Chapter 1: The Kashubian Dragon
Major Mohan Dara was trying to treat today like he would any other day. He realized he had been spooning around his breakfast while lost in his thought. All the food on his tray mixed into a jumbling mess. He had to maintain his military bearings; he had to show composure although all he wanted to do was celebrate his brother’s arrival in full fanfare. Kabir would finally be joining him, after so many years apart.
I wonder how much he has changed. Hopefully, his time in the service had sedated his foolhardy nature. The thought made an unintentional grin appear.
Composure, he thought, as he subdued the grin.
An alarm sounded, disrupting his mostly uneaten meal.
“Why now? I just got my damn food,” Mohun heard a junior enlisted soldier say.
The Major locked eyes with the man giving the youth a look which seemed to say, military bearings, soldier.
“Sorry, sir,” the soldier said, averting his gaze downward
“It’s fine, sit down and eat. The alarm is most likely not for your unit,” Mohun assured.
“Yea, they probably need some Engineer Techs to fix that leaky dam again,” a seated soldier said as he tugged his friend’s sleeve, signaling him to sit down.
“Code Black,” the intercom system announced in a booming voice. The announcement caused the chattering in the mess hall to instantly dissipate.
Being the senior officer in the area, Major Mohun Dara sprang to his feet and yelled, “Technicians suit up, enlisted men get to the armory, and grab your rifles. Then all of you need to report to your units for further orders.”
With that, the major grabbed the white helm that he had placed in the seat next to him and put it on before darting out of the room.
“Whoa, that guy is a Trauma Tech?” the hungry soldier asked his friend.
“What gave it away, Henri; was it the white Tech suit?” His friend jested sarcastically.
“Why was he already suited up? He’s not on duty yet, it meal hour, and he had a rifle, Toya,” Henri said in confusion, completely ignoring Corporal Toya’s teasing.
“That’s just how he is, anyway let’s get going to the armory. I think we are about to be in for a long day,” Toyo said looking around at the rapidly emptying mess hall.
***
“Major Dara, the commotion is coming from the town,” Lieutenant LeGraad said, as he scrambled to put his Technician suit on.
“Alright, Lieutenant, let’s—”
“Major, I think you misunderstand. I am advising that you stay away from the town, Code Blacks are no place for a non-combatant Technician. It’s going to be a battlefield out there,” LeGraad interrupted.
Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.
“Precisely why I need to be there, LeGraad. There are going to be casualties, soldier and civilian alike.”
“But, sir—”
“Lieutenant, ‘Every Technician is first and foremost a soldier and a weapon’. I will be fine,” Major Dara said, reminding the junior officer of the Technician’s Creed.
“Right, sir, my apologies,”
“It’s ok, my friend,” Mohun said as he took inventory of the medkit in his MOLLE pouch, “plus, I am a pretty good shot,” pointing to the rifle strapped to his back.
“Yea, just ‘pretty good,’” LeGraad said with a chuckle while pointing to the Expert shooter insignia etched into the major’s Tech suit. “I better get going, I need to report to my XO.”
“Wait, LeGraad, I saw Specialist Coheer in the hall, and in the commotion, I forgot to tell her—, anyways will you tell her for me, to get to the communication tower, find a Frequency Tech, and relay to the Kashubian Dragon what the situation on the ground is. I think we are gonna need the heavy guns for this one."
“What, my explosions won't be heavy enou—wait, like The Kashubian? It’s coming today? Oh, shit, that’s so cool," LeGraad stopped when he saw the major giving him a contemptuous look, “I know, I know ‘military bearings’, but I am tracking, Major Dara. I'll pass on the message. Anything else you need me to relay?”
“Actually, yes, tell Coheer to tell the tower that Major Dara is also requesting Frequency Technician Captain Keera report to the eastern gate of the town. I will meet her there. Dismissed, and thank you again, my friend, for your concern.”
“No, problem, someone’s gotta watch your ass and keep you alive, sir,” he said jokingly. With that Lt. LeGraad took off in a full sprint, his speed greatly enhanced by his suit.
***
“Major Durga, we just received word from the Frequency Techs at Fort Drune that a code black alert was sounded for the nearby town of Resa. How would you like to respond, ma'am?” Lieutenant Zara inquired.
“I will speak with them myself. Lieutenant, may I?” Major Durga asked.
“Yes, of course,” Lt. Zara responded.
The Major placed a hand on her lieutenant’s shoulder.
“This is Major Drisana Durga, commander of the Kashubian Dragon. I am speaking through my Frequency Tech, Lieutenant Zara. Tell me, do you have anyone engaging on the ground?”
“We have a few battle Technicians and armed soldiers in the area, engaging, and a Trauma Technician helping with the wounded,” the voice on the other end spouted out the information quickly in a panicked voice.
“Do we know the source of the code black?” Drisana asked calmly.
“Not yet, but the Trauma Tech, Major Mohun Dara took a Frequency Tech with him. He was the one who asked us to reach out to you. I will send Captain Keera’s frequency to Lieutenant Zara so you can speak with Major Dara when you are within range, maybe he can shed more light on the situation.”
“Thank you. Major Durga, over and out,” Durga said, ending the transmission.
Drisana turned to face the only man under her command, Captain Kabir Dara.
“So, captain, it seems as though your brother has requested our help with this code black in Resa. Shall we oblige?” She asked with a sly grin, already knowing the answer her brash protégé would give.
“Hell yes, ma’am” Captain Kabir shouted.
“Good. Now, Captain, do me a favor, head down to the engine room, and tell the Flame Technicians to put their back into it and get us to Resa pronto. Then I need you to suit up and be ready, Shield Technician Dara.”
The Major grabbed the intercom mic and spoke,
“Matrikas,” Drisana’s voice boomed through all the battle stations, “all hands on deck, man your artillery stations and battlements, those who are off-duty better be suited up by the time I get back there. Matrikas, be ready for a fight. We are riding into a code black.”
Major Durga grinned as her Matrika’s war cries reached her ears in the cab.
The compartments were abuzz with methodical movements like the cogs in a well-oiled machine. Captain Durga’s Matrikas were ready within minutes.
“Right then, Zara, get the captain’s brother on the line as soon as we are in range, I would very much like to speak with him.”
"Roger, ma'am, I am scanning for the frequency as we speak."
I've never met a Trauma Tech before, should be interesting, Major Durga thought, as she stared intently out the window as the scenery started to fly by faster.
The Kashubian Dragon picked up speed, barreling towards the town of Resa.