I walked into Hangar Bay 4, the rhythmic thud of my armored boots echoing off the metallic walls. Clad in my battle-tested exosuit, complete with an array of weapons and specialized ordinance, I felt the weight of responsibility settling over me. Today, I would meet the men and women under my command—an eclectic mix of warriors, engineers, technicians, and pilots. By 0800, they would all be assembled here, ready to receive orders from their new lieutenant.
As the minutes ticked by, the hangar began to fill. One by one, squads filed in, their movements almost robotic, a testament to their rigorous training and discipline. Each squad consisted of four members, making up a total of 36 units. They were a diverse group, each person embodying the various roles essential to a military force. Some wore the sleek, specialized exosuits of pilots, while others donned the bulkier, more rugged suits of engineers and foot soldiers. The technicians carried an array of tools and devices, ready to tackle any challenge thrown their way.
When the last squad found their place, the hangar fell silent. Every unit stood at attention, eyes forward, awaiting my word. I took a moment to survey them, feeling a swell of pride and determination. This was my team, and together, we would accomplish the impossible.
"At ease," I began, my voice steady and authoritative. "I am Lieutenant Alistair Galen, and as of yesterday, I have been promoted to lead this brigade. Today, we begin a new chapter. Our mission on Draconis IV is far from over, and we must be ready for what lies ahead."
I paused, letting the weight of my words settle over them. "I want to personally inspect every man, weapon, and device under my command. To do that effectively, we will divide into groups. corporals, engineers, pilots, communications, grenadiers... , form up by role."
The units moved quickly, reorganizing themselves into their respective groups. I walked among them, examining their gear and exchanging brief words with each member. Their equipment was top-notch, meticulously maintained and ready for battle.
"Disable the exertion assistance on your exosuits," I ordered, stepping back to address the entire group. "We will begin with physical exercises."
There was a collective murmur of acknowledgment as they complied, the mechanical whir of their exosuits falling silent. "Spread out and start with push-ups. Move through sit-ups, squats, and lunges. Keep alternating until I say stop."
The men began their exercises, the absence of their exosuit's assistance making each movement more taxing as now they had to lift the two-hundred pounds manually. I watched closely, noting their endurance and determination. They pushed through, muscles straining, until the first man faltered, collapsing to the ground in exhaustion.
"Hold!" I shouted, stepping forward. "Enable your exosuits."
They complied, the hum of power returning to their suits. "Now, strip your weapons. I want every piece disassembled and reassembled. Time starts now."
They moved with practiced precision, hands working swiftly to strip their rifles, sidearms, and other weaponry. I timed them, watching for any signs of hesitation or error. When the last weapon was reassembled, I nodded in approval.
"Well done. Now, we move to verbal tests," I announced. "Corporal Hayes, step forward."
Hayes, eager as ever, stepped out of line and snapped to attention. "Yes, sir!"
"Corporal, describe how you would handle an operation to secure a desolate hostile landing zone under heavy fire."
Hayes thought for a moment before responding. "First, sir, I would deploy our engineers to establish fortifications and set up defensive positions. Pilots would provide aerial cover while technicians work on jamming enemy communications. Foot soldiers would advance in coordinated waves to secure the perimeter."
"Good," I replied, turning to pace along the row of untis. "Now, imagine you're leading a supply convoy through enemy territory. How do you ensure the safety of your men and materials?"
After a brief delay, someone stepped forward. "I'd use scouts to survey the route ahead and set up ambush points to counter any enemy forces. Engineers would reinforce the convoy vehicles, and pilots would provide overhead reconnaissance. Technicians would keep our communications secure and ensure we stay in constant contact."
"Excellent," I said, moving down the line. "How would you extract a high-value target from an enemy stronghold?"
Someone from the other end, replied, "Sir, I'd send in a small, elite team for the extraction, using stealth and speed. We'd use decoys to divert enemy attention and have a backup extraction point in case things go south. Pilots would be on standby for a quick evac."
"Good thinking. Now, everyone, listen up," I continued. "We're moving to a complex scenario. You have one hundred minutes to draft a plan to siege a heavily entrenched, heavily defended, heavily populated center. You will work together as a brigade to come up with a solution."
The units broke off into groups, huddling together as they discussed strategies and tactics. Their officers relayed information and strategies between each group. I watched them work, noting how they uniformly collaborated and exchanged ideas. It was clear that these soldiers were not only skilled but also capable of thinking on their feet.
When the time was up, I called them back to attention. "Present your plan," I commanded.
Corporal Hayes stepped forward as the spokesperson. "Sir, we've divided our forces into three main groups. The first group, three squads, will create a diversion, drawing enemy forces away from the main target. The second group, ten squads, will focus on securing key infrastructure points, such as power grids and communication hubs. The third group, sixteen squads, will breach the main defenses and establish a foothold within the city. Our four aerial squads will provide continuous air support, and the fireteams will advance in coordinated waves."
"Impressive," I said, genuinely impressed by their thoroughness. "But what if the enemy receives reinforcements unexpectedly from the surrounding country?"
"We'd need orbital support and to adapt our strategy based on the situation," Hayes replied confidently. "The third group would need to branch to intercept enemy combatants outside of the city interior."
"And if the civilian population becomes a factor?" I asked, pushing them further.
"If the city populace turns hostile, then all units would retreat and return to hangar." Hayes added. "Our priority would be to not expose our guys to any unnecessary risk. Once all men have returned to the carrier, we would begin strafing runs upon any remaining communications depots, weapon storages, and command outposts. Then as a show of force a direct orbital removal of the capitol building."
"Well done," I said, nodding in approval. "You've shown great initiative and adaptability. This is the kind of thinking that will lead us to victory. Dismissed."
As they filed out of the hangar, I felt a sense of pride and confidence in my team. We were ready for whatever challenges lay ahead, and I was determined to lead them with honor and integrity.
Back in my cabin, I checked my credentials once more, pondering over my promotion to Lieutenant. I opened the data packages detailing our upcoming siege on Draconis IV's capital city. The task ahead was daunting, but with the people under my command, I knew we could achieve the impossible.
The plan developed by my brigade closely matched my own. I felt comfortable with the capabilities of my men and sent forth the proposal to Traxon's replacement, Commmander Phulnos.
I left the documents open on my desk as exhaustion finally claimed me. Tomorrow would mark he beginning of tactical drills to prepare the units for the siege.