Imperium Army Battalion J-71 Garrison. Classified colony, Leelo System, Hemia Cluster, Tortsinan Empire territories

  August 13th, 2505

  Ranger Grim stood, and looked through the scenery from the slitted window in one of the barracks in the Hell-Takers garrison. It has been a week since the battle she fought with the Hell-Takers against Crimson Iron. She was still wearing her STR Battle armor, and have yet to take them off. Inside the armor, she felt strong, focused, and ready for action

  Outside the armor, she felt vulnerable. As far as she remembered when she enlisted then selected for Special Tactics Recon, she always kept a mask on even when off-duty, even when wearing a battle-dress uniform, and even when on formal uniform. The way Grim saw it, a face can reveal many things, even used for nefarious purpose. It’s why she doesn’t trust so easily. The only people who saw her behind the mask was Kate and the Hawkins family, since Grim trusted them, especially when they adopted her after they helped her out of a life she no longer wanted to be a part of. Adjustment was difficult at first, but the Hawkins helped her in whatever way they could. And in return, she felt grateful for them ever since, seeing them as family.

  And so, Grim, was ruminating and found herself focused on the red-hue sky and the sands and the mountains that stretch as far back from the garrison, only her balaclava mask hid her from prying eyes. Rather than finding herself ruminated with heavy thoughts that weighed on her over a number of times.

  “Grim?” Her thoughts were interrupted, then turned her eyes to see Sergeant Erica Amsler and Corporal Victor Gallo who just entered the barracks. They looked fresh from the shower they took after a patrol a few hours ago, and were wearing their sand-colored BDUs and their faces was all to see after they unsheathed their helmets. She couldn’t help but feel a measure of attraction to both soldiers. Gallo’s face showed his southern Europe heritage of Old Earth, with his sun-kissed face, his hazel-colored eyes, and light brown hair.

  Likewise, Amsler’s face showed a fair skin, green-colored eyes, and dirty blonde hair.

  Whatever dirty thoughts she had for them, she left that in her mind as it was more likely both of them paid a visit to check up on her. Amsler and Gallo joined with Grim, and stared at the window.

  “That’s some view, yeah?” Amsler purred. “Mhmm…” Grim nodded, then Gallo shifted his eyes to the Ranger, with gentleness. “How are you feeling?”

  Grim shifted her eyes to both Imperium soldiers, then sighed “What do you think?”

  “That you are not feeling alright, Grim.” Amsler stated. “What happened with O’Ren… It wasn’t your fault.”

  Grim sighed slightly, “Of course not, sometimes the Reaper puts their card on the table and decides when someone is gonna die, whether that someone likes it or not. Just ruminating on the past.”

  “Whatever it is, Grim, we’ll keep it a secret. That’s an oath.” Gallo shifted gently, “We promise.” Amsler shifted gently as well.

  Grim took a breath, and then “The whole Woman of Mystery persona? It’s like an armor I wear to keep myself grounded and not let myself get used.”

  “Right. Go on.” Amsler gestured. “I wasn’t always like this, Amsler. I was… a different person from a different life. I hated that person, I wanted to cut it away, make my own path. But I couldn’t do it alone…”

  Gallo nodded, then gestured for Grim to continue “I met a person, who became my best friend. Through my adolescence, she helped me understand myself, to follow my own path, to be myself. In a way, I owe her my life.”

  Amsler held her emotions in check. The story that Grim was telling may be vague, but she understood where the Ranger was coming from. Gallo swallowed himself, and felt some sort of kinship with Grim.

  “She’s more than my best friend, mates.” Grim swallowed, then exhaled slowly “She’s my sister. A sister I trust and would take a bullet too if need be.”

  “Might we ask who’s that friend? As we promised, we won’t tell it to anyone.” Gallo inquired, which made Grim chuckle. When she looked both Hell-Takers in the eyes earlier, she already knew that these people would keep secrets to their graves and won’t blab about it.

  “Hawkins. Kate Hawkins.” Grim answered. Both Amsler and Gallo rubbed their chin at that name. “Hawkins. She wouldn’t happen to be related to The Sparrow, would she?” Gallo inquired

  Ahh shit, Grim grimaced under her helmet, especially when she didn’t want to delve into the topic of Hawk’s great-grandfather. Amsler and Gallo noticed her body language, and deduced this was not a comfortable topic.

  “For what it’s worth, me and Gallo see the Sparrow as a hero in spite of his notorious reputation. In my view, heroes aren’t always paragons of virtue. Sometimes, they make hard choices to ensure there’s a better tomorrow, even if those choices aren’t popular.”

  Grim took her moment and thought of what Amsler said, and it’s true. In this galaxy, no one can ever be pure. And with the struggle the FDA and STR had against the UHD, extreme measures must be taken if were they ever to see liberation in their lifetimes.

