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Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Shattered Dreams

Wade and Jay had been moved to private hospital rooms and were just waiting for the final evals and release. The sterile white walls seemed to close in on Wade as he sat on the edge of his bed, flexing his new prosthetic hand. The advanced cybernetic limb responded fluidly to his neural commands, the new technological wonders now available to wounded warriors. Yet, as he gazed at the NanoFlex digits, he was lost in thought. So much had happened in such a short period of time. He was already coming up on his second year in the Corps but it felt like he had enlisted yesterday.

A sharp knock at the door interrupted his daze. “Come in,” Wade called out, straightening his posture.

Captain Hollister, company commander for Echo Company, strode into the room, his face a mask of professional detachment. “Corporal Kovacs,” he began, his tone carefully neutral, “how are you feeling?”

Wade stood, offering a crisp salute. “Much better, sir. Ready to return to duty.”

Hollister nodded, but the tightness around his eyes betrayed his discomfort. “At ease, Corporal. I’m here to discuss your future in the Corps.”

A cold dread settled in Wade’s stomach. “Sir?”

The captain sighed, his facade cracking slightly. “I’m sorry, Corporal. But with your prosthetic… you’re disqualified from Ranger training.”

The words hit Wade like a physical blow. He felt the air leave his lungs as if he’d been sucker-punched. “But sir,” he protested, his voice strained, “I can still perform all required duties. The prosthetic is state-of-the-art—”

Hollister held up a hand, silencing him. “I know, Corporal. And if you were already a Ranger, it wouldn’t be an issue. But for candidates…the regulations are clear. And besides, we need good Marines like you to boost our morale. I’ve already seen the impact you and your fellow Marines have had on not only your platoon, but the entire company. No, it’s best to settle in and contribute where you’re needed most.”

Wade’s mind raced, searching for arguments, loopholes, anything to change this devastating verdict. But the finality in Hollister’s eyes told him it was futile. His dream, the driving force behind every decision he’d made for years, was slipping away.

“I understand, sir,” Wade managed, his voice barely above a whisper.

Hollister’s expression softened slightly. “You’re one fine Marine, Kovacs. This doesn’t change that. Take some time, and we’ll discuss your options when you’re cleared for duty.”

With a final nod, the captain left, leaving Wade alone with the crushing weight of shattered aspirations.

Return to New Quantico

The following week passed in a blur of final medical checks. Wade went through the motions mechanically, his usual enthusiasm dampened by the lingering shadow of his disqualification. Even Jay’s constant attempts at humor did little to lift his spirits.

Finally, on a crisp autumn morning, Wade and Jay found themselves standing outside the hospital, duffel bags at their feet. The familiar weight of their dress uniforms felt both comforting and strange after weeks in hospital scrubs.

Jay clapped a hand on Wade’s shoulder. “Ready to rejoin the land of the living, brother?”

Wade managed a weak smile. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

They boarded the waiting transport, the hum of the engines a stark contrast to the sterile quiet of the hospital. As they lifted off, bound for New Quantico, Wade found his gaze drawn to the prosthetic hand resting in his lap. It was a constant reminder of what he’d lost – and what he could no longer achieve.

Only five miles away, the sprawling expanse of New Quantico came into view, its training grounds and barracks a hive of activity even from the air. As they touched down, Wade felt a mixture of emotions wash over him – relief at returning to familiar surroundings, anxiety about facing his fellow Marines, and a deep-seated uncertainty about his future.

Their arrival didn’t go unnoticed. As they stepped off the transport, a blur of motion caught Wade’s eye. Before he could react, Mayumi had thrown her arms around him in a fierce hug.

“You’re back!” she exclaimed, her usual composure cracking with genuine joy. Bikram wasn’t far behind, grinning broadly as he embraced Jay.

“Careful, Kato,” Wade chuckled, wincing slightly. “Still a bit tender.”

Mayumi stepped back, her eyes widening as she noticed his prosthetic for the first time. “Oh, Wade,” she said softly, her expression a mix of sympathy and admiration.

Wade squeezed NanoFlex fingers into a fist, forcing a smile. “Latest model. The docs say I’ll be back to full duty in no time.”

Jay, ever perceptive, quickly steered the conversation to lighter topics. “So, what’d we miss? Please tell me the chow hall’s improved while we were gone.”

Bikram laughed, shaking his head. “Dream on, brother. Same old slop, I’m afraid.”

As they made their way to the barracks, swapping stories and catching up, Wade felt a small spark of his old self returning. These were his people, his family. And Kristen, his new love, was only a stone’s throw away in town.

The four burst into their new quarters, tossing duffels onto bunks with practiced ease. As they settled in, the air buzzed with excited chatter.

“Can you believe that Skravak conspiracy?” Mayumi shook her head. “I got a feeling they’ll be unraveling this for a while.”

Bikram grinned, fingering the medal on his chest. “At least we got some shiny hardware out of our last mission.”

“Speaking of hardware,” Wade mumbled, flexing his mechanical hand.

The mood shifted as they turned to the future. Mayumi’s eyes lit up. “Guess what? They’ve offered me a spot in Platoon Leaders Class. I could be an intel officer!”

Bikram’s smile faded. “That’s great, May. But I’ve seen enough. I’m out as soon as my time’s up.”

All eyes turned to Jay. He squirmed, not wanting to bring up a sore subject. “Well… I’ve given it a lot of thought. Prayed about it, you know? I think I need to stick to my original plan.”

Bikram’s eyebrows shot up. “Ranger School, then?”

Jay nodded. “Yeah, once I’m back in fighting shape and get a class date.”

Mayumi beamed at Wade. “That’s awesome! You two’ll be going together, right?”

The silence that followed was deafening. Wade held up his mechanical hand. “Not exactly. This new gear… it’s calling the shots now.” For the first time Wade detected his own disappointment in what God was doing in his life and so did the others.

Jay cleared his throat, desperate to break the tension. “Hey, who else is starving? Let’s hit the chow hall. I hear they’re serving up some prime Skravak steaks and stasis fluid!”

Laughter erupted, the heavy moment passing. Bikram snorted, “Only you could make a gut bomb sound appetizing, Jay!”

As they filed out, the banter continued, but a hint of uncertainty lingered in the air. The future, it seemed, held different paths for each of them.

Beyond the Rangers

The weeks that followed saw Wade throwing himself into his duties with renewed vigor. If he couldn’t be a Ranger, he’d be the best Marine Regular he could be. His prosthetic became an extension of himself, and soon he was outperforming many of his able-bodied comrades in physical training.

But it wasn’t all work. In the evenings, Wade found solace in his budding relationship with Kristen. Their dates became a bright spot in his otherwise regimented life, a reminder that there was more to existence than military life.

One balmy evening, they strolled hand-in-hand through a small park on the outskirts of the base. The setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, casting a warm glow over everything.

“You seem different today,” Kristen observed, her blue eyes studying Wade’s face. “More… at peace.”

Wade leaned back, his eyes distant. “You know, I think I’m finally starting to come to terms with everything.”

Kristen tilted her head, curious. “Yeah?”

“Remember the other night, in Bible study when we were diving into Ephesians?”

“Chapter two,” Kristen nodded, a small smile playing on her lips.

Wade’s face lit up. “Exactly. Verses 8 through 10… man, they hit me like a ton of bricks.”

Kristen closed her eyes for a moment, reciting, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

“That’s it,” Wade said softly. He ran a hand through his hair, gathering his thoughts. “I was thinking about how lost I was before… well, before I found Jesus. Or maybe it’s more accurate to say before He found me.”

Kristen listened intently as Wade continued, his words picking up speed.

“I was such a mess, you know? And I realized I hadn’t done a single thing to deserve God’s love. But He put the right people in my path, people who told me about His mercy, His majesty as the Creator King.” Wade’s eyes shone. “His grace drew me in. And then… then He gave me purpose. Something way bigger than the selfish stuff I was chasing before.”

He paused, his voice growing softer. “And to think, this was His design all along. Even before I was born, He knew me. He was thinking about me. He had this plan, and it was good.”

Wade straightened up, a new resolve in his posture. “So I figured, why not trust Him? Be thankful that He’s got me right where He wants me, you know? I want to serve Him, wherever He puts me.” He shrugged, a wry smile on his face. “My path might not look like what I imagined, but… that’s okay. More than okay, actually.”

Kristen squeezed his hand – his prosthetic one – without hesitation. “You’re an extraordinary man, Wade Kovacs. Ranger or not, you’re going to do great things. I can feel it.”

Her unwavering faith in him warmed Wade’s heart. He pulled her close, savoring the moment of connection. Whatever the future held, he was grateful to have Kristen by his side.

Meeting the Admiral

As Wade and Kristen strolled hand in hand through the park one evening, she turned to him with a mix of excitement and nervousness in her eyes. “Wade, I think it’s time you met my parents,” she said softly. “My father, Admiral Kitzler, is home from deployment, and he and my mother want to have you over for dinner.”

Wade felt a flutter of anxiety in his stomach. Meeting Kristen’s parents was a big step, especially given the Admiral’s high rank. “Of course,” he replied, trying to sound more confident than he felt. “I’d be honored.”

A few days later, Wade found himself standing outside the Kitzlers’ quarters, tugging nervously at his dress uniform. Kristen squeezed his hand reassuringly before leading him inside. The Admiral and his wife, Sarah, greeted him warmly. Despite the older couple’s casual demeanor, which seemed almost too relaxed, Wade couldn’t shake the feeling of being under intense scrutiny.

Sarah Kitzler served dinner, which was a simple yet delightful meal, centered around the warmth of love. She used everyday plates and utensils, which put Wade at ease. The conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with laughter and lighthearted stories, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Wade quickly sensed that there was no rank here; the Admiral and his wife welcomed him as family. He found himself enjoying the meal without the burden of perfect manners, allowing himself to fully embrace this ordinary yet extraordinary moment. All of this was a pleasant and welcomed surprise. As he watched Kristin interact with her mother, he couldn’t help but see the clear resemblance of her beauty and charm. Her mother embodied the refined grace of a military wife—confident and poised, yet refreshingly free from the typical hauteur associated with wives of high-ranking officers.

As the meal came to an end, Wade’s earlier comfort shifted into a mix of nervousness and determination. He loved Kristen deeply and knew he wanted to spend his life with her. Taking a deep breath, he expressed his gratitude to Sarah for the wonderful meal before turning to the Admiral. “Sir, may I speak with you privately?”

