One winged hope

    It was around eight or nine when Zak was awakened by Boss. He keep saying things like, "time to suit up" and "lets get your fitting over with" but Zak was at a lost as to what he ment. After a hasty gear up and getting himself ready, Zak was out the door to meet the captain. He stood there in his military attiar wearing a bulit prof vest over it and a belt with a side arm...at least he thought it was, looked like a damn revolver but only in size. It was if he had to guess a m1911 hand gun, but it's size was also altered to be a little bit longer and bigger.

   "Hey there Boss, how you doing today?" Zak was still not use to this...layed back 'family' form of command. The words the general said now made a lot more sence, he was probably giving him a heads up on the whole 'were all family' thing. Good thing he got the warning and didn't make a complete ass of him self, right?

   "I'm doing fine rookie, just fine. Who was your first night in the room? Did it treat ya alright?" Boss said as they both started walking.

   "It was alright, just a little to rock hard for my taste." Zak said while cracking his back.

   Boss laughed "you'll get use to it, anyway you ready?"

   "Ready for what, sir?"Zak said as he ducked under a low hanging pipe.

   "Ready for your exo suit fitting, you gonna be our new assult class right?" Boss stepped over a few thick wires laying on the ground.

   "Yes sir." Zak remembered not seeing an assult class in the files.

   "Now rookie remember no sir off the battle field. Unless there's a bulit shit storm going over our heads I don't want no formalities. We're brothers here all of use...were all family." The captain keeped walking.

   Zak stopped it took a second for the captain to notice he wasn't walking anymore. "Boss...why do you keep saying your all well, family?"

          Boss looked at him for a second before walking over to him and putting his mech hand on his shoulder. "Look, rookie" Boss gestured to everything around them with his spare hand. "All these men have three things in common...there all part mech. Whether they like it or not there all not completely human...their own body went into helping, or fighting or even saving another person's life. The second thing is for most of these soldiers that's where it would of ended and they would of been forgotten. Of course not by the people they fought, or saved but...by the world they would. There military branches would give them there metels of heroism, and a pat on the back...Only to be kicked out! Have the world look at them with empty eyes and never be given anything more! There money then goes to booze to numb the damn pain...but these mech limbs give them a chance and a new place in there military! They don't have to worry about being forgotten for as long as WE remembered who we are...they can never die. As long as we hold on to them they stay. That is what makes us family, we remember the other so they never die and that is what we ALL really want in life to be remembered...if you were to die. I would hold your memory in my head and remember your actions, just as I would expect you to remember me...brother." Boss let go off his shoulder and smiled. The crowd around them which had formed shouted a loud HORAH as the captain continued to walk down the lane.

   Zak was...speechless. He had never...how could...he didn't even have the compacity to think. He just keep on walking with the captain and thought about what he had said. After about thirty seconds he spoke "captain... I promise to remember you."

  "Not just me! Rookie you need to remember all of your team. If you remember one you forget the all." Boss and Zak continued walking for at least forty minutes till they walked up on a machine that was large but only one section of it moved. With twelve arms it seemed to be a measuring machine but had smoke coming from behind it. "What's is that?" Boss walked up and leaned on it.

  "This big beautiful thing is known as the A.E.F. or the Autonomous Exo Fitter. This bad boy measures your strength and then takes your class and meched limb into account to make you a exo to best fit to you." Boss smiled, till a small amount of sparks landed on his shoulder and he cringed before he walked back over to Zak wipping his shoulder of any access sparks.

   "How does it work, Boss?" Zak asked as he looked at it.

   "Well get in the bloody thing and you'll find out!" Shouted what was a British voice with a little no alot more grit then usual. Zak looked up to see a rather thick man moving controls at a rapid pace.

  Boss had a welcoming face as he saw him. "Hey there Broiler, how are ya?" Broiler then looked from his panel and smiled his teeth were...god awful. "Boss!" He practically screamed when he saw the captain and jumped down running over and giving Boss a hardy hand shake.

   "How's the world been treatin ya Broiler?"

   "Oh ya know the usual shet with the blokes up stairs, they never understand the problems we have. *yelp* Oy who's that wanker over there?" Broiler noticed Zak after he made a noise readyburning his none mech hand on the A.E.F. heating chamber.

   "Oh that's our assult class, brand new. He was on a assult Recon team when he lost his arm."

