She then set the card in front of her on the podium hoping it would give her the right words and said, “It is with a heavy heart that I stand here before you today.  I did not know the commander for long, but I could tell from my first day with the commander that he was a very knowledgeable man who both commanded and deserved respect.  The commander’s passing was a tremendous blow to the 38th.  What I do know is that any man who could treat a new private as a full fledged team member on the job and a friend off the job is truly a great man.  A man who has a final audience as large as this was truly a great man.  I will never forget the lessons he taught me.  I will always carry his words in my heart.  I am deeply saddened that I did not have more time to learn from the commander.  Thank you for all your guidance Commander Voss.”  “Oh shit! Did I really just say that?!  Norman is going to skin me alive over that performance.”  she thought to herself, picking up the blank card from the podium and putting it into her pocket..  

Sara then turned and began walking back to her seat.  She could see the serious look on Norman and Heraldson’s faces, “I am totally screwed.  They can tell there was no thought put into that speech.”  She then sat down as Private Slater was then called to the podium.  “I had better come up with one heck of a good reason for my poor performance…   No, I am just gonna have to own up to it.  Heraldson already knows I wasn’t prepared, so he might cut me some slack, but Norman is gonna grill me like a fish.  I will just fess up and apologize at the reception.  That is the least I can do.”  She thought, her mind racing towards the upcoming punishment.  “Will it be extra PT?  A dock in pay?  Or even worse….  A demerit?  Or worse all of the above?!”  Sara tried not to think about it.  “I can’t think about it now.  I still have the rifle send off ceremony to perform.” Sara thought, trying to refocus herself.  The final trooper to say their words was Commander Norman.  

Demerits are points accrued for failure to perform your duties; performing acts unbecoming of a Bairon-Midley trooper; poor judgement in a time of emergency; or any other egregious action taken by a trooper deemed unfit or directly detrimental to the operation as determined by a commander ranked trooper.  The number of demerits accrued will be directly proportional to the severity of the wrongdoing.   Accruing ten or more demerits will result in imprisonment or the death penalty as determined by a General ranked Commander.  

~excerpt from The G.E.T. Troopers Application Packet

Sara looked over and noticed the commander’s stripes on his uniform as she listened to him talk.  “Commander Voss was more than just a leader; was also a supervisor, a mentor, and a friend.  Not just any friend, he was the closest friend I ever had.  He was like the father figure I never had.  He helped guide me from being a delinquent child to the man you see before you now.  He taught me about life; about duty; and a great many other things that a child from the streets wouldn’t have ever known.”  He stated in a firm yet caring tone, much like a father would use to guide and comfort a child at the same time.  “Wow, Norman never talked about himself; so I never knew any of this.” Sara thought.  She could feel the emotion in Norman’s voice and it was bringing tears to her eyes.  “I will not cry!” She thought, slamming her eyes shut. “Voss was the kind of man that every man should strive to become.  He served his country in war.  He loved his friends and family in times of peace.  He helped those less fortunate than himself any time he was able.  Lastly, he served and gave his life to the world as he bravely walked into battle with the ghost threat.  Many people died with honor yesterday, but the loss of Herman Voss will be felt worldwide.” Norman continued on with a straight and professional face.  “Lastly, I wish to end this on the final request he left for me before every mission.” Norman said, pulling a paper from the breast pocket of his coat.  He then began to read the note, “If you are reading this, then I have been killed in battle.  To whomever is hearing the contents of this letter, please do not grieve.  Instead take joy in the fact that there are those of us laying down our lives so that you may prosper in yours.  Know that no man, woman, or child has no greater love for this world than the G.E.T Troopers.  Goodbye and long live the people of Earth.”   

Sara was fighting hard to hold the tears back, “I never knew that Voss and Norman were these kinds of people.  They are the ideal soldiers.  They are willing to give it all and don’t fear death, ghosts, or anything else for that matter.  I need to learn from my short time with them.”  She thought to herself.  Sara then looked back at Norman’s commander stripes and thought, “I wonder if Norman will take Voss’s place?  Or will they transfer him elsewhere?  I guess I will find out eventually.  I need to at least talk to him after the ceremony.  I will accept whatever punishment he has for my poor performance today.  I promise you Voss and Norman, I will live to be just like you guys.”  Norman then continued on to say, “In honor of our commander and our fallen comrades, we offer a three volley salute.”

