Trailway Station - Arcadia City

7:00:22 AM

The situation inside the station was tense due to the current events. Many soldiers were transported via Trailway to the trenches to reinforce their comrades. From the other side of the trail station, Arcus could see the anti-tank weapons and anti - surface to air missiles war machines that had been maneuvered into the Trailway with great difficulty. Only a third of the heavy equipment was loaded, while the soldiers were already prepared. They would have to at least wait two more hours before they could head out to resupply and replace the equipments that had been destroyed and damaged. So while the cold steel was patiently waiting for its dispatch the humans were suffering. A lot of them were sweating heavily and fear of the pain and death they would have to suffer in the trench of Area 13 was on their faces. Some of them were praying for their own safety, others for their families and friends. But in the end they all walked into the containers of the Trailway.

Military announcement via speakers:

Ding Dong Ding

”All Personnel, please go to your assigned positions. Members of the tactical anti-tank brigade please proceed to the trail number 9 and 10. I repeat please proceed to number 9 and 10.

All Personnel, please go to your assigned positions. Members of the tactical anti-tank brigade please proceed to the trail number 9 and 10. I repeat please proceed to number 9 and 10.”

Ding Dong Ding

Five minutes later, the Trailway that Arcus’ squad was in reached the station. The military personnel started to unload the freight while Arcus and his squad members headed to the nearest checkpoint to report their arrival. Just when they were about to check in, Arcus noticed that a man wearing an official suit and an armband with the Black Lion logo was observing them.. Suddenly the man disappeared from his location and his team leader stopped, stood firm and saluted.

He was tall,had a dark bluish curly hair, was in his early twenties and had a muscular body. His arms were covered by dark gloves and a sword could be seen on his waist.

He had a fake smile but exuded an overwhelming pressure, which made Sergeant Ngetto salute to him. Arcus and his comrades followed his lead by forming a line and saluting too. Sweatdrops were running down Sergeant Ngetto’s face and Corporal Millyque looked pale, as he nervously faced the man.

“G-g-g-good morning, sir!” Sergeant Ngetto greeted.

“Morning? Pfft…” Corporal Millyque, Pfc Nunsens and Curvy silently laughed secretly when they heard him like that.

“Aaah, I see. At ease, fellow comrades. At ease, at ease, at ease. Glad you could finally make it, Sergeant Ngetto. My name is Major Jeffrey, member of the Blood and Iron society lead by Colonel Cherit.” he said, while he stared at Arcus. Major Jeffrey turned his gaze to Sergent Ngetto and handed him an envelope labeled ‘top secret’ .

Major Jeffrey said, “Okay gentlemen, I’ll take my leave and head back to the general staff. Sarg, make sure to open it somewhere where no one but you can read it.”

“Hey Sarg, what was that envelop anyway?” Corporal Millyque asked and peeked at the envelope.

Sergeant Ngetto immediately turned around from him and hid it in his bag.

“You don’t have any right to know that, Corporal. Don’t ask me again , understand?” he replied while zipping the bag

“Woah, chill out, Sarg. As a fellow squad member and second in-charge when you get shot down by the enemies I should know what is inside of the letters we get from our superiors,” Corporal Millyque spoke with a gaze of suspicion.

“It’s nothing personal, Corporal Millyque. Do you want to be seen as a soldier that disobeys orders and brings shame to our new King?” Sergeant Ngetto said and stared him without blinking while a drop of sweat fell off his face. .

Corporal Millyque just sighed and gave up, “Well whatever, if you don’t want me to know, then do what you want . But…,” he stared at Sergeant Ngetto firmly, “make sure you don’t hide something important from us. You know me, Sarg. I’m a dangerous person and my curiousity makes me want to think for the best of the squad.”

There argue was interrupted when the military announcement spoke.

Military announcement via speakers:

Ding Dong Ding

”All personnel of the 15th artillery brigade, please proceed to your designated trucks outside the trail station.

All personnel of the 15th artillery brigade, please proceed to your designated trucks outside of the trail station.

All personnel of the 15th artillery brigade, please proceed to your designated trucks outside of the trail station. ”

Ding Dong Ding

“Right, right. Right! Just shut it, Corporal! We will end up late in the artillery brigade meeting. We need to hurry instead of arguing.” Sergeant Ngetto stood firm and pressed against Corporal Millyque’s forehead with a finger, pushing him a step away.

“Tch, .. okay sir,” Corporal Millyque covered his forehead.

