Military Camp, Unknown Town, Colombia

  En Route to M.O.H. Base

  2093.06.25

  Specialist Manteo Ramirez, Eclipse member 302, was sitting in a chair, thinking about the upcoming trip to Argentina. He has a low-fade military haircut, a tan complexion, a chevron mustache, and a small goatee. He sat there tapping his finger on the watch on his left wrist. His squad was ordered to head to the Military of Humanity base there to receive incoming intel for the next mission they are to embark on. This made him feel uneasy; the previous mission with the platoon did not go to plan. They lost two men three months back in Mexico from a unexpeted machine raid.

  Since the squad was short of men, the Eclipse Elites assigned another marine to it. Private First Class Carl Simmons, Eclipse member 405, was a caucasian man in his early twenties, with neatly cropped blond hair and a clean-shaven, youthful face. He sat next to Manteo, hunched over the table in front of them, with his hands folded. Carl was nervous about the trip ahead, and his leg was shaking, making the table move slightly in rhythm with it. This made Manteo more anxious than he already was, brewing up his anxiety.

  The door in the room opened, and a man walked through. Tall and broad-shouldered, his slightly wrinkled face framed by a patchy brown-gray beard and a tight buzz cut, he carried a rugged, unpolished look. This was Captain David Bailey, Eclipse member 146. David walked to three others standing in the corner, who were talking and laughing. Manteo watched intently to see if he could make out what Daivid was going to tell them.

  He heard the woman, one of the three others, gasp; her expression changed from joy to concern. First Lieutenant Malery Jacobs, Eclipse member 107, was a brunette with pale skin and piercing, beady green eyes.

  “Captain, did the General tell you about the Rhino?” she said. Manteo can barely hear her as she whispers.

  “Shh, keep it down, Malery?” said the man on her left. He had dark short hair, a short dark beard, and was tanned.

  “Jacobs, Lieutenant White,” she responded, giving the man a squint of disapproval. The man she spoke to was First Lieutenant James White.

  “No? I thought those things were gone?” David said, intrigued about what Malery said.

  Manteo tried to listen to their conversation but only heard bits and pieces.

  “So when we get there, when do we ride the monster?” Said James.

  “You won’t be riding nothin’, Mr.White. We are to join a Battalion stationed there already.” A tall Romanian man with a clean-shaven face and a white buzz cut. He has a muscular build and broad shoulders. A long scar runs across the left side of his face, stretching from the corner of his mouth to his ear. He was General Henry Troyer, Eclipse Member 218. “We are to board it, if we even get that far.”

  “Get that far? Where are we going?” said David

  “Not here. I can fill you in later, Bailey. But listen, this is the last of the Rhino we got. The Eiltes want us to use it on our next mission. I only got bits of intel, but when we head out to Argentina, I will be briefed, and that's when I’ll share with the rest of the platoon.” Henry said.

  Manteo heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and saw Jin Sage. Airmen First Class, Eclipse Member 269. An Asian-descended man, not so tall, with jet-black hair and no facial hair. He came up to where Mantoe was sitting, bent over, and whispered.

  “Dude, are you hearing what they are saying?” he said

  “I’m trying. Can barely hear them.” Manteo whispered back. “Something about a Rhino?”

  “No way, dude. A Rhino. Those things are from the old world. Humongous vehicles, with a large cannon on top. Said they are to be lost.” Jin spoke quickly, still whispering.

  Manteo has never heard of a Rhino. And was interested in why the platoon will be using one on their next mission.

  “It has to do with our next mission. General is keeping low about it.” Manteo said.

  “Huh. Well, if we need one for the next mission, it must be a big operation happening.” Jin pulled out the chair on Manteo's right and sat down. “What’s his problem? Not feeling well? Well, I hope you ain’t like Manteo here, keeping us awake at night with his nightmares,” he chuckled.

  “Hey man, just don’t. I hear enough from Axel. Always joking.” Manteo rolled his eyes and became a little irritated by the comment.

  “Yeah. I like to joke. Got a problem with that, Ramirez?”

