The ship rumbled, he sat back in his familiar seat waiting to land on the planet. There were many new faces, ones that replaced the old ones, boys with a bleak expression on their faces. They just came from basic training and today would be their first day of battle. Many of them wouldn't make it out.
Jace didn't feel as panicked as he did the first time, also not as afraid. He was given goal from his superiors and he had to live up to them. That didn't mean anxiety didnt get a hold of him, but it meant that he wasn't shaking in his spot.
Vander was the new kid in his squad. Blonde, blue eyes, average build. Aside from his timid and soft spoken attitude he was the complete copy of his son Rory. The one Bowin suspected for not being his.
He didn't want too look at the boy often as it reminded him of his past, one that now, for some reason scared him.
"Okay boys!" Sench started, "Today you all will be under control of Sani, as you already know
40 of you will be sent to take the sewer exit. Good luck!"
The ships landed 40 km away from the city of Santos. They were told that this was the closest they could land without being shot down.
The planet was a cold one, upon setting foot on the planet the cold sting was quick to find Bowin. There was snow everywhere, providing a thick layer you had to walk in with every step.
The soldiers had extra thick clothing on of course, long thick sleeves that would not have them freeze to death. That was all it would do.
You couldn't see as far as the snow would block your vision.
Every breath Bowin would take would result in a damp coming from his nose, he shivered.
Multiple ships started landing one after another, most of them were stored with people but some of them held tanks.
Soon enough 3000 people were present.
"It's a lot of people." Rollo said, he held himself like he was trying to warm himself.
"You ever been in a battle this big?" Vander asked Rollo nodded, "My first one, 5000 people, it was crazy you should've been there."
"And the squad leader?" Vander turned to Bowin.
"Nah." Rollo responded fast, he had a smirk on his face, "This one will be Balls his first."
Vander's looked discouraged, "oh."
"Don't worry," Jace came in, "Bowin is smart, he'll get us trough this."
"Maybe, or maybe balls will get us killed." Rollo laughed.
That was right, Bowin was now in directly responsible for every life in this group. How do I even do this? He thought. He pulled together some confidence to safe face.
Then the march started, the cold sting faded a bit as they started moving.
1 km, 2 km, every step they took had to be high as the snow came up to their knees. 3 km, 4 km, it was then when Bowin realized how long this would actually take.
Some snowflakes, very thick as they were, would end up in Bowin's eyes, he would squint to prevent this as much as possible.
His cheeks were could too as these were one of his only parts exposed to the cold air, some of the cold air would creep down his neck.
His fingers were freezing, even now, not even an hour on this planet, moving them became difficult.
They walked some more, it seemed endless. With only white snow and dark yellow armor of the soldiers to be seen.
"Howl long we got left?" Rollo asked. "Just another 34 kilometers." Bowin responded.
"What!?" It was a high pitched squeak from Vander.
"Yeah man we've been walking forever now." Rollo said, he had clearly been freezing, his nose being red. Vander was worse of. His teeth chattered like he waw some kind of nutcracker.
"It's only been a hour," Bowin responded, he kept his hand infront of his head, the storm had been increasing it's power.
More walking for more hours. There was not a single life form to be seen beside humans, to think that they would do battle in this weather.
Jace hadn't once complained, no, he walked in silent determination without stopping. His eyes were focused in on the distance, whatever he was thinking about, it kept him focused.
Darkness came quickly. On a planet like this the sun was out early but kept the same energy when leaving. And when it was dark it was very dark, you couldn't see a hand hovering infront of your face.
For that reason, the setting up of the tents was very difficult. Bowin had to guide his squad in how to do it, he struggled in it. Vander would get confused at Bowin's guidance and tended to complain about it. Rollo was the most experienced when it came to things like these and helped out were necessary.
Before Bowin could go to sleep a meeting was called for the squad leaders of their ship. He went to the central. There were many centrals now of course, they would then relay the information to the ship leaders, or the ones that temporarily held their position. And the rest would trickle down to the Squad leader.
The central cam of the squad leader was were its name indacated it would be. There Sani would tell everyone that the next day battle would definitely would happen and everyone must be prepared.
She talked about the one most likely to be send out to hold them back. Quitney was his name, and he would probably lead a group of 3000 men.