“So, why do you want to join the navy?” the recruiter asked.

“I’m from Nèze,” Evan Barnesworth explained. “My younger brother and sister are among the Ishvalty’s hostages. They’re the only family I have left. I intend to do everything I can to save them.” The recruiter raised an eyebrow and made a note.

“I wish you the best of luck in your quest. You’ve indicated an interest in both ground combat and space combat,” the navy recruiter said. “Which would you prefer?”

“Both,” he replied.

“You appear particularly well suited to ground combat,” the recruiter stated. Barnesworth’s massive frame encouraged everyone to view him as a fighter. “Your best chance of making it into the armed forces lies on the path of ground combat. My marine corps recruiter friends would fight over you.”

“I’d rather not go into the marine corps,” Barnesworth stated. “There’s no reason to limit myself to just ground combat.”

“Pick one,” the recruiter urged.

“Both,” Barnesworth repeated.

“You’re only allowed one selection,” the recruiter stated.

“I’d like to select both.” Barnesworth did not waver.

“It’s just you are an ideal candidate for ground combat. I don’t exactly speak with a regional martial arts champion every day.”

“I’m more than just a mixed martial arts champion,” Barnesworth insisted. “I’ve got what it takes to get into the Missile Control program.”

“If you choose ground combat, you will likely end up as an officer. Would you like a leadership position in ground combat?” The recruiter continued to attempt to pigeonhole Barnesworth.

“I’m interested in a leadership position in both paths,” Barnesworth said. The recruiter sighed.

“If you were to choose Missile Defense, your chances of making it through the program would be higher. Everyone chooses Missile Control.”

“I enjoy Missile Defense,” Barnesworth admitted. “But I love Missile Control. I’ve always wanted to be a fighter pilot, frankly.”

“Fighter pilot? As of now, fighters are infeasible due to our failures in shield technology innovations. Maybe in five hundred years. You probably won’t qualify for a Missile Control career, but I’ll see if I can accommodate you. You will have to work twice as hard if you really want to do this. Especially as an officer. Are you ready for that level of commitment?”

“I’m ready,” Barnesworth declared.

* * *

Barnesworth woke from his reverie.

“You ready for this?” Ensign Ruiz asked him. Barnesworth snapped back to the present. His first battle against the Ishvalty had finally come.

“Hell yeah, I’m looking forward to kicking some ass,” Barnesworth said. “This is what I signed up for.”

“Lieutenant Williams, what’s your status?” Barnesworth heard Commander Pollock in his ear. The gruff, hard-nosed Commander had always been tough on Barnesworth.

“Ready to board, Commander,” Williams replied. The Ishvalty continued to erratically maneuver their ship in an attempt to escape. The landing ship’s pilot kept up with their every move.

“Proceed with the landing and board when ready,” Commander Pollock ordered.

The landing craft approached the enemy vessel. The ship glided down and perched itself atop the dropship’s bridge. Barnesworth laid eyes on the three Ishvalty as he gazed through the viewing window. The window’s blast shield slammed shut.

The utility droid’s combat laser sheared through the composite alloy bulkhead slowly but surely. A hole leading to the cockpit appeared. Barnesworth dropped in with his blast shield held at the ready.

“No visuals,” he reported. The bridge was empty, save Barnesworth. The marines dropped into the troop transport one by one. Power to the ship’s gravitation fields seemed to be still intact. Barnesworth inserted the remote command module into the craft’s main computer. The ship righted its course and began to proceed towards The Schengen’s Hope.

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“Clear,” Barnesworth reported.

“The dropship shows three heat signatures in the engine room,” Pollock said. “Approach carefully. The enemy will be armed and dangerous.”

They expected the Ishvalty to be armed with the navy’s own Mk. VII Pulse Repeater Rifles. The rifles were powerful enough to make quick work of their blast shields. The marines would have their own pulse repeaters set to stun, due to the necessity of keeping the Ishvalty alive. The marines formed up outside the door to the cabin.

Barnesworth stormed into the main section of the dropship. The long, gray cabin was empty, as expected. The group approached the door to the engine room.

“Permission to breach the engine room, Commander,” Barnesworth asked.

“One moment,” Pollock said. “Due to the Accords, I’m required to attempt to reason with them.” The men all laughed at the thought. “Assume breach formation.” The soldiers moved into position.

The utility droid wheeled through the engine room’s droid door and projected Pollock’s tall, lean virtual image into the room. The computers would translate his words into the language of the Ishvalty, Ish. Pollock’s voice swept through the room.

