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The power couple of a duo of the Mer-Gar, the Republic Army of the Mer World, was standing by for orders. Tech and Echo the best of the best of the best, ready to embark on their next operation.
The recon mission having been tough enough for the troopers true, but the rescue ahead would most likely tougher. With some of their kindred being hunted and captured by a race called Humans, they needed to move in fast to get them back.
As the rumours were spreading like wildfire among all mer-folk below the surface of the high seas. Those being of these… Humans not simply capturing their kind, the mer-people of all sorts, but that they were actually… eating their captives too… something totally unheard of and terrifying in so many ways.
Those horrid thoughts were certainly sending shivers down the spines of the peace loving mer-people. They had an army in service, true. But that had been set up as a peace-corps more than a warring military one. As all the creatures below the sea had not warred since a millennia when a permanent truce had been made and peace time had ensured ever since then.
Still, they kept up with the traditions and the peace-corp was more of a guard and facilitator kind of an establishment than anything else. Their schools and training facilities among the best within the Mer World. The Mer Troopers keeping up their practices and readiness through training exercises and simulations on daily bases. It was their work after all.
And yet, never in a million years had any of them imagined to embark on an actual mission, let alone going deep into hostile territory while retrieving their lost folk!
And yet, here they were, doing just that!
“Captain Rex, MARCs Echo and Tech reporting for duty, Sir!”
The duo dressed in their uniforms, armed to the teeth and ready to infiltrate the enemy stronghold. A fishing ship on top, on the surface. The vessel anchored in a close by island.
“At ease Troopers.”
The Captain was worried though. Sending his men to danger never an easy task especially with what they now suspected of their newly found enemy. As no matter how trained his MARCs just might have been or proven in the training field, the fact that they could handle a real mission after their recon op.
“Tech and I have devised a plan for the infiltration.”
Echo continued and pulled up the holographic presentation of their plan. Rex looking at it vert carefully before nodding his approval. It was a good plan after all.
“If you’re absolutely sure you don’t want any backup with you topside.”
“We’d prefer to go with minimal force. Stealth being the operative word here. Backup should be on standby only.”
Tech explained his and Echo’s plan further. The two MARCs having agreed they would not want to risk anyone else for the sake of the mission.
Rex was contemplating the plan for a moment longer, but it was a sound plan, there was no arguing against it. Echo and Tech already having been on the surface and knowing the terrain well. And besides, Rex knew the two to be quite capable as well.
“Alright. You two have a green light.”
“Thank you, Sir!”
“And Troopers…”
Rex paused, the two MARCs turning back to him while already heading out. Alas, tradition was tradition.
“Poseidon’s speed!”
Echo and Tech saluted their Captain before taking their leave and heading towards the embarking area to start on their journey to the surface. Their mission ahead.
*
“Do you see them?” Echo’s voice boomed telepathically inside of Tech’s head.
“Nothing yet on my scanners. We need to get closer to the ship.” Tech being on scanning duty for the duration of their mission responded.
They needed to be sure their people were still onboard. As it was, the Humans could have easily moved them elsewhere or worse… Something of an option neither MARC wanted to entertain. They needed to stay positive their people were still alive.
“Alright, but we’d better use extreme caution.” Stating the obvious, for sure.
“What else kind of mode is there?”
“The noisy ruckus kind if mode.”
Yeah, the two might have been partners in everything. But the light bickering was forever present in their interactions. It simply meant they cared for each other. A lot.
“Well, if that’s your idea of stealth…” yeah, two could play at that!
“Just kiddin’ Tech love, just making a small joke to lighten the mood here.”
Tech was certainly more touchy than his usual calm analytical self.
But this was hitting too close to home for him.
The subject for the Trooper having once been caught by a Human when he was still a youngling and way too curious for his own good. Thankfully the human had let him go after having realised Tech wasn’t able to grant any wishes for them after all.
So, feeling anxious was a given thing for Tech.
“A very little one, sweetie. A very, very little joke.”
Realizing his faux pas, Echo swam closer to his partner. His arms moving around the other merman, drawing Tech in for a comforting hug and a soft peck on his cheek.
“I’m sorry, honey. I know this is a very difficult mission for you.”
Tech melted into the embrace. The hugs and kisses usually letting Echo getting away with most anything. Even bad jokes.
“It’s a mission. And we need to succeed.” Tech’s voice sounded a tad choked just then.
“We will, sweetheart. Were the best after all.” Echo assured Tech.
Tech only nodded, gathering himself and making a new scan of the ship above them now.
“Okay. I see them now. Let’s go, dear. Our people await us!”
*
“Waddaya mean you left a little present for the Humans?”
Rex's voice was rather demanding, but he did not sound angry at all. Trusting his MARCs had most certainly done the best job to cover their tracks while freeing their captured kind and bringing them back home safely during their rather quick and stealthy mission.
“Boom?” Echo mimicked the sound of the explosion just then with a coy smirk on his lips.
Rex's eyes were wide, not truly sure if Echo was joking or not about the… explosives?
“What Echo means is, those Humans won’t know what hit them.” Adjusting his goggles while sprouting the facts to their Commander, Tech certainly keeping his cool, even if he was totally amused of Echo’s antics and certainly pro blowing up the Humans.
“As in… explosives?”
“Yes, Cap’n. We left a wee present for those arrogant and no good Humans. To send a message to the rest of them, so to speak.”
“And don’t worry Captain. It will be quite an effective message too.”
“Yeah, don’t mess with us mer-folk.” Echo was positively grinning.
The decision having been mutual. Tech and Echo certainly thinking alike in many ways.
“Well, if you think it was the best course of action… “ Rex wasn’t really sure whether to thank the two or reprimand them. “Then, I trust in you two.” He let his eyes narrow to drive through a point as he stared at his two MARCs.
“We must assume the Humans will continue hunting our kind now that they know we are quite real and not tall fish tales to be told by some fishermen.” Even the word fishermen sent down chills through the mermen spines. Such a horrible profession! But, Tech wasn’t about to deny the real threat the Humans posed to their kind either.
“We need to be prepared, for the future Captain.” Echo chimed in.
As the two were right. The Humans were a threat not just to the mer-people but all aquatic life down below the surface. They were bloodthirsty hunters if anything else. Those blasted Humans!
Rex contemplated his two MARCs comments for a moment before finally nodding in agreement.
“You are right of course. I will notify the Council about what has expired here and hopefully they too will see our point of view in this. Thank you, again, to the both of you!”
“Thank you, Sir.”
The two MARCs then took their leave, their mission completed after all. For the time being at least. Who knew what the future would bring. But at least, they had a working and skilled Mer Army and the two very smart MARCs.
*
Later that cycle, Echo and Tech were neatly snuggled together in their soft bed made of the finest seaweed in their shared home.
“So, you think the council will heed our warnings then?”
“I have to believe they will. Or they are fools.”
“Well, at least we two know what’s going on out there. We can warn others before it’s too late.”
“We do indeed, love. Now, enough shop talk!” Tech being the one who had had enough of work for the day, wanting only to smooch with his loving partner now that it was their time being off the clock and all. “Kiss me, love, like you mean it!!”
“Sir! Yes Sir!”
Echo’s lips were on Tech’s before he could utter another complaint to his doting husband.