The Ghosts of Somme VI (Flash Fiction)
With L-Day approaching, Captain Klay Wilkins of the United States Marine Corps continues to be haunted by the ghosts of Somme VI.
Author’s note: I hope you enjoyed last week’s post on the Holy League Universe. This week, I’m taking the foot off the gas pedal with this flash fiction story.
Inside the starship USS New Texas, Captain Klay Wilkins of the United States Marine Corps looked at the holographic figure of planet Eridanus, the Epsilonian homeworld. “Landing Day” or L-Day had been a long time in the coming. The war against the Federal People’s Democratic Republic of Epsilon had been brutal, but at least the end was in sight. The United States of America, the ruling power of Earth and her colonies, had lost many good men against these communists. Klay would have been lost in his thoughts, but the Captain was interrupted by a gruff voice.
“To think that tomorrow we’re finally ending the bloody commies, eh Cap.”
Klay turned to his Sergeant Major, Scott “Scotty” Jourdan. At about six-foot-five, the Sergeant stood much taller than the Captain.
“Yeah. Just keep yourself sharp, Scotty,” Klay said.
But the Sergeant chuckled. “Heh, I’m more worried about you. Thought you might crap your pants, or something.”
“Really?” Klay raised his eyes, smirking. “Crap your pants?”
“I would have used a stronger word, but I know how much you hate cussing.”
“I’m not the one at risk of getting blown into bits by plasma artillery,” the captain said. “That’s you. Meanwhile, I’ll be enjoying the safety of the New Texas.”
“True,” Scotty conceded, shrugging. “But you’ll be directing the squads landing for L-Day. If you screw up, that’s thousands of dead bodies on your hands, maybe more.”
“I know,” Klay said, his face betraying discomfort. “I’ll be fine.”
“I think so, if you keep your head straight,” the Sergeant said. “I know what’s really on your mind.”
Scotty then pointed to Klay’s lower body. The captain’s entire lower torso was mechanical, its metallic sheen could be seen. From the outside, they looked just fine, but Scotty knew that it was hell to move around with. The sergeant then knocked on Klay’s thigh. A metallic noise rang out.
“Cut that shit!” Klay snapped.
Scotty’s eyed widened as he heard the curse. He held his arm up apologetically. “My bad.”
The Captain then took a deep breath. “No, I’m sorry. It’s just that, sometimes I wish to be down there. Fighting the good fight.”
Scotty gently put his hand on Klay’s shoulder. “You are, Cap. You are. We all have our parts to play.”
***
The sound of gunfire rang throughout the battlefield of Somme VI. This was followed by a round of plasma artillery which landed uncomfortably close to a trench.
Lieutenant Klay Wilkins held his head down, the last he wanted was to get his head blown off. The bombardments had been ruthless from both sides. There was a huge swath of no man’s land between the Americans and the Epsilonians. The Lieutenant grimaced as he thought about the orders he had been given.
It was then that Sergeant Scott Jourdan brought himself next to Klay.
“What’s the plan, LT?”
The Lieutenant shook his head. But he had to tell the men sooner or later. “We’re going to charge.”
“What! The! F…”
“I don’t like it more than you do,” Klay said apologetically. “But a successful charge will put an end to any strong commie position in Somme VI.”
“Assuming we survive…”
“You know I don’t ask my men to do something that I myself wouldn’t.”
Scotty could hardly believe what he just heard. “You mean…”
Klay nodded. “Yup. I’ll be leading the charge.” He then smirked. “Don’t fall behind, Scotty.”
The Sergeant shook his head but smiled.
And so, the Americans under Lieutenant Klay Wilkins charged through the no man’s land. There were heavy bombardments from artillery, aircrafts, and orbital spacecrafts. However, the Lieutenant knew that the Epsilonian position was way too entrenched to be cleared out completely. Tanks and war trucks led the way followed by infantrymen who used the vehicles as cover from small arms fire.
Unfortunately for the Americans, the bombardments had done little to dislodge the Epsilonians from their defensive positions. From their trenches and pillboxes, they fired against the Americans.
Klay knew that he was losing men left and right, but he pressed on. He barely avoided a mortar fire which exploded just a few feet away from him, though it claimed the life of an American soldier.
The Lieutenant’s persistence paid off as his men was now within reach of the Epsilonian trench. He saw that despite the horrendous casualties suffered, his forces were still big enough to overcome the commies. As Klay scanned the battlefield, he saw that Scotty was right next to him. The sergeant was not only still alive, but he was also keeping up.
But then, the lieutenant saw a round of plasma artillery about to hit them both. Without thinking, Klay pushed Scotty out of the way. He had to use all of his strength given the size difference between the two of them.
Klay felt great pain as the sound of explosion rocked his hearing. Before he knew it, he laid down on the ground, bleeding out. His entire lower body was a mess; meanwhile, everything below his knees had turned into red mush.
***
Klay woke up. He had that dream again. The Captain remembered the day he lost his legs. For his bravery, he was awarded the Medal of Honor and was honorably discharged. But Klay would have none of the latter. He wished to fight alongside his comrades. He wanted to see this war through. To this day, the ghosts of Somme VI continued to haunt him.
The alarm next to his bed rang. 0500. It was now L-Day. The Invasion of Eridanus was to commence in just an hour.
Klay thought of Scotty’s words. He knew that the Sergeant was right – he had to keep his mind straight. He may not be down on that planet, but he would have his part to play. Scotty and the rest would be counting on him.
Captain Klay Wilkins was determined to put the ghosts of Somme VI to rest.
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