4 (Modok)

I growl lowly as I think about the Vaals being slaughtered at this very second. Young males who are not even out of training and yet they are having to fight. I will make every dishonorable bastard on that rock bleed. Only cowards attack those too weak to win. 

"They are going to keep hitting this area if we do not put fear into their hearts," Burk roars as Nole straps his knives to his thighs right beside me. 

I can see the sweat glistening on my orange friend and I know his thoughts about our enemy mirror my own. We will give them nothing but death. 

"Our brethren are dying right now! Jahns and Gafrops have attacked the Vaals stationed on the moon of Frole. Are you ready to defend? Are you ready to protect? Are you ready to tell these Beasts we will not succumb to their rule," Burk roars again as he paces the transport room? 

"Yes, Commander," we shout as the technician finally presses the transport button. 

A wash of color zooms past us and my body sinks into a crouch. As soon as our surroundings become solid a Jahn comes straight at Burk, but Nole is faster and pierces his heart with a direct hit. 

"He was mine," Burk says, but I ignore them. My eyes are already scoping out the situation. 

Dead bodies of Vaals and Jahns are littered in the dust around us. Our intel said there were Gafrops present in this attack as well but I don't see a single one. Maybe they are stationed above us.

  There is a ridge about 80 yards from us that overlooks the valley in which the Vaals are fighting. We need to get past the main battle and we need to move fast before they can transport out or have reinforcements transport in.

"Get to the enemy's command. We kill anyone in our path," Burk orders loudly after silently coming to the same conclusion as me, and I move in to support Burk's back. 

The others form a loose line and Nole heads straight for the high ridge. Immediately a group of Jahns rush toward us, but the surviving Vaals form a wall. The enemy crashes into them and blood splatters the torn terrain. Knives slice through flesh and groans from our comrades almost make me break rank. 

Vaals are similar to Shikaz in coloring and stature. They are quick and good at stealth missions. And while they are both strong beings going up against a battalion of Jahns is suicide for them... especially since they aren't veteran warriors. 

Suddenly the surviving Vaals yell. Even with their reduced numbers, they are pushing them out of our way. They are making a path for us. Very few Jahns are managing to meet our blades. Nole isn't even focusing on our enemy. His faith in our comrades is 100%, so I, too, switch my attention from them to the hill. 

When we reach the steep terrain I dig my knives into the soil and propel up with my legs without looking back. Our backs are exposed to attack, but the Vaals have proven themselves in my eyes and I will not think less of them again. They aren't a band of inexperienced soldiers in need of rescue. They are warriors. They have our backs. 

As we near the top, a weapon suddenly fires and I roar as the surprise blast rips through my armored shoulder. Nole yells angrily after hearing my pain, but I can't focus on him. I am in agony. I have never been hit by a blaster before only weak males or vulnerable females use them for defense. 

I look down to find the top half of my shoulder gone and something snaps in my mind. My pain disappears, and white-hot rage instantly consumes me. My legs begin to move faster and the thirst for blood and vengeance becomes a physical taste in my mouth. Nole launches himself over the crest with Burk right behind him and I quickly follow. As soon as our enemy comes into view I smile. Nole is already avenging me and attacking the one with the blaster, and Burk is staring down ten feral-looking Gafrops. But my eyes are locked on the elder in the middle. Pilos! 

The Gafropian Governor is here personally attacking. 

"Elites! Pilso does not leave this rock," Burk shouts, and our comrades snarl loudly as they are told one of the leaders responsible for killing millions is here. 

Burk heads right for the battle-hardened elder and I slice through the Gafrop and Jahn soldiers who try to block him. Nole works his way around the edge, and the rest of our unit begins an all-out brawl as surviving Jahns try to attack us from behind. 

Pilso pulls his sword as Burk approaches, and Burk repositions the knives in his hands. I kill the last Gafrop and position myself close to the ground. My piercing eyes fix on the Gafropian leader. I have utter faith in Burk's skills but the elder is crafty. We have to ensure our victory here. If we do... the Gafropian forces will be in shambles. I can't get in Burk's way since my injury will slow me down, but I can provide backup. Nole will ensure none of the Jahns reach us. 

"Using blaster guns...Growing weak, Pilso," Burk taunts, and the Governor flashes his long canines. 

I snarl at the blatant threat. His fangs are long which shows his age and skill, but that doesn't matter. Not to us. His death is too valuable. His tactics might work on younger more inexperienced males, but not us. We have killed thousands together. 

"My men do not reflect me, Hassin Commander, and when I mount your head on my wall next to the others who thought they could kill me, you will know that truth. I may be seasoned, but I am lethal," Pilso growls, and Burk attacks. 

His metallic body moves around the Governor skillfully, but I keep my eyes focused on Pilso's weapon. I know Pilso will see an opening. He is too skilled not to. When he goes for the kill I will deflect it. I will provide Burk with the tiny window he needs to end our enemy. We have done the same tactic time after time. 

Suddenly I see it. I see Pilso's knuckles tighten. I see the muscle in his forearm flex. I dart forward and position my uninjured shoulder right where his blade will be and duck my head down. Pilso's blade glides across my armor like a stone skipping across water. Pilso's eyes widen just in time to see Burk sink his blade into his throat. Pilso stares at us in shock before his body crumples to the ground in defeat. But we can't celebrate just yet.

Battle cries from our comrades pull us away from our victory instantly. Jahns are now flooding the ridge. The injured Vaals weren't able to keep them back any longer. 

