The Helldiver Corps.

Humanity's Last Line of Offense.

Though an elite fighting force made up of the best humanity has to offer, they are few in comparison to the many enemies of Super Earth and her three tenets.

Prosperity.

Liberty.

Democracy.

As such, the Helldiver Corps is equipped with the best possible armaments Super Earth engineers and scientists could come up with.

Enter,

The Strategem.

The most powerful piece of equipment at the Helldiver Corps disposal, a single use costs up to what a single Super Earth Citizen makes in a year.

That is why they are the sole user to be entrusted with such a powerful piece of equipment.

Upon entering the requisite code, the Helldiver will then throw a beacon, lighting up the area where the Super Destroyer in low orbit will launch the chosen strategem.

Be it an Orbital Precision Strike, sending Democracy in the form of an explosive payload sizing three-hundred-and-eighty-millimeters,

The mighty Orbital Laser, immolating anything under its powerful gaze,

Or a quick and true Orbital Railcannon Strike, its precision infallible and power unmatched,

A Helldiver may be outnumbered, but they are never outgunned.

Caught in this standstill, I take the chance to take stock of the situation. Four girls armed with firearms of various calibers and makes that would make a historian cry.

But what really takes the cake is what hovered above their heads.

Haloes.

I've only ever seen them in old depictions of angels from the back when times, where they were used to reflect purity and all that is good. But they were just that.

Depictions.

I rubbed my helmet's visor. This was no depiction.

But they were undoubtedly human.

Remembering what I read in the Super Earth Helldiver primer for when dropping onto Super Earth colonies, I drop my 'Breaker' for it to be caught by its sling, and put my hands into fists before placing them onto the sides of my hips while striking a pose, my head angled towards the sky.

"Fear not citizens of Super Earth!" I exclaimed, garnering bewildered looks from them.

I then gave my strongest salute. "For the Helldivers are here!"

Continuing their stares, they lower their guns. Less out of trust, more out of bewilderment.

I drop my salute and enter parade rest. "Now then, fair citizens of Super Earth, would any of you kindly direct me towards the closest Super Earth Armed Forces Depot?" I then perked my head up.

"Better yet! Please direct me towards the closest Democracy Officer's office!"

Again, they cast askance glances my way.

"...Er, what?" The Purple Haired girl asked, confusion plastering her face as she stowed her submachine gun.

The girls give each other another glance before nodding, stowing their firearms.

"I'm... a bit confused, to say the least, did you say..." The tall one with black wings and a Lady Liberty-endowed chest began. "Did you say Super Earth?"

I raised a brow. "Indeed ma'am." I answered, skepticism on my side growing as well. Why would she question about Super Earth?

Another took a step forward before pushing up their glasses. Judging from her white uniform, she must be an officer... though not one I'm familiar with.

"That aside..." She glanced at the Hellpods. "You... you came out of that?"

I nodded. "Yes ma'am..." I trailed off. Under my helmet, my own confusion grew, thankfully obscured by my helmet.

For whatever reason, they aren't familiar with Hellpods, and by extension Helldivers given their response.

But by Democracy, they questioned Super Earth!

By all accounts, that is treason of the highest degree to be met with reeducation of the highest order.

But...

I glanced around.

The haloes.

The old style of construction.

The dated firearms, even predating the First Galactic War.

The lack of Ministry of Peace mandated S.E.A.F security and the glaring lack of Helldiver Recruitment paraphernalia.

Worse yet,

Not a single Super Earth flag in sight!

I must be very far from Super Earth and her colonies.

I'm brought back down from my thoughts as they continued their questions.

"If you came from that..." This time the blonde haired one asked. "Does that mean you came from the sky?"

A smile formed under my helmet.

'If they lacked the knowledge, all I have to do is teach them!'

"Yes ma'am, though it's a little more nuanced than that. While I did come from the sky, where I started, I was a little bit higher than that."

The gears in her head turned before her eyes widened. "No way..." She muttered before raising her voice. "Space!?"

The rest recoiled in shock before turning their heads towards me.

I began nodding. "You are correct ma'am." I straightened my posture. "I am Sergeant Allen Hicks of the Helldiver Corps, current Helldiver to be heading the Super Earth Ship, designated Super Destroyer-Class vessel, Hammer of Democracy."

It took a few moments for them to digest my words.

"You say you are a... Helldiver, Mister Hicks?" The tall one in glasses asked.

I nodded. "Yes ma'am, though you can drop the 'Mister', Allen or Hicks works just fine."

She nodded in turn. "Then, Allen, might I ask what brings you to our... planet?" She asked as she turned to her compatriots, who shrugged in response.

"I'm afraid that is classified ma'am. Any and all mission details are only to be viewed by the Helldiver and Command. No what's, if's or but's."

