From that day till now, I have married and had kids, but that husband will never replace my love.

-by Tori Blessing
(send a comment to the author - include the name of the story)

A Short Story

One day a priest was sent out on a mission to Iraq to pay the soldiers a visit and provide moral support for them. When the priest got there, he and a soldier took a walk into the desert. During their walk, they reached a river with a small Iraqi boy trying to cross it. The priest looked to the soldier uneasily as he picked the boy up and carried him across the river. The two continued walking about a mile and the priest asked him, "Why did you carry him across the river? He is your enemy." The soldier looked to him and said, "Are you still carrying that boy? I set him on the other side of that river a mile ago."

-T.L.
(send a comment to the author - include the name of the story)

THE GODS

By Justin Anderson

As I stood on the main command bridge of the Reagor I felt helpless. I should not be thinking of this for this is probably the most protected vessel in the UPA. But I just can’t shake this feeling.

Now that I have time to think, I think of all that has happened to allow me to be here in this current state. The Ceran, a hideous race of humanoid beings, attacked a UPA transportation vessel. When we first came into contact with these beings it started with violence. They boarded the the Fountain of Youth and all who were on board and set the auto pilot on a crash course to Jamikon 2, an outpost world in the Yukuior System. Jamikon 2 is an outpost command post for outer defenses. Shortly afterwards they attacked the base.

When they first began the assault our soldiers mocked them because of their size and appearance. They only stand 5’”6”, and are extraordinarily skinny and boney. They have small heads with long skinny sharp teeth thatey extrude their mouths in a cone type manner. Their hands are small and they also have stubby fingers with nails that could be used as knives in our world. Their heads are small and narrow with small black eyes, which hint that their home world is an immensely dark world. But despite their appearance, they are greatly ahead of us in technological advancements. They seem to have no history of ever using anynd type of fragment type weaponry. And they obviously don’t use any type of melee weapons because of their hands.

We know this from the planets we have taken frorm them. And with the help of the planets we have been able to know that they have discovered hyperspace travel long before we even had automatic vehicles. But even though they have evolved at a much more accelerated rate than weus humans, there is one trait that they have failed to stick with, thatem is mercy, something they have shown no sign of and that can be their fatal weakness.

After the attack on The Fountain of Youth the generals went ballistic and ordered an all- out assault on the first planet in their main system. It turned out to be a disaster. We swent 300 battle ships to that planet and less fewer than 25 returned. It was then we found out this would have to be a war that will take a great amount of time to win. After they repelled our attack forces they sought after destruction of a race they deemed inferior. And in the beginning they were right.

We were losing soldiers left and right as we were being pushed back, and every thing was going great for them until they made a choice that would alter the fate of the war. They attacked the planet of Heriom, and was that a bad mistake. As they attacked anthe unsuspecting farm world they were so overly aggressive that when attacking the main city they failed to check the sewers where 22 children lay hiding hidden and who were soon rescued and shipped to Jamikon 2 where they met Stgt. 1st class Hugh Rogers, the man solely responsible for the creation of the Global and Orbital Defense Soldier. He proposed the idea to the war council of the UPA, and they agreed, but they were having a problem finding someone young enough that is was willing to go through the vigorous intense training, then he remembered us. We had no family left and we were distrottled disgruntled so we obviously didn’t deny that all we wanted was some revenge, and due to our young age we had no idea the consequences of our decision.

We started training right away from the age of 128 years old. At first we did not begin with straight army training, we were instead taught stories of ancient armies who fought against tremendous odds and left victorious. And as we got older we were trained in the more physical aspects of war. But as we began more complicated procedures we also had to shortereducen the corps. We came as 2222 refugees from a forgotten planet but we needed to get shortened reduced down to 14, so the 8 who were unable to be selected to the G.O.D.S. program were sent to train with the marines or as pilots. Unfortunately, my brother and I would be separated, but for the good of the mission it would have to be done. But those kids who didn’t make it still had superior training compared to most soldiers, so they would still be placed at the in helmad of a unit. Tthey would just be separated unlike the other 14 who remained in the G.O.D.S. unit.

We were trained to be able to use any type of weapon, fly any type of ship, to fight in any type of terrain, and to kill any type of enemy. We were trained to fight massive amount of troops with just a singlea unit of us. We were sent on many training missions in which we accomplished with ease. By the time we were 167 we were participating in training missions in which grown men have to participate in to gain the approval to be a marine. And they were getting pissed p------ about it, but there was nothing they could do because we were so superior to them in every form of combat that one of use could take on five of them with ease. We were that good and we only got better.

