Shadows of JiangXi

[mtjsmith]

Chun Ki Ling, a now decorated soldier, stood ready at the door of the Social Credit. Many had gone before him, his superiors in their wisdom had decided that since "Ling-Ling" had done such a good job of helping retake Gordok - He should be the last to disembark.

"Hrrmph. This gun's rusty, well - At least they let me take my Jian."

He checked his gun and ammo - He also checked the little protection he had from the radiation. JiangXi was his family's home before the Phantom's bombardment. Only his sister and him had survived the attack. The rest of the family were long gone - forgotten memories of a dead world. He looked up, the counter was nearly at Zero. One of his superiors, Vinceta Gonzalez - was behind him, and was revving a jeep. It struck Ling, that perhaps this was not going to be a fair trial.

"Ling, you're up. Try to live - MOVE!"
"For the revolution!"

He hit the turf, and immediately sprinted along the beaten track. There appeared to have been a number of people whom had gone ahead of him - And the night had set it. His superiors must have wished him dead, for starting his trial in the dark would surely have killed a normal man. Ling however, was not normal. His fellow recruits had noticed this by now, his superiors revelled in it. The man was a pure through and through soldier. You tell him to jump, he would jump immediately as high as he could. He didn't question an order, he didn't care of the consequences - He did exactly what he was told, to the letter.

He also had very good tenacity, determined to the last. He was not one to give up. As such, behind everyone else - and with an ominous jeep revving behind him - He ran and ran through the night and through the cold, depressing rain.

"WRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRGGGHHHH!"

A scream of some diabolical beast in the distance. Ling came to an abrupt halt and the adrenaline kicked in. He had no idea how long he had been running, but was the noise close - or far?

"Come on... Come on..."
"WRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRGGGHHHH!"

It ran out from the bushes and stood right in front of him, a beast likened to an old Sol Black Bear. This bear however, glowed red in the eyes and it's fangs were long and terrifying. It's fur was thick and paws huge. It was obviously highly aggressive. Ling afforded himself a small smile, a mere 10 meters separated them but it was more than enough. Ling cocked his weapon and shot creature dead between the eyes. It snarled and cried as it went down with it's dying breath.

"This was home beast. Was. I am sorry, but it is either you or me - And now I must disrespect you by removing your fur. Forgive me."

He unsheathed his Jian and began skinning the bear. Ling knew that whatever trial's the rest of JiangXi had for him, a thick fur such as this would be highly valuable. Not in the least - Keeping him warm as the rain became more heavy, and the night more dark.

"Here's a good a place as any to rest. An hour is ample time, but first...."

He took out a small piece of rope, and tied to it a grenade. Wrapping the rope around two trees and placing the grenade in the skinned beast - He fashioned a small booby trap. Enough to keep anything from coming his way along the beaten track.

Chun looked around at what was his home planet, and took a small sip of his water bottle. Today was the first in probably many days of trials. He had to ration himself carefully. He had to remain alert always. He smiled again, he was strangely going to enjoy this

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