"Oh God, five months of this. I can't wait to get a little taste of home. A plate of mama's alligators étouffée...mmm." Figueroa said, a smiling spreading across his face as he imagined the food while Epps shuddered.
"You've been talking about barbecued 'gators and crickets for the last two week. I'm never going to your mama's house, Fig. I promise." He said, glancing sideways at the Hispanic man.
"But Bobby, Bobby-"
"I'm never going to your mama's house."
I couldn't help but shake my head and raise the camera that dangled around my neck to my face to snap a picture of the two arguing Marines.
"Don't take it too seriously Fig. Epps just doesn't want to become a cannibal." I said, letting the camera fall and shifting my pack more comfortably on my back.
Epps pulled a face while Lennox turned his head with a confused look to peek back at me before shaking his head and continuing on ahead of us.
"Are you calling me an alligator?" Epps asked.
"Technically I'm calling you a cockroach. So no, an insect." I replied smartly before dodging the threatening shove before the fellow Marine returned to arguing about language.
We had just came back from a small mission to a small village a couple hours away to secure the premises and nick a couple goodies from local merchants. I had luckily came back with a bag of sour candy, something I hugely enjoyed and now had the job to slap away any attempt attacks from Epps going after the delicacy.
"You got a perfect day Lockdown?" Fig asked me as we continued walking through the base and I smiled slightly at the use of the nickname. Lockdown was what they called me after several missions that involved me picking off several enemies at long ranges with my sniper rifle. It originated from when I first started training, target practice a main thing and my skills simply grew.
"Horse show at the local fair." I replied, missing riding in the local event, and called out at Lennox who walked ahead of us. "What about you Captain? You got a perfect day?"
Will shook his head and called back over his shoulder at us.
"Nah, I just can't wait to hold my baby girl for the first time."
"Awwweee." We all said, grinning.
"He's adorable."
"That's too-"
"Shut up."
Laughing, we all entered the main part of the base as Epps called out challenges to the other soldiers.
"I'll see you guys later." I called to my group and parting byes echoed behind me as I wormed my way through vehicles and soldiers towards the small media building. Greeting the few workers inside, I settled myself down in a chair with my pack and gun propped up beside me. I slipped the SD card into the computer and quickly began the process of uploading the weeks pictures. Opening up a file, I attached pictures of the nearby villages and trainees progresses, including a short description of the pics and saved the progress. Several people were attached to the file so they can view it and it was protected by a series of passwords and security so no outsiders could access the file. Lastly, I dug up two USB drives from my pack and plugged them into the port, transferring the photos from the SD card to both the drives. Once I finished, I placed everything back into my pack and got up.
"Done already Ruins?" A familiar voice addressed me and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
"Yep. Headed out." I replied, turning to give a look at the young recruit beside me. He leaned with his arms crossed on the door frame and gave me what he probably assumed was a smoldering look.
"Why don't we head to the mess hall to get some food?" He asked, quirking his eyebrows. I inwardly snorted.
"I got stuff to do Jeans." I said, shaking my head slightly and was about to bid farewell when of the techs cried out.
"What the heck?!"
Curious, I headed to the tech's desk, peered over his shoulder at the computer screen and was awe-stricken. Flurries of images ran across the screen with some files and jumbled symbols splayed out behind them. I recognize a lot of the pictures and files of villages, missions and plans and gasped before running to my chair.
"Code Red!" I cried out as my fingers ran across the keyboard with practice. "Start locking doors and shutting down!"
Techs flew to their chairs and the racket of key clicking filled the air. I quickly access my database and files, emerging the code into scramble for everything. I locked the "doors" the figuratively word for remote access and exited the file. I completed the same ritual for all files and jammed several USB drives into their ports before I began transferring everything over.
"I need another USB!" Somebody called and I flung one to the techie before returning to my job.
