Chapter 5: The Gain

Dutch and Vetra stood on the port side of the fleets main ship, The V.C.S. Amora. They were starring out the window, minutes away from their destination. Watching as particles of light flew by.

Vetra had spoke up, "I heard the Ta' Sonka system we are going to, is called Xel. It has only 1 goldilock planet, which is actually where we are going. There are 10 other planets in the system but only 4 others are colonized. Are you excited?" She asked.

Dutch had his helmet on, Vetra hadn't realized he spaced off, so she tapped his shoulder. He came out of this trance and had realized she was talking to him.

Dutch realized what she asked and responded, "Uh... Um.... Yeah! We will get a little R&R, a few hours but still! Plus, how long has it been since the Star Corps and Flamers got new recruits! I mean, their the 2 divisons with the highest mortality rate ever in the Reaver Corps! So their either stupid, brave, suicidal, or don't realize what they actually signed up for! What do you wanna do when we get our R&R time?"

As he finished, the A.I. speaker came on. "We will be exiting jump space in.... 10.... 9.... 8.... 7.... 6.... 5.... 4-"

Cut short by a early exit. The V.C.S. Amora had stopped planet side of the Goldilock planet in the Xel system.

A beautiful planet with yellow land masses visible and blue oceans.

Both Vetra and Dutch were stunned by it's Beautiful look. Vetra put her hands against the glass, "Dutch, have you ever seen anything so beautiful?!" She Excitedly said. She looked over and realized Dutch was intentionally holding back on his answer.

She chuckled and put her helmet on, she signaled for him to follow but were shortly cut off by a technician and a the Mamba doctor. The technician is human and spoke first. "Ah! Lieutenant and Captain! We were looking for you! We need to run a quick test on your augments and implants. We were told that they weren't working on your last mission?"

Vetra took a moment, she looked at the Human. A young female girl in a full suit of EVA gear. Vetra replied back with confusion, "Um, yeah. The planet had something going on. Not even the Taunis soldiers could use theirs! Uhh.... Why are you geared up like that?"

The young female looked down at herseld and back at Vetra. "Oh! I'll be doing a space walk right after we do the tests! I gotta make sure the jump arrays are in tip top shape or no communication or inter web connections during jumps!" She said proudly.

They both looked at the Mamba doctor, who held up a device and stated "Oh, I'm here to make sure your bodies aren't rejecting your implants and augmentations. Plus I have to see if their having negative impacts on your bodies!" They said fluently.

As Dutch and Vetra proceeded to follow them, they were taken into a open examination room with all white walls.

The female technician waved a hand, suddenly a table popped up from the ground and the Mamba set the device they held, onto the table.

The technician opened it and started fiddling with some attachments that were in the device. She turned and with a chirpy tone "Now, do what the doctor says so we can make this go faster! He has done this many times!"

Vetra and Dutch looked at the doctor, awaiting for instructions.

He than slithered his tongue and spoke in a serious tone, "ok, we will start by removing all upper body clothing and armor. Under garnets may stay on!"

Vetra and Dutch had never really done this before, as they started taking their armor off and worked to their underarmor. Luckily the underarmor was designed to be adjustable for many reasons. They manage to fold and undo sections to only have their upper bodies showing.

The technician hopped and walked to them while fiddling with wireless devices, "Ok, now what we will do is attach these to your upper--" The technician stopped in shock.

Seeing that Vetra had PAS scars and many war scars, the technician was mortified.

Than she looked Dutch and gasped, for he had more scars than her.

He looked at her and tried to lighten the mood, "Stars Corps is a fun division, not safe fun though. HAHA!"

The technician replied with a shooken voice, "U-um... I-I'm not a-a Comb-bat technician! Tho-ose are some n-na-asty scars!"

Vetra and Dutch began laughing.

Vetra chirped up, "Our divisions get sent on dangerous missions, see that bite mark on his right shoulder and the on his neck? Vernon fucking 8! Worst planet, EVER!"

The Mamba stepped in, "Lets get things moving pleasssse!"

The technician had placed wireless pads onto the arms and upper torso of Dutch and Vetra.

