Sgt. Tyler MacMillan. 3rd ODST's "Dead Drop Brigade" --- Pelican 3-2 "Freebird 2" Requiem Orbit
Sgt. MacMillan pulled the Cigar from his dufflebag. His first deployment, And the way the reports looked, his last. Non-Spartan forces were being decimated on Requiem. His hands shook as he lit the cheap cigar, a habit he had formed talking to the commanders back at the Academy in Ireland back on earth. The others in the pelican eyed him closely. They were thinking the same he was; What the F--- am I doing here? Surely there are more combat hardened ODST's to send to Requiem? No. There wasn't, not anymore. they had already been killed there or had been promoted to Non-Combat roles. He turned to look out the view port, There it is, the UNSC Infinity.
The Lead pilot's voice crackled over the radio;
"UNSC Infinity Control, This is Freebird Squadron. Requesting Docking Clearance. Over."
"You are cleared to dock in Hanger 3 Freebird, Welcome to Requiem. Over."
"Just dropping off the Kids Control. Would be lying if I said I wish I could stay Over."
"Copy that Freebird. Control Out."
Oh yeah, Ty thought, It's real funny when you're losing troops like it was the new fad. How long would it take before his name was just another KIA report? Who would remember him? Ty was so lost in his thoughts he Jumped at the hiss of the ramp dropping. His soon-to-be Brothers in arms looked at him sternly. He was just a rookie to them, the First In First Out, and who was he to complain? He was just an Acting Sgt. He had only reached this rank in the Academy. His squad mates had fought before. they had bled before. He was nothing in their eyes.
As Ty descended the ramp into the Hanger a few of the crew members stopped to see the new arrivals. At least that's what he thought until he saw what they were looking at; Coffins. 10 of them, being loaded into Freebird 1 for transport back home for burial.
"Oh F--- no..." Ty said with out realizing. He felt a sharp elbow to his ribs. It was his CO, Lt. Cortez.
"Show some respect kid." He said in a gruff tone.
"Y-yes sir! sorry sir!"
"look kid, I know you're nervous, But you're not gonna get a free ride, as far as I'm concerned you're a Private. you need to earn those chevrons."
"Yes."
"Yes?"
"Yes sir!"
"good. now put that damn cigar out and stow your gear. we got a briefing at 0600 tomorrow."
"Sir Yes Sir."
Ty jogged off to the Barracks. Great, first day, get chewed out and treated like a child in front of his whole squad. maybe it wouldn't be so bad if he was killed tomorrow... He shook that thought out of his head. Best to just keep his head down. Things would get better right?
The Intercom crackled on. "Medbay! Standby, incoming Casualties!"
Wrong.