Back Post - I See a Red Door

Posted on Thu Feb 13th, 2020 @ 8:09pm by Ensign Michael Sloan
Edited on on Thu Feb 13th, 2020 @ 9:10pm

Mission: Mission 2 - Fallout
Location: Shuttlepod - Tau Ceti III
Timeline: January - 2144 (Ten Years Prior to Atlantis)
504 words - 1 OF Standard Post Measure

I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors anymore I want them to turn black
I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes

Musical journeys on shuttle rides en route to training exercises were the norm in this unit. On this journey, Corporal Johanson chose music from the late-1960's on Earth. Sloan looked from side to side, the men in his unit all competing with each other for selection into the MACO program. Even under competition, they were all working as a team.

"That's when you take the blue headquarters and we show them the African Confederation has the best unit on Earth," Gunnery Sergeant Orakpo said from next to the shuttlepod's hatch. "Sand is nothing and they are nothing. Tear through them!," he said in his usual loud and boisterous voice.

Joining the rest of the team, Michael let out an "Oorah!"

I see a line of cars and they're all painted black
With flowers and my love both never to come back
I see people turn their heads and quickly look away
Like a new born baby it just happens ev'ry day

The lighting in the shuttlepod turned red as final descent was beginning. Sergeant Sloan checked his phase rifle one last time to ensure it was set to the proper training setting. "Let's kick their ass, Sir!" he called out.

Cheers and other claims of how they were about to throw every last South American unit off of Tau Ceti III. Michael wanted more than anything to prove himself so he could become a MAACO. If only he was able to skip space travel, but that was the future now that Earth was United.

I look inside myself and see my heart is black
I see my red door I must have it painted black
Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts
It's not easy facin' up, when your whole world is black

It was then, proximity klaxons sounded and the shuttle pod was struck by something hard. Sparks sprayed from various consoles in the passenger section as the shuttlepod spun wildly out of control to the planet's surface.

Only a few seconds later, the shuttlepod tore itself apart as it came to a violent rest in the sand. Michael was laid out on the ground, pain and cold gripped him. As his vision began to fade, he remembered seeing the blurred image of a Vulcan ship landing. A red ramp opened from the ship's exit. Just before darkness took him, he heard a voice say, "Your injuries are severe, however we are able to assist. Be still."

No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue
I could not foresee this thing happening to you

---

Sergeant Michael Sloan
Squad leader
United Earth Military

Musical score while you read
https://youtu.be/O4irXQhgMqg