She gives me a worried look, but doesn't press any further. "Then." She stopped before sighing. "Then, might I ask if you have met our General Student Council President?"

The rest of the girls give her a confused look.

"General Student Council President?" I asked, and Student Council? You're telling me I landed in the middle of a school that has students with guns?

Y'know what? Maybe this place may have a few things in common with Super Earth.

She nodded. "Yes... white hair with blue highlights, an aloof demeanor." She chuckles at that bit. "And she wears a white uniform, not too dissimilar to mine."

As she said that last part, I flinched, which she took notice of very perceptively.

"Have you seen her?" She asked, her voice more resolute.

I lowered my head before shaking it, then raising it to meet her eyes. "That I did, ma'am, though not face to face. She somehow accessed my communication unit."

Her eyes light up. "Then-!" She cut herself off. "Then does that mean you are the new 'Sensei' we are expecting?"

I raised a brow. "...I'm not sure I would fit the bill of what a 'Sensei' is, ma'am. But she did say that a few times my way."

She clasped her hands together, a bright smile on her face. "Then Allen-Sensei! We have a lot to do!"

Purple Hair looks my way. "You're telling me this adult is Sensei?"

The tall one with the wings gave me an appraising look. "So it would seem."

The blonde hefted the large bag strapped over her shoulder. "Don't worry Sensei, we'll help you the best we can."

I dropped out of parade rest, something very uncharacteristic of me. "Now hold on there ma'am." I raised my hand. "If memory serves me right, 'Sensei' is synonymous with teacher, correct?"

She nodded.

"I don't know if you can tell-" I knocked on my chestplate. "But last I checked my credentials, teaching wasn't one of them."

She placed a hand on her chin. "Here in Kivotos-" I raise a brow, I suppose that's the name of this planet. "Sensei's aren't limited to just teaching. While yes, giving lessons is a core part of what makes them a 'Sensei', they are much more than just that."

She placed her arms to her sides, the air around her changed. "They are ready to lend a hand to those that need it. They stand as a beacon for those lost and without light."

"Sensei's... are a lot more than just teachers."

I lifted my head. Now that, is Helldiver worthy.

I stood back in parade rest, her speech reminding me what it means to be a Helldiver. As much as we are a weapon against the terror, under all of our weapons, our armor, we are still human.

And that is our strongest weapon.

"Well then, ma'am." I say, straightening my stance. "Looks like I've just received a new mission directive."

Her eyes light up. "Does that mean-!?"

"Easy there ma'am, I don't know much about this teaching business, but I know one thing for sure, us Helldivers were born and trained to help and defend humanity, against any and all threats. Domestic and otherwise." I panned my head across, getting a good look at all the girls.

"I'll be damned if I refused to help out my fellow man." I coughed. "Fellow woman." I corrected.

They all give me a smile.

"Well then, Allen-Sensei." She grinned. "It's time to get to work."

I nodded. "Born ready."

Gathering the supply boxes, I hefted them up as they led me into what they referred to as the General Student Council Building.

If I didn't know any better, I'd say that it belonged to one of the Ministry's departments, given the grandiose construction and near spotless walls of windows.

"Say, Allen-Sensei." Purple Hair- no, Hayase Yuuka? Yuuka Hayase? Either way, Yuuka asked as she pointed at the bright yellow boxes."

"Yes Cadet Hayase?" I answered.

"Cadet?" She shook her head. "Anyways, what're in those boxes?"

"These here are resupply boxes, gathered from that Hellpod that dropped not too long ago." I hefted the boxes, emphasizing the statement.

"Each contains around a half supply of a Helldiver's given equipment of ammunition, grenades, stimulants and beacons."

She stared at the boxes with a raised brow. "Hmm."

"They're kinda small though, how do they contain all that equipment?"

I nodded. "Each box is tailor made to the Helldiver that is deployed on the mission, as much as possible, at least."

"Given that there's four boxes, a full deployment of a Helldiver squad composes of four Divers, meaning each receives a box with their tailor-made resupply."

I turn my head to look at her as we walked. "Though that doesn't mean that other Divers are unable to make use of other boxes. When the need arises, a good Diver knows when to make full use of everything available."

She nodded, assumedly receiving my explanation well.

"Then, Sensei, might I ask why you are referred to as a Helldiver?" Hanekawa Hasumi asked as she strode to my side.

"Ah, I was wondering when I was going to be asked that." I cleared my throat, adopting my best presentation voice.

"Helldivers are the scalpel of the military might of Super Earth, young men and women hand selected from the standard army corps. They are the elite soldiers of the Super Earth Armed Forces, used for deep strikes behind enemy lines to disrupt and destroy key targets, and to soften up the enemies of Democracy to be crushed under the hammer that is the S.E.A.F Army."