The Admiral nodded, leading Wade to the only available private space – the master bedroom. Wade shifted uncomfortably, acutely aware of the intimate setting. Gathering his courage, he began, “Admiral, I want you to know that I’m very attracted to your daughter.”

To Wade’s surprise, the Admiral’s expression hardened. He reached for a well-worn Bible on the nightstand and opened it to the book of Job. In a firm voice, he read, “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?”

Realizing the misunderstanding, Wade’s eyes widened in panic. “No, no! It’s not like that at all, sir!” he stammered. “I’m not confessing lust. I’m asking for your blessing to marry Kristen!”

The tension in the room dissipated instantly. The Admiral’s stern expression melted into a warm smile. “Oh, I was just pulling your leg, son,” he chuckled. “Kristen has been telling us about you for months. Of course you have our blessing. Sarah and I would be delighted to welcome you into the family. We were wondering what took you so long!”

Overwhelmed with relief and joy, Wade thanked the Admiral profusely. They rejoined the others, and Wade couldn’t contain his smile as he looked at Kristen. Later that evening, as they walked together under the stars, Wade recounted the awkward misunderstanding to Kristen, who alternated between laughter and happy tears.

“I can’t believe you managed to turn a marriage proposal into a near-disaster,” she teased, her eyes shining with love.

Wade grinned sheepishly. “Well, I guess it’s a story we’ll be telling our grandkids someday.” He pulled her close, marveling at how his life had changed. From a lost young man to a Marine with purpose, and now, a soon-to-be husband. As they walked, Wade silently thanked God for the path that had led him to this moment of incredible joy.

The Waiver Revelation

The mess hall buzzed with the usual cacophony of voices and clattering trays. Wade navigated the crowded space, his tray balanced carefully in his prosthetic hand. He was so focused on not spilling his coffee that he nearly collided with a broad-chested officer in Ranger fatigues.

“Watch where you’re going, Marine!” a familiar gravelly voice barked.

Wade’s head snapped up, recognition dawning. “Lieutenant Venn?” he blurted, then quickly corrected himself. “I mean, Captain, sir. My apologies.”

Captain Darris Venn’s cybernetic eye whirred as it focused on Wade’s face. “Well, I’ll be,” he growled, a hint of a smile tugging at his craggy features. “Corporal Kovacs. The hotshot from Mars who was so eager to be a Ranger and then went out and made himself a hero before he even got through the gauntlet.”

“Yes sir!” Wade replied, snapping to attention as best he could while holding his tray. “…I mean no sir, I’m not a hero. Just a Marine.”

Venn waved him off. “At ease, Corporal. You’re much more than ‘just a Marine.’ Join me for chow. That’s an order.”

They found a relatively quiet corner of the mess hall, and Venn fixed Wade with an appraising stare. “I’ve heard about your exploits, Kovacs. That business with the Skravak ship… impressive work.”

“Thank you, sir,” Wade said, a hint of pride creeping into his voice. “Just doing my duty.”

Venn nodded, taking a swig of his coffee. “So, when are you shipping out to Ranger School? A Marine with your record, I’d expect you to be halfway through the course by now.”

Wade’s expression fell, his gaze dropping to his prosthetic hand. “I… I can’t, sir. The prosthetic disqualifies me as a candidate.”

Venn’s cybernetic eye whirred again, focusing on Wade’s hand. For a long moment, he said nothing, simply studying the young Marine before him. When he spoke, his voice was uncharacteristically gentle.

“You know, Kovacs, I’m surprised at you. The eager young recruit I met on Mars wouldn’t have given up so easily.”

Wade’s head snapped up, confusion evident on his face. “Sir?”

Venn leaned forward, his voice low and intense. “Listen up, Marine, you’re still a little dense. The Corps has a waiver for almost everything. Including Ranger candidates with prosthetics.”

Hope flared in Wade’s chest, so bright it was almost painful. “But… my C.O. said—”

“Your C.O. isn’t a Ranger…is he?” Venn cut him off. “He doesn’t know every loophole and exception. But I do.” He fixed Wade with a steely gaze. “The question is, Corporal, do you still want it? Are you willing to fight for it?”

Wade’s mind raced, possibilities he’d thought forever closed suddenly reopening before him. He met Venn’s gaze, his voice firm and resolute. “Absolutely, sir!”

A rare smile crossed Venn’s face. “Good. Because I’d hate for good material to go to waste, Kovacs. I’m here on a special assignment, digging deeper into those mining operations tied to the government scandal. I’m headed out tomorrow but I’ll put in a good word for you. The Ranger net is pretty tight, it’ll get to regimental headquarters before you can blink.

Wade’s heart pounded in his chest. This was it – a second chance, the opportunity to pursue the dream. “I’m in, sir,” he said without hesitation. “Whatever it takes.”

Venn leaned back and slapped the table, “Perfect, Corporal, remember, you got to do your part. Get in shape, put in the proper paperwork through channels, and don’t quit on me. Is that clear?

Roger that, sir! Crystal clear! Wade said with a renewed confidence.

Old Friends and New Rangers

“Wade? Is that you?”

The familiar voice cut through the mess hall chatter, causing Wade to turn. His eyes widened in surprise as he saw Briggs and Alex approaching, both sporting the distinctive Ranger tab on the left shoulders of their fatigues.

“Oh sorry, Sir,” Briggs addressed Captain Venn, snapping to attention. “We apologize for the interruption, but we couldn’t help noticing our old bootmate.”

Venn looked at Wade with a smirk, pumping his thumb over his shoulder, “You know these two knuckleheads?”

Wade sarcastically replied with a grin, “I’ve never seen these two losers before in my life!”

All four laughed at the obvious joke.

“Very well,” Venn nodded, a hint of amusement in his gruff voice. “I’ll leave you to catch up. Standing to his feet, the Captain looked at his two newly assigned Rangers. “You know what time you need to be in formation, don’t be late.” Then turning to Wade, he added, “Kovacs, remember what we discussed.” With that, Venn strode away, leaving the reunited friends.

As soon as Venn was out of earshot, Briggs let out a low whistle. “Man, Wade, your ugly mug has been plastered all over the news feeds! Taking down that Skravak ship, exposing the conspiracy… you’ve been busy, bro.”

Wade felt a flush of embarrassment. “Just doing my job. But look at you two! Already tabbed! That’s incredible! Has it been six months?”

Alex’s normally jovial face turned serious. “It was no joke, hermano. Ranger School…everyday I said to myself, ‘I’ll quit tomorrow! But tomorrow never came.”

Briggs nodded solemnly. “Remember how brutal D I S was? Ranger School made that look like a vacation. No sleep and no chow. The weather and terrain could make a grown man cry. And you thought the DIs were bad. The RIs were sadistic as all get out! “

“Not to mention the constant mental challenges,” Alex added. “The Science and Exploration Phase caused me permanent brain damage! And to wrap it all up with the Flight Phase, Drop Pods are child’s play. One little mistake you could be recycled in that phase or be sent back to Day 1… or die.”

Wade listened intently, a mix of admiration and longing in his eyes. “I can only imagine. How long did it take you guys to complete?”

Briggs chuckled darkly. “Six months. That’s 180 days of pure misery. We started with 200 candidates. Only 77 of us made it through.”

“The swamp phase was the worst,” Alex grimaced. “Wading through waist-deep water, carrying heavy rucks, always being harassed by the OPFOR. I still have nightmares about the leeches and snakes.”

Wade winced sympathetically. “Sounds brutal. But you made it through and without being recycled. I’m stoked for you guys!”

Briggs clapped Wade on the shoulder. “Thanks, brother. But enough about us. What were you talking to the Captain about? Anything to do with those mining operations?”

Wade nodded, his expression turning serious. “We didn’t talk much about that. Just that you guys were deploying tomorrow. He asked when I was going to Ranger School. I told him my new C.O. told me I was disqualified because of my prosthetic.” Holding his hand in the air and the two friends noticing for the first time.

“Dude!” Briggs blurted out looking at Wade’s missing hand with astonishment. “We had no idea! Did you lose it on the last recon op?”

“Yeah, but your Captain just told me I could apply for a waiver and that he’d put in a good word for me at Regiment.”

Alex nodded in approval, “I like the Old Man. He’s already shown us we are in good hands under his command. I wouldn’t want to be in any other company. Charlie Two Seven Five! When you graduate, and you will, ask to join the real men.

Wade looked at him with a smirk, “Remember my buddy Jay? Yeah, he shipped out to Ranger School yesterday and is headed to One Seven Five. I heard that “First Bat” had the real men.”

They all laughed but their joviality was cut short by an ear piercing wale of air raid sirens. Captain Venn stood to his feet in the middle of the mess hall and shouted, “Marines and Sailors report to your units! Rangers outside, on me! This is not a drill! 

Link to all Chapters – Text & Audio

Link to all Chapters – Text & Audio

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

John 8:31-32

The Rendezvous

The Thunderhawk’s engines roared as it approached the rendezvous point, a pre-arranged location in a seemingly empty sector of space. As they neared, the sleek silhouette of a Navy destroyer materialized against the backdrop of distant stars. The ship’s markings identified it as the ISC Vigilant.

“That’s our ride,” General Redside announced, a hint of relief in his voice. “Captain Petrov is an old friend. We can trust him.”

The docking procedure was swift and efficient. As the airlock cycled, Captain Petrov himself stood waiting, his weathered face creased with concern. “Incredible, John!” he said, addressing Redside, “When you said you needed a pickup, I didn’t expect… this.”

Redside clasped his friend’s shoulder. “It’s worse than we thought, Sergei . But we’ve got the evidence we need.”

As the Marines disembarked, medical teams swarmed around them, focusing particularly on Wade and Jay. Wade’s fever had spiked during the mission, and the makeshift bandage on his arm was soaked through with blood. Jay, though less visibly injured, moved with the stiffness of someone hiding significant pain.

“Get these two to sickbay immediately,” Petrov ordered. “The rest of you, debriefing room. We don’t have much time.”

As Wade was whisked away on a stretcher, he caught a glimpse of Redside deep in conversation with Petrov, their expressions grave. Then the sickbay doors closed, and the world faded into a haze of antiseptic smells and beeping monitors.

Unveiling the Conspiracy

Days later, Wade awoke to find himself in a pristine hospital room, the steady hum of medical equipment filling the air. A quick glance confirmed that Jay occupied the bed next to him, his friend’s chest rising and falling in the rhythm of deep sleep.

A nurse noticed Wade’s movement and approached. “How are you feeling, Corporal?”

Wade tried to sit up, wincing at the effort. “Better, I think. Where are we?”

