9.
Jason's first deployment is to a world he simply calls "Planet One," because of information compartmentalization and gaps in his memory. As a platoon leader, his first mission is to lead his team into a city to gather crucial intelligence, with the ultimate goal of training the locals to defend themselves against an upcoming threat.
Preliminary intelligence shows that Planet One is slightly larger than Earth, about two percent bigger, with more land than water: 60 percent of its surface is land, and the remaining 40 percent is vast freshwater lakes full of fish similar to those on Earth. There are no deserts, and the planet has large uninhabited regions, especially in the arctic zones above and below the 60-degree latitude lines. These areas are mostly barren and lack the diverse ecosystems found at similar latitudes on Earth. The planet has two moons, which add to its unique yet strangely familiar environment; the soldiers name the pale yellow one the Potato and the fast, light red one Nike. The landscape is lush, with plants and animals that resemble those on Earth: forests full of trees that look like pines and oaks, which the soldiers call "near pines" and "near oaks." The ecosystem is full of life, though its diversity is surprisingly limited. There are birds and four-legged ground animals, but no two-legged animals. The planet has a unique natural beauty that Jason will never forget. However, it lacks the rich variety he is used to on Earth, something that strikes him early on. He doesn't dwell on it at the time, but looking back, it seems significant.
The planet is inhabited by humans, though they are slightly smaller than humans on Earth, about five feet tall on average. This smaller size makes it easier for soldiers who are not much taller than the natives to blend in. Despite their size, the locals are as robust as any healthy Earth human, and just as intelligent. This gentle civilization has lived peacefully for centuries, without wars or conflicts. They are unaware of the alien threat coming for them, and when it arrives, the shock will leave them unprepared to defend themselves. With no weapons, their situation is dire. Intelligence suggests that the alien invasion will happen within a specific timeframe. The operation plan calls for twelve to eighteen months of intelligence gathering before the invasion, which should give them plenty of time to prepare for the attack. They will not be allowed to finish.
The goal is to understand the planet's social structure, layout, and technological capabilities. This information is vital for planning a defensive strategy, identifying key resources that need to be protected or stockpiled, and deciding where defensive support is most needed. This reconnaissance is part of the first phase, before the planet's governments publicly announce that they are receiving outside help against an upcoming invasion. Jason and his men already know the local language, which was implanted in their minds as part of their training. They will gather intelligence quietly and scout the area while pretending to set up a trade route from a distant city. The mission is to blend in and become indistinguishable from the city's residents for three to six months, while setting up a trade mission for exchanging goods between cities.
The first city Jason and his men enter lies beside a massive freshwater lake, so large that the opposite shore can't be seen. It is probably as big as the Gulf of Mexico. The platoon spreads out across the city, with each small group placed no more than five minutes from another, though some teams are further away to avoid suspicion. They arrive at staggered times to make it look random, so that they blend into the life of the city. There are no military uniforms or visible operations; instead, they dress like the locals and try to build trust and learn as much as possible before the aliens arrive. This city, which they call Area 26, welcomes them with an openness that surprises them. Its society is deeply rooted in community and neighborliness. Jason and his platoon like the locals. They are trusting, friendly, and open, a stark contrast to the xenophobia the soldiers are used to. The local culture is rich in art, music, and innovation. The city is decorated with artwork that is both inspiring and puzzling: industrial creations that seem to merge machinery with natural forms, like something out of a Jules Verne novel. The artwork is everywhere, lining the streets and decorating the city, a sign of the unique creativity of its inhabitants.
The locals have two sexes, and love and partnership play a significant role in their lives. Marriage on this planet resembles arranged marriage on Earth. However, the arrangement is far from restrictive. Families often try to strengthen ties with other families through these unions, but the individuals involved always have the final say. If either person is unwilling, the marriage simply doesn't happen. This way, even within arranged marriages, personal choice and mutual consent come first. Marriage is marked by a bonding ceremony rather than by signing legal documents. The ceremony symbolizes the union of two families, bringing them together in a way that is both sacred and communal. It isn't just about the couple; it is about building a stronger community, binding families together in mutual support and a shared future.
Planet One is not unified under a single government. It is divided into regions, each with its own beliefs and form of governance. The areas Jason gets to know are governed by a unique system based on guild clans, with social customs and organizational structures that are quite different from Earth's. Families usually stay in the same trade across generations, which creates a strong sense of identity and continuity within each guild. When a couple bonds, the custom is for them to move in with the bride's family. This leads to multi-generational compounds where extended families live together, each with their own private space, but close to one another. As new generations are born, the compounds grow to make room for them, which strengthens these close-knit communities. What Jason finds particularly interesting is that, despite the custom of moving in with the bride's family, the society is not matriarchal. The matriarch and the patriarch of the family share power and responsibilities equally. No jobs or roles are restricted by gender; women work in every occupation alongside men, including guilds that do heavy lifting, like carpenters handling massive beams. This egalitarian approach keeps the social structure balanced, with neither sex dominating the other, and contributes to the overall harmony of their society. There are no police, no courts, and no jails. Disputes go before the guild councils, and there is no need to steal. The last conflict between clans was three generations ago.
