War Unending
Scifi-flash fiction
This is in response to the May 3,2023 prompt from ironage.media picture “The Annexation”
War Unending
By jersey36830/ James Scott
Day 1: Edwards, Edgar 2212003
We are on the first deployment day in the 6th sector of Westveria in the city of Gront. We are a part of the 22nd Expeditionary Force tasked with policing and patrolling this sector. The crowds treat us like liberating heroes for this town. Our equipment has everything we need, hides everything about our identity, and our masks filter out all harmful gases. One of the most unique pieces of equipment is the MTDIC-78. I'm not sure what it does, but it helps me store all my combat knowledge without any trauma. We had ten incidents of petty theft and two incidents of people trying to enter the green zone without an I.D. I look forward to my assignment here. It should be great; everyone here is so nice.
Day 1: Edwards, Edgar 2212003
These people are so ungrateful! We have defended them from their enemies. Yet when we arrive in this city, we are treated like the enemy. We are policing and protecting the 6th sector of Westveria in the city of Gront. At least my squad is excellent; we are on point despite the insurgency of the city. We have put down two riots, located five I.E.D.s (Improvised Explosive Devices), and disabled them. We had to imprison four civilians for theft and two others for trespassing in the green zone. But it’s just another day on the job, no complaints that anyone cares about.
Day 1: Edwards, Edgar 2212003
We just received orders to clear an insurgent compound in sector 6 of Westiveria in the city of Gront. We had, I think, six incidents of theft imprisoning the thieves and five attempted murders of troopers, all put down without casualties. Something weird happened, Mac 2122889 and I got hit by a grenade that shut down our radios and interfered with some of our other gear, but nothing else seemed to be affected. We must have had someone looking out for us; those damn cowardly insurgents don’t know how to fight a war.
Day 4: Edwards, Edgar 2212003
I’m starting to remember things. How long have I been here? Mac and I talked briefly, and he is saying the same thing. It must have been that grenade. What is going on here? How long have we been here? Um, I think we had some incidents of theft and a few ambushes. Why can't I remember the exact number?
Day 10: Edwards, Edgar 2212003
Everyone still thinks it’s their first day in the city; it has been almost two weeks since the grenade. But I’m starting to remember my childhood in the city. I think I was born here. How long have I been a soldier, and why am I fighting my own people? Yeah, people died today, both civilians and soldiers. The insurgents are getting more competent.
Day 12: Edwards, Edgar 2212003
We rounded up people today for some unknown reason, and we injected them with the MTDIC-78. Mac is losing it; he has the shakes regularly. I told him to hold it together. But it doesn't help. What the heck are we doing here?
Day 16: Edwards, Edgar 2212003
We have had a lot of combat recently. Mac got found out yesterday, and they replaced his chip, so he is back to day 1. I’m starting to remember more of my life before becoming a soldier. I recognize some of the people I grew up with in my squad. I also remember killing some of the people I grew up with. This rustic city has changed little since the aliens invaded; if that's who is responsible for the chips and our gear, I'm not even sure what memories are true and false anymore. Are there aliens, or is there an invading nation? I don't know anymore. I have memories of both. I must keep it together. This city used to bustle with life; now, it’s half dead.
Day 20: Edwards, Edgar 2212003
I can’t believe what I just did…I did the worse thing I could do. I killed my parents. I can't stop shaking; I'm losing my mind.
Day 1: Edwards, Edgar 2212003
We just arrived in the city of Gront. I’m looking forward to serving with my new squad of troopers. These insurgents won’t know what hit ’em
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