"...What?" Hinomiya Chinatsu asked, confusion laden on her face.

"To put it bluntly then." Yuuka began. "You're special forces? For your planet's military."

I pursed my lips. "That is putting it extremely bluntly." I say as we passed into the building's doors. "But yes, the Helldiver Corps is Super Earth's special forces."

Setting down the supply boxes, I stood at parade rest again, awaiting orders from my new, temporary command... for however long that temporary is.

"What are my orders, Commander?" I asked Nanagami Rin.

She recoiled in surprise at the sudden promotion. "C-commander?" She shook her head. "N-no, I'm nothing like that."

She cleared her throat. "For now, I'll be giving you the rundown of current events here in Kivotos."

I nodded. "Please proceed."

She exhaled deeply. "For starters, Kivotos is teetering on the edge of complete destabilization."

That caught my attention.

Lifting up a tablet, she tapped away at it a few times before turning it over to me. Taking the datapad, I perused the briefing.

Then I grimaced. Looks like wherever I go, there will always be the same enemies of humanity and her very way of life.

"Dissidents." I spat out.

They all give me a look, a mixture of confusion and fear.

"What?" She shook her head. "N-no, nothing as far as that."

I nodded. "I've seen my fair share of dissenters in my life, Commander, and they all do the same no matter what. Harm their fellow humans for their own ill begotten gain."

"While I don't disagree fully, I also do not agree with how you put it, Sensei." She looked me in the eye. "While their actions are harmful, they are still students, and will be treated and punished as such."

"Even if they are armed and fully capable of harm?"

"Yes. Even if they are armed and fully capable of harm."

I exhaled as I relented. "Please continue, ma'am."

I garner looks among the girls, but they keep their words to themselves.

"...Continuing on, the gangs have taken control over the SCHALE club room."

'SCHALE.' I pondered the word. That sounds important.

"As long as they hold control over the club room, even if the GSC President were here, without the activation of the club, we will not be able to get anything done. Including the major and swift repairs needed across Kivotos."

Scratch that, extremely important.

"As such, now that we have Allen-Sensei here, we will be conducting an operation to retake the SCHALE club room and reinstate power to the GSC."

I nodded, so far so good and very reminiscent of what I do.

"Then, Commander, what's the operation's name?"

She raised a brow my way. "Sensei?"

"The operation name, every op needs a name so that it may be archived and studied."

Hasumi gives me a look. "Is that... how you do it on Super Earth?"

I nodded. "No matter how small the operation, there is always something to be studied and learned."

They pondered my words before nodding, coming to their own understanding.

"Anyhow." Rin continued. "The plan is to have a helicopter fly us in as close as possible, drop us off, and retake the club room."

"Frontal assault, I like it." I say subconsciously.

That gained me a few looks of disapproval.

I glance around before pointing at myself. "Oh, did I say that aloud?"

They continued their stares.

Rin then cleared her throat loudly. "Anyways, yes, unfortunately there are no openings for a quieter approach, so we have no choice but to hit them fast and loud."

"Wait a minute." Yuuka spoke up. "What do you mean 'we'?"

Rin smirked. "Well, Miss Seminar-"

"It's Yuuka!"

"-You've been badgering me to do something about our problems, so here we are." She gave an evil grin. "Doing something."

Yuuka groans, but doesn't argue, instead crossing her arms and pouting.

"Does that include Chinatsu and me?" Hasumi asked, her wings fluttering as she spoke.

Rin nodded. "Yes, there are more than just a few undesirables between us and the SCHALE club room, so the assistance of the Justice Task Force and the Emergency Medical Club will be greatly appreciated."

Hasumi smiled. "Very well then, consider me a part of this operation."

Chinatsu nodded. "If anyone gets hurt, I'll be there to patch you up!"

I nodded, that makes four. "Perfect, I'll make you all Helldivers yet!" I exclaimed as I looked at the girls.

Again, I receive more incredulous stares.

"Don't be like that Cadets! It's time to saddle up, we're hitting the SCHALE club room in-!" I paused as I turned towards Rin, who rolls their eyes.

"In around ten minutes, or until the helicopter arrives."

"-In ten minutes!"

Aboard the UH-60 Blackhawk, dubbed -Spear Of Liberty-

"Roll call!" I exclaimed into my helmet's comms suite, linked up to the headsets my squad was now wearing.

"H1! Sound off!"

"H-here, Sensei!" Yuuka yelped, startled by my sudden call.

"Wrong, Cadet Hayase! If and when we are deployed, you will refer to me as Sergeant or H4!"

She gives me a look of confusion.

"Again! H1! Sound off!"

"Here, Sergeant!"

I nodded. "H2!"

"Yesh, Sergeant!" Chinatsu replied, though having bit her tongue at the start.

