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Gymnasium Hall, UECAF Military Base, Valhalla, Asgard System, UEC space
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The loud cheering and shouts of encouragement from various spectators almost deafened Ben's hearing, watching as the two combatants hit it out in the ring. The gym hall was almost stuffed full of army, navy and marine personnel to see someone from their respective branches fight it out in the boxing ring. The match was more than just to blow off steam it was also for bragging rights over who were the better branch of the UECAF, and for some quick creds to be won.
"Come on Dekker, rip that space urchin a new one!" Michelle shouted next to him, showing she was just into this match as everyone else in the gym hall. The match was contested between Sergeant Major Chris Dekker of the 32nd Armoured Brigade and Lieutenant David Silva of the CSF Cruiser Amazon.
"He's been kicking his arse for nearly two rounds now" Ben stated as the tankman landed two more punches right into the centre of Silva's face.
"Yeah, I'm surprise that Silva is still standing. Dekker has one helluva of punch on him" Dan agreed keeping his eyes on the fight. The bell rang signalling the end of the round and by the way the fight was going, it didn't look as if the Naval officer was going to last another with the tough as nails Sergeant Major.
The noise in the hall lowered but not by much, enough for Ben to hear the bickering voices of Natalie and Victor squeezing their way through the crowd.
"What took you guys so long?"
"The line to the betting table was long and Modric got us lost" Natalie said thumbing to the sheepish looking Victor.
"It's a big crowd, it's easy to get lost in here" His excuse only got an unconvinced glare from the youngster "Besides what's to worry, we'll be a few credits richer fairly soon"
The bell rang again and the boxers approached each other for another round, causing the spectators to turn up the volume once again. The navy Lieutenant was showing more visible signs he wasn't going to last long with Dekker throwing one of his hammer like punches to him, swaying like a drunk and keeping close to the ropes. The hall echoed as Ben and all the other army personnel present chanted for Dekker whilst the sailors and pilots were calling out for Silva, not that it did much good for him.
The knock out blow came as Dekker delivered an uppercut that connected perfectly to Silva's chin, sending him straight to the mat and laying almost out cold from the well time strike. The ref was counting him out for the knock out with some assistance from the crowd. There was still some life left in Silva as he tried climbing the ropes. It wasn't enough however and the ref signalled for the end of the match, the room erupted into a loud cheer of both happy and disappointed faces decorating the crowd.
"And that's why you don't mess with the army!" Somebody next him shouted. In the ring the competitors were both standing in the centre with the ref raising Dekker's arm in victory, his name being chanted by the army supporters around the outside. The two shook hands at the end and climbed out the ring in different directions of the crowd.
"Go on then Vic, go get our winnings and try not to get lost this time" Dan nudged the visibly annoyed soldier who obviously didn't want to go through the large crowd again.
"Dekker sure showed those navy wimps a thing or two"
"Give the Lieutenant some credit. Not many people could put with being hit like that for that long" Ben gave some defence for the beaten opposition.
"What's the Captain doing?" Natalie pointed to the ring. They all turned to where she was pointing and sure enough Pires was speaking with the ref, the latter handing the microphone over to former.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen unless you're of the 115th, grab your cash and make your way out hall. Thank you" This caused a few to murmurs of curiosity over why the Captain was keeping them back.
The room was soon cleared of everyone except for nearly 40 soldiers of the regiment, all standing around the now empty ring waiting for Pires to give reason for keeping them behind. Just before he spoke, Ben felt Victor tap his shoulder and handed over his winning credits.
"Ok boys and girls listen up. Tomorrow we'll be heading out to the Outer Colony of New Babylon, so I want you all to return to barracks and pack your gear. This is just a heads up before the Colonel sends out the order"
"Why are we going to New Babylon, Captain?" Michelle asked what everyone was thinking.
"All will be explained in due time. For now go get your stuff ready because knowing the Colonel, you'll be up bright and early so try and get an early night" He gave a quick nod then left the ring, leaving the others to mull over what was going on.
"Did you know anything about this Corp?"
"No Dan, it's the first I've heard of this" Ben frowned feeling just as bewildered by the sudden deployment as the rest of them. Something didn't sit right with him about their new orders. To be told they were being shipped out at such short notice without an explanation, yet anyway, was odd to say the least.
"Why do you think we're being sent to this New Babylon place?"
"Probably to do some joint exercise with the planetary militia" Victor answered Natalie's question first, his guess getting a grumble from everyone in the group.
"God that's so boring. Half of the time they think they're bunch of badasses because they hold a gun and the other half have trouble telling their ass from their elbow" Michelle shook her head, hating the idea of training a bunch of part time troopers.