 Norman motioned to the rest of unit 38 to stand.  In complete unison, the entire unit stood.  Commander Norman then gave the command, “ About face!” in a loud but very controlled voice.  Unit 38 turned their backs to the audience, rifle forestocks leaned on their shoulders, barrels facing skyward.  These rifles were not like the rifles Sara was used to using in the field.  They were small magazine, high caliber, bolt action rifles.  They were polished and decorated for performing ceremonies such as this.  The barrels of the rifles all had a blemish free, polished black barrel which led down to a dark wooden forestock.  The trigger guard, trigger, bolt, and ejection port were all shiny polished chrome.  They shined in the lights of the auditorium like lights on a string pointing down the stock to a dark rubber pad at the end.  Norman then gave the command, “Present arms!”  In complete unison, the unit pulled the rifle from the shouldered position to straight in front of them.

The rifles divided each soldier's body in half left from right with the barrel pointed skyward.  “Take aim!!” Norman commanded.  Again in unison, the entire unit pulled the rifle tight against their shoulders and aimed skyward at a perfect forty five degree angle.  The angle was just high enough to avoid any potential shrapnel from going outside of the E.C.O. shielding barrier placed up in the ceiling; but still low enough that everyone in attendance would see the muzzle blast of the powder from the rifle blanks.  “I must hold this rifle tight to my shoulder.  Unlike my field rifle, this one will kick … HARD!  I remember my father teaching me to fire this thing.  I also remember his warning, “If you don’t hold it in tight, it could break your collarbone.”  Even though these were only filled with blanks, they will still pack a big kick.  The first time I ever fired one of these it knocked me on my ass.  I was little then, so this time it will be different.” She thought to herself as anger drew up in her. “That damned old man.”  she thought, when remembering her father.  Fortunately, no one in the audience could see her face from this angle.    

During the funeral ceremony, I couldn’t help but think about how he would train me to become a soldier and serve my country.  I was supposed to continue on our family's military legacy.   When I was old enough, I planned on serving.  Not because of my father, but rather, because of my own sense of duty and patriotism.  However, the Pan-Geo War had ended before I could enlist.  Maybe it was fate, but I was going to show that damned old man that I was a better soldier than he had ever been.  

~Excerpt from Private Sara Snow’s Journal Entry 62

Norman then gave the command, “Fire!”  Sara squeezed the trigger and the rifle fired.  In unison all of the rifles went off.  The sound echoed throughout the auditorium like a battle cry during a fierce battle charge.  “SHIT!” Sara thought as she felt a jarring sensation go through her right shoulder down into her back.  “Dammit!  I didn’t hold it tight enough against my shoulder.  That is going to leave one hell of a bruise.”  she thought to herself trying to mask the pain she was feeling.  Norman then gave the command, “Reload!”  Each member, in perfect unison with the next, lifted the handle of the bolt, ejecting the empty casing then slammed the bolt forward then down into the loaded position.  The brass rattled to the floor like rain drops on a tin roof.  “Aim!” Norman commanded again.  Once again, Sara took aim and pulled the rifle as tight as she could to her already bruised shoulder, and even more bruised ego.  “Fire!” Norman commanded again.  Sara pulled the trigger, again, the rifles rang out throughout the auditorium once again with their battlecry.  “Holy shit! That was worse than the first time.  I must have done some real damage on that first shot.  I only have one more shot to get through.  It doesn’t feel like anything is broken, but, holy hell, it sure feels like someone just hit me with a hammer.” Sara thought to herself trying not to let her face give away any indication of the pain she was in.  “Reload!” Norman commanded for the final time.   Again, in perfect unison, the unit reloaded.  Sara gritted her teeth and prepared for the final volley.  “Aim!” Norman called again.  The few fractions of a second between the “aim” command and the final “fire” command felt like an eternity.  Trying to calm herself, Sara thought, “Relax!!  Breathe!!  Hold tight!! Don’t think about…”  “Fire!” commanded Norman.  Sara slowly released her breath and again, pulled the trigger.  She felt a sharp pain run from her shoulder down her arm and then back up again.  The pain went past her shoulder and wrapped around her upper back and neck.  “Shit!  That one did some serious damage!” she winced under her breath.  “Thank God!  There are no more!”  she thought, trying to slow her breath and hide the pain she was feeling.  

