Night-time on Helena IV was, when there weren't heavy tracers and laser signatures filling the skyline and serious fighting was happening on the ground, a magical and unusual experience.
Nothing beats looking into the dark sky and watching as the light from Helena's departed sun bounced across the myriad of asteroid clutter that filled the void. It looked like a thousand smaller Moons, a thick belt that stretched across the sky and seemed to threaten the planet.
During the day, you could barely see them, but at night, they revealed their odd beauty.
And even though it was fairly dangerous, not to mention against Corps procedure - Ghoran had allowed some of the troops to open the APC door while they were still driving.
It was ok though, they were in friendly territory, and they weren't going that fast along the main road anyway.
And the view was magnificient.
Where the road stopped at the side - a few metres down, a vast sea of greenery started, and filled the view, curving across the landscape. It seemed to dance and shimmer in the belt's light.
Occasionally, the view would become blocked as the trees were closer, then expand once again after they passed.
Everyone at sometime got up and had a look. It was a tranquil image, however brief, and at times like this, it was a good and necessary departure from the day-to-day drudgery of death, and destruction.
Leanna, luckily enough, had a direct view from her seat.
She watched as the scenery rolled by, like a vid playing across a screen.
And inwardly, she continued to fight with the demons as they clawed at her sanity, asking questions that sent her mind into turmoil and insulting her with the most hurtful taunts.
Why? Because you are a coward You betrayed your comrades they were your friends
They trusted you and look where it go them DEAD DEAD ALL of them GONE Do you care? Yes? Why then did you leave them behind why did you leave them behind why why why why because really you don't care because if you did why didn't you die with them why didn't you help them why didn't you save them Because you are a coward because you cannot be trusted because you are worthless worthless insignificant person who doesn't have courage Honour! You let them all down All of them all of them Change? How? You are still a coward how could you of changed things? Don't make me laugh coward you couldn't have changed anything.
" NO ITS NOT TRUE. - ITS ALL LIES!!!!!! STOP IT!!! NONE OF IT IS TRUE!!!"
Leanna screamed at the top of her lungs, the agony of her screaming tearing at her vocal cords. She took in few breaths, and noticed the sudden silence, stares and open mouths that came from the marines around her.