Chapter 6

           Theskywasbright.

           RitaVrataskiwasdead.AfterIkilledtheMimicserverandmoppedupthestragglers,theythrewmeinthebrig.Theysaiditwasforderelictionofduty.Byrecklesslyignoringtheordersofasuperiorofficer,Ihadplacedmyfellowsoldiersinharm’sway.Nevermindthattherehadn’tbeenanysuperiorofficerstogiveanyfuckingorders.TheywerescramblingtofindsomeonetopinRita’sdeathon,andIcouldn’tblamethemforwantingascapegoat.

           Thecourtmartialtookplacethreedaysaftertheylockedmeup;Iwasclearedofthecharges.Intheend,theydecidedtopinamedalonmeinstead.

           Ageneral,theonewhohadorderedupthePT,pattedmeonthebackandtoldmewhatafinejobI’ddone.Heallbutrolledhiseyeswhenhesaidit.Iwantedtotellhimtoshovethemedaluphisassforallthegooditwoulddo,butIstoppedmyself.Rita’sdeathwasmyresponsibility.Nopointintakingitoutonhim.

           ThemedalwastheOrderoftheValkyrie,awardedtosoldierswhokilledoveronehundredMimicsinasinglebattle.Anawardoriginallycreatedforoneveryspecialsoldier.Theonlywaytoreceiveahigherhonorwastodieinbattle-likeRitahad.

           Ireallyhadkilledalotofthefuckers.MorethanallofRita’skillscombinedinjustonebattle.Idon’tremembermuchofwhathappenedafterIdestroyedtheserver,butapparentlyIfoundareplacementbatteryformysuitandproceededtosingle-handedlytakeoutsomewherearoundhalfofalltheMimicsthathadattackedFlowerLine.