TK-5357 Tastes Combat (Story 2) by DduwiesArianrhod on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

I have no idea what just happened. We came to Base Red to relieve the stormtroopers there. Total silence greeted us, a platoon of veteran stormtroopers and newly posted replacements. Our lieutenant led us into the base. My squad was sent into a storage shelter. We were all inside when the door shut behind us and all the lights went dark. The rebels had set themselves up to gun us down in the darkness. They badly miscalculated. The darkness was torn by blaster shots. I raised my own and started firing away where I was sure the rebels were. Someone yelled, "Get down you idiot!" Then I was tackled from behind. Prone I kept firing. I heard bodies fall to the floor and cries of pain. A voice I didn't recognize cried out for mercy. There was no mercy. It was all so fast. The door to the building swung open and a shaft of light shone on the carnage. Two of ours dead and I think eight rebels. I stood there in shock. It was my first combat. TK-4518 slapped me on the back."You did really well, new girl. They targeted you while we eliminated them. You're really lucky to be alive but you did really well. You know, though, you really shouldn't stand up and take it like that. You have no idea how close you came. Your first patrol being your last."

"Did I get one? Kill a rebel?"

"Hell, no. But you made a mess of that wall behind them."

I took off my helmet as I walked out. Then I ran off to the side and threw up. My lieutenant came over to me. "I guess under the circumstances, TK-5357, it's a good thing you grabbed your helmet off. I puked in mine once, really unpleasant. But don't take it off again in my sight or you will pay. We are not out of danger." Then she shook her head, smiling. "Okay, got it?"

"Yes, ma'm."

My first time out, is this what it's like?