  Manteo jerked to his left and saw Axel Adams, a Senior Airman, Ecplise Member 309. Average-sized man with reddish-messy short hair, with a few freckles on his face. He took the seat next to Carl and sat, still eying Manteo.

  “Ramirez, learn to take a joke, man. Tuffen up, don’t be a wimp.” Axel snarled at Manteo.

  “Yeah, whatever,” Manteo hissed back.

  “Can you guys not do this now? I've got a bad headache.” Carl said.

  “Sorry, just gotta tell the sleeptalker to keep quiet,” Axel grinned at Manteo.

  Manteo stood up quickly, knocking his chair down. Axel did the same, but his chair did not fall. They both stared at each other.

  “Do it, Ramirez, I dare you.” Axel taunted.

  Before Manteo could move into a punching position, the door slammed open, making everyone look. Two people walked in: a woman holding two cup holders with twelve cups of coffee, and behind her, a man pushing a cart with food bowls. The woman walked to the table where Manteo was and placed the coffee cups. She was Seamen Kamala Jackson, Eclipse member 345, tanned-skinned, with black hair in a ponytail, and was of Indian descent.

  “Well. They had coffee,” she said cheerfully.

  “And meat!” said the man pushing the cart. He was Corporal Haider Sammus, Eclipse Member 248, an average-sized man with a bald head and clean-shaven face, with a tattoo on his upper right eyebrow in the shape of a clover with three tiny circles around it.

  Manteo sat back down, trying to defuse his anger. He wanted to punch Axel so hard in his face. It was good timing for the others to come in. Carl stopped hunching over, and smelt the coffee, and he seemed to be more cheerful. Kamala started handing out coffee to everyone, and Manteo thanked her after receiving a cup. He inhaled the steam rising from the cup; he loved coffee. The aroma always made him calm.

  “It's about time we have some real food!” David said, walking over to the food cart.

  “Yes, I know, hot, steaming rice, beef chunks, and fresh-made corn bread. Everyone, grab a bowl.” Haider is picking up a few bowls and handing them out for anyone to grab.

  Jin grabbed three bowls and placed two in front of Manteo and Carl. Both of them are saying thanks. Everyone was now sitting at the table, eating their food and drinking coffee. Manteo almost forgot the interaction with Axel. Enjoy the time of peace and food, glad to see his squad happy.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Given the time spent traveling and recovering from the previous mission, this joy was good for them. Even General Troyer was delighted with the meal, sitting with the platoon. Manteo rarely, if ever, saw him smile or laugh. Until Jin blurted out about the Rhino conversation he had with the lieutenants early.

  “Sage! Quit eavesdropping. This was a private matter.” Henry barked at Jin, some food spitting out of his mouth.

  “Well Gennral, General, I couldn’t help it, with you three hiding in the corner being all suspicious.” Jin is talking with food in his mouth.

  “Well, I am not saying a peep about it until we reach Argentina. Then you can know more.” Henry gave Jin a stare.

  “Maybe we can tell them, General?” Said Malery in a soft toen sipping her coffee.

  “Please, General. It’s really not top secret, plus they kinda heard us anyway,” said James with an excited tone.

  Manteo was very intrigued; he had heard of a Rhino before, a huge vehicle used in a war before the machine war began. But no one has found one yet, the last time he heard.

  “Fine. But this stays between us all. Do not mention it to random Marines, alright.” Henry sighed, leaned back in his chair, and began the explanation. “ES-COM contacted me yesterday. They told me the mission they ordered four years back was a success. Named, Lone Ranger. It was ordered based on a scout’s intel that they had possibly found a Rhino, which was used to know as Texas. The Elites didn’t hesitate and quickly sent a group out there.” he paused to take a sip of coffee. “They needed time to fix the Rhino up. And they just did.”

  “Sir? Why did it take four years to fix it? said Carl.

  “We are limited in resources, and not only that, the computer systems were not up to date and had issues. Anyway, they said on our next mission, we are to accompany the Rhino. They haven’t told me what our next mission is, but I believe it’s a big one. With all the Marines and other military assets being moved around and using the Rhino. I can assume an attack is on the verge, I am not sure though.”