Education is just as communal and practical. Children don't only learn the trade of their family or guild. Instead, they rotate through various guilds and gain experience in different skills and trades. This rotation serves several purposes. It spreads the responsibility of educating young people across the community, so that no single person carries the whole burden. It also lets children discover their strengths and passions. A child might start in one guild, like carpentry, but during their rotations they might discover a hidden talent for fishing, or for another trade they have never considered. Each trade or profession has its own guild, and leadership of the city or region rotates among these guilds. This rotating system of government ensures that no single group can dominate or abuse its time in power, and it encourages a natural balance and a focus on the good of the community. Their economy is not based on money like Earth's. Instead, it is a barter system, deeply rooted in the guild structures. Industries are mixed, and people trade services and goods within their communities. This system also provides a safety net for the community. If someone falls ill or dies, there are always other people trained in the basics of each trade. This cross-training ensures that the community can keep functioning smoothly, even in times of crisis. The guilds on Planet One aren't just about work. They create a resilient, interconnected society where everyone contributes and supports one another.
Interestingly, the cities are small, with about 800,000 inhabitants, and there are no motorized vehicles. The urban areas end abruptly at the edge of wild forests and only expand when necessary. The line between civilization and wilderness is sharp, yet beautifully harmonious. There are no sprawling suburbs, just a clear line where the city ends and nature begins. Oddly enough, the planet strongly resembles Holland. The cities are crisscrossed with canals, and water is the main way to get around. Picture a landscape dotted with narrow waterways, where the urban areas are closely connected by canals, much like the picturesque Dutch cities back on Earth.
IDARF commanders have a clear policy about relationships with the local population: soldiers are encouraged to have romantic relationships with locals if it helps build trust and gather intelligence. However, these relationships must never influence command decisions or operational goals. In any case, such relationships rarely last. The strongest bonds are always formed within the unit, a dynamic reinforced by shared experiences and, in part, by the nanite enhancements. Soldiers with intuitive empath abilities, in particular, form connections with their comrades that are far deeper than anything they could build with the locals.
Despite the peaceful and welcoming atmosphere, Jason knows there is no possibility of "going native" or deserting, a fantasy some soldiers might have. Advanced tracking systems make escape not only futile but also severely punished. The punishment for trying can include a virtual prison, where five years of isolation are compressed into just minutes of real time. The psychological toll of such an experience is unimaginable, and it serves as a powerful deterrent that quickly kills any thought of escape.
Jason wonders why the planet has so little biodiversity compared to Earth, which he sees as uniquely dynamic, a kind of cosmic Petri dish. He believes that Earth has been a site of experimentation for countless ages, where various forces and factions have manipulated life, each pursuing its own goals. It isn't just a battleground in the physical sense; it is a laboratory for DNA experiments, where species are introduced, modified, or created from scratch for some higher purpose. Certain species, like octopuses, seem to defy their history and the logic of evolution, as if they have simply appeared out of nowhere. Jason suspects these anomalies are by-products of ongoing experiments. The idea that Earth is a focal point for such interventions matches what he was taught during his training. The lessons hinted at many races involved in these experiments, but the full picture (the "who" and the "why") remains frustratingly unclear. What is certain, however, is that Earth is exceptional: a world unlike any other, shaped by the clash of competing interests and agendas. In contrast, Planet One feels much simpler, a less intricate world in the grand cosmic design. It lacks the layered complexity and chaotic innovation that make Earth so unique.
Jason has been embedded in a city on Planet One for months, blending into the community as part of the undercover operation. He spends his days fitting in and working various local jobs, from hauling goods on carts to helping in small restaurants along the city's intricate network of canals. These canals, vital to the city's trade, range from narrow streams to wide waterways busy with barges loaded with goods.
On a seemingly ordinary evening, as Jason enjoys his day off by one of these canals, the usual calm is broken. The local people start moving in large numbers toward the beach and the bridge over the main canal, which connects the sea wall to the mainland. Something unusual is happening, a break in the city's everyday rhythm, and it catches Jason's attention. Curious, he asks a passerby, who says that something is falling from the sky. Intrigued and sensing the urgency, Jason leaves his meal and heads toward the beach. As he crosses the bridge, a sonic boom splits the air and echoes through the crowd, causing panic and confusion. Jason hurries to the sea wall's observation deck for a clearer view. Moving around trees and buildings that block his view, he finally reaches an open spot where he can see the whole event. At first, it looks like a meteor plunging toward the lake.
Using his enhanced vision, a result of the nanites in his body, Jason zooms in on the falling object. It isn't a natural meteorite but a modified impactor, crudely fitted with a heat shield to stop it from burning up on re-entry. This isn't an act of nature but a kinetic energy weapon, a deliberate act of aggression. A massive rock from space, equipped with a basic heat shield, has been launched toward the planet by a mass driver, a propulsion system that uses electromagnetic force to fire projectiles at high speed. This kind of attack avoids the radioactive fallout of traditional explosives but is just as devastating: on impact, it can release a massive combination of shock wave and heat, capable of destroying everything nearby.