Burk heads to help our Elites and I rush toward two Jahns that are circling an injured Vaal. I slice the larger one's throat, and the Vaal manages to kill the second one. The soldier gives me a grateful nod as my eyes sweep over his body's current condition. Some soldiers can't handle war and they discover that during their first real taste of battle. I need to ensure he won't be a liability for me in this fight. 

His breathing is labored and he has multiple stab wounds littering his brown skin, but he isn't wavering. His gaze is fixed and determined. He didn't run this way to escape the Jahns. He definitely chased the ones that followed us up the steep incline and fought to protect us until Pilso was dead. He might be injured and smaller than our enemy, but he is clearly a warrior who does not fear death. 

I return his nod and refocus my eyes on the battle. Every battle we fight in might be our last and I feel honored to stand by someone so strong. He will make a good leader one day.

"Back to back," I shout and the kid immediately moves to follow my command. 

"Slice their leg tendons first. It will bring them down to your level. Try to limit your strikes. Focus on instant kills. You are losing blood," I order as three bruised and bloodied Jahns rush us. 

He doesn't say a word but I don't need him to. We are in this together. Either they die or we do. He can take my advice or ignore it. I will still fight beside him until the end. 

**********

I exhale slowly as the doctor positions the cellular repair machine over my shoulder. He presses the necessary combination of buttons as I try to stay patient.

I hate doctors. They act as if they are so important. Like they are better than the soldiers they treat and I hate them for it. In my opinion, any technician could do his job. Sure he is trained to aid us without the machine, but that only requires a simple d******d of information to his brain.

He knows nothing about battle. About what it is like to receive a wound like this or to give one. He knows nothing about looking at dead comrades or the rage that comes from it. He might think he is in a more honorable position, but he isn't. He was just too afraid to sign up to fight. Too cowardly to risk his life. Too spineless to close the unseeing eyes of a dead battle buddy. 

His yellow eyes meet mine and I know he can see my hate. Our people's eyes see so much more than what others do. He probably knows what I am thinking... Maybe that's why he dislikes me as much as I dislike him. 

"You are healed. Congratulations on your victory Lieutenant," he says before removing the machine from my shoulder and walking away from me. 

Blood and death immediately flood my field of vision. Flashes of the battle make me grind my teeth together. Yes, Pilso is dead, but so are 126 Vaal soldiers and 4 elite soldiers. 

"Is it really a victory if all I saw was death," I growl too low for him to hear. 

  I stand up, determined to flee the clinic, before I angrily attack the doctor, and my bracelet beeps. I look down at it and see that the council's primary number is summoning me. Fear and adrenaline wash over me and I quickly press the white teleport button. Nole and Burk appear with me in the room which calms me. We have been summoned together, so that means we are most likely being debriefed, and there isn't another attack. 

"Brothers," Burk mumbles, and we nod before looking at the door in front of us.

"Any idea why they called us? We need rest. Since Pilso is dead, I can't imagine there is another attack," Nole asks and I shrug. 

I don't want to answer him. My mind is still focused on the battle. The young Vaal who fought by my side didn't survive and his death left a scar just like all the others before him. We even lost Nole's cousin. A Bronkark who we have bled with on countless occasions. I need time to bury my pain before fighting again or conversing like normal. I understand the council wants the information about Pilso's death to be fresh, but I am ready to be alone. 

  

Nole falls silent after he reads my energy and we all refocus on the door. After a few minutes, a female Puelo finally opens it. 

"Council member Hik has asked for the three of you," she says and we wordlessly follow her through the door. 

Hik's role in the council is simple. He handles retirement and champion selection for the Harvest. Meeting with him is technically a good thing, but my brain still can't relax. The battle is still too fresh and my thoughts are miles away. 

"Good day, soldiers," the female says as she opens a black door.

Burk gives her a respectful nod before we step into the councilors office. 

"Ahh. There you are. The three males of the hour. Commander Burk, Captain Nole, Lieutenant Modok. Please sit down. I have terrific news," Hik says as soon as my body moves through the threshold. 

His cheerful demeanor makes me want to flee, but I stay stoic. Nole shoots Burk a perplexed look, but he says nothing before sitting down across from the smiling Makskin. I follow Burk's lead and sit. I don't think our Commander knows why we have been summoned, so the quicker we sit down and listen, the faster we will get answers... The faster I can surround myself with darkness and forget today's events. 

"I will get right to the point since you need rest. The three of you have been chosen for Harvest. You are now Tournament Champions. Your retirement is effective immediately. Congratulations," Hiks announces, and my eyes bulge. 

My brain processes his words and my melancholy fades instantly. We are retired... Effective immediately. No more death. No more loss. We will get mates. We will start families. We will be able to become whole once more. Our service is over. We made it. We survived. 

"Hell yes," Nole shouts as he jumps to his feet. 

Happiness, as I have never felt before, explodes in my chest before I, too, jump to my feet. I clap Nole on the back, and we both look down at Burk, who seems frozen from shock. 

"Who nominated us," Burk asks, and Hiks smiles at our Commander. 

"Numerous soldiers have placed your names into selection, even before your victory today. Your unit has sung high praises for all three of you. Now with the death of Pilso under your belts...You three will be the talk of the Harvest," Hiks says, and Burk finally smiles. 

He stands up slowly and I smirk. Burk is holding it together for the councilor's sake, but my well-trained eyes aren't fooled. Burk is exploding with excitement on the inside.  

"Thank you, sir. We are honored to have been chosen," he says sounding like an honorable male, and Hiks nods. 

"Transport is in two weeks. Rest up. Get your homes in order for your mates. Visit your families and get ready to be famous," Hiks says, and we manage to bow before leaving.