  Manteo felt uneasy hearing that last part. On the verge of an attack? He knew that wasn’t good at all. And for the Elites to prepare armies is a sign that isn’t good aswell. He’s not sure if he’s ready for another mission. The mission before the last one they just finished a few weeks back, he lost almost two of his platoon members. Then, not only that, they lost three men on their last mission. Sargent Kelly Brightheart, Ecplise Member 210, Captain Norman Richardson, Ecplise Member 136, and Seamen Amit Jackson, Ecplise Member 344, Kamala’s brother.

  The death of Kamala’s brother had taken a toll on her for the past three weeks, but Manteo was glad to see her overcoming the grief. He, too, was mourning the loss of all three of them, wishing they were here to enjoy the hot coffee and amazing cornbread.

  If this next mission is big and bad, he hopes he doesn’t lose anyone here sitting at the table. He will try his best not to have an episode like the one before, which almost cost the lives of two. It sent him to ‘The Place”. Thinking about it made his arm burn up, right where they injected him.

  They sent him there to reset his emotions to cure the PTSD and trauma he developed over the years. It seems to have worked as he thought it would. But as time went on, he got angrier and had nightmares almost every night.

  He was tired and always felt guilty for his mistake, wishing he never froze that day. Two of his friends were badly injured, and because of those injuries, they were probably killed. He thought this all the time, fueling his anger. He never wants to repeat that same mistake.

  “Hey, you done there, Ramirez?”

  Manteo snapped out of his blank stare. He didn’t realize he was in. He looked to see who was talking. It was Malery.

  “Huh?” he was confues on what she was asking about.

  “The food? Are you done eating?” She was getting a little snappy

  “Oh, yeah. Thanks.” He handed her the bowl he had been eating out of, with some scraps left.

  “Are you okay? You seem…out of it?” she expressed a little concern.

  “Yeah. I’m fine.” Looking away to not make eye contact.

  She got lower to him. “Are you sure?” she whispered.

  “Yes? Can you not get so close, please?” He leaned to the side as if she were deceased.

  “Sorry. Just concerned, you know, since…” she paused, but before she could say more, Manteo jolted up from his seat.

  “Just don’t.” Manteo walked away from the table. Malery looked a bit sad. Manteo wasn't sure why she would even be sad about him; she should be angry at him like Axel.

  He walked to the door that led to the hall, and he wanted to leave the room to get some fresh air after the embarrassing moment with Malery. He made it about halfway down the hall when he heard a voice behind him.

  “Manteo! Wait up!”

  He turned around, and it was Carl. Manteo kept walking, expecting him to catch up, but when he did nothing, nothing was said. They both walked through the door to the outside. Manteo’s eyes needed a few moments to adjust to the sunlight, and when they did. There was a vast view of bright green valleys and tons of vibrant trees. A river flowing in between, birds chirping and flying. He took in a deep breath, taking in the fresh air.

  He was hoping coming out would help, but nothing helped. The anger in him was building up again. Carl took notice and placed his hand on Manteo’s shoulder. Manteo sighed, bowed his head.

  “Aye, man, let's go for a walk. We can chat, take your mind off things.” Carl suggested pated Manteos chsoulder.

  “Yeah. Sure.” Manteo replied, not very enthusiastically.

  Both of them walked upto a path in the distance. Manteo is hoping to cool off and relax.

  ***

  “You got the hots for Ramirez, Malery, ahahahaha,” laughed Axel.

  “Shut up. I’m just concerned for him. And it’s Jacobs! Man, how many times am I going to remind you that I go by Jacobs? Want a first-name basis? Earn my respect.” She snarled at Axel, giving hima death stare.

  “Alright, you two. Settle down. Finish helping Jackson and Sammus clean up. And Captain Bailey, Lieutenant White came here for a second.” Henry defused the altercation.

