“That’s an interesting question, coming from you Tom,” says Isaac.
“None of you guys paid attention at all in school?” says Vance. He lowers his red notebook he was writing in and wipes away his forehead. “Scientist believe this planet, in fact system, is extremely new. That’s why it was perfect for us humans to colonize here and why it’s so rich in raw resources. We wouldn’t be taking some other sentient being’s home away from them, and we can then cultivate the planet Earthen style.”
“What was that word you said?” says Tommy. “Seeentient?”
“Sentient. It means intelligent creature, Tom. Something our own species is still working on,” says Isaac, chuckling as he takes a drag from his ancient. Tommy didn’t seem to get the insult.
“And smoking something that kills you is not very intelligent,” I say while grabbing Isaac’s ancient and hitting it hard, releasing a small cough.
“Trying to be a tough boy there, Peter?” says Isaac as he snatches it back and takes the longest drag out of us all, ending in a French inhale. “That’s how you smoke, boys.”
“Yeah, yeah, shut your mouth,” says Vance getting a vapstick from his chest pocket. “Why are you smoking then, Peter? I mean, especially that ancient tobacco stuff that’s worse for you.”
“Like you said, our species is still working on intelligence. Or we wouldn’t be in a war right now. So I might as well join in and enjoy stupidity.” Vance nods, taking another drag with me.
“But if this place is new, why would that mean no alien animals and stuff?” says Tommy.
“Since its new here, evolution hasn’t taken its full course yet,” says Vance. “So most of the organisms are still floating around in the water and bacteria flying in the air or on plants.”
“There are still fucking bugs here though,” says Isaac. “Those annoying ones that look like ants.”
“Right, and that is super interesting,” says Vance. “Especially look at all the plants and foliage here, it’s so similar to ours on earth. The theory, which in reality makes sense, is that since the atmosphere—which is also still forming—has the same make up as ours, evolution here would follow a similar design as what Earth and us went through, because we all are using and taking in the same minerals and resources, and living in relatively identically climates and needs to survive.”
“You mean, human looking things could evolve here too?” says Tommy.
“Well no, not anymore. If this planet was left to its own devices for millions of years, maybe something resembling at best, but since we got involved very early and messed around with this place, I highly doubt it. I don’t even think any special animals will form besides the few insects it has, since we are bringing in intrusive species of our own. The planetary evolution here is pretty much stagnant thanks to us.”
“I’m surprised the Party didn’t worry about this place’s environment like they do back home, when they ordered a few hundred thousand marines here,” howls Isaac, “that’s an invasive species!”
“But the aliens we are fighting,” says Tommy after we finish laughing. “They look like us kinda because of your evolution thing you said.”
“Yeah, pretty much actually,” says Vance. “Evolution seems to declare that a humanoid appearance with around four limbs and a developed frontal lobe is the most superior thing that it can evolve and create itself into to. At least, like I said earlier, on planets with somewhat similar climates and geography, which we suspect the Herculean’s home world to be like.”
Tommy looks down at his lap for a while. “My preacher told me every Sunday that we humans were special and such, created form God himself. Either he was lying, or God’s been cheating on us.” We all break out laughing again. “What’s so funny?” he says hurt.
“Jesus, Tom,” says Isaac as he wipes his eyes and tapes his ancient on a crate, “that was the funniest, somewhat intelligent shit I have ever heard you say.”
“That was a good one is what he’s saying man, you’re a clever one,” says Vance.
“Well thanks, I guess,” says Tommy.
Muffled noises came out from the radio.
“Oh shit, Peter get the sacks off it,” says Vance. I move the bags of field supplies off the radio. The transmission comes out loud and clear.
“Easy-Bravo!” says Conal through the radio. “Easy-Bravo! Do you copy? Need support and suppressive fire on our location,” the radio cracks and has a fit of static from nearby bullets fizzing around on their end. “Need support as we withdrawal.”
“Easy-Alpha! Easy-Alpha! We copy, what is your location?” says Vance. He was made Squad Leader of Bravo today when Blake took Alpha out for patrol.
“Directly in the middle of home camp and Rickshaw Village. About one and a half kilometers down the path from your location!” says Conal. “Hurry up and get over here!”
“On our way!” says Vance. “Let’s move guys! Tommy, you grab the XM-12. We’ll need lots of smoke so grab as much as you can.”
Tommy grabs his backpack and satchels of endless rounds for the LMG, while Vance lifts up the radio and a bandolier of smoke canisters. Isaac wraps a red bandana around his helmet and a machete to his belt. My helmet also has a red bandana wrapped around it with my Medal pinned to the side against Rosa—I hope it doesn’t make me stick out too much for a sniper. I grab the sack of medical supplies, a fold out stretcher, and jug of distilled water. Dmitry who was busy setting up a sentry turret agrees to stay behind and watch the foxholes. We vault out of the hole and form into a single file line down the dirt path into the jungle. Vance leads with Isaac, Tommy, and I following behind.
“Easy -Bravo! Easy-Bravo!” says Conal through the radio, screaming can be heard in the background. “Have one hit. Repeat one man is down and needs medical attention! He won’t make it, need you to call Command for a dustoff!”
“Fuck, Isaac you heard. Right here is good,” says Vance. Isaac pulls out a red smoke canister and throws it at a clearing to the side of us. The feint noise of guns firing carries down the path. “Peter! You and Isaac will need to take our down man all the way back here. The evac won’t land under fire since it’s a little bird.”
“I know, let’s get down there then,” I say.
“Administering Buzz now guys,” informs Vance. He tabs his control pad. Being Squad Leader today, he is given special permission to do so for this mission too.
Concern for their hurt brother turns into outright anger, that those rebels got another good marine.
“Command! Command! This is Easy-Bravo. Easy-Alpha is pinned under rebel fire. We need a medevac for a down man on my smoke,” says Vance into his radio. They continue running down the path, Vance’s radio antenna bobbing against his helmet.
“Easy-Bravo, Easy-Bravo. We copy. Little bird on is on its way. Make sure LZ is clear. Command out.”
The firefight becomes louder as they get closer. Red smoke wafts through the trees behind them. As they near Easy-Alpha, their arm pads come within range and an arrow appears, indicating their precise location. Easy-Bravo follows it down a small path where a local appears running towards them, a teenage boy that sold odds and ends from the village.
“Hey! Native our way!” says Peter.
“I see him,” says Isaac. The boy from the shop cries and waves his hands at them.
“Wait a sec guys, could be a trap from the rebels,” says Vance. Easy-Bravo kneels fast with guns at the ready. They surround themselves in full camouflage trench cloaks that mimic the surrounding environment, blending them in.