Buenos Aires, Argentina

  M.O.H. Base

  2093.06.28

  The air was cold, wet, and heavy. Moisture clung to the ruined walls, rolling down in slow beads that caught what little light the room had. Manteo sat alone on a broken wooden chair, hugging his knees to his chest, trying to stay warm. Across the room, his mother knelt in the corner, shoulders shaking as she held his two younger brothers, one tucked under each arm. Her voice trembled through soft, broken sobs.

  "It's... It's going to be okay," she whispered, though even Manteo could hear the lie buried inside the words. Two candles—just two—flickered on a crate near the wall, barely strong enough to push back the darkness. The shadows looked alive in their glow, stretching long and thin across the cracked floor. Outside, the sound of quick, heavy footsteps pounded through the walls. The door slammed open. Manteo jerked so hard his skin crawled. His father stood in the doorway, bent over, gasping for breath. His eyes were wide, fearful in a way Manteo had never seen before.

  "Honey... we need to get the hell out of here," he said, voice shaking. He walked in and closed the door behind him. "The Marines want everyone evacuated." His mother's arms loosened from around the boys. She rose unsteadily to her feet.

  "All right, come on. Gather y-your things," she said, her voice quivering as if she might vomit. A deep thud can be heard through the walls, distant, but enough to hear. Manteo's stomach dropped. He grabbed his backpack, the one with food and water, the pocket knife his father had given him a few weeks earlier. He couldn't think straight. His young mind couldn't comprehend what was going on. The world felt like it was spinning beneath him, dissolving into chaos. His heart rate started to speed up. His father noticed, made his way toward him, and crouched beside him, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.

  "Son," he said softly, eyes locked with Manteo's, "listen to me. Try to relax, okay. I need you to be strong... for your mother, and for your brothers." Manteo glanced past him as his mother stuffed clothes into bags, his brothers crying quietly.

  "Hey. Look at me," his father said, tightening his grip. The deep thud outside came again, closer this time. "If something ever happens to me... you're next in line to care for them. Do you understand?" Manteo swallowed hard and nodded. His father's expression softened.

  "Good." He patted Manteo's shoulder, gave one gentle squeeze, and forced a smile. Then multiple deeper thuds shook the ground, closer, faster. His father jerked toward the doorway.

  "Damn it—everyone, hurry!" He knelt beside the youngest boy, stuffing toys into a small bag.

  "Dear," Manteo's mother whispered, grabbing her husband's hand, "where are we going?"

  "The Marines are taking all families north. Somewhere safe." Another loud, deep thud—this one so close the floor trembled.

  "Oh gosh! Everyone, hurry up, let's get out of here!" he shouted.

  "Dear, what was—" The side of the house exploded inward. A wall of rubble tore through the room, flinging Manteo and his family like rag dolls. He slammed against the wall behind the chair, pain bursting behind his eyes as everything spun. His ears rang. His skull throbbed. His vision spiraled into a haze. Smoke filled the room, causing him to cough. Fire crawled across the broken ceiling. Through the fog, he saw his father lying on the ground. His mother was buried under the collapsed debris. His brothers, gone in the smoke. Gunfire crackled outside. Voices shouted from outside.

  "Move, move, move!" followed by gunfire.

  "They are everywhere, fall back!" The thuds were no longer distant; they were right on top of them. Muffled loud blasts all around him. Manteo tried to stand. His legs gave out. So he crawled instead.

  "D-Dad..." His voice cracked as he dragged himself toward his dad.

  "Are you okay? Dad?" in a whisper, it was hard to speak from all the smoke. His father didn't move. Manteo reached out, fingertips brushing his father's hand.

  "Dad..." he whispered. A deafening blast erupted nearby. The entire floor felt like it was going to collapse; instead, the whole structure groaned and cracked. The roof gave way. Manteo looked up just as the ceiling came crashing down.

  "DAD!!!"

  Manteo shot upright in his cot with a sharp gasp, lungs burning, vision blurred, heart slamming against his ribs.

