The Journey

Even with the high regeneration from his nanobots, every muscle in Gin’s body ached. He regretted not taking the caravans; though he would regret not being with his battalion had he done so. It was a lose-lose situation in which he took the one with the greater reward. At least spending time with everyone made the journey go much quicker than it actually was.

Two-hundred kilometres within five days was something Gin didn’t expect he would do in his lifetime. His village was too small for anything more than the marathon events held every year. If he was like his brother, rather than the cyborg-like being he was now, he probably would have broken down by day one.

The mages, on the other hand, were still raring to go. The only thing that forced them to stop were the slower mages. Gin had to split his half of Squadron W into two: those who could walk quickly and those who walked slowly. It also was partly due the fact that, if everyone walked at the slow group’s speed, there was no time to stop except for sleep. It was also partly due to Gin’s (slightly) selfish desire to have rest breaks. He was a manush after all.

He had put Rob, along with his battalion, to supervise them. If something were to happen, no matter how unlikely it was for a surprise attack, they would need a line of defence. Of course, it annoyed Rob. He wanted to be at the forefront of the operation, not babysitting the slowpokes. Gin didn’t care as it meant he was out of his sight. The two still resented each other ever since the battalion leader’s meeting.

‘How far is the other group from us?’ Gin asked.

‘A three-hour walking gap,’ Sam responded diligently.

‘Guess we’ll stop by the rezah in the distance. Get the relevant utility familiars ready for extraction and relay the information to the others.’

‘Will do, leader.’

How did the rezahs live to grow so tall in this landscape? Gin wondered as he marvelled at the gigantic figure. They popped up every twenty or so kilometres. Surrounding each tree were acres of sand, blowing harmlessly in the wind. It meant they just stuck out like sore thumbs whenever they came into view. However, they made for good landmarks, along with providing shade against the glare of the sun.

As they got closer, a few of the caravans pushed on, going past Gin’s battalion. They parked themselves right beside the trunk of the tree. A couple utility familiar type mages hopped out of them. Behind them were their familiars: the moles; five brown-furred rodents that walked on all fours at knee height. On each of their four-fingered feet were claws.

The rodents, after being given the order, burrowed their way underneath the tree. Their claws arced in such a manner that digging was made easy. Each swipe was more of a scoop that flung the sand behind them. It only took a few seconds before they were out of sight.

While the moles did their job, the mages took out empty jugs and placed them beside the trunk. The two familiar types then lathered a sweet-smelling substance on the bark, right above the jugs. It didn’t take long for the moles to dig their way out of the exact spot the substance was placed. They held onto the tree using their claws as they lapped up the substance. Behind them was the hole they made. From it flowed a stream of water that trickled into the jugs.

Gin led everyone to an area of shade before heading for the water. He gulped down several handfuls, gaining the attention of several mages. Some looked eagerly, in case there was something to learn from their leader. Others had confused looks, as if he was doing something wrong.

‘Quite the gluttonous one, aren’t you?’

Gin turned around to the sight of a smiling Brim. He decided to drink another handful of water, letting out a sigh of relief from a quenched thirst.

‘Where did that come from?’ Gin asked.

‘Your eyes always wander towards the farmer types as well.’

‘Hey. I just find them fascinating. Nothing else.’

‘Oh really? Three meals a day and several drink breaks. Not sure what’s going on in your body, but it’s a bit much in my opinion. You sure you’re not a really low ranked water elemental?’

Gin paused for a moment. It occurred to him that the other mages ate one meal a day and drank considerably less water. It wasn’t surprising that people would be wary of his habit.

‘Is that why people are looking at me with estranged faces? Well it’s not my fault my body isn’t as efficient as the rest of you.’

‘I’m glad it isn’t,’ Brim commented causing Gin to raise an eyebrow.

‘Not sure what you’re trying to say.’

‘In the MBP, we went through gruelling exercises to build up stamina, strength and speed. Most of us couldn’t keep up. The rate of mages reaching adulthood is roughly ten percent, so the majority of those that come out are mostly high ranked mages. The F ranks are basically those that have failed everything but survived the ordeal. They were immediately cast away and unused, despite survival being a major achievement in itself. War didn’t need weaklings after all.’

Gin saw Brim’s smile fall into a frown. Even though Gin never brought the topic up, remembering his past must have been tough for Brim. Just what exactly happened, or still happens, in the MBP? Gin decided not to probe too far into it and saved the questions for later.

‘What does that have to do with me?’ he asked instead.

‘I’m assuming your muscles ache, your stamina dwindling and your will to carry on dropping since the first day.’

‘Mm. yeah. You’ve assumed correctly,’ Gin replied, slightly embarrassed.

‘Not sure if you’ve noticed, but the others feel the same. They’re probably more tired than you are, even if they don’t want to admit it. But they’re grateful that you’ve allowed time to rest.’

‘They are? Wow. Here I thought I was the only one struggling. Guess they were putting up a very convincing poker face.’

‘So are you. They probably just want to impress you.’

‘Being a role model is tough, haha. It’s good to hear how they feel though. But let’s keep the fact that the real reason for having rest breaks a secret.’

‘Of course. Can’t let them think their fearless leader is completely useless, now can we?’

