It was only a few hundred meters to the nearest part of the forest and the group made it there without issue. The squad began moving at pace, but as quietly as possible through the forest around the village until they were on course towards the Shepherds base. The first resistance they met was a group of ten Breawen soldiers, the fight was over quickly as Raph’s squad got the drop on them. The skill of squad 20 was far above that of the soldiers, the only problem was that the noise from the fight attracted the attention of the other soldiers in the area. Instead of waiting to meet the Breawen soldiers, squad 20 kept running, their main goal was to get back not to defeat the enemies. On the way back through the forest they met two more groups, like the first they went down quickly due to the difference in skill.

The last group of soldiers they came across caught them off guard, unfortunately Mac got sliced in his stomach and was out for the count. Even with Mac out of commission the rest of the squad finished off the last of the soldiers, with some anger being taken out on the soldiers for Mac’s unfortunate situation. After that with Raph made to carry Mac under Fitz’s orders it was plain sailing all the way back to the Shepherds base. They were met by Leah flanked by a couple of other squads, one of the squad members took Mac from Raph and rushed him inside while Leah marched up to Fitz.

“What the hells happened Captain?” She shouted, a mix of anger and frustration.

“We were made, but the kid saved our asses.” Fitz explained to Leah.

“Raph! You went in there alone? Are you insane?” Leah shouted again.

“That’s what Fitz said.” Raph said anxiously.

“You cannot just go into an enemy outpost alone!” Leah screamed.

“Leah, I couldn’t leave them there! They were in immediate danger, if I had left to get reinforcements they could have died.” Raph shouted back.

The atmosphere around them suddenly got very tense due to Raph’s outburst. Leah’s anger was palpable after the comment from Raph and everyone started to back off. Strangely enough the grass that was underfoot began to grow and sway ever so slightly.

“Raphael. Come with me.” Leah spoke and turned sharply, making her way towards the main building.

“Well, it was nice knowing you kid.” Fitz said with a laugh as Raph began to follow.

‘Was that too much?’ Raph thought as he followed. ‘I couldn’t have just left them there.’

Leah led Raph back into her office and slammed the door behind him. She sat down and gestured for Raph to do the same, then she let out a deep sigh.

“Raph.” Leah began with a much more approachable tone. “I would remind you that I am still your commanding officer.”

Raph cut her off. “I couldn’t leave them there.”

“Raph!” Leah interrupted him. “Let me finish please.”

“Ahh.” Raph took a deep breath. “Sorry Major.”

“Thank you.” Leah said. “As I was saying, I am your commanding officer and you shouldn't have done what you did.” Leah paused and took a good look at Raph who was now deflated. “However. I would like to personally thank you, even though it was extremely reckless. You probably saved the rest of your squad and I will be reporting this to General Bishop.”

Raph’s eyes widened at the last part of the speech.

Leah continued. “For this, I would like to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant. The same as your squad mates, although again the final say is that from General Bishop.”

“Major.” Raph started.

“Yes?” Leah asked curiously.

“I am sorry for my outburst at the gate, it was very irresponsible of me.” Raph said vehemently.

“Apology accepted. Lieutenant Smith.” Leah said with a bright smile.

“Leah. Thank you for looking out for everyone.” Raph said with a smile.

They were interrupted by a knock at the door. “Major Raycraft?”

Leah stood up sharply. “General, come in!”

The door opened to reveal Bishop in his sharp uniform, he looked completely unfazed by everything that was happening at the minute.

“Major, I just spoke to Fitz and I agree with your suggestion to give Raphael a promotion to Lieutenant.” Bishop said as he walked into the room

‘How does he know that?’ Raph thought as he looked at Bishop curiously. ‘Can he hear that well?’

“Yes sir, thank you sir.” Leah responded to the General.

“Lieutenant Raphael.” Bishop addressed Raph.

“Sir, yes sir!” Raph said.

“Lieutenant, what you did today was reckless, dangerous and completely irresponsible-.” Bishop began.

