Our galaxy...
Humankind colonized space so long ago
that no one remembers which came first,
civilization, or the corporations.
But a centuries-old conflict between the Grotto Corporation
and our mortal enemy, the mega-corporation
known as Helion, has lead to endless wars
and broken planets, making life
for most on Grotto planets, known as Homeworlds
a living Hell of indentured servitude.
And I was no different.
My only way out was to join Grotto's army, the Reapers.
The Resource Exploration And Procurement Engineer Regiment,
also known as Salvage Marines, where the hazard pay is high,
but the survival rate is low.
This is the job.
And people, when you provide a service
to the Grotto Corporation you are the hope--
I'll just pass it on to my kid,
like my father did to me.
That's just how these things tend to go, Mr. Hyst.
There was always another way.
If I was willing to take the risk...
..Reaper.
We need this.
I want our son to know a better world than this.
And I want our son to know his father.
It's two years, Sura.
At my current rate, I'll never
be able to pay off my life debt.
Did you ever stop to think why it pays so well?
Or you're the government. [UNINTELLIGIBLE]
You come to Grotto 'cause this is what it is.
This where we sign our life away?
It's time to see what you're made of, Reapers.
-ALL: This is the job! -< This is the job!
Tyrol Giaus.
Thank you for the introduction, Boss Marsters.
A Grotto drone of the highest order, he gives me the creeps.
I apologize,
but any previously scheduled shore leave is now canceled.
This guy sounds like a real stick-in-the-sludge!
Almost show time, people!
ALL: This is the job!
Tango platoon, prepare for mission launch.
You need perfect seals,
unless you want to experience
explosive decompression.
Hey Boss, can I ask you
a question before we board
the death trap? We've all heard the rumors
and we're just curious to know is it true?
That there've been reports
of big insectoid creatures aboard derelict ships?
Yeah, yeah! They infest them with their nests.
Make a bunch of bug babies.
Yeah, of course it's true.
See?
What did I tell you?
You asked if it were true that there had been reports.
Yes, there have been reports. Beyond that, I couldn't say,
as Grotto has yet to make
an official statement on the matter.
-Still, there have been reports. -Alright people, listen up.
Your weapons have been equipped with recoil dampeners.
That should help with accuracy issues.
In addition to that, Grotto has been kind enough to gift us
new shielding for your suits,
making them heavier, so pace yourselves!
Gauge your energy output.
Alright, Reapers!
Move out!
[INDISTINCT TANNOY ANNOUNCEMENT]
< TYROL: Yes, everything is going well.
I really believe that this salvage
is gonnae be quite, quite lucrative.
< KELKIS: What about the new Reapers?
They should do well or they will die.
I don't think that really matters does it?
I mean, we always have more to replace the ones we expend.
And the squad leaders staying loyal to the corporation?
Yes, I've carefully those who will be
handling the new recruits, and I don't believe we have
any on deck with any pro-unionist leanings.
Citizen Marsters?
He's stayin' in line?
< Oh, yeah. I've got him
on a VERY, VERY tight leash.
TANNOY: Platoons Tango and G12, please make your way
to your designated dispatch bay.
< TAGGART: We're catching the scavengers off guard,
so we will have some time after the breach
to confirm coordinates on our salvage objective.
Once you're inside, be extremely careful
what you shoot at. You don't wanna
rupture a fuel line or gas pocket.
Triggered explosions are the second leading cause
of death among boarding parties.
What's the first leading cause?
Being gunned down the second you enter an enemy ship.
Perfect.
Tango Reapers, prepare for breach and board.
Prepare for contact.
[GUNS LOADING]
Impact in three...two...one!
< MARSTER: Alright, Reapers!
We're goin' in hot, so safetys off
Go! Go! Go!
Eyes open!
Protect the lines.
< TAKEDA: Sam, can't believe you got us into this, buddy!
I'm with you, Tak.
[TENSE MUSIC]
Aagh!
Ooof!
Move! Move! Move!
Open 'em up!
Shit! Sam!
You gotta move fast!
Sam! Sam! You with me?
< WOMAN'S VOICE: Sam?
< WOMAN: Sam are you with me?
< TAK: Sam! -Yeah, I'm alright.
Since you're good... you better move your ass!
I'm with you, Tak.
Ok, let's move!
[EXERTION GRUNTS]
-You good? -I'm alright.
-Can you still fire a weapon? -Yeah.
-TAK: What's wrong with it? [INDISTINCT]
Come on, you sons of bitches! Let's see what you've got.
