Pandora's Planet

"ALRIGHT TROOPERS!!!" The General shouted across the assembly hall of the Core.

The shout startled Private Snap Shot out of his daydreaming. He was a dark grey pegasus with black hair. His cutie mark was that of sniper scope, but it was concealed by his green-orange camo fatigues.

The General continued at maximum shouting. "We are approaching a planet new to you all. While, for the whole time any of you have been fighting, we have been fighting rebels and the Republic. Some of you will know this not-so new menace. The Discordant Insurrection, a collection of extremists and demons, have invaded the paradise world of Pandora IV."

Whispers rippled out through the crowd. Demons?

"Pandora IV. A beautiful world of lush forest and great oceans. A population of six million, this sphere is often considered a paradise. A paradise that had been at war for three months. You troopers are going to liberate it. For those navy troopers listening, we have three enemy grand cruisers in orbit of the planet, so prep your guns. As for us ground troops, we will be facing off against four full corps of enemy troops."

Whispers started up again now. They were a meager two thousand. Against an estimated Two Hundred Thousand? What the buck?

"Now, most of you will be wondering: That's suicide. Well, alone, it is. However, we have...allies." The General sighed. "I'm sure you've heard about the truce with the New Lunar Republic."

Snap's jaw dropped. He's joking.

"The L.S.S  Nova will be joining us. Adding our total to four-thousand of the best trained soldiers in the galaxy against two-hundred thousand demons and crazed cultists."

Utter silence. If it was of outrage of working with the republic or hatred of the odds, Snap couldn't tell.

The General shook his head and continued. "Yeah, it doesn't look good, does it? But we are all the Empire can spare! We are marines, troopers! We won't let these demons win! Drop in Thirty Minutes! DISMISSED!!!!"

....

"Come on Mom, I'll be fine." Ella said, smiling at the computer screen holding her mothers face.

"Ella, please be careful." Her mother said. "You're a Corporal, I know, and that's great, but you need to be careful. I don't want to risk loosing my only child's life."

Ella shook her head. "Don't worry. I'm a technician. I won't be on the front lines."

Her mother smiled half heartedly. "Alright. Bye honey, and good luck."

"Goodbye mom." Ella said, as the computer screen went blank. Ella wiped a single tear from her green eyes. She hated lying to her mother. It was a partial truth she had told. She was a Combat Engineer, which meant she would be seeing a lot more front line combat then her mother wanted.

....

"Hey, Snap Shot!"

Snap turned to see Drako, one his four squad mates. Drako was the teams machine gunner, which he had said weapon strapped to his back.

Snap smiled. "Hey Drako. Hows the horn doing?"

Drako gestured to his horn. "Fine. I hope I don't have to do anything other than levitation. Anyway, hows the sniper doing before his first combat drop?"

"I'm fine Drako. Hey, who knows, maybe they'll promote me!" He said, laughing. "But, on a more serious note, what do you think of working with the Rebs?"

Drako shrugged. "I dunno. I've fought them before though, and it will be nice to have their technology on our side."

Suddenly, an alarm blared. "All personnel, battle statons! We are engaging the enemy."

Drako looked at Snap and smiled. "Well, lets get to the pods. We're out of time."