Somebody had broke the firewall and was downloading/accessing files and documents about nearly everything. We had to quickly store everything away into USBs(which was the simplest and fastest way to do it) and destroy the program immediately to cut off the interference in the system. As soon as everything was downloaded, I stored the USBs into my pack and "flung" the database into the web where the code scattered in every which direction. A giant boom echoed outside, the lights and monitors flickering abruptly. Everyone paused, listening as more booms and gunfire sounded outside. I lurch forward from my seat and in a fluid motion slipped on my pack and sprinted towards the door with my sniper rifle in hand.
"Shut it down! Cut the hard lines!" I cried out to the tech's behind me before shoving open the door and running outside.
Gunfire and explosions echoed all around me as I paused to take in the scenario. Soldiers were running in every direction and explosions of fire erupted towards the vehicle side of the base and sprinted straight for it. I ducked and weaved through soldiers and raced by burning tents, my pack bouncing on my back. Passing by a supply tent, I grabbed a few stick grenades from a newly open crate and continued on before I came upon the scene like no else. I ducked low by a tank as a supply truck went flying overhead, spinning like a football, and came crashing on a few tents. Peering around the corner I was awestruck at the view. A giant robot like thing was rampaging through the vehicles, swiping his arm to send the automobiles flying. It had a distinguishable face with red eyes and I recognize the parts of a plane in its parts. It spoke in an electric like wave that was sent echoing around the base. Looking wildly around, I finally saw Lennox. Ducking low, I ran towards him while using vehicles as covers.
"Will!" I called out, crouching with my back pressed against a tank. Will was across the way, ordering soldiers hide so he didn't register me. I peered around the metal to search for other recognizable faces and saw Fig making his way over with a few other Marines but I didn't see Epps. The giant robot made more noises and I glanced in its direction and stared as my fellow Marine was walking rapidly backwards as he held a camcorder to his face.
"Epps!" I shouted, inching my way around the tank towards my fellow Marine. My eyes widen as I watch the robot lift his foot high above Epps, wavering in anticipation.
"Robert!" I hollered as I lurched forward and sprinted towards him as fast as I could. Shouts of Epps and I's names sounded behind me as I flew forward, wrapping my arms around Rob's waist, and brought him down hard. My gun went flying from my hand and I landed on Rob with a jolt, sending us rolling to the ground. The earth vibrated underneath us with rocking waves as the robot brought its clamping foot down right on the spot where Epps was just a few seconds ago. Grunting, I rolled onto my back, my hand flying to my belt where I had fasten the stick grenades as I met the gaze of the alien robot. It's red eyes seem to be studying me as it spoke in its odd language, the words harsh.
"What the f-" Epps began to say but was caught off as the robot spoke more, it's eyes glancing back and forth between us and a whirling noise began to fill the air.
"Epps, Ruins, let's go!" Lennox called out behind us and we both went scrambling backwards. My hand brushed the butt of my gun and I grabbed it before shoving the gun at Epps.
"Go. I'll be there in a minute."
He began to protest as we stood up but I simply shoved him towards the group and tuned back towards the alien robot, my arms waving.
"Hey you! Ya, you chunk of rusted metal!" I called out, bringing the robot's attention away from the group.
"Your just a pile of scrap metal!"
The red eyes of the robot glowered and it let out a string of electronic words the rolled across the sound waves and started towards me with its arms wide open. I unhooked the stick grenade from my belt and weighed it in my hand as I watched the alien approach. As soon as it was almost upon me, I raised up my left hand and extended my middle finger, giving it a small salute.
"Kiss my American ass!" I shouted before activating the grenade and flinging it at the man of metal.
The stick went spinning and struck the metal where it seemed to be a hip junction, latching on tightly. As soon as I had thrown the explosive, I took off running towards the group, my pack bouncing rhythmically up and down on my back. I was about there when a low howl broke across the plain and the grenade exploded, sending dirt and metal as I flung myself onto the ground. More howling echoed as I crawled slowly to my feet and somebody was tugging on my vest. It was Epps.
"You crazy chick. Let's go!"
We raced towards the group and out towards the desert as the echoes of dying soldiers screams haunted my mind.