The New Shas'Las First Combat

By Dylan.A.Brown

Author's Notes: Please note that, this story is an old one I dug up somehow, from somewhere in my folders. It is narrated from a different perspective than mostof my stories.

Shas'Vre Fal'Shia Es'Siet stood up. Soon the chime would sound. Soon the doors would open and he would watch the first Shas'las jump out of the dropship. Soon there would be slaughter. Soon he would be responsible of sending the young troops to what could be their doom. Well… at least he could prepare them for it.

"Shas'las. Soon you will be witnessing your first combat. Well. Expect the worst, and do your best. We've got two other squads down there, your orders are to clear out the hanger and meet the others at the rendezvous point. First battle is always the worst. Just trust in the Tau'Va."

"Two Rai'Kors, Shas'Vre."

"Prepare yourselves Shas'Las, helmet checks."

Each of the Shas'las quickly found a partner and made sure all their Wargear was in perfect order.

"One Rai'Kor, Shas'Vre."

Es'Siet saw the troops were nervous. He addressed them again, lowering his voice a little in case the surpervising Shas'el objected.

"I remember my first combat. The brutality of war. I've experienced it. I've lived through it… so far. First battle. Mm. The hardest battle. Not with the enemy, but yourself. Hold your head high, and contribute your part towards the greater good, to the Tau'Va"

The troops seemed slightly less nervous. Or more. I couldn't tell.

"Shas'vre, half a Rai'Kor!"

The chime sounded. The doors opened.

"For the Tau'va!" Heiken told them. The first line jumped.

Soon the dropship was empty but for Es'Siet, the Kor'Vre and Kor'Ui pilots in the front, and the Shas'el in the small compartment to his left.

"Shas'vre?"

"Shas'el?" Answered Es'Siet.

"I heard what you said to the troops." Said the commander, voice carefully neutral.

"Sir?"

"Mmm. Inspirational, to say the least." He stated.

"My thanks, Shas'el."

"What is your name, Shas'vre?"

"Shas'vre Fal'Shia Es'Siet… Shas'El."

"Vre'Es'Siet, what is my name?"

"I… with all due respect sir, I don't know."

"Shas'el T'au Tae'Var, Shas'Vre. Under normal circumstances I would expect you to know the names of your superiors."

"Apologies, Shas'El."

"That's alright Shas'Vre. Just try and remember, yes?" he said, with a small smile.

"Shas'El."

"Good. Carry on."

Exactly what he was meant to be carrying on with, Es'Siet didn't know. But to look as if he wasn't just standing around, he went over to the screens that displayed the HUD's of the troopers.

They were doing well. A couple showed the charred remains of a destroyed Orc warbike, still smoking. He smiled. Then something happened that wiped the smile from his blue-grey features. Four of the HUD's suddenly went Black, another in a pool of cyan Tau blood. The remaining Shas'las shot back with their pulse rifles at the disgusting orcs and snotlings that had lobbed a grenade into the heart of the squad.

Purple, slimy ork blood dribbled all over the ground. Disgusting. The Shas'las entered the hanger and threw their grenades in. rolling into cover, the explosives detonated with tremendous force, sending the broken remains of ramshackle orc vehicles flying high through the air. They were definitely doing well, Es'Siet thought.

Authors' Notes: I hope you enjoyed this story, even though this is really very old. I think by about one and a half years. Dylan.B