Tyrol to Squad Taggart, report.
[DROWNED OUT BY LOUD GUNFIRE]
Tyrol to Squad Taggart, please report.
Changing mag.
What's your current complement, Squad Taggart?
We're taking too much fire to report.
I'm issuing your squad new orders.
< We don't just have ANY power cell.
Scans have indicated a Class 9 Advanced power cell
emanating from a hold in that ship.
< Which accounts for why our coordinates were off.
Your fire squad will lay claim to that salvage.
I'm transmitting you the new coordinates now.
< TAGGART: You'll radio the new coordinates to the others?
Of course I will.
We still have a job to do, Reapers.
The tug will recover us if we clear this ship.
So fight, damn you! Fight!
< Get shot. Fucking get shot!
Let's go!
[TENSE MUSIC]
< Gaius? -Anointed One.
You honor me with your presence.
Well, you honor the Grotto Corporation
with your service. Then you report.
Sector 56-33 salvage operation is well in hand.
The Reapers have encountered
SLIGHTLY greater resistance than expected.
-And our losses? Significant? -Oh, no.
Well within our margin of profitability of course.
I bet. And our main objective? The power cell?
About that... I have detected an unusual
power source coming from the bowels of that ship.
A power cell, yes, but a Class 9 power cell.
Now, I have sent in a detachment of Reapers
to recover what I believe to be
a power cell of considerable value.
[KELKIS CHUCKLES]
Let me guess, you just discovered that now?
Oh, the Anointed One is forever wise!
<[KELKIS CHUCKLES] Well done, Commander.
-I salute you. -And I salute you too.
TAGGART: Check your down range before you fire.
MAN: Whatever comes round these corners
give it to 'em thick and fast, you hear me?
What is it?
[INDISTINCT]
-On three, Sam? -Yeah.
Right, one, two, three!
Go! Go! Go!
Dude, they're flanking us Sam!
Don't stop! Don't stop! Keep firing!
Aagh!
Jada!
Are you shot again?
Do have nine lives or somethin'?
[HISSING] [JADA WHIMPERS]
-You're gonna be fine. -I can't catch my breath, Sam.
Stay with me. You're gonna be fine.
You're stable, but you're done for the day, Reaper.
[GRUNTS IN PAIN]
Stay alert, we'll be back to pick you up.
< Alright, listen up. If we can hold this airlock
until Squad Ulanti arrives to give support,
then we can dive into the depths of this beast.
Mar, you're with me. We're joining up with Ulanti.
The rest of you, continue with your secondary objective.
Ah!
< TYROL: The power source is just ahead
in a compartment to the right.
[INDISTINCT]
Everybody, get down!
Find cover!
-I got eyes on the power source. -Yeah, that's it!
TAGGART: Hyst, I want you to follow my lead, no matter what.
Copy?
-What are you doing? -Surprise, surprise!
There's a punchline here!
She never armed the grenade.
That's why she's in charge, Sam.
< TAGGART: Stay alert, Reapers.
[HISSING OF RELEASED GAS]
< TAGGART: Confirmation - it's a Class 9 power cell.
Bag it!
-Salvage complete. -Sam!
-Medical trauma team on standby. -Sam!
Shot twice in one mission? Well done, Hyst.
How is she?
I'll tell you one thing...
..Jada Sek is one hell of a warrior.
And she's not done fighting, not by a long shot.
They'll be three hours taking out her damaged lung
and putting in one of Nu-flesh.
I figured they would've installed
one of those auto-inflators and called it a day!
Standard Reaper policy doesn't cover Nu-flesh.
No, it doesn't.
Nu-flesh will add a mountain of debt to her life bond.
And in case you're wondering, I authorized the procedure.
So...so you decided to have her incur more debt
that she can't pay off without signing up
for another term of service?
What are the chances she can complete that contract
without incurring even more life debt?
Jada would choose debt over death any day.
We all knew what we signed up for.
What I did for her, I would do for you
and any of you, without hesitation.
First thing in the morning, we're picking up
new recruits to replace our losses.
Get some sleep.
I told you.
[MACHINES BEEPING] [RESPIRATOR HISSING]
You better pull through, Jada.
[MACHINES BEEPING]
[RESPIRATOR HISSING]
[BACKGROUND NOISE AND CHATTER]
[SIGHS]
Yep.
What a hunk of junk, right?
It's the one covered
by the universal triage plan.
-I've seen better arms on labor droids.
