I Do This For You

by Adam J. Whitlatch

My armor’s growing heavy, the weight bearing down on shoulders already burdened with the stress of this endless war and I can’t help but ask myself, “What’s it all for anyway?” I look down into the black, expressionless visor of the helmet clutched in my metal hands, but it doesn’t offer any answers. A fat, wet raindrop splatters against the visor and streams down the contours of my helmet like a teardrop - tears of God. I look up and see the first of the mechs – heavily-armed and merciless death machines – rounding the corner and marching toward me, followed by nine more and at least five dozen of the Khan’s best storm troopers and I don my helmet with a sigh, the hissing of the airtight seal around my neck covering the sound of my lament. Just another day in the E.R.A., I tell myself as I surge forward to engage the first mech. I do this for you.

6S

Adam J. Whitlatch is the author of several horror and science fiction short stories, but right now his epic novel "E.R.A. – Earth Realm Army" is demanding most of his attention. "E.R.A." is a work of fiction... except for the parts that aren’t. (Adam's complete works on 6S can be found here.)