  "Wake up, damnit!" A kick from his bed sent Manteo jumping and gave him goosebumps. "I've been trying to wake you up for the past hour, dude," said Jin with his irritated raspy voice.

  "I'm getting up." Manteo rubbed his eyes to clear the blurred vision.

  Jin turned around from Manteo's cot and headed toward his locker. Manteo turned himself around, sitting on the edge of his bed, trying to get himself together and calm his nerves. He saw Malery staring him down. Standing by the room's door. Her beady eyes were looking at him with a worried expression.

  "What are you lookin' at?" Manteo gave her a side-eyed look. His tone was rather irritated by her look.

  "Rough sleep, Ramirez? Kept most of us up last night." Her expression changed, giving him a snarky remark.

  "You good, dude?" Jin expressed his concern, but didn't make it obvious; he wasn’t the type to be sentimental. He turned around from his locker and gave him a raised eyebrow.

  "Because if you aren't good. You ain't coming with us on this mission, man."

  Manteo looked into his eyes. "Yeah...I'm good, no need to worry." He let out a small sigh and a breath.

  Jin turned back around, closed his locker door, and walked out of the room. Giving Malery a quick, gentle pat on her back on his way out. The door shut, and silence filled the room. It was just Manteo and Malery now. Manteo got up from his cot and started folding the sheet. Malery walked toward Manteo as he was just about finished. She just stood there, not saying a word.

  "What do you want, Malery?" he didn't want to give her a look; he just kept tending to his cot.

  "It's Jacob's, to you, Ramirez. I'm just concerned about you, Ramirez. These past three weeks, every night, you just... kept talking in your sleep." She folded her arms up to her chest, looking down with a bit of worry. She takes a big sigh and, with her right arm, tries to reach for Manteo's right shoulder. He jerks away and looks at her.

  "Hey, I am only trying to help."

  "No. You are not. Can you just leave me be?" Manteo gives her a short death stare, then looks away and walks to his locker.

  "If you keep this up, Ramirez, they are going to send you to-" Manteo stopped in his tracks and pointed his finger at her.

  "Stop! Don't you say it! I am not going back to...to that place! I will not let them touch me AGAIN! Get the heck out of here, and leave me alone!" Manteo was enraged, his heart pounding. Malery sighed and walked out before saying,

  "We have a briefing for the next mission at 0800, see you there." She walked out. The door shut. Silence.

  Then Manteo snapped. He slammed his fist into his locker door, leaving a dent in the metal. A sharp metallic ring echoed through the room. And instantly — the flashbacks hit. He saw bright white lights. Cold restraints. A man in a lab coat is leaning over him. The sting of a syringe pressed into his forearm. His own voice is screaming. The imagery flickered violently in his head. His forearm burned afterward, the same place they injected him. He grabbed it with his other hand, groaning under his breath. But the pain didn't stop.

  He shook his head, trying to forget the flashback and the pain. He opened his now dented locker door. And began to change into his Fatigues. After changing and neatly folding his clothes, he put them back in his locker and grabbed his hat, and underneath it was his father's watch. But when he looked at the watch, he saw the time. Zero seven fifty-five, he is going to be late for the briefing. "Oh come on!" Places the hat firmly and nicely on his head. Slammed the locker door and raced out.

  ***

  Manteo approached the briefing room door and took a deep breath. Mentally prepared himself and opened the door. General Henry Troyer was speaking, standing by the whiteboard, which showed a map of Africa with red circles and arrows. His back was facing the squad.

  "The Marine Corps stationed to overtake Namibia and Angola had been successful. An opportunity has arisen now-" Major General Troyer, standing by the whiteboard in the room, paused his statement and looked at Manteo.

  "Good morning, Ramirez. Glad to see you join us, we have just begun,” gave a look of disappointment.

  "Great, now we have the mumbler here, care to share with us about last night in your sleep?" Axel said, grining then chuckled. The entire squad in the room laughed.

  Manteo scanned the room, seeing Carl and Malery not laughing, then stared at Axel. He wished he could punch him right now in front of everyone, to show what a coward he is.