  David and James followed Henry to the back of the room, where another door led to a barracks room that served as their sleeping quarters. He opened the door and motioned for them to enter. Henry was very stressed out, and this made James nervous. Henry closed the door and started to stroke his beard, puckering his lips in thought.

  “ES-COM is talking about removing Ramirez from the squad.”

  “Wow. Seriously?” James had a shocked expression. “Is it because of Las Lajas?”

  “Yeah. Because of his episode of freezing, almost getting Richardson and Sammus killed. The Elites didn’t seem to be happy about that.”

  “Well, yeah, we are losing men left and right. He’s a liability, General. I agree with their thoughts. I barely get sleep with his mumbling at night.” David scoffed.

  “Bailey, watch your mouth now. Please be sympathetic for once. We are all going through it.”

  “Yeah, but Jacobs isn’t keeping us awake at night. Is she? What makes a difference?” David was getting upset.

  “Captain, relax, just please listen,” Henry said calmly.

  “Is it bad, General? Why are you hesitant?” James folded his arms.

  “I need both of you to vouch for him. There is a meeting set up when we reach Argentina, one of the Elites will be there.” Henry looked at David to see if there was any disagreement.

  “General? How can you ask me this, after you know he caused the death of Richardson?” David slammed his fist into the wall.

  “David, you know that isn’t true. He made a bad judgment call.” James had his hand on his neck, rubbing.

  “Shut up! You don’t know what you were talking about. Were you there? Huh!? Were you!” David, nostilas flard, his hand turning red from the slam he just took. His face turned red, and yelling was heard through the closed door.

  “Bailey, try to relax. It’s just a one-time thing.” Henry stood a bit closer to Davvid, trying to calm him.

  “NO! If it were for Ramirez. Norman wouldn’t have been injured, and he would have survived the last mission! I say let the Elites remove him; he will jeopardize us. He will get us all killed.” David walked away from Henry and started to pace.

  “It's an order, Captain,” Henry was now very stern, annoyed at the rage David was exhibiting.

  “An order?” David scoffed, stopping his pacing.

  “Yes. Have faith in him, David. Seriously. We are the only sharpshooter we have on this squad, and I can’t guarantee we can get another one. He’s been with us for five years. How can you say those things about him?” Henry said calmly.

  “General. I-I…I don’t know.” David seemed calm, swallowing, trying to fight tears.

  “Norman was all of our friend David. You're not the only one who's hurt. And blaming another friend is not right. We can’t afford discourse amog our selves. Not in times like these. Please, do what I’d ask.” Henry placed his hand on his shoulder, spymizing with David.

  “Why do you want him?”

  “An old friend said to watch over him, and never let him out of my sight. I made a promise, Captain.” Henry didn’t show much emotion; a tear trickled down his face as he hid the sorrow within him. “So? Any objections then?

  “No. I guess not,” said David, walking toward the door, still very upset.

  “I will comply, General.” Said James.

  ***

  As the third company, Barren-2, tried to enjoy their last moment in the base camp. The Elites of the Eclipse—the highest-ranking operators within the special forces—were preparing for a decisive operation. One that might finally bring an end to the war against the machines. New intelligence had just come in: a suspected super facility had been identified deep within the Egyptian Zone.

  If the reports are accurate, the facility houses intel critical to the war effort. It wouldn’t be the first time they’ve encountered a so-called super facility. From prior operations, they learned the last one contained detailed data on how the machines rapidly manufacture their forces—what models they produce, the speed of their production, and the full extent of their capabilities.

  Never have the Elites done something so drastic before, that is, sending every single Eclipse member to the frontlines. As for Barren-2, they were not allowed to know, just like the entire Eclipse Battalion.

  The Military of Humanity launched an attack on the southern zone of Africa. With the help of the ES-COMM, the Eclipse Communications team, the ones responsible for relaying Elites’ orders or intel. Arrange a precise strike on T.I.C. bases on the coastlines, making a way for the Eclpise members to have a better passage through to complete their missions, all with one common goal. Find the Super Facility, shut it down, and retrieve data on the heart of the machines.