“Nexus Military Hospital,” the nurse replied. “You’ve been here for two days. Your fever broke yesterday.”

Wade’s mind raced, trying to piece together the events since their return. “The others? Mayumi and Bikram?”

“They’re safe,” a familiar voice answered. General Redside stepped into the room, looking more haggard than Wade had ever seen him. “They’re at New Quantico, under a security detail. We’re not taking any chances.”

Redside pulled up a chair, his voice low. “What you four uncovered… it’s big, Corporal Kovacs. Bigger than we imagined. The Senate hearings started yesterday. Admiral Blankenship and Senator Wang are in custody, along with several others.”

Wade’s eyes widened. “It worked? They believed us?”

Redside nodded grimly. “The evidence was irrefutable. Your testimony, combined with what we recovered from the Skravak ship… it’s blown the lid off a conspiracy that goes back over two centuries.”

As Redside continued to brief Wade on the unfolding situation, news channels across the Confederation buzzed with speculation. Anchors spoke in hushed tones about impending revelations that would “shake the very foundations of our society.” Political commentators debated the implications of high-ranking officials being led away in handcuffs, their faces plastered across every screen.

Several days later, as the medical team finished their final checks on Wade’s condition, and Wade flexed his state of the art prosthetic hand, General Redside stepped into the room, his expression a mix of concern and resolve. He approached Wade’s bedside and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. “Corporal Kovacs,” he said, his voice steady, “you’ve shown incredible bravery throughout this ordeal. I know the road ahead will be tough, but I want you to remember that you’re not alone. If you ever need anything, come and see me.” Wade nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude for the support from his commanding officer. As the general turned to leave, Wade felt a renewed sense of purpose.

The Unexpected Voice

In the following days, as Wade’s strength returned, he found himself at the center of a whirlwind of debriefings, medical examinations, and psych evaluations. The constant scrutiny and retelling of their harrowing experiences began to take its toll.

It was during one of these sessions that Wade first met Dr. Kristen Kitzler. As she entered the room, datapad in hand, Wade was struck by an inexplicable certainty. A voice, clear as day, resonated in his mind: “This is the woman you are going to marry.”

The thought caught him completely off guard, and he struggled to maintain his composure as Dr. Kitzler introduced herself. She was strikingly beautiful, with intelligent blue eyes that seemed to look right through him.

“Corporal Kovacs,” she began, her voice warm and professional, “I’m Dr. Kitzler. I’ve been assigned to work with you as we process the events you’ve experienced.”

Wade nodded, acutely aware of his quickening pulse. “Nice to meet you, Doctor.”

As their session progressed, Wade found himself drawn to Dr. Kitzler’s compassionate demeanor and insightful questions. She had a way of making him feel at ease, even when discussing the most traumatic aspects of his ordeal.

For her part, Kristen found herself intrigued by the young Marine. Unlike many of the Marines and Sailors she had worked with, Wade displayed a remarkable humility when recounting his experiences. There was no bravado, no attempt to paint himself as a hero. Instead, he spoke of his faith, of the strength he drew from his beliefs and his fellow Marines.

Kristen Kitzler grew up in a devout Christian family, her faith deeply rooted in the traditions and values passed down through generations. Her father, Captain Marcus Kitzler, served as a Navy Air Wing Commander, instilling in Kristen a strong sense of duty, discipline, and service to others.

From an early age, Kristen was immersed in Christian teachings. She attended Sunday school and participated in youth group activities at their local base chapel, while her mother, Sarah, a dedicated homemaker and volunteer, filled their home with love, prayer, and biblical guidance.

The Kitzler family’s faith remained steadfast despite the challenges of military life, including frequent moves and her father’s long deployments. They found strength in their beliefs, using them as an anchor during turbulent times. Kristen learned to rely on her relationship with Jesus, finding comfort and direction through prayer and Scripture study.

As she matured, Kristen began to explore her faith more deeply, questioning and seeking to understand the complexities of Christian doctrine. This intellectual curiosity, combined with her compassionate nature, led her to pursue a career in mental health. She saw this path as a way to serve others and live out her faith practically.

Kristen’s exceptional intellect became apparent early on. A child prodigy, she graduated from high school at thirteen, earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at seventeen, and completed her doctorate at nineteen. Despite being only a year older than Wade, her demeanor and accomplishments made her seem several years his senior.

As Kristen listened to Wade’s story, his faith—tested and strengthened through harrowing ordeals—reminded her of her father’s quiet strength and unshakeable belief. She found herself drawn to Wade’s authenticity and the seamless integration of his faith into every aspect of his life.

Their first meeting concluded with an awkward dance of goodbyes and handshakes, yet both left buzzing with an undeniable spark of attraction between them.

One evening, as Wade and Jay were finishing up their Bible study in the hospital’s small chapel, Wade decided to confide in his friend about his strange experience upon meeting Dr. Kitzler.

“Jay, I need to talk to you about something,” Wade began hesitantly. “When I first met Dr. Kitzler, I heard a voice in my head. Clear as day, it said, ‘This is the woman you’re going to marry.'”

Jay’s eyebrows shot up. “Whoa, buddy. That’s intense. What do you think it means?”

Wade shook his head, looking bewildered. “I don’t know, man. I feel drawn to her in a way I can’t explain. But I’m worried I might be getting ahead of myself. What if it’s just my mind playing tricks on me after everything we’ve been through?”

Jay nodded thoughtfully. “It’s kind of weird, but God spoke to people in strange ways in the past. Maybe it’s the Holy Spirit giving you a heads up? But isn’t she a little out of your league?”

“Probably,” Wade replied with uncertainty. “I just can’t get her out of my head. It sounds crazy, doesn’t it?”

Jay leaned forward, his expression serious. “Look, Wade, I’ve seen stranger things in the past few months. If there’s definitely something there, Jesus will let you know. Why don’t we pray about it?”

Wade nodded gratefully. “Yeah, let’s! I could use some divine guidance on this one.”

Jay grinned, his enthusiasm bubbling over. “Alright! And I’m going to pray that you end up marrying this gal. I’ve got a good feeling about this!”

Wade’s eyes widened at his friend’s exuberance. “Whoa, slow down there, buddy! I don’t need anyone throwing gas on this fire! One step at a time.”

After they prayed together, Wade chuckled at his friend’s enthusiasm, even as he felt a mix of hope and trepidation stirring in his own heart. He knew the road ahead would be complicated, but he trusted that God would guide him, just as He had done ever since he had surrendered his life to His will.

The next day Wade hurried into Kristen’s office with a mixture of pent up excitement and terror. He knew what he needed to do. Kristen opened the session, “You mentioned prayer several times in your report, can you tell me more about that?”

Wade hesitated, unsure how to express the depth of his convictions. “It’s… it’s everything to me, Doctor. My faith in God, in His plan… It’s what got me through the darkest moments. When we were trapped on that alien ship, when we thought all hope was lost… prayer was our lifeline.”

Kristen leaned forward, genuinely interested. “And you believe this faith helped you survive?”

“I know it did,” Wade replied, his voice steady. “Not just me, but all of us. It gave us strength when we had nothing else left.”

United in Faith

Wade knew the next thing he was compelled to do, to share the gospel with Dr. Kitzler. “Doctor,” he started, “You seem to be very interested in my spiritual foundation. You know, it all starts with the love of God. In fact He loves us so much, He sent His Son Jesus to the earth, He lived a perfect life, and then was put to death on a cross. This was no mistake or human plan. God had a plan to die on our behalf to pay the price for our rebellion against Him. The Bible calls that sin. But Jesus didn’t stay dead. On the third day He rose from the dead to prove He was the King over everything, including death. Now He sits at the right hand of the Father and He is my Lord and Savior. He calls the shots in my life…Doctor do you believe God loves you?”

Doctor Kitzler felt excited but a little nervous that the counselor had become the one being counseled. “Yes,” she replied with confidence. Wade continued, “Do you believe Jesus died for your sins and is the only way to be right with God?” Once again she replied with confidence, “Yes, I do.” “One more question Doctor,” Wade continued, “Has that belief changed your life to reflect God’s reign in your life?”

Kristen sat up straight and with passion and ignoring the professional code to never reveal personal information to patients, she firmly and passionately exclaimed, “Corporal Kovacs, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and He is my King.” A huge smile broke across Wade’s face and shouted with glee, “I knew it!”

Boundaries Blurred

As their sessions continued over the following weeks, Kristen found herself increasingly drawn to Wade’s quiet strength and unwavering faith. She had worked with many Marines and Sailors who had experienced trauma, but there was something different about Wade. Most men were confident and strong and yet kind of milktoast in their faith. Wade was strong both physically and spiritually, carrying his burdens with grace. She was falling in love with him and the tension between her personal feelings and her professional duties intensified with every session.

Meanwhile, the political fallout from the Marines’ revelations continued to reverberate throughout the Confederation. Senate hearings, broadcast live across all channels, painted a picture of corruption and conspiracy that left citizens reeling.

Admiral Blankenship, his once-pristine uniform now replaced by prison garb, sat stone-faced as irrefutable evidence was presented against him. Senator Wang, looking far older than his years, pleaded the Fifth as question after question exposed the depth of his involvement in the Skravak collaboration.

The testimony of Wade, Jay, Mayumi, and Bikram formed the cornerstone of the prosecution’s case. Their accounts, corroborated by the data recovered from the Skravak ship, left no doubt about the existence of a shadowy cabal within the highest levels of government.

As the hearings progressed, public outrage grew. Protests erupted in major cities across the Confederation, with citizens demanding accountability and transparency. The very foundations of trust between the people and their government had been shaken.

In the midst of this turmoil, Wade found himself grappling with his own internal struggles. The nightmares that plagued his sleep were slowly giving way to a different kind of restlessness. His thoughts increasingly turned to Dr. Kitzler, to the inexplicable certainty he had felt upon first meeting her.

During one of their sessions, as Kristen guided him through a particularly difficult memory, Wade found himself opening up about his personal thoughts in a way he never had before.

“You know, Doctor,” he began, his voice soft, “there’s something I haven’t told you. Something that happened the day we met.”

Kristen tilted her head, curiosity piqued. “Oh? What’s that Corporal?”

Wade took a deep breath, steeling himself. “When you walked into the room that first day, I heard a voice. Clear as day, right in my head.

Kristen leaned forward, “And what did the voice say?”

Wade hesitated and then said with confidence, “It said, ‘This is the woman you are going to marry.'”

Kristen sat back, her eyes widened, a mix of surprise and something else – something Wade couldn’t quite identify – flashing across her face. The words hung in the air between them, heavy with implication.

