53-58: The end.

Dispassionate mechanical fingers remove the bulky helmets and re-breather packs from the fallen Troopers. Boots, belts and gloves are stripped from the dead and packed away to be re-conditioned and re-issued to the Empress' new recruits. In an empire spanning hundreds of worlds, there is never any shortage of willing volunteers, eager for a chance to serve their sovereign and establish Humanity's dominance across the stars.

The dead will be disposed of, their names forgotten except as footnotes on a memorial on the backwater planets they came from. Only their service to the Empire will endure: Another outpost of resistance quelled; another planet made a little more secure in its loyalty to the Empress; another band of dangerous recidivist aliens purged.

As for Lola; the Imperial military rewards courage and competence, and she has displayed both in ample measure. Newly promoted to Lance Corporal, she is given a fire-team of fresh-faced recruits to command. A little older, a little wiser, a lot more confident; she will continue to serve- at least for now.

There is always another drop.