Boss seemed sad at the last part but quickly and easily retrieved his joy. "Ya see, he needs to get an exo suit and his customs ready for a test drive."

    "Oy!" Broiler said as he went and shook Zak hand, ah little to hard. "Ya still haven't POPED your technological cherry! Oh don't worry though, I'll help ya out boy oh." He made his way back to the control panels and leaned up on them. "Ya see boy, I've been fitting exos for seven years with this." He patted the controls "Fine mechanical marvel for all seven of them. I can assure you that I will get you fitted with the most ass kicking titanium plated exo. On this planet... Well for you at least and I can assure you that I am a professional in my field." As he leaned the panels shifted and a loud crack followed by a equally loud scream of pain could be heard. "Heh heh...sorry about that just uhh...walk it off! "

    "I can't FEEL my legs!" Replied a very upset and pained male voice.

    Broiler just went back to adjusting his controls after waving him off, Zak could only stand there with pin prick eyes. Boss looked at him assurinly, "Look rookie just...relax I've had the honor of knowing Broiler for a long time. He's put exos on all of these men including me. The man's a professional, I promise you'll do just fine." He impersonated a British accent. Zak could only nod with his eyes still pin pricked. Boss moved him to a platform where small pincher like claws, that were bright yellow with a white stripe going down there sides. Zak's eyes went back to normal as he looked at these small hands. "Oy ya bloody wanker! Stay still and don't move or these things might take a little off the top, ha ha!" As Broiler said that one of the pinchers took a small amount of hair from his head.

    "Ow damn it that hurt!" Zak said as he rubbed his head.

   "Oy what I say!" Zak put his hand back so the machine could take his measures. As he waited he saw Boss standing there leaning off to the side. "Hey captain, what's going on with those uhh mech other then we're still keeping them at bay?" As he was speaking the platform started spinning and four more arms with what looked like lazer points were going over his body.

   "Well...I guess I could bring you up to speed. Should I start all the way from the beginning or..." Boss looked at Zak expecting an answer.

    "Yeah sure! Ow, I could use a quick once over, OW!" Zak was trying to speak louder then the commotion going on around him. The fact that even when your still and these damn things keep poking ya doesn't help at all.

   "OK, lets start from the beginning then. The corporation that started this damned war is known as Teresa and they specialized in robots and house hold appliances that made the world better for the common man. Then the new mech limbs came out and Teresa's business started to go down the craper. As this happened the CEO of the corporation known as Terence B.Rogen tried and succeeded in getting his hands on some of these new mech limbs and started research into robotic house service that also doubled as a security system, had been last seen entering his corporation and then was never seen again. We have reason to believe he's still alive and is angry at the world for letting his empire fall. He is then speculated to of created these new mech soldiers from the mech limbs and these robot home bouncers. These machines were given the code name, D.E.R. or Dangerous Engineered Robotic. They were first fought in Afghanistan during the terrorist wars of 2020 and have sence been our main foe for the remainder of this time." Boss had been moving about as he speaked just as he finished Zak waked down from the platform. His exo suit was balanced perfect and the mechanical components were light. The back plate was somewhat thick and so was the chest piece that was grey wit out color unlike all the other exos that he saw. The arms that clamped to him were thiner on the side with his mech forearm, thick on the side without. His legs were covered thick with armor, Zak could feel the little mechanics and metel tendens move around his legs. He looked towards Boss and smiled.

    "I could get use to this." Zak said as he moved around in the suite.

   "There that should do ya." Broiler said as he stop moving the controls "It's got all a assult suit has to offer. It's got pulse high frequency for crowd control. High compacity recoil reduction, instinct medical for minor wounds and two primary weapons holding with a side arm holster. There's your exo rookie, take good care of it. You only get one after all." Broiler then climed down and walked next to Boss.

  "Yep looks good Broiler, good to know you still got it." The captain said as he shoke the man's hand.

   "Yep so you said you also wanted to get him equipped with some O.W.A. level weapons?" Broiler had walked over to a small machine and found a chair to sit in as he started typing at a computer. The machine in question looked large, the computer part was in front of a bulky block like part with lights that shined from the few holes in the body.

   "Is that safe?" Asked Zak as he walked up to the contraption. "Those holes look Dangerous."

