บท 1: Prologue
//The start will be a bit janky and such. It'll get better as the novel progresses as I find my proper footing.
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The universe was a vast place, an ever expanding mishmash of star clusters, planets, and random debris. Galaxies formed and collided, black holes devoured everything within range, and various other phenomenon occurred on the regular.
It was a place of wonder and intrigue. A place that possessed an infinite number of possibilities within its confines. Solar systems teeming with intelligent life, undiscovered planets with unknown secrets, vast nebula that housed alien species. For those that made a living wandering through space and everything it held, the universe was a vast treasure trove of riches and adventure.
However, it was also extremely dangerous.
On the other side of the same coin, the possibilities of danger and death were equally as infinite. Hostile lifeforms, unpredictable environments, malfunctioning equipment, rogue asteroids. The universe was chock full of perilous paths and even worse outcomes, with some being far worse fates than even death.
As a result of this danger, a danger that was present for travelers and planet dwellers as a whole, a self-governed organization was formed. It was an organization that desired to serve and defend those that failed to properly help themselves, the innocents that only wanted to live their lives in peace. With the protection of the few galaxies that could be traveled to in their minds, millions of people flocked to the organizations cause, eager to lend a helping hand however they could. Donations, enrollments, and whatever else they could scrounge together. It didn't take very long for the common systems to fully get behind the new peacekeepers and the ideals they embraced.
They came to be known as the Space Marines, and they were revered throughout the galaxies.
"We've pushed them back!! Move forward and provide cover fire to the vanguard!!"
"Out of ammo! CCH5, I need a top up!! Whats the ETA on the Resupply Drop?"
"It just entered the Kreller System!! Arrival in 12!! Just switch weapons until it arrives. We need to keep these Voragens away from the TQ7's until fresh troops touch down!! "
The sounds of constant shouts and commands littered the battlefield, raised voices that could just barely be heard above the incessant explosions and never ending gunfire. Blue bolts of concentrated plasma flew through the area, slamming into odd looking trees, tentacle-like shrubbery, and 3 meter tall quadrupedal beings with anger issues.
It was an intense back and forth conflict, one that the Crimson Corp of the galaxy renowned Space Marines had been fighting for over 6 day and night cycles. A trained squad of elite soldiers with bountiful experience and immense knowledge versus an infestation of perhaps the most dangerous alien species known throughout the Migril Galaxy. Even for the top of the line combatants, it was quite the struggle to remain alive and in the fight. And this was in the most favorable of conditions, with the Crimson Corp possessing every conceivable advantage.
A well documented planet where every inch of the surface was carefully mapped and kept in Data Chips that could be used at a moments notice. Full knowledge of the hostile aliens known as Voragens. Perfect weather and terrain. Full usage of available equipment from long distance barrage type weapons such as TQ7's and YT12's, to close range ground type weapons such as the MB's and MG Forager's.
Everything operated as it should and each soldier did their part to the utmost. The only problem lay in their alien opponents.
Tak tak tak tak tak.
Soldiers clad in black and red sprinted towards the back end of the Crimson Corps main force, over to where the TQ7's had been positioned. Two of the three individuals splintered off and began tinkering with one of the machines, taking out various glowing stones and replacing them with brighter ones. The last remaining soldier continued beyond that, towards a figure parked near the back.
The only one who wasn't donning a helmet, a woman with blonde hair and neon red eyes.
"General Krieger! We've forced the enemy to retreat. The remaining soldiers are prepared to make the final push." The soldier stood at attention, hands held to his side. "Just give the command."
Amanda Krieger let out a small sigh, cigarette smoke escaping her lips as she plucked a thick cigar from the corner of her mouth. Slowly, she glanced up at the sky, a clear blue expanse free of any cloud formations, unabated rays from the Kreller Systems star hitting every inch of her exposed skin.
"Hold the line."
"General?"
The eyes of the Crimson Corp's leader immediately flicked over to the soldier with a steely gaze. "I didn't stutter soldier. Hold the line. Await the arrival of Yellow Corp as well as fresh supplies. You are not to pursue the Voragens until then. Clear?"
The soldier immediately gave a short nod and a bow before scurrying off, heading back towards the army's main bulk with his orders. Amanda watched the figure retreat with a tired expression. Wordlessly, the blonde once again placed the cigar back into her mouth, ignoring the fact that it had already been snuffed out during the short conversation. Having been awake for an entire four days with only a few hours of sleep, it was all she could do to uphold what little patience she had left.
"I see you're as chipper as ever."
Amanda turned her head slightly, having already recognized the voice long before seeing the face.
An individual wearing black armor similar to that of the Crimson Corp made their way up to Amanda, an enormous weapon attached to the back.
The figure was tall and extremely bulky with an above average frame. In a standard crowd, they could easily be picked out due to the sheer height difference alone, easily touching a good 2 meters. Armored up with the standard equipment of a Space Marine, baring the colored hood of bright yellow, and donning a large mini gun in place of the standard Assault Rifle, it was quite easy for one to know who it was at just a glance.
Current General of the Yellow Corp and the older brother to Amanda, Runald Lothsem.
