An explosion could be heard in the distance, or would be heard if this wasn't space. Better to say that the vibrations from an explosion activated the stasis pods of the clones preemptively. It would seem that it was time for them to land. Each and every one of the G4 series of clone troopers are top of the line super soldiers. Unfortunately revision 7s are a joke series of cowards designed to run a gauntlet for a bloodsport tv program famous in the local sector. With the physical capabilities only slightly above average men, and only some mind imprint combat training they were not truly expected to survive the gauntlet. Those that did survive were compensated, and offered new upgraded bodies and proper training. There would be none of that happening here.

G4-r7 #0913 opened his eyes for the first time. Gary was confused, he had not been here just a minute ago. He could've sworn that he was about to die. He appeared to be laying in a futuristic pod. He felt vibrations shaking his pod. The pod began to move and tilt. It unceremoniously dropped him onto the cold metallic floor. He looked around confused. Around him there were hundreds of other Garys looking around just as confused as him. They were all wearing skin tight black jumpsuits, no shoes, and no helmets. A gun landed in front of him, he grabbed it and slung it over his shoulder.

"Alright idiots! Bend your knees and you might survive the landing!" A voice could be heard coming from the ship's intercom.

The floor suddenly opened up. Gary slid down out into the open air. The clones were screaming. Gary was screaming. They were approaching the ground at extreme speeds. The city they were rapidly approaching did not look soft enough to lighten the landing. Gary's suit made a noise that he couldn't hear on account of the screaming, and of the clone's descent began to slow down. While at this speed he could probably survive the fall, though he'd likely do it with a few broken bones. Gary bent his knees, and closed his eyes.

Splash!

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Gary swam his way onto shore. His landing was likely one of the better ones, as he'd come out of it with only a few minor bruises. As he stepped onto the waterfront he caught sight of a beautiful multi colored metallic city with massive spires, and greenery everywhere. It was solarpunk heaven. That was the name of the city, his mind imprint had come with its name. Gary's current objective was to make his way into the bowels of the city via one of the spires. He noticed that if it weren't for the ear shattering screams of his fellow clones the city was quiet. Too quiet, and empty. Gary emptied the water from out of his gun and aimed it at a bench overlooking the river. He pulled the trigger, and red hot plasma drilled a hole into the poor defenseless bench. It still worked! Also that his Aim had improved considerably. He thanked the mind imprint. With that he proceeded to make his way into the city.

Gary made his way through another alley way. The city was remarkably clean. As if it had never been lived in. There were no cars, there was no trash, there were various brightly lit stores with no product inside. He felt fortunate that the floor was metallic. It was a little cold, but he can only imagine the torment he would have felt walking through rough terrain without any shoes. The screams of the other clones had died down. Every once in a while he could hear one or two of them. The city must have been larger than it looked from above, as he had yet to meet anyone, let alone another clone. The spire was not looking like it was getting any closer. He just needed some method of transportation to speed this up before he either starved. He hadn't been given any food, and a city was not a good hunting ground. There were fortunately plenty of water fountains dotted around. He wondered if he could eat some of the local flora. It was likely, but experimenting would not be in his best interests. Despite his expectation that death would not be the end, as had been proven to him by his multiple deaths, he still had a will to live. Death was painful, and kept dropping him into ridiculous situations that he wanted no part in. Of course he had to learn to adjust, and perhaps carve out a place for himself in these new lives. He felt that he wasn't doing a good job of that. There was no point in regretting his past actions. He needed to focus on the present, and what will be done going forward.

There was plasma fire in the distance. Alot of plasma fire. Gary rushed his way over. Not to help in any way, but to firstly assess the threat, and secondly pick up any scraps if there was anything useful to be found in this city. At worst he'd only find a dead clone. While not keen on the idea he was open to cannibalism. His stomach was beginning to rumble, and he didn't know how long he could last. The clones would understand, they were also him after all.