     Broiler laughed like it was the stupidest question in the world, "boyoh this thing has a on board all time stabilizers. What's in there is gonna stay in there no matter what, I promise ya." He then went back to typing into the computer, next to the computer was a strange looking printer it was plain white with two lazers that were dark blue running parallel to each other. They were at least a meter and a half long both running into two slim metal poles that  seemed to be holding the lazers together. As Broiler let his fingers dance across the key board, a long list of weapons came up. Broiler looked to Zak as Boss made his way to the left of the screen next to the made engineer. "So what's your preferred type of lead shooter?" Broiler leaned back in his chair and looked up to Zak from his sitting position. Zak scaned the screen, and pointed at a little column named ASSULT RIFLES.

    "That's my preferred lead shooter." Zak answered, Boss seemed to be looking around not really saying much. The engineer pulled up a list of assult rifles not a giant list but still impressive nun the less. Zak probed around till he selected two rifles and a pistol, he choose a SCARAB and a Grendel the SCARAB was like the SCAR but more compact with a higher Fire rate and the same amount of power. The Grendel was a open options weapon because he could switch between simi auto to automatic it has a high power for a rifle and a good history against armor so he thought that would help. Broiler typed in some code then asked what attachments Zak would like his guns.

     "I can have attachments? I thought I'd only get the weapons." Zak thought the weapons were enough.

   "Look young one, you can't have a lot but maybe two or three for the rifles and one for the pistol. I normally would of just said to bugger off but, the captain over there insisted you'd get the 'full treatment' ask me I don't know what he's talking about." Broiler loaded up a image of the weapons and again leaned back. Zak started staring at the images he decided on a acog scope, a grip and a adjustable stock for his Grendel rifle and a red dot scope, a under barrel shotgun and a extended mage for his SCARAB assult rifle. Broiler went back to typing and finished the making process as he booted up the mechine. As it came to life two small arms poped up from the sides and started sparking some kind of weird blue...liquid metal. The arms started to place and glob the blue liquid and the lazers started spinning around, moving along their poles and shaping the weapon...but it looked like they were changing the weapons in shape. Elongating the barrels and thickening the weapons all together, the barrels also looked like they were increased in diameter not by alot but still a difference could be noticed.

     The first weapon to be made was his pistol, a five seven with no attachments. Why mess with perfection? Zak grabbed it and took notice of its increased weight. The five seven was a lighter pistol, but this thing weighed at least ten to five pounds. The exo's ability to make him stronger wasn't helpful neither was the fact he picked it up with his mech hand.

   "You should probably get a chance to look and try the new weapon," Broiler turned toward Zak, "O.W.A. gear can and usually has a little more kick then your standards," Broiler then turned toward his computer screen again. Boss came and put a hand on his shoulder pointing to the sounds of a firing range down a path to the right.

    "Come on will go for you some practice," Boss said while he made his way down the path towards the sounds of weapons being fired.

    "What about the other guns?" Zak asked. Only to have Broiler speak, not turning away from the monitor.

    "I'll be some time till there done rookie, you should have plenty of time to go and take some target practice in." Zak thought for a minute then jogged after the captain, putting his new pistol in to his holster. The suit Zak was wearing was making this jog more like a light walk. The gears, hydrologic system and small joints and moving parts made it easy to move. The metal that would surely weight him down was manageable thanks to the suits enhancing ability. As Zak rounded the corner to the firing range. He noticed that the area was ended with thick and high walls of what he assumed were steel. The object's that were located in there consisted of building sides with window and door openings, along with sandbags and barrels. He noticed that Boss had already started and was shooting at targets with that souped up m1911. The targets would fall as he shot them, the sound his pistol mad was a little louder then a typical m1911 but Zak just suspected the slight increase in caliber size to be the main reason for this.

     "So Boss what are ya gonna show me?" Zak was honestly interested in this new knowledge he was about to receive.

     "How NOT to hit yourself in the face with these guns while shooting them," He shot another target and it blew to pieces.

      "That's all... I thought I'd get a little more out of this," Zak said a little down casted.

       "Well other then that you'll learn how to use that exo to the fullest extent along with how to compliment it with your exo," Boss took one more shot then went to a mechine that dispensed ammo...how did that work?

        "So what's first Boss?" Zak asked while taking out his new pistol.

