Green Troops

Green Troops


William King

William King Green Troops

 

1. The Drop

Travis shivered as he watched the helicopter take off. The Black Hawk hovered low over the jungle canopy. The downwash from its rotors caused branches to sway. He upped the magnification of his eye and saw Kyle, the mercenary gunner, wave from the open door. He did not wave back.

It was early evening. The temperature was bearable. He clicked down the magnification and scanned the clearing wearily. The four Greens were picking up their equipment packs and checking their weapons. They all looked alike in their fatigues and kevlar body armour.

Bill-boy started at the sound of a screeching bird and wheeled, bringing up his captured AK-47. Travis caught the glitter of sunlight on his necklace of human teeth.

"Careful, boy, it's only a parakeet," he shouted. Bill-boy grinned back at him. It was a nasty grin, white teeth against green skin.

"Sure thing, sarge. it's good to be back."

Bill-boy was one of the bad ones. All the Greens were programmed to kill but Bill-boy loved it. He took a feral joy in slaughter. Travis had seen him take a flamethrower into a peasant village. It had not been pretty.

"Bill-boy getting easy to spook, sarge. Been here too long. Too many tours." This came from Carlo, who smiled easily as he said it. Carlo was good-humoured. Travis had done three tours with him. The scientists could say that all the Greens were alike but he knew better. Carlo and Bill-boy were as different as night and day. They all developed a personality after a few tours even if they all looked alike. At least, the ones who lived did.

Chad had finished loading his gear, hefting a rocket launcher as if it were made of cardboard. He stood playing with a long knife. He was quiet and reliable. Travis wasn't so sure about Stef, the new boy, straight from the vats. His face held no lines.