[GZG] [GZG Fiction] Dear Ma.... 2 of 5

Lt Paul Linderman, 301st Raptor squadron, Harper VR Base, to his family 

September 3rd 2196

Dear Mom, Pop and Lily, 

I am so very very sorry to have added to the pain that this war has
brought you. I know that if you have received this letter then I have
not had the pleasure of seeing you one last time, as I had requested
that this letter be forwarded only in the event I have been listed
amongst the fallen. I am truly sorry to add to your grief, but please
always remember that my thoughts are of you and that I willingly chose
this course, feeling in some small way that I was helping to protect you
from harm and bring this horror to an end.

I especially want you to know how much I love each of you. I have never
been overflowing with words and it seems clichéd to see them on paper,
but you mean everything to me. Sit warm in the knowledge that it is the
realisation of your love that has always given me the courage to
continue and strive in all that I do. I had so hoped to show my
appreciation for all you have given up for us by enabling you both to
have more of the pleasures of life. This war has prevented me from doing
this directly, but if my death in anyway aids in the ridding of the
Kra'Vak invaders then hopefully you will draw comfort from that in any
pleasures you have into the future. 

We, the people of Earth and the stellar nations are fighting something
fundamental here. Never have I realised that more fully then now as I
prepare for what may be my last action in this conflict. I can not think
of any other way of life, no other set of ideals I would prefer to live
under. The NAC is worth such sacrifices! And all in my unit feel
likewise. 

Remember always that I love you most fervently, that I am proud of you
and that I would do it all again and again to see you safe and happy.
Please consider Abi and our baby, when it comes, as taking my place in
the family. She is a lovely girl, I have never known such happiness as
when I am with her. I am sure you will love her as soon as you meet her.
She will be with you as soon as the siege is lifted. Please, please
watch over each other. 

Love to you all

Paul

Paul Linderman was killed in action during the landing at Rosado. He
remained on station under heavy fire in order to provide cover fire for
a cornered unit and then to successfully evacuate eleven critically
wounded infantry. He died at the stick three minutes from landing at
Harper. His (wounded) co-pilot successfully landed the raptor. Paul was
aged 25. 

>>>>>>

Major Kenneth Thompson, CO 246th Field Company, Royal Engineers, to his
mother 
September 4th 2196

Dearest Mum, 

With comms what they are these days I have been forced to fall back on
letters. You will think this quite amusing no doubt, given my love of
gadgetry. Given the siege and port access, you certainly won't get this
letter for quite some time, but I hope it won't be delayed too long. I'm
writing this while perched in the back of a rather bumpy truck, so
please excuse my penmanship. We embarked from camp a lifetime ago, or so
it seems, though in truth it can only be an hour or so. Progress is
slow, but so far everyone remains cheerful, cracking jokes and cheering
the results of the craps game being played down the aisle. Right now you
would not dream we were anywhere but on one of those training exercises
that so entertained us only two short years ago. The only hint may be
the amount of equipment we were carrying, which is quite astounding. 

I was not suitably high in the chain to know much officially before now,
but it does not take a man of letters to have guessed for the last year
or so that we would eventually go off on this, or something similar, and
strike back at the enemy, kicking them from Mars is our obvious goal
after all. I once thought I would dread the sign of large preparations
and the imminent presence of renewed savagery of the scale that
accompanied the invasion. I thought I would ache knowing it would mean
the final parting from friends, but in actuality (thankfully) I haven't
minded at all. Instead I am rather glad that it is really happening. We
are all confident and optimistic, though only a fool would be so crass
as to think it is going to be a walkover. This must sound absurd to you,
but I have come to see what you meant that lifetime ago when we
discussed my enlisting. I agree now that it must be some trick of the
brain, for its self preservation, that means one can simply not conceive
of a possibility that anything unpleasant can possibly happen to them, 
to others yes, but not to them. This would explain why nobody seems to
worry about it, at least not those who remain. I have seen two men fall
from this perch and each has had to be invalided away as they simply
could no longer function and just sat rocking and chattering to
themselves. 

We are also we are all intensely interested to see how this thing will
play out and hopeful that it will be an end to it so we can get back to
sensible things. Like dances and dates and wars with other people, not
these aliens. I really do hope you have been getting some of my letters,
especially since I have also been sending them to Julie. I am afraid
they haven't been outstanding of late (even I realise there is only so
many company soccer games you can hear about second hand) and there may
not be more for some time (I expect to be rather busy for a few days!).
Please don't worry though; no news will be good news, as I am sure to be
all right! 

I love to you, and don't worry.

Ken 

>>>>>>

Marlis Benz, Feldwebel 7th Panzerfulling, to her husband September 6th
2196

The hour has come. How did you react to the news of the counterattack?
It had to happen and was foreseeable; nevertheless it has impressed me a
lot. It is not a trifle and could never be considered as such. I did not
witness the invasion as you did, but to my eyes these last hours have
seen the hugest battle. History is being made. And all the words of all
those commentators and doomsayers are really just air. As papa said,
it's all about acting. Although now I am in the thick of it I feel
unimportant and small. Either way the days of the next month, maybe even
weeks, are certainly going to put an end to the suspense! I had thought
to write you our usual weekly ditty, but the inclination to poetry
vanishes in front of the happening of the day. My blood is tingling and
I am really very curious as to how it will all end. All, but you and the
safety of our children, seems irrelevant compared with what is
happening!

Keep safe and know I have always loved you.

Marlis

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