[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.

> [quoted text omitted]

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

> [quoted text omitted]

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