Authors Note: This is my first piece of creative writing so you will have to give me a little leeway in the first few chapters. If you are having trouble getting into the story, I would suggest reading chapter three or seven. Have fun, enjoy, and leave me feedback, good or bad!

Gears of War:

Children of War

Chapter 1

Children of War

It was a sunny day on the outskirts of Jacinto plateau. A pleasant day if any could be called pleasant.

Daze awoke to the familiar sound of gunfire away in the distance, a usual occurrence with the Locust becoming more and more bold, having breached the plateau they were causing death and destruction wherever they went.

And that's were the stranded were left…between a rock and a hard place, scraping a living out in the dirt, dodging the Locust or grouping in sufficient numbers to put up a rag tag resistance, eating rats and birds and the occasional COG handout, freezing on winter nights and baking in the summer heat, most wearing nothing but rags. It was hard, but it had its bright spots. The fact that they were alive was cause enough for joy when so many were not. And living near the fortress had its perks; sometimes the COG would get generous and hand out blankets and clothes.

And Teresa had connections on the inside. Teresa was like a mother to the orphans. She had lost all three of her children and her husband on E-day, and instead of living the rest of her life in seclusion she decided to find a house and set up an orphanage to take in as many children and teens as she could.

Even though they weren't originally stranded, they lived right near the edge of the plateau, and the Locust pushed the Gears lines back so far the first day they breached the plateau, that they had to either abandon the orphanage or stay and risk being found by the locust. They decided to stay, and after the initial onslaught the Locust rarely came too near.

Daze had been a relatively latecomer to the orphanage, but having lived right next to it, and being best friends with some of the teens there, had made it an easy choice once he lost his father.

Daze had been an only child and had lost his mother on E-day. His dad joined the COG and instantly began moving up the Coalition ranks, becoming a Major and getting numerous awards for leading his squad. He also quickly gained the respect of his superiors, but more importantly

to him, the respect of his son.

He was out on patrol the day the Horde first breached the plateau and was cut off from retreat.

He had almost got his squad back when they were ambushed by a group of Locust. He was bringing up the rear when the Locust opened fire. Taking a bullet in the leg, he turned as he fell and emptied his Lancer into them as they rushed, reloaded and began to fire again before they got to him. Even after he ran out of ammo he continued to hack at them with his chainsaw until his squad was able to drive them back, but had lost too much blood, by the time they got to him that there was nothing they could do. He asked his friend and second in command, Rojas, to gave Daze his COG tags, revolver and knife, which he did.

Daze had mourned the loss of his father greatly and, taking his dads extra pair of combat pants, ammo belt, knife, revolver and COG tags, set out to see if his friends were still alive.

Daze was now seventeen. It had been almost three years since Daze had come to stay at the orphanage for good. When he got there he had found the windows boarded up and the door locked. He had knocked on the door and was beginning to lose hope when Justin opened the door.

Justin, eighteen, was Daze's best friend, he was not very tall, but what he lacked in height he made up for in strength. He was also funny, which was quite an accomplishment when there was so little to laugh about.

Daze had a few other close friends. Clara, sixteen, who was Justin's girlfriend, as well as Susan and Jordan. Clara was short and pale skinned with short brown hair and brown eyes, she was fast and agile and loved to run. Jordan was tall, dark skinned and strong, strong enough to pick up Susan in one arm whenever he felt like it…which was a lot.

Susan was tall and oriental looking with long black hair and a more serious, mature attitude compared to Jordan, who liked to make jokes and tickle and be immature sometimes. They had loved each other from the first time they met four years ago, and had been planning to get married as soon as possible.

Daze looked around the room. Justin was sitting on his bed reading, while Jordan was just starting to stir.

"Good Morning" said Justin cheerily.

" Is it?" Daze groaned.

" Yea man" Jordan sat up. "yizer it's a good morning, I been waiting a long time for this man!"

"Just cause you guys all plan to get married today doesn't mean its just a walk in the park to get to the Fortress."

" We know what we're doing" Justin said.

"I'm just worried we're gonna run into some locust before we get there." said Daze.

"You coming too?" Jordan asked.

"Someone's gotta make sure you guys get back in one piece." Daze said.

"Hello! We know what we're doing remember".

"I know, I'm just giving you grief". Daze said.

