my teammates," he announces.
"Ok."
"Sitting by the statue is Carlos. He's a private. Next to him is Garrett, who signed up just yesterday. And finally, the guy standing by the entrance is Brandon. He's a sergeant and squad leader.
"What about you, what rank are you?"
"I'm still a lousy corporal and second in command."
Our brief conversation is cut short because the Locust begin to storm the place. I suggest to the others that we radio for support and make our way
to the choppers. They all agree and we battle our way outside again. The ground is covered with emergence holes, yet there seem to be little Locust left. I believe that the rest could've run off. Justin is having trouble adjusting to the polluted and smoky air clouds since he is not wearing a helmet like the rest of us.
We finally reach the extraction point after a fearsome battle with some drones and wretches. Carlos boards first, and then Garrett, Justin and I struggled on. However, Sergeant Brandon is still in the grounds fighting with the Locust. Justin calls for him but it would seem he cannot hear us. The pilot ushers a warning claiming he's got to get out of there. I decide to man the minigun turret to help Brandon. Although, my effort is in vein as he is attacked by a group of wretches who pin him to the ground and take turns in eating him alive. We have to get out of there.
Back at the Stranded outpost, I munch on my chicken sandwich which has a funky taste to it. Justin has been upset with the loss of Brandon and Garrett went somewhere to be sick. It turns out he's very squeamish. What kind of soldier is squeamish?
I thought. They see blood and violence everyday so why the hell did he sign up?
Carlos approaches me.
"I can't believe it, man," he utters.
"What, about Garrett?" I question.
"No. I already knew about Garrett's problem. It's Brandon. He's dead, and now we've got no Sergeant."
"Could I do it?"
"Nah, man. You need to have at least five year experience to lead a Gears squad."
"So five months won't cut it then?"
"Five months? You're certainly new to the COG then aren't you?"
"Yeah but I can still fight."
"Anybody can pick up a gun and shoot somebody. Anyway, what was your name again?"
"Carmine, Anthony Carmine."
"Wait. Your father fought as Aspho Fields didn't he? Brian Undertow Carmine, Delta Squad."
"Yeah. He helped Marcus Fenix bring down a corpser."
"Sweet, man."
"How's Justin?"
"Dunno, but rumour has it he was sent away on a different task."
I pick up and helmet and place it firmly on my head. Everybody can recognize me otherwise and I don't fancy another star interview. Beside me is my Lancer Rifle. I touch the bayonet but there is no pain. That's when I realise the spikes have gone blunt. I need to find another Lancer and fast. No one seems to be carrying one. They all got shotguns. A Stranded guy advances towards me with his Lancer Rifle. He slides it across to me and I check the ammo, only 137 bullets left. I decide to swap my ammo from my old gun into the new one and I now have 220 bullets. The chainsaw revs up. At least it works.
"I don't need it anymore," the Stranded inquires.
"Won't you get killed?" I ask nervously.
"Don't care. The world is never going to be the same again after those Locust assholes invaded."
"C'mon dude. There's still hope."
He gets up and goes inside a house. My ears start to ache. That's when I realise a King Raven helicopter is flying in. On board, I see Colonel Hoffman with a beautiful woman beside him. When it lands, Hoffman approaches me. I stand up and salute him.
"Cut the bullshit, private!" he boasts.
"Yes sir," I say.
"Anya, our control officer who keeps in contact with Gears squads, is being assigned to radio you for your new mission."
"New mission?"
A fair haired blonde woman steps off the King Raven holding a note book. I assume she is Anya. The Colonel slaps me round the head.
"Do not stare her up, private."
"Sorry, sir. Anyway what's my new mission?"
"We've been tracking down a certain commanding officer within the Locust ranks. His name is General RAAM."
The name seems familiar. I hear the word RAAM float through the air like an echo. Strange thoughts cloud my mind.
After gathering up my gear, I set off in the chopper to my next mission. As we're travelling past towns, I swear I can spot a batch of corpsers below. I feel a tingle up my spine...