Norman then gave the rest of the commands to return everyone to their original positions.  In unison, the entire unit brought their rifles to center, shouldered them, and turned to face the audience.  Sara’s arm hurt so bad, it was all she could do to hold the rifle in its proper position.  “It is kind of crazy.  We fire rifles with twice the caliber and exponentially more kick with our battlesuits on, and yet we don’t even notice.” she thought.  “My entire right arm is numb.” she muttered under her breath.  Norman then called out the command, “Dismissed!”  In single file the entire unit proceeded off the stage.  Norman followed behind them to the backstage area.  Commander Sorrenson came back to the podium to close out the ceremony.  

Sara couldn’t really make out what was said by Commander Sorrenson to close out the ceremony.  It was all she could do not to pass out from the pain.  She followed the trooper in front of her to the room in the back of the backstage area.  It was there that Norman was to address the troopers.  By the time Sara reached the back room, all of the seats were taken.  “Great! Looks like the end of the rank train is standing yet again!” She thought to herself.   Sara positioned herself in a way that she could lean against the wall on her good shoulder and easily see Commander Norman.  Once all the troopers were in the small, approximately 3 x 5 meter, room; Norman waited for everyone to get situated in the cramped environment.  He then pulled a paper from his pocket and began to speak, “As you can tell from the uniform, I will be taking Commander Voss’s place.  I am now acting unit commander, but not for you all.  I am being reassigned to the rebuilt 37th unit.  Furthermore, as you know Commander Voss was also the regional commander for the G.E.T. western Pan-Am division.  Though I will not be taking that particular role due to my lack of experience and rank, I hope that from this moment forward; you will all act with your new sergeant and commander as you have for me.” 

“I didn’t know he was also the regional commander!” Sara thought to herself, trying not to show any semblance of surprise on her face.  “It makes sense though.  I knew Voss was pretty high rank to just be a unit commander.  Seems like the ole man still had a lot more vigor in him than I realized; if he was acting in both roles.  Or, is it simply a requirement that comes with rank to perform multiple roles.  I never once thought to ask such things while I was in training.  I will have to remember to ask Norman before he redeploys.  It is something I need to know since I plan on going career.”  Sara continued thinking.  

Norman continued speaking, “My last official duties as your acting sergeant were to attend and speak at Commander Voss’s funeral, and deliver this last bit of information.  When you return to your barracks tonight, you will have a message waiting for you with your assignments.  I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but unit 38 as well as a few other units are being broken up and their members reassigned.  You will receive one of two messages.  The first would be from central command with your reassignment.  The second would be from Dr. Kardinovsky.  I do not know the details, but those who receive this message are to undergo a top secret mission.  Sara’s eyes widened, “Dr. Kard-what-ever!  That was the message I got just before leaving!  Does that mean I am going to be on this new top secret mission?!” she thought to herself.  Sara began to wonder, “This can’t be right.  The messages shouldn’t have been sent yet, and furthermore, why would they want a greenhorn like me to go on something top secret?!”

Norman continued on, “Lastly, my first order as a commander.  Hardson, Ibara, you are hereby field-promoted to the rank of sergeant.  These are your new orders.”  Norman reached into his inside jacket pocket and pulled out two manilla envelopes and handed one to each of them.  “You are not to share the contents of these envelopes with anyone other than your direct superiors.  Do you understand me?”  Norman very sternly and directly.  Both of the men replied, “Sir! Yes sir! Commander Norman!”  Given the seriousness of the situation inferred by Commander Norman, neither Haroldson nor Ibara dared open their envelopes in present company.  An eerie silence overtook the room.  No one dared breathe, much less mutter a word.  It was as if the realization of all the events that unfolded had caught back up with everyone.  To make things even worse, no one knew if they were about to go back out and face the flame dancer once again.  No one except Commander Norman.