The sky had been gray since morning, as if threatening us with rain. The troops had been stationed here for weeks, thier only purpose was to baby-sit the city nearby. Sgt. Harrison decided to relax for a bit, maybe get some sleep. Just as he was about to lay down, the Radioman ran into the barracks. "Sir, there seems to be a situation."
   "What kind of situation?"
   "The radios are dead, and a Kerrisian bomber wing just showed up on radar."
   Harrison cursed under his breath, and ran into the control room. What the man said was true, there was no radio, and the bombers were a minute away. "Get the SAM's warned up, and get the men under cover. Can we trace the jammer signal?"
   "No Sir, we think it's a Flash-jam, most likely gone by now."
   "Okay then, work on getting our radio lines open."
   "Sir!" The man flashed a salute, and gave his orders to the technicians. In the distance, the bombers resembled birds rather than jets, but slowly grew larger. The men below ran into the bunkers, and under cover. The attack was inevitable, when was the problem.

   The planes were getting closer, and the drone of the engines could be heard like thunder. As they gathered over the base, little black canisters fell from the sky, like a bird that dropped it's meal. The bombs streaked out like metal confetti, The men in the control tower braced themselves on anything they could find. Harrison closed his eyes as the first bombs hit.
   The shockwave blew out the windows, spreading glass and dirt into the room. Outside, the air was on fire. The men ran around in chaos, trying to avoid one bomb, while running into another. As the planes left, Harrisons eyes were drawn to the horizon. Tanks and infantry dashed across the fields, like marathon runners at the gun. In the distance, artillery pieces opened fire, adding to the destruction brought on by the sky. The already smoky sky lit up with white trails of shells.

   The tanks drew near, firing cannons in glancing blows against the already shattered base. Half the soldiers stationed there were dead or critical, and most defenses were down. Harrison grabbed his side, feeling something warm. Regardless, he stumbled to the console, and hit the button for an evacuation call. Through the shattered installation, the simulated voice rang out, "Attention all USCA personnel, this is not a drill. Re-group with your highest ranking NCO, and retreat to pre-established points. I repeat..."

   The Kerrisian troops were already spilling over the walls, mercilessly mopping up the scattered defenders, engaging targets regardless of condition. There was no realistic hope of defending the base now, Harrison realized. The surviving officers in the control towers began to panic, drawing there pistols as the Kerr made their way into the building they were in. Harrison reached for his pistol, coughing up a red, metallic liquid. As footsteps sounded through the hall connecting with the control room, everyone was tense.

   Harrison pulled himself off the floor, preparing himself for whatever came through the door. The steps grew louder, until they stopped outside the door. The door smashed open, and a small orb rolled into the room. It was the last thing on Harrison's mind.