Holes

I was excited at the new assignment. It meant a new environment and new horizons to view. It meant some traveling, and I like to travel most the time because of the new experiences. So when this new assignment arrived in my pocket I was, of course, extremely hyper and ready for the changes!

Now, I'm not a reader. I don't pay attention to any news given on my communicator. I use it wisely and for Soldier work. I've never suscribed to news or any jarggle about what's happening where and when and who's doing it. I don't care about the Who's Who in Forea or any other planet. So I really don't hear what people say sometimes as I go through the motions of what I want to do. I remember as I stepped through the wormhole that the kid's voice was worried. He wasn't coming with me this time. He had business to attend to over in Divide for some reason. So we were parting ways for a short time.

I recall the look on his face as I left, but not his words. Something worried? I wonder if he was just wondering if I'd be doing alright here? I shook off the experience as I stepped out into the atmosphere of Arieki for the first time. There was something heavy feeling in the air. It was darker. It was ominous just standing there as I glanced around at my new location.

There were Brann here by the dozens and seen more often than ever. I'm not put off by any of the races I meet now. Nothing seems to surprise me anymore with features. The Brann were no exception to that. Their appearance, their voices...very foreign but not surprisingly so. I didn't mind the feeling they gave me, but I had to get used to them being the more dominating race here.

As I walked away from the landing area and out into the clearance of what looked like a courtyard I breathed in the air. It was thick and odd, as if hot or too humid, but not humid. Dry and hot more like it. How odd...

With a deep breath I moved out of the area that seemed designated for transport and into the Colony itself.

And that's when I heard and felt them. I was engrossed in the architecture of the large buildings of the colony, studying how it was made and built, the massive doors that twisted open and appeared like huge spiral stairs to me...when the thunder came. Then the vibrations.

Crap......

You never forget that first time. It feeds into you so you won't ever get caught again in the situation of having a Stryder close to you. The vibration of their legs and claws hitting the earth, making your teeth, the very deepest part of your chest, rumble from it. The vibrations got closer and I rush for a nearby nook to tuck myself in until I can get a good view on the thing.

I blink and ponder taking my helm off just to rub my eyes in disbelief. One, two...three...oh gods.. ..

Four Stryders and a Stalker!

"Take cover!"

The call was from a human from some odd side of the building. I moved from the nook I was in and ran across the wide road, through varied mechs, and into another nook that had a much better angle of the trouble...and damage...that had come to the colony. Burned marks, holes, large holes in the gate... I think we're in trouble here...

I run out to begin fighting, my head is low and I grit my teeth as I dive into the fray...

Start reading the news, Dulfer, you dumbass!