  "Can it, Adams! Ramirez, take a seat, will ya' while we have time." Manteo kept his eyes on Axel as he looked for a seat. He ended his death stare and found a seat next to Carl. He was a bit nervous from the look on his body language. Manteo sat down and shook Carl's hand.

  Manteo whispered, "Mornin' Carl.”

  Carl nodded his head back at him. The room fell silent, and Henry began his statement where he left off.

  "Since this is good news. We could deploy more ground forces onto African soil. Increasing our odds to take control of the continent and finally have some leverage over the junkies,"

  Manteo doubted humanity could overcome this impossible foe. Every time a win is achieved, something far worse follows, setting the military back. He was tired of them, angry with them. Took his only family and the friends he made along the way.

  "Africa is an essential territory to siege. Drone intel from ES-COM indicated that multiple I.T.C. production facilities are located in the middle. There is a possibility of a Super Factory, a factory able to produce almost seventy percent more units than the regular facilities.” He walked over to a table and picked up some folders. And handed them out to everyone. The folder read, Operation Oryx.

  “ES-COM wants us to split into two teams. We have two objectives to accomplish.” Henry stood in the front, scanning the room.

  Henry was shocked by his platoon's response to what he said. All their faces seemed to be confused and worried.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “General, we can’t be split?” said Sammus.

  “Yeah, we are stronger together,” said Malery

  “This is a bad idea, General. Can’t you change this?” said David.

  “Alright, ya all. I know this is difficult to accept. But orders are orders. We can't argue against the Elites. Overview of the operation, and you’ll understand.”

  They took pride in their strength as a full squad, and they believed that separating them would decrease their chances of success. Manteo agreed with them; they are stronger together. Splitting up is a bad idea. But you have to follow the Elites' orders.

  Manteo opened the folder and read:

  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

  ECLIPSE EXPEDITIONARY COMMAND

  JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH

  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

  CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET // EYES ONLY

  OPERATION CODE: Oryx

  DATE: 02 JUNE 2093

  H-HOUR (WALVIS BAY AO): 1334 HOURS

  REF: AFR-SOUTH/2093/06-02-A

  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

  1. SITUATION

  Enemy forces identified as TACHI INTELLIGENT CORPORATION (T.I.C.)

  maintain heavy mechanized control across Namibia, South Africa,

  and Botswana. Confirmed fortified positions in Walvis Bay and

  surrounding inland corridors. Major fabrication facility located

  in Madagascar. Intelligence indicates a Super fabrication facility located

  within the Egypt sector.

  Forward Battalion has been engaged in continuous combat operations

  since 1334 hours.

  Enemy capabilities include:

  ? Autonomous armored divisions

  ? Integrated AI battlefield network

  ? Coastal artillery and anti-ship systems

  ? Drone swarm air superiority

  ? Rapid fabrication

  Threat Level: EXTREME

  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

  2. FRIENDLY FORCES

  Eclipse Squad BAREN-2 deploying from M.O.H. Base Puerto Las

  Serpientes (Argentina) aboard Battlecruiser SWORD OF ANGELS.

  Fleet consolidation at Saint Helena Island prior to final advance.

  Multiple Eclipse platoons are conducting parallel assault operations.

  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

  3. MISSION

  BAREN-2 will divide into two elements:

  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

  ALPHA TEAM – WALVIS BAY ASSAULT SUPPORT

  MISSION: Reinforce Battalion and clear corridor for R.H.I.N.O.

  COMMAND:

  ? Captain David Bailey – Service Tag 146

  PERSONNEL:

  ? Specialist Manteo Ramirez – Service Tag 302

  ? Private First Class Carl Simmons – Service Tag 405

  ? Senior Airman Axel Adams – Service Tag 309

  ? Airman First Class Jin Sage – Service Tag 269

  TASKING:

  ? Reinforce engaged front line

  ? Neutralize T.I.C. artillery and machine nests

  ? Clear armored pathway for R.H.I.N.O.

