Chapter 3 - Faith, Hope and Love
1085 Words
Major Vera Danvers was busy training again. Which wasn’t news, really. Being assigned to Fort Gunderson didn’t leave a lot of options to do anything else. Which also meant most of the young and ambitious officers avoid the place like the plague. So, aside from watching the occasional cheesy romantic flick on her 3D online streaming device, most of Major Danver’s time was occupied in the training pod attached to her quarters.
Having the dimensions of a medium-sized bathroom, the training pod was an insulated metal box covered in a special all-white coating. It had only one entrance and exit, a sliding door that could only be activated by a biometric image scanner that scans the owner’s palm. Once the sliding door is shut, it is nearly undetectable by the naked eye. Inside the training pod was a digital touchpad that activated training simulations of varying degrees of difficulty and intensity. Needless to say, it boasted much more advanced 3D features than any online streaming device. And as and added precaution, the pod had hair-thin, ultra-sensitive medical sensors and monitors embedded on the walls, ceiling and floors which kept close tabs on the physical condition and vital signs of whoever is training inside it.
And since both Fort Gunderson and Fulton weren’t exactly entertainment or political hubs in this part of the world, even on New Year’s Day, she trained instead. The first day of the year wasn’t an excuse not to, especially since she knew her family weren’t all that interested in hearing any updates from her. Besides, a little extra training never hurt anyone.
It might even help smooth things over with her father.
Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, she brushed back her medium-length wavy brown hair into a neat bun. Once the last strand was tucked into place, she stepped back to view her handiwork.
Perfect, she thought.
The mirror reflected a thin oval face with high, curved cheekbones, a sharp, slender nose, thin lips and green eyes that gleamed with alert energy. Vera never disillusioned herself into thinking she was in any way attractive. But she was idealistic enough to think she had the look of a highly qualified and competent soldier and officer of the US Army.
It’s showtime, munchkin. She gave a small, wry smile as she remembered the endearment her father used to call her when she was a little girl. She kind of missed that …
Quickly pressing the touchpad into some well-memorized combinations, Major Danvers set the training module into an ambush scenario in an alien-jungle setting. The last button she pressed determined the difficulty of the scenario, and she set it to “Maximum”.
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She could smell the moist, grassy smell of the mud filling up er nostrils, even through her helmet’s breathing apparatus. Her booted feet squished through a thick layer of oozing mud that had the consistency of slightly watered-down tar. Knotted branches with thorns like iron nails and rough, reddish-brown leaves that looked like spiky palm fronds brushed the surface of her armor-lined hazmat battle suit.
She kept a relaxed but angled grip on her laser rifle, ready to fire when they see their target …
Just a few more steps straight ahead, and then turn on the left corner …
Streams of perspiration trailed down her face, stinging her eyes. She took a few quick swipes so her vison wouldn’t be impaired and swallowed hard …
The last thing I need is to get picked off by a sniper …
Kill zone! Kill zone! Kill zone! Kill zone! Kill zone! We’re in the kill zone, ya buncha wimps!!!
Damndamndamndammitt!!!
They’re here! They’re here! Where?!!?!! Wheredaf**karethey!!!!??!!
Hey Danvers!!! Status report!!!
Present and accounted for!!!
You a*****e!! Where’s Gillam!!!??!!
He’s right here!!!
You i***t!! Look around you!!
Where the f**k are you, Gillam!!!??!!
Major Danvers!!! I found Gillam!!
She follows the direction the soldier’s finger pointed at …
… Oh … s**t …
A foot … a booted left foot next to her … and poor Gillam’s head … it somehow found its way on an overhanging branch half a meter above hers …
S**ts**ts**ts**t!!!
So, whacha gonna do, big hotshot general’s daughter??!!?? Ey??!! Answer that!!!
Don’t get mouthy on me, Jameson!!! You’re outta line!!!
And you’re outta luck!!! Hahaahah!!!
Snarling, she turned back to the other men she hoped were still with her …
Fall back!!! Fall back!!! And call for backup!!! Or an airstrike!!! Anything to keep these b******s at bay!!!
Cutting your losses already, munchkin?
Dad? What the hell are you doing here?!!
Just seeing if you’re living up to your name and making me proud …
Huh??
Major! What are you gawking around for?!! MOVEIT!!!
Whu?!!
Ah, s**t!! You’re useless as s**t, woman!!!
But, but …
No buts, you dumb **e!! I’m taking over!!!
Over my dead body, you are!!
And you’re gonna be dead yourself if you’re just gonna stand there!!! Get a move on, boys!!!
Royally pissed off, she signalled everyone to fall back to the foxhole. The shouts, the screams, the explosions went on … along with the roars and bellows of the monsters they have been battling for what seems like forever and day … it was so dark, so dark … where was the light? … what is light anyway?
And the light shone … but the darkness comprehended it not …
Where did that voice come from? I didn’t program it there!!
Child … come to the light … here it is … it is just before you … you only need to take a few steps … that’s right … a few steps more …
I … can’t … I can’t … everything is dark … dark, so dark … where do I go? … where do I even place my foot? Who are you?
Faith, child … it’s all about faith … hope … and love …
Faith?
Yes. It is your name after all …
What do you mean?
Your name is Vera. It is “faith” in Russian, isn’t it … ?
Uh, yeah. It’s the name Mom and Dad gave to me …
You see then?
See what?
Like I said … faith, my child … you have it … it is your gift after all …
Faith … open your eyes, my child … do you see it now?
See what!?!! And who the f*****g blazes are you?!!? What are you??!!?
Your guardian angel, Cadriel …
- Writer