When we were seventeen we got our first taste fof what combat is really about. We were issued to a wounded ship and eliminate all survivors inside and we were to do this usingin stealthy technique. We were issued black tactical gear and m-72 silenced sub machine guns, the weapons we werehad been training with for so long. Before our raid the council thought we might choke since we were on a no mercy mission, so they sent the 201st Elite Ranger unit which was a mistake on the behalf of the council. Once we were aboard the ship they attempted to take control of the mission, and since we were taught what happens when two factions of the same fighting force argue they will will, in turn, fight within them selves so they we allowed those men to take control, but the we were smarter than them and stayed away frorm them and did our mission. We did get separated with them eventually and we heard the sounds of a fire fight, but we took no heed of what might happen to them we continued on. When we circled back, we went to go check what happened to them but all we founffound were the remains of what looked like a fight. We accomplished the mission and reported back to base with the ship which was our second, minor and secret, mission. After that day the council realized that no other unit could keep up with us.

Three years after our first successful mission we were awarded with a whole new set of tactical apparel, we got the Tactical Defense Soldier Suit V1,. and they were amazing!. They had in the helmet piece the ability for maps to be brought up so we can could find out where we are at all times., Iin those helmets we are also able to bring up files, and we were are able to scope in with any weapon which eliminated scopes of any kind. In the forearm pieeace on the right arm, in there is a war knife that will extend out so it will be able to be thrown. The suit also had the mechanics that if the suit is penetrated by a weapon of any kind it will put a sealing substance to the hole and to the wound. We were also all taught how to perform basic repair on the suit if it is need on the field and we were taught how to operate the energy pack on the right side.

We have accomplished countless mission missions that the public has learned about and even more the public has no idea of. As the war dragged on and the GODS missions were successful the Ceran armies began to lose power but as the UPA begins its push towards the Ceran home world and their fight is desperate, new dangers appear, and the GODS are being used more and more. And the Cerans have learned how the GODS operate. So as we move closer close, the farther we are from being done.

CHAPTER 1THE RESCUE

It is June 21st, 2152 and we are on the planet Oblivior. We received a distress call from a unit of downed marines from an assault mission that went wrong. When we went in there, there were 14 of us……..

“Convert covering fire to the northeast building,” we were being blanketed down by fire from that building for about 10 minutes.

“Roger that, Tom and Fred take right flank,” Roger was a military genius, he always excelled at military command, “Lex and I will take the left, on my mark!”

“Brian take that .60 and give cover fire for Alpha unit!” We might as well give them as much cover as I can.

“Roger,” he spun out from behind the car and moved to a crater to the left of us.

“Mark!”

Its time for us to lay down some cover, “cover fire now.”

We rose over the car and began to fire but that is when the unthinkable happened, as Alpha team was crossing the road to the building a glare caught my visor, but by the time I saw it, it was too late. A single shot rang louder than all of the others, and I fired. The sniper was down but as I turned back Tom’s lifeless body just dropped down to the ground. There was an explosion from where the fire from the northeast building was, and a closed com-link came through from Roger, “get over here to the building and grab Tom. We’ve got to find out how bad he is.” We ran across the street and there was less fire than before, but they were still firing, so we picked up Tom and got him to the building.

I walked into the building and walked right past Brian and Paul who where firing out of the door. “Alright, we are going to establish a night camp here for tonight, before we go back out there and get stuck out there in the night and give them the advantage.” I turned to Sam who was knelt by Tom’s side and walked towards her. When I got to her she didn’t even turn to me she just kept at work trying to revive Tom. “Where was he shot?”

“The sniper had a clean shot. It hit on the right side of the helmet and traveled right through and out the other side.”

“This is impossible,” Fred added in, “look at this.” I walked over to him, and he handed me a clip of ammo from a dead Ceran soldier.

I examined it, and then it hit me! They are longer than before which means they have discovered how to break through our armor. Though it is not only them being longer that will do it but the bullets are also now harder and stronger, and their weapons shoot faster. It is a shame that it comes to our knowledge after one of my brethren is killed.

“Alright, we now know how this happened,” I turned to Fred, “grab a few clips we could use this to improve our armor.”

“Roger.” He grabbed a few and threw them in his ammo hold.

I turned to Sam, “Get his generator and call in the causality. We’re staying the night here so get a com-link going with the 201st Marine First Encounter Team.” I was thinking we should pay tribute to our fallen brother but we were taught to be strong. I opened up a private Com with Brian and Paul, “Brian, Paul I want covering fire all night to make sure no one gets in, so set up a mine trap in the back corridor.”

“Roger.”

“Neil, they need us now. They don’t know how much longer they are going to be able to hold them for. They say that a few of their soldiers have breached the interior of the building. They cleared the building, but if we stay the night there will be disastrous effects, including a lot of FET Marines dead.”

“Alright. Give me a second to think,’ I opened a link to Brian and Paul, “never mind with the traps. We got to get moving soon.”

Sam walked over, “What about Tom’s body?”

“We have no choice but to leave him. We need to get to their location.” I thought for a second, “We don’t have time to think-- lets go.”

Fred stopped and took off Tom’s helmet then he took the com-link part off and smashed it between his hands, “Can’t let them get one of these.”

I looked around the unit. “Let’s move!”

We got onto the street and it was as unforgiving as ever. We faced immense fire as we tried to move to the building, and none of us were hit. But when we were a block away from the building, we hit a problem. In middle of the street were 3 chain turret emplacements and a whole lot of Ceran soldiers. We needed another way around this block.