The technician pulled up her TIC and synced it with the device, she walked up to Dutch and was looking at his medical file. She was ready to start, "Ok Captain Tvankiv, we will check your augments first. Hmmm, gon 4 augment bones.... I never actually seen these. Ok, well you clearly been operating fine without worry or issues right?" Dutch shook his head to confirm. She continued, "Ok, those were replacements, so lets mark them good. Ok, we will now do the implants. Activate your Densifiers, then your cell amps, then your photon blades, and finish with your cooling implants. Ok.... Activate Densifiers!"

The Mambe tracked Dutch's vitals, his arms started to glow green, she signaled for cell amp. He actived cell amp, his arms began to glow cyan. She signaled for photon blades but before she did, she stood back. Dutch's arms began glowing yellow, blades of his choosing formed. She finally signaled for the cooling.

He lifted his left arm and it turned blue. His arm felt cooler.

Tapping is heard, the mamba was analyzing the data from the nodes on Dutch's body, "Ok, ssso no muscle issues, cccells are fine, and pretty much everything isss up to date! Now Ms. Lisnova! Start with the Densifiers, than the cell reinforcement, and finish with the Vortex shield. Understood?" Ordered the Mamba.

As she slowly went through her process, she was cleared. The Mamba had one more test. "OK, I'm going to send a power surge through your body. See how the augments and implants handle it. We will start it on the count of 5. Ready?"

Vetra and Dutch knodded, ready for the embracing.

"1... 2... 3... 4... 5... aand ssstart!" Said the Mamba.

Suddenly a pulse of electricity went through their bodies, both Vetra and Dutch shouted in pain. It went on for 5 seconds, the moment it stopped. Both of them fell to the ground in exhaust.

As Dutch started to get up, a unexpected event happened. His PAS scars started glow! He looked at the Mamba, the technician, and to Vetra.

"Anyone else seeing this?" Asked Dutch.

Vetra began to yowl in pain. Her PAS scars were glowing also, but just like her. He began to feel the pain, a pain he hadn't felt in a long time. His scars start to feel as fresh of the day he got them.

Vetra began to scream as she stared at something. Dutch looked towards the Mamba doctor and Technician, he couldn't hear them but they were panicing, Dutch saw what Vetra was screaming at, there was a entity. The version of Vetra from his nightmares, but half of her body was pure black with white hair. The eyes on the side with the black was orange.

The entity began to walk closer to the 2, its voice echoed and was slow.

"TDS-5263, 4509.... Remember... this..... REMEMBER!!!" She finally burst into fire and disappeared. The flames triggered flash backs for Dutch and Vetra.

Ditch heard emergency sirens and voices.

"Whats going on!?"

"Oh god! look at the sky!"

"GET TO THE SHELTER!!"

"Yurab! Where are we Going!?"

Dutch began to scream in pain from the rise of suppressed memories.

Vetra had a flash of her home...

Vetra's mother was frantically packing heirlooms and valuables.

Vetra, seeing herself back when she was 14.

She looked out the window and yhe sky began to glow orange and red with dark grey clouds.

Vetra walked to her mom, "Whats going on? Is something bad happening?"

Her mother stopped packing for a moment and walked over to her, she put her hand on Vetra's shoulder.

"Oh sweety, we are going to see your dad in Ivbor!"

Vetra was excited, "Our colony?! No scavenging today?! Whooo!"

Unaware of what actually was going on.

Minutes later Vetra was dressed and had a small bag.

Vetra walked into the room where her mom was. "MOM! IM READY!"

Shocked to find her loading a gun.

"Mom? Why do you need a gun?"

Her mother turned, surpised to see Vetra there already.

"Ivbor isn't a safe place, don't worry. I don't plan to use it! Meet me in the dune rover!"

Vetra was worried but listened to her mom.

Minutes later, as Vetra was waiting in the dune rover, her mom came running out. She hopped into the rover.

"No matter what sweety, remember I love you! Ok? Now lets go see dad!" Her mom said.

Vetra was confused but excited none the less.

Vetra had come out of the flash, coming back to reality, a Valarian doctor was crouched over her and there were Militia soldiers holding her down.

The doctor was shining a light back and forth between her eyes.

Their voice was muffled at first, but as she started coming to. She could hear the doctor.

"Can you see the light? Can you hear me?" They shouted, Vetra sat up with the soldiers help.

"Yes, what happened? How long... was i out?" Asked Vetra.

The doctor held a device and was checking her vitals.