I get not wantin' to go more into debt but--
But nothing! I've already paid off a life bond for my son
and my future grandkids.
I'm just a few short cycles from paying off my own.
As long as I can stay out of any more of Grotto's death traps,
I'll actually retire with enough credits to have a real life.
[INDISTINCT TANNOY ANNOUNCEMENT]
The longer I'm here, the less I know about any of this.
Marster's put Jada deeper into debt
and I understand why, I... I still don't like it.
To the company, you're just another resource.
No different than...ships, steel...shields.
Just do your job. Don't sustain
any serious injuries.
And don't for one second...
..forget that you
are completely alone.
Eh, maybe don't beat yourself up about Jada too much.
Nah, I...Marsters knows what's best.
No, I'm not talkin' about that.
Soldiers fight and die a long way from home.
Sometimes it's nice to feel something other than this.
I'm not saying it's right or wrong.
Just that it happens.
Besides, you were hardly the only one.
I mean... [LAUGHS THROUGH HER NOSE]
Enjoy your day off.
We reach Tetra Prime in a couple of weeks,
so we're back at it tomorrow. Got new recruits flying in.
I want you to supervise.
It's a piece of shit.
[LAUGHS] I know.
[LAUGHS]
< FTO speed completed.
SO there we are
on some busted-down mining colony.
Boss Taggart's arm's been torn off.
She's bleedin' out - sorry Boss T!
And this...this...
I don't know!
This THING is charging straight at Jada.
That's when my man Prybar over here
whips out his salvage tool
and goes down like a savage on this thing.
He's screamin', it's dyin'. It's total chaos.
-To Prybar! -To Prybar!
That's not my name!
It is now, big hero.
I can't. I'm already halfway drunk.
Then you're only halfway home.
Ok, listen. Do you really wanna wake up
in the middle of the night
having nightmares about today?
Or do you wanna wake up in the middle of the night
hungover as hell, next to me.
Are those my only options?
Drink up.
< TAGGART: Ok, Reapers, our ally for this mission
is Folken warrior Imago.
He has the intel, so listen up.
< IMAGO: This is a two-stage salvage operation
Stage One: Neutralize the small Helion security force,
lightly armed but dangerous. They can deploy
counter-measures against our long-range scanners.
This prevents us from being able
to pinpoint our primary objective -
the currently functioning gas turbines.
Once we take out the security force,
we will locate the turbines
and commence Stage Two: turbine requisition
and salvage. Stay on the offensive.
SAM: What he's saying, folks, is be ready - this is the job.
You are Reaper Hyst Samgir
of Platoon Tango, are you not?
Roger that. I'm a Reaper named Samuel Hyst.
Squad Taggart, Platoon Tango.
Forgive my speaking, Reaper Hyst Samgir.
There are elements of your Grotto speech
that are difficult to proper form
with this arrow-like tongue. I mean no offense.
No worries, no offense taken.
Wargir, you must forgive Hyst for his curiosity.
The Reapers are carrion birds, unaccustomed to frontline duty,
and certainly not in the habit of being
in the presence of independent elite.
Taggart Magir
if we are to fight and perhaps die together today,
I would remind your soldiers that we are merely
human beings underneath all this armor.
Despite any appearance to the contrary.
Our employers have
determined that we inflict far too much
collateral damage, and must be reined in by the Reapers.
To my thinking, that makes us equals in this.
These Reapers are a good bunch,
but they'll likely fall behind your advance.
My advice is, if it looks expensive,
try to avoid destroying it.
You are a straight speaker,
Taggart Magir. It is appreciated.
It's hard to believe that only a hundred years ago this planet
was a vast ocean with only a few islands.
Rubicon used to export the water
but not to the detriment of the indigenous marine life.
Within a century of Grotto taking over, it became this.
And with no water left, now they want the gas.
Nice to have a Reaper aboard that pays attention, Kade.
Hey.
New girl on Sam's squad.
Sure seems like she knows everything.
I think her name's Bianca.
She had a high job placement back on Baen 4.
Wonder what she did to end up here?
Must have been bad to lose that lifestyle.
No, she might just be like me.
She wanted more to life than being stuck
with arrogant pricks in high placement.
This place was abandoned and re-settled by Red Listers?
Why would people with no corporation
move all the way out here with no supply lines, no protection?
The intel said the people of RLC5611 had settled
on the planet for reasons unknown.
But in the process of establishing
their colony, they discovered microdeposits of nefadrite ore,
which gives off the high-energy gas.
So...we're here to take back what's "rightfully" Grotto's?
