“There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him.”

-Robert A. Heinlein, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress

Arcus woke again when he heard a familiar voice. Even before opening his eyes, he knew exactly where he was - his favorite tree behind the San Jose Shrine - and to whom the voice belonged to - the voice he so longed to hear again. He looked around for the source of the voice , but his eyes were still blurry from sleep, but in his heart he knew it was his beloved. His vision, still blurred and near-useless, only caught a glimpse of her long hair, butterfly pin in her forehead and white blouse. He heard her again --

“Arcus~, Arcus~, Aaaarcus...”

“S- s- si-!” he felt a finger caress his lips, quickly hushing him.

“Shh, settle down.”

Arcus panicked and began to stand. “Sis, I can’t see you. I’m sorry - I shoul-”

She patted Arcus’ shoulder. Arcus felt embarrassed but somehow he felt alive and he felt the stress leave him.

“Arcus, stay safe, okay?”

“Ho-ho~, I always try to be careful, you know. But thank you for that, even though I always hear people say that to me. ”

“Fufu ~ somehow I feel empty when I see you, but I guess it’s the right thing to do.”

“What are you talking about? Jeez, you’re such a douchebag when you say things like that,” he said, getting mad at her.

“Fufu ~ well alright, alright. Just don’t do childish things again, like climbing that tree or something like a kid in your age will do. Don’t do any reckless action too.”

“Hey, you can’t tell me what to do! For your information, I’m not a kid anymore.”

“Alright, alright, ” she said and started to laugh gently as she smiled at him. Both of them looked at each other and suddenly something unexpected happened. They started to laugh again and Arcus closed his eyes for a moment.

Catalina stared at him. Arcus felt her stare and he looked at her. She smirked and laughed gently while her left hand covered her lips.

“Fu fu fu”

“What?” Arcus said, confused. “Sis, what is it?”

“I love you…” she said.

“Yeah, I love you too.”

“Really?”

“Yeah as my elder sister”

She then puffed her cheeks and flicked his ear.

“Ouch, that hurt!”

She slowly moved her face closer to him. Arcus tried not to react and remain emotionless.

“Arcus, I hope you find the answer for this one.” she then kissed him in his nose.

Arcus backed up. “What the heck, sis?” He jumped away from her.

“Why did you do that?” he asked while he rubbed his nose.

Catalina stood up, patted her skirt to take off some blades of grass and moved closer to him as she put her hands behind her back.

“Fufu~ did that scare you?”

“What….? We’re siblings! You’re not supposed to do tha-”

Catalina covered his lips with her pointed finger and Arcus blushed for a moment.

“I hope you forgive me for this, I hope you find the tru-”

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Arcus opened his eyes widely as he woke up from the continuous bombardment of enemy artilleries. The Leonious Royal forces started to attack the trenches being held by the rebel army. The rebel army had been fighting for three days, doing their best to defend the area while the royal forces tried to break through.

Rebel Trench Defense - Area 13

11.20 KM from Rebel-Occupied Arcadia City

October 12, 1940

05:35:22 AM

“Open fire!”

“Ggyuahha!”

Voices of the enemy soldiers when they got shot in their body as they charged to the trenches.

The rebel forces initiated a counter attack at the crack of dawn. The sun wasn’t even out yet and the number of bodies had started to clog the streets. The number of casualties in both sides were undeniably increasing even though the Battle of Arcadia had only just begun.

Arcus and his four panicked roommates put on their uniforms as they were called by their squad commander. The squad commander was Sergeant Pang Ngetto, a ruthless and cunt squad leader in Arcus opinion. He was a person who always put himself ahead of the welfare of his men. He also made his men to do the dirty works and anything could make his name rise up in the list.

Arcus and his squad comrades went to the location Sergeant Ngetto and formed into single-line formation. They saluted Sergeant Ngetto when he approached them. He replied them with a salute too.

