Imperium Army Battalion J-71 Garrison. Classified colony, Leelo System, Hemia Cluster, Tortsinan Empire territories
August 20th, 2505
A week has passed since the victory party and many of the Hell-Takers were on duty. Fixing up broken things in the base, patrols around the clock, and so on. After all, they were ordered to resume their duties 3 days ago.
Grim was in her Ranger battle armor, silently observing the south-eastern perimeter. She enjoyed the party with the Hell-Takers, especially the sex she had with Sergeant Erica Amsler and Corpoal Victor Gallo. Of course, Captain Roderick Jones caught them sleeping in the side-quarters and he was not happy. Needless to say, Amsler and Gallo got a stern talking and were ordered for mop duty to clean that place up. Better than being sent to the brig or being executed, that’s for sure.
As for Grim, she was not punished in any way. Truth be told, Colonel Astrid Wallin expected this to happen when she read the Ranger’s file, mentioning her libido. Still, she was given a warning to control her urges. Fine, she said.
After spending a month and half in here, she got used to the red-hue sky of this colony and the sands and mountains in their surroundings. It is hell, but it is hell filled with people who are devoted to their work and their duties for the Tortsinan Imperium, even when their leaders sent those fine soldiers as malcontents.
Grim heard footsteps from behind. Instinct would’ve called for action, but since she’s in the garrison, there was no need for that. She shifted her eyes left, and observed Sergeant Amsler on her side.
“Hey” Amsler greeted. “Hey.” Grim greeted back.
“Want to hear the bad news or good news first?” Amsler asked, then Grim sighed. “Bad news first.”
“Okay… bad news is that your transport that will take you back to base is delayed and you’ll have to wait 7 more hours.”
“Wonderful.” Grim commented sarcastically. “Good news?”
“Well, us Hell-Takers, including the Colonel have taken a shine on you, and wanted to honor you with a tattoo.”
Grim thought about it for a moment. Truth be told, she never cared for tattoos and was too busy to even consider getting one. Still, given the camaraderie she made with the Hell-Takers, she figured to take one. Special Tactics Recon do allow tattoos, with certain exceptions.
“I’ll take up on that. I take the tattoo’s is your insignia. The screaming skull with flames running around it’s jaw and eye sockets?” Grim inquired, then Amsler nodded.
Grim chuckled lightly, “Well, it’ll be my first tattoo in my life.”
“You don’t have to take it if you don’t want to.” Amsler suggested. Grim shook her head “Nah, I’ll still take it. I’ve been in more painful situations. I can handle it. How long it’ll take?”
“Around two hours.” Amsler stated.
Grim looked around the base, flurry of activity were still ongoing. “I’ll be at the parlor in two hours. Just one request…”
“Hmm?” Amsler was curious.
“I want Colonel Astrid Wallin to be there while you burn up the tattoo on my left shoulder.”
Amsler chuckled slightly “Don’t worry, the Colonel will be there. Think she wants to test you.”
Grim curved her smile beneath her helmet, “Is that right… I’ll see you guys in two hours.”
“Alright, see you later.” Amsler waved her and left Grim alone. She stopped her tracks and walked back to the Ranger “Oh, Grim…”
Grim shifted her face to the Sergeant “Yeah?” Amsler smiled widely, “That was an amazing night we had last week.”
Although she couldn’t see it, Grim smiled widely over the fond memory of that event “Yeah, it was.”
“Well… I shouldn’t keep you waiting. Later!” Amsler waved her goodbyes and left the Ranger by herself.
After a bit, Grim felt serenity. No one to bother her and it was only herself that’s keeping watch. In a twisted way, she feels at peace when she’s alone. Given the dozen of missions she participated was solo, solitude was like a second home.
Still, she sighed sadly and looked at the sky. “Steamin’ hell, Kate. I miss you already, sister.”
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J-71 “Hell-Takers” Battalion garrison, parlor room.
The Hell-Takers watched with interest and enthusiasm as they looked at Ranger Grim getting a tattoo on her left arm over the 2 hours. She was wearing a half-mask, so they often saw her keeping her cool due to the procedure being painful. Though there were moments where she winced in pain, but she kept soldiering on. Sergeant Erica Amsler, Corporal Victor Gallo, Captain Roderick Jones, and especially Lieutenant Colonel Astrid Wallin watched the occasion, and found fun seeing the Ranger keeping it together. Not to say they weren’t worried in those moments when they saw her winced in pain, they understood clearly how painful it was for them when they took the tattoo procedure.
After 15 minutes of murmuring, the tattoo artist; Lieutenant Martin Connors put his final touches, and revealed the tattoo he gave for the Ranger. The entire battalion clapped when they saw their insignia on her left arm. The screaming skull with flames coming out of its jaws and eye sockets. Even the hard-ass Colonel Wallin smiled while she clapped. Amsler, Gallo, and Jones also shared the sentiment, in addition to the three company commanders that make up this battalion.