"3 minutes, the moment you 2 started screaming, Dr. Silma immediately sent the technician to get help. You and Dutch went into shock and had some form of seizure!"

Vetra looked over to see a human doctor examing Dutch, he had just woken up too. Soldiers were holding him down too.

Both of the doctors stood and walked to eachother. They spoke for a few moments and the Militia soldiers let go of the 2.

As Dutch and Vetra took off the nods and put their gear back on. The doctor approached them, the Valarian spoke first, "Ok, this is unprofessional but we will let you leave and perform your duties, you have new recruits to deal with...."

Than the human doctor spoke up, "But we will be informing the Admiral of this. No more augment or implant tests till further notice. Ok?"

Finally the Valarian finished off, "Now, if you feel sick, ill, or if something is wrong. Go straight to med bay, now hopefully go have a good day!"

Both Dutch and Vetra were silent as they walked out. They headed to the hanger, but they were delayed by serious turbulence. The ship was entering the atmosphere.

Vetra spoke up, "Um... Dutch? You saw that too, right?"

Dutch shook his head, "I thought my nightmares were becoming a hallucination, but when I realized you were also seeing it. It occurred to me, i wasn't hallucinating."

Vetra looked at him shocked, "You seen that before?!" She blurted out.

Dutch knodded and replied to her, "well the black half and the orange eye with white hair is definitely new, but she was saying. I don't understand what it means, 'TDS-5264, 4509' why was she even saying it?"

Vetra jumped at an idea, "Something for the future?"

Dutch laughed, "Well, maybe we can see the future? Thats funny. *notices the ship landing* OH SHIT. WE ARE GOING TO BE LATE! COME ON!"

Dutch and Vetra burst through the main entrance to the hanger. The Admiral is seen talking to the armor division high ranks. Must of been telling them the same thing about the recruits.

There was a loud and hard felt thud, the ship had docked and landed. Moments later, the Admiral had approached Dutch and Vetra shortly after he finished with the armor divisons.

The Admiral was a bit excited. "So! More Star Corps! Excited? I got the official number count for Star Corps, Reaver corps, Recon, and Flamers! So many!" He said all happy.

Dutch was curious about something, "Admiral, Sir! Why did Ta' Sonka recruit and train soldiers for us? SIR!"

The Admiral looked uncomfortable, "ok, keep it on the down low. So some of these soldiers are actually prisoners who were given a choice. Join C.F.M. or be executed. The others are of legit recruitment stations. A skull means ex bandit, a skull with cross bones means ex pirate, and a skull with a knife is a ex merc. Their skilled fighters and actually will fight for our cause... I hope."

Just then, the hanger doors open to see a large open cargo area filled with thousands of soldiers. Off the sides were large troop carrier ships. Ships capable of taking a hundred soldiers into it. The first 4 rows of 2, were groups of 50. All basic Reaver corp soldiers. As they marched onto the ramp, Ditch saw that most of the marching soldiers were basic Reaver Corps. Most were getting onto the Vendetta's, the large troop carrier ships.

Dutch was confused, "Sir, are we the only fleet ship to land?"

The Admiral laughed, "Of course! The rest are in orbit, just in case!"

"Just in case of what?" Dutch asked.

"Enemy ambush of course! Ta' Sonka industries is a known supporter and form of ally to the C.F.M.!" The Admiral replied.

Ditch felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned to see Suvi. She gave a small wave and began standing right next to him. She turned to ask him, "Any Star Corps yet?"

"None so far." He replied.

Suvi took a stance, looking as if she was kinda upset.

The Admiral pointed to something in the distance, "Why is a 3rd fleet ship coming this way? I wasn't told about this!" The Admiral began to hastily walk towards the area of landing. Suvi pointed and nudged Dutch.

He had realized, 300 Star Corps soldiers were marching in.

Dutch and Suvi both saluted the new soldiers, but were interrupted by a loud and angry voice. "WHERE THE FUCK IS HE!?!"

Dutch and Suvi both turned and saw a Star Corps soldier at the door of the ship, Dutch pulled out his zoom sights and put them on his helmet. He had zoomed in and saw the Admiral arguing with the soldier, Dutch had taken a good look at her.

He gave Suvi a description, "Female, Star Corps, armor looks really worn and has seen alot of action, many markings, and she is wearing some kind of poncho."