  ? Establish defensive perimeter

  ? Link with Omega if both missions succeed

  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

  OMEGA TEAM – MADAGASCAR STRIKE ELEMENT

  MISSION: Destroy primary T.I.C. fabrication facility

  COMMAND:

  ? General Henry Troyer – Service Tag 218

  PERSONNEL:

  ? First Lieutenant James White – Service Tag 146

  ? First Lieutenant Malery Jacobs – Service Tag 107

  ? Corporal Haider Sammus – Service Tag 248

  ? Seaman Kamala Jackson – Service Tag 345

  TASKING:

  ? Insert into Madagascar hostile zone

  ? Breach and destroy fabrication core

  ? Disable regional machine grid (1500-mile radius)

  ? Exfiltrate and redeploy to Walvis Bay if successful

  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

  4. EXECUTION PHASES

  PHASE I Fleet Consolidation

  PHASE II Omega Insertion (Madagascar)

  PHASE III Alpha Reinforcement (Walvis Bay)

  PHASE IV R.H.I.N.O. Deployment

  PHASE V Joint Assault on Major T.I.C. Facilities

  PHASE VI Intelligence Capture & Sector Stabilization

  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

  5. COMMAND DIRECTIVE

  Walvis Bay is assessed as a critical T.I.C. logistics artery.

  Destruction of Madagascar facility will fracture regional machine integration.

  Projected casualty probability: HIGH.

  No immediate reinforcement window guaranteed.

  All Eclipse units authorized full combat autonomy upon insertion.

  HOLD THE CORRIDOR.

  DESTROY THE GRID.

  ADVANCE INLAND.

  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

  AUTHORIZED BY:

  ECLIPSE HIGH COMMAND – THE TEN ELITES

  DISTRIBUTION: BAREN-2 / JTF SOUTH / FLEET COMMAND

  ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

  They are helping with an operation, a campaign to take Southern Africa. It's one of the continents that produces the most T.I.C. units. Manteo knew how bad it was for the United World to take back the Americas. Going there is going to be a bloodbath. They are going to face heavier forces, the ones that can wipe out an entire platoon with ease. If they succeed, if the Escplise can aid the military forces on the front lines. This will set the enemy back and can have a major impact on their foes.

  “This will not be an easy mission. I’ve organized the teams to best suit the situations each of you faces. I’ll be honest…” Henry paused, let out a sigh, “I don’t think some of us will make it out.”

  Manteo got a cold, wet feeling down his back, and his stomach turned. He looked at the rest of the squad, and he could see they were probably feeling the same.

  “That would be all, then, everyone.”

  Henry ended the briefing and dismissed the squad. Manteo looked across the room and saw everyone in a depressive state. Everyone stood up and headed out of the room. Manteo got up from his chair, pushed it in, and someone grabbed his shoulder. Gave him a little jump in his skin, but when he turned around. To his surprise, it was Kamala Jackson, whom he barely talks to or gives attention to, Manteo.

  "Try not to keep us up tonight, buddy. Big day tomorrow," she chuckled. Patted Manteos's back and scurried off.

  He was annoyed now.

  “She’s right. Keep your peeper shut tonight, brother. Big day tomorrow.” Axel said in a sarcastic way.

  Manteo held back a punch within him. Axel couldn't keep his mouth shut, he thought to himself. Carl saw his anger through his facial expressions. Gave him a bump with his shoulder.

  "Don't worry, I sleep just fine every night with your yapping. Ignore him, some people just forget how this war takes a toll on all of us."

  He saw he was trying to lift his spirits, since his morning was going ‘well’ so far. He looked to Carl, gave a grin, and forced a happy expression,

  "Wanna come shoot with me at the range? I really can blow some steam right now." Carl smiled back and nodded. Both of them walked out of the briefing room into the hall and headed over to the shooting range.

  ***

  A wave of anxiety fell upon Manteo the next morning. It was strange that he didn’t have a nightmare last night. He always has the same nightmare, ever since they took him to that ‘place’. Manteo thought it was strange that he was having constant nightmares; the place was supposed to stop this kind of thing. On the bright side, he didn’t have to wake up with agony in his chest or tossing and turning all night. For once, he was able to wake up with the rest of the platoon, with a good night's rest. And not always getting up after everyone has changed into their fatigues and headed to breakfast.