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Grim got up from her chair, whirling her left arm to ensure it’s not numb, but she still felt the burning sensation over her new tattoo. Colonel Wallin came closer to her, then gave her hand to the Ranger. Grim accepted, and felt a sense of pride when she saw the smiles from the Captain, the Sergeant, and the Corporal. She kept eye contact with the Colonel as she spoke.
“Though we walk different paths in our careers, we honor you for your courage and tenacity in helping kicking Crimson Iron out from our homes and defeating the vile Skull-Makers.” Colonel Wallin talked enthusiastically.
“Though your struggle is not ours, we share condolences for the losses your people have been through by the United Human Dominion and their regime.” With each word Wallin spoke herself,t he Hell-Takers chanted their motto “Hells Yes”.
“And even if we’re still criminals serving their sentence to our Imperium, I and all of the Hell-Takers want to give our solidarity in your struggle and wish that a day would come, where your people in the entire Frontier Regions are liberated from their shackles and showed that you.” Grim’s eyes were still open, determined, while the Hell-Takers kept chanting.
“From this day forward, Ranger Grim, you are a honorary soldier of the Hell-Takers. Wherever your fight and whatever your mission will take you, know that you’ll have a place with us if circumstances need be.” With Colonel Wallin’s speech finished, the clapping went louder and the whooping from the soldiers came in.
Grim nodded at Wallin, and the Colonel reciprocated the gesture. Then, she started shaking hands with the XO and nodded, the commanders of A/B/C companies, then finally shook hands with Captain Jones, Sergeant Amsler, and Corporal Gallo, who she became close with the latter.
She couldn’t stop smiling, not that any of them saw it. But still, it felt nice, knowing she has a place with the Hell-Takers, even if her duties took her in different corners of the galaxy. She felt serenity in that moment. After the parade ended, it would be an hour and a half until her transport ship that will take her back to the Rangers had arrived.
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Spaceport, classified colony, Leelo system
It didn’t take long for Grim to pack her bags. She reminded herself to keep it simple when packing amenities for missions outside the STR’s jurisdiction.
She was wearing her Ranger BDU and her balaclava mask, ready for her final goodbyes with Captain Jones, Sergeant Amsler, and Corporal Gallo. Colonel Wallin was busy commanding her unit, but she still shared her goodbyes.
She shook hands first with Jones, “Keep up the good fight, Ranger.” Jones remarked. “To the bitter end, Captain.”
Then shook hands with Gallo, “Fight well, Grim.” Gallo remarked. “You know it, Corporal” She nodded.
Lastly, she shook hands with Amsler, then got an embrace from the Sergeant. Jones would’ve given Amsler an earful, but ignored it when he felt it could be the last time they’ll see Grim.
“I’ll miss you, Grim.” Amsler whispered in her ear.
“I know.” Grim whispered back.
“Stay healthy and safe.” Amsler whispered one last time,
“You too, Erica.” Grim reciprocated again.
Both had let go, then Grim waved her goodbye with her friends sharing the gesture as she entered the ship.
The transport ship, Spheres of Parsecs, hovered over and in several seconds, her engines ramped up to the darkness of space.
Amsler sighed, and felt heart tugging. The intimacy she shared with Grim was a casual and simple one, so why does she feel this?
She felt a hand on her shoulder, “Hey.” Jones greeted. “I understand if you feel a connection with her.”
Amsler sighed again, then huffed “Yeah, but I shouldn’t feel it that way. We both fight in different fronts. What will happen if one day, our leaders decides the STR and FDA are a problem and we’re sent to deal with it?”
“Ehh, they’re too busy making a pretty image of our land while their heads up their asses over the shit going on with Sons of Tortsin. And, probably Crimson Iron too, for that matter.”
“Gallo’s got a point, Amsler. We may not consider ourselves human any more, but we’re still descended from them. The emotions that you’re feeling right now? It’s natural.” Jones gave his pep talk, while the Sergeant looked down.
“Yeah. Maybe one day I could meet her again if I was sent on a joint operation with STR. Not very likely, but still…”
“Hmm, I’m not sure about that, maybe Empress Vollan will one day strong-arm the Parliament to pardoning us, even if she has to drag them kicking and screaming.” Jones pondered.
“Politicians, stubborn to the bitter end.” Gallo scoffed
“Too true, Corporal. Too true.” Jones nodded while he gazed looking at the sky. Then he shifted back to Amsler. “Ready to get back to work?”
Amsler nodded “Duty calls.”
And from hereon, the Hell-Takers trio left the spaceport, ready for whatever their journey has in store.
