The radio cracked, “five minutes until we reach the LZ. It’s hot so check your gear before we land. You won’t have time later.”

It was hard enough to hear with an improvised headset but the helicopter’s blades chopping the air a few feet above made it nearly impossible.

In the distance was the glow of explosions in the night sky, each shockwave buffeting against the battered fuselage. It had only been six months since the Sol Republic Space Command had lost contact with the outpost on Pluto and only two weeks since Noah had joined the Army to defend Earth.

It was thought to be an equipment malfunction that stopped Pluto’s research center from responding to Earth’s calls. Nothing too serious. At least, nothing as serious as the reality of the situation. It wasn’t until a small colony on Triton sent a distress signal to all SRSC military installations that reality set in.

A month after Triton fell, it was Europa. Then Ganymede, then Titan, and so on until humanity lost contact with every colony in Sol.

Until the fall of Mars, Earth was blind to its imminent subjugation. Footage streamed in from the intrasolar comm system. They were bipedal creatures standing at least a foot above an average human with large crowned heads, a dark gray carapace that covered most of their body, and long slender limbs.

Noah sat deep in thought, wondering why he would sign up to fight monsters. He vaguely recalled thoughts of protecting his family against the invaders. Of being able to sacrifice himself to prolong the life of the ones he loved. It had only been 16 days since he signed up to fight, yet the terror of war made it seem so long ago.

An explosion 100 meters away rocked the aircraft. He watched in consternation as the helicopter carrying Fireteams Charlie and Delta burst into flames and plummeted towards the ground. Another explosion beyond his vision shook Noah in his seat.

The pilot shouted into the intercom, “30 seconds until we land, get ready to bail. I can’t stay down for long!”

Noah gave Bravo Team Leader, Amber, a thumbs up. She replied with a slight nod. To his right, a young kid fumbled with his body armor, two sizes too large for a 16 year old. His name was Ariel Cook and grew up in a small, rural hunting town. Sitting directly across from Noah was Gabriel. A 22 year old from the same city as Noah. They had enlisted at the same time and flew in for training together.

A sudden drop caused a pit in Noah’s stomach. They were landing.

“Move! Move! Move!” Amber yelled. It was hard to hear her over the rattle of gunfire but she was experienced and knew how to direct the new recruits with her body language. She had left the service before the invasion on Pluto but decided to reenlist when Mars fell.

The team took cover behind an outcrop of rocks while they awaited their platoon leader’s orders. Their mission was to secure a bunker at the top of the hill. Flint radioed in, only Fireteams Alpha, Bravo, Echo, and Foxtrot remained. The others were shot down before they could land. It was time to move.

Bravo team raced to the top of the hill with no enemy contact. Once they reached the southern wall of the bunker they regrouped with the platoon.

Flint scrambled over rocks to give Bravo team their orders, “Bravo team, you’ll be clearing this wing of the bunker. Alpha team will follow you in. Prepare to breach on my signal!” He rushed to Fireteams Echo and Foxtrot for their orders.

Flint gave the signal and Amber directed the team to breach the bunker. A charge exploded and sent the door flying inward. Two grenades were thrown into the first room. A flash of light filled the room and shrapnel pinged against the walls. Noah and Gabriel moved in, Noah checking the right and Gabriel the left. Amber and Ariel followed behind while Fireteam Alpha waited just beyond the door.

Flashes of light strobed across the room from the explosions and flares outside. The muffled sound of gunfire and light footsteps echoed through the bunker. There were several windows just below shoulder height that lined the room. One darkened hallway lay across from the door.

A ghastly wail seized the attention of Bravo team and an invader sprung from the hallway, sending a shockwave of terror through Bravo Team.

Amber was the first to fire, followed by Ariel. Gabriel was nearest the opening and was the first to make contact with the charging demon. He was thrown against the wall and sat slumped over, blood gushing from his chest where the invader impaled him with its armored limb.

“Fire! Fire! Fire!” Amber screamed, her voice cracking as it strained.

The projectiles from the weapons penetrated the thick carapace of the bipedal monster and it fell against Gabriel’s dead body as it let out an ear-piercing shriek.

As Amber and Ariel reloaded their weapons, another invader leapt from the abyss. It slammed its skull against Ariel, instantly knocking him unconscious or perhaps killing him.

Noah, still stunned with fear, watched as Amber was mercilessly mauled, unable to reload her weapon. Time moved in slow motion as he watched his impending death. He was only able to gather a single thought, “Why did I choose to fight?” He thought of his family, his 6 year-old daughter and raised his weapon.

It was too late. He was crushed against the wall behind him. His ears rang and head throbbed. The sound of gunfire and the smell of gunpowder and iron filled the air.

“2nd Platoon, Alpha Team. Two invaders neutralized. We have four casualties in Bravo Team. We need medics ASAP.”

Noah fell to the ground, fighting off unconsciousness. He lay there on his side, staring at his necklace locket broken against the concrete floor. “Would I make the same decision?” he asked himself.

Admiring his daughter’s picture as the last of his vision faded, he answered, “yes.”