(Untitled)

[joiningyousoon]

TO: CENTRAL COMMAND
FROM: SKYMARSHALL URIK ANTARES, COMMANDING OFFICER: R.S.S. KONSTANTINOV

FIELD REPORT: THE WAR IN NOKGORKAAFTER SUSTAINED AERIAL AND ARTILLERY BOMBARDMENT, AIR SUPERIORITY HAS BEEN ATTAINED BY SKYFURNACE DETACHMENTS OVER THE CITY'S RECOGNIZED NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN HOSTILE DISTRICTS. AS ORDERED, THE FLEET HAS SUCCESSFULLY

Comments

[theredstars]

The Skymarshall's face is unreadable as he watches the tactical protocol cycle through another set of probabilities.

"Central didn't listen," he says at last, as a flickering krawl opens fire a few centimeters from his boots. "We've been ordered to proceed with the ground assault."

He looks up, eyes finding first Maya's, then Alex's.

"It looks like the bastards are going to fight this children's crusade until all of Nokgorka is bled white."

[theredstars]

"What the hell is children's crusade supposed to mean, Uri?"

Alexandra doesn't want to be fighting this goddamned war, with these goddamned orders, in this goddamned rat-hole of a city, with a force of green recruits ready to piss their pants at the first sign of combat.

What this means is: Alexandra's ready for a fight.

Even more ready than usual, that is.

[theredstars]

"The 'Gorkas, Alexandra? They've salted the ranks with children." He grimaces.

"Fourteen, fifteen year-olds--some younger."

[theredstars]

"Well, I've never met a soldier that wasn't someone's child."