Frontier, Fort Whitestone.

Until the next morning, the Freelance platoon stood at attention in front of their barrack. There were no space for them to sleep inside the barrack even if they wanted to. Only heat available were from four fifty gallon barrel cut in half filled with gasoline and wood to keep it going even as more snow fell. Throughout the punishment, it was just enough heat to keep them from freezing as they shivered from the cold in misery. Periodically, NCO’s from other platoons would change out through the night to monitor the platoon. Everyone was pissed off and they let the platoon know it.

As for Spike, he would wake up now and then to hear all the cursing and hazing. With the medical facility built in the center of the fort, and with the walls only made of logs, the sound was clear enough for Spike to hear his platoon get their ass chewed up expertly by the pros.

In his condition, Spike found himself having some sort of an out of body experience as his body was asleep, but his mind was awake.

“Are you planning to give up so soon?” The silhouette asked.

“...no. I was just stupid. Am I... going to die?”

“No. For some reason, in all the history of the multiverse, fools seem to be very lucky at times.”

Even with her monotone voice, Spike could definitely tell that she was mocking him.

“...sigh. Are you enjoying yourself making fun of an injured man.” Spike retorted.

“Why yes. I am. I spent a lot of energy to get you set up in the Nexus. If you want to screw everyone over and suicide. Please do it soon, so I can give someone else who’s not as idiotic as you a go at it.”

“I know I messed up, but do you have to be so damn mean?” Spike complained.

“From the countless ages of observing your type of species, I have observed that meanness and pain is the most efficient way to communicate when it comes to fools.”

If Spike wasn’t already laying down and facing the ceiling, he would be bitterly looking upward and shaking his head. He really felt hurt by her remark.

“I’m sorry. It’s just… I was stress with all the weight of responsibility. And I needed something to let it out.”

“Keep your apology to yourself. Do you have any idea how many times I’ve heard that. Sink or swim. Spike Phoenix. Sink or swim.” Silhouette said as her monotone voice faded.

Only thing Spike could do was drift back into deep sleep.

=

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With his morning coffee, Major Jung sat at his table looking over all the reports and changes needed. An hour ago, medical Sergeant Voss reported that Spike had finally woken up and was going through full physical checkup with Doctor Simmons. For now, all he could do was wait for the final report and then decide on the how to discipline the Freelance platoon.

Then he thought about how to prepare for this unknown danger the demi-human sensed. He had ordered all projects to be on hold outside of building up fortifications and housing for the refugees and reallocated all the resource half a week ago. With the unexpected heavy snowfall and temperature dropping, the work would slow down. If the worst comes to face. He could abandon everything and have everyone retreat to the original Daldia township walls. Daldia would get extremely crowded with people camping out in the middle of the streets, but they would be relatively safe. It was fortunate that there was no reason to pull down the old walls as the new developments hadn’t really taken off yet with so many sudden influx of untrained people and the need to house them.

Thinking about the the forces at Trimmor and the number and types of inhumanoids they had faced. To replace Spike’s M99 Sniper rifle, he had decided to send two Mark VIII to Trimmor, Major believed it was more than enough.

Major Jung sighed in frustration. So much to prepare, but so little intelligence. They still know almost nothing about the world outside of their immediate location. The long term isolation from the outside world had left the locals blind to the current news. That made any information they possessed almost obsolete. Which means, he couldn’t afford Spike being tied up in the medical. Everyone needed Spike to hunt and score up for additional personels and resources. All the RP he had Spike horde up were meant for airplanes, and ships once they build docks in Birsk, hopefully by the next summer. And the ships were expensive. The best he could do with almost no intel was dig in and have Spike hunt as much as possible to give him more options. But with Spike laid out at medical, the future was looking difficult.

A knock from the doorway without a door into his office alerted his attention.

“Sir. I have the medical check-up report from Doctor Simmons.” Medical Sergeant Voss reported.

“Come on in Sergeant.” Major ordered. “Let’s hear his report.”

Walking through the doorway. “It’s a bit of both good new and bad new sir.” Sergeant Voss started with a serious face.

“Just say it Sergeant.”

“Lord Phoenix has lost his sense of feeling to parts of his body. Parts of both feet are numb including his left ankle. But he can still walk, just a little wobbly when he does. He will have to learn to get used to it and find his new balance. Simply being active will help resolve this issue. He’s also lost the sense of feel to the muscle tissues around his left cheek. Good new is that there were no other long term damage the doctors could identify.”

“That… is actually a good new. Let us hope our commander needs no other lessons to teach him moderations.” Major Jung remarked as he felt a sense of relief.

“Yes sir. Lieutenant Colonel Simmons recommend that we do not let him sit around and let his body experience entropy, but keep him busy and active. And maybe in the future, Lord Phoenix will recover because of the manatite in his body.”

“Noted. On the way back Sergeant. Tell Company Sergeant Cox to get the platoon outside for their sentencing.”

“Yes sir.” Sergeant Voss replied promptly and left the office.

Thinking about what he needs to do, the Major slowly got up and put on his winter coat and gloves. He felt much relief now that the punishment didn’t have to be so sever. They were just too much to be done then to be wasting on punishing soldiers.

When he walked out the single floor wooden command building the Freelance platoon were already at attention with Lieutenant Moore in the front. Lieutenant smartly saluted.

Returning the lieutenant’s salute, the Major had the platoon on parade rest position. As the sprinkle of snow flakes fell, he slowly and deliberately paced around the platoon to have a look at their freezing miserable faces before he spoke.

