It was pitch black.  “Computer, Lights.” Sara said.  The lights came on “Click.”  Sara began taking off her battle suit.  First she set her rifle and helmet on the bed.  Next she disengaged the magpin on the Y-rack.  The y-rack then dropped to the floor “Thud”.  Next she unlatched and slid off her gloves from the suit.  Followed by the boots.  Next she disengaged the belt connector which would then allow her to take off the torso and legs of the battle suit separately rather than in one piece.  “Computer, begin taking dictation.” Sara said.  The computer replied, “beginning dictation.” “We had spread out in a defensive formation.  The transport pulled away after picking up unit 37.”  Sara stated, while removing the control console from the wrist of her battle suit.  “There was no sound.  We saw a ball of fire fly overhead in the direction of the transport.” she said removing the torso sections of her battle suit.  “My scanners didn’t show anything in the area the fire came from.  The ball of fire itself only read a temperature of 302 degrees celsius.  The E.C.O. shielding on the transport should have been able to repel fire of that temperature.”  Sara continued on removing the leg of her battle suit.  “That was about the time that the transport sent out a distress communication.  We all took off running toward the transport.”  Sara said while taking her hair down and starting to brush it.  She struggled to remember as many details as possible, “I remember arriving at the scene first.  There was no sign of anything.  There was just molten metal and smoldering slag where the transport should have been.”  Sara began changing out of her underclothes and continued on, “There wasn’t even a hint of what the smoldering object was.  In fact, had it not been for the commander's communication, we probably wouldn’t have known that it was the transport.   Upon closer inspection, we did find a few small remnants of debris that confirmed that this smoldering pile was indeed the transport.”  Sara began putting on her BDUs and continued with her dictation.  “I scanned the area and never found any signs of life.  I scanned the smoldering debris of the transport and the temperature at this point was only about 397 degrees celsius.  Again, not a temperature high enough to penetrate the E.C.O. shielding; nor, hot enough to completely melt the transport itself.  Computer end dictation.”  “Ending Dictation.” the computer replied.  

Sara started putting on her boots and then froze for a moment.  “So this thing launched an attack at the transport that shorted out the E.C.O. shielding before the fire attack hit?” she thought to herself.  “That could explain how the shielding failed versus such a low grade fire attack.  Though I am guessing that the explosion of the attack was quite a bit hotter than the temperatures detected before and after the blast.” Sara returned to tying her boots.  “So this thing can basically cloak from all our sensors, and uses attacks that can bypass our most complicated technologies.” she thought.  Sara began fixing her hair where dressing had messed it up.  She let it down then pulled it up tight again.  “Furthermore, this thing managed to burn down a major city faster than we could be deployed.  Something doesn’t add up.  It sounds more like a bomb went off and someone who knew how to bypass BM tech was up to something.  The Geo-Asian Combine maybe?  No, that doesn’t make sense.  If they were going to break the treaty, why aim for Pasadena.  There is nothing of importance there.  Terrorists maybe?  But if that is the case, where did they get the funding and the tech.  Furthermore, wouldn’t terrorists have made a claim about it by now?” Sara continued thinking while looking in the mirror and straightening her glasses.  “I am not sold that this was a ghost, but if it was; then we are in serious trouble.”  She thought as she prepared to leave her room.  She just left her battle suit on the floor and her rifle and y-rack on the bed.  

The A-10 battlesuit comes with a complete set of underclothing.  The underclothing consists of a thermal underwear style suit of flame retardant material.  The underclothing is custom tailored to each trooper to ensure that it fits comfortably within the battle suit.  The underclothing also consists of gloves, socks, and a headband.  Underclothing is also designed to allow air flow through the suit to keep sweating down to a minimum.

~Excerpt from the A-10 Battle Suit Manual page 137

Meanwhile, Corporal Haroldson was just returning to his room.  “Man, we just got our asses handed to us.” He thought to himself.  He began taking off his battlesuit and thought, “Based on everyone’s reactions, I think we are about to get reassigned.  My guess is that they are gonna move Norman to commander.  Man, he isn’t gonna like that.  I am guessing this means that I am gonna be in charge of a unit as well.”  He removed his underclothes and began putting on his BDUs.  “I really didn’t want to announce my passing the sergeant’s exam like this.  But, I guess in times like these.  It was bound to happen.  I wonder if any of the old crew will stay with me or if they will separate us out?  I guess whatever happens; this is the life I chose.”  Haroldson began preparing his debriefing report.  “Computer, begin dictation.” Haroldson said.  “Starting dictation.” the computer replied.  Corporal Haroldson’s report was very similar to Sara’s report only from the rear of the group point of view, as Heraldson was not a very fast runner.  After ending the dictation, Haroldson gathered together the items he thought he might need into his backpack and left for the debriefing.

Todd Heraldson, Corporal 1st Class.  188cm tall.  111kg in weight.  He keeps a well trimmed beard and mustache.  Third in command, he is the big brother of the whole unit.  He has a gentle personality.  Always helpful.  Always checking up on me.  I assume that is because I am the newest member of unit 38.  He always has a way of calming my nerves and making me laugh.  He is good at everything it seems.  Originally from the Pan-American Sphere, though I am not sure where from, other than the United States.  This man is someone I would want as a commander or under me if I were in command.

