The Judgement had taken it's place in low orbit with what seemed like much difficulty and very slowly as The Evergreen made way, Captain Errol looked enviously at the slender blue ship as it went, jealous that they did not have to deal with Winslow, who had, thankfully started making a habit of disappearing for a day or two now and again, but unfortunately, he kept re-appearing. God, Errol hated that slimy man. The Judgement halted on the threshold of Low Orbit, it's bulky grey steel looking hull glimmered in the now raising sun, peaking over the curve of the planet. Errol gave the order of dispatching his companies to the surface, assuming Winslow was already down there, hoping he was correct, as he had been gone for the best and quietest week of Errol's life, he did not even consider asking for the good Advisor's permission. The Bridge of The Judgement was very similar to that of The Evergreen, just different crew. The atmosphere had slackened greatly with Winslow's absence. Errol often fancied to let his crew relax when the times were easy, as long as they pulled their acts together when it got hairy which they always did, but today, they were simply maintaining a stationary position, deploying their companies to the planet. "Captain, ninth company, tenth platoon is finally free, full company is now descending. Still no sign of the missing shuttle, we will keep an eye out. sir." called a tactical officer from the rear of the brightly lit room. "Thank you, Ensign. Its probably in one of the service compartments and somebody's just lost the paperwork, or better yet, perhaps Winslow stole it and crashed it in to the planet." said Errol hopefully, turning his head as the heard the hissing of the entrance door opening. Errol was met with the steely condescending eyes of Winslow. Errol's day had now been ruined. "Commander Errol. Report to me." Said Winslow, Errol sat idly scrolling through with his command console at low level reports. He even went as far as to check the level of mustard in the kitchen stores monitor to ignore Winslow. "Commander!" called Winslow irritably, his fuse clearly short. Errol called over his shoulder vacantly "Captain." Winslow retorted with a scoff but did not apologize.
The steel coloured bulky landing craft landed with a jolt as it touched down in Red Sector One, the soldiers emptied in an orderly fashion, lined in pairs, weapons slung over their shoulders, each carrying a box of rations or ammunition. Theo Richmond followed his Lieutenant, Jessica Jones, a well built, intimidating specimen of a woman. She had a face that resembled more of a dried leather mask than that of a human face. Badly weathered lines scarred her old features. The woman of fifty years was the most professional soldier Theo had ever had the grace of meeting. He was proud and thankful to serve under her. Theo was a young soldier, only promoted to the rank of Corporal only days before, he had long swept back blonde hair that always seemed to attract all the dirt in the all the worlds, it never held its blonde colour long when he was planet side. His face smooth and handsome except for a slightly hooked and crooked nose that had been broken many times in bar fights as a teenager before he signed up to the military. This planet had nothing to impress him with thus far. The ground was dry and cracked, only small patches of yellowy green grass dotted the fields surrounding the compound, he eyed the surrounding trees with much boredom once he was stationed upon the metal walls, the local map told of a village not far off into the east, he stared at the trees as if willing them to show him the settlement. His squad, Private Richard Henderson and Private Jack Blake sat cleaning their weapons and counting their bullets, helmets off and cast upon the floor untidily. They had not experienced the Mares that had previously attacked and felt much at ease as the breeze ran its fingers through their hair lovingly, casting them into a false sense of security.
As the sun began to show its beautiful face the next day, Theo was called to Jessica's quarters, a room all to herself must be a privilege, Theo shared his room with Jack and Richard, yes it had its bonus of lack of loneliness, but the night had been hot and close, and Jack had the cafeteria's curry... it did not agree with him. Not one bit. Theo was glad to be away from his deathly toxic stink. Jessica was signing papers on her desk for a plain clothed runner who saluted and disappeared quickly. Lieutenant Jones walked over to her chrome armour with its fresh red lines down the sides and finished polishing it, as Theo and his sergeant, Wilhelm stood, patiently waiting. "Gentlemen." she said eventually, her voice was as rough as her face. "We have a mission! Yay for us! Apparently, there is a red killing machine creature that had killed a few of our boys and girls from The Evergreen, and base command here in Sector One. Well, they have apparently found the local nest, our orders are to seek and destroy. We move out at zero four hundred hours. Get your boys ready." she said and returned to polishing her armour. Both corporals saluted and left.
Theo sat on his bunk, sharing a coffee with Jack, talking about the planet before they had to set out for their mission. They had met the Gryph only once, as they went through the checks when they first arrived, they had to be ready in two hours for their mission, the conversations with Jack were usually blunt and abrupt, always straight to the point. "Pale Bastards." he commented with a scoff as they got off their bunks to grab their armour.
"What?" asked Theo
"Them Aliens. Pale bastards they are."
Theo laughed, "Why would you just, randomly say that mate?"
"Well, they are. They're pale, and I don't like them, so they're bastards." he said as a matter of fact.
Theo shook his head, "You always amaze me, with your enormously resourceful diplomatic skills, please, run for planetary governor!" Both chuckled at the idea of Jack running the planet. With their armour on, weapons in hand, they set off, into the morning breeze. The sun had barely begun to shine. Rays of red bleeding out upon the rolling hills, the trodden sand under foot kicked up with the wind, bringing with it, the salty but sweet smell of the Red Sector food processors and local cookery buildings.