As dawn broke over the horizon, Nathan and the other recruits were awoken by a loud siren.
"Wake up you maggots!" A sergeant shouted, his voice booming through the tents. "We've got a transport to catch!".
Nathan jumped out of his bed and quickly put on his new uniform. It was the standard issue Martian Camo, a red and orange pattern that worked well on the desolate Martian surface.
He looked over his shoulder, checking if his tentmates were getting up as well.
Alfredus and Alexa had already risen from their beds, and were getting dressed.
Mikhail and Thomas were still waking up, looking like a zombie as they got ready.
After everyone was dressed, they all exited the tent.
The camp was buzzing with activity. The entire base was awake, and everyone was getting ready for departure. Looking at all the people running and shouting reminded Nathan of a disturbed anthill.
"This way recruits, we are heading to the Launchpad." The Sergeant ordered.
The 100 recruits of the 579th platoon followed him through the base. As they passed the armory, Nathan looked at the weapons on display. There were the standard issue 21st century infantry rifles, and the older models of the 20th. 'I guess supplies really are running low.' Nathan gulped whilst looking at the antique weaponry.
After about 20 minutes of walking the platoon reached the Launchpad.
The launchpad was a large platform with a spaceship. It was bulky and had little elegance. It looked more like a large silo than what you would imagine of a spaceship, but it was functional.
"All recruits will board the transport vessel immediately," the sergeant ordered. "Once on the vessel, the captain will brief you on your journey.
The recruits quickly loaded onto the spaceship. As Nathan entered the vessel, he felt a sense of awe and wonder. This would be his first time traveling through space, and even though he was nervous, he couldn't help being a little excited.
After the last recruit had boarded the vessel, the hatch closed, and the crew prepared for take-off.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the pilot announced over the intercom. "This is your captain speaking. The weather today is clear, so we expect an easy take-off."
"We are scheduled for a 30-hour flight to Mars, at the halfway point we are to rendezvous with the U.A.F. fleet, and head over to the Alba Mons Military Base."
"For your own safety, we require everyone on board to fasten their seatbelts and attach an oxygen flask to your uniform."
"Please listen carefully, for this will be the only safety announcement. In the unlikely event that the ship is damaged, there are escape pods located below deck. Follow the signs in case of emergency. And please remember, the most important thing is to stay calm."
The captain paused for a second before suddenly continuing. "Now, prepare for take-off."
With that, the engines started roaring and the ship shot up into the atmosphere. The recruits responded with a mix of shock and terror as they started accelerating upwards at an incredible speed.
"Woohoo!" Nathan screamed, his eyes open in wonder as he looked out the window. "This is amazing!"
"Yeah," Alfredus replied, smiling.
Alexa's face was pale, and she was gripping her seat tightly. "Dios mio!" she exclaimed, her face contorting in fear.
Mikhail and Thomas laughed at her plight.
"It's not that bad, Alexa," Mikhail said, laughing his ass off.
"Yes, yes it is!" Alexa protested. "Humans weren't meant to move like this!"
"Calm down," Nathan laughed, placing his hand on her shoulder. "We'll be fine."
"Thank you," Alexa said, still shivering from fear.
"Exiting the upper atmosphere in T - 5 seconds," The captain announced via the intercom.
"5"
"4"
"3"
"2"
"1"
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to space!"
The ship broke through the atmosphere and shot out into the void.
A hundred relieved recruits exhaled at once, letting their muscles relax.
The intercom buzzed once more. "I forgot to tell you, but you may now release your seatbelts and get up from your chair."
Nathan and Alfredus were the first of their squad to get up and head to the windows.
"Wow, the stars are beautiful," Nathan whispered, his mouth agape.
"Indeed, they are," Alfredus agreed, being equally amazed by the beauty of the universe.
Alexa finally managed to let go of her chair and join Nathan and Alfredus.
"Wow..." she gasped, her eyes open wide in awe.
The rest of the recruits quickly gathered around the windows, and the entire cabin was filled with ooh's and ahh's.
For almost all of them, this was the first time seeing the enigmatic glamour of the universe with their own eyes.
After about an hour, the initial excitement died down and the recruits started talking to each other.
"So, Alexa, what made you join the U.A.F.?" Alfredus asked, breaking the silence.
"Huh?" Alexa responded, snapping out of her thoughts.
"I was asking what made you decide to join the U.A.F."
"Oh," Alexa said. "I wish I knew myself honestly."
"You don't know?" Nathan asked.
"Yeah, I don't have some noble reason. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing really."
Thomas started laughing. "Well, that is a lousy reason if I've ever heard one."
Alexa blushed. "Then what is your reason, smartass?"
"Me? Well, that should be obvious." He said with a serious face. "To get girls of course!"
Everyone burst out in laughter, except for Mikhail, who was too busy staring out the window.
"That's stupid," Alfredus said.
"Well, maybe," Thomas shrugged, "But at least it's not pretentious"
"I guess," Nathan replied. "But, why would you join the army for such a stupid reason?"
"Hey, don't look down on me. You don't know me son" Thomas exclaimed, flexing his biceps in an overly dramatic way.
Everyone laughed once more.
"Alright, alright," Nathan said, "I'm sorry for underestimating you."
"Good," Thomas nodded, a smug look on his face.
"What about you Mikhail, what's your reason?" Alexa asked.
"Huh, what?" Mikhail said, turning around. "Uh, yeah. To serve our glorious race!"
"Yeah, that's pretty much what we expected you to say," Alexa laughed.
Mikhail chuckled awkwardly and returned to the window.
"What about you Alfredus, what made you join the U.A.F.?" He asked.
"Well," he hesitated, "My father died in battle at the start of the war. I'm following in his footsteps to provide for my family."
The group fell silent.
"Wow," Mikhail finally said, "I'm so sorry."
"Don't worry about it, I've had plenty of time to get over it," Alfredus said.
"And you, Nathan?" Alexa asked.
"I...don't really have a reason," Nathan said.
"We both know that's not true," Alfredus teased him. "Come one Nathan, please share your reason with the class."
Nathan sighed.
"Fine, I'll tell you," he finally said.
"To.. to be a hero," He muttered.
"I'm sorry I didn't quite catch that, could you repeat?" Alfredus grinned.
"To be a hero!" Nathan blushed. "Though it's not as bad as it sounds."
"What do you mean, not as bad as it sounds? There is literally no reason worse than that." Alexa laughed.
"Oh, shut up!" Nathan said, pouting. "I was just repeating the words of that stupid recruiter."
"You're right," Alfredus smiled. "It does sound stupid."
"Well, what can you do?" Nathan shrugged.
"Hey, I never said it was a bad thing."
They all laughed and talked for the duration of the trip, getting to know each other a bit better before the hard training started.
About 15 hours into the flight, the intercom crackled again. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have just rendezvoused with the rest of the fleet, I recommend all of you go to sleep now because once we reach the base tomorrow, the real work will begin."
Nathan and the others decided to follow the advice, and went back to their seats, falling asleep shortly after.