Chapter One

December 3rd, 2060 Nova Scotia, Canada

The cold wind whipped around the rundown house. Inside, a young girl sat. Her back was propped against the wall. Her eyes pierced the shattered glass, scanning the snow-covered terrain for signs of movement. Catching the outline of a figure she raised her mortia. Getting the man in her sight she took a deep breath, preparing to fire. A creek from behind her sent her spinning in confusion as a bullet bounced off of her arm. Falling to the ground she clutched her wound. There was no blood. Only a growing bruise to remind her of her mistake. Glancing to her right she now saw a man immerge from the rotting stairwell. The coldness in his eyes was enough to paralyze the child for a moment.

"I'm disappointed in you, Cidney. I thought I taught you better?" He said as he bent to retrieve the rubber bullet.

"Yes, sir. Please forgive me." The girl had tears in her eyes as she waited for her father to run to her; to comfort her. When he didn't, she hung her head in shame. "There were too many. I couldn't keep track of them all ."

"In battle you will sometimes be alone. It will be up to you, and you alone, to take down the enemy . no matter how many there are." He paused before continuing. "The only person you can rely on is yourself." The child nodded as she climbed to her feet.

"Yes, sir." She whispered.

Present Day, 2080 Valley Forge

Cidney jolted awake. All around her the entire ship lay in darkness. In the overhead ducts the ship's maintenance crew went about their nightly tasks of repairing damaged equipment and replacing spent fuses. Heaving a sigh, she climbed from her MI cot. The cold metal floor sent shivers up her spine. Walking over to the large bay window she looked out into space. The Valley Forge had been orbiting Earth for over two weeks. The bluish glow from the planet making the scene before her look incredibly peaceful. At least it was a change from the war-torn places that she had seen. Even so, she knew that on the surface a new battle was being waged. The SICON forces now had to open their eyes to a bigger picture. To the realization that this was not Pluto, Hydora OR Klendathu . this was Earth. They were fighting for their home. Getting dressed she assembled her gear and headed for the VR Center. Entering the room she dropped her armor at her feet and picked up one of the standard VR mortias. Opening the fiberglass window that separated the control room from the VR room she selected a level of difficulty. As the first bugs appeared she snapped into action. Taking down each over-sized warrior until she was once again by herself. She had completed several more levels before the ship started to show signs of life.

"Sergeant Velasquez," SSG. Gillespie spoke as he entered the room. Turning, she acknowledged his presence. Then, throwing her gear over her shoulder she moved past him into the hall. All around her fellow soldiers moved through the corridors heading to their daily posts. Walking into the mess hall she looked around. There was the odd scattered group of MI or Fleet personnel chatting over their morning coffee and off to the rear of the hall she caught sight of Lieutenant Yerik Vaughn. The 28-year-old Russian sat by himself reading through reports that he had written the previous night. Looking up, he motioned for her to join him. Weaving through a maze of tables and chairs she reached the table. Pulling out a seat she settled into it and lowered her head down onto the table.

"Rough night?" Vaughn asked resting the notepad in his lap.

"You have no idea, sir."

"Here, take some of these." He said as he pulled a small pack free from his side pouch.

"Sedatives?" she asked, talking it from him.

"No, Chiclets." Cidney laughed, tossing the package back.

"LT! Serge!" A young medic said as he approached. "We just got INTEL back."

" 'Bout time. What's the scoop?" Vaughn stood up, towering over the smaller man.

"A missing convoy."

"What was its last known location?" It took a minute for Private Kenzie to answer as he attempted to recall the information that was given to him.

"California. About a mile in-land. Last known coordinates were in sector eight-seven-three." Vaughn nodded and turned to Cidney.

"Sergeant, I want the squad assembled and standing by."

"Yes, Sir." She said as he turned and hurried out of the mess hall.

In the barracks the remnance of Vaughn's Vipers slept soundly in their bunks. Ludovick, who was 'giving it all he had', snored away in the corner. Walking over to him she took his mattress firmly in both hands. Taking a deep breath she ripped the object clear out from under the sleeping soldier. Landing on the floor, Ludovick awoke.

"What the fuck.oh... hi Serge." He said as he climbed to his feet. Letting a smile spread across her face she pointed toward the others.

"I want them up, fed, and in their gear in one hour, Private."

"Yes, Sir." He nodded and then quickly reassembled his bunk. Cidney watched as one-by-one each person was awoken. Everyone yawned and rubbed their eyes. A few mumbled profanities under their breaths, but all were well once they were up and moving.

"What's with the early wake-up call, Serge?" Private Neil Bayonne asked as he grabbed his gear from his locker.

"We've got a mission. Going to retrieve a missing convoy." Whistles, whoo-hoos and high-fives were exchanged among them. Cidney laughed and shook her head. She had never seen a bunch of apes so eager about tracking through around and possibly getting their asses chewed off by some arachnid. Then again, this was no ordinary squad.

Pilots buzzed around the Docking Bay working on their fighters and preparing to transport troops to the planet's surface. Relaxing in one of the transports, Corporal Derri Malone and private Stefan Campbell sat quietly trying to catch a little more sleep.

"Wakey, wakey," Bayonne said as he climbed onboard and took a seat across from Campbell. Private Campbell was the newest member of the Vipers. Although this was his first mission, he felt very confident that his fellow squad members would bring him back alive. At least that was how he felt before he had the pleasure of meeting Corporal Von Konig.

"This must be the FNG." Von Konig said, stowing his gear overhead. Campbell looked up at the german as he took his seat. The man was about six feet tall. He had brown hair and green eyes. A very unusual trait for a German these days.

"Name's Campbell." The trooper extended his hand.

"Don't bother, Private." Sergeant Velasquez said as she leaned against the open cargo door. Her powersuit making her look as though she were a 20th century American Football player. "You've got to prove yourself in combat before he'll welcome ya." Campbell pulled his hand back as if he were afraid that Von Konig would rip it off.

"Don't worry, kid. You'll do just fine," Malone slapped him on the back and then fastened the restraint bar. "Kill a few bugs, watch out backs. You'll be feelin' like part of the family in no time." Once the others arrived, Lieutenant Vaughn gave the pilots a thumbs up indicating that it was time to go. Bringing the ship out of docking the co-pilot set a course for Earth. The dim lights overhead made every trooper appear as if they were some sort of robotic creation. Towards the front of the compartment sat Lieutenant Vaughn and Sergeant Velasquez.

"Lieutenant, .where are we going, sir?" Von Konig looked at Campbell and shook his head.

"Stupid FNG." Malone elbowed Von Konig in the side.

"We're looking for a convoy that went missing, Campbell." Vaughn replied. "You'll be briefed before we land."

"They're probably all dead by now. Don't know why they're sending us."

"Fuck off, Konig." Bayonne shouted.

"Knock it off you apes!" Vaughn yelled at his troopers. Konig mumbled something in German. His voice trailed off into silence. Sighing, Cidney leaned her head back against the seat. Her mind shifted through memories she longed to forget.