"Perhaps they have a Legion problem their own security forces can't handle"
"Maybe, but Pires would of mention if it was those assholes" They all continued to speculate on the way to barracks, except for Ben who still couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
It wasn't until they reached the barracks, a collection of 4 story grey buildings in a long row running almost 2 miles used as living quarters for the on duty soldiers when the UNICOM on their wrists all beeped at an incoming message. As predicted it was from Colonel Hall.
ALL PERSONNEL OF THE 115TH REGIMENT ARE TO REPORT TO THE NAVAL SPACEPORT AT 0530. PACK FOR A LONG TRIP.
"Well that confirms guys" Ben stated tapping on the device, lowering the small projected screen "I suggest you take the Captain's advice and go about getting your stuff ready now and have an early kip"
"It's only eight-forty Corporal" Ben pinched the bridge of his nose, resisting the urge to sigh at the almost juvenile way Natalie complained of the time.
"Yes but by the time you get everything ready it'll be nine o'clock. Then me and Dan have to wake up earlier then you lot to get your arses out of bed and when your done getting ready, we'll have to head over to the armoury and then get a lift to the spaceport on time. That's unless you want to have Henrik to give you an early morning chat" All protest evaporated at the mention of getting a lecture from the firebrand sergeant "I'll see you lot in the morning"
Ben and Dan split from the group and went over to barrack D-3, the sleeping quarters given to army NCOs. They both placed their UNICOMs on the ID pads on the doors, it's white scanners connecting to the wrist device for a few seconds before lighting up green allowing them access. As they walked up to the second floor he spotted Muller at the top of the stairs reading a message off his UNICOM.
"Hey Jack did you get the word?" Dan quizzed him first.
"Yeah not too long ago, where do you think it is this time?"
"Some place called New Babylon according to Pires" Ben answered, stopping as they reached the top step.
"That's an Outer Colony right?. It's probably Legion stirring shit again" The other Corporal shrugged coming up with the same conclusion as Michelle and most likely everyone else of the regiment "Well I've gotta have a word with my squad before we ship out. See you guys later"
Letting him pass by them down the stairs they carried on until reaching their shared quarters, both names and rank on the door on a small blue computer screen. When he got in Ben went to his side of the room which consisted of the basic standard issue bed given to all military personnel, a small metal bedside cabinet and the old union flag of the UK hanging on his wall. He pulled out a duffle bag from under the bed and started to pack a personal wash kit, an extra change of clothes and pulled out 3 extra Razor clips from the cabinet.
Dan on the other hand had stopped packing and turned on the television built into on the wall, the holo screen popping up in the 32 inch frame next to the door.
"...And the Tau Ceti Tigers continue their impressive form today as they defeat the Orion Ravagers in the final qualifying round for the Commonwealth Galaxy Cup 3-1"
"I'm telling you Corp, it's the Tigers' year. We've beaten everybody in our way and will be flying our colours over the trophy" The big Tau Ceti born pointed his thumb to the red and yellow jersey on his wall.
"Keep dreaming mate. I hear they have a special display case waiting back in Geneva once the Lions retain it for the third year running"
"What with most of your best players out injured?. It's coming home to New Saigon buddy" Before he could retort back, the news report switched to a different subject.
"In other news today, Premier Cartwright has denied rumours of a disturbance along the Chimeran border. Sources claim ships have been sent to the outer fringes of the Empire's borders, causing speculation of an attack from Purist remnant forces. There has been no word from the Chimeran ambassador as of yet to confirm these claims, despite continuing attempts to-"
"Those bastards just don't know when to quit" Dan snorted going back to packing his bag, the news reporter becoming nothing more than background noise as Ben did the same.
Managing to get a least a few hours sleep before waking half hour before his set alarm, Ben lay awake thinking over the new deployment orders. It was strange enough they were being practically rushed to a new system without so much of an explanation from the Colonel, then there was the news report on suspicious activity along the Chimera's borders. It could be just coincidence he thought, but then again it would of been a miraculous one that it so happened they were being sent away to some Outer Colony near the edge of UEC space on short notice just as trouble was brewing over the border.
The blaring of the alarm ringing from his UNICOM brought him out of his musing to the stirring form of Lance-Corporal Hai from the other side of the room.
"What time is it Corp?"
"Four am" A growl escaped from Dan as he sat up from his bed, mumbling what sounded like cursing early morning wake up calls. Ben climbed out of bed and went to his locker, pulling out the various pieces of his Battle Suit and putting them on one bit at a time. Having put on the specialised airtight body suit he clipped on the chest plate, armoured gauntlets and shin guards to reinforce his combat boots, then attached the shoulder and elbow pads to finish his body protection before putting on his helmet and mask.
