Through Heaven's Eyes

January 11, 2008

Xenet 71.43.1 System Msg

TTY31201.01.11

Network Connection Enabled
_____________________________

It feels colder than usual. The Torden Plains are hot and volcanic but somehow, I feel a sudden chill.

The Bane are advancing on Irendas Colony. The PAU's are holding off the small fry pretty well with those new laser turrets for support.. The battle has been going for a few hours now. Every now and then I can see some stray artillery blast the battlefield, tossing Bane and AFS as if they were nothing but toys.

It's strange to watch the battlefield like this, so far from the action, yet knowing so very well what it is the be part of it. Somehow, there is some twisted serenity to be seen from here.

The ground beneath me begins to quake. My balance falters and I nearly fall to my knees as fissures erupt in the field before me.

Striders.

Three gigantic weapons rise from the ground. They advance toward the trenches. With each step my heart pounds harder and harder in my chest. In but a few seconds, they have reached my fellow soldiers and have begun their attack.

I bring my torqueshell rifle to my shoulder as I drop to a crouch. Humming emits from the power cells as I click the safety off. An arc of electricity dances around inside the long barrel.

“Range: 74 meters. Elevation: 2 degrees.” I whisper as my finger wraps around the trigger.

I pull a breath in and begin to slow my heart. Holding my breath, I stare downrange at my target, eyes fixed and true.

The window is open, my target is vulnerable. “Fire!” says my mind. Releasing my lungs, I squeeze the trigger.

~ Jacob Mjolner