I was one of the lucky ones. I knew what was coming. At least I thought I did. My security clearance came in handy in that the blow that we weren't alone in the universe was softened a bit for me. I had time to take it in. Not like those poor saps that got loaded into trucks on our final day on Earth. I had been a sniper working somewhat freelance for the government. Jungle territory was my specialty. I did plenty of odd jobs. Assassinations, surveillance, pretty much anything that requires not getting caught and plausible deniability. There were a few close calls but I felt like I could handle anything as long as my exit was clear. After the invasion nothing was clear anymore. Enemies became fellow humans. Aliens became non-fiction. Magic became something we were altered for. Peace became something long forgotten. Home was gone.
My confidence was soon shaken. I set up a location on a hillside near Alia Das, my first assignment. I used the local vegetation like I always did to hide my visual profile. All by-the-numbers. I didn't know the Bane could smell you from 30 yards or more. I saw some big ugly thing in the valley below and took my shot when its masters had gone from my view. The bullet never hit its target. The thing was impervious to standard rounds. The intel hadn't told us that yet. Next thing I know the 3 Bane that had been in the valley were right behind me sniffing the air like dogs. The thrum of their teleportation device was all the warning I had. I was silent as I turned toward them but the more they snuffled the air, the more their stance came to point right at me. I took aim and shot one in the eye. He had no such immunity as my last target and dropped like all those uglies should. With no time to chamber the next round I Kicked the second one back as I pulled my pistol and unloaded as many rounds as I could into the third. I had just enough surprise on my side to take him down before he could fire. With nothing left in my gun I had to beat the other one with the butt of it. He threw me off before I could hit him twice and I landed on my back in the foliage. He rolled over smoothly picking up his energy weapon, aimed at me and fired.
A loud snap and hiss could be heard like a lightning strike back on Earth. I felt hot dirt pelt up next to my face as I watched the Bane troop's head twitch to the side as he fired. His shot had barely missed my face while someone else's found its home in his head. His leg buckled under him and he slumped to the side.
I was bleeding but Ok and I looked around as I got up to find who had saved me. Some red headed chick with a gun that made me wish for an upgrade. The corner of her mouth turned up and she told me to get back to camp to get more training before I head out on my own again. Imagine that, some girl treating me like a greenie. It's a whole new ballgame all right.