“I… I see,” she managed, her professional demeanor momentarily shaken. “And how did that make you feel?”

Wade chuckled nervously. “Terrified, honestly. I mean, I’d just met you. I didn’t know what to make of it. But… it felt right, somehow. Like a piece of a puzzle falling into place.”

Kristen could no longer make eye contact and blushed, processing this revelation. As his doctor, she knew she should maintain professional boundaries. But as a woman, she couldn’t deny the flutter in her chest at Wade’s words.

“Corporal Kovacs,” she began carefully, “you’ve been through an incredibly traumatic experience. It’s not uncommon for people in your situation to form strong attachments to their caregivers. It’s called transference, and—”

“With all due respect, Doctor,” Wade interrupted gently, “this isn’t that. I know what transference is. This is different. This is… I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s real.”

Kristen found herself at a loss for words, a rarity in her profession. The conviction in Wade’s voice, the earnestness in his eyes – it stirred something in her that she had long thought dormant.

As the weeks passed, Kristen found herself increasingly looking forward to her sessions with Wade. His quiet strength, unwavering faith, and genuine kindness soothed her soul amidst the chaos engulfing the Confederation.

Wade, for his part, grew more certain about his feelings for Kristen. The voice he had heard that first day no longer seemed strange or frightening, but rather a promise—a glimpse of a future he hadn’t dared imagine during his ordeal.

One evening, as they concluded a particularly intense session, Kristen made a decision that would change both their lives. Standing face-to-face, they exchanged their ritual handshake.

“Corporal Kovacs,” she began, her voice soft but determined, “may I call you Wade?” He nodded, and she continued, “I think it’s time we discussed your progress. Professionally speaking, I believe you’ve reached a point where you no longer require my services as a therapist.”

Wade’s heart sank, fearing the end of their time together. But Kristen wasn’t finished.

“However,” she added, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth, “I find myself… reluctant to say goodbye. I’ve come to care for you, Wade. More than I should, as your doctor.”

Wade’s pulse quickened. “Kristen, I—”

She gently pressed two fingers to his lips, stopping him. “Let me finish. What I’m trying to say is… if you’re willing, I’d like to continue our relationship. Not as doctor and patient, but as two people responding to the voice you heard when we first met.”

Joy bloomed in Wade’s chest, unlike anything he had ever experienced—a feeling of rightness, of coming home after a long, perilous journey.

“I’d like that very much,” he said simply, raising her hand to his lips for a gentle kiss.

As they stood there, gazing into each other’s eyes, fingers intertwined, both Wade and Kristen felt the weight of recent events begin to lift. Words became unnecessary as their love for one another came into full blossom. They exchanged private datapad addresses and agreed to meet the following evening at a small cafe around the corner.

Hope Amidst Chaos

The road ahead would not be easy – there were still battles to be fought, truths to be uncovered, and a Confederation to heal. But in that moment, they knew they would face whatever came next together.

Outside the hospital windows, the sun began to set on another day of revelations and reckonings. The Confederation was changing, painfully but necessarily, as the full scope of the Skravak conspiracy came to light. But amidst the turmoil, hope was taking root – hope for a future built on truth, justice, and the unbreakable bonds forged in the crucible of shared adversity.

For Wade Kovacs, Jay Ringler, Mayumi Kato, and Bikram Rana, their journey was far from over. They had become symbols of courage and integrity in a time when such qualities were sorely needed. Their testimony would continue to shape the future of government and military relations for years to come.

But for now, walking to his quarters as twilight gathered, Wade allowed himself to simply be present in the moment. He thought of his friends, safe and recovering. He thought of the challenges that lay ahead. And he thought of Kristen, whose recent commitment of pursuing their relationship felt like an anchor in a storm-tossed sea.

As night fell over the Confederation, Wade closed his eyes and offered a silent prayer of gratitude. For survival, for justice, and for the unexpected gift of love that had blossomed in the aftermath of unimaginable horror. Whatever the future held, he knew that faith, friendship, and the strength of his Lord and Savior Jesus, would see them through.

The voice he had heard that first day echoed once more in his mind, no longer a shock but a warm certainty: “This is the woman you are going to marry.” And Wade smiled, knowing that sometimes, the most profound truths are revealed in the most unexpected ways. 

Link to all Chapters – Text & Audio

Link to all Chapters – Text & Audio

Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, saying, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?” And Abishai said, “I will go down with you.” So David and Abishai came to the people by night, and behold, Saul lay sleeping inside the circle of the camp with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people were lying around him.

2 Samuel 26:6-7

Infiltration

The Skravak ship loomed before them, a dark, alien silhouette against the star-studded backdrop of space. Inside the Thunderhawk, the Marines of 1st Platoon steeled themselves for what was to come.

“Remember,” Major General Redside’s voice crackled over the comms, “our primary objective is intelligence gathering. Engage the enemy only if absolutely necessary. We want to be ghosts.”

Jay, Mayumi, and Bikram exchanged determined glances. They were about to relive their nightmare, but this time, they were prepared.

The dropship’s pilot’s voice cut through the tension. “Approaching target. Standby for insertion in T-minus 30 seconds.”

The Thunderhawk’s engines were screaming as it streaked towards the Skravak vessel at maximum speed. The back ramp opened, decompressing the troop compartment. Loose bits of paper and other debris exited the ship as the Infil Team prepared to unfasten their safety harnesses and get ready to exit.

Lieutenant Jordan’s voice was steady as he addressed his team. “Alright Marines, on the ramp, it’s showtime! Let’s get this done.” The four moved to the edge of the ramp with a star filled expanse as their backdrop.

“T-minus 10 seconds,” the pilot announced. “Prepare to drop!” Suddenly, the red glow of the lights reflecting on the platform turned green.

“Go, Go, Go!” Jordan shouted.

With practiced precision, the four Marines launched themselves out of the Thunderhawk’s open rear ramp. For a heart-stopping moment, they were suspended in the void of space, momentum carrying them towards their target as the Thunderhawk screamed past the alien ship, expertly evading any potential weapons lock.

Their EVA suits’ thrusters fired, slowing their approach and allowing them to maneuver. Through their night vision displays, they could see each other’s infrared strobes blinking steadily, guiding them together.

“Rally point reached,” Jay reported over the comms, his voice tense but controlled. “Moving to entry point.”

The team made their way to the familiar waste disposal access point. As planned, the ship had the same exact structure, and the hatch was easy to find.

“Stand by,” Jay whispered. “Hatch opening in 3… 2… 1…”

The hatch slid open, spewing its contents into space. Jay and Mayumi entered swiftly, disappearing into the dark maw of the alien ship. Fifteen agonizing minutes later, the hatch opened again, allowing Lieutenant Jordan and Bikram to slip inside.

“We’re in,” Jordan whispered into his comms as the hatch slid closed with an eerie hiss.

Back on the Thunderhawk, Wade’s voice crackled through their comms. “Roger that.”

The four Marines knelt in the sickening sludge, but the nauseating stench of the waste disposal system was absent. This time, they could keep their helmets on. They wouldn’t be staying the night. Or, at least that was the plan.

Wade’s voice came across the comms and guided them through the underbelly of the beast, his experience from their previous encounter proving invaluable. “There should be a maintenance shaft to your left. It’ll take you under the hunter’s cages.”

Following Wade’s directions, they navigated through the alien ship’s innards, eventually reaching a vent cover that led to the interior. Once inside, the team paused, listening intently for any sign of movement. Just as before, the ship was as still as a tomb, just a massive drone operated by AI rather than a crewed vessel.

After a few tense minutes, they cautiously moved towards the server room at the fore of the ship. Jay quickly located the appropriate cables and made the necessary adjustments. The ship’s engine wound down to a stop with an almost anticlimactic whine.

“Sir,” Jay made eye contact with Lieutenant Jordan, “The ship is dead in the water and the weapon systems are offline. We can bring the other teams aboard now.”

Jordan nodded, his face grim but determined. “Good work, Corporal. Let’s get the rest of our people on board and start unraveling this mystery. We’ve got 24 hours to find out everything we can about this monstrosity.”

As the Thunderhawk moved into position closer to the Skravak ship, the rest of the platoon began to EVA to the vessel, the four Marines who had first experienced its horrors couldn’t shake a sense of deja vu. But this time, they were not helpless prisoners. This time, they had the upper hand of knowledge.

Grim Discoveries

The teams moved silently through the eerie, mechanical corridors of the Skravak vessel. Every step brought back vivid memories for Jay, Mayumi, and Bikram, but they pushed forward, their training and determination overriding their fear.

As Alpha Team rounded a corner, they came upon a sight that stopped them in their tracks. A vast chamber stretched out before them, filled with row upon row of stasis tubes. Much like the pods they had encountered on their previous misadventure.

“Thunderhawk, this is Jordan,” the Lieutenant whispered into his comms. “We’ve found something. It’s… big.”

Back on the dropship, Wade leaned forward, “Copy, Lieutenant. What are we looking at?”

Jordan’s voice crackled through the comms, tension evident in his tone. “Stasis tubes, Kovacs. Hundreds of them. All occupied.”

General Redside stood beside Wade, both men intently watching the bank of monitors displaying live feeds from the Marines’ helmet cams. The strange blue glow of the stasis tubes filled the screens, casting otherworldly shadows across the faces of the suspended humans within.

“Unbelievable!,” Redside muttered, his normally stoic expression faltering as he took in the scale of the atrocity. He leaned in closer to one of the monitors, studying the details of a stasis tube. “Document everything, Alpha Team,” he ordered into the comms. “We need irrefutable evidence.”

Wade’s eyes darted from screen to screen, taking in the horrifying scene from multiple angles. His mind raced, correlating what he was seeing with his previous experience. “Sir,” he said to Redside, pointing to one of the monitors, “look at the control interfaces. They’re more human than we expect from an alien ship with advanced technology.”

Redside nodded grimly. “Yes, we may have been duped into the whole alien thing. This looks like the works of some monsters…human monsters.”

As Alpha Team worked to gather data and visual evidence, Gunny Rodriguez’s voice came through from Bravo Team. “Sir, entry point is secure. We’ve set up a fallback position as planned and found a way to jam the hatch open with an improvised…doorstop, so to speak.”

“Good work, Bravo,” Redside replied. “Stand by for further instructions.”

Meanwhile, Charlie Team, led by Sergeant Curry and Corporal Kato, reported in from the aft section. “General, this is Kato. We’ve found more stasis tubes here, but… something’s different.”

