He was only 16 years old, but he had already seen more death and horror than most people would in a lifetime. He was a soldier, fighting in a war that he did not understand, against an enemy that he did not know.
He had been drafted into the United Earth Federation (UEF), a global military alliance that was formed to combat the alien invasion that had started five years ago. The aliens, known as the Zetans, had arrived in massive spaceships, and had attacked without warning or mercy. They had destroyed cities, killed millions of people, and enslaved many more. They had also unleashed strange creatures and machines that fought alongside them, and had used advanced technology and weapons that the UEF could not match.
He had joined the UEF out of fear and patriotism, hoping to protect his family and his planet. He had undergone a brutal training program, where he had learned how to use a rifle, a grenade, and a combat suit. He had also been implanted with a neural chip, which allowed him to communicate with his squad and his commanders, and to receive orders and information.
He had been sent to various battlefields around the world, where he had faced the Zetans and their minions. He had seen his friends die, his enemies fall, and his world burned. He had killed, and he had survived.
He did not know why he was fighting, or what he was fighting for. He did not know if the UEF was winning or losing the war. He did not know if there was any hope for humanity, or for himself.
He only knew that he had to obey his orders, and to keep on fighting.
He was currently on a mission in Africa, where the UEF was trying to retake a strategic base that had been captured by the Zetans. He was part of a squad of 10 soldiers, led by Sergeant Jones, a veteran who had fought in many battles. They were supposed to infiltrate the base, plant explosives, and escape before the base blew up.
They had arrived at night, using stealth helicopters to avoid detection. They had landed near the base perimeter, and had made their way through the dark jungle. They had encountered some Zetan patrols, but they had managed to avoid or eliminate them quietly.
They had reached the base entrance, which was guarded by two Zetan soldiers. They looked like humanoid lizards, with green scales, yellow eyes, and sharp teeth. They wore black armor and carried plasma rifles.
Sergeant Jones signaled to his squad to get ready. He whispered into his neural chip:
"Okay team, this is it. We take out these two guards silently, then we enter the base. Remember your objectives: Alpha team goes to the power generator, Bravo team goes to the command center, Charlie team goes to the hangar. Plant your charges and get out as fast as you can. Don't engage unless necessary. Good luck."
He nodded to two soldiers who were carrying knives. They crept up behind the Zetan guards and slit their throats. The guards fell to the ground without making a sound.
Sergeant Jones gave another nod, and his squad entered the base.
He was part of Charlie team, along with three other soldiers: Davis, Lee, and Kim. They were supposed to go to the hangar and destroy the Zetan ships that were parked there.
They followed a corridor that led them to the hangar door. They opened it carefully and peeked inside.
They saw a large hall filled with Zetan ships of various shapes and sizes. Some looked like flying saucers, some looked like rockets, some looked like insects. They all glowed with a faint blue light.
They also saw several Zetan soldiers walking around the hangar, checking on the ships or talking to each other.
Davis whispered:
"Wow… look at all those ships… they must be worth a fortune…"
Lee whispered:
"Who cares? We're here to blow them up."
Kim whispered:
"Shh… quiet… let's do this."
They entered the hangar quietly and split up. They each chose a ship and planted their charges on it. They set them to detonate in 10 minutes.
They regrouped at the hangar door and prepared to leave.
But then they heard an alarm go off.
They looked around and saw that one of the Zetan soldiers had spotted them. He pointed at them and shouted something in his alien language.
The other Zetan soldiers turned their heads and saw them too. They raised their plasma rifles and fired at them.
The squad ducked behind some crates and returned fire.
Sergeant Jones yelled into his neural chip:
"What's going on? Who triggered the alarm?"
Charlie team replied:
"It's us sir! We've been spotted! We're under fire!"
Sergeant Jones cursed:
"Damn it! Abort the mission! Get out of there now!"
Charlie team nodded and ran towards the exit. They dodged the plasma bolts that flew past them. They reached the door and opened it.
But then they saw a Zetan tank waiting for them outside. It looked like a metal turtle, with a large cannon on its back. It aimed its cannon at them and fired.
A blast of plasma hit the door and exploded. The door was blown off its hinges and flew towards them.
They tried to avoid it, but it was too late.
The door hit Davis and crushed him. He screamed and died.
The blast also knocked Lee and Kim off their feet. They fell to the ground, wounded and bleeding.
He was the only one who managed to stay on his feet. He looked at his fallen comrades and felt a surge of anger and sadness.
He looked at the tank and felt a surge of fear and hatred.
He looked at his rifle and felt a surge of courage and determination.
He raised his rifle and fired at the tank. He hit its cannon and disabled it.
He ran towards the tank, dodging its machine gun fire. He reached its side and climbed on top of it.
He opened a hatch and threw a grenade inside. He jumped off the tank and ran away.
The grenade exploded inside the tank and destroyed it.
He looked back and saw the tank burning. He felt a moment of satisfaction.
But then he heard more alarms go off. He looked around and saw more Zetan soldiers coming out of the base. They saw him and fired at him.
He ran towards the jungle, hoping to find a way out. He hoped that his squad mates were still alive. He hoped that his mission was not in vain.
He hoped that he would survive.