Post by D'Angelo Bagglio on Jun 14, 2016 12:04:27 GMT -5
It's been one hell of a week.
I arrived on Melfa nine days ago. I'm surprised I made it, to be honest. Interstellar travel to or from Melfa has been restricted due to the hostile takeover, and it took a lot of convincing to be given authorization to come here. Thankfully, the Admiral that oversees this region of Central Command has a soft spot for fine wines. I had to give up some of my most prized selections, but the payoff was worth it.
What to say about Melfa? It's honestly not what I expected for an Inner Colony. It's mostly jungle with a few small settlements here and there. The biggest city, naturally, is the capital of Hermosa. The capital is seated right on the edge of the continent, overlooking a beautiful crystal clear ocean that spans for as far as the eye could see. I heard from some of the Militiamen that the city was a nice place to live before the Innies started to run amok.
The rebels here -- calling themselves the "Melfa Citizenry" -- are animals. I've been stuck at this outpost called "Tinman" since I landed, and I've seen the patrols that go out come back bloodied and beaten. One of the patrols came back carrying one of their own that had fallen into a pit full of spikes. It was gruesome, inhumane. Why must we kill each other? How can we be so cruel to one another?
Part of me sympathizes with the rebels. After protesting peacefully for so long and being ignored, I can understand their frustration with the government. But why must we commit to violence to persuade others to listen? It is appalling to think the leader of this group was once a Marine. The men and women that are dying at the hands of his people were once his brothers and sisters. How could he betray them like this?
I have seen a lot since I've been here, but not as much as I'd like. The stiff from the PAO has kept me shut in the base with no hope of ever leaving the relative safety of its walls. I've pleased with him to let me go out on a patrol, but he has denied me permission every single damn time. It's frustrating. How can I see what is going on for myself when I am not allowed to go out and see it? I've only been allowed to see the aftermath, and I suppose that should be enough to dissuade me.
But it hasn't.
In fact, it makes me want to go out even more.
I'm a journalist. By nature of that title, I am supposed to go where the action is and record it so that others can be enlightened on the happenings of the universe. Enlightenment cannot be obtained from inside a base. A glimpse of something does not provide enough details to base an informed decision. I must see for myself what these soldiers see, and feel what they feel.
Thankfully I've contacted the Marine Corps' own Public Affairs Office, and they've been gracious enough to allow me to embed with a frontline unit. The PAO I spoke to was very honest and forward with me. He didn't give me any BS, and I like that. All of these Army folks have been BS'ing me since I arrived. It's refreshing to speak to someone with some integrity.
Anyway, he said that the Marines are on their way here, and should be arriving anyday now. I'd be lying if I said I'm not excited. This might be my chance to finally see what is going on out in those jungles for myself; to be in the heart of the action. It's... invigorating.
Shit. Got to go. Sounds like we've got incom-
I arrived on Melfa nine days ago. I'm surprised I made it, to be honest. Interstellar travel to or from Melfa has been restricted due to the hostile takeover, and it took a lot of convincing to be given authorization to come here. Thankfully, the Admiral that oversees this region of Central Command has a soft spot for fine wines. I had to give up some of my most prized selections, but the payoff was worth it.
What to say about Melfa? It's honestly not what I expected for an Inner Colony. It's mostly jungle with a few small settlements here and there. The biggest city, naturally, is the capital of Hermosa. The capital is seated right on the edge of the continent, overlooking a beautiful crystal clear ocean that spans for as far as the eye could see. I heard from some of the Militiamen that the city was a nice place to live before the Innies started to run amok.
The rebels here -- calling themselves the "Melfa Citizenry" -- are animals. I've been stuck at this outpost called "Tinman" since I landed, and I've seen the patrols that go out come back bloodied and beaten. One of the patrols came back carrying one of their own that had fallen into a pit full of spikes. It was gruesome, inhumane. Why must we kill each other? How can we be so cruel to one another?
Part of me sympathizes with the rebels. After protesting peacefully for so long and being ignored, I can understand their frustration with the government. But why must we commit to violence to persuade others to listen? It is appalling to think the leader of this group was once a Marine. The men and women that are dying at the hands of his people were once his brothers and sisters. How could he betray them like this?
I have seen a lot since I've been here, but not as much as I'd like. The stiff from the PAO has kept me shut in the base with no hope of ever leaving the relative safety of its walls. I've pleased with him to let me go out on a patrol, but he has denied me permission every single damn time. It's frustrating. How can I see what is going on for myself when I am not allowed to go out and see it? I've only been allowed to see the aftermath, and I suppose that should be enough to dissuade me.
But it hasn't.
In fact, it makes me want to go out even more.
I'm a journalist. By nature of that title, I am supposed to go where the action is and record it so that others can be enlightened on the happenings of the universe. Enlightenment cannot be obtained from inside a base. A glimpse of something does not provide enough details to base an informed decision. I must see for myself what these soldiers see, and feel what they feel.
Thankfully I've contacted the Marine Corps' own Public Affairs Office, and they've been gracious enough to allow me to embed with a frontline unit. The PAO I spoke to was very honest and forward with me. He didn't give me any BS, and I like that. All of these Army folks have been BS'ing me since I arrived. It's refreshing to speak to someone with some integrity.
Anyway, he said that the Marines are on their way here, and should be arriving anyday now. I'd be lying if I said I'm not excited. This might be my chance to finally see what is going on out in those jungles for myself; to be in the heart of the action. It's... invigorating.
Shit. Got to go. Sounds like we've got incom-