The alarm echoed through the facility, screeching the phrase in steady cadence. “Proximity alert. Proximity alert. Battle stations. Battle stations.” I jumped out of my bunk and rushed out into the corridor, nearly dropping my uniform and overcoat I barely got ahold of in my rush.

“Another sleepless night.” A voice grumbled behind me. I turned mid stride to see Wallace running with me. “I knew I would come to regret an extra drink before bed, no thanks to you.” He snarled between breaths.

“Hah. That’s rich from you, Wall. I wasn’t the one vying for the bartenders attention.” I retorted. Wallace had been my bunk mate from day one. And being stationed together with a familiar face was worth more than any resource we fought for on this desolate rock across the gulf of space.

We reached the battalions armory, where we quickly grabbed rifles and helmets. I strapped up my overcoat, doubling as an environmental suit and looked across the door hatch to see Wallace had done the same and donned his oxygen helmet.

“Helmet up, we better be rid of this before sun up.” He snarled, now pulling the charging handle on his rifle. I nodded and pulled the oxygen helmet over my head. Following suit in priming my rifle. Wallace clicked two buttons on the screen next to the door and the airlock changed color, hissing and whirring as it spun open. We gave each other a quick glance. A head nod. And began our charge out to the front to meet our adversaries head on.