Description
Erland Martonen, a Swedish national, serves in the high-casualty orbital infantry unit K321, nicknamed "Yakitori" for its expendable nature. He operates within a five-member team featuring soldiers from Japan, China, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Martonen possesses a reserved and withdrawn personality, distinct from the more volatile or independent traits of his teammates. During the unit's formation on Earth and their demanding training on Mars, known as "the Kitchen" under the authoritarian Commander John Do, he consistently attempts to foster cooperation and teamwork. He recognizes their initial ineffectiveness stems from acting as individuals, not a cohesive unit.
Martonen's drive for unity becomes vital as K321 undergoes specialized training focused on developing organic teamwork without memory implants. This unique approach gradually improves their coordination and combat effectiveness, enhancing their survival chances within the perilous unit. Deployed to the planet Barka, the team guards a cat-like special envoy, immediately facing combat against mole-like native rebels resisting the Trade Federation. Under the command of the bulldog-like officer Rimel, Martonen and his team engage in intense operations, including a counterattack against a captured spider tank and an assault on a suspected enemy artillery base. Discovering the base deserted and weapons remotely controlled, they relay targeting data to Rimel, resulting in devastating orbital strikes on rebel positions. These strikes cause massive casualties among the Barka population, an action central to the unit's subsequent legal troubles.
After surviving the mission and a perilous retreat, K321 returns to the Trade Federation fleet only to be arrested and scapegoated for the civilian deaths. During their trial, evidence confirms their role in calling for the orbital bombardment. The defense successfully leverages the Yakitori troops' classification as "equipment" and their lack of proper training in rules of engagement, leading to acquittal. As part of their sentence, the unit, including Martonen, is mandated to undergo ethics and morals training before redeployment on a mission to rescue the Barkan ambassador.
Martonen's drive for unity becomes vital as K321 undergoes specialized training focused on developing organic teamwork without memory implants. This unique approach gradually improves their coordination and combat effectiveness, enhancing their survival chances within the perilous unit. Deployed to the planet Barka, the team guards a cat-like special envoy, immediately facing combat against mole-like native rebels resisting the Trade Federation. Under the command of the bulldog-like officer Rimel, Martonen and his team engage in intense operations, including a counterattack against a captured spider tank and an assault on a suspected enemy artillery base. Discovering the base deserted and weapons remotely controlled, they relay targeting data to Rimel, resulting in devastating orbital strikes on rebel positions. These strikes cause massive casualties among the Barka population, an action central to the unit's subsequent legal troubles.
After surviving the mission and a perilous retreat, K321 returns to the Trade Federation fleet only to be arrested and scapegoated for the civilian deaths. During their trial, evidence confirms their role in calling for the orbital bombardment. The defense successfully leverages the Yakitori troops' classification as "equipment" and their lack of proper training in rules of engagement, leading to acquittal. As part of their sentence, the unit, including Martonen, is mandated to undergo ethics and morals training before redeployment on a mission to rescue the Barkan ambassador.