"Yeah well, we better get to breakfast, we have to start early if we want to get there and back before dark" said Justin.

Daze got out of bed, put on his pants and buckled up his ammo belt. Then strapped on his fathers revolver, belted on his knife and went down stairs to join the rest of them.

Teresa had gotten up early to make them breakfast so they could get an early start to the fortress.

"I still don't understand why you guys have to go out there and get officially married when none of us care if you guys call your selves married or not." Teresa said as they sat down.

"You know I'm serious about my faith Teresa. I just want it to be right." Jordan said "and besides, its not like we've never been there by our selves."

"Faith! Pff Faith in what! The only thing I got faith in is that the Locust hate us! That's it. Heck, the sun will rise fall on it." Daze said irritably. "Ah sorry. I didn't mean to get carried away"

"Whatever, but you guys better be careful." Teresa said " Remember, HIDE don't fight."

"Don't worry about it." Clara said " The Locust haven't made a large scale attack for at least two weeks, why should they start today."

" Hmph, Yeah, Why today?"

"Quit fussing already!" Clara said.

"Yeah yeah, whatever! Get going" Teresa said. "Love ya, See ya tonight!"

Daze took a couple more bites as the rest got up to leave. He couldn't understand why they would want to do this. Just say you're married and be done with it! But they where his friends, and he'd do anything for them. Even if it meant some crazy scheme to get to the fortress.

He walked outside into the cool morning air. Fresh and bright, though with a subtle hint of gun smoke, again, a usual occurrence.

Since they were going to the fortress they might as well pick up any ammo they came across on the way.

Once they had been attacked at the orphanage by a scouting group of locust. The grubs had seen one of the kids going in and tried to rush the front door, where they were met by a blast of gunfire. There had been about seven when they attacked, they lost three in that first wave and resolved to try and draw out anyone who might be inside. Meanwhile the guys had taken the few guns they had and waited at the windows, making sure not to give away they're numbers. After a bit Daze decided to go out the back and draw them away before more came. He took a couple pot-shots with his revolver and then ran hoping they'd follow. They did. He had to do some free running moves he'd never tried before to lose them. Teresa had scolded him for doing it, but also thanked him for possibly saving them.

He was catching up to the others when he heard some more gunfire, this time it was closer than before.

He started to run. He got to the rest of them with out hearing any more shots. But he was still uneasy.

"How far you think that was?" he asked Justin

"Couple miles I'd say."

"No more than five for sure" Jordan said.

"Lets just keep our eyes open" Susan put in.

"All right, keep moving" Daze said.

They came around a corner into an open street. Daze saw something move.

"Hide!" he said quickly.

Instantly they all faded in to the various hiding spots found in a partially destroyed city.

Daze snuck up a little farther to see if it was anything. He scanned the buildings across the road. Nothing moved. He was about to stand up when he saw what looked like three figures appear from the shadows. Daze ducked. He was just going to look again when something hit him on the head, then again. He looked up and saw Clara waving to him from the upper room of a building. She motioned for him to look at the newcomers. He did. There where in fact three people approaching. One was an odd looking boy who looked about his age and the other two looked to be twins about a year younger. They all carried weapons.

Daze stood up. Immediately the twins dove to each side while the other brought up his weapon and fired. Daze dropped quickly, the bullet just whizzing over his head.

"Cease fire!" he shouted

"Put your hands up" the boy yelled.

"Don't shoot! I'm going to stand up slowly" Daze said.

When he stood up he couldn't see the older one or the twins. His eyes swept the street, wait…there by the old dumpster he could see what looked like an old rifle pointing at him.

Behind the rifle was a pair of blue eyes with a lock of blond hair falling to one side. The boy reached up and tucked the hair behind his ear, just like a girl would, wait…it was a girl!

"You almost killed me!" Daze said incredulously.

"Yeah?! Well maybe you shouldn't surprise people with guns!"

"Hmph, where are those other two?" Daze asked.

"My brothers are probably already behind you."

Daze turned around to see the twins come walking up.

"Nice to meet you" one said rather seriously.

"Yeah, I'm glad you didn't kill this one sis, looks like quite a ca…" the other broke off.

"Shut up!"

"Ha, yeah okay, whatever" the second one stammered.

"My name's Daze"

"Nice to meet you Daze. My name is Holly" the girl said.