“Everyone to landing positions, please!” was the announcement over the tannoy. “We will be landing in Imdor in approximately ten minutes!”

“Hurry up!” cried Gaz, banging on the cubicle door in front of him. He’d been waiting for the loo for ages, and really didn’t want an accident on his first official army assignment. He and Joel already suffered enough stick due to their forced conscription, any extra reasons would make his life a living hell.

A good five minutes later, the door opened.

“I’m sorry it took me so long,” spat the occupant, pushing Gaz backwards. “You wanna be careful, the Guv’nor doesn’t take well to lateness.”

Gaz looked up at the large bearded frame standing over him. It was Igor, a spiteful and aggressive man who had given Gaz grief ever since they joined. Gaz was pretty sure he had stayed in the toilet longer when he had recognised Gaz’s voice.

Gaz got up and scuttled around him. I’ve got time, he thought, it’ll only take two minutes.

Sure enough, Gaz finished up quickly and pressed the button to get out.

Whirr…

“Come on!” he cried.

Whirr… Nothing happened.

Typical, he thought. Un-flummoxed, Gaz took the knife off his belt and peeled the panel off the wall next to the door. He shook his head. It was a mess of stretched and cut wires, with a hole in the middle where the fuse should be.

Bloody Igor, he muttered, knowing that he’d been purposely locked in. Not to be beaten by his vandalism, Gaz selected a couple of wires and pressed them together. He got a small shock, but they shorted the system and the door shot open. Gaz was finally glad that he had paid some attention to the lessons he’d had since he’d been in the army.

Sprinting along the corridor, Gaz could see the muster point ahead of him. I’m gonna make it!

As he entered the room, there was a violent shake as the ship made contact with the ground. Gaz flew up into the air, and landed, sliding along the floor on his face, at Igor’s feet.

“He’s late, Guv’nor,” said Igor.

Gaz turned just in time to see his Captain’s red face, ready to explode, before a swift kick to the back of his head rendered him unconscious.

“Joel!” snarled the Guv’nor. “He’s your pathetic excuse for a brother, you look after him. Off the ship!”

Joel slung his unconscious brother over his shoulder and carried him out into the misty, cold air of Imdor. Slapping Gaz in the face whilst marching, he cursed.

“Shit, Gaz. Wake up! You’re gonna get us both killed.”

Whether that was by the Ildor, Igor or the Guv’nor, Joel didn’t know.