[ WP ] Write a story that involves a world war , cryopods , aliens , the zombie apocalypse , dinosaurs and space pirates .

`` Do you remember when the world made sense Harry?'' 
 
 Harry huffed out a stale breath as his boots sank into the mud. The trek through the trenches were a laborious effort on a good day, and when one only had the spare kits on their backs and rifles in their arms. It was not uncommon for a man or woman to pass out in exhaustion among the mud and filth. 
 
 Today was *not* a good day and Harry was pulling something considerably heavier than his normal kit and rifle. Which he was also lugging around in this muddy hell. Exhaustion had n't crept in. 
 
 `` I remember,'' the man said to Harry, `` when I was a little brat, the oldest of three other little brats. We'd watch some ridiculous show about a rabbit or a robot fight on the weekends. Mom would always want us to play outside but sometimes she'd sit and watch with us, not understanding anything that was on.'' 
 
 Harry strained a bit as the tube he was dragging hit a jutted corner of the mud wall. Even with the tube floating nearly a foot off the ground, Harry was struggling to reorient himself so as to get a good grasp on the device and continue on his journey. Exhaustion had n't crept in, but he still felt like he was moving underwater all the same. 
 
 The man in the uniform elected not to involve himself in Harry's predicament, instead staring up into the night sky. One might have thought he was looking at the constellations, but those with half a brain knew that the constant clouds could block out the moon and even the sun when on a bad day. 
 
 What chance did little specks of light have when faced against such a powerful monotony? 
 
 Harry did n't care. He had finally wrenched the tube from the wall and brought it forth to the man. 
 
 `` Ah, there's a good one,'' the man said as he glanced towards the tube. The remark had n't been towards Harry but he did n't mind either way. He stood stoically at attention, waiting for the next order. There was always more work to be done. 
 
 The man punched some numbers into the tube's side, beeping sides emanating from some hidden speakers. The tube seems to split, mist spilling forth in alarmingly large volumes, and the upper portion creaking slowly upwards. 
 
 `` I wonder if this is how my mom felt watching those shows. A whole bunch of nonsense flashing across the screen.'' The man looked Harry in the eyes. His face was scarred from a burn, going from the left of his lower jaw to the side of his temple. Not much left of an ear, but it was usable for a communications bud. 
 
 Under his steel helmet and goggles, his shadowed eyes looked lifeless. 
 
 `` Except this is life, Harry,'' the man said when Harry did n't reply, `` Almost *all* of my life. It's just been nonsensical things day in and day out. Eighteen years since the North was taken and eighteen years of fighting in the pits like this, hoping they do n't just do a fly-by and get this over with. I've seen them take buses you know? Not even with people in them. They just spot an empty bus in the street and they go bug-fuck nuts, figuring out how to drive the damned things before stripping them down.'' 
 
 The lid had fully opened by then and the mist had died down in volume, even as it continued to pour out. A slow whine rose from the tube. A louder siren from above the trenches nearly drowned it out. 
 
 Harry looked towards the tube while the man stared at the single ladder that would lead up to the world above and away from the mud hell. That did n't necessarily mean it was heaven though. 
 
 The tube descended onto the mud as the creature began to pull itself out from its resting place. A fully grown Spinosaurous, full grown being relative for sure. As the predator got to its feet and curiously sniffed the air, it was only a head taller than Harry and the man from the leg to its snout. What it lacked in true size it made up for in the metal armor strapped to its torso and neck, and communication bud along its head much like the man's. 
 
 No weapons besides nature's, but that armor would deflect any indirect energy fire. 
 
 The man turned towards Harry as the beast chirped eagerly towards the trench opening. There was a smile without humor or any real human emotion on his face. Harry did n't think to say anything, so he did n't. 
 
 The siren had gotten louder but also broke into bursts of planned static every few moments. 
 
 `` I suppose you're the lucky one Harry. You do n't have much of a life to suffer, you son of a bitch. Keep to routine Harry, stick near the mutt, gain and keep as much ground as you can, and kill as many of those Crabs as you fucking can.'' 
 
 Harry did n't nod or acknowledge the order. It was n't necessary. 
 
 The siren hit a different pitch. 
 
 The man slapped Harry on the shoulder. `` You find any of our stragglers, you bite hard and you bite quick.'' His lifeless eyes stared into Harry's own. `` Let's hope those Crabs put you down for good Harry.'' 
 
 The siren stopped. It was time for Harry to go. 
 
 The man placed a finger to his comm. bud and the mutt screeched with excitement and anticipation, practically leaping halfway up the trench wall and using it's powerful claws to progress further up. 
 
 Harry shamble-ran towards the ladder, a single hand clasping his rifle while the other pulling him up further along the rungs. He and the mutt arrived near the top at the same time, and he wasted not a moment before getting as close to the creature as he could. 
 
 Around them, there were other pairs and squads doing the same thing, pouring from similar trenches along the battle field. Pachycephalosauruses and Dracorexes sprinting down the field, more heavily armored than most, while the smaller of Harry's kin held on to make-shift handles. Even as they fired from their giant rifles, their steeds did not panic. They just were n't built that way. 
 
 Dozens of squads of ‎Dromaeosauridaes and Utahraptors flooded the land, moving too fast to be accompanied, but more heavily armed with sharp weaponry than others. Even a pod of Triceratops, nearly as large as they had been in life, made an appearance, their auto-turrets erupting with gunfire and grenades. 
 
 The siren had been changed, different than previous battles, and the surprise allowed Harry and his mutt to nearly reach the no-man's land of fallen allies. Still, it was inevitable that the Crabs would retaliate. 
 
 They sprung from the earth, an eerie parallel to what Harry and his allies had just done, and the air was filled with the shrill screaming of intergalactic horror. At eight feet tall and half as wide, the Crabs cut an imposing figure to behold, even if one ignored their deadly four clawed limbs and searching tentacles for a lower body. Segmented armor highlighted with red lines of light from beneath gave the impression of an almost demonic presence in the world. 
 
 Harry and his ilk did n't care as they fired away at the aliens, keeping a look out for any stragglers like the man had said to do. 
 
 The Crabs fired back, green arcs of burning energy launched from open claws, hot enough to scorch steel and blind those not properly prepared. The fire rate was n't half of a good rifle, but the quality of the shots and intensity of the blasts made up for quantity in this scuffle. 
 
 A wayward blast nicked the mutt's armor, earning a screech of rage from the creature. Harry was more preoccupied with the fact that the shot had seared through his right arm and now set his uniform ablaze. Had he taken the time, he might of prevented too much damage to his body by removing the outer coat and cowl. 
 
 Harry had n't cared to take the time though, instead making to sure to get a stronger hold on his rifle with his left arm and use his still tightly grasped right as a smaller shield in case of another stray shot. 
 
 It would take time for the flames to take his skin, but he would burn nonetheless. In the meanwhile, he'd do his job like he was told. 
 
 Harry did n't care for much else these days. Life did n't make enough sense for caring to be worth it.
