Memories
It seemed to take ages to reach the next outpost, though in actuality it only took a few hours. But, as Gren saw it, without any water to quench his deep thirst, it might as well be an eternity.
The men spread out to set up camp, Gren immediately heading toward the large water tower in the center. An entire company of men had been stationed here permanently, their only task to guard Ganymede's water stores with their life. It was the only cistern around for miles, a man- made oasis in the middle of the wasteland.
Approaching their commander, Gren sheepishly held up his empty canteen. The man's face remained impassive for a moment, then one corner of his mouth turned up in amusement.
"Leak, eh?" He said, his voice deep and gruff, but containing a warmth that set Gren at ease. "Yeah, you aren't the first one I've dealt with." He motioned Gren over to a small, wooden shack that looked on the verge of collapse. With the frequent sandstorms and powerful winds, it probably was. The young soldier was brought inside, where he saw piles of extra equipment piled on the ground and stacked on shelves.
"All right lad, here ya go." Said the older man, handing Gren a new canteen.
"Thanks," he said awkwardly, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. He felt like such a rookie. The commander gave him an understanding smile, clapping him on the back as he went back outside.
"No problem, just take better care of your equipment." Said the man, heading back to his post. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I know you worry about me, but I know serving here is exactly what I need. Don't worry about me, I have a great leader, with a lot of experience. His name is Vicious, but don't let that scare you. He's been looking after your 'wayward son.' Give my love to Ian and Bethany. I'll come home, I promise.
Love,
Grencia Mars Elijah Gon Eckener
Gren winced as he read his insanely long name, scratching it out with a sigh. His parents, successful traders on Ganymede, were outrageously rich, and had felt the need to give their children outrageous names to show it. Looking back over his letter, he signed it again
Love,
Gren
Satisfied, he slipped it into an envelope and sealed it. As technologically advanced as the world might be, Titan was still uninhabited, and mail between soldiers and their families was limited to the ancient form of letters. Most people didn't even know how to write a formal letter anymore, but Gren's wealthy background had insured him a well- rounded education.
Gren stepped out of his tent, walking over to the outposts mailbox and dropping his letter in with another sigh. He then headed toward a small empty fire that had been built in one of the outposts trenches. There was no one sitting near it that he could see, so he decided to take a moment to warm himself.
He leaned back against the side of the trench, leaning his head back and looking up into the dark sky. His family had never been very close, his father was always away on business, keeping the family empire alive. His mother was home a lot, but usually entertaining friends, and had little time for him.
His brother and sister were the only family members he really cared about. His brother, Ian, was a year older than he, so they had always been very close. More like friends than siblings really. They had spent much of their youth running rampant around their family's large estate, causing as much mischief and tormenting their governess as much as possible.
His sister Bethany, or Bethy as they had called her, was several years younger, and looked up to Gren and Ian immensely. They, in turn, had taken it upon themselves to take care of her, letting her tag along with them on their boyhood adventures in order to watch over her.
When news had come of the war on Titan, Gren had just been celebrating his 20th birthday. He was old enough to go start his own life, though he had pretty much had his own life from the beginning. Almost on impulse, he made the decision to enlist in Ganymede's Armed Forces.
His brother had applauded him, but declined to go himself. He was heir to the family fortune, and had been taken under their father's wing, being instructed in the ways of business. His sister, and more surprisingly, his mother, had begged him not to leave.
"I'll write you mother, don't worry, I'll be fine." He had said before picking up his bag and walking out the door.
It seemed to take ages to reach the next outpost, though in actuality it only took a few hours. But, as Gren saw it, without any water to quench his deep thirst, it might as well be an eternity.
The men spread out to set up camp, Gren immediately heading toward the large water tower in the center. An entire company of men had been stationed here permanently, their only task to guard Ganymede's water stores with their life. It was the only cistern around for miles, a man- made oasis in the middle of the wasteland.
Approaching their commander, Gren sheepishly held up his empty canteen. The man's face remained impassive for a moment, then one corner of his mouth turned up in amusement.
"Leak, eh?" He said, his voice deep and gruff, but containing a warmth that set Gren at ease. "Yeah, you aren't the first one I've dealt with." He motioned Gren over to a small, wooden shack that looked on the verge of collapse. With the frequent sandstorms and powerful winds, it probably was. The young soldier was brought inside, where he saw piles of extra equipment piled on the ground and stacked on shelves.
"All right lad, here ya go." Said the older man, handing Gren a new canteen.
"Thanks," he said awkwardly, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. He felt like such a rookie. The commander gave him an understanding smile, clapping him on the back as he went back outside.
"No problem, just take better care of your equipment." Said the man, heading back to his post. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I know you worry about me, but I know serving here is exactly what I need. Don't worry about me, I have a great leader, with a lot of experience. His name is Vicious, but don't let that scare you. He's been looking after your 'wayward son.' Give my love to Ian and Bethany. I'll come home, I promise.
Love,
Grencia Mars Elijah Gon Eckener
Gren winced as he read his insanely long name, scratching it out with a sigh. His parents, successful traders on Ganymede, were outrageously rich, and had felt the need to give their children outrageous names to show it. Looking back over his letter, he signed it again
Love,
Gren
Satisfied, he slipped it into an envelope and sealed it. As technologically advanced as the world might be, Titan was still uninhabited, and mail between soldiers and their families was limited to the ancient form of letters. Most people didn't even know how to write a formal letter anymore, but Gren's wealthy background had insured him a well- rounded education.
Gren stepped out of his tent, walking over to the outposts mailbox and dropping his letter in with another sigh. He then headed toward a small empty fire that had been built in one of the outposts trenches. There was no one sitting near it that he could see, so he decided to take a moment to warm himself.
He leaned back against the side of the trench, leaning his head back and looking up into the dark sky. His family had never been very close, his father was always away on business, keeping the family empire alive. His mother was home a lot, but usually entertaining friends, and had little time for him.
His brother and sister were the only family members he really cared about. His brother, Ian, was a year older than he, so they had always been very close. More like friends than siblings really. They had spent much of their youth running rampant around their family's large estate, causing as much mischief and tormenting their governess as much as possible.
His sister Bethany, or Bethy as they had called her, was several years younger, and looked up to Gren and Ian immensely. They, in turn, had taken it upon themselves to take care of her, letting her tag along with them on their boyhood adventures in order to watch over her.
When news had come of the war on Titan, Gren had just been celebrating his 20th birthday. He was old enough to go start his own life, though he had pretty much had his own life from the beginning. Almost on impulse, he made the decision to enlist in Ganymede's Armed Forces.
His brother had applauded him, but declined to go himself. He was heir to the family fortune, and had been taken under their father's wing, being instructed in the ways of business. His sister, and more surprisingly, his mother, had begged him not to leave.
"I'll write you mother, don't worry, I'll be fine." He had said before picking up his bag and walking out the door.