"Um... Dutch, can you see any of the markings clearly?" Suvi asked.

"Yeah actually, on her helmet. A visor mark. A.... 2 I's?" He said.

Suvi quickly realized. "SHIT! Dutch! Thats the roman numeral number 2! That's fucking Siden Tremen! 2nd Head Generals of the Star Corps division!"

Dutch had realized what Suvi was saying, Siden was looking for him!

Dutch felt a large presence behind him, as he turned. He turned to find Dunit, the Draco Flamer unit commander. Standing behind him, but Dutch still had his zoom sights on. He turned and was zoomed into his eye yellow lizard eye. Dutch let out a small shout in surpise.

Dunit took off Dutch's sights.

"Seen any Flamers yet?" Dunit asked.

Suvi put her hand on his shoulder, "You mean those flamers?" Suvi asked and pointed. As Dunit looks. 200 flamers came into sight as they began to march onto the ramp.

Dunit was impressed, "they werent lying, thats alot."

Out of nowhere, a hand lands on Dutch's shoulder and yank him around.

It is Simen, "So care to explain to me, WHAT HAPPENED ON YOUR LAST MISSION!?"

Dutch actual felt his hear sink.

"We were ambushed ma' am! We weren't expecting a heavy fight amd they severely had us out gunned and maneuvered!"

She seemed even more mad, "Ma' am is a human term! Don't fucking call me ma'am! Secondly! I heard you went in by drop pod! Why not a damn gunship! The ambush would of hit less hard!" She shouted.

"We didn't know Taunis forces were on the planet! We had a basic evac ship ready and they blew it up on approach!" He explained.

She wasn't ok with that response, "Oh really? How the hell did you lose most of your team? Let me guess, ambushes?" She said rudely.

"YES! There were many Taunis squads positioned accross the area!" Said Dutch.

Vetra stepped in, "General, with all due respect ma' am! It was a co-op between the Star Corps and Recon. It was a mission gone wrong. It is not Dutch's fault! We went there to evacuate assets, who had already and we didn't know. Were already captured by the G.T.M.I.! Tortured and killed, luckily out assets lied about our forces and had the enemh drastically unprepared but the ground forces were very heavy on us! Yes a gunship would of been smarter but it could of been shot down still! Now, if you would kindly leave! We all got new recruits to handle!" Vetra had angrily said.

Siden had a helmet on but was clearly pissed. She stormed off to her ship and left.

Such an uneasy feeling among them. The Admiral was even feeling uncomfortable but he had duties to perform.

"Ok you 4, get to your new recruits! When we will have our briefing of the upcoming mission during the jump!" He said as he walked away.

Dutch signaled Suvi to follow and waved bye to Dunit and Vetra who were taking off.

Dutch and Suvi walked into the Star Corps quaters, many of the recruits were unpacking and talking, but the area went silent when the 2 walked in. Some of the men already under Dutch's command were in the middle, even Nubasik.

"Ok Listen up, its been awhile sincd the Star Corps have had this many recruits! I wanna get a few things cleared up! First, We may be Star Corps, but are still a division under the Reaver Corps, we are a special division of Reavers and still are Reavers! So show the basic Reavers respect!

Secondly, I am Captain Tvankiv and this is 1st Lieutenant Bulov! There are no higher ranked Star Corps above us in the 6th fleet, you report and listen to us!

Thirdly, The Star Corps is a dangerous division, to those who didn't know. We are 1 of the 2 divisions with the highesr morality rates, I don't expect many of you to survive past the first year, but I have high hopes for your lives! I even got told some of you have actual experience... Dont disappoint us.

Lastly, Race isn't a thing here. We family! So treat eachother that way! The sun doesn't rise for the mourning, not on the field! Any questions come to us or those gentlemen in the middle! Briefing on your first mission will be during the jump, have a good time for now, Me and Bulov are off to attend personal business!"

As the 2 walked out the door, the chatter started.

Suvi slapped Dutch's back, "R&R time?" She asked.

"R&R, drinks on you?" He said with a laugh.

They ran into Vetra and a few other Militia soldiers.

Vetra waved, "Is it time?!" She Excitedly asked.

They shook their heads and went off to the colonies closests bar.... but Dutch was gonna have a serious surpise upon his return.