Chapter 1

0700 Hours, December 25, 2551 (Military Calendar)\ Cyran Sagarus System, Planet Auradium\ At camp Zarius

Rioko awoke to a loud bang that sounded like a week grenade. " What the hell was that?!"

"Nothing!" a group of voices outside yelled.

Rioko got to his feet and looked out the snow covered window. After a few seconds a flash was followed by a bang which was followed by a flying Warthog. Deciding he'd rather not know, Rioko got dressed and headed towards the mess hall. He sleeply walked toward the line where the cooks served food. The line was shockingly empty for once.

"Merry Christmas." grinned Jason.

Jason was the only instructor at camp Zarius besides CPO Carl that Rioko trusted.

"It's Christmas?" Rioko asked tiredly.

"Yep." replied Jason.

"If thats true do I get a present?" Inquired Rioko suddenly wide awake.

"Yeah but I'm screwed if anyone finds out Carl and I umm... borrowed these for you." he whispered. Jason reached under the counter and pulled out a backpack and handed it to Rioko. "Don't open it until your back at the barracks." he advised. Then as an after thought he added "Unless you're suicidal."

Suddenly they heard hurried foot steps coming near them. "What am I mad at you for this time." Jason hurridly asked.

"I tried to umm...uh...steal your uh...your...your security pass!" Rioko hurridly whispered.

Jason started yelling just as D.I. Harrison burst in. "Never try to steal my security pass again got..."

He was silenced as D.I. Harrison started to actually scream at Rioko. "First off, where the hell did everyone in your barracks get grenades?!"

Rioko who was crinjing on the floor replied "I don't know!" D.I. Harrison growled "I think you're a fucking liar and a thief but I don't get the privlage of punishing you today because Captain McNeil wants you in his office now." She then spun around and left.

Rioko and Jason looked at each other and shrugged. Anouther explosion sounded from outside.

Jason grinned and snickerd "You better run like hell when you're out there."

Rioko nodded, picked up the backpack and ran out the door while craming a piece of toast into his mouth. As soon as he got out side he had to duck to avoid a piece of shrapenel. He pelted towards Captain McNeil's office and when he was almost there a warthog flew through the air and he had to tuck and roll beneath it into the builing and he slammed the door closed behind him. He looked up and saw a lot of fancy computers and a group of four people already standing in front of Captain McNeil. Jack, Kurt, Li, and Fred looked over at him and Fred gave him a friendly smile.

"Excellent run Rioko,10 out of 10 now would you please stand between Privates Jack and Kurt." Captain McNeil grinned. Rioko saluted and did as he was told. "Now that you're all here we can begin." Captain McNeil said. "You five have been selected based on your skill and abilities. Jack, you are generaly an all around excellent soldier. Rioko and Fred you skills with stealth, assassination, and speed are exceptional. Li, you are unrivaled at this camp when it comes to Zero-g. And Kurt, you could all most literally ambush a motion tracker. Using those and other evaluations, I have determined that you will not join blue, red, or grey teams but will form green squad. Jack, you are now a Cheif Petty Officer Third Class and Green 1, Rioko will be Green 2, Kurt will be Green 3, Li will be Green 4, and Fred Will be Green 5. The four of you will be Petty Officers First Class. Is that clear?"

Green squad snapped to attention. "Sir yes Sir!"

The Captain nodded and said "Good. Dismissed." They began to leave but Captain McNeil called Rioko back. "Rioko, I want you to tell everyone to be at the firing range in 0100 and go shut them up, they've been celebrating since 0400." Rioko saluted once more and then left to go shut up a celebration undoubtably led by Sam.