“Now, let’s go.”

“Sir, yes, sir,” everyone replied.

While walking, Curvy moved near to Arcus left side and touched him with his shoulder.

“Hey, hey, hey Arcus, do you think we will end up being safe and far away from the battlefield?” he whispered to him.

Arcus just tilted his head to show that he wasn’t sure either.

“Oooh men, I’m too scared right now. We’re going to be part of an artillery brigade. Geeee, I’m so excited! It’s giving me a thrill. Oh by the way, did you ever use artillery equipment ?”

Arcus recalled his previous world where he had conducted meetings with his coworkers and his boss, the bookkeeping work in his office to calculate the accounts accordingly and his habit of playing war games on a console. He had always been killed in the first wave in the multiplayer games.

He felt dismayed when he recalled that part. He had never imagined that he would end up serving in the military in his entire life. He just hoped that he could be safe for now and luckily his prayer was answered.

“No, sir. I didn’t operate one. Never once in my entire life.” his replied.

Suddenly, Pfc. Curvy stopped walking while Arcus and the others continued to walk to the truck.

“He speaks.. he speaks.. he speaks…, “ Curvy murmured.

“Hey Curvy, c’mon. We’re going to be left behind by the truck,” Pfc. Tunzan called.

“Oh my God! A-a-arcus speaks!” Curvy yelled, making everyone got his attention.

“Ooops, sorry my bad. Please go on. Go on. It’s nothing. Don’t worry.”

“What the fuck are you yelling for, Pfc. Curvy!? Get your ass over here and make sure to cover your mouth to stop holding us up!” Sergeant Ngetto said, punched Curvy’s stomach and dragged him towards the exit.

“Cough, cough, cough, sorry sir,” he apologized, covering his stomach to relieve the pain.

“Too late, you distracted us and got a lot of attention onto us. We must hurry up to get in the truck. You two, Arcus and Tuzan, do you want to end up like Private first class Curvy?”

The two tilted their faces, looked at each other and then ran towards the exit.

“Good answer.”

Trailway Station Exit

7:25:11 AM

When they got out from the trail station, Corporal Millyque clung his back from the wall waiting for their arrival. Arcus and his squad members saw a man in the same suit as they are. The man went towards to Sergeant Ngetto and lifted his right hand waiting for it to be shake by him.

He wore a same outfit like them. He had an appearance of an old man but his age was around thirty’s. He had a blonde hair and blue eyes. He had a rank of Sergeant Major higher than his squad leader.

“Are you Sergeant Ngetto?” he asked.

“Yes, I am Sergeant Pang Ngetto. I’m one of the new squad leaders assigned to be transferred to the 15th artillery brigade.” Sergent Ngetto replied, shaking his hand.

“Sergeant Major Kirst Vego of 15th artillery brigade, we’re waiting for you everyone. I thought you guys were already smashed into pieces by the bombardment.” He said while smiling at him.

“Oooh my, sorry about that. Thank God, we’re able to escape death from that hellish nightmare. Sir, is that the truck we will use as our transport?” he asked, pointing the truck behind the Sergeant Major Vego.

“Well yeah, absolutely.”

“The truck seems huge compare to others, well, uh, sir… are we waiting for other people too?”

“Naah, the last transport truck carried the third batch. You guys are the last and only batch to be transported. Be thankful, you guys have the whole truck alone. Okay then..,” he was stopped suddenly by Sergeant Ngetto when he patted his right shoulder.

“..Yes, what is it?” Sergeant Major Vego asked, turned his face towards him.

“Umm, sir, are you not going to come with us?”

“Aaah, sorry sorry sorry, my bad. I was gonna go and grab some cigarettes to the counter. I will come back once I get some.”

Sergeant Ngetto pulled out his pack of cigarette and offered one cigar to Sergeant Major Vego.

“Here sir. I got a lot of good taccoes.”

Sergeant Major Vego picked up the cigar and Sergeant Ngetto pulled out his lighter.

“Shwwoo aaah,” he blew smoke, “Impressive, Sergeant Ngetto. Rumours about you being always prepared was a good credit for your achievements. No wonder your name was listed in the Rebel HQ as one of the most honorable soldiers in this nation.” Sergeant Major Vego said, while patting thrice Sergeant Ngetto’s shoulders.

“Thank you very much, sir.”

“So before we proceed, can I ask the names of your squad members then. Just for checking and clear my attendance sheet,” he asked, suddenly a screen with a size of a notebook appeared in his watch.

