Enlisted Man

A 7-post collection

Challenge #04827-M078: Know Thy Enemy

Tears fell from the shackles of the young man as he looked up to the so-called “sages.” Fury ignited in his heart as he was flooded with muscle memories of a battle never fought. “No more Samsara cycles. I have my memory, my hatred, their promises…” Like a war-torn soldier, he readied himself. “This time don’t bother praying, I am here to kill your god.” -- Anon Guest

Once in a great while, perhaps every century or so, someone thinks that war would be perfect if they could just make the soldiers who fought it perfect. That is the sole idea behind The Enlisted Man. That goal is impossible, given all the critera. But that never stops someone thinking they're special enough to make it work this time.

The perfect soldier must be able to fight in all circumstances with all weapons. They must be able to survive things that would incapacitate normal mortals. They must have a lot of intimidating muscle, which require energy, yet be able to survive for a week on a single cricket and the dew that gathers in their hair. They must, especially, be smart enough to interpret the spirit of their commander's orders, but dumb enough to follow their letter when necessary. As well as being able to telepathically interpret which is needed and when.

It's no great shock that every single Enlisted Man has turned against their creators.

Support me on Patreon / Buy me a Ko-fi

Continue Reading

Prompts remaining: 19 Submit a Prompt!
Ask a question

Challenge #03622-I334: They Foretold You So

A Deregger polity requires people to take Esper tests at a young age. Those found to be of strong talent are forced to go to special compounds where they are only educated enough to be useful, and their abilities are trained to benefit the polity. The problem comes when they start trying to force the Espers to breed to create Esper children, and people rebel in rage at being treated like mere animals. -- Anon Guest

[AN: Eugenics is bad, m'kay?]

Deregger

Read more »

Challenge #03004-H081: Guilt of the Survivor

I was a trained soldier, I taught others how to fight.

I was a trained soldier, I taught others how to escape.

I was a trained soldier, I taught others how to kill.

I was a trained .....soldier..... I taught them... how to die well.

A flower was placed upon the stone, tears sliding down their face. Two dozen stones, each one with the same, white and red, flower, upon it. The old man's head bowed. His caretaker, a gentle havenworlder, placed

Read more »

Challenge #02782-G225: Under Starry Skies

This is a prompt that's actually a mix of 3 stories, the one of the super-soldiers, the one of the dream berries, and the one of the seed collector. Here are the prompts for reference.

https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-02677-g120-a-mind-of-their-own

https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-02509-f319-berry-small-problem

https://steemit.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-02525-f335-useful-obsession

The person had collected more seeds than any human ever had before. It was their hobby, it was their obsession, and with it they had saved many lives from

Read more »

Challenge #02679-G122: Wonder No More

Have you ever walk past someone and wonder what is going on inside their head -- Anon Guest

[AN: Link to a Rickroll has been expunged. Thanks Nonny. Be proud. You got me.]

Every now and again, some species, somewhere, thinks it would be cool to be telepathic. The Melil, natural telepaths, do attempt to stop others from doing this to themselves because it really, really isn't a good idea.

Those without natural telepathy have no reason to filter their random thoughts.

Read more »

Challenge #02677-G120: A Mind of Their Own

The war rages, bodies fell left and right, were they man or monster? They do not know, for the the line that separated them blurred centuries ago. -- Anon Guest

Someone, somewhere, is re-inventing the Enlisted Man again. When will they learn, huh? -- Elsyn Flaard comedy routine.

Some creatures, the unethical gengineers argue, are made for battle. With the right tweaks, they could become the most formidable fighting force in Alliance space. Then, they could make the majority decisions, and on

Read more »

Challenge #02671-G114: The Mighty Paragon

What kind of man was Steve Rogers, to fight for America with his background?

In the original comics, he was Irish from the Lower East Side. This means he was probably Irish Catholic from the tenements, which meant he was considered by most Americans with power (maybe) one step above dirt.

On the other hand, he was a tall, blond, blue-eyed man, the Nazi ideal. The Catholic church coexisted with the Nazis without severe discrimination. Many Irish were allied with the Nazis.

Read more »