“Explain, Corporal,” Wade prompted, his brow furrowed with concern.

Mayumi’s voice was tight with emotion as she responded. “Sir, these tubes… they contain what look like modified humans. It’s as if they’ve been… genetically altered.”

Wade and Redside watched in horror as Mayumi’s helmet cam panned across a row of stasis tubes. Inside each was a being that was undeniably human in origin, but twisted, changed. Elongated limbs, misshapen skulls, and skin with a sickly, translucent quality filled the screens.

A heavy silence fell over the comms channel as the implications sank in.

Back in the forward section, Jay made another chilling discovery. “Lieutenant, I’ve found some kind of interface. It looks like… categorization data.”

Jordan joined him, studying the display. “What kind of categories, Corporal?”

“Genetic markers, sir. Physical attributes, cognitive potential… it’s like they’re cataloging us. Studying us.”

General Redside’s voice came through, grim and determined. “Alright, teams. Listen up. I know what we’re seeing is disturbing, but we stay focused. We gather all the intel we can. We can’t save these people now, but we can make sure their suffering wasn’t in vain.”

“Sir,” Mayumi’s voice wavered slightly. “What if we run into active experiments? Or… subjects?”

There was a pause before Redside replied. “We avoid engagement if possible. Our priority is intelligence gathering. But if you’re forced to defend yourselves… do what you have to do.”

Wade added, “Remember how the AI booted back up right before we left the first ship? We may not have as much time as we think.”

General Redside pressed into his microphone, “All teams pick up the pace. When this thing wakes up, I want to be long gone.”

As the teams continued their reconnaissance with a little more urgency, trying not to let the weight of their discoveries distract them. The Skravaks weren’t just hunters or conquerors. They were playing god with human lives. And it was up to this small group of Marines to expose the truth and bring an end to this horror.

“Alpha Team, proceed to the ship’s data core,” Redside ordered. “That’s where we’ll get the proof we need. Pick up anything not nailed down and you can carry. Bravo and Charlie, continue securing your sectors and gathering intel. Stay alert and hurry it up, people.”

As the Marines acknowledged their orders and moved swiftly but methodically. Wade closed his eyes for a moment, silently praying for strength and guidance. They had to uncover the full extent of the Skravak’s or whoever’s plans. And they weren’t going to waste a single second.

The monitors continued to flicker with the grim images from the helmet cams, a silent testament to the horrors they were uncovering. Wade and Redside exchanged a look, both knowing that they were running out of time. They were witnessing realities that would change the course of the war.

The Heart of Darkness

The Teams pushed deeper into the ship, their movements careful and deliberate. They encountered no Skravak hunters, which was both a relief and a concern.

As they approached what they believed to be the central data core, Jay suddenly held up a closed fist, signaling the team to freeze. “Do you hear that?” he whispered.

A low, pulsing hum filled the air, growing louder as they drew closer to their objective. It was unlike anything they had encountered on the previous Skravak ship.

“Stay alert,” Jordan ordered. “We don’t know what we’re walking into.”

They rounded a final corner and found themselves facing a massive, organic-looking structure that pulsed with an inner light. Tendrils of biomechanical matter stretched out from it, connecting to various points in the walls and ceiling.

“This has to be it,” Jay said, his eyes wide with a mixture of awe and revulsion. “The ship’s central nervous system.”

Mayumi was already pulling out her data collection equipment. “Sir, if we can interface with this, we should be able to download everything we need.”

Jordan nodded. “Do it. The rest of you, form a perimeter. I don’t like how quiet it’s been.”

As Mayumi worked to establish a connection with the alien system, Wade couldn’t shake a growing sense of unease. Something about this felt wrong, too easy.

Without warning, the ship was filled with the blaring of alarms, their piercing tones echoing through every corridor. The data core, once a steady beacon, now glowed an ominous red, its hum escalating into a shrill screech. With a thunderous crash, the cages of the Skravak Hunters flew open, the metallic clang reverberating throughout the vessel. It was as if they had disturbed a hornet’s nest, unleashing chaos into the heart of what had been an eerily silent domain.

The Horde Unleashed

“We’ve been compromised!” Jay shouted, raising his weapon.

On the Thunderhawk, Wade, remembering the last episode with the Skravack vessel, turned to the General, “Sir, we don’t have much time. The first ship seemed to self-destruct when it was aware of our presence.”

Redside’s voice cut through comms in the chaos. “Tanaka, how much longer?”

“Two minutes, sir!” Mayumi called back, her fingers flying over her equipment. “I’ve almost got it!”

The sound of heavy, inhuman footsteps echoed down the corridor. The Skravak hunters were coming.

“Thompson, with me,” Jordan ordered. “We’ll hold them off. Parker and Orlaith, cover Corporal Tanaka.”

Jay and the Lieutenant took up positions at the entrance to the chamber, their weapons at the ready. The first Skravak appeared, its grotesque form filling the corridor. Without hesitation, they opened fire.

The battle was fierce and chaotic. The Skravaks seemed to absorb an impossible amount of damage, pressing forward relentlessly. Jay’s expert marksmanship proved surprisingly effective as he aimed for the vulnerable part of the neck, each plasma bolt severing the nurocord dropping the Skravs instantly.

Jay yelled at the Lieutenant, “The neck…Aim for the neck!”

The air crackled with energy as plasma bolts streaked through the corridor, illuminating the grotesque forms of the advancing Skravaks. The acrid smell of ozone and burning alien flesh filled the air, mixing with the metallic tang of human sweat and fear. Jay’s hands moved with practiced precision, his weapon an extension of his body as he methodically targeted the weak spots he had discovered.

Lieutenant Jordan nodded grimly, adjusting his aim. His next shot caught a Skravak right in the throat, causing it to collapse in a heap of twitching limbs. “Good call, Corporal!” he shouted over the din of battle.

The Skravaks, realizing their vulnerability, began to adapt their tactics. They started using the bodies of their fallen comrades as shields, forcing the Marines to expend precious ammunition to clear a path. The aliens’ inhuman shrieks echoed off the walls, a cacophony of rage and bloodlust that sent chills down the spines of even the most hardened warriors.

“We can’t hold this position much longer!” Jordan called out, his voice strained as he reloaded his weapon. “Tanaka, status?”

Mayumi’s voice came back, tight with tension. “Almost there! Just need another minute!”

“We might not have a minute,” Jay muttered, his eyes widening as he saw a new wave of Skravaks rounding the corner. These ones were different – larger, with thicker armor plating covering their vital areas. “Sir, we’ve got a problem!”

The new Skravaks charged forward, seemingly impervious to the plasma fire. One of them barreled straight into Jordan, sending him flying across the room. Jay watched in horror as his commanding officer slammed into the wall with a sickening crunch.

“Lieutenant!” he yelled, torn between holding the line and rushing to Jordan’s aid. In that moment of distraction, a Skravak lunged at him, its razor-sharp claws slicing through the air mere inches from his face. Jay stumbled backward, narrowly avoiding decapitation.

With Jordan down, Jay found himself alone against the horde. He fell into a state of hyper-focus, his world narrowing to the sights of his weapon and the targets before him. Each shot had to count. Each movement had to be perfect. There was no room for error.

The room filled with a deafening roar as Jay emptied mag after mag into the advancing aliens. The floor became slick with their strange, oily blood, making footing treacherous. The air grew thick with smoke and the scent of scorched flesh, both human and alien.

Just when it seemed like the tide of battle was turning against them, Jordan staggered to his feet, blood streaming from a gash on his forehead. He limped to Jay’s side, his face a mask of determination. “We hold this line, Corporal,” he growled. “No matter what.”

Together, they formed a barrier of flesh and firepower, their weapons singing a deadly duet as they fought to buy Mayumi the time she needed. Each second felt like an eternity, each Skravak felled only to be replaced by two more.

The battle reached a fever pitch, the very air seeming to vibrate with the intensity of the conflict. Jay’s arms burned with fatigue, his ears ringing from the constant barrage of weapon fire. But still, they held.

Exodus Under Fire

Just as it seemed they might be overwhelmed, Mayumi’s voice rang out. “I’ve got it! Full download complete!”

Redside didn’t hesitate. “Fall back! Back to the extraction point, Now!”

The team retreated, fighting every step of the way. They could hear the enraged screeches of the Skravaks behind them, growing ever closer.

As they neared their entry point, Jordan’s comms crackled to life. It was Rodriguez. “Sir, we’ve got a problem. The Skravaks are trying to seal the ship. We’re holding them off, but we can’t keep this hatch open much longer.”

“Understood, Gunny,” Jordan replied, his voice steady despite the dire situation. “We’re almost there. Hold that position.”

They rounded the final corner, seeing the open hatch and the stars beyond. Freedom was so close, yet the Skravaks were right on their heels.

“Go!” Jordan shouted. “Get to the Thunderhawk!”

One by one, the team made it through the hatch. Jay, bringing up the rear, turned to make sure everyone had made it. That’s when he saw it – a Skravak hunter, mere feet away, lunging for Lieutenant Jordan.

Without thinking, Jay threw himself between Jordan and the alien, emptying an entire magazine of plasma bolts into the creature. He felt a searing pain in his side as the Skravak’s claws found their mark. But the momentum of his charge carried both him and the Lieutenant through the hatch.

“Seal it!” Redside yelled over the comms. “Seal it now!”

Rodriguez took a well aimed shot at the improvised “doorstop” and the hatch slammed shut, cutting off one of the Skravaks chomping limbs that now floated in space discharging its black blood in large elongated bubbles. Using their suit thrusters, the team made their way back to the waiting Thunderhawk.

Mayumi looked back with sadistic pleasure, “Take that Skrav! That one’s for Wade!”

As they collapsed into the troop compartment, exhausted and battered, a sense of grim triumph filled the air. They had done it. They had the evidence they needed. But they weren’t out of danger’s grasp yet. They needed to get away from the ship before it started its self-destruct protocol.

The General yelled at the pilots, “They’re all aboard, punch it!” The ship bounded in a streak leaving the alien vessel 300 to 500 astro-leagues behind in a matter of seconds.

Corpsman Martinez acted swiftly, administering a large dose of antibiotics to Jay and setting up an I.V. to combat the inevitable infection from the Skravak bite. Jay, maintaining his composure, closed his eyes and succumbed to the medically induced coma. Wade watched anxiously, fervently praying for his friend, haunted by the memory of a squadmate who had succumbed within minutes to similar wounds during their time in the Zoo.

