On the 19th.

On the orders of the President, a large number of battalions were asked to retreat on the west side and move to the northeast side. Their deputation had been changed, one-fourth of the original number of soldiers were retained on the west side, while the remaining were given orders to move to the eastern border.

As per the orders, the soldiers had immediately marched to the eastern borders led by Major Ethan Meyer. They had been informed of the possible attack from the east and now they had to come up with a plan to defeat the enemies. They had already prepared a strategy for the same.

Ethan had given orders for some of the soldiers to hide at several places rather than coming with him to the base camp at the further east. The position given to them was quite near to the base camp, just within two kilometers. This way, the enemy would be fed with false numbers. When the attack takes place, they could outwit them in their own game.

All the soldiers had settled in their positions and were waiting for the enemy to attack. They were on a constant lookout for any sort of suspicious activity. They were on high alert, the locals living in that area, if any, were made to relocate. The cross border area was sealed completely, however to the enemies, it looked like a normal routine.

On 19th, early morning at 2.07, one of the soldiers who was on night duty, noticed something suspicious from his checkpoint. He saw some black figures on the other side of the border. The distance was far, so he could not make out how many people were there. He took the binoculars beside him and saw through it, they were more than a thousand. He realized at once that they were on the attack. He pressed on the button in front of him and a siren rang through the area. The sound of the siren was so loud that even the people on the other side of the border could hear it, although it was merely a buzz for them.

The people stopped in their tracks, they knew that they had been found out. They started running towards their positions while some started to mount their weapons. They made a safety wall in front of them using the bricks and wooden planks they had brought with them.

The loud, blaring alarm woke all the sleeping soldiers, it was a clear indication that they had be alert.

Major Ethan Meyer woke up with a start. He had just gone to take a nap after inspecting if everything was alright, when the siren boomed in the camp. He jumped off his bed and wore his jacket. He then took the SIG Sauer P226, his handgun and holstered it in his waistband. He went to the check post and looked at the young soldier who had woken him up in the early dawn.

"What happened? Did you notice something or hear some sound?"

"Major, take a look." He handed Ethan his binoculars and pointed at the border area.

Ethan looked straight ahead and focused his binoculars. He saw many people dressed in black, fully armed taking their positions just a few meters away from the separation between the two countries; they were in the neighboring country.

He saw the number of people and cursed secretly, it was a huge crowd. Although it was not that visible with the naked eyes, he could clearly see using the binoculars, there were more one thousand on the battlefield. But he was not sure on how many more were on their way or if they were hiding.

"Keep me informed. Looking at the scenario, I think the President was right. We might be at war with our neighbor."

"Yes, Major."

Ethan got off the checkpoint and walked to the area where the all captains of each soldier regiment, who had accompanied him till the camp, had assembled. The garrison had been divided into many units, each being led by a captain. These captains reported to Ethan. There were a total of forty-five units in the camp, while there were 105 units stationed nearby. Each unit had 58 soldiers along with a leader. The forty-five captains were standing in front of him in full attention.

"Friends, I think you all knew why we were deputed here. It was due to the orders of the President as he felt there might be a danger to the country from the east and his words are true. The enemies have taken their positions. We have to be ready for the attack now. Get ready with your battle gears, inform your soldiers and keep them on standby. Meet me within fifteen minutes.

Ethan gave them the orders and went to the control room. Using the Defense Red Switch Network, he sent signals to all the troupes who were stationed at different areas in the two-kilometer perimeter.

After fifteen minutes, all the captains in the camp had assembled, completely geared up. Ethan was already waiting for them, standing on the podium, straight and expressionless.

"Captains, I have informed the other group too. Let's wait for them."

After another twenty minutes, the captains of the 105 units entered the arena while the soldiers were ordered to wait just outside the camp.

"Captains, is everyone here?" He shouted.

"Yes." The said in unison.

"Captains, we have seen some suspicious people just at the border. If our assumptions are true, then we might be at war with our neighboring country. Get ready, get mentally prepared. The 45 groups will be in the front, the remaining 105 groups will cover them from the back. Tell your soldiers not to over-stress themselves, we want them safe and secure. And don't attack them until they strike first. This is an order. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Major." The captains yelled.

"Before that. I want all my soldiers alive. They are to die only after they see their grandkids. This is also an order. Now go, prepare the men." Ethan said.

The captains followed his orders and went to their respective units.

In half an hour, everybody was in their positions, securing an upper hand compared to their enemies. They had to wait as they were given orders not to shoot before the enemy strikes.

Nothing happened until 3.40 am. When the clock showed 3.40, the enemy fired at the soldiers. This was the cue for them, the soldiers retaliated with full force.

The war had started, Country P was in war with its neighboring country.