The airlock shut itself tightly behind everyone, leaving only myself inside the metal tomb I volunteered to inhabit. It was only from outside the Escape Pods could someone set the Coordinates. With an ear-shattering boom, the Escape Pod blasted itself off into that ocean of stars. That's the first thing I'll miss. Seeing all the stars, the planets, the little tiny specs billions of kilometers away that could revolve around anything; worlds with new life or planets long dead. Secondly, I suppose, I'll miss my wife. But that should go without saying. She was the only who supported my idea to join the War. To fight for my planet against the outsiders. Poetic, in a sense then, that she'll be more devastated than anyone. A small buzzing sound emitted from my ear-piece, my captains voice leaking through like sludge through a sewer.
"What's your name, Private?" He said to me. It was an iron voice, the kind you hear in movies.
"Jackson, Sir. Alex Jackson." I managed to stammer out, terror trembling at my lips.
"What you're doing today Private will be written about for years to come. You're doing your planet proud". They were beautiful words, but the sentiment wore thin on me. How lovely it'll be knowing I am hero; I doubt it'll keep me warm in my grave.
"Sir, I can hear the Mantoids approaching. I have 12 shots. I'm going to see if I can take eleven out." I told him. I didn't let him reply, i just took the ear-piece out and smashed it on the floor under my boot. I could hear the Mantoids moving through the ships vents, they'd be upon me in seconds. 'I don't know why I lied' I thought to myself as I placed the barrel of my gun against my temple. 'If I was going to have a legacy, I may as well make it even better than the truth.'