Redside looked around at his team, pride evident in his eyes. “Outstanding work Marines, all of you. Now the hard part. Getting this Intel into the right hands”

Link to all Chapters – Text & Audio

 

Link to all Chapters – Text & Audio

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;

He turns it wherever He wishes.

Proverbs 21:1

Reassignment

The distant hum of the transport ship’s engines provided a constant backdrop as Wade, Jay, Mayumi, and Bikram settled into their new quarters. The sterile, metallic surroundings of the military vessel were a far cry from the alien environment they had recently escaped, yet the four Marines found little comfort in the familiar setting.

“13th Expeditionary Unit,” Wade muttered, wincing as he shifted on his cot. The bandaged stump where his right hand used to be throbbed painfully, and he could feel the heat of fever radiating from the wound. “I still can’t believe they just scrapped our Ranger School plans and didn’t even give us a chance to recover.”

Jay nodded, his usual jovial demeanor subdued. “Yeah, feels like we’re being shuffled off to some backwater assignment. Out of sight, out of mind.”

Mayumi, who had been quietly reviewing their transfer orders on a datapad, looked up with a frown. “Echo Company, 1st Platoon. Doesn’t say much about our mission parameters. It’s all pretty vague.”

Bikram, ever the pragmatist, shrugged. “Maybe it’s for the best. After what we’ve been through, a quiet posting might be exactly what we need.”

The four Marines exchanged glances, each knowing that ‘quiet’ was the last thing they wanted or expected. The weight of their shared secret – the horrors they had witnessed aboard the Skravak ship and the subsequent cover-up – hung heavily in the air between them.

As the transport ship carried them towards their new assignment, none of them could shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a much larger, more dangerous journey.

Corpsman Martinez approached Wade, medical kit in hand. “Time to change that dressing, Private Kovacs. How’s the pain?”

Wade grimaced as Martinez began to clean the wound. “Still there, but the fever’s worse. Any chance of getting that prosthetic soon?”

Martinez shook his head. “Not until we get this infection under control. I’m doing what I can with our limited supplies, but you really need a proper medical facility.”

Suspect Orders

The briefing room of the ISC Vengeance buzzed with nervous energy as the newly assigned members of Echo Company’s 1st Platoon gathered. Lieutenant Jordan, a square-jawed officer with piercing green eyes, stood at the front, his expression grim.

“Alright, Marines,” Jordan began, his voice cutting through the murmur of conversation. “I’m not going to sugarcoat this. We’ve received our operation orders, and they’re… unconventional, to say the least.”

Wade, Jay, Mayumi, and Bikram exchanged uneasy glances. They had only been with the unit for a few days, but already they sensed something was off.

Jordan continued, “We’re to conduct a deep insertion into Sector 7G, a known hotbed of Skravak activity. Our objective is to neutralize a suspected weapons cache and gather any available intelligence.”

A holographic display flickered to life, showing a desolate, rocky planetoid surrounded by a dense asteroid field. “We’ll be deploying via drop ship, with minimal support from the Vengeance. Once we’re planetside, we’ll have approximately 48 hours to complete the mission before extraction.”

The room erupted in a chorus of concerned murmurs. Gunnery Sergeant Rodriguez, a veteran of multiple campaigns, Pulled Lieutenant Jordan aside and said under his breath, “Sir, with all due respect, this is suicide. The asteroid field alone would make extraction nearly impossible, let alone the Skravak presence.”

They exchanged worried glances and Jordan’s jaw tightened and said in a low but firm tone, “I understand your concerns, Gunny. But these orders come directly from Navy Admiral Blankenship. We don’t have the luxury of questioning them.”

As the briefing continued, detailing the specifics of their approach and planned assault, Wade leaned over to Jay. “This doesn’t feel right,” he whispered. “It’s like they’re sending us on a one-way trip.”

Jay nodded, his expression dark. “Yeah, and I can’t shake the feeling it has something to do with what we saw on that Skravak ship.”

Mayumi and Bikram, overhearing the exchange, shared a look of grim understanding. Whatever was going on, they were now caught in the middle of it.

Launch and Abandonment

The drop ship, a Thunderhawk-class assault craft, shuddered as it exited the Vengeance’s docking bay. Inside the cramped troop compartment, the Marines of 1st Platoon checked and rechecked their gear, the tension in the air apparent.

Wade lay slumped against his EVA gear next to him in the troop seat, his face pale and sweating from the fever. Jay, noticing his friend’s discomfort, gave him a reassuring pat on his good arm. Across from them, Mayumi and Bikram sat in silence, their faces masks of concentration.

Lieutenant Jordan shouted over the din. “Alright, people. We’re on our own from here on out. The Vengeance has been called away on urgent orders. We’ll proceed with the mission as planned.”

A collective groan rippled through the compartment. Private Chen, a fresh-faced recruit, voiced what everyone was thinking. “They’re just leaving us? That figures! And right in the middle of Skravak territory.”

“Stow it, Chen,” Gunny Rodriguez barked. “We’re Marines. We adapt and overcome.”

As the drop ship pushed deeper into the asteroid field, the reality of their situation began to sink in. They were a small, insignificant speck in the vast blackness of space, with only each other to rely on.

Jay caught Mayumi’s eye. “Remember when I said I’d rather be back on the Skravak ship sipping stasis fluid?” he said with a grim chuckle. “I’m starting to think I was right.”

Mayumi managed a weak smile. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

The tension in the compartment was suddenly broken by the sound of the cockpit door sliding open. All eyes turned to see a figure emerging – a figure that was decidedly not part of their platoon.

The Unexpected Stowaway

The man who stepped into the troop compartment wore the unmistakable insignia of a Marine Major General. His salt-and-pepper hair was cropped close to his skull, and his weathered face bore the scars of countless battles. But it was his eyes that commanded attention – piercing and intelligent, they swept across the stunned faces of the platoon.

“At ease, Marines,” he said, his voice a gravelly rumble. “I’m Major General Redside. And we need to talk.”

The compartment erupted in a flurry of movement as the Marines tried to grapple with the general’s presence, the confusion evident on their faces. Lieutenant Jordan pushed his way forward, his expression a mix of shock and indignation.

Jordan standing at the ridgid position of attention, stammered, “General, sir, We… we weren’t informed of your presence. What’s going on?”

Redside’s mouth twisted into a grim smile. “What’s going on, Lieutenant, is that we’re not following Admiral Blankenship’s orders. Not today.”

A ripple of whispers spread through the platoon. Wade, Jay, Mayumi, and Bikram exchanged meaningful glances, a spark of hope igniting in their chests.

The General’s eyes locked onto the four Marines. “Corporals Kovacs, Ringler, Kato, and Rana. Front and center. Yes, that’s right Corporal. Lieutenant, Gunny, get up here and help me pin these stripes on them. This is probably the last good news we’re gonna hear for a while. “

As Jay, Mayumi, and Bikram moved forward, Wade struggled to get up. Redside noticed his condition and approached him instead.

After pinning the new rank on the four, Redside turned back toward the rest of the stunned platoon. “Alright, enough with the formalities. What I’m about to tell you is highly classified,” Redside addressed the platoon. “These four Marines recently survived an encounter with a Skravak vessel. An encounter that certain elements within our government would prefer to keep quiet.”

He turned back to the four. “I need you to fill in the gaps for your fellow Marines. Tell them everything.”

Wade hesitated, the admiral’s threats still fresh in his mind. “Sir, we were under strict orders not to discuss what happened.”

Redside nodded. “I understand your hesitation, Corporal. But I’m giving you new orders. The safety of the Confederation depends on what you know.”

Slowly, hesitantly at first, then with growing confidence, Wade, Jay, Mayumi, and Bikram recounted their harrowing experience aboard the Skravak ship. They spoke of the human captives in stasis, the alien hunters, and the advanced technology they had encountered. As they talked, the faces of their fellow Marines transformed from confusion to horror to determination.

When they finished, Redside stepped forward again. “What these Marines encountered is just the tip of the iceberg. We have reason to believe that the Skravaks are engaged in large-scale abduction and experimentation on human subjects. And worse, that elements within our own government are complicit.”

The compartment fell silent as the weight of his words sank in.

“That’s why we’re here,” Redside continued. “Our real mission is to find another Skravak vessel, board it, and gather as much intelligence as we can. We have 24 hours once we disable the ship before our extraction window closes.”

Private Chen raised his hand tentatively. “Sir, what about the Navy? Won’t they realize we’re not following orders?”

Redside’s expression darkened. “As far as the Navy is concerned, you’re on a suicide mission. They don’t expect you to return. Which gives us the element of surprise.”

He looked around the compartment, meeting each Marine’s eyes in turn. “I won’t lie to you. This mission is dangerous. Maybe even more dangerous than the one you thought you were on. But it’s necessary. We may be the only ones who can expose the truth and protect our people.”

Lieutenant Jordan stepped forward, his earlier confusion replaced by resolve. “We’re with you, sir. What are your orders?”

Redside nodded, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. “First, we need to find our target. Pilot,” he called towards the cockpit, “set course for the outer rim of Sector 7G. We’re going hunting.”

As the drop ship changed course, the Marines of 1st Platoon began to prepare for a mission unlike any they had trained for. Wade, despite his weakened condition, found himself at the center of it all, his recent experience suddenly invaluable.

“Well Corporals,” Jay muttered to his friends, “looks like we’re going back into the belly of the beast.”

Wade nodded grimly, fighting through the fog of his fever. “This time, we’re ready for them.”

The Hunt Begins

The Thunderhawk dropship glided silently through the vast expanse of space, its sensors sweeping the area for any sign of Skravak activity. Inside, the Marines of 1st Platoon had transformed the troop compartment into a makeshift command center, with holographic displays showing real-time data from their search.

Major General Redside stood at the center of the makeshift command post. Next to him, propped up on an improvised armchair to make him more comfortable, Wade monitored the sensor data and hooked into the platoon comms channel. Fighting through the haze of his fever, he moved his mic toward his mouth, “Radio check, over.” Jordan and the other team leaders responded, “Lima Charlie, out.” Corpsman Martinez hovered nearby, keeping a close eye on Wade’s condition.

“Remember,” Redside’s voice crackled over the comm to the recon team, “we’re looking for anything out of the ordinary. Unusual energy signatures, unexplained gravitational anomalies, anything that doesn’t fit the normal pattern of space traffic in this sector.”

Wade, his voice weak but determined, looked up at Redside. “Sir, what if we can’t find a ship in time? Our window is pretty narrow.”

Redside’s expression remained impassive, but there was a hint of concern in his voice. “Then we adapt, Corporal. We’ve come too far to turn back now.”