Same shit, different planet.
If only it were that easy.
Helion forces stormed the place
and took over, that's why we're here.
Grotto might've been fine
letting a few scavengers live off the land
but now that Helion wants it, we fight.
ALL: This is the job!
COMMS: Tango Reaper, prepare for contact.
Tango Reaper's contact zone is too hot for touch down.
I repeat, too hot for touch down.
I'm gonna have to skim the surface and drop you in.
Prepare for rapid combat insertion.
Luck in battle, comrades.
Alright, everybody.
Get ready to tuck, roll, and come up shooting.
Is this a bad time to point out we haven't actually been trained
for rapid combat insertion?
Squad Taggart! On me!
IMAGO: Stay on the offensive.
TAGGART: They're in here thick. Take cover.
Everybody get down! Go! Go! Go!
Get down! Find cover!
IMAGO: It will be done.
-Alright, move out! -Keep firing!
I got your back. Go! Go! Go! Go!
[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]
Sam, get your ass back here!
SAM: Negative, I got this.
Damn it, Prybar! Let the Folken do what they do,
while we advance and hold.
Come on, you sons of bitches!
Fire in the hole!
Let's go!
Stay with me. This'll work.
TAGGART: What are you waiting for? Take 'em out!
TAGGART: Heads down! Comin' in live.
Cover!
IMAGO: Impressive. Thank you.
Ok, folks. Imago's pressing forward solo.
Hyst, Takeda, back him up!
SAM: We're on it.
TAGGART: Squad Taggart! On me!
SAM: Snipers on the 2nd floor!
I'll give them fire, you cover Imago.
Sam! You ok?
Yeah, too close for comfort.
TAK: This guy's a maniac.
He's goin' in.
Roger that, let's move!
This is why we have to-- Up here.
[SHOUTING IN DISTANCE]
[PANTING]
Clear!
Contact!
Well done...go help your comrades downstairs.
Get ready to move, Marsters. I'm goin' to beam you down
the schematics for the old Tetra Prime build.
Sir, it is a Red List compound. It's a pre-fab
but clearly they've done some retro-fit.
Check the overlay for the Red List mods.
When the Helions are defeated,
our scanners can confirm location of the turbines.
Better to shell it from space, Sir.
It'll cost way too many lives to purge,
especially if the machines are still functional.
< Negative, Reaper.
We're still within
our acceptable loss threshold.
< [IRRITATED] Get it done.
There's a fortune waitin' for us down there.
Yes, Sir.
[REAPERS SHOUTING TO EACH OTHER]
[EFFORT GRUNTS]
Come on, you sons of bitches!
[PANTING]
Son of a bitch!
SAM: Patrick, take over watch. Tak, collect some ammo.
We're movin' out in five. [BIANCA GASPS IN PAIN]
[INDISTINCT] Boss and I took several hits.
Oh, Mag...
TAGGART: Get on with it, marine. Drop me over.
You got a concussion,
and you're all messed up inside.
Hit me with a double. We'll finish this fight.
That's an order.
This Helion troop's ammunition - same mil-spec as ours.
They sold the same ammo to both sides.
This is the job, right?
What did you see when you were up there?
There's an MP Helion gun nest. Looked pretty stout.
That's our play then. Patrick!
You take point. Let's move out.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[INAUDIBLE COMM]
Cap Comm, we are 100 meters and approaching.
Prepare for contact.
Enemy devices still being detected.
[INDISTINCT COMM]
PATRICK: The plan's a bust. Looks like Helion troopers
already recaptured the nest.
SAM: Boss, me and Tak
will rush the nest, move fast enough
to get a few shots out before Helion knows we flanked 'em.
Son of a bitch, Sam, you decide to step up,
you don't mess around. I'm in.
-Your funeral. -What about us?
Bianca, Patrick, you maintain position here.
Once the boys secure the nest, I want you on over watch
in case anyone flanks them. I'll move to the outside.
Assuming you can get that gun ready,
I'll drop anyone who tries to escape, ok?
Move out.
It's ours! [CHEERING]
COMM VOICE: Well done, marines.
Phase One of mission objective accomplished.
Stand by for Phase Two.
SAM: Imago.
Looks like we won. Good day for Grotto.
Bad day for Helion.
A lot of bodies out there.
Good percentage of them belong to us.
You must learn, Hyst Samgir
that when removed from ideology,
war is nothing more, and nothing less
than the violent redistribution of wealth.
Anyone who tells you otherwise
is just trying to lower your rate.