~Excerpt from Private Sara Snow’s Journal Entry 28

Meanwhile, at the Iceland training grounds, a comm line rings to Dr. Kardinovsky’s office.  “Yes.” Dr. Kardinovsky answers.  “Doctor, I need you to come administer some tests on the volunteers coming to the base within the next 48 hours.” Dr. Archive said with happiness in his voice.  “Yes, Dr. Archive.  What will we be testing for?” Dr. Kardinovsky asked.  Dr. Archive replied, “I don’t care what you test them for.  I will be at the facility monitoring their synchronization with my newest creations, but I need you to be the face of the testing.”  “I see.  So a standard physical assessment battery will suffice?” Dr. Kardinovsky asks.  “Make it a not-so-standard physical assessment.  I don’t want the troopers just being able to predict what we are looking for here.  I think a standard test will not get them working as hard as I need them to.  Use your best judgment on tests, but make them hard.  Very hard.  I need these troopers truly challenged.” Dr. Archive replied.  “As you wish, Dr. Archive.  I will send you the test battery by the end of the day today.” Dr. Kardinovsky replied.  “Thanks Dr. K.” Dr. Archive replied and ended the call.  Dr. Kardinovsky began his work as instructed.  “Mr. Bairon puts a lot of faith in that boy.  So much so, that he has an almost unlimited budget.  Though it is true we have trained him to be the world’s most brilliant mind and technical engineer.  Most people would be annoyed working for a child.  But for me, the truth is; in exchange for a little time, secrecy to Dr. Archive’s identity, and cessation of my own public career; I get access to an almost unlimited budget and free access to study my own fields as long as I can provide results for Mr. Bairon to publish for Bairon-Midley.  I guess I am trading my fame for a fortune and my own private desires, but I have to admit, I get far more done this way.”  Dr. Kardinovsky thought to himself as he began ordering his assistants to set up various items on the testing field.  

“We will have approximately 100 candidates give or take.  Make sure that each testing station can accommodate at least five to ten troopers at a time.”  Dr. Kardinovsky ordered.  The assistants began frantically following his orders for testing stations, computer equipment set ups, and unloading sites for the new equipment that was coming directly from Dr. Archive.  “I don’t know how much space Dr. Archive will need for the equipment he is bringing in.  Make sure we have an area of at least 50 square meters closest to the base for his equipment and set up.  I want the testing areas to be at least another 50 meters away from the equipment with any possibility of flying objects put farthest away.”  Dr. Kardinovsky ordered.  “Group two, make the arena ready for use as well.  I have several tests in mind that will make use of that facility.  Group three ready the obstacle course.   Group four ready the pool.  We may need it.” Dr. Kardinovsky continued.  

Kane Ibara, Corporal 2nd Class.   Ibara is the second in command under Norman.  He is the communications specialist of unit 38.  As far as a person, he is very quiet.  He seems to be the type that only converses when talked to directly.  He is of Geo-Asian Combine descent.  Not exactly sure which country though.  Honestly, I really don’t want to ask.  He is an amazing computer tech and hacker as well.  With his skills he could go far, but from what I have heard he does not want to progress far enough in the ranks to become a commander.  If I were a commander, I would want this man on my team.

~Excerpt from Private Sara Snow’s Journal Entry 28

Meanwhile, at the control room, Commander Faraday sat back in his chair.  “I can’t believe this.  It was just a routine call.  Now “Herman” is gone.” Commander Faraday thought while trying to hold back any signs of mourning for the loss of his friend.  “That should have been me.  I knew “Herman” was better suited for the job, but I had to let him go back into the field.  I just had to listen to him.  Because he was my senior. No, because he was a person I looked up to.” Commander Faraday thought.  “I should have been the one in the field.  I am younger; though, not as good at large-scale coordination, but here I sit.  Alive.  While Herman is gone.  We don’t even have anything left to bury.  The flame dancer took it all from us, and we don’t even know why.  We didn’t even manage to save anyone from this one.  This mission was a total failure from the get go.”  Faraday had begun to mutter and slowly got louder until he was yelling.  “It should have been ME!” he shouted.

Just outside his door, the rest of the troopers in the control room could hear the fury in Commander Faraday’s voice.   It was obvious what had just happened.  No one said a word as the yelling subsided.  “I have to prepare for an impromptu funeral tonight.” Commander Faraday thought.  “I must be composed when I face the troopers of unit 38.  Tonight is the only chance for grieving they will get.  Because tomorrow I have to reassign them all.”  Commander Faraday thought to himself.  Commander Faraday opened a comm line to the control room just outside his office.  With a steeled composure he said, “Private Henson, get on the line with West Pan-Am base.  I need a funeral detail prepared for tonight.  We must show our respects to those that we lost today from units 37 and 38.  Furthermore, have a transport prepared to carry me to West Pan-Am base.  I will deliver the news of the reassignments myself.”  “Yessir!” Private Henson replied.  

Sergeant Norman had returned to his room to find a message waiting for him.  “You have one new message, Sergeant Norman.”  The computer replied as he walked in his room.  “I already know.” he thought to himself.  He began writing his report of the encounter with the flame dancer.  “I am sure that Commander Faraday will come to give the news.  It is highly unlikely that he would miss the commander’s funeral.”  Norman thought to himself.   “Still,  I can’t help but wonder how the rest of the unit will handle the news and the funeral.  I am sure that Haroldson, Ibara, and the others that have been with us for a while will be fine, but my major concerns lie with the newbies, Snow and Slater.  How will they handle what they have seen in addition to the loss of the commander?  I don’t have time for this right now.  I have more important things I need to be focused on.”  Norman thought to himself.  

Langley Slater, Private Third Class.  170cm in height and 82 kilograms.  He originates from the neutral zone.  He just seems to be an average trooper in every sense of the word.  He doesn’t seem to be great at anything, but can do a little bit of everything.  I trained with him back in basic, but even with our history, I don’t really know anything about him.  I guess I never asked.  

~Excerpt from Private Sara Snow’s Journal Entry 28