Suddenly, one of the pilot’s voices cut through the low hum of conversation. “I’ve got something! Bearing zero four seven, mark three two. It’s faint, but there’s definitely an energy signature that doesn’t match any known Confederation profiles.”

The General was on the comm in an instant. “Good work, Chief. That’s our target. Set an intercept course, but keep us at maximum sensor range. We don’t want to spook them.”

As the drop ship adjusted its trajectory, an intense sense of anticipation filled the compartment. This was it – the moment they had been preparing for since leaving the Vengeance.

Jay, busy checking his gear with the recon team, paused to look at Wade. “You know, a month ago, if someone had told me we’d be voluntarily approaching another Skravak ship, I’d have said they were crazy.”

Wade nodded weakly, a wry smile on his face. “Semper Gumby, bro. At least this time we know what we’re getting into. Well, most of us do.”

“Do we?” Bikram asked, his voice low. “We barely survived last time, and that was mostly luck. Who knows what we’ll find on this ship?”

“Ain’t no such thing as luck Bik.” Jay chimed in. “We have God Almighty on our side. The Bible says in Isaiah 41:10, Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”

Mayumi placed a reassuring hand on Bikram’s shoulder. “Whatever it is, we face it together. All of us, and the Lord.” she added, looking around at their fellow Marines.

Wade managed to struggle to his feet and asked the general if he could pray and ask God’s blessing on their efforts. Redside motioned his approval toward the platoon, closed his eyes, and bowed his head.

Wade, in the loudest voice he could muster, said, Let’s pray Marines. God Almighty, you know the evil that we are about to encounter and the evil that is behind it. We ask for your wisdom and protection as we bring light to a very dark situation. Be with us in Your strength, I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN.

Lieutenant Jordan approached, his face a mask of determination. “Alright, Marines, one more run through. We’re going to approach using the asteroid field as cover. Once we’re in range, our three veterans and myself will exit the back ramp at high speed as we pass as close to the Krav’s ship as possible. We’ll EVA to the ship and use the same entry point they used last time – the waste disposal system.”

There were a few grimaces at this, but no one complained.

“You’ll be positioned in the Thunderhawk outside scanner range waiting for our comms. Once inside,” Jordan continued, “we’ll disable the ship and bring the rest of the platoon in. We’ll split into teams. Alpha team, under my command, and Corporal Ringler, will push forward towards the ship’s central control systems to gather intel. Bravo team, led by Gunny Rodriguez and Corporal Rana, will secure our entry point and set up a fallback position. Charlie team, led by Sergeant Curry and Corporal Kato, will focus on gathering intel in the aft where the stasis tubes and cages were on the first ship and, if possible, locating any human captives.”

They all nodded fully knowing the cost of failure.

Redside nodded. “Corporal Kovacs and I will coordinate from here. His experience will be crucial in guiding you through the ship.”

As the Marines made their final preparations, checking weapons and sealing suits, Redside addressed them one last time. “Remember, Marines, we have 24 hours from the moment we disable that ship. Every second counts. What we find in there could change the course of the war, maybe even the future of humanity. Let’s make it count.”

The platoon responded with a thunderous, “OORAH SIR!”

The drop ship’s pilot’s voice came over the intercom. “Sir, we’re approaching optimal insertion range. Standing by for your order.”

Redside looked around the compartment, meeting the eyes of each Marine in turn. He saw fear there, yes, but also courage, determination, and trust. They were ready.

“All right,” he said, his voice firm and confident. “Let’s go make history.”

With that, the Thunderhawk surged forward, emerging from the cover of the asteroids on a direct course for the unsuspecting Skravak vessel. In moments, the recon team would be boarding, stepping once again into the unknown.

As Wade prepared himself for the challenging task of coordinating the mission remotely, a verse from Proverbs that he had just memorized came to his mind: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

He took a deep breath, sat up straight, and focused. Whatever challenges lay ahead, whatever horrors they might face, he knew that his faith, his training, and his comrades would see them through. The hunt had begun, and now it was time for the hunters to become the hunted. 

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Trust in the LORD with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Sustenance

“Is anyone else thirsty?” Jay’s question broke the tense silence that had fallen over the group of Marines. They had been trapped on the Skravak ship for what felt like an eternity, their bodies crying out for sustenance.

Wade grimaced, feeling the dryness in his throat. “We can survive about three days without water, and maybe three weeks without food. But we better find something soon.”

The four Marines began a desperate search through the alien vessel, looking for anything that might be edible or drinkable. They scoured every nook and cranny, but the automated ship seemed devoid of any provisions for organic life forms, other than the caged Skravaks and the humans in the stasis tubes.

As their search continued fruitlessly, Jay’s eyes fell on the empty stasis tubes that had once held human captives. “Hey, guys,” he said hesitantly, “I know this sounds gross, but what about the liquid in those tubes? It’s keeping the humans alive, right? Maybe we could try it.”

Wade’s face darkened at the suggestion, memories of his harrowing experience during boot camp on Carthis 7 flooding back. “No way,” he said firmly. “We have no idea what that stuff could do to us. Remember what happened to me when I drank unfiltered water at the end of boot?”

As the day wore on and their situation grew more desperate. Jay, driven by unbearable thirst, made a bold decision.

“I can’t take it anymore,” he announced. “I’m going to try the stasis liquid. If it kills me, well, at least I won’t die of thirst.”

While Jay approached one of the empty tubes and scooped up a handful of the remaining liquid, Wade, Mayumi and Bikram watched with anxiety. Jay hesitated for a moment, then brought the liquid to his lips and drank. The bitter, metallic taste made him grimace. Hoping that Jay was right, they knew better than to all drink the liquid at the same time. They watched Jay carefully and in the meantime they turned their attention to the ship’s communication system.

“I know Morse Code,” Mayumi offered, studying the alien interface. “If we can figure out how to transmit a simple signal, I can rig it to repeat a basic message.”

Hours ticked by as Jay showed no ill effects. Mayumi and Bikram made progress with the comm system, managing to jerry-rig it to emit a series of long and short bursts.

“I think we’ve got it,” Bikram said, adjusting some controls. “What should the message say?”

Mayumi thought for a moment. “Let’s keep it simple: ‘SOS’ followed by our coordinates and ‘FOUR MARINES TRAPPED INSIDE DISABLED SHIP. HUMAN CAPTIVES IN STASIS. NEED RESCUE.'”

As they fine-tuned the distress signal, Mayumi and Bikram, seeing Jay’s apparent well-being, decided to follow his lead. They too drank from the stasis tubes, their desperation overcoming their fear.

Wade held out for another day, dividing his attention between monitoring his companions and assisting with the communication efforts. The other Marines seemed healthier than ever, and the distress signal was now broadcasting consistently.

Finally, Wade relented. “I guess I’ve been a big wimp. You haven’t grown a third eye or anything,” he muttered as he took his first sip of the alien liquid. He winced at the bitter taste and added, “Ugg, that is nasty!”

Mayumi Comes to Christ

As the days stretched on aboard the Skravak ship, the Marines found themselves grappling not just with physical survival, but with spiritual questions. The constant threat of death and the bizarre nature of their circumstances led to deep, late-night conversations.

One evening, as they huddled around a makeshift light source, Wade and Jay began their nightly prayers together. Mayumi and Bikram listened as they thanked God for another day of provision and protection. As they finished, Wade spoke matter-of-factly, “You know, in times like these, I’m grateful for my belief in God. It gives me hope.”

Jay nodded in agreement. “I never thought I’d say this, but going through all this stuff has strengthened my faith in God. It’s like, in the face of all this alien tech and danger, I can see God’s hand protecting us.”

Mayumi, who was listening intently, spoke up. “I’ve never really thought much about religion. But after everything we’ve been through and watching you guys… the peace and courage you have… your prayers… I don’t know. It feels like there must be something more out there.”

Wade and Jay took the opportunity to share their faith in Jesus, explaining that God loves us so much, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth. He lived a perfect life and then was killed according to the Scriptures. He died in our stead, taking our sins on Himself and paying the price for our rebellion against God. God provided a way to have a right relationship with Him through His Son’s sacrifice on a cross. Mayumi listened with growing interest, asking thoughtful questions and sharing her own doubts and fears.

As the conversation went on, something seemed to click for Mayumi. “I think… I think I want what you guys have,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “This peace, this hope. How do I get it?”

Wade smiled warmly. “It’s simple, Mayumi. You just need to tell God you believe that He sent His Son to die for your sins and repent and accept Jesus as your King. Instead of living your life for yourself, you tell Him you want to serve Him.”

With tears in her eyes, Mayumi made a profession of faith right there in the alien ship. In a moment that felt both surreal and deeply meaningful, Wade used some of the stasis liquid to baptize her by pouring it over her head. There wasn’t much left for a full immersion, so they improvised.

Bikram, watching the scene unfold, remained politely skeptical but supportive of his comrade’s decision. “If it gives you strength, Mayumi,” he said with a small smile, “then I’m happy for you.”

The Marines settled in for sleep, not really knowing the day of the week or date. One thing they did know was that the Almighty had been with them this far and would see them through this ordeal.

Rescue on the Way

Days passed with no response, each hour stretching into an eternity of anxious waiting. They had run out of open stasis tubes to drink from and then, just as they were beginning to lose hope, a new sound reached their ears – the distinctive hum of a ship’s engines.

A commercial freighter had picked up their distress signal and come to investigate. The ship had no view ports or monitors for external sight, so the Marines listened as the freighter’s crew attempted to find a way into the Skravak vessel, using plasma cutters to no avail.

Desperate to communicate, Wade had an idea. He led the others to the outer hull and Mayumi began banging out a Morse code message: “WE ARE STILL ALIVE. HELP.”

The freighter’s crew responded in kind, assuring them that help was on the way. They had notified the Confederation Navy of the situation.

As they waited for official rescue, the Marines faced a difficult decision regarding the human captives still in stasis. “We can’t release them,” Wade argued. “We barely have enough resources for ourselves. If we wake them up, we’ll have dozens of semi-incapacitated people to deal with.”

The others reluctantly agreed, deciding to keep the captives in stasis until proper help arrived.

Two more days passed before a Navy destroyer finally appeared. To the crew’s surprise, the destroyer’s captain treated the situation with suspicion, acting as though they had committed a crime by attempting to assist. He instructed the sailor who had been communicating with the Marines via morse code to bang out this message;

“MARINES…BY ORDER OF A NAVY CAPTAIN. YOU ARE TO EXIT THE SKRAVAK VESSEL IMMEDIATELY THROUGH YOUR POINT OF ENTRY.”

