Pandora's Planet

Why did Snap ALWAYS think things were going well? Those times always seem to turn upside down.

It's been a week since they landed. The squad was currently stuck in a trench line outside the small town of Cliffside. The town was named appropriately, as it was an interconnected network of houses hanging off the side of a four-hundred foot tall cliff in the middle of an oak forest. That also gave the enemy a beautiful spot to set up artillery and anti-tank batteries, so they couldn't bring in what little armor they had.

They did, however, link up with the remnants of the Planetary Defense Forces (PDF), which brought their numbers up slightly. Add that to the high technology of the Republic, and the Strike Force wasn't completely crazy.

Snap Shot sat their in the squads small hole they considered a home. At least it sheltered them from the harsh fire of outside. From nearby came the constant boom of artillery shells bombarding the small position. .

He was accompanied by Dalla, who was tending to a PDF's wounds, and Ant, who was grabbing more energy crystals before diving out into the living hell that was outside.

Claw jumped in. "Snap, I need you to take out an enemy artillery crew. They're exposing themselves, and lets show them what that means!"

Snap nodded, and trotted into the trench. In front of him was the burnt wreckage of a mile long warzone between them and Cliffside.

Snap quickly took up position next to Drako, who was loyally holding a machine gun, opening up while Ant fed him cyrstals.

Snap peered down his scope, seeing the artillery crew. They were in a gun nest hanging from one of Cliffside's buildings, and were madly trying to reload.

However, just as one of them managed to grab the massive energy crystal, he lost his head.

Snap Shot looked up to Claw for approval, but the veteran Sergeant stood stock still.

...

"Dad, did I hit it?"

Claw lowered his binoculars, amazed. 300 feet, with only a hunting rifle.

"Yeah son, Yeah, right in the bullseye."

...

Claw shook himself. "Good shot. We need to move up. Through the trench on the left. It will take you farther forwards. You, Drako, and Ant. Go trooper!"

Snap nodded, pulled out his pistol (his sniper was too heavy to fire on the go), and ran after Drako and Ant.

He quickly caught up with Ant, but Drako was a good ten meters ahead. However, just as Drako passed a pair of PDF, an artillery shell hit the trench.

Ant and Snap were blown back by the explosion. Drako and the two PDF weren't so lucky.

Just like that. War can be a harsh thing, and when you loose a friend, it's all the more harsh.

As soon as Snap shot got up and realized that Drako had been literally vaporized, he just stood. For that entire week, Drako had been his best friend. Gone, gust like that. The one thing that never changes in war: The loses.

Ant, meanwhile, brought his gun up as enemies, sensing weakness, ran in.

A single tear streaked down Snaps face. Then, he got angry.

They took Cliffside the next day.

The Squad received no replacements. Instead, Snap simply got a promotion to corporal.

...

"Hey Mom. You might read these video's once I send them to you. We're moving up. We took Cliffside. We just have to make our way through two more towns, and a large grassland. Then, we march into Paradise, the Planetary Capital.

"I hate to say this, but I lied to you earlier. I just couldn't keep innocence afterwards. I'm a combat engineer. I see plenty of combat. But, from here, I can make the best difference. I can save lives. Wars are won by the stallions who fight them. I'm sorry. I promise not to lie to you anymore, and I also promise I won't get hurt.

Anyway, I heard about this new hero. His names Snap Shot. He not only destroyed an entire enemy AA gun, but also led the attack on Cliffside. He got promoted to Corporal for his valor. I heard he lost a squad mate too. Maybe I'll be reassigned to his squad.

Your Daughter,

Ella"