Kurika’s Rest

Lieutenant Luca “LT” Auchter

March 2256

In most, if not all rotations I’ve been on, Skua Troops aren’t sent on political missions, but, I guess when the biggest trade port that the Republic of Terra occupies has been put on strike, you got to look tough. Looking around the infantry transport vehicle, there were 5 more Skua’s and Secretary of Trade Jakara Saturi, the politician we were tasked with escorting. Saturi had been quiet the entire time, tapping her index finger every now and then. She seemed a little uneasy. “It’s alright ma’am. Skua’s ain’t the one’s you gotta worry about biting-” I started, interrupted by ‘Jackie’ or ST-50 “I don’t know about that, Gopher over here - this motherfucka will bite anything. LT just don’t like talking about Gopher’s biting habits.” Gopher, or, more professionally known as ST-51 shoved Jackie with his right arm. I chimed back in “The only thing you need to worry about biting is the Yisca.”

“They do have a troublesome history, the Yisca.” If that’s what she wants to call it… A troublesome history. Not that we had to force them into subjugation just to set up a god damn measly trade post. Shit, now they’ve blockaded it. 

Looking in the FLEETCOM tac-map holo in the middle of the bay, I checked our convoy, 4 ITV’s. The Skua's 2 ITV's in the front, and one civilian vehicle in the middle of the convoy, and the last 2 ITV's in the back. Moving at speeds of around 100 mph, I was surprised the Boot driving us wasn’t throwing us every which way. Not that I was complaining - just surprised.

On my wrist pad, I saw my comms light turn green, “Admiral Ingram to Lieutenant Auchter.” The admiral's image appeared on the center of my HUD, I looked to the team, tapped my helmet, and they understood I was talking on comms. “Aye, sir?” He sighed a little, “There’s been a phenomenon in orbit, not entirely sure what’s going on. Think the Yisca may be up to something. We’re having heavy comms disturbances. You are going to have to stop in a village, Turtara, a few miles from your position, and about an hour of travel from Juriki’tik, the city you’re being sent to. Turtara is occupied by Republic of Terra Army, and they know you’re coming. ITV Petty Officer Childers knows we’re stopping soon and is slowing down as we speak. You’re all on high alert as we speak. I need you to stick with SOT Saturi all day and night. Understood?” He explained. “Aye aye, Admiral Ingram. Keep us updated if and when the phenomenon is resolved. I don’t think prima donna is going to enjoy sleeping out in some Yisca village, sir.” I responded. “She will survive, LT., FLEETCOM out.” With that, my comms light went dark, and I relayed the message to the rest of the team, including SOT Saturi. 

Republic of Terra, Terran Republic, or more commonly known as RT are the central government residing over about half the galaxy.

“Are you sure that’s safe?” SOT asked.

“Not sure to be honest ma’am. It’s occupied by the Army, so, might as well be. Won’t be comfy, though, that’s for sure.”

The new orders were transferred to the rest of the convoy.

As we approached the village, I looked out one of the gun hatches in the side of the vehicle and saw some Yisca children approaching our vehicle. Their avian squawks were incomprehensible to me, but, their physical gestures made it plain to see they were asking for candy or some kind of treat. 

A crowd began to form around the vehicle, adults and children, and it forced our convoy to slow down, almost to a halt.

“Petty Officer Childers, what’s going on?” I asked over comms

“I don’t know sir. Crowds aren’t usually this big on arrival. Usually just the local kids. There’s adults, tonight, too.”

“Any armed?”

“No sir.”

“Positive?”

“Shit, as positive as I can be.”

“Where’s the Army at? Thought we had forces here to help us settle in.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“They’re on the other fucking side of the crowd. We must have arrived early.”

The squawks of the Yisca got louder, more excited. I’d never seen some local birds get like this. 

“PO, if you cannot move, tell your gunner to send a warning shot.” I ordered.

“Aye aye, sir.”

We waited. Not sure how long, but, once that lull was over I heard a THUM THUM the HBT-21 above, sending those two jolts of energy through our body, especially SOT Saturi 

“Shit, why are we firing, Lieutenant?!” Saturi shrieked in response to the shot.

“Warning shot.” I said, calmly.

“No no no, we cannot be risking our mission like this. Call your men down, Lieutenant Achter.”

I sigh behind my helmet, taking my PRM-4 out of the maglock behind me, loading a charge pack into the rifle and activating the chamber. “You want to go talk to those birds, ma’am? Feel free. Me and my men don’t want to get torn to shreds out there.” She piped down afterwards. 

The calling of the Yisca quickly turned down, and instead it turned into squawks slowly going away, or what you could call a Yisca scream of fear. Of course it’s hard not to be scared when you hear a gun of that size. 

“How’s it looking PO?” I ask over comms.

“Clear. Most birds ran off into alleyways or into their homes. Making a judgment call here, sir, I think it’s best you send your team of Skua’s and the one in the ITV behind us to start clearing alleyways. Something don’t feel right here.” He responded.