  “You worried that your friend could face a situation where she must make a very hard decision?” Gallo inquired. “Yes.” Grim answered quickly, too quick for Gallo’s liking.

  “I won’t lie to you, Grim. There will come a day where it will happen. And it will weigh heavily on her conscience. When that day comes, be there for her as a friend. The last thing she needs after making a hard decision is feeling alone.” Amsler gave advice.

  “You could’ve been a psychiatrist, Erica. Because that was some good advice.” Grim huffed mockingly. Amsler chuckled, and paid no mind when the Ranger mentioned her first name “Yeah, I studied to become one, but I felt I’d more good being a soldier. Of course, you piss off an officer with a lot of clout and I end up here.”

  “Sounds like your Imperium is filled with donkey-shit.” Grim remarked, which both Amsler and Gallo laughed.

  “You wouldn’t believe it. During an operation in our borders, me and my former unit found civilians who were in hiding and needed help. My CO, who’s a total dipshit with delusions of fame, wanted us to leave them to die and focus against the enemy. I disobeyed his order, called medevac, and here I am.” Gallo shared his story.

  Grim gritted her teeth, and closed her fist “No offense, but if I were you, would’ve smashed your CO’s teeth.”

  Gallo chuckled at the sentiment “I don’t blame you.”

  Amsler took a breath, and then “For what it is worth, the story you shared with us…. It’s beautiful.”

  “Thanks…. I think” Grim didn’t know how to feel about this. Silence stood in the barracks for several minutes, until…

  “So, about that party…” Gallo spoke first.

  “I’m in, no questions asked.” Grim answered. Amsler grinned widely, since she expected the Ranger to refuse. Grim noticed the grin on Amsler’s face. “Something tells me you got something special, in mind.”

  “Depends on how many miles you’ll run.” Amsler spoke in a seductive tone.

  “I can run a marathon.” Grim spoke with confidence, then her face ran red from fluster and her body language shifted from this tension. Amsler glanced at Gallo, then glanced back to Grim and giggled. “You’re adorable when you’re flustered, you know that?”

  Grim stammered a bit, “Yea.. Yeah. Sorry, I have this bad habit.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Grim. We want you to enjoy the victory party with us, no strings attached.” Gallo encouraged.

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  Usually, this would’ve been a breach of conduct in the Imperium’s armed forces. But then again, Grim was only in an Imperium colony on a mission within a territory that allowed for plausible deniability. And besides, the Hell-Takers were made up of soldiers who found way in this hellhole because the brass saw them as malcontents and undesirables.

  “So, what are we waiting for? Let’s enjoy this party to the best we can!” Grim got up and left up enthusiastically. Sergeant Amsler and Corporal Gallo followed her lead.

  However it turned out, this party was gonna be a good one.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  J-71 Battalion “Hell-Takers” Garrison, Victory party.

  As expected, the victory party permeated through the garrison supporting the 700 troops of the Hell-Takers battalion was met with loud music, the troops dancing and hollering, and bonfires for them to warm in. Ranger Grim joined in alongside Sergeant Erica Amsler and Corporal Victor Gallo, with her Ranger BDU Uniform, and a balaclava mask that only revealed her green eyes. She wasn’t ready to show her face to the others, which Amsler and Gallo understood. She sat with them in one of the bonfires, other soldiers on their side bantering together.

  “Yo, STR.” A Hell-Taker soldier gestured at Grim. Grim shifted her eyes towards him. “Is it true, that you carried O’Ren’s body from the merc base all the way to that raider camp?”

  Grim nodded silently.

  “Man, that must have been heavy.”

  Grim nodded twice. The Hell-Taker whistled.

  “Come now, Private Ziegler. I’m sure you’ve all heard the stories about them Rangers. They’re elite soldiers, the best of the best.” Another Hell-Taker chimed in.

  “Yeah, wish our leaders would get a hundred of those. We could beat those Crimson Iron motherfuckers to extinction.” Ziegler bumped his fists, with Amsler and Gallo laughing alongside the others.

  “Only thing you are going to beat is your rod, Ziegler.” One Hell-Taker made a jab at the Private, and Ziegler responded with a laugh and middle-finger, then the group laughed together.

  [Attention!] A Hell-Taker was heard from the speakers, and all the Hell-Takers stood tall and mustered. Grim joined with them.

  [At ease…] Lieutenant Colonel Astrid Wallin chimed in, and took over.

  [Hell-Takers. A week ago, we marched our wrath against who would harm the good people in this colony fulfilling their duty for our great Imperium. And for that, I congratulate you.]

  The Hell-Takers clapped together, in celebration of their victory. [Though the loss of our fallen brethren in the battle was damaging, we steeled ourselves to continue forward to honor them. Our leaders, they sent us here as punishment. All because some of us disobeyed their orders, or we “wronged” certain people with powerful influence.]

