I'm back at it. Here's something you guys have been wanting for a while. It's been a while, but I know you guys will want something. I'm figuring that some things are better left continued. So review in the end. This is Colonial Marines…

Chapter 2: Bullshit Future

Six Months Earlier

I stood up straighter in my desk, trying hard to stay awake. School was the most boring thing that they seemed to be able to think of, and I knew that the class would get interesting soon, once the teacher entered and we began to learn soon.

I never really was into school, but there was one class that I absolutely hated above all else. Contemporary History of The Modern Age. It was a class that was basically a Company Propaganda Campaign. They taught us the recent history that seemed to focus around Weyland Yutani. In all honesty, it was like being forced to sit through a torture session.

However, there were debates in the class, and Mr. D'Lacy always made the class seem interesting whenever he asked the questions. The man was a Colonial Marine, back during the Outrider Rebellions. On a hot day, when he rolled his sleeves up, you could kind of see his tattoo on his left arm.

I always thought it was cool. And the fact that my girlfriend and I shared that class together made it just a little more worth it.

Tanaka Kotone, my girl from Tokyo. Absolutely gorgeous, with her red-tinted black hair, and those brown eyes that you really had to look into to see. She sat next to me, and we both were always tempted to make out whenever Mr. D'Lacy played a video for us.

And speak of the devil as the guy walked in. He immediately went to the chalkboard, which was digital touchscreen these days. He then proceeded to use his finger to write "What is the difference between a Civilian and a Citizen?"

My mind had been too busy noticing the board turning his handwriting into sans serif text, the rounded letters forming as too much to really notice.

"And who haven't I asked yet this year?" D'Lacy replied, looking around.

I followed his eyes as they immediately turned to me. "How about you Choka"

"There is no difference sir" I replied "Only that a Citizen has residential benefits on the level of his or her nation"

"Wrong!" D'Lacy yelled "The difference between a Citizen and an ordinary Civilian is that a Citizen actually takes notice and uses their voice in the government to further their country for the greater good. If I teach you only one thing this year, is that. Now after you graduate, you'll become Citizens technically. Able to vote and everything; I want you to be true Citizens, and not Civilians." He paused, as if to let it sink in on us.

"Now do any of you plan on joining the military?" He asked "Be honest, because there is nothing to be ashamed of about it."

Ventnor raised her hand. "I plan on joining the Air Force and becoming a pilot."

"Ventnor, right?" D'Lacy asked.

The small girl nodded. "I believe there is still much that can be done."

"Anyone else?" D'Lacy asked.

Nobody responded, and the room fell silent. It was as if someone had put duct tape over everyone's mouth, it was that silent.

"Shame" D'Lacy replied "because with the war going on today, we're going to need all of the soldiers we can get. I know for a fact that you all would make terrible citizens."

Kelman, the know-it-all of our class, raised her hand.

"Yes Kelman" D'Lacy asked "Do you have something to say?"

"Yes Professor D'Lacy" she replied "My mother always told me that none of the world's problems were truly solved by fighting, and that war only complicates human civilization and creates even more."

"Well, why don't you try telling that to the Carthaginians, or the Aztecs, or even to those Founding Fathers who were responsible for the creation of America. Try telling any of those that War complicates things."

The bell rang, signaling it was time to go to lunch.

"Don't forget" D'Lacy replied "The Colonial Marines are having their recruiter visit, and to show them some respect, and to check out their booth in the cafeteria."

I simply ignored him, shoved my books into my backpack, and ran off, following Kotone. We made our way down the hall, and to outside, where we took our seats at the bench underneath the tree that stood outside of the Cafeteria. It was Friday, and Kotone had brought sushi for the both of us.

I took a seat next to her, and she brought out he two Bento boxes. She handed me mine, along with a set of disposable chopsticks.

I opened the chopsticks, and the bento box. The top one had Onigiri and my favorite type that she made; shrimp.

The bottom had regular rice, with crab and tuna chopped up and mixed in.

"Arigato Kotone-chan" I replied, thanking her for lunch. We both began to eat, as we noticed one of the Colonial Marines walk up to the cafeteria, booth materials underneath one arm.

"I think it's just sick" Kotone replied.

"What is babe?" I asked, mouth full of food. My words sounded messy. I immediately swallowed.

"How they're using this school as a recruiting center" she explained "It's absolutely terrible."

"You know" I replied "The come here once a month, and in four whole years, I've never once checked out their booth."

"Are you saying you're actually interested?" she asked.

"Just out of curiosity" I replied "I mean, just to check it out."

She huffed a heavy sigh. "Well then" she sighed "Go check it out if that's what you want to do"

"You're really gonna let me" I asked, confused.

"I can't do anything to stop you" she replied "Just come back when you're done."

"Alright" I replied, setting my Bento down, and getting up, kissing her on the cheek, before walking up to the cafeteria.

I walked inside, and immediately came across the booth, right by the door. The recruiter looked bored, and I could tell why. Nobody else seemed interested.

I walked up to the booth, and checked out the propaganda that was playing on the miniscreens.

I then noticed what was at his hip. It was the A7X Biometric Small-Arms Pistol. The one weapon that the school would let the recruiter even bring near, because it would only fire for the person it's issued to.

"Is that what I think it is?" I asked, motioning to the pistol at his side.

"Yeah" he replied, surprised "the A7X Biometric Small-Arms Pistol. Standard-issue in the Colonial Marines."

I was immediately sold. That was a military-only firearm, and I had always loved firing off weapons at the shooting range. Plus, there was the fact that my father was in the Army Airborne Rangers.

"Where do I sign up?" I asked.