“Alright.” I looked around the bay, “Lock and load boys.” Saturi looked at me expectantly “You’re gonna stay here, SOT. You’d slow us down. Childers will make sure you get to the Army safe and sound.” The rest of Domino Squad stands up ready to dismount, and I stand behind them, and flick the signal, and the bay door opens up. 

Domino Squad spills out in a matter of moments, and I behind them, all with our weapons raised at the ready for anything. 

Either side we’re surrounded by those sandstone and twig-infused huts.

I open up comms to Hoplite Squad “Hoplite, you take left alleys, Domino will take right. Follow rules of engagement. We are clearing the flanks for our convoy.” I hear Lieutenant James respond “Aye aye LT.” In a moment I see his boys dismount and take their positions to begin clearing the way. I check back on our ITV before we head out and give a two finger salute to the gunner up top, and he does the same back to me. He may be a Boot, but damn it if those gunners don’t get the job done.

A few moments later I see the rest of the Boots from the rear ITVs take up 2 columns next to the ITV convoy.

I lead my squad, with my rifle at the ready, there are two turns around a Yisca hut, and without any hesitation, I order “ST-91, take the left side, round the house and meet us at the RT Army camp. Go.”

I round the corner with my 2 other men, ST-50 and 51. We clear it well enough, until we hear the sound of some rustling in some leaves nearby behind a hut. I have my men stack up behind me as I approach the leaves, once we get there we realize it’s just some Yisca hatchling. I wave it to the side gesturing for it to get inside. It nods its beak, before it runs away, Jackie tosses it a piece of exotic licorice, and then it runs inside what I assume is its hut. 

We continue down the alleyway, clearing every which way, until we come across 5 juvenile male Yisca, you can tell their age due to their growing feathers from around their head, I gave them the same gesture I gave the hatchling. The juveniles are standing on a stairwell peering down at us.

They do not move.

“You! Skua ass!” One with yellow and red feathering said. Their broken standard with the mix of their raspy alien voice and accents unmistakable.

“Fuck off, bird” Jackie responded.

“Stand down, Jackie. They’re trying to get a rise out of you, don’t let them.” I commanded.

“Skua dog. What you master say, Skua Skua.” The same one said, unfurling his feathers, and the other juveniles trill, as the juvenile unfurls his feathers even moreso, a known challenge in Yisca culture. “Skua follow master, yes he does.”

“You gonna sit there and take that, Jacks?” Gopher asked.

The bird sets one set of sharp talons on the metal stairwell handle bar, and the other talon with one set slightly behind his cloak, giving his useless wings a little shake.

The 4 other juveniles are clicking their beaks, as if chanting.

Jackie grips his rifle a little tighter, “Shut that fucking beak, bird, ‘fore I break it!”

“Ooooh” He lets out a small clicking trill, echoing in the alleyway. “Skua wants’a fight does it? Or Skua bow like churk chuuuurk bow like dog does it, does it?”

Jackie raises his rifle, finger twitching on the trigger, I’m honestly surprised he hasn’t accidentally fired by now.

“ST-50, stand down now.” I bark, giving him a look sharp enough he could see it through my helmet. When I call him by his designation code it breaks through, and he lowers his weapon, but keeping the tight grip.

I look at the juveniles, low and clear I say “Listen. We’re here on a diplomatic mission. I don’t expect you to care, but get out of our way, and you’ll leave here to go home to your flock.”

The juveniles, including the leader, sink down a bit. Their small eyes flicker back and forth between us. They’ve probably seen what Skua can do in the vids they watch since hatching. If they even do that here anymore.The leader clearly thinks for a moment, brings his feathers in, as he does the others stop clicking, he clenches his talons, and steps aside, his group following him.

We continue on out of the alleyway, and Jackie watches the juveniles closely.

I request contact with ST-91 on my comms “ST-91, come in. ST-91, come in. Copy?” I wait for a few moments.

I watch my surroundings now that we’re a bit away from the juveniles. I look out the tight alleyways, seemingly tightening in on us as time passes and the sun goes down. I see in a small glimpse the infantry vehicle move past the sliver I can see. 

I still do not hear from ST-91.

I contact Petty Officer Childers instead. 

“PO, you hear from or see 91?”

“No sir. I have not.”

A pit in my stomach sinks in. Fuck.

“Check on SOT.” I say, tightly and quieter than I mean to. “Boss, what’s going on?” Gopher asks. “91 must have just forgotten to turn his comms on.” Jackie adds. As the two continue on it feels like the world is spinning around me. 

“Keep moving.. We’re gonna send a vehicle of Boots to find him, and the Boots from the camp as well.” I say, expecting backlash.

“LT, there’s no god damn way I’m letting some boots search for Skua’s.” Jackie belts.

“You’re going to follow my orders, Jackie. Being a Skua isn’t easy, and we make the hard choices out here. We’re here to finish a mission. The Boots will find him and his men.” I say. Jackie stares at me. I meet his stare. “I’m not arguing.”

“It’s still bullshit, LT.”

“I know.”