Gears of War
Chapter 3: Private Matthews
"We have traveled 127.6 miles so far, with no sign of any locusts." Abel said as he spoke to Colonel Hoffman through the transmitter.
"Very good. Sergeant Fenix's squad has found a way into the mine." Hoffman reported to Abel.
"Yes, sir. We should arrive at our destination in two hours or so. We are making our way towards an air supply center for re-fueling."
"Good, I'll establish another link in about an hour. Hoffman out!"
After their brief conversation, Abel laid his head back.
I've been wondering about what Max said, about the resonator. What if it doesn't work, what if-. His thoughts were interrupted by a beeping. Some one was trying to establish a link.
"Yeah?" he said as he opened the link.
"Hey Abe." Max said.
"Oh, hey Max. What did I say? When we're out here, it's Lieutenant Salerno." He said with a laugh.
"Oh yeah, sorry." Max apologized.
"Hmm, well, what did you want?"
"Oh, well, I was wondering checking our course and we're not heading towards the mine. Why?" Max asked, slightly puzzled.
"We have to top at a nearby COG air supply base. We also have another soldier to pick up."
"Another soldier?"
"Yeah, someone who knows how the resonator works. Out of us 8, you're probably the smartest, and you don't even know how to use it."
"Hmm, I never thought about that. Ok, well I see. After that, we head off towards the mine, right?"
"Whoa, where did the eagerness come suddenly come from?" Abel asked, with a slight chuckle.
"I'm not eager, I just want to get this over with."
"Yeah, I hear that, but maybe we can finally end this war."
"Yeah, we can dream."
"We can, but who has the time too anymore?"
"True that." Max said, agreeing.
"Ok, well we land in about 30 minutes, so try to get some rest until then."
"Yes, sir."
"Salerno, out." Abel turned the link off, and looked around. It was dark and his soldiers were tired. They were asleep. He laid his head back, and fell asleep.
After his brother ended the conversation, Max started paying attention to the conversation his squad mates were having.
"Oh man, could you imagine being in that squad? Marcus Fenix: Hero of Aspho Fields. Augustus "The Cole Train" Cole: Thrash-ball defensive lineman." Tommy said with excitement.
"Cole is totally overrated." Simon said with his eyes closed.
"Ah, shut up fool. Hmm, what's wrong with you anyway?" Tyler asked as he noticed how pale Simon looked.
"I…hate…flying."
"Bah, come one, it builds character. Of course there's about 50 ways to die up here." Tommy said with a huge grin.
"Oh shit." Simon said as he threw up in a bag.
Tommy started laughing.
"I fucking hate you, you asshole." Simon said as he wiped his mouth.
"Enough you two." Sergeant Johnson said.
"Yeah, you got it, sir." Tommy replied.
"Wow." Max said with a sigh.
"What?" Tommy asked.
"I get to ride in a helicopter with you for a few more hours."
Tyler sat down, and the Sarge chuckled. After that, Max laid his head back. About 25 minutes later, the helicopter landed.
"Whoa baby, my ass is killing me. Feels so good to be off that damn thing." Tommy said as he rubbed his butt.
"Welcome soldiers, my name is Sergeant Gabriel," the COG soldier said as he approached the group, "I'm here to escort you to the Lieutenant and the private that is supposed to go with you."
"Hello Sergeant. My name is Lieutenant Abel Salerno. This is Sergeant Johnson."
"Hello, sir. Hello Sergeant." Gabriel said with a salute.
Abel returned the salute. "Well shall we get going?" Abel asked.
"Um, yes. Follow me, sir." He headed towards the building and the soldiers followed.
"Whoa, this place is huge," Tommy said as they made their way up the stairs, "we have to climb all the stairs?" he asked as he stared up.
"Apparently so. Please stay quite until we get up the stairs." Abel said.
"Yes, sir."
"Ok," Gabriel said as he motioned at a door and the top floor, "Lieutenant Thompson is in there."
"Thank you Sergeant." Abel said, and as he walked off, Abel knocked on the door.
"Open the door, Matthews." They heard someone say.
"Wow, this guy is probably going to be an asshole." Abel said with a sigh. Tyler, Jon, and Tommy snickered. The COG opened the door and Abel and the rest walked in.
"Hello, my name is Lieutenant-." Abel started, but was cut off.
"No time for that," the man they presumed to be Thompson said, "We have to get this over with. Our soldiers are re-fueling your King Raven. This COG that stands beside me is Private Matthews. This is one brilliant soldier, and been trained for the past week on how to activate the resonator. Now, your vehicles will be filled in a few minutes, so head out side."
Abel looked pissed for a second, and then calmed down. "Yes, thank you for the re-fuel." After the 9 COG soldiers exited the room, Abel said, "Told you." After that, Tyler, Jon, and Tommy burst out laughing.
As they walked back down the stairs, Max stared at the new soldier, something, was off about him. They all walked down the stairs silently. When they got outside, Sergeant Gabriel walked up to them.
"Your King Ravens are filled up and ready to go." Gabriel then saluted.
"Thank you again Sergeant." Abel returned the salute once more.
Gabriel then headed back into the base.
"So, does Matthews go with Alpha or Delta?" Max asked Abel and the Matthews looked at him.
"Well, he can go with Delta. No reason to have them together. Just in case something happens to one of our teams." Abel told Max.
"Excuse me, sir?" Matthews spoke. The others stared, surprised.
"You're a female?" Tommy asked.
She took her helmet off. "Yes, I am, my name is Tiffanie Matthews, my friends…they called me Tess." She looked down.
"Oh, I apologize. With the armor, and helmet on, you looked like any other COG." Abel said, apologetically.
"I understand, sir." She then smiled.
"Well, let's head out. You'll ride with on the copter with Delta. Soldiers, let's move out."
"Damn man," Max heard Tommy say, "we get a women on our copter, and she's hot too."
After every soldier, other than Max and Tess had gotten onto the King Raven, Max stopped her.
"If they bother you too bad, let me know. They always have to flirt with a beautiful woman." He smiled, and got onto the helicopter. She blushed, and followed him onto the helicopter.
Chapter 3: End