Signing Day
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| |
| Signing Day | |
|---|---|
| Story information | |
| Author | Chris G. Lane |
| Type | Short Story |
| Product | Shrapnel Issue 11 |
| Content | |
| Universe Date | 2 September 3029 |
Signing Day is a short story by Chris G. Lane that was published in the eleventh issue of Shrapnel, and it shows the story of a new recruit of the Waco Rangers.
Plot summary[edit]
The young Jedidiah Johansson leaves his home. On planet were two mercenary units working for the Lyran Commonwealth, and he had enlisted as soldier in one of those to escape the planet. He took a train to their destination, and onboard he meets one of his friends, named Roderick Johnson. He was enlisting too in the same unit, but as a technician. Jed soon falls sleep in his seat.
During the way, the train suffers an accident, and Jed awakes into a chaos, with Roderick tugging him. Quickly, both get out of the train. The explosions they hear around indicated to Jed that it wasn't an accident an all, but an attack by the Kuritans.
Luckily for both friends, they were already in their destination, and they were picked up by the man who awaits them, Sergeant Reynolds, which orders them to get into his truck and welcomes into their new family, Waco Rangers.
Soon after, the truck stops into the Rangers FOB... but it was under attack of the Kuritans also: BattleMechs were attacking the perimeter near the three, and the defenders were too few to stop the Kuritans to breach the perimeter.
When the Rangers' sentinels mobilize, the tide begins to turn, but then Kuritan infantry enters into the base. A grenade detonation makes Jed fall, but before a Kuritan soldier can kill him, the sergeant kills him. Reynolds orders the young one to follow him. Jed tries to get Roderick up... but he uncovers than is too late: the grenade had killed him.
Without choice, Jed takes the weapons and ammo of the killed Kuritan and follows the sergeant through the base, killing some enemies. The Rangers 'Mechs were already pushing back the attackers, forcing them to retreat and Jed and the sergeant finds themselves safely.
Reynolds congratulates Jed for his actions, and they went to see a medic and check him, while the young thinks about how had been his first day in his new job.
Featured characters[edit]
- Jedidiah Johansson
- Reynolds
- Roderick Johnson