  Grim saw the mix of expressions from the soldiers around her, including Gallo and Amsler. She didn’t blame them.

  [They sent us here with the expectations that we would die. But we endured.] Wallin’s tone hardened when she spoke more.

  [Each scars we got, the battle we won or lost, the people we saved in this rock, it invigorated us. And when our leaders sent the soldiers they considered malcontent, we trained them as battle-hardened warriors.]

  The Hell-Takers troops nodded, and felt euphoria throughout the speech.

  [Remember this, Hell-Takers. We do not fight for our leaders. We fight to shine like a flame that powered our great Imperium. To continue of the ideals that our nation established, where our leaders abandoned.]

  Amsler and Gallo smiled, feeling their hearts devoted to the Hell-Takers and their mission.

  [Are you all ready to continue your duties?] Colonel Wallin’s voice got louder from the speakers.

  “Hells Yes!” The Hell-Takers chanted.

  [Are you all ready to fight hard for your brethren-in-arms?]

  “Hells Yes!”

  [Are you all ready to enjoy this victory party with the fullest?!]

  “Hells Yes!”

  [That is what I want to fucking hear! Enjoy yourselves, for our duties will resume on 17th. Colonel Astrid Wallin signing off.]

  Then the speech ended, and the Hell-Takers cheered loudly, ready to make this victory party a very enjoyable one. Unfortunately for Grim, she covered her ears as the loud cheering was overwhelming.

  “Too noisy, yeah?” Gallo shouted at Grim. Grim shifted her face to the corporal, and nodded.

  “I know a place where we can enjoy ourselves. Come with me!” Amsler shouted to Gallo and Grim, and both of ‘em followed the Sergeant’s lead.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  B-Company Side Quarters, J-71 “Hell-Takers” Battalion Garrison, the Victory Party

  Over the next few minutes, Grim, Amsler, and Galllo made it inside the side quarters used by B-Company’s troops. “Here we are, B-Company’s side quarters.” Amsler sat on the sofa near the television stand while Gallo sat on the armchair besides Amsler and Grim sat on the ground.

  “Huh, don’t you feel uncomfortable sitting there, Grim?” Gallo asked.

  “I’m used to it.” Grim shrugged. “So… since we’re the only ones here, what are we gonna do?”

  Amsler’s lips curled, “Hmm, depends on your answer, Ranger. Tell me, which way do you swing?” The question was asked in seductive tone.

  “I swing both ways, Amsler.” Grim answered casually, while Gallo rolled his eyes.

  “She wants to have sex with you.” Gallo commented to Grim, while Amsler glared at him.

  “Victor!” Amsler shouted.

  “Look, if you want to have sex with our friend, just say it. No need for the innuendos.”

  “You can’t enjoy the moment without some foreplay, Victor. We’ve been over this..” The argument was interrupted when they saw Grim laughed.

  “Oh, wow. And I thought I had bad experience with innuendos.” Grim stood from the floor, and looked at Erica Amsler, her eyes teared in laughter.

  Amsler, on the other hand, stood from the sofa and felt her heart beating. “So, I guess this is happening, huh?” The Sergeant walked backwards while Grim walked towards her. She pushed Amsler to the wall, and she got even more flustered. Her face was nearly going full red

  “Yeah, I guess it is. I should warn you, I can get pretty rough.” Grim commented. Amsler couldn’t help herself being flustered by the Ranger’s Australian accent.

  Grim shifted her face to Gallo, and gestured him to come along. He nodded fast, then stood at her back, feeling up her arms.

  “This is your one and only shot to see my face. Last chance.” Grim remarked, then shifted her face to Gallo “You should join in, Victor.”

  Without hesitation, Gallo joined in, and touched Grim lightly.

  Amsler licked her lips, then with her hands, she softly pulled Grim’s mask slowly out of her face. Right at the finish line, Amsler got fully blushed as she saw the full face of Ranger Grim herself.

  Fair-skin color, brown hair, green eyes, multiple scars around her face, and a strong jawline. “Oh… wow… I… uh…” Gallo was flustered, his words stammered.

  “You… you.. You’re..” Amsler couldn’t find the words to say. “Beautiful?” Grim asked sarcastically, her lips curled to a mock smile.

  “I was gonna say handsome.” Amsler corrected.

  “Yea.. Yeah… Handsome..” Gallo was still flustered. Grim’s lips curled to a sincere smile “That’s more like it.”

  “Well… what are you waiting for, handsome?” Amsler asked, then pulled Grim’s shirt, and locked lips with each other in passion. Meanwhile, Gallo was feeling up the ranger with his hands.

  Grim felt lips in places she’d forgotten they could be. Meanwhile, Amsler was entwined with the Ranger and Gallo, and could hardly tell where one ended or began, or even herself.

  Their lovemaking lasted for a few hours, then they went to sleep.