It was a solemn next morning.
They gathered around the fire Carson had started with a flask of alcohol and 13 ribbons, 1 for each fallen Teammate. It was a custom the Civilians of mars practiced. The flames symbolizing rebirth. Carson began the standard HUD eulogy.
"Groggins Dunesworth, Wildlife specialist,
Zander Terwell, metallurgy specialist--"
He didn't get five seconds into it when the Chief interrupted him.
"That's enough Carson. I'll take it from here."
Chief silenced him, cleared his throat, and began in a formal tone:
" In respects to the following soldiers of the HUD:
Groggins Elijah Dunesworth,
Archaeology, Evolution, and Mammalian wildlife specialist,
Zander Delhi Terwell,
Quantum physics, electrical engineering, and metallurgy specialist,
Evangeline Rose Mayweather,
Geology, Radiation, and Seismology specialist,
Samson livermore Bellion,
Oceanographer, Security, and Logistics specialist,
Williams morrison cunder,
Electrokinetics, deep space analysis, and software specialist,
Danvers Eli Moor,
phase cell, long range communication, and life systems specialist,
Alex Rush Bane,
Military operation, counter-strategy, and historical specialist,
Scott Junior Tray,
Extremophile, Insecta, and phase continuity specialist,
Terson Megan Stormwhile,
Culinary, Agricultural, and toxicology specialist,
Cain durst Sinclair,
Paleoanthropology, Folklore, and Anthrozoology specialist,
Graff Hurstwhile Devons,
First aid, Pharmacology, and Biomedical Engineering Specialist,
Jane Larson Breeson,
Systems Ecology, Statistical Theory, and Cybernetics specialist.......
.... And Tinker Saintsbury Bluewell.
Navigations, Orbital mechanics, and Astronomy specialist. "
After a moment's pause, he continued on in straight forward fashion.
"You are all commemorated as officers in the HUD command. Your names, your skills, your trials of tribulation, and your brave sacrifices will not be forgotten. May we learn from your loss.... You will be missed. Amen."
Everyone shuffled off and began packing. Everyone, except for Brianna. Carson walked up and stood beside her.
"Do you remember Titan?" She asked, watching the small fire.
Titan was Saturn's moon and HUD base of operations. The cadets had all spent the first 10 years of their life there. At age 10, they had been relocated to their new home on Mars. None of them had looked back. They rarely talked about it.
"Of course." Carson did. He tried not to think about it too often.
"Do you remember the mind tribulation trial?" Brianna asked.
YOU ARE READING
EarthFall
Science FictionIt's been 300 years since humanity has fled from the Ai that destroyed Earth with nuclear weapons. Most of the humans that remain live underground, in the caverns of Mars. A small band of specially chosen soldiers are given a mission to reclaim Eart...
