My story that I am creating for Tev's great contest. I will post chapters every two days. Enjoy! (please note, this is copied from Microsoft Word, so the format may be a little...awkward. :D)

Chapter 1

They say we are fighting for our very existence, but I know different. They say we are stranded on this planet, but I know there are hidden reasons. They say we much reach the core to power our ship, but will they stop when we reach the core?
My name is Ice, Private Fellsnow Ice of the 10th wave. We estimate what wave you are by when you reach the HQ. The first month fighters are known as the 1st wave, the second month as the 2nd wave, and so on. I was 9 months shy of the joining age, so I was spared for the time being, but that has ended.
When I joined, I was issued the standard items: Flak Jacket, Crescent Helm with a com unit and a helm-mounted display, and a proto sword, gun, and shield. I don’t see the point of such ill-leveled gear, but I can do nothing about it. The training I go through is tireless; everyday they force us to compete in skirmishes with each other.
The point of the skirmishes, they say, is to decide which class you desire to join: Guardian, Recon, or Striker. I always loose, and everyone seems to have no patience for me. Can’t they understand I am trying? Can’t they understand I am just learning how to fight? No, they think of themselves as gods and belittle me. I wish to make my name known, I want to be feared by everyone knight on Cradle. Anger and hatred drive me; anger at those who mock me, hatred at those who belittle me.
“Private Ice, report to the front of the Mesh Hall.”
It is so difficult to become feared when one’s arsenal is so small…
“Private Fellsnow Ice!?
Dang it, “Here and accounted for, sir!”
“Report to lab number 31 for your debriefing and your upgrade.”
As the announcer turns I wonder what he means, “Well, excuse me chaps, I have to report to lab 31, unlike some of you.” Mocking laughter follows my comment, why am I such a fool at times? When I exit the exit mesh hall, I am greeted by the blinding rays of the sun and must raise my armored hand to shield my eyes, oh how I wish for a chapeau to protect my eyes. I glance down at the dirt and feel a sickening homesick emotion. Of all the element Cradle has, it seems to lack immensely in the soft white sand. Also, this planet has a twinge of the smell of burnt rubber, which makes me very nauseous. I start to move, letting my feet make trails in the dirt. Finally, I reach lab 31, this is also known as the Gremlin specialty lab. I knock on the steel door.
“Private Ice? Please come in. Come in, come in.”
I enter the lab and get a quick bear of my surroundings. There are numerous info screens with various pictures of Gremlin weapons, gear, and architecture. Also, there are 3 devices scanning 3 pieces of Gremlin gear: a weapon, shield, and mask.
“Fellsnow, mind if I call you that? Ice seems so official and awkward at the same time.”
I nod at the muscular knight who is speaking to me.
“You have been called here to be part of an experiment…Sort of at least. You have been chosen to try out captured Gremlin weapons and gear, the ones you see before are the ones you will be trying. Your job, should you accept it, will be very important, but I know that you are a brave and can handle thi…Ugh!”
The “Ugh!” was the knight being nicked by a zapper that a scientist was holding.
“Tell him the darned truth, Endo! *Sigh* What we are basically saying kid, is that you have been picked as a guinea pig to try out Gremlin gear that could malfunction at any time. We picked you only because you are practically a nobody, so there is no significant damage done if you get hurt in any way, Capish?”
I stare at him, flabbergasted at whate he just said. How could someone say that? My hatred and anger begin to raise, but I shove them both done with a swallow.
“Sir, even though you disrespect me, I will take what you have to offer, no matter the risk. Even though I am a nobody, I am not afraid to die.”
In all actuality I am absolutely terrified, but this is the only way to make a name for myself. The scientist walks over to the table and begins to explain the gear
“A wise choice on your part. Anyway, back to work. As you can see, we have numerous things. This here is the Mask of Seerus himself, and this is his personal hammer. Before you ask, we had a group of Class-A strikers attempt a capture mission. They failed in capturing Seerus, but they managed in stealing numerous of his personal items. Also, this is the Darkfang Shield, taken off of the back of a Gremlin in Depth 27. As you can plainly see, this is all higher class gear, so you cannot wear your flak jacket anymore. Instead, the HQ will supply you with a Final Flourish and a Skolver Coat. Endo will take you to the armory now, but, do you have any questions?”
I shake my head, this is all a bit too much for a recruit.
“Excellent, Endo, please take him away, oh, and don’t forget your gear, Ice.”
I grab my gear and begin to follow Endo out when I notice the tattoo upon his right arm. Citius Caedimus, swiftly we strike, the motto of the Class-A Strikers. When I see this, a question springs into my mind.
“Endo, were you one of the strikers who captured the gear?”
“I was, although, don’t think of it as an easy picnic, it was one of the hardest things I have done.”
“What was it like? I bet it was full of adventure! Could I meet the other members of the squad?”
At this statement, Endo froze and slowly turned to face me.
“Don’t ever bring up my squad again. There are things in this world that are known, that can be learned, and that never should have happened. Don’t ask about the things that never should have happened. Now follow me.”
I follow him outside where the sun is beginning its decent into the horizon. As I walk, I begin to notice others pointing at my hammer, and I cannot help but feel pride in my mighty weapon. I follow Endo into the armory where he is already going through numerous skolver coats. He throws me one that looks my size and is obviously used.
“Put it on, it should fit like a Wolver Coat, just with a higher advancement of technology and defense. And finally, here is the Flourish you were promised. It is made with a more expensive type of metal that is extremely light but also very tough. So now you can deal damage in elemental, piercing, and normal. After researching for a couple of days, the scientist discovered that the hammer deals very strongly in elemental attacks, so use it wisely.”
“This is so much awesome stuff! Thank you so much Endo. Quick question though, should there be a blood stain on my skolver coat?”
The blood stain was rather noticeably, considering it covers the entire chest of the coat.
“The blood stain means that you are wearing the coat of a deceased warrior. You should wear it proudly….Wait, that blood stain…”
Endo’s giant figure suddenly freezes again, and I watch as his fingers curl into fists.
“I never expected them to recover that coat…How did they recover that? Why would they not tell me?! Little one, go now and practice with your new gear. Leave now.”
As I turn to run out the door I see him throw up into a nearby bucket. I turned to help him, but he drew his blade and shouted at me to flee the premises. I needed no second bidding. There’s obviously more about Endo than anyone is letting on, and he seems to be struggling with his past. Nonetheless, Endo is to come second. To the skirmish area I shall go.