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The Story of Private Maszk: Part 1: That Beautiful Smile
Posted By: Ronnie Maszk<theunderboss07@yahoo.com>
Date: 27 June 2007, 5:12 pm


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       "Good morning, honey," a voice spoke as my eyes slowly opened and light poured in, blinding me. I recoiled, quickly throwing my arm across my face to shield myself; blinking numerous times to quicken the adjustment my eyes needed. "Oh, haha, honey. It's okay. Here, I'll turn off the light." It was my wife, Emily, speaking, and I breathed a sigh of relief. The light went off and I relaxed, my arm falling back to my side.
       "It's fine…and good morning to you too, beautiful. Have you started the coffee?" I could finally make out my wife's face in the dark. Her beautiful, porcelain face was pressed against the pillow while she lay there staring at me with that gorgeous smile of hers stretched across it. We had gotten married right out of college, and then I had joined the UNSC, although it worried her so much. She was always so afraid that I would be killed in combat, like most of the soldiers nowadays. Things have been so hectic since the Covenant came along. But I felt I had to do my duty. The one thing I remember my father repeating often was that if he could go back and do his life over, he would join the armed forces.
       "Of course. You stay there I will get you a cup." Emily sat up, pulled the blankets off of her legs and swung them over the edge of the bed. She stood up and her thigh and butt muscles tightened. I smiled. She strode out of the room, looking over her shoulder at me and smiling again. I rolled onto my back, and stretched my whole body.
       "Time to get up, Ronnie. Time, to, get, up!" As I sat up, I coughed and spat a ball of snot out of my mouth and into the bedside garbage. Looking around, my eyes caught a black bag hanging from a hook in the corner. My uniform all pressed and ready for my big day today. I was to be shipped off to combat somewhere, name escapes me now. I do remember the name of my transport ship, though… The Pillar of Autumn .
       "Here's your coffee, sweetie. Now get up and get ready…it's your big day today." Her voice cracked, and I could see her eyes were already welled with tears. I opened my mouth to speak, but she beat me. "I'm going to miss you so much. I love you. With all of my heart, Ronnie, I love you." But through her tears and the shaky voice, she managed a smile. That beautiful smile…




       "Ah, much better." The cool shower water had soothed my aching body. It also calmed me down. In a few hours, I was going to be on a ship, going across the galaxy. And not long after that I would be in combat. The thought did terrify me, but I just thought about my father. Another thought crept into my mind, a terrible thought. What if we are ambushed by a Covenant fleet? I had heard the stories. Hell, who hadn't? Stories of 3 or 4 UNSC ships, unable to even take down one Covenant frigate. Millions dying in a second as the Covenant glassed their home planet. But I had to think positively. I pushed the thought away.




       "I love you," I whispered as I watched Emily from my rear-view mirror. I exhaled sharply, and put the car in drive, accelerating away. The drive wasn't too long, roughly 15 minutes. I hurried inside to the lockers, only to find there was no one there. "Oh, shit. I'm late? I'm late?!" I checked my watch, 10:18. "Three goddamn minutes." I bolted for the Hangars, nearly dropping my bags. Pushing the Hangar doors open, relief washed over me as I saw my squadron in the corner of the large room. There were forty of us…the best damn Marines they could put together. Sadly, I still had no friends in my squad, although it seemed like everyone was friends with everyone.
       "Maszk, where the hell have you been, boy?!" The Sarge was a big man, about 6 feet, 4 inches, and easily 260 pounds. He could put a hurting on anyone he chose. Unfortunately, today it seemed he had chosen me. He sucked on his little cigar, piercing me with those little beady eyes.
       "Um, sorry sir, the wife was a bit hysterical." I looked down immediately after saying it, afraid he would see the lie caught in between my teeth. I slowly looked back up. The Sarge's face had gone from a very serious death stare to the widest grin I had ever seen. His laugh was hearty and full, but was cut short by a terrible coughing fit. "You okay?"
       "Fine, boy. I'm quite fine…however your pussy whipped ass ain't," he spoke as he spat out black matter. "Ah…whew! It's time boys, get on the rock…and if you absolutely feel the need to, you may kiss the ground. It may be the last time you see it." And with that…we were off…off to save our race.





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