At this point Raph wanted to cut him off, however considering what Leah had told him earlier and that Bishop was one of the strongest in the entire army he decided against it.

“-and it is exactly what I expect from a true Shepherd.”

“What?” Raph blurted out, while Leah sat across the desk was looking equally confused.

“Yes, what you did today embodied the true spirit of the Shepherds. You have my gratitude Raphael.” Bishop said. “Anyway, that’s all I really had to say. It’s late so I will be going now, tomorrow we will have a debrief and I would like you to join in as well Lieutenant.”

“Yes sir.” Raph said.

“Goodnight Major, Lieutenant.” Bishop said to them both as he left.

“Well that was odd.” Raph said as soon as Bishop left. “Does he usually do this sort of thing?”

“No, you’re right that was odd, honestly I don’t recall him ever giving praise.” Leah said, clearly rather astounded. “Again Raph I would like to thank you for getting them out of there, even if it was reckless. You probably don't know this but Bishop and Fitz are old friends, they rose up through the army together. I guess that’s the only reason why Bishop is being so nice.”

“Bishop and Fitz joined the army together? Why isn’t Fitz-?” Raph paused because he could find the words to phrase the question.

“You were going to ask why Fitz isn’t a higher rank? Or maybe level?” Leah said with a little chuckle.

“Uhh, yeah I guess I was.” Raph said as he ran his hand through his hair.

“Well actually a fair few years ago now, Fitz was a Major before I even joined the army. I’m not completely sure on the details but something went very wrong and he ended up losing a lot of people. I heard he was supposed to have been discharged but Bishop saved him with a couple demotions.” Leah explained.

“Oh, right. I guess they really are close huh.” Raph said.

“Yeah, again I’m not 100% on the details so don’t just go spreading that around please.” Leah asked

“Don’t worry, I won't Leah.” Raph assured her.

“Anyway. I will send a few more squads out up to the village to make sure the Breawen soldiers have cleared out, it also looks like you have lost your gear so you can grab a replacement for that tomorrow. That being said, it’s rather late now and we’ve both had a long day. So Lieutenant, you are dismissed. Do come to the meeting room tomorrow after breakfast for Bishop’s brief please.” Leah bid goodnight.

“Goodnight Leah.” Raph said with a smile as he walked out.

“Goodnight Raph.” Leah’s voice came from inside the room.

Raph made his way over to the bunk room and found himself a free bed as he had never actually slept in base to this day. It had been a long day with all that had happened, he had gained a few levels; 2 for Destroyer and 3 for Metallurgist of Isaac which brought them to 63 and 59 respectively. His base strength and endurance had also passed 500 each, which Raph thought was probably really high for his level. After checking his notifications and having a quick look at his stats Raph promptly fell asleep.

Raph rose very early, something about this world made him not sleep much. It was still in the early hours of the morning and he went over to the mess hall to get some breakfast. Not surprisingly there was no one else in the hall, so he grabbed himself some rations and a drink, then sat down. A few minutes later while Raph was staring off into space thinking about gods know what, when someone else walked into the hall and made a “huh” sound when he saw there was another person in there this early.

“Good morning Lieutenant.” Bishop’s voice came from behind Raph.

“Good morning sir.” Raph replied with a smile.

Bishop indicated to the seat opposite. “May I?”

“Sir, I don’t think it is my place to tell you where you can and cannot sit.” Raph chuckled.

“Fair point.” Bishop said as he sat down with a mug of what looked to Raph like coffee.

“Um sir. What is that you’re drinking?” Raph asked, as up to this day he hadn’t seen any semblance of coffee in this world and he missed it dearly.

“Ahhh.” Bishop exclaimed softly. “It’s not unusual that you haven’t seen this before, I get it imported from Meophate. There are some perks of being a General after all, it’s called covee.”

‘You’ve got to be shitting me, covee?’ Raph smiled as he heard Bishop say its name. ‘Is that a coincidence?’

“This might be presumptuous sir, but would it be possible for me to get some of that?” Raph asked tentatively.