"You ready?" He glanced up to an already dressed Dan, in the process of linking the mask and helmet systems together.
"Yeah, lets go wake those lazy sods up" The faint flash of red in his visor meant the link was complete and so left with Dan in tow, his duffel bag slung over his shoulder. They met up with several other NCOs including Muller and Henrik, who gathered them over by the entrance of the barracks containing the troops of the regiment.
"I'm headed up to the spaceport now. In the meantime wake the sleeping beauties up and make sure everyone of them is up, ready and dressed before the APCs arrive. Got it?" They all nodded to his command then he left, walking over to a waiting Cheetah near by. Another Sergeant pressed his wrist device to the ID scanner letting them all in and move down the corridors and stairs.
"Come on up and at 'em!" The same Sergeant banged the door of the first room on the first floor. Ben and the other NCOs all repeated the same actions, either banging on the doors or opening up the six bunked rooms turning on the lights and calling them out.
"Come on you guys, time to get up" Ben opened a door to the awakening troops and switched the piercing lights.
"Jeez Corporal, gives us a minute" One of them moaned shielding his eyes from the unwelcome bright light.
"You don't have a minute, so shift" He left them be, carrying on down the corridor to several more rooms and waking the weary lot from their slumber. After all rooms were now barely alive with activity, Ben stood outside the barracks with Dan and Muller waiting for everyone of the 115th to make an early morning appearance.
"Look at them, it's like an army of the dead" Muller joked at the growing number of soldiers leaving the confines of the barracks, all sounding and moving miserably at coming out to the still Valhallan night sky.
"It's been awhile since we had an early morning call, so it's not surprising some of them have gone soft" Dan reasoned, shrugging his shoulders as they watched out for familiar faces of their squads. All of Muller's were out so he left to go have a talk with them, leaving the duo searching for the other members of their own.
A minute later Ben recognised Natalie and Michelle coming toward them with Nat working on syncing her mask to the helmet link.
"Morning guys" He greeted the tired pair.
"Ugh, I hope the Colonel has a good reason for getting us up this damn early" The half asleep voice of Michelle complained through his comm. Both were holding duffel bags over their shoulder and waiting for the last squad member.
"Anybody seen Modric yet?" On cue Victor stormed over to them, clearly not happy with something.
"Hai, why did you throw a fucking basketball at my head?!" He seethed directing his anger to the waiting Lance-Corporal.
"You told me to fuck off when I ordered you out of your bunk" Dan shrugged unapologetically "Next time don't be so rude, otherwise you'll find something a lot harder than a basketball hitting that thick skull of yours"
"Alright that's enough, our transports coming this way" Ben stepped in to diffuse the argument before something more painful than words were exchanged between them, pointing down the road at the approaching Grizzly APCs and army trucks. The big 6 wheeled armoured transports filled up the road and came to a halt, opening the back metal doors to allow the waiting troops to board.
Ben stood by the second Grizzly letting the others board first then climbed in himself, choosing to stand and grab onto one of the handle bars hanging from the ceiling. Everybody else except for a few others were sitting on the benches, some of whom were having conversations among themselves or sitting quietly waiting to reach the armoury. The trip to the armoury took around 5 minutes and all the Grizzlies and trucks halted, releasing their human cargo to grab their weapons for the destination ahead.
Climbing out first from the APC Ben lead the occupants to the others coming out of the vehicles and towards the heavily guarded building. There were guards standing by the entrance of the place with drones patrolling around the perimetre, stopping as they turned to stare down at them with the red 'eye' in the centre of the machines bodies. Ben was sure there was a few other nasties hidden around should anything unfriendly were to happen to the base.
One by one a skeletal shaped robot standing by the door of the main armoury scanned their UNICOMs for verification, allowing them all by once it was happy with the scan.
"That thing always gives me the creeps" Michelle said behind him as she passed the robot's scanning.
"Probably because it looks so much like you"
"Fuck you Modric" Ben himself suppressed a chuckle, unlike the others around them who sniggered at Victor's quip. When they finally got into the armoury, he made his way down the long aisles of guns of all types from conventional to heavy duty firearms. He picked out two P17 Striker pistols and a Razor from the racks and grabbed over half a dozen clips from the ammo crates for each one.
After typing in the logbook on what he acquired, he made his way back to the waiting Grizzly with everyone now equipped with their preferred choice of weapons. It was a 25 minute drive to the spaceport so Ben check over his squad who were all crammed in the now bunched up APC.
Dan was standing up on the other end of the passenger compartment annoying a couple of the troops, thanks to the XR-015 Hailstorm almost knocking them over and taking up room of the already cramped space. Victor was sitting in the middle of the left hand side bench wrapping a sling around his Rossmore 311 shotgun and Mk 10 Auger, chatting with Michelle who was sitting opposite with Natalie who was resting her head on Colton's shoulder appearing to have snoozed off.