“Lex, I wanted a full city map on I my screen 10 minutes ago!”

“Roger that.” He paused for a few moments, “Here it is.”

Now that I had the map on my helmet screen I could see what I needed. That is when I saw it. “Alright team we are moving out.” We left the slight sanctuary of the building and moved down the block to the left until we hit the corner. I veered my head around the corner and saw some movement. “Sam opened a link with the FET.”

A few seconds later, “Hello, hello, this is the 201st -- does anybody read me,” I heard in the background. “Ike, they have to be close. We keep intercepting their messages.”

“201st FET this is GOD Alpha Team Leader Neil. dDo you read me?”

“Roger that, Neil this is FET MG003,” but there was intense static after that point so all I heard was, “Are…….attack…….0800…….move.”

“Repeat 003?”

“They are sending another attack wave, are you near?”

“Yes, we believe we see three friendlies on the southeast corner, can you confirm?”

“Yes, we have three back there. They will pop smoke when they are ready for you to come.”

After he said that we saw a red cloud of smoke, which is the standard color for any Marine signal smoke grenade.

“We’re moving. Let’s go! Brian, Paul you two, go first then turn and watch for enemy soldiers.” They began running, turned and gave us the sign. “Lex, Fred, and Sam go!” They ran across, and I heard shouting, then Sam entered the entrance way. I turned to Roger, and we both ran.

When I reached the other side a soldier ran over to me, “We need all of your gunners to the front. tThey are beginning another assault!”

“Roger,” he turned away from his team, “Take your team, Brian, and Paul and stop the assault.”

“Roger that,” he turned off the private link and opened the direct speaker, so he could talk to the marines, “Let’s go.”

They ran to the front of the building and I stalled for a second and then turned to the soldiers guarding the back. They were absolutely amazed at what they were seeing. “I am moving to the front -- do not budge from this post.”

I turned away and walked inside. I walked through a corridor with pictures of the past governors of this city and thought -- people used to live here, and now there is nothing. It is a shame. As I walked right into what once was a meeting room, now a hospital, I heard the screams of the soldiers who had been wounded and were being worked on. I looked around and found Sam. I began walking towards her when I saw a wounded soldier who wasn’t screaming. I turned to him. “Hello, son, what happened?”

He looked up at me with a face of amazement for a moment, then answered me. “Took a shot to the right arm. I will be alright so I told the medics to look at the other people first.”

“Good thinkinthinking,g but let me look at you real quick; we need all the combat ready soldiers ready.” I took his arm and put a wound sealing agent we have been given, “you should be alright, but I need to know something.”

“Shoot”

“Who’s in command?”

“Corporal MG003 Travis Sir.” As soon as he told me that I began walking away. I heard him talking to himself, “I never knew what EG009 meant.”

I walked right into the front where all the fighting had been occurring. And I saw Paul and Brian unloading their .60’s into enemy soldiers.

“Neil,” Roger was the first person to see me, “They’re turning back.”

“That’s never good.” When they fall back that means they are planning something. “Alright everyone, dig in and await their next move.”

We sat there watching them move for four hours and we took the occasional sniper shot but not a real big burst of fire. I called Sam to the front.

“Yeah, Neil?”

“I need you to check on a few soldiers up here who were hit in the attack.”

“Alright.”

The day turned to night and we had just begun to take our shifts of sleep when Sam came to us. “Some of the wounded are looking a bit better than they were before but a few have been lost.” She said this with a grimace look on her face.

“Alright.” I had to stop and think for a moment, “Brian,” as soon as I called, he came over to me, “Get on the radio and contact The Recon, we could use a ride out.” He got right to work on that and within 5 minutes he had a report.

“Sir, they said they will rally a unit to come down and pick us up, but it will be a bit before they do since of the time of night.”

“That’s better than never. Wake up Roger and start your sleep, we don’t know how long we are going to be here for.”

That is when I turned and looked around, we had 11 able -bodyied marines up here if another assault came, but luckily none did. Travis then walked over to me.

“Man, I wish I was wearing one of those suits.”

“No you don’t. We lost some Tom today.” I whispered that last part so no one else could hear. He got the point and walked away feeling like the G.O.D.S. since he was one the 22.

Sam was up there for about twenty minutes after we found out when we were going to get picked up, and she was about to start her sleeping shift when we heard this bloodcurdling shriek from what sounded like a human coming from the direction of the hospital.

I rose immediately, “Roger, Sam -- let’s go.” We turned and began running towards the hospital. Some of the marines were coming also because I heard their feet on the ground. When we entered the room, Roger turned the lights on and I had my rifle in the aiming position when I saw a Ceran soldier standing on top of a wounded soldier eating his intestines. I took three shots and it fell, but right after that I was hit in the chest and fell to the ground. Everything was swirling around in circles and then nothing.

To be continued . . .

(send a comment to the author - include the name of the story)