  He got up from his cot and started to fold his sheets. Walked to his locker and switched into his fagtuies. Manteo expected Feltcher to say some smart remark about his sleeping again. But nothing. He glanced at Feltcher, and he was quiet. Manteo knows this mood; Feltcher is in his ‘war mode’. He is focused on the mission and is overwhelmed with anxious thoughts; he wants to get out there and kill. Manteo looked back at his locker and picked up his hat. His father's watch lay on the shelf where he grabbed his hat from. Picked up the watch and placed it in his pocket. A small headache appeared for a brief second, and the sound of his dad's voice echoed into his head, a whisper there and then gone. Thoughts and flashbacks cause sharp pains in his head. Shook his head and tried not to think of the pain. Put his hat on and closed the locker door, which was somewhat dented from the dent he had made. He thought to himself about his anger, about how much angrier he had become. How long will he keep it from getting worse? He has to be mentally stable to stay in the Eclipse and able to focus on the mission. He doesn’t want to let his team down.

  He started to remember one of their previous missions, where he almost cost the lives of two of his team members. During extraction, his team was overrun by machines; his job was to hold them back till everyone was aboard the helicopter. He froze during that; his mind went blank, and trauma seemed to overtake him. No cover fire for his team, and two members almost didn’t make it; they got horribly injured. That's what led him to the ‘place’; they reset his emotions and trauma. Didn’t work entirely, as it all came back. He took a deep breath, turned away from his locker, and tried to relax and not overthink or dwell on the past. But to his surprise, David was standing there. Arms crossed, with a serious look on his face. Captain Bailey gave him a death stare. Manteo wasn't sure what to think of it. Did he do something wrong?

  “You got your head on straight today, marine?” David said in a very loud, serious tone. It caught everyone’s attention.

  “Yes, sir.” Manteo relied, straightening his posture.

  “Look-” Captain Bailey paused, closed his eyes for a brief second, trying to keep his cool. “Look, if you can’t keep your head on straight and not have an episode, I will leave you behind.”

  “Yes, Sir,” Manteo said.

  “I will not allow you to jeopardize everyone's lives here.” Captain Bailey seemed to appreciate the affirmation, but not quite entirely; he continued, “You will perform your duties to the fullest marine.” Captain Bailey faced away from Manteo and looked at everyone in the barracks room.

  “Attention!”

  Everyone ran to the front of their cots, arms fixed at the sides, and eyes looking straight ahead.

  “This mission we are to perform isn’t like the others. The junkies know we are coming. So… I'd better see the best out of you all. If you were listening to General yesterday, you know this is going to be a blood bath. It’s heavily fortified enemy territory we are heading into.” He paused and scanned the room, looking at the squad. Malery and James seemed not to be in the room; Manteo didn’t see them.

  “We have already lost many lives since the Marine Corps first landed out there. They've been fighting for over a week now. For us. They left an opening for our team to infiltrate. Don’t let their sacrifices be for nothing.” Captain Bailey turned right back at Manteo.

  “AM I RIGHT, MARINES!” He gave him a cold, death stare.

  Everyone in the room shouted, “SIR, YES, SIR!”

  Captain Bailey stepped closer to Manteo and leaned forward to whisper something into his ear.

  “I have my eye on you, Ramirez…The General would like to see you in his office.” Manteo gulped; his anxiety became worse.

  ***

  Manteo was walking to Henry’s office with a terrible stomach; his anxiety had been high since the beginning of the day. Down the hallway were multiple other office rooms. He walked by one room where a white sheet of paper was held down by a piece of tape, reading, “Eclipse Special Forces, 1st Lieutenant James White.”

