回复：Starship Trooper's Alien

The airborne operation was proposed by the captain. The cruiser's orbital scanning system is more precise than the light troopship's, so she was very certain that there was life reaction on this barren land, which had no indigenous creatures before. You know what I mean? Until the airborne operation began, Lieutenant Wellington believed there was no real threat, and I had reservations about that. I suggested using a shuttle to transport us because if there was any unexpected attack, she could immediately take us back to orbit or safely land us after continuous evasion. The lieutenant sneered at me and called me a coward. Well, I couldn't say anything more suspicious, but I insisted that "if there's nothing up there, it's a waste of military supplies; if not, then we're jumping into enemy territory". Or at least we could send a squad first. They can take care of themselves and achieve reconnaissance purposes, and then send everyone else if needed. But I knew there were many bugs up there, so when he insisted, I had to join them in the airborne operation. We can't let them die in vain. The military doesn't have enough manpower, so we should save every life we can. Even if the lieutenant made a big mistake, we shouldn't and can't blame him anymore. As for the captain, I think I should talk to her and her adjutant properly.
I had planned to report the situation here to higher authorities and request at least a company of troops to deal with the enemy presence. But how did they infiltrate? Was it a failure in the detection system, or did they land on this planet in some undetectable way and then multiply? Or... was someone deliberately letting them in? I don't know, but we must investigate thoroughly.

Sergeant gathered the remaining personnel, took a headcount, and checked everyone's status. I was naturally a mess - the armor's surface melted first, then became like three-dimensional stains at the edges. Fortunately, most of the damage was borne by the additional armor, which I can easily replace later.
I don't have much propellant left now, and I've used up half of my nuclear warhead reserves. Other ammunition and energy supplies are still abundant.
"Now what do we do?"
I asked the sergeant.
"Before that, I'd like to know why there are bugs here,"
he retorted.
"That's what I want to know too. I'm just as curious about it as you are."
"The Banshee is still intact, but you've wasted all the drop pods. What were you doing?"
"Saving your lives and giving us a chance to get out of here when it's done."
"You've left us unable to drop until the next resupply!"
"So what? I don't think this unit can fight properly before the next 'esupply' anyway."
I emphasized the word 'esupply' deliberately.

"You know one thing for sure: Mobile Infantry doesn't promote someone just to fill a vacancy, but someone has to lead you apes, so you're actually Mobile Infantry and not just a bunch of metal gorillas. I won't allow a bunch of brainless monkeys to jump around on the battlefield. Until you get a new lieutenant, you're not a formal combat formation in my eyes. The reason I haven't taken command yet is out of respect for your feelings, but I have the authority to do so at any time - including executing all of you right now for refusing to follow orders. That's all."
I'm not interested in pleasing others or considering their feelings. I only care about whether they can fight efficiently or not get in the way.
'There are two small bug nests within a 300-kilometer radius, and more bugs could emerge from them at any time. If we plan to wait for the retrieval ship, you better order us to destroy them first. Otherwise, we'll have to rely on the pilot's skills and pray to God.'
'How do you know this? We just landed here, and the Banshee hasn't scanned these yet.'
'You don't need to know, but the command still belongs to you. Just make the decision, and I'll provide support.'
'Well... okay, we'll clean this up.'
Well, he started acting foolish right after I declared command. But that's understandable. Without officer training, he could easily be driven crazy by this heavy responsibility.

"I advise you to cancel that order. This planet requires at least a company's worth of troops to secure and clean up properly. The insect population here is abnormally high."
"You said command is mine, so shut your mouth! My brothers can handle this!"
"It's not... well, good luck then. Enemy forces are incoming, estimated arrival in three minutes. I'll evacuate this planet first, then report and bring reinforcements. We'll either meet in a military court or at your medal ceremony."
"Fine, you coward! I'll show you the valor of the White Wild dog!"
"Suit yourself - this is a suicide mission. As a captain, I inform you that you have the right to follow the sergeant's orders or evacuate with me. I assure you, this is not a test and will not affect your military career, as I'm responsible for minimizing unnecessary casualties."

The ship to pick me up is already on its way. The approval process was surprisingly short. Perhaps the captain felt my instructions saved her and her ship, or maybe they didn't want to deal with me. I also requested they bring two spare powered suits (cold, of course - Navy had no time, no need, and probably less desire to do so) and two full cargo holds of supplies. With only one recruit willing to follow me, the rest chose to fight on. They'll need sufficient supplies until reinforcements arrive, but we have two retrieval shuttles. They're not bad people, and I got a good nickname during this trip, but I'm already planning to shoot them all if they survive this.
"Contact! Due south!"
They had already spread out. The guy sent south must be wearing a scout-type powered suit, as he was the first to encounter the enemy surrounding us. Benjamin immediately asked him about the enemy's scale, but he might not want to know the truth.
"Report your situation, confirm the number and type of enemies?"
"There are too many, they..."
"Answer quickly, Reuben!"
No response.
"Damn it, Geiser, Horus, go help him."
"..."
I thought about it and decided not to stop them. Mobile infantry soldiers won't easily abandon their brothers, although this habit sometimes causes serious consequences.

"This is your first combat, right?"
"Er... yes, sir."
"You don't fit in with them?"
"..."
"It's okay, you'll get used to it."
"Yes, sir..."
Zeng, who was following me, was running along with me. My propellant was almost gone, and I didn't want to use it casually. Zeng didn't seem to plan on jumping around randomly either, so naturally, our speed was much slower than others.
"Sir, I have a question?"
"Go ahead."
"Isn't the pickup point where we were just now?"
"Because there's a potential bugs' anti-aircraft position in this direction, I don't want the return trip to be too bumpy, you know?"
"Yes, I agree." Very good, I'm starting to like him.
"At two o'clock direction,"
I reminded him, then aimed my gun in that direction. Several soldiers were hiding among workers swarming out from newly dug tunnels. I targeted them, picked out my targets, and gave each soldier a precise shot, hitting their neural centers. Heavy machine guns are not as inaccurate as civilians might think. Decades after World War II, some heavy machine guns were already capable of high-precision point shooting. It's just that because their role is to provide suppressive fire, accuracy wasn't overly emphasized. Some sniper rifles even use heavy machine gun ammunition.
"Identify soldiers by their weapons and body colors, don't waste ammo on workers."
"Yes, sir."
"By the way, do you have gas? How about firing one into the tunnel entrance?"
"My pleasure."