Ben shook his head in amusement at the 115th's youngest member, loosely holding onto her L5 Sharpshooter standing upright between her knees. On her forearm was the knife sheath they all had, only rather than the standard issue combat knife it contained her custom made Cloven Dagger given to her by her Cloven grandfather back on Haven after she joined the army. It had a red, brown and black coloured handle and a black steel blade with the Russian equivalent of the letter D carved in the middle of the blade. It was supposedly to be some representation of Cloven culture and Ben knew well enough that nobody was to touch it other than herself, even Colonel Hall and Pires knew better than to handle a Cloven Dagger without permission from its owner.
Michelle turned to him and could see he was looking amused behind his masked at Natalie dropping off next to her, just shrugged in response lightly moving her head. Her M2A5 Assault Rifle was lying on top of her duffel bag on the floor whilst she sat back against the wall of the Grizzly.
The APC finally stopped at their destination and let them out the back as before, only this time the twin suns of Asgard were starting to rise above the sky. Ben was one the first to climb out of the APC with his duffel bag swung over his shoulder and holding his BM08 Razor in one hand and checking to see if his P17s were in the holsters with the other.
The Grizzly had dumped them by one of the spaceports docks that had a CSF Marauder-class Cruiser hovering nearby, it's extension tubes locked against the sides of the dock. The ship was one of the most easily recognisable ships of the entire CSF for its design that made it look like an Auger rifle, minus the ammo feed. The huge vessel had the typical dark blue coloured hull with white runes painted on both sides of forward section, stopping as it curved into the bay of the visible Particle Cannons sticking out of the front.
"Is that what's taking us to Babylon?" Natalie's still sleepy sounding voice asked him.
"New Babylon and yeah I imagine so"
"Come on form up, form up!" Sergeant Henrik's bellowing voice ordered them over as over 1,800 bodies converged over to the officers waiting on a platform that lead up to the ship. They circled around the small group of officers who appeared to have been waiting there for some time.
"Hurry up Chavez, Paulson stand up straight. Modric look where you're pointing that damn thing!" Henrik shouted at Victor who was swinging his shotgun about in an unprofessional manner. Ben noted Colonel Hall wearing his distinctive sunglasses as always and smoking a lit cigar, Captain Pires and the other senior officers of the regiment standing with a few officers in the white naval uniform of the Commonwealth Space Fleet.
When everyone finally stood into place, Colonel Hall pressed on a small megaphone and spoke at them through it.
"Good morning everybody" His southern American accent came through the megaphone without a fault "I know you're all wondering why I've called you all out here on such short notice and not much else on why you'll out on this fine morning"
"Well we didn't come out for kicks"
"Shut up Chavez" Someone growled behind him, ending any more disgruntled muttering before the Colonel continued.
"The local government of New Babylon has been whining to High Command back home, complaining of insufficient help from the UECAF. So Command has asked us to beef up their defences and perform joint exercises with the local defence forces"
"Oh for God sake" Michelle grumbled through the comm.
"I know. It's not the best of jobs, quite frankly it can be goddamn boring. However, you are soldiers of the best damn regiment of the whole damn army so put up with. The others are complaining we're getting the more exciting posts and want us to stop being such greedy bastards and let them have a chance at heroics" A few chuckles rang around the crowd at the last part of his speech "This here is Captain Fisher of the CSF Cruiser Amazon, the same vessel that was shown up by us 'ground pounders' last night" The said Captain rolled his eyes at the jibe "Captain do you want to take it from here?"
Captain Fisher took the outstretched megaphone from Hall, clearing his voice before speaking through it.
"The journey to the Babylonian System is a ten hour jump. You can do as you please, so long as you don't hamper the running of the ship and the duties of my crew. Oh uh and one last thing, avoid clashing with the marines. They may see your temporary stay as an intrusion on 'their' turf" Snorts of disgust echoed around the gathered troops "After you Colonel"
"Come on in lines three!" Henrik directed the troops into an orderly fashion, with the officers taking position up front and leading them up the platform to the cruise.
"I knew it
"Quit complaining Michelle, it might not be that bad"
"Yeah sure it will" She said not at all convinced. Ben fell into line taking a spot in the middle with Dan and Michelle taking flanking positions on either side of him, marching with the rest of the 115th down the rectangular box shaped tubes.
"So how long do you think before somebody gets into a fight with the leathernecks?"
"Five seconds, once you open your mouth Modric" A stern look from Henrik stopped any further arguing from Natalie and Victor, opting to keep quiet until they were inside the ship. Ben on the other hand hoped her predication wasn't about to come true.