  Henry’s office was at the end of the hallway. As he approached closer, Malery and James walked out of the room. They nodded at Manteo and walked away. Manteo was now standing at the door of Henry’s office, looking at the white paper reading, “Eclipse Special Forces, General Henry L. Troyer. Command of 3rd Company Barren-2 squad.” Preparing for the worst to come. He lifted his hand and knocked.

  “Come in,” said a voice behind the door.

  He opened the door, walked in, closed the door, and stood there. Posture straight, head up, arms behind his lower back. He was so nervous, and the anxiety he had was making him feel sick to his stomach.

  “At ease, Ramirez, take a seat, son.” Troyer sat in his chair, behind his desk, typing on his computer.

  Manteo relaxed his body, pulled the chair by the General's desk, and sat down. Henry gave a big sigh, closed his eyes, and bowed his head. Lifted his head, opened his eyes, and looked at Manteo.

  “They want to pull you from the squad, Ramirez,” with a serious look.

  Manteo was shocked at what the General just said.

  “Are you serious?” Manteo said, almost like a cry.

  “ES-COM read the report on Operation Las Lajas. They told me you are a liability to the Platoon and the Ecplise.”

  Manteo felt a deep drop in his heart, as if someone were dragging him to the floor. “Sir? I thought I was cleared after going to that…that.” Manteo couldn’t get the words out of his mouth.

  “Yes, I know. But they have been on edge lately. Something spooked them. Something happened over in Africa. I had a meeting with one of the Elites yesterday, and he seemed scared and nervous.” The general looked down at his computer; he was frustrated.

  Manteo wasn’t sure what could have spooked the Eclipse’s Elites.

  “They can’t do this, not now. I put everything I can offer for this team, sir.” Manteo wasn’t sure if he should be mad or depressed. All he knew, though, was that this anxiety he had was growing and making him sicker.

  “Son, listen to me very clearly.” General looked right back at Manteo, with a stern look in his eyes. “You are one of the best on this team. You’ve done remarkable things over the years. You allowed humanity to win. That is why you were hand-picked like the rest of us. But this mental problem you have is a liability. To all of us, we need you, son, to have our backs out there. ES-COM wants you terminated immediately.” He paused, stood out of his chair, and walked toward the window behind him. “I couldn’t allow that, Mr.Ramirez.”

  Manteo was shocked at what he just said. Someone other than Carl and Jin actually likes him; the anxiety began to dindle a little.

  “Why, sir? If I’m not fit for duty, then I should be terminated.” He had resentment towards himself; he failed, and his duties could no longer be fulfilled.

  “I know you are, son. According to them, though. To me, you aren’t. Yes, you had a slip-up, but who hasn’t? These are hard times. They are taking more precautions. Whatever happened over in Africa has got me worried. I keep hearing whispers from other Generals, on which I can not disclose to you, son.” He was fiddling with his white beard, puckering his lips, in thought. “Mr. Ramirez, I stuck my neck out for you. I was able to convince them to keep you on the platoon. But if you have another incident again, you're terminated. Their orders are not mine. Am I clear?” He turned back around from the window. Gave Manteo a good stare.

  Manteo looked down, weighed down by guilt and disbelief, but he looked up at Henry and nodded in agreement. “Yes, sir, I will do my best.”

  “You are dismissed then.”

  After Manteo stood, the General walked over to him and gave him a firm handshake.

  “It will be alright, son. I have your back. Hang in there. I gave Captain Bailey and Adams a stern talk about their bullying. It’s not good morality for our team.” still holding on to Manteo’s hand and giving him a little smile.

  “Th-thank you, sir.” Manteo was very glad at that gesture, but his stomach wasn’t in agreement.

  They released their grip, and Manteo left the office, took a deep breath, and vomited into the trash can near the door. His face was pale, but he felt a bit better; his anxiety had almost completely vanished.

  He can’t be terminated; he spent his entire life fighting. Losing his only purpose would eat him alive. He didn’t want to lose his friends, even though they could be jerks to him; he still cared.

  “I promise to take care of them, Dad. I promise,” he looked up at the ceiling. The phantom pain in his arm, where he was injected, throbbed again. He shook the pain off and headed on his way for departure.