Klendathu

"Landing operations on Klendathu are proceeding as expected. Initial resistance has exceeded projections, but our forces continue to advance with determination. Strategic objectives remain unchanged. The offensive continues on schedule. Tomorrow's victory begins with today's sacrifice. They're doing their part. Are you?" The screens are filled with fire and with flags A smiling anchor stokes the will to fight They sell the war in thirty-second clips And every corpse becomes a rallying light Recruitment posters line the corridor The Federal Network beats the drum of fear "Join up, suit up - the Mobile Infantry Will keep the human homeworlds free and clear" We bought the lie in full We signed the dotted line We dropped into the dark The plasma and the grime Klendathu - the planet kills Klendathu - the drop zone fills Ten thousand boots in freefall through the dawn Ten thousand dead before the day is gone The pods hit rock and scatter into dust The ramps come down - we step into the kill The ground erupts beneath our armored boots The Bugs are in the rock, the ridge, the hill Plasma bolts tear columns into smoke A sergeant's torso rolling to the right The radio is screaming unit codes And no one in command has got a sight The flanks have come apart The officers are gone We're bleeding on a rock A billion miles from home Klendathu - the planet kills Klendathu - the drop zone fills Ten thousand boots in freefall through the dawn Ten thousand dead before the day is gone Carmen's up above me in the black Dizzy's screaming something - pulling back Kitten's gone - the Bugs tore him apart I watched them scatter pieces of his heart Retreat - the order comes too late We left them in the dirt and sealed their fate They said we'd take the planet in a day The swarm rose up and swept us all away The casualty reports will not be read The Federation never mourns its dead "Temporary setback on the road to peace" While body bags stack up and clog the ships One hundred thousand Mobile Infantry Erased before the morning's early light Rasczak looks at Rico through the smoke "Now you know the cost of every fight." Klendathu - the planet kills Klendathu - the drop zone fills Ten thousand boots in freefall through the dawn Ten thousand dead before the day is gone Klendathu - we came to conquer stars Klendathu - we came back full of scars The Federal Council said the cause was just The Mobile Infantry bled into dust ... "Humanity stands united against extinction. The bugs understand only force. Only victory ensures survival. Together we reclaim the stars. Peace will follow total victory. Official reports confirm overwhelming strategic success. Enemy casualties are estimated in the millions. Minor tactical setbacks have been contained. Freedom isn't inherited, it's deployed. One world, one purpose. Our future is written by those who serve. They're doing their part. The operation is ongoing. Would you like to know more?"