Behind the hulking mass of armor and muscle, numerous other soldiers dressed similarly to Runald could be seen. Most of them were lagging behind, struggling to catch up to their Platoon General. The few that had kept up scurried past, moving towards the main battlefield where the Crimson Corp had taken up arms.
"You haven't changed a bit." Runald tapped the side of his helmet, the thick visor raising up to reveal his eyes and mouth. "Still a heavyweight smoke-fest."
"And you've gotten bigger," Amanda replied, turning to fully face her sibling. "I thought I told you to lay off the burgers. Or do you not care about the example you're setting."
The man grinned, placing his hands on his side as he stopped next to the blonde. "I'm just bulking up. It's not something you need to worry about."
"I wasn't worried."
The two fell into silence as more and more Yellow Corp members scurried on by, a few of them giving commands and advice to each other as they ran. They numbered in the hundreds with a multitude of different equiptment strapped to various parts of their bodies, including a variety of weapons and strategical devices. Considering that Yellow Corp specialized in Strategical Defense and Fortification, it didn't really come as a surprise that a lot of the devices were meant to stave off swarms and hold perimeters.
In fact, it was one of the main reasons Amanda had requested Germa Headquarters to dispatch a Yellow Unit.
She hadn't expected them to send a high ranking individual to her location though. Let alone the General of the Yellow Corp and her very own brother.
"When did your squad touch down?"
"An hour ago," Runald replied, expression becoming serious. "We came ahead of the main force. There were a few....complications on the way over to the Kreller System."
"What sort of complications?" Amanda raised an eyebrow as she pulled a small handle from her back hip.
The handle was made out of a white metal known as Athrafstos, one of the hardest metals currently known and widely used. Fashioned in the shape of a dagger handle, three buttons lined the side, buttons that were each within reach of a simple thumb press. When the woman pressed the top one, a small blade of light manifested into existence with a soft humming noise.
Pressing the Plasma Dagger's very end carefully against the tip of her cigarette, she managed to relight it without too much trouble.
Runald crossed his arms over his chest. "Prenew Werg doesn't want to partake in the upcoming Exams for SM Enrollments. Claimed that every moment there was lives wasted elsewhere. Apparently, he doesn't really need any new recruits and therefore sees it as a waste of time and resources."
"Can't really say I blame him. Newbies are dangerous. Inexperienced, arrogant, over confident, unaware of the dangers." The blonde inhaled deeply before pulling the cigar slightly out of her mouth. Then, after half a minute, she let it all back out. "At the same time, we need recruits to expand our ranks. We dwindle down year after year."
Runald didn't say anything in response, a mysterious expression on his face. This by itself was rather off-putting. Growing up together, Amanda had always been able to tell what her brother was thinking, mostly in part to the man being an open book. For him to not be readable, it only meant that there was something he wanted and was trying to find a proper way to phrase it. Granted, it wasn't often that Runald asked for a favor or really anything at all.
"This wasnt enough for you to be delayed though" Amanda replied, raising an eyebrow. "What else is there?"
"As you're already aware, people of all ages will be looking to become a fellow Space Marine in 2 months time. They'll have to go through some of the most difficult and most dangerous tests of their lives." The man looked over to the front lines, where a fresh line of troops was replacing the ones that needed food and rest. "Usually, around 8 of the 15 Generals preside over the Exams and play pivotal role in the combat assessment portions. However, only 6 have currently volunteered this year."
Amanda let out a sigh, already seeing where the conversation was headed. "Are you going to be one of them?"
"I am." The Yellow Corp's leader gave a swift nod. "It's one of the reasons why I was forced to leave earlier than my platoon."
"And the other reason is that the higher ups wanted you to ask me to participate. They don't have many options since quite a number are away on missions."
"As sharp as ever."
"An infant could've picked up on where you were going." Amanda waved away the compliment, taking the cigarette out of her mouth and snuffing the tip on the ground. "I haven't showed up to an Enrollment in years. They still doing the same old tests? The ones from when we were starting out?"
Runald gave a quick nod, clearly encouraged by his sisters response.
"Very well. Help me rid Froeýil of these Voragens and I'll show up with a smile on my face." Amanda twirled the handle to her Plasma Dagger and tucked it away. "Afterwards, you can buy me a few dozen Happy Meals."
Runald gave one last smile before tapping the side of his helmet, sending the black visor of his helmet back down. Taking a few steps passed her, he began making his way over to the main forces. However, before he could take more than a few steps, he glanced back slightly, as if remembering something.
"Oh. I almost forgot." Runald's voice sounded amused. "When you get there, be on the lookout for someone of interest."
Amanda tilted her head in confusion. "A person of interest?"
The man gave a small nod. "I scouted him myself on a rather dangerous planet I happened to be stationed on. The kid is nothing to sneeze at. Not the most knowledgeable crayon in the box but has a good heart and an even greater strength."
"Great strength?" The woman made a face, a bit surprised. "That's pretty impressive coming from you. What's his name?"
"His name?" Runald seemed to think, his helmet looking upwards. "I think his name was-"
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