The freighter’s captain nodded in approval and the sailor dawned his EVA suit, exited the airlock, and banged out the prescribed message.

Exchanging worried glances, the four Marines dawned their suits and made their way back to the waste disposal system they had used to enter the ship. One by one, they squeezed through the narrow opening.

The Hatch

Just as Wade, the last to exit, was about to clear the hatch, disaster struck. The ship’s AI systems suddenly came back online, and the hatch slammed shut on Wade’s right arm. His scream came over the comm system causing the others to turn to see Wade’s arm pinned in the hatch and spewing blood and air as his suit decompressed. Had he been a half-second slower, he would have been cut in half.

“Wade!” Jay shouted, reaching his friend and quickly wrapping both hands around the sleeve of his half severed arm, applying immense pressure to stop the suit from losing all oxygen. Wade started to lose consciousness. Jay shouted to Bikram over the comms, “Hit his arm!” Bikram saw the gravity of the situation and knew Wade’s hand would never be recovered. It was now locked behind the hatch and his arm was only pinned in the hatch by the remaining flesh and material of the space suit. Bikram clasped both hands over his head and with one swift downward crash ripped Wade’s amputated arm from the hatch.

The Navy shuttle quickly retrieved him, corpsmen rushing to attend to his grievous injury. As the medical team worked on Wade, barely conscious, the other three Marines watched in horror. Then the situation on the Skravak ship escalated. Suddenly, the vessel’s weapons systems came online, immediately opening fire on the defenseless freighter. In a matter of seconds, the commercial ship that had come to their aid was reduced to floating debris.

Only then did the Navy destroyer spring into action, its plasma cannons blazing. But to the Marines’ shock, the destroyer’s weapons seemed to have little effect on the Skravak ship.

Suddenly, without warning, the alien vessel began to implode. Its reactors overloaded, and in a blinding flash, the entire ship vaporized. The human captives, the caged Skravak hunters, and all the advanced alien technology disappeared in an instant.

Classified

As the Marines were brought aboard the destroyer, they were met by stern-faced officers. “Everything you have seen and experienced is now classified,” they were told. “You are not to discuss this with anyone except these two officers, under any circumstances. You will be confined to quarters until we reach Navy headquarters on New Annapolis.”

Stunned and exhausted, the three Marines were led to their temporary quarters and Wade, now under the heavy influence of morphex, was whisked away on a stretcher to the ship’s infirmary. As the door closed behind Jay, Mayumi, and Bikram, they exchanged looks of disbelief and confusion. They had survived an incredible ordeal, only to find themselves caught in what seemed to be an even more complex and dangerous situation.

Mayumi sank onto one of the bunks. “What in the world just happened out there?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jay shook his head, his usual humor absent. “I don’t have a clue. But I’ve got a feeling this is just the beginning of something really bad. I think I’d rather be back on the Skravak’s ship sippin’ stasis fluid.”

Mayumi and Bikram nodded in agreement, their faces grim. As the destroyer set course for New Annapolis, the three Marines settled into an uneasy silence, each lost in their own thoughts about the harrowing experience they had just survived and wondering how Wade was doing.

The Stump

The harsh fluorescent lights of the cramped quarters cast long shadows across the room as the door slid open with a hiss. Wade stumbled in, supported by two stern-faced Navy corpsmen. His eyes were glazed over, a combination of potent painkillers and the shock of recent events.

Jay, Mayumi, and Bikram rose to their feet, a mixture of relief and concern etched on their faces. For 36 agonizing hours, they had been left to wonder about their comrade’s fate, confined to their quarters like common criminals.

“Wade,” Mayumi whispered empathically, her voice catching in her throat as she took in his haggard appearance.

The corpsmen deposited Wade onto an empty bunk and left without a word, the door sliding shut behind them with an ominous click. The sound of the lock engaging echoed in the silence.

Wade blinked slowly, his gaze unfocused as he looked at his fellow Marines. “Hey,” he slurred, his voice thick and unfamiliar. “Miss me?”

Jay approached cautiously, his usual humor subdued. “Like a hole in the head, buddy. How’re you holding up?”

Wade’s response was to lift his right arm, now ending abruptly just below the elbow in a mass of bandages. “Feels like it’s still there,” he mumbled. “Phantom limb, they called it. I feel like someone chopped off my arm.” They all chuckled nervously at the joke.

Bikram, ever practical, moved to adjust Wade’s pillows. “They’ve got you on some strong stuff, huh?”

“Yeah,” Wade nodded, wincing as the movement sent a fresh wave of pain through his body. “Can’t think straight. They kept asking questions… about the ship, the Skravaks. Couldn’t tell if I was answering or not.”

The other three exchanged worried glances. They had all been subjected to intense questioning, but Wade’s injured state made him particularly vulnerable.

“Have they said anything about a prosthetic?” Mayumi asked, trying to inject a note of optimism into the conversation.

Wade shook his head slowly. “Not yet. Just more questions. More secrets.” His eyes, clouded with pain and medication, suddenly sharpened. “We’re in deep, aren’t we?”

The question hung in the air, heavy with implications. The small room, once a haven, now felt like a prison cell. The constant presence of Navy sentinels outside their door, the meals delivered in silence, the lack of communication with the outside world – it all pointed to a situation far more complex and dangerous than they had initially realized.

Jay sank onto his own bunk, the weight of their circumstances evident in the slump of his shoulders. “Yeah, buddy. We’re in deep. But we’re in it together.”

Mayumi nodded, her jaw set with determination. “We’ll figure this out, Wade. We’ve got your six.”

Bikram, standing by the door as if on guard, added softly, “Rest now. We’ll talk more when your head clears.”

As Wade drifted off into a fitful sleep, the other three Marines huddled together, their voices low. They had survived the horrors of the Skravak ship only to find themselves trapped in a different kind of nightmare. Outside their window, the vastness of space stretched endlessly, indifferent to the small drama unfolding within the confines of their quarters. The four Marines had unwittingly stepped into something way beyond their pay grade. They were just along for the ride as the drama unfolded.

The journey to New Annapolis stretched on for days, each hour blending into the next as the Marines remained confined to their quarters. They were allowed brief periods of exercise and medical check-ups, but otherwise, they were left alone with their thoughts and each other.

Wade spent much of his time adjusting to the loss of his hand, working with the ship’s medical staff on exercises to prepare him for a prosthetic. The others took turns sitting with him, offering support and distraction from the pain and frustration.

“You know,” Jay said one evening as they sat in their shared quarters, “I can’t help but wonder why the Navy was so quick to destroy that ship. There was so much we could have learned from it.”

Mayumi nodded, her brow furrowed in thought. “And why did they seem so unconcerned about the human captives? It’s like they wanted to erase all evidence of what happened.”

Bikram, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. “Perhaps they feared what that technology could do if it fell into the wrong hands. Or maybe they know something about the Skravaks that we don’t know.”

Wade, flexing his remaining hand, added, “Whatever the reason, I have a feeling we’re not going to get any straight answers until we reach New Annapolis.”

Navy HQ

As the destroyer entered orbit around New Annapolis, the Marines were shuttled to the planet’s surface and then dispatched by a highly secure motorcade with lights and sirens blaring. They were hurried into a nondescript briefing room where they found themselves face to face with a Navy Admiral and two men in business suits, their expressions unreadable.

“Marines,” began the stern-faced admiral, “you’ve been through an extraordinary ordeal. What you experienced aboard that Skravak vessel is of the utmost importance to Confederation security. We need you to understand that absolutely nothing of what transpired can ever be discussed outside of this room. We have read your accounts of your experience and it seems you have all told the truth. Do you have anything to add that you have not disclosed to my intelligence officers?”

The Marines exchanged glances, a mix of confusion and frustration evident on their faces. They responded in unison, “No Sir.”

“Sir,” Wade spoke up, his voice steady despite his discomfort, “with all due respect, we saw things that the public needs to know about. The Skravaks are kidnapping humans, using them as food. Shouldn’t people be warned?”

The admiral’s expression hardened. “Private Kovacs, I understand your concern, but there are larger issues at play here. Issues that, if made public, could cause widespread panic and potentially compromise our ability to defend against future Skravak incursions.”

Jay, unable to contain himself, interjected, “But sir, what about the families of those captives? Don’t they deserve to know what happened to their loved ones?”

An Asian middle-aged man in a business suit at the end of the table leaned forward out of the shadows, his voice low and menacing. “Private, let me make this perfectly clear. If any information about what you saw leaks out, you will be charged with treason. Your careers, your freedoms, your families, everything you’ve worked for will be gone. Is that understood?”

The room fell silent as the weight of the man’s words sank in. The four Marines, who had faced unimaginable dangers and emerged victorious, now found themselves trapped in a different kind of battle, one against their own government and conscience.

The admiral broke in, “You are being immediately reassigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Zorion Quadrant. You will resume your duties as Marine Regulars until further notice.”

Now the four Marines were really confused and flustered. Bikram respectfully requested to speak. “Yes private, what is it?” “Sir,” Bikram’s voice trembling, “We were on our way to Earth to attend Ranger School…” The Admiral cut him off, “Well son, you are obviously in no shape to be Rangers. Let’s just be satisfied to be in the service of the Confederation and leave it at that. You are dismissed.”

Mayumi interjected with a bit of disdain, “Sir, can we atleast get Private Kovacs a proper prosthetic before we ship out.”

“That’s a reasonable request, I’ll see that the appropriate medical personnel are informed on your transport to Zorion.” Then he ended the meeting with a wave of his hand and as they exited the briefing room they were hurried to a waiting transport as fast as they had been brought in.

As they boarded the ship, the Marines walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The enormity of what they had experienced, coupled with the burden of secrecy now placed upon them, weighed heavily on their shoulders.

That night, as they sat in their shared berth, Wade finally broke the silence. “I don’t know about you guys, but I didn’t become a Marine to keep secrets from the people we’re supposed to protect.”

Mayumi nodded in agreement. “Did you notice that one suit? That was Senator Wang from the Chinese delegation. There’s something wrong with this whole fiasco. There’s gotta be a way to get the truth out without compromising ourselves or worse, our families.”

Bikram, ever the voice of caution, warned, “We need to be very careful. Whatever we decide to do, we’re up against something dark and much more powerful than we are.”

Jay, his usual humor tempered by the gravity of their situation, added, “Well, we’ve already survived a Skravak ship and Navy brass. How much harder can it get?” 

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