        "First is holding, really simply just hold it normal. Next is for the recoil, you need to be ready these exos especially yours is made to take recoil like nothing so use that." Zak listened and did as told, taking a breath like he normally did at a firing range. Zak looked down the iron sights lining up and gently squeezing the trigger. The gun shot back the barrel only moving a inch or two from its original position. "There ya go! Your a natural born shooter!" Boss was surprised that Zak picked it up so quick, and on the first try no less!

        "Wow, it sure does have one hell of a kick," Zak said while rubbing his hand from the force of the pistol.

       "Don't worry about that you'll get use to it," he took aim with his pistol and let out a few shots. "You just need to build up a little resistance to the force,"

        "Alright so....now what?" Zak asked.

         "Well now we focus on your mech hand and exo suit, this way please," Boss walked to another part of the field with Zak following. I wonder what's gonna happen here? was the last thought Zak had before opening a door and talk into a large yellow building marked 'Exo Testing Area'

Meanwhile back a Fire Halos barracks

    "I don't know Tank, I think the kids alright," spoke Laz as he was cooking the squadron's next meal.

       While Boss was off getting the rookie his new equipment. There rest of the Fire Halos were sitting around and talking. Excluding Laz who was taking part of the conversation from the kitchen. Shadow and Recon were sitting in a couch and Tank chosse to stand in-between the couch and the doors that lead to the kitchen.

     "All I'm saying is that he's not exactly made of mech," Tank exclaimed "I mean all he lost was a forearm nothing else soldiers like me and you lost a lot more then just a limb,"

     Recon turn towards Tank, "Well we don't all have the privilege of being a metal monster like you fat ass," Recon chuckled a little at his joke.

     Tank grunted "Well we all don't have the luxury of becoming a glorified cripple, now do we?" Tank smirked thinking he cornered the damn scout. He only got a smirk right back as Recon took the plate of food he had and stood up, walking calmly over to Tank and then fluently took said plate and placed it's contents and squashed it in his face before running off. Tank was furious as he chased Recon around while Shadow tried to be as small as possible.

      Laz walked in, "What the same hell is going on in here! Recon did you start this!?"

      Recon continued to avoid Tank and his rage as he answered, "No he started this when he called me crippled," Recon continued to avoid Tank now dodging punches.

      Laz got in-between them, "Damn it Tank! Knock it off your scaring Shadow!"

      Tank keep trying to get to Recon who his behind Laz, "He called me a monster!"

      "Oh well excuuuuuse me mister roid rage!" Recon said.

       "Oh I'm gonna ki-"  *BANG* Tank stopped mid sentence as they all turned towards Boss who had entered a few mminutes before hand. He held the pistol high and had a look of anger that rivaled that of Tank just a few seconds ago. He put down the gun and holstered it, Boss walked into the room staring at the three soldiers in front of him. Laz quickly slid to the left and walked away a little bit before turning towards the enraged captain.

      "What are you to doing?" Despite his angered face he talked calmly and clearly. "Did I just see two of my men...military trained soldiers acting like two year olds!" Boss's voice increased in anger as he spoke. "You to are a disgrace to this army! I'd sooner scrap the dirt from your boots and eat it then run into battle with you some asses!" Both Tank and Recon couldn't help but look down as their leader hurled insults at them. "I hope you enjoyed you little disagreement, cuz now I'm gonna make you two run laps around the entire base,"

      "But Boss h-"

       "Save it Recon so help me you say one more word I'll put a bullet in your head," Boss looked at Recon with very stirn eyes. "I don't want to hear another damn thing from either one of you," he looked to both of them. "We're a team...we don't fight each other even if we do you should save it for the enemy," Boss walked to the middle of the living room. "I want you both of you to take whatever's putting rust on your mechs and clean it up, cuz whatever's possessing you to bust each others balls better fucking stop right now! I didn't put you two into this rank just to rip each other's throats out. I want you to get the idea through your head that we're a team no were a family... We cover the other's back," Boss had turned around and was facing the group of soldiers with determined eyes.

       Tank let out a puff of air, "yeah...some family," Tank walked by hitting Boss's shoulder along the way. Boss and the other's watched a he walked off. As he did Zak walked through the door and looked around.

       "Did I...miss something?" Zak asked looking confused.

       "No...just a family meeting, just a family meeting...." Boss answered while he looked to Laz and asked what's for dinner.