As children we... we imagine what war is like.
We daydream about becoming soldiers.
Our earlier reconnaissance indicated
that the colony that was once here
had a small militia protecting them.
Helion rolled over them in a matter of minutes
because it was decided by someone far away
that their resources were worth the minimal cost
necessary to conquer and occupy this place.
It is no different on our side.
Good people died here today.
A lot of them were my friends.
I'm sure a lot of Helion forces feel the same way.
Your unit didn't go unscathed either.
When the Folken fight
it is because we are being paid to do so.
There is no ideology in our hearts or minds,
only the contract to be executed.
You misunderstand my meaning, Hyst Samgir,
so I show you my face that you might know me as a friend.
Everybody make it out.
Bianca's getting medical attention.
Alright, Phase One's completed.
Orders are orders, boys. Helmets up.
We're not off the clock yet.
Let's go team! Phase Two!
Alright, I've got the waypoint. Looks like we're two clicks out.
Let's go, boys.
Ok, listen up! Squad Ulanti's in there now, they're pinned down
and we've no idea how many gunners we're facing.
We could've sent in the Folken Elite, but the turbines
are protected by a Mech Warrior, and if those two go at it,
this place'll be decimated, and we need those turbines.
So it's up to us. We're gonna go in there
and flank whatever we see.
Do NOT fire upon those turbines.
Are we clear? Alright.
Move out.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
TAK: Do you wanna just buy replacements?
This colony is a BIG win.
They'll be swimmin' in cash once it's liquidated.
< MARSTERS: Administrators want this place back up
to full production as soon as possible.
They're only going to liquidate the salvaged Helion assets.
Replacement turbines would delay this process by months.
We're the cheaper option, brother.
[SHOUTING]
Aagh!
Everybody get down. Find cover!
Mech on the move!
[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]
< Take that, you son of a bitch!
SAM: Stand down! With a Mech in here,
if we try to take these turbines now,
they'll be damaged with gunfire.
IMD mark has been filled with flak.
We're going to lose the turbines AND the men.
I'm not seeing anything wrong with the turbines.
-What is your position? -I've got a clear line of sight.
If they're not damaged now, they WILL be.
So instead of getting killed
for a lost cause,
let's just END this fight!
< TYROL: Boss Ulanti, what is that Reaper mumbling about?
Just let me remind you
that our priority lies with recovering the salvage
that Grotto deems most worthy.
I'm not seeing anything wrong with the turbine.
Those turbines are worth more
than ALL of you make in one year.
< TYROL: Recover them at ALL cost.
It's chaos down there Gaius. Maybe he sees something
you can't - being safe up there in orbit
like you are.
Hyst, our mission is to preserve the turbines.
From what I see, none are damaged.
You are stepping out of rank, Reaper.
Prybar's right! This place is lost!
We can take cover behind the turbines
once they're reclassified as scrap.
[HEAVY GUNFIRE]
< ULANTI: I don't see anything from here, Marsters. Your call.
If management wants to hang someone
out to dry, it won't be me.
< TYROL: Marsters,
if we have missed an opportunity,
it is YOUR neck on the line.
< MARSTERS: Alright Sir, we'll do our best.
But no guarantees.
Tango Platoon! Fire. At. Will.
< This is the job!
What're you lookin' at?
SAM: How're we doin', Tak?
I'd say about the same as usual, my friend.
-That good, huh? -This is the job, right?
Alright, let's whack this Mech!
[YELLING]
Alright, enough already!
Come on, you Mech bastard!
Somebody get a detonator on this thing, NOW!
I repeat, NOW!!
SAM: Taggart, get clear!
TAGGART: Sam, look out!
TAGGART!!
WOMAN'S VOICE: Sam.
Sam.
-Are you there? -TAGGART'S VOICE: Hyst!
-I want you to follow my lead. -Sam!
[MARSTER SHOUTING]
We need you, Sam.
Looks like we found our new squad commander.
[CRIES OF PAIN]
We miss you, Sam.
Come home.
-[MAN'S VOICE] -Please.
[INDISTINCT]
SAM'S DAD: This is why you gotta take care of your body.
Hey, maybe when you're older you can join me.
Remember, Grotto may grind you down,
they might even own your life, but they will never own YOU.
Stick with us, buddy.
You're gonna be alright, Sam.
We're not losin' you today, Reaper.
You still owe me a few shots. [ECHO]...not losing you today.
Sam.
Sam, come home.
Sam.
[HIGH-PITCHED WHINE]