Member-only story
A Decent Land: An Anthology of Arks #8
Brief biographies of the first forty ships to arrive in the system Mammaria.
Part One of this anthology is available here. Links to the remainder of A Decent Land can be found in this collection.
36. Pawn
The Pawns are, as their name implies, disposable detachments of our average infantry, with a modest set of user-friendly weapons and defences. A single Pawn is useless cannon fodder — in a battle — but squads of them collate to overthrow invasion fleets. We have at least a dozen in commission, as a rule. Our factory arks replace the casualties as they occur.
Hopeful graduates of Barracks fill the various Pawns, prepared to sacrifice their lives for glory (or the greater good). Such a selfless attitude is forced upon the ranks, through relentless propaganda and indoctrination; cleverly concealed as academic units, taught by veterans. Despite the kamikaze instincts of cadets and ensigns, they foster ludicrous ambitions; dubious desires. Their parents would prefer they settle down, accept a safer job and start a family. Sadly, few survive beyond a month.
The best transfer to Aiak’us, or join The Scarlet Guard. The former is an easy post, for slacking jackboots and pernicious commodores; the petty-minded bullies and their friends. They persecute the local population, threaten dissidents and apprehend the loudest revolutionary voices. An underground resistance, several thousand members strong, hides amongst the derelict favelas, plotting through the use of song.
In contrast, Scarlet Guards are bound by duty to the king. They uphold order with a strict adherence to a code, and mediate disputes between the public and the military. If a soldier makes it through the gauntlet of extended service, admirals reward them with a hefty severance pay. The only option for a tired trooper is the Battle ‘Toise; perpetual patrol around the fringes of the fleet. Our leaders would prefer they settle down, accept a standard flat and ponder all the families they’ve helped across the years. Sadly, many choose the ‘Toise and die without an heir.