As Jason takes in the situation, the seriousness of their mission becomes painfully clear. This is no longer just an observation and integration mission; this is the edge of a coming war, and they are right on the front line. Jason knows the strategies hostile alien forces use, and one of them is to use kinetic weapons like this to devastate target areas. He knows from his briefings that this is a favorite tactic for first strikes, meant to "soften up" the surface before further operations. In the moments before impact, Jason's instincts take over. Using a streamlined communication system, he quickly sends a coded message to his platoon. The message is short but urgent: an impactor is incoming, and they must follow their standard operating procedures: get to high ground, secure equipment, and stay alert.
Jason then turns his attention to the civilians on the observation deck by the canal. He knows how much damage a strike can cause, especially if it hits the water. A massive wave could follow, threatening everyone in its path. With calm authority, he urges the crowd to move toward safety on the mainland, guiding them without causing panic. As the crowd hurries across the pedestrian bridge, the impactor hits the freshwater lake. The sky lights up with an ominous glow, a clear sign of the chaos to come. The force of the impact pushes a towering wave toward the sea wall. Jason and the fleeing crowd can only run as the wave approaches, wiping out the structures along the sea wall as if they were made of paper. As the threat closes in, Jason spots an alley, sprints toward it, and takes cover behind a building just as the full force of the shock wave hits, tearing down structures above him and throwing debris into the canals. Buildings that stood moments ago are now rubble, destroyed by the alien assault. It is a sobering reminder of the true nature of their mission here. Jason has managed to save many people, but this war against an unseen extraterrestrial enemy is just beginning.
From his improvised shelter, Jason sees a scene of chaos: the once busy streets are now eerily silent, except for the groans of injured survivors crawling out of the rubble. The destruction is enormous, with pieces of buildings in the canal and injured people staggering through the wreckage. Knowing he must check on his platoon, Jason heads to the quarters he shares with fellow soldiers. The streets, so full of life before, are now empty and desolate. When he reaches the building, he grabs a first aid kit and emergency supplies, unsure whether anyone from his unit has survived. With the emergency gear in hand, Jason hurries toward higher ground as another wave rushes through the city streets. He is far enough from the coast to avoid the full force of the wave, but the water still reaches his chest before he finally gets to safety on higher ground.
The initial terror of the attack has passed, but the city is far from safe. Jason learns that the weapon missed its intended target by 50 to 75 miles because it was unguided. This error saves the city from complete destruction, but not from much else: the majority of its population is dead or missing. So is about forty percent of Jason's platoon. Some of his soldiers are never found; of others, only pieces. The survivors drop their cover and help the locals bury their dead. Why didn't you tell us? the locals ask. There is no good answer. Deceit is not even in these people's vocabulary; it is the soldiers' way, not theirs. Jason's company commander, a Mars German, blames him for the losses: since he cares so much about "those effing civilians," he will get no replacements during the cleanup. His platoon sergeant tells him quietly that if he had done it the commander's way, he would have been dead within a month. The burden of command weighs heavily on Jason as he continues his work on the devastated planet, helping to restore order and support the survivors. Stuck far from home, he struggles with the responsibilities of his role and the harsh realities of interstellar war, while trying to stay true to his values in the face of alien aggression and military bureaucracy. Meteor strikes devastate many places across the planet, and each impact is a blow to the stability and safety of its inhabitants. Jason and his team, who know the aliens' tactics, are better prepared than the unsuspecting civilians. The invaders carry out a calculated assault: they target not only populated areas but also the polar ice caps, using kinetic energy weapons to melt them quickly. This raises sea levels and causes widespread flooding.
The city by the lake where Jason is stationed escapes the worst of the rising sea, but coastal regions aren't so lucky. Entire cities along the oceans end up under 20 to 30 feet of water. Huge populations are wiped out, leaving hauntingly empty cities, visible only from the rooftops where some survivors have taken refuge. The once busy neighborhoods are now eerily silent; the water slowly recedes, but it leaves behind a ghostly absence of life. Jason estimates that nearly half of the planet's inhabitants die in the chaos that follows. When he arrived, the planet was home to around 2 billion people. By the end of the war, over a billion lives will have been lost. The environmental disaster causes an immediate food and supply crisis. Jason's role shifts from military operations to humanitarian work, and he works tirelessly to help with the recovery. The platoon coordinates with local authorities to provide food and support to the devastated communities, trying to stabilize the city that has narrowly escaped total destruction. Jason will spend nearly four years on the planet, deeply involved in the war and its aftermath. The long conflict and the extensive recovery period test the resilience of both the defenders and the inhabitants, forging bonds through shared hardship and a common goal: to survive and rebuild.
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