"Close enough! H3!"

"Here, Sergeant!" Last, but most certainly not least being Hasumi.

"Good! We are locked and loaded Commander!"

Over the comms, I hear Rin groan before sighing. "...Of course, Sensei."

"Before we head out, there's one thing I have to let you all know before we deploy."

The trio glance at each other then back to me.

Yuuka spoke up first. "That would be, Sensei?"

"Since we are deploying as a squad of four, which is perfect, I might add, we require codenames for ease of callouts."

"Code... names?" Chinatsu questioned.

I nodded. "Yes, thankfully, the Helldiver's training manual had the perfect system when coming up with codenames."

"You take the first letter of your last name, and place the number of your position after it."

"Huh?" They all sound in unison.

"For example, you take my last name, Hicks, and my position, being the fourth of our squad, and combine it, making my codename 'H4'."

"Simple, clean, efficient and not to mention, fast." I leaned in closer.

Hasumi crossed her arms. "What does fast have to do with anything?"

I grinned. "Well then Cadet Hanekawa, looks like I have a lesson for you."

She raised a brow before looking at her fellow cadets, then back to me.

"One of the strongest selling points of the Helldiver Corps is their speed, the swifter, the better."

I got to my feet and began pacing, hands behind my back. "The faster a squad is, the slower the response of the enemy!" I raised a fist. "You hit them with the force of Democracy itself in one minute, and leave to decimate another force the next!"

I glance over at them, their eyes filled with awe and 'what is he talking about?'.

"Now then." I point at Yuuka. "Codename Cadet Hayase! What is it!"

"H-huh!?" The flustered student exclaimed.

"Too slow! You are H1 from now on!"

"W-what?"

I moved on. "Cadet Hinomiya! Codename!"

"E-er, H-H2?" She replied meekly.

I leaned down towards her. "With your chest Cadet!"

"H-H2! Sensei!"

I nodded before turning towards the final one. "Cadet Hanekawa!"

"H3! Sensei!"

"Good! You all are now one step closer to becoming Helldivers!"

Chinatsu began giggling, causing us all to look her way.

"What's so funny?" Yuuka asked, a smirk on her face.

"W-well, I just thought that all of our last names starting with 'H' was a funny coincidence."

"Liberty be damned." I laughed as I pointed at each of the girls. "Hinomiya, Hanekawa, Hayase-" I then jabbed a thumb at myself. "Hicks."

"Short controlled bursts!" I yelled, raising my SG-225 'Breaker' shotgun, unloading the magazine of shells as fast as the weapon allowed, contrary to my words.

"RPG! RPG on the rooftop! Southwest!" Chinatsu pointed out, her Broomhandle pistol woefully outranged.

"H3!" I yelled, loading another magazine into my shotgun. "Take 'em out!"

"On it, Sergeant!"

Taking a knee, she mounted her rifle onto the opened doorway of the Blackhawk. Holding her breath, she steadied her heartrate. Just before the helmeted gang member could let loose a rocket, Hasumi pulled the trigger, her round piercing the ordnance, blowing up the unlucky bastard and anyone unfortunate to be nearby.

"Good shooting H3! Keep this up and you'll make Skull Admiral yet!"

She glances my way, confused. "S-Skull Admiral?"

The pilot then comm'ed in. "Sensei! The LZ's too hot, there's no way in heck I'll be able to land, let alone get remotely near the SCHALE club room!"

I grunt in response. "You hear that, Commander?"

"That I did, unfortunate, but I expected that." She huffs. "Pilot, get Sensei and his team as close as possible."

The pilot gives a thumbs up. "That I can do! Hold tight!"

Truth be told, I did have my reservations about shooting the denizens of Kivotos. Though I have faced many a dissident in my days as a Helldiver, it never gets easy, neutralizing and inevitably executing them.

The young.

The able-bodied.

The old.

Even here, in unknown lands where even Super Earth didn't have a modicum of influence, I still had reservations.

So, of course you'd be able to imagine my surprise as these girls, these students, willingly took up their arms and turned them towards their fellow students without a single ounce of hesitation.

Then pulling the trigger.

I fully expected casualties, for blood to be spilt on both sides.

Once the first rounds took flight, I readied my stims for use...

And when they impacted-

"OW THAT HURTS!" Yuuka exclaimed. "Are they using jacketed hollow points!? That's cheating!"

Hasumi sat down next to her in the Blackhawk, using her bolt-action rifle to return fire. "Calm down, Yuuka, and besides, hollow-points aren't illegal."

The "injured" in question dusted themself off. "Well, they're illegal at our academy starting right now!"

I watched slack jawed at the development, the girls casually talking about ammunition whilst "casually" being shot at.

I couldn't help but laugh.