I…had lost two of my best friends. I had lost two comrades. I had lost two soldiers. I had lost.
Two days have passed since that attack. Happiness and joy had left me. Not me alone, but Ferry and Alfred as well. We didn't laugh, smile or crack any jokes. We…just couldn't. And just like before, we sat idle in our rooms. They gave us no mission, and I had no desire to go and ask for one. I was scared that I might lose another one. We followed the same routine as before. Although there was a change. We did night watches on either point C or point B, which was five kilometres from C. As I was a captain, although I hated it. I was sent to point A, the frontline, with some privates and sergeants. The main fight was there. Constant shelling, artillery bombardment, and sometimes missiles as well. Both sides lost 20-30 every day.
Today, I was on night duty as well. It was with Captain Pierson this time. I had been resting, and at 6 pm, Alfred woke me up.
"It's time for your night duty with the Captain. Wake up." He said as he stroked my hair. I couldn't understand Alfred. Unlike me, he never lost his sense of humour and his composure. Many times, I felt that he could be a better leader than I.
"Okay, okay," I said and got up.
"Don't forget to wash your face and brush your teeth."
"Okay…mother," I said and laughed.
Alfred and Ferry broke into laughter as well. Well, we broke our streak of not laughing.
I changed, put on my uniform, took my rifle, and went to Captain Pierson. On the way, many privates straightened themselves or stopped laughing when I went past them. All because of my badge. The sergeants and the corporals barely did any of this in front of any other captain. So, of course, they didn't do this upon seeing me. They nodded in a way of greeting. Which was enough. I reached the Captain's barracks. He was ready and was leaving.
"Oh…you are here." He adjusted his cap.
"Who will be with us this time?" I asked him.
"A fresh batch of cadets has arrived. Twelve of them."
"Okay, are they any good?"
"We will find out."
We went to other barracks and gathered the new cadets. They were all 13 years old. After that, we began to walk towards point C.
"Captain, I don't understand Michaela's behaviour. Why does he mock me all the time I meet him? I didn't even do anything to him." I asked as we walked.
"Well…I think because you and your squad are close to Colonel Yornus. The colonel is the opposition leader. So you are getting stuck in their politics."
"For no reason."
"Yes, for no reason."
After thirty minutes of walking, we were at point C. Captain Pierson knew our position, so we followed him. Upon reaching, He and I sent the privates to different positions in our designated area, and then the two of us sat on chairs beside the ruins of a house.
"Martin…Tell me one thing."
"Yes?"
"That plan against Argen. How did you know? The decoy is acceptable because even I could understand it. But how did you know about the sniper?"
Well… Captain. When I devised the plan, I read the colonel's notes. I understood that he makes full use of the terrain around him. After that, I examined the valley. Four possibilities came to mind. The first convoy being decoyed is common in all four scenarios. The first option is for amateurs. The first convoy will be a decoy. If we engage with it, it will attack our position through TTCs and either eliminate or capture us. In the second, if we don't fall for the first bait, we find the second lure. After falling for it, he attacks us with TTC or other heavy machinery and forces us to surrender. The third is similar to the second, but he uses ground forces, surrounds us, and captures us. However, in the fourth, he employs hidden machinery or personnel and kills us. And I opted for the fourth.
"Why?"
Argen is the type of person who makes his enemy suffer and then kills them. He never captures; he only kills. So as a precaution, I placed the scope. And just like him used the terrain and the environmental conditions around me."
"Okay…" He was shocked; his eyes were wide open. The privates near us were also listening to me attentively.
"But here is where I made the mistake. I did find the second convoy, but is it the decoy as well? I couldn't anticipate this far. And then I made the second mistake. After escaping, I got a bit relaxed, and he attacked us with the TTC. And I am fully assured that the soldier who injured my thigh was sent by him. He must have seen me fall."
"If his plans were this perfect, then why did he lose his arm?"
"That's where he made a mistake. He only thought up to the point where he would send the soldier, and that soldier would kill me. Well…after that, I can't say it's his mistake. Because that old man came completely miraculously. I got some food, and my pain was reduced thanks to him. So I was able to damage him."
He began to clap, patted my shoulder. "Amazing! You brats sure have grown up. And now a soldier 15 years younger has the same rank as me." He laughed.
"Well…it proves I am far better," I said and laughed.
"Now, now…don't get ahead of yourselves."
We laughed for a bit. He exhaled.
"But it is undeniable. You really have surpassed me. Private to captain in three years!?!? It is beyond me. That politics really benefitted you."
"But…still. I didn't even know that they were fighting for the throne."
"Martin…you can see yourself. Your thinking and observation skills are far greater than any one of your age. You are nearly equal to Colonel Yornus and General Yarna. I didn't want to tell you as I thought you might get arrogant. The colonel himself said that you are far intelligent than any of our captains and majors." He said this without a smile. He was serious. His eyes weren't lying.
"According to him, with enough experience and training, you can become our biggest weapon against Argen. I won't be lying with this, but you truly deserve this badge. Your skills surpass those of mine and of Tyrnik, who had perfect scores." He paused and took a breath.
"You should be proud of yourself. Remember, losing someone hurts, but don't let it overcome your brain, don't let it consume you. Use it as a weapon and adapt. Evolve with the situation." He patted my shoulder, and after a stare, sat back.
His words and his eyes told the truth. I began to manifest it. The lust for revenge was overcoming me. But I had to control it. I can't forget it. I had to take revenge. I just had to make my way better, so it feels sweet.
I opened my bottle and took a few sips of water. Then, I remembered something.
"Yesterday, before sunrise, I saw Michaela leave the base with two brigadier generals and a major general. His convoy was heavily armed as well. And they weren't going towards Pharkis."
"Oh, that, you don't know?"
"No…what is it?"
"A message came from the second-in-command…"
"HE IS ALIVE!?!?!?" I interrupted him; my blood began to boil. But I controlled.
"Keep it down, relax. His vitals were safe, so apparently he survived." He cleaned his ears. "A message came, and he had invited Michaela for ceasefire talks. Of course, nothing would happen. But for formality, he decided to go."
"Stupid…" I took a sip from my water bottle. "Everything will happen except for peace. I am telling you it's a trap."
"What makes you think that?" He was shocked. He looked at me.
"Just wait, and you will find out," I said and placed my bottle on the ground.
The captain smirked and began to pour tea into his cup.
We remained there for six hours, and at 2 am, our shift ended. We all went to our barracks. When I came, Ferry and Alfred were sleeping. I went to my bed, placed my pistol on the table, and sat. I looked around the room, and now there were two empty beds, forever.
I went to sleep. The time I spent with the captain refreshed me. For the first time in weeks, I felt relaxed. I learned that I had to control my emotions. But, I…I would never forget it. My revenge will be fulfilled.