“Alright men, listen up! We have been ordered to defend this fucking trench. Our squad will take on this worthless duty and we’re nothing but worthless pawns to the big bosses.Good for you, you four lowly life forms, you’ve been given one of the easiest tasks in the army - artillery support and part of the artillery brigade. We’re now part of the newly formed 15th Artillery battalion . The brass will give us our own artillery and a new asshole who will take command over me. Tch! Goddamn it - even I don’t even like the idea living in this trench. But you sons of bitches are the reason for this worthless transfer.” He said, kicking the rock near to his right foot.

Arcus’ comrades seemed glad about the good news except for him, who just stared emotionlessly at his squad members even though he knew that their trench was going to be bombarded too. Sergeant Ngetto noticed his glance in the other trench outside the tunnel and he flicked a finger Arcus’ forehead to get his attention. Arcus covered his forehead due to pain he got from his squad leader.

“Hey, you piece of garbage! You have no right to look outside while I’m discussing something trivial this time around. Don’t you know who your superior is? You know we’re in a big crisis in this battle. Our comrades are dying defending this worthless and useless location,” he said, while his right finger pointed it to him.

Arcus looked at him emotionlessly and just saluted him. Sergeant Ngeto smirked and looked at him underestimately.

“Good, good, good. Look this piece of garbage everyone. See, this moron just saluted without even saying anything. But I consider that the proper action because he is saluting me as his superior being. Listen well, brats: If you copy this man beside you, taking hits without any complaint, then that’s good. I’ll make an exemption and promote you guys from garbage to dumpster trash. Well then, let’s go outside, take our Artillery and drag it to our worthless piece of hell.”

“Sir, yes sir!”

They saluted him and followed him outside the tunnel. As they walked while covering their ears from the sounds of heavy bombs, in the sky, Arcus saw the fighter jets powered by jewels firing at the heavy bombers higher up in the sky. A mighty dog fight could be seen and fought till death. Although outnumbered by royal forces, the rebel air force seemed inevitable.

In the surface, the 12th infantry battalion defended the whole trench from the upcoming tank regiment of the government. Using the anti-tank, they managed to alter the time of arrival and destroyed several royal tanks.

As for they who were in foot soldiers, they were forced to defend the line to make sure the royal government will not even get in touch to the Arcadia city. The city was the source of food and supplies of the rebels. If the government captured it, they wouldn’t be able to withstand the upcoming winter due to lack of food supplies and it would result for another crisis where the people who were working in the rebels to defy the organization resulting to make it collapse.

Right now, Arcus and his crew was heading to the trail way. The trail way who had a sized of a big container served as the transportation of goods, supplies and people to the Arcadia City. They went inside in a formal way of a soldier. Arcus took a sit in the near window while watching the scene of the outside.

“Oh my, the moment the government attacks, it was so brutal. Bombing us without any warnings, are they planning to defy the International Law of War?” one of his comrades asked.

His name was Tuzan Nunsens, ranked private first class and around 17 years of age. He had a small mole under his eyes and a curvy orange hair. His seat was in front of Arcus and next to him was another private rank.

“Yeah, what a hellish ride in this situation though. Thank goodness, we’ve been given a new job for this time.” Curvy said while picking his nose with his pointing finger.

His full name was Eren Curvy, ranked private first class. He has a stout body but good face that could attract at least average women. He was around the same age of Pfc. Nunsens.

“Caused we’re lucky ones though, ” Killy replied while looking at Sergeant Ngetto angrily. “Why that asshole got promoted first!?” he clicked his tongue and turned his eyes to his comrades.

He is Killy Millyque, ranked corporal. Second in command after Sergeant Ngetto. He had a slight skin and thin body yet looked attractive. He was around his twenty’s just like Sergeant Ngetto. He was sitting besides with Arcus.

“Hey Arcus, what’s gotten to you? You don’t look happy today?” Curvy asked while scratching his belly.

“...” Arcus just turned his eyes to the window and didn’t answer.

“Snap it out, Curvy. Arcus is just like that. Whatever you do, he won’t reply to our questions.” Killy said while looking at his finger nails.

“Yeah Curvy, he won’t even bother to say anything even we tried to snatch his foods from his own table. He don’t even react in any jokes and pranks, he was like... just a robot or something,” Tuzan said while stretching his arms.

