The men who remained knew their fate. There were those who accepted it and sat ready. Quietly lost in their thoughts of family and joy. Some had sat in regret, others rambled on in a nervous attempt to quiet their fears.

No matter which route they chose, they knew this rusty old transport would be their last.

“This is bullshit, sir.” Duke’s voice echoed into each of their helmets.

“You’re hot mic’in. Sergeant.” Commander Williams said. His voice was the epitome of calm, cool and collected. Almost. As if he didn’t have a care in the world.

“With all due respect, they have the right to hear anything we say. You know we don’t stand a chance against that bug, sir. This is suicide.” SGT Duke leaned forward and looked down the line of men toward his commander, near the front of the drop ship. It was dark but he still knew where the old vet sat.

“Be that as it may, Duke. We all knew what we were signing up for when we took the oath.”

“Yeah, I signed up to stop the rebellion on Theron Prime! No one said shit about being ripped to shreds by oversized cockroaches!” Specialist Banks yelled, the sarcasm oozing from his lips.

“Shut the Fuck up, Banks!” Duke barked. “He’s got a point though, sir. We could commandeer this bird and high tail it out of here.”

A bright red light flashed on above their heads, illuminating the 12 men in its crimson glow. Commander Williams stared up at the bulb and laughed.

“Well, looks like that options off the table, Duke.”

“Guess so.” Duke raised his rifle and pulled the charging handle. The plasma rifle whirred to life in response.

Screams and gunfire could be heard from outside the transport ship. The ground shook beneath them and a blood curdling roar ripped through the air.

“Gentleman, Stand Up!” Williams shouted, and all 11 men stood on command. Still bound by honor.

“I’m not going to blow sunshine and rainbows up your ass. We’re here to buy those weak rich fucks time to evacuate. We aren’t supposed to survive but…”

Another tremor shook the ship so hard that several men grabbed the straps above their heads for support.

“But I don’t know about the rest you, but I want to stomp this bug and get back home. Stick with me and you might just do the same. But if you find yourself alone burning from the inside out and surrounded by fire and brimstone. Don’t worry, you’ve just arrived to the rendezvous point early. We’ll meet ya there. Sergeant?”

“Lock em up, boys. Let’s get it!” Sergeant Duke slammed a fist into the black button to his right, instantly lowering the cargo ramp on the ship. Revealing their prey.

“Regroup Hell!” Commander Williams cried!

The marines roared “HooRah!” In return and bolted down the ramp guns drawn and firing.

*****************

The men of Bravo Company, rushed into their own legend. The true account of what happened that day will forever be in question, as the only survivors of the Hellgoth crawler incident, was Commander Williams’ Unit the “Skulls”.