Bishop looked at Raph curiously, there was a need in Raph’s eyes that was uncharacteristic.

“Sure.” Bishop said, much to Raph’s shock. “It’s not expensive, I actually have quite a lot of it. For some reason Ustral just refuses to import the stuff, I think people here like sweet things a little too much.”

“Ahh, thank you sir. How much will I owe you?” Raph said.

“Don’t worry about it kid, let’s just call it a gift for saving Fitz.” Bishop said with a bit of a sad smile. “I will have my assistant get you some later.”

“Thank you sir, I really appreciate that.”

“No worries.”

“Sir, Could I ask you a question?”

“I guess so, what is it?”

“Do you know my teacher?” Raph asked cautiously

“Isaac Murphy? Kid, everyone knows him.” Bishop said as he laughed.

“What do you mean by that sir?”

“Look if you don’t already know I will leave it to you to find out, but I will say; The Volcano is a true legend. He actually instructed me a long time ago.”

“He was your teacher as well?”

“No no, I’m no smith. Isaac taught me combat when I was little, I think he was friends with my father or something. Isaac’s always been old, there aren’t many people who would know him from his youth.”

“Oh.” Raph was a little taken back.

“Anyway.” Bishop said as he took the last swig from his mug and stood up. “Raphael, I want to see you at the brief later.”

“Yes sir.” Raph said as Bishop walked away.

After finishing his breakfast with Bishop, Raph decided to go for a run with some weights to keep himself in the routine. When he got back he found Cook and they sparred until the brief.

Walking into the meeting room, the atmosphere was tense to say the least.

“Lieutenant Smith.” A familiar voice called out to him from the side of the room.

Raph turned to see Leah sat to the side of the room with a free seat next to her. Raph walked over there and sat beside her.

“Major.” He said with a smile.

Raph looked around the room as he sat down, he recognised a few of the faces already here. Fitz was sat in the back of the room looking rather gloomy, there were two others in the room he could put a name to. The tall and gaunt Captain Flemming who accepted Oscar into his squad, and Captain Taylor who’s squad Sophia was in. Everyone else in the room Raph assumed to be the other captains, plus a few more support staff he guessed. As he was musing over the contents of the room, Bishop walked in flanked by a younger man and woman.

“Alright.” Bishop began in a commanding tone. “Everyones here so we can begin.”

Bishop and his entourage walked up the front of the room as to be in plain view of everyone else.

“Firstly, I’m sure everyone knows by now but yesterday morning squad 20 were taken hostage from their forward position by a small platoon of Breawen soldiers. They were being held in their forward camp presumably waiting to be moved behind the lines to be negotiated with. Fortunately due to the recklessly brave actions of one man in this room, they escaped and took most of the Breawen deployment with them.” Bishop cracked a small smile, as Leah nudged Raph’s side and smiled at him.

Upon this revelation, there were some murmurs in the room but they quickly quieted down.

“Second.” Bishop began again, the room became quiet. “Earlier this morning the main camp received word from a source in Saltport that Breawen are indeed mobilising for something, although we haven't confirmed why. At this time it is our belief that Breawen have either recruited or have been hiding someone that has put them on equal footing with us in terms of military strength. Captain Fitzgerald also described a previously unknown Major or possibly Colonel, which leads us to believe that Breawen has more troops than we are currently aware of. Due to this we are going to increase our recruitment and the requirements for the standard army are to be relaxed, with a possibility of the Shepherds relaxing as well.”

The room again went into noise at the prospect of the requirements for recruitment getting relaxed, one of the Captains that Raph hadn’t met before stood up. He was a short man with buzz cut black hair and a shrewd look on his face.

“Sir, what does this mean? Are we planning on moving to counter Breawen first?” The Captain asked.

“That has yet to be decided, as of right now we are all stations on alert.” Bishop explained. “Until further orders are given all squads are to operate out of the main base, so everyone is staying here until we get some more credible information. Dismissed.”