Chapter V - The Three

I walked into my designated bunk room "Bunk 0-48" and there were three Alliance troops Leon, Samuel, and Jenkins sitting on their bunks. These men weren't N7, they were just troops and grunts if things went to shit here. They were good men. I had been bunked here with them for about two weeks now. They were young and like all young soldiers they had big dreams and goals in the Alliance. They noticed I had walked into the room and all stood up in a salute "Captain" they said almost in unison. "Gentlemen, there's no need for that. As you were." I said to them walking past them. "Ma'am the news say that there is an estimate of three million casualties already reported. What the hell are we going to do?" Jenkins asked with a shaky voice. As Jenkins asked his question I had been hearing all night I realized they had a radio turned on with the Alliance News Network playing. I was still deep in my thoughts. I had not realized the radio was on. "The first thing we are gonna do is turn that shit off, private!" I ordered and Jenkins was quick to shut the radio off, almost tripping on his own feet while doing it. Leon and Samuel both backed up just a little with Jenkins's showcase of clumsiness. "Look you three, I am not gonna pretend like I am not scared of what's to come, but Damnit if we display our fear now and bring it into war with us, you can kiss your ass goodbye and the Reapers win quicker than Jenkins here almost fell to the ground." I said sternly, crossing my arms. Jenkins rubbed the back of his neck nervously while Leon and Samuel looked as if they wanted to let out a laugh. "The captain is right guys." Samuel said as he took turns looking at the other two. "She is telling us not to be pussies and to show the Reapers we won't just lay down for them." They all looked back towards me, a little less fearful. "That is exactly what I'm telling you, privates. When we are in battle tomorrow, you think about those three million that were lost and use that against these bastards." I said very softly while clenching my fists at my side. "Yes ma'am!" Jenkins shouted and the three privates saluted in unison almost as if they practiced unison like an acapella group. "You said us captain. Are we going to be fighting under you?" Leon asked and the others looked at him then back to me with wide eyes. "Not under me but, with me. Every single one of us needs to have each other's back. I've been tasked with leading a galaxy wide task force, Special Forces. First task is going to Jarove station and you three are coming with me." I said to them and they all looked like they had just found their purpose in life. "I'm sending you the info on Special Forces and our mission at Jarove to your omni-tools." I tapped on my omni-tool and activated the forwarding process to them, only taking half a second. Their omni-tools lit up and immediately started diving into everything Hackett sent me. " The ship is being prepped and we have a couple hours till we depart. So get yourselves set. I need just thirty seconds of shuteye so excuse me. I'll answer any of your questions when I am up." I said wasting no time heading for the captain's bunk room. That was a benefit for Alliance captains, you get your own enclosed bunk. Beside the bunk was a small table that had my armor and helmet leaned against with my reliable Carnifex pistol I've had since the C-Sec days. I picked up the Carnifex and did a quick inspection. "I am going to need you more than ever." I said placing it back down on the table. I got into the buck, looking up at the dark ceiling. I put a cigarette to my lips but before I could light it, I had fallen fast asleep.