53-58: The end.
Added 2025-11-10 08:00:08 +0000 UTCDispassionate mechanical fingers remove the bulky helmets and re-breather packs from the fallen Troopers. Boots, belts and gloves are stripped from the dead and packed away to be re-conditioned and re-issued to the Empress' new recruits. In an empire spanning hundreds of worlds, there is never any shortage of willing volunteers, eager for a chance to serve their sovereign and establish Humanity's dominance across the stars.
The dead will be disposed of, their names forgotten except as footnotes on a memorial on the backwater planets they came from. Only their service to the Empire will endure: Another outpost of resistance quelled; another planet made a little more secure in its loyalty to the Empress; another band of dangerous recidivist aliens purged.
As for Lola; the Imperial military rewards courage and competence, and she has displayed both in ample measure. Newly promoted to Lance Corporal, she is given a fire-team of fresh-faced recruits to command. A little older, a little wiser, a lot more confident; she will continue to serve- at least for now.
There is always another drop.
Comments
I've made it a bit of a habit to comment and ramble on these over the last few months but I don't think I can think of too much this time around, but with how much this particular little series had grew on me over the last year I might as well make a final one to see it off. It's a shame to see it end but as always I'm looking forward to whatever comes next. The older veteran Lola looks smashing too, happy to see her earn that chevron. Here's hoping her future drops are as successful as the first. I think I said in the last one but I'd always love to see a small revisit to this theme or something similar in the future that bring similar elements back like this style of lighting with everything illuminated by, massed wall of laser-armed troops and those bomb-ass amazing suits and dynamic helmet HUDs back. Even if it's only a one-off I'm sure there's plenty of other alien planets out there ripe for conquering or if this universe is anything like Warhammer 40k, TONS of infighting between the Imperium itself.
piephobia
2025-11-13 05:34:16 +0000 UTC