“But hey c’mon, you need to know your own comrades though. Hey Arcus, is it true you’re came from San Jose? I was the niece of the Priest of the San Jose Shrine. I heard your house was only few meters away from that place. Nice to meet you again,” he said, giving him a smile.

Arcus reacted and took a glance to Curvy. He just nodded to him.

“Oh my, I came from Laoag City that was near to San Jose. Condolence comrade, I feel sincerely wanted to give my regards from that.” Curvy said as he lower his head to him.

Arcus still didn’t look at him.

“I just hope you recover from your trauma, buddy.”

Arcus just let out a sigh and just tap Curvy’s shoulders. Curvy’s eyes shone brightly as he got the first pat from Arcus. Everyone of his comrades were suprised as he did that.

“It seems the piece of garbage was still a human, huh, ” Sergeant Ngetto said while sitting in a crosslegs. He was watching his squad for the meantime and was still curious about Arcus. He chose to sit in other side where he was alone.

“Wow, Curvy. You got the first pat from the newbie, woohoo. I bet you did something again!” Tuzan said as he clinged his body to him and played his head.

“Stop it, Pfc. Tuzan. I just talk something that click his interest. That’s nothing much.”

“Ooooh, you’re telling me, you earned his respect when you said those cool lines, huh.”

“C’mon stop it, Pfc. Tuzan.”

As the two soldiers played around, Sergeant Ngetto moved closer to them.

“Hey you fools, stop flirting or else I’m going to throw both of you out of the trail! Do you understand?”

“Y-Y-Yes sir,” Tuzan and Curvy replied with a salute.

“But somehow this news about our being transfer to artillery regiment was undeniably suspicious,” Curvy asked as he was thinking about the matter.

“Huh, why did you say so? Are you not happy that we escape death from the upcoming enemies,” Killy replied as he felt irritated to Curvy’s opinion.

“Aah no no no, sir. I don’t intend to say that.”

“But.. yeah, I don’t deny the fact about the matters too. I don’t know why the brass just transfer us immediately from the area where the situation was getting in favor for us to prove ourselves to the battlefield. Jeez, I just wanna use again the heavy gatling gun that releasing large amount of bullets. I just wanna experience the bloody hell and achieve a medal from the general.”

“Hey Corporal Killy, don’t even think about it. All of your credits will automatically be steal again by Sarg.” Tuzan whispered silently to Killy.

“Sssh, just shut it, will ya?” Killy responded.

“Welll, as you can see, we need to train this rookie of ours for now. Lucky you, Private Arcus, you’re able to escape death and being transfer to the artillery regiment.”

Arcus just looked at them and just nodded silently. The trail way would take them for one and a half hour to reach the Arcadia City.

Rebel HQ - Arcadia City

06:33:34 AM

The general staff of the HQ were discussing about the counterattack of the upcoming royal government forces to the Area 13. They were arguing about the supplies dispatch, strategic planning for delaying the enemy, counterattack if possible and dispatched units for reinforcement. As they continued to talk about the matter, someone entered with an overwhelmed aura that cause the whole place get his attention. Two officers wore an armband with a logo of Black Lion hanging in their left side was behind him.

His name was Wello Cherit known as “Blood Black Lion. He was wearing the same suit as the officers inside the General Assembly. Although he was a Colonel, the whole general staffs gave him a salute. He was known as one of the trusted personnel and officers of their own general and now known as King Spones I.

“Well then, folks. What’s the big ruckus you’re being talking to?” he asked as he seated near the table.

“Col. Cherit, glad to see you here. We’re currently discussing about the counterattack to the Royal Division that commit a surprise attack in the Area 13. Thanks for the effort of our 18th and 24th infantry battalion, they managed to alter their time of arrival in the place.”

“So what’s the current status and damage reports then?”