“The one in the corner is Corporal Killy Millyque, my second in-command. So don’t mind him, sir.”

“What- You..,” Corporal Millyque said, got irritated.

“The other one with an orange hair is Private first class Tuzan Nunsens and the fatty belly one is Private first class Eren Curvy. Both are good in using rifles and knives but lack of military mindset and needed another training in the military camp if possible.”

“Eh?” Pfc. Curvy felt dumb.

“Seriously? Do you really need to say that, sir.” Pfc. Tuzan murmured, iritated when he heard about his introduction.

“And behind me was the only and youngest personnel I ever got. He is still -” he was interrupted when Sergeant Major Vego lifted his right hand to stop his mouth. “… S-sir? I-I’m not done yet.”

“Hmm,” Sergeant Major Vego saw Arcus behind him. “Oooh, I’d never heard such thing about bringing a kid in the military. This is my first time see this one in the field.” He moved closer to Arcus and patted his head.

“Aaah, uh, yes sir. That is Private Arcus La Flaga. He was enlisted in the army two weeks ago and was assigned under my leadership and guidance. Right now, Private Arcus is learning a lot of things from me. I trained him to become a better soldier for the future of our kingdom.” Sergeant Ngetto explained to Sergeant Major Vego whose becoming more interested to know about Arcus and Mr. Ngetto’s undeniably loyalty to the country.

“Ho-ho, hmm.... Well then, hop in everyone. Take your seat inside the truck. I will introduce you guys to Captain Vladezma after we arrived at the location,” he said, moving closer to the truck and when he entered the left side near the driver sit of the truck, the group followed him too.

When the squad of Sergeant Ngetto entered, Arcus and the rest were staring him irritably.

“Thanks for that”

“Thank you for the worst introduction, sir.”

“.…”

“You’re worst.”

“Huh? What? What did I wrong? What’s your problem guys?” Sergeant Ngetto asked, lifting both his hands.

He didn’t know why every members of his squad were in the bad mood.

The four of them took a seat in the left side while Sergeant Ngetto took the right side to take a nap. He covered his face with his handkerchief. He told them to wake him up when they arrived in the destination. If they don’t, they will get another punishment such as running in the middle of the battlefield without any weapons to protect themselves and cleaning the wastes of the military depot if possible.

“Blah, blah, blah, ‘I train him for the country’. What an asshole? Stealing and making his superior to praise him to reach his goals. What a madman?” Corporal Millyque murmured.

“Yeah, he is not the only one who train the rookie though. He is such a lying dog who was waving his tail to his superior but a mad dog who likes to steal some food from his underlings.” Pfc. Tuzan whispered to Corporal Millyque.

“Sssh, shut it guys. Don’t forget, he is still our squad leader. We don’t know what kind of punishment we will get if he heard your babblings.” Pfc. Curvy said, whispering to his comrades.

“That’s why we’re whispering in low tune. Don’t you see, he is doing it again. Are you not sick to his cunt behavior?” Corporal Millyque replied, grabbing Curvy’s chest’ sleeve towards him.

“Y-y-yeah, but don’t blame me for that. And don’t get mad at me, sir.” Pfc. Curvy’s sweat dropped a little from his face.

Private first class Nunsens interrupted them, he asked both of them to chill out.

“Sir, you need to calm down. Don’t get mad to Curvy. He is not the one your hatred.” he said, while patting both sides of Millyque’s shoulders.

“Y-y-yeah, this fool still choose to take nap, huh. No wonder is a useless squad leader stealing credits from his own men. I wish in the presence of God that he got a bad karma for his cunt activities.” he looked at Curvy. “My apologies, Pfc. Curvy. I lost my nerve.”

“You need to suppress your anger, sir.”

“Yeah right, jeez. This is man… grrrg.”

“....”

Arcus remained quiet as he looked at his squad comrades. He just turned his eyes outside and looked up at the sky where the dog fights continue. It seemed the enemies launch another wave to bomb the trench. In the sky, the anti-air missiles launched across the sky to bring down the enemy planes. Smokes could be seen around the place. The Rebel forces kept the royal government forces from the city and held the line very well.

He closed his eyes and recalled the same situation of the bombardment of his hometown - San Jose City. He felt pain as he remembered the corpses of his family members especially his beloved elder sister. Deep in his heart, he just wanted to cry and expressed it however, he couldn’t trust his comrades and shared his sorrow.