Jezrelon
I travel to Jezrelon, a fertile planet of sprawling plains and thriving farms, to help defend Sergeant Luke against the Cheruborans. Jezrelon is a rare gem in the galaxy, fit for human life—a stark contrast to the barren worlds we've fought over.
I meet Luke at the base, and we share a cigarette before battle. He's as humble and sharp as ever, the kind of man who could have thrived at Harvard or preaching back home instead of leading soldiers into alien hellscapes. But here we are, and there's no room for second-guessing.
The battle is relentless. With a few thousand troops, we storm Cheruboran strongholds, their mines and flesh-eating rubble worms claiming tens of thousands of lives. It's brutal, but we push forward. Base by base, month by month, we inch closer to victory.
Finally, Luke and I drive the American flag into the soil above their last stronghold. For the first time in years, I feel relief, though it's laced with exhaustion. Luke is promoted to Gunnery Sergeant, while I rise to Master Sergeant. This war has hardened us, but it's also taught me how to lead.
"Where to next?" Luke asks as we look out over the battered plains of Jezrelon.
Proxima Centauri is the next vital target, the linchpin for victory. But part of me wonders if I should retire, settle on the peaceful moon of Canarea, and leave the fight to the younger soldiers.