“Well sir, this is the current status of our army. We have five infantry battalion, twenty-four fighter jets, one tank regiment consist only of forty tanks and also the fifty artillery support that was secretly dispatch in the city. We’ve started to evacuate the citizens from the area. For the damaged report, we’re immediately asked for another air support due to reason of our newly formed 114th Strike Wing was currently losing its number from the bombers. We lost almost eight jets alongside to its pilots. Unfornately, they are currently having a heavy casualties of more than 500 men in the left side by the artillery bombardment of the enemies. In the current situation, however, we managed to drive the upcoming tank regiment in the northern side. Additionally, as for the request of immediately back up from the Area 19, it would take another 5 days before they arrived in this city and reinforce the units in the battlefield.”

“Well there is something I want to ask then…”

“What is it, Colonel?”

“Who is in-charge here?” he asked as he looked serious.

His aura made them sweat in their face. They felt nervous due to fact he was known for killing generals who he justified as worthless.

“N-n-no one sir.”

“Oooh, good answer. Well then, I will take care of this mess then. I will take charge this mess up you’ve been taken to. I asked for you everyone to be demoted to your positions then.”

“W-wait sir, if we’ve been demoted from your positions then. It would,” the bald one who had a ranked of Major asked as he moved towards him.

“It would what then?” He looked at him with full of bloodlust. “You guys just discussing something trivial and just go around here for something useless. You guys are not even worthy to call as members of the HQ.”

“B-B-But-”

Col. Cherit shot him with his .38 caliber pistol directly his head resulting for everyone to get tense.

“No buts… take this body of your useless staff to the vicinity and buried his whole body. Don’t come back until you all take this bastard a good burial,” he looked at them seriously making them fear him mostly, “Understood?”

Everyone stood up properly and saluted him, “Sir, yes, sir!”

All of the general staffs leave the room except Colonel Cherit and his two officers.

“Well then, hey Jeffrey,” he called the person who was in his left side.

“Yes sir, what can I do for you?” he replied, putting his right hand to his chest to show respect and lowered his head when he got near to him.

“Hey, you know this mess will not going to come up without any rats getting involve right?”

Jeffrey put his right hand under his chin and thought about the current event. He managed to somehow answer it bluntly.

“Well as I, Major Jeffrey, doesn’t even know what kind of person managed to gather enough information about the current situation of this base. Maybe you’re right about that, Colonel. Well then, do you want me to use the RSN Division then?”

“Arcadia City is one of few location that has a small portion of defense units due to fact fifty percent of its forces was send as part of the 1st Division. Currently our main forces are fighting to attack the Oreo City lead by King Spones I itself. Arcadia is one of our most important source of supplies and military logistic place for our own manufactured weapons. Crap, the enemies managed to learn about this matter. Maybe one of them are figured out if they got the Arcadia City, it would triggered for our main force to stopped the invasion and moved back again to retake the city. If possible, it would be another disaster for us.”

“Yes sir, it seems we have no choice to defend first before we - I mean how should we act to this crisis then?”

“... Well its kinda mess up here totally, they utterly take care of our own men in the battlefield. Those morons just discussed this matters, and just ignore the most important part. Take a look at this reports I got from your intel. The Royal army of the goddamn nephew of the self-proclaimed king send almost two division to wipe out and capture the Arcadia city. Thank goodness, we have a good defensive line around this corner if i didn't ask for the majesty's permission to create a trench in this place.”

“It seems so, sir,” Major Jeffrey replied as he watched the battlefield in the table screen.

“Well then, hey, Orion, what do you think we should do about this?”

“Well sir, I’m just a 2nd Lieutenant and doesn’t have a good record of strategic planning. I leave it to your own decision sir.”

Tren Orion, ranked 2nd Lieutenant acted as secretary of Colonel Cherit and most trusted officer under his wing.

Col. Cherit let out of sigh and took a look at the screen again.

“Hey Jeffrey, I want you to find the rat who tell the information about the current state of the Arcadia. I don’t know what methods you can do, but do whatever it takes to take care of the rat.”

Major Jeffrey saluted him and he proceed to walk outside the HQ.

“Lt. Orion, I want you learn this matter again. Gather another information about the current status and report immediately to me. I will stay here to take a little talk again to the general staff.”

“Yes sir, I’ll take my leave then.”

Colonel Cherit let out of sigh again and took a sit next to him.

“Crap~, this will take a long day again. Oh boy...”