When I enlisted in the Colonial Marine Corps, I expected to be out there in the field against the CLF with my unit. But here I am, a recruiter for some time and stuck in this shitty colony set up by Yayland-Wutani. I guess there were some benefits to this I mean being a recruiter and all. I got to see all these low-lives who were eager to get out of this dump and see action, and it was pretty obvious as to why they wanted to get out so badly. Crime-rates high, the local police force barely able to keep control, and someone died almost every day. Not the utopia Y-W promised these people. Thank god it's my last day and I can rotate back to the USS Almayer for active duty I thought and walked to the office complex to begin my shift.
When I got there, there was a line full of people with a few more occupying the seats we provided them. The waiting room was small and cramped and barely had any more seats for the colonists. "Budget cuts," I murmured and squeezed through a group of people blocking my office door. There on my desk lay a pen and paper. A pretty simple set up. I sat down and just when I was about to call for my first interviewee. Sargeant Endsley walked in with a paper clip in his hand and said, "Sargeant Williams," I nodded and replied with the same greeting, "Sargeant Endsley." He was in a different mood today, cheerful, I'd say, which was weird, I always thought he was one of them grumpy types. I've worked with him since day one on this colony. He was already here before me, but they kept him on this colony for recruiting duty for whatever reasons.
"I don't know if you know this, but this our last day here." I guessed right. "Of course, I've been keeping track of time since day one," I said. He stood there, looking like he was going to burst out from happiness, thinking of finally getting off this colony. I sympathized with him on that, when people talk about Solaris, they either talk about the constant crime or about the shitty mayor they have. "Anyway, you need anything, Endsley?" I asked while pretending to organize my desk, which only consisted of stacked papers and a pen.
"The Captain wants us to get as many enlistees we can, and have them sent up to the Allister by 1350 hours, have them meet at Landing Zone one," I looked at the clock, it displayed 13:00. Only fifty minutes? I thought. With the number of people waiting outside and there being only two recruiters in the office, I don't know if we're able to get them all. "How are we going to interview all these people under fifty," I asked. He looked as if he had the answer already prepared for this question, and he was. "We'll just ask them quick questions like their purpose of enlistment, any health issues we should be made aware of..." He took a quick pause, "And what they're looking forward to in the Colonial Marines, and skills worth noting."
Pretty short for an interview, but it worked. Most of these people are just eager to get out of this colony anyways. With an awkward pause between us and time was being wasted, he nodded at me and made his way towards the exit. "I'll see you on the landing zone," he said. With him gone, I was able to begin the short interviews. But I kept thinking, why command has decided to cut it so short? Maybe they need the Allister on the frontlines, now that was something I'd want to be a part of.
I clicked a button to the wall next to me, which had signaled the first person to come into the office. "Name" I demanded from the first person to come into my room, he wore an outfit of an engineer. "Ali, Calvin Ali. Sir," he responded like he was already in the military, even called me sir. I let it slide this, for now, cause all I cared was getting him onboard by 1350 hours. I gave him the questions which he was supposed to answer and then preceded with the enlistment papers. And just like that, he was gone in a few minutes. I'd spent the other minutes I had doing the same routine, interviewing them and giving them their papers to sign. Zack McIntosh, Carmen Demendez, Brian Andley. I was busy grabbing as many enlistees I could, to the point, I almost lost track of what was happening outside.
"Attention, colonists! PMC's are being deployed by Y-W to restore order in areas where the crimes are high. To celebrate, we shall hold a party at the bar with pizza being sent also by Y-W. Thank you for listening." A sudden broadcast came through one of the speakers set up around the colony and ended rather abruptly. "Finally some change, I might head over there and celebrate with the colonists," I muttered to myself and looked at the clock. "10 minutes left," I said. I sighed and continued interviewing people for the next 10 minutes. When the time was up, I grabbed all the papers from the people I interviewed and walked out of my office. There were still people eagerly waiting to enlist, "That's all for now, folks. Go home." I said, they all grumbled and groaned, annoyed they didn't get a chance to be interviewed, some sat on the chairs, asleep. I went into the room next to mine where Endsley's office was. He wasn't there. "Probably at Landing Zone one with all the enlistees," I murmured. To be sure of it, I tried radioing Endsley on the command channel, "Hey, Endsley. You at the Landing Zone?" I held the radio in my hands, waiting for a response but didn't get anything from his end or from any others on the channel. Engineering must be working on telecommunications again... I shrugged it off and proceeded my way to the exit.
An unpleasant noise came from the storage room. Sounded like a low growl and someone scratching on the door, which was odd. Nobody should be there except for personnel. I asked people in the room if they saw someone walk into the room, they shrugged and looked as confused as I was. I went towards the door and grabbed the knob, then suddenly BANG, BANG, someone was definitely in there. I opened the door, "All right, buddy. Stop goofing around and...-" I gasped, frozen, as without any warning, he lunged at me. I fell on the ground with him on top of me. He tried biting me, but I managed to throw a little punch at him and get him off of me. He looked pale, deformed and his eyes were white. Barely resembled a human. A zombie. I quickly came to my senses, and since I didn't have a weapon. I ran towards the exit and commanded everyone did the same, "Get out of the fucking building!" I exclaimed, and they all followed me outside the building. "I got to find Endlsey!" I said to myself as I continued my way towards the bar to warn others.