Saint Helena Island

  Aboandon House

  2093.06.30

  After the battle in the Atlantic Ocean, the Fleet Salvador became victorious over the enemy’s attack. They lost many ships, men, and women, but not their hope. They will use everything and anything they have to take back their home, the earth.

  Miss Helena Fleet was able to aid and overtake with brutal force over the machine’s desperate attack to stop the humans. With their defeat on the African shorelines, they will try anything to stop them. This only proved the intel ES-COM shared with the Ecplise that Africa is home to many production facilities. The Military of Humanity desperately tried to find these facilities. It was the only way they could stop the thousands upon thousands of machines being produced. Since the beginning of the war, they weren't sure how there could be so many; there were times when they killed four hundred thousand in one week during their struggle in the Americas. Only for thousands more to appear later during the big campaign. It wasn't until the 3rd Eclipse platoon found a super factory in Ontario, Canada, that it was discovered. Then M.O.H. quickly alerted Eclipse Elites to have their platoons find them and cripple the Machines' numbers.

  They lost many Eclipse members during those times; only 128 live today. The Elites haven’t recruited new members because it's harder than ever to find highly skilled marines, as the population has been declining and birth rates have dwindled. The discovery of the super factory revealed new data on how the machines operate and organize themselves. This campaign to retake Africa was essential because previous Eclipse scouts had found numerous factories and bases. M.O.H. assumes it's the heart of operations and possibly the key to winning. They hope to find the ‘leader’ or ‘mainframe’ of control and shut down all the machines.

  The 17th Eclipse was safe and sound in a house in Jamestown, Saint Helena Island. A small family home, with a little fenced yard. They sat on the couches and dining room chairs. Awaiting orders for departure to Africa. Manteo was in the bathroom, sitting on the toilet. He wasn't using the bathroom but just trying to calm his nervousness and anxiety. He was worried about Carl, who was left on board the ship in the medical bay. He hopes he makes a quick, easy recovery. His head was throbbing, and the pain in his arm flared up again.

  “I have to protect them. I can’t let father down,” he murmured. Trying to push through the pain.

  “Is everything alright, Ramirez?” Malerys spoke in a soft tone, her head pressed against the bathroom door to try to hear Manteo. “You’ve been in there for some time. Do I need to go in there?”

  Why is she trying to embarrass me again? Manteo was thinking, getting frustrated with her. He just wanted to be left alone.

  “No. Just leave me be, please.” his body started to shake, and he gave her attitude.

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  “Ramirez, just open the door. I can help,” she was twisting the doorknob back and forth.

  He thought about it. If she was actually able to make this pain stop, then so be it. He unlocked the door and let her in.

  “What’s the matter? The guys are getting worried. They don’t want you…you know…have an episode.” standing in the doorway.

  “They don’t need to worry. I’m fine.” Mantoe pushed his words out, trying to overcome the pain in his arm. Malery closed the door behind her and walked up to Manteo and knelt in front of him.

  “Wanna know something? I too went there…the place,” she said in a soft tone and grabbed his forearm where he was squesszing at. He jerked back.

  “They sent you there, too? But I’ve never seen you have a breakdown,” he then allowed her to grab his arm.

  “I did. When we got back from Mexico. At the shooting range, I kinda went wild, screaming nonsense, shooting everything in my path.” She started to rub his forearm with her thumb gently, no eye contact, just looking at the mark of the needle injection. “Guess that was enough to send me to get checked, and yep, bad PTSD and trauma. Sent me to the cold, dark room and injected me with whatever that crap was. They said ‘it will help rest your emotions’, clearly it didn’t, I too still get enraged and want to go ballistic.” She looked up at Manteo. He looked back, his eyes looked tired and heavy.

  “Why are you helping me? Why do any of you want me here? I can get you all killed because of my ‘condition’.” Manteo looked away from eye contact and pulled his arm up to his chest.

  “I don’t, they don’t. We need you, Ramirez. You're the best gosh-dang rifleman here. You can aim like no other. Don’t mind Fletcher; he's going through it too. You're just easy to pick on; he lets out his frustrations on you.”

  “I’m just so angry all the time, and he doesn’t help it. I don’t…want to hurt any of you. You're my friends,” he said, looking down.

  “Don’t tell anyone about this.”

  “They saw you come in. What are you-” Malery got up from the floor and gave him a hug. Manteo was so shocked that she couldn't help but melt into her soft, gentle hug. And started to cry.

  “Hey, hey, it will be alright. I got you. Everyone here cares for you. Just hang in there. We have a duty to do, and when we win. It will be all over; just keep pushing forward. Stay strong for me. If you stay strong, so will I,” she released her grasp and walked away to the bathroom door.

  “Come out when you are ready, but not too long. I think we will be leaving soon.” She smiled at him with a glow he had never seen on her face. She walked out of the bathroom and closed the door behind her. Mantoe couldn’t believe what happened; he kinda hated the attitude she always gave him. It probably explains why she has always given him a hard time. His pain disappeared, and he was cheering up, but his heart was racing. He felt weird; he’s never felt this way since-

  “No. No. Haha, Malery! Never, ever.” his face became hot with embarrassment.

  He was now thinking he was developing feelings for Lieutenant Malery Jacobs.

  Manteo walked out of the bathroom shortly after his interaction with Malery. He eased toward his bag of supplies to find his water bottle. Troyer walked into the house,

  “Platoon! We are heading out. Pack up,” he went and grabbed his bag off the kitchen counter.

  Manteo took a quick swig of his water and placed it back in his bag. Strapped the bag on his side, grabbed his M4 Carbine, and strapped it on his side. Anxiety flowed back in, but I ignored it and tried to focus on the long journey ahead. He felt better after Malery’s little talk and was ready to take on the mission. He won’t let his team down, never again.

  The Eclipse took two JLTV trucks that they had previously received upon arrival on the island. Split into their squads, one in each vehicle, and drove to the docks to board the SSG Calvin. Calvin had a new crew to man the ship. When they reached the docks, the new captain welcomed them aboard, had their gear sorted, and led them on.

  Alpha squad will remain on board the ship en route to Walvis Bay, Africa. To join the frontlines and aid the Marines. The Omgea squad will board the ship, but will later board another ship to complete their side of the operation.