Returning to the front of the formation as the other NCOs were observed, Major Jung cleared up his mind as he addressed the men. “You men have done an immaculate job in the field in keeping our Lord alive and score up points for yourselves.” He pause after every sentence to let his words sink in and be clear to the men. “Everyone one of us were happy for you and very appreciated of your hard work, and being the first of us to reach freedom from the void. And to show our gratitude for your hard work and acknowledge you success, no one complained as you kept everyone awake with your celebration. But you washed away all you achievement with almost killing the very men you were order to safeguard. From the analysis from your bloodworks from Major Westbrook, you could say that you didn’t know about your new increased resistance to alcohol. But you all knew that Lord Phoenix isn’t privileged to experience the ‘After Battle High’. That alone should have told you that he does not possess our bodies ability. And yet, under your watch, you almost poisoned him to death. Perhaps, you lost yourself control as our lord commander, in his inebriated status suddenly summoned a room full of free booze without using your rations.”

For the next hour, Major Jung never raised his voice in anger. He did use a single word of profanity. He simply talked to them and using different words to say the same thing over and over again, he stab them with words to install guilt. A gentle ass chewing, words glazed with poisoned, words made of deadly venom. He wanted them to suffer and he chastise the men. He made sure the peer pressure squeeze them dry. That they will never forget this lesson. Because he needed them to keep doing the job they have proven that they could do so well. Which was, they were excellent field soldiers.

As he continued his long tongue lashing at the men, from the corner of his eye, he saw Spike, looking terribly, slowly wobbling over to the formation in his winter uniform from later era. Major stop to speak as he and everyone else observe Spikes movement.

“You should be in bed and recovering Lord Phoenix.” Major said coldly to express his disapproval as Spike got closer.

“I’m well enough to stand with my men Major. I’m just as at fault in this matter.” Spike spoke weakly as he tried to focus to keep his balance. And two medics shadowed him in the back in case he needed them.

“I can’t discipline nor punish you sir. I work for you, not the either way around.” Major Jung informed.

“That still doesn’t absolve me of my own action and separate my responibility from my men.” Spike softly retorted as he walked up to stand next to Lieutenant Moore.

Major Jung silently stared at Spike before speaking. “Very well sir.” Deep inside, the Major approved Spikes decision to stand with his platoon even in his weakened condition. You may be inexperience sir. But you sure know how to install loyalty. Major thought to himself as he noted the sudden proud look on the faces of the Freelance platoon.

Deciding to end the poisonous ass chewing with Spike joining the platoon. And quickly send him back inside to recover. “From this moment on, no enlisted men will be allowed to consume any alcohol with Lord Phoenix without an officer present. There will be no alcohol ration issued to any members of the Freelance platoon for the next ninety days. And you are prohibited from possessing any alcohol ration during the next ninety days. As you have shown great lack of restraint in garrison, you will all have extra duties for the next forty-five days when in garrison. Private Jones!”

“Sir!”

“You will turn in all your booze ration to Captain Murphy.”

“Yes Sir!” Private Jones almost cried as he replied.

“Private Kirk!”

“Sir!”

“You will be promoted to Corporal effective, immediately.” When the Major said that, Private Kirk’s collar glowed and his single chevron was added with another stripe. This was the first time an enlisted was promoted and it was surprising to witness that it raised the Major’s eyebrow. “Henceforth, all consumable, all edibles by Lord Phoenix will be monitored by you and your new team to insure his safety.”

“Yes Sir!”

“Currently, the wagons to support the refugees moving to Daldia are getting covers installed to protect them from the snow and the cold. Once completed, Freelance platoon will be joining Captain Allen on his next expedition. You’ve all proven that Lord Phoenix is much more safer in the field then in garrison under your watch. So prepare to stay out in the field until I change my mind. Until your departure, you’ll all pitch tent outside of you barrack as there is no place to store all the booze and you’ve all volunteer your barrack for storage use. Lieutenant Moore, make preparation for deployment notice.”

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Myojhuk, Castle Grannor.

Inside the private chamber of Sir Kajiak and Mister Tisco were having an unpleasant conversation again about the future of Baron Myujhuk’s territory and it’s rebellion.

“Sir Kajiak. Please, you have to think about the future. I’ve been watching how you manage the people from the Hasbrig township. So I know you care at least that much. Lord Caldrun has essentially abandoned the territory and only focus on revenge against the Margrave. At this rate, there we will all be doomed.” Mister Tisco pleaded.

“You’ve been at it for a whole week now Tisco. And I’ll say it again. I’m not a true born noble. I’m just a personal retainer to the former Baron. It was only with his backing that I had any authority. There are no more true born nobles with us with any real pearage. And steward Caldrun is just a commoner without a single drop of Myujhuk blood. He's just an inlaw. Only thing we can do is hold out and make it too costly for the Stovkow to give up.” Sir Kajiak cried out in frustration. “All of us know when we joined hands with the Baron that it would be success or death. What’s the point of panicing now just because Baron Myujhuk is dead.”

“Because I want to live, Sir Kajiak. Dying a dog's death was never my plan. You got what what you wanted with the Hasbig family. But I still want to live. And I believe we still have options which Lord Caldrun refuses to listen because of his personal vendetta against the Margrave.” Mister Tisco calmly and forcefully spoke. “We have an alternative, and yet, why is everyone so quick to go to their grave and refuses to listen! Don’t you want to save your people Sir Kajiak and not hand them back to Stovkow to be enslaved?”