Proselytize: Prologue
#1 of Proselytize
It's a story in which things happen read it or don't it is up to you just remember to vote and fave if you like it.
He leaned back against the wall unable to support himself completely; fatigue and pain weighing down his broken body. A warm trickle of red flowed down his left arm which hung uselessly at his side. His heart pounded in his chest, a similar thumping resonated around the room. He knew that this was it, that they were just outside the door battering at the only thing keeping them apart from him. The door started to bend inward, distorting as the creatures outside bashed against the metal. He raised his right arm and leveled his sidearm pointing it in the direction of the door, waiting for it to give way. A loud clang echoed through the room as the door crumpled inward allowing the foremost creature to advance past the former obstruction. Without hesitating, he emptied the remainder of his clip into the creature's elongated head, watching the muzzle flash reflect off of the creature's black exoskeleton, its blood arching through the air. Just as the creature hit the ground another scrambled over its corpse reaching his weakened form in seconds. He felt the full force of the creatures mass as he was rammed into the wall, his vision faded as oblivion took him.
ONE DAY PRIOR
He sat with his back against the cold metal wall trying hard to ignore the low hum of the UD-4B Cheyenne dropship's engines as he reflected upon his latest orders. Shortly after waking earlier that morning he had been stopped in the hall by one of the commanding officers who instructed him to head over to the dropship bay for transportation to his new post. He had been reassigned planetside to a research facility about which he knew absolutely nothing. Its location and purpose kept secret from all but a select few most of whom resided within the facility itself.
He looked around at the other cargo eyeing up the crates of rations and ammunition that filled the rest of the hold. He was the only person on the ship, not including the flight crew. The ship was sent out to make a supply drop and it had been decided that there was enough space to squeeze in the young private saving the dropship's crew an additional trip.
He felt his weight shift as the ship altered course and began its descent onto the landing pad. The engines' whine ceased as the ship came to rest at its destination and the loading ramp began its decline creating a slight hiss as the pressure equalized and the sound of metal grating on metal before thumping softly upon its contact with the ground. He stood and made his way down the ramp only to be temporarily blinded by the light of the planet's sun and quickly moved his hand to shield his eyes. His vision soon cleared as his eyes adjusted to the sudden increase in light and he began taking in his surroundings. Various people were busy carrying supplies from the drop zone into the facility while others stood by supervising ready to step in and assist if a worker should get injured. Multiple guards stood watch at the entrances to both the gate which was the only gap in the wall that separated the facility from the surrounding forest as well as the entrance to the facility itself; keeping a watchful eye over the area.
It was then that he noticed someone approaching him at a brisk pace. Even from a distance he could tell that the stocky black haired man was dressed in full combat gear. He identified the man's rank as captain as the distance between them diminished allowing him to see the captain's patch. The captain came to halt a meter in front of him as he snapped into a position of attention, his hand pressing against his head in salute.
"At ease marine." The captain ordered dismissively. "You are Private Dalton R. Hawk correct?"
"Yes sir, I am." Dalton answered, lowering his arm and letting it rest at his side.
"I'm Ethan Clayton your new commanding officer." The captain said extending his hand in Dalton's direction.
"It's a pleasure to meet you sir," Dalton replied as he extended his grip, his hand meeting the captain's and giving it a strong shake. "But if you don't mind me asking. Why is a captain the C.O. of the entire defense force, surely there is someone of higher rank here?"
"There isn't, I am the highest ranking officer here." The captain said as he turned and made his way back to the facility entrance. "When the initial defense force for this facility was chosen the deciding factor was skill not rank, unfortunately the same cannot be said of their replacements, who are as green as pond scum and just as useless."
"Well sir I haven't done anything other than training either. Why would I be any different?" Dalton inquires as they stroll passed the guards and through the facility entrance.
"Yes, but unlike the others you actually scored well in training." Cpt. Clayton replied as they continued further into the structure.
"I bet they didn't feed you on the way here. If you want food just follow the signs to the mess hall. I will send someone for you tomorrow, until then feel free to wonder about." He continued.