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…