“This is Commander Pollock of The Schengen’s Hope. You are ordered to surrender immediately. This is the only way I can guarantee your survival.”

Drok’Thal laughed. “There is only one way this ends,” he replied. “I will kill all your men and you will watch in horror as they die.” The three Ishvalty leveled their weapons and fired at the droid. The sharp snap of pulse rifle fire rang out. The pulse rifle fire shredded the droid.

“They’re holed up behind the pillar next to the engine. Be very careful not to shoot the engine,” Pollock spoke to the marines. “Breach the room in standard protocol.”

“Roger that, sir,” they replied.

The marines stormed into the room. A hailstorm of repeater blasts flew towards them. The Ishvalty concentrated their fire on the lead trooper, burning a hole in his shield. The hole in his shield left him vulnerable, and the Ishvalty took advantage. A repeater blast caught Ensign Ruiz in the upper chest, killing him instantly. The Ishvalty were firing the pulse rifles faster than their limits, enabling them to quickly overwhelm the marine’s shields. Eventually they would overheat but until then the marines were in great peril.

Ensign Ruiz’s sacrifice gave the rest of the men time to take cover behind a support pillar. The Ishvalty were taking cover behind the pillar in the back of the room. The enemy continued to fire at the pillar, risking overheating their weapons.

The marines stepped into formation. Three shields stood side by side, ready to protect the gunners providing cover fire. Williams motioned to charge the enemy position. The enemy fire met their shields the moment they turned the corner. The marines’ return fire didn’t connect. The Ishvalty were barely peeking around the corner, giving the marines too small a target. The Ishvalty continued to concentrate their fire on the middle of the shield formation as they closed the gap. His shield failed him at the end of the charge. He took a repeater blast to the chest and took his last breath. Damn, Barnesworth thought. We’ve got to stop this. The Ishvalty’s weapons began to overheat and malfunction. Williams took note.

“We need to hit them before their guns recharge,” he said. He bravely pushed around the corner.

Williams fired blindly as he rounded the corner. The Ishvalty attempted to fire back, but their guns finally failed due to overheating. The Ishvalty clearly didn’t know how to keep the gun’s heat vent open. Hugo shot the first Ishvalty in the chest, stunning him. The remaining Ishvalty dropped their guns and were on top of him in an instant. Williams dodged out of the way of the first punch, but Drok’Thal’s kick connected with his side. He dropped his gun to block a punch intended for his head. The small confines left no room for gunfire without risking friendly fire, so the rest of the marines joined the brawl.

Williams struggled to get inside the Ishvalty’s long reach. The marine hit the floor after taking a punch to the face. Barnesworth knew he was down but not out. We’re running out of men, Barnesworth thought. I have to end this. The Ishvalty continued to deftly evade every punch thrown at them. Barnesworth finally landed a punch, after the Ishvalty overextended in its attempts to knock out another marine. The Ishvalty staggered, leaving its guard open. Barnesworth’s slammed his fist into his chest, dropping him.

The last Ishvalty, Drok’Thal, lashed out at another marine, connecting solidly with his jaw. He hit the floor and didn’t get back up. The Ishvalty threw another haymaker at Barnesworth, sensing the enemy’s greatest fighter, but missed wildly. He took a punch to the jaw for his troubles but stayed standing. Both of the injured Ishvalty slowly returned to their feet. The fight was now even, three versus three.

Blows flew through the air thick and fast. An Ishvalty landed a lucky left hook, dropping another marine. The Ishvalty yelled in victory. His victory cry was cut short as the butt of a pulse repeater slammed into the back of his skull. The Ishvalty crumpled to the floor. The first fallen marine was back in the fight.

Williams struggled to stay standing amidst the onslaught of blows from the blue-green Ishvalty. A blow finally connected with his face, and he staggered back. A straight left left him unconscious. The two remaining marines overwhelmed the other Ishvalty, knocking him out as Williams fell.

Drok’Thal fought brilliantly. He dodged punches from both marines and landed a kick, knocking Barnesworth to the floor. He advanced on the final marine. The smaller human didn’t stand a chance. The Ishvalty leaned away from the marine’s straight right and hit back with a crushing straight right of his own. The Ishvalty roared in victory. Barnesworth reached for his gun.

A non-lethal repeater blast slammed into the Ishvalty’s chest. Barnesworth fired blast after blast into the final Ishvalty. Got him. The Ishvalty hit the floor and stopped moving. Barnesworth let out a sigh of relief. The last man standing winced from the pain in his side. The Ishvalty’s kick had knocked him down but not out. He cuffed the fallen Ishvalty, finalizing their victory.