With a forward operating base situated deep behind enemy lines, the allies would be able to launch any number of raids against the Russians, and they would have virtually no defense against them. Paul thought the plan sounded simple, but maybe it was too simple. “Typical higher ups,” he thought, “Always making these grandiose plans. I wonder if they realize that the Russians get a vote in the matter, too.”
As Paul walked through the rows of virtual reality pods on his way to brief his company, he couldn’t help but think to himself how detached war was becoming. When World War III had first started, he was a rifleman, a soldier with the first railgun to be used as an infantry rifle. Two years later, he was outfitted with an exoskeleton combat suit. Now he was commanding a company of soldiers who would operate the latest mechanical killing machine, the enhanced humanoid drone, a mechanical clone that would enable his soldiers to throw themselves at the enemy without fear of death. It was strange to think how fast the business of killing had advanced and what the next evolution would entail. While talking with one of the computer technicians, he had heard the military was developing an Artificial Intelligence version of the Reaper drone that would enable the military to drop the drones behind enemy lines and let them operate autonomously, on their own without human involvement. That was truly a scary idea to him and he wondered, “What if the machine decides not to listen to its human masters? What if it becomes ‘self-aware’?”
“Room, Attention!” yelled the Company First Sergeant as Captain Allen walked in.
Paul was still not used to the formality and attention every time he entered a room. He had been an NCO most of his military career. As he surveyed the men and women of his command, he could see the apprehension written all over their faces. This was the first time they would be using the Reapers in combat, and they were carrying a heavy burden; the men and women of the division would be counting on them to successfully secure their objectives. If they did their jobs right, a lot of lives would be saved by not using live soldiers in Raptor suits.
“Listen up, everyone. I know there is a lot riding on our success, but I don’t want you to concentrate on that. I want you to focus on the tasks assigned to each platoon and squad. You worry about doing your specific job, and let others worry about doing theirs. I want you to fixate every thought you have on operating your Reaper… don’t get bogged down by the bigger picture. If you run into a problem, get your squad leader’s attention quickly so we can address it. I spoke with our support company, and they have several computer technicians assigned to our company to help address any problems that may come up.”
Pulling up a holographic map of the area, Captain Allen began to highlight the individual platoon and company objectives. “Things are going to move quickly once we are on the ground. Once our initial mission has been completed, there is a chance we will be given new orders and expected to capture more ground.”
Showing some areas highlighted in red, Captain Allen pulled up more information showing the enemy unit composition. “As you can see, the Russians have moved a brigade of their own soldiers (who are equipped with exoskeleton suits) to the area as well. You can expect these guys to be ready for a fight. The Russians know that if we capture this peninsula, the war is that much closer to being won, so expect them to fight like cats backed into a corner.”
“Remember, just because we are tied to virtual reality simulator equipment does not make what you are about to see, hear, and be a part of any less real. Keep your wits about you, and your head on a swivel. Do not take unnecessary risks, and do what you can to protect your EHD. Oh, and before we leave, I want you to remember one very important thing…we are going to crush them!” he roared to the delight of his men.
With that, he dismissed the troops to their individual commanders and they quickly exited the briefing room to head to their simulator pods. As the soldiers got themselves strapped in, Paul walked over to his own simulation pod and began the process of hooking himself up.
He changed into the skin-hugging jumpsuit that would mimic his every move and allow him to feel what the EHD felt. He put on his gloves and frictionless boots, then stepped onto the simulation platform and began to attach his helmet. Once the power had been activated, he immediately began a quick system check, just as they had been taught.
Shortly after completing his system check, a message was sent across the battalion net, letting them know the helicopters would be lifting off shortly to begin the assault. As Paul looked from left to right, his EHD mimicked his move, and he could see the others in his transport pod doing similar checks. It was strange looking at the other Reapers, each had a name and rank written on its right chest area just as it would have if it were a regular soldier or Raptor suit. What he never got used to seeing was the soft glowing red eyes of the EHD. The lights for the eyes could be dimmed or turned off all together, and typically were darkened when operating at night. However, the physiological warfare folks believed that the soldiers should leave them on all the time, even if it gave away their positions at night. Their reasoning was simple; the strange sight was a powerful cause of intimidation and fear.
A few minutes later, the transport pod began to lift off the deck of the America, carrying the Reapers towards their drop point. Paul couldn’t see that much while the EHD was in the transport pod. Switching channels on his visual input, Allen was able to see what the pilot saw as the helicopter travelled quickly at treetop level. In the distance, Paul saw anti-aircraft fire emanating from the direction of the Russian base and city nearby. Several missiles streaked towards some of the helicopters. He saw a Razorback take a direct hit — it exploded violently.
A few minutes later, Paul saw the airfield his company had been assigned to secure. They were going to be landing towards the tail end of the runway, where the area was cleared of trees. There were no buildings nearby, which is why they had chosen this area to land the EHD pods. It would allow the helicopters enough time to drop the pods and then run back to the America to pick up the next load of EHDs.
In seconds, the transport pod was on the ground, and Paul and his soldiers began to detach the restraints holding their Reapers in place. They quickly began to exit the transport and began to move as squads towards their objectives. Paul was moving with the second squad from first platoon towards what had been identified as the command building for the airfield. The targeting system on the EHD quickly identified several enemy soldiers, who immediately opened fire on the Reapers with their machine guns.
Green tracers could be seen heading towards their position. Paul saw one of his fellow soldier’s EHD get hit with several rounds and fall to the ground. As he ran past the drone, he saw it get back up and continue to fire its rifle; soon it was running towards the enemy position with the rest of his squad. While Allen was sprinting towards his objective, he raised his rifle and shot at a small cluster of soldiers he saw emerging from the building in front of him.