‘That’s rich coming from you, Brim. I’m not the one who’s idling around in the caravans.’

‘I’ve walked this sort of travel before. It’s not that hard Not sure why you’re struggling this much.’

‘I’m sorry. Who won our sparring match?’ Gin retorted cupping his hand around his ear.

‘You cheated. That match didn’t count.’

‘If you say so. Want to have a rematch if we get back in one piece? Settle things once and for all.’

‘For sure.’

‘Haha. That’s the spirit.’

Brim had a look around. He frowned some more before turning back to Gin.

‘Something wrong?’ Gin queried.

‘Everyone’s still going to be tired even after the break, aren’t they?’

‘If their stamina and recovery rate are like mine, then yeah.’

‘How long do you think it will take for you to be in peak form?’

‘I reckon a day or two.’

‘Hmm. I think I can make it work then.’

‘Make what work?’

‘We’re just over a hundred and ten kilometres from our destination and we have roughly six days to do it in. We’d want a day to be prepared on the battlefield, so if we travel sixty kilometres tomorrow, then we can rest for two days before making one final push.’

‘Eh. Why sixty instead of our normal forty?’

‘There’s a forest at that point.’

‘A forest in this desert?’

‘Yeah. There’s a massive oasis a few kilometres off of our path. I’m sure the change of scenery will amaze you. I have a request though.’

‘Hmm?’

‘I want to stock up on some water at the oasis.’

‘Don’t we have enough water?’

‘I was thinking of how you always used your brain instead of your strength. I tried to do the same and came up with an idea. Once they run out in battle, water elementals are useless. So why not have jugs of water as extra ammunition? Also, there’s an area where the stone elementals can mine some materials.’

‘That’s actually brilliant. But why aren’t you collecting the water from the rezah like we’re doing now?’

‘That would either take too long, at the rate the water is pouring out now, or we will kill the tree if we take too much too quickly.’

‘Huh. Didn’t realise the mages took such care to preserve wildlife,’ Gin commented out loud, thinking of how his ancestors would have done the complete opposite. ‘Can the oasis take the stress of us taking its water?’

‘Yes. It’s massive. I’ll take you one day, but you guys need your rest first.’

‘That’s a shame. I guess it means we’re splitting up further. Who do you need?’

‘I’ll take all of the artillery group as well half of the remaining caravans. I’ll also take a few of the more able utility familiar types so we can message you. We can take the diminished rest period without problem. I’ll leave those who can’t with you. If you continue on the planned journey, there’s a path that bisects the forest. We’ll rendezvous there.’

‘Do you need Michal’s battalion?’

‘Do you need them?’

‘Not really.’

‘Ok. I’ll bring them along as well. It will make the mining process faster.’

‘So that leaves me with just my battalion and a few others to travel to the rendezvous point. The slower group will join us a few hours later at their rate. I’ll get someone to send a message to them, to notify them of the plan.’

‘Yup. Oh, that reminds me. I’ve been meaning to ask you this, but you didn’t put Rob in charge of that group for ulterior motives, did you?’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ Gin replied, failing to hide his smirk.

****

Gin didn’t realise at what point the sand turned into soil, or when the horizon turned from a hazy blue to a luscious green. He also didn’t expect the family of, what the textbooks from his village called, foxes that greeted his battalion before scampering back into the forest. Its trees were much shorter than a rezah. Their roots emerged out of the ground, making for interesting terrain. Brim was right. It did amaze Gin.

The forest was unnaturally divided in half by a dirt path that spanned a few hundred metres in width, and several kilometres in length. However, It allowed the battalion to set up camp conveniently.

As Gin looked on, the numbers felt unnervingly small. Of course, as promised, Brim took pretty much everyone, while Rob’s battalion was yet to come. However, it unnerved him when he had to consider that they were the first and only line of defence against a supposed five-thousand. On the plus side, with fewer numbers to supervise, it allowed Gin to examine the area more easily.

A few of the animals poked their heads out to see the aliens that had just invaded their territory. They all ran when Gin tried to get close, bar the unfortunate and slow.

‘Oh! We never had this type of snail back in my village,’ he muttered to himself. ‘Now where did those foxes go? Need them for my note-’

‘Leader not tired?’

Gin jumped up, a little startled. He was so enthralled by the new scenery that he didn’t notice Sam walk up to him. The mask continued to hide any expression and the muffled voice didn’t help either.

‘Ah. Sorry,’ he apologised.

‘No. I was just being absentminded. What’s up?’

‘Rob’s group is arriving soon.’

‘Ugh.’

‘Um. I see how you act. Does leader not like Rob?’

‘No,’ Gin said bluntly.

During the early stages of the journey, Rob had been annoying, arrogant and abusive. The constant berating of Gin and his low-ranked followers got on everyone’s nerves. Everyone but Rob’s own battalion that is. Unsurprisingly enough, they had the same prejudiced mindset as their leader. It also didn’t help that most of their members were C or B rank, while the majority of Gin’s battalion were Ds, Es and Fs. Rob’s battalion’s only flaw was that they were relatively slow, but made up for that in raw stamina and strength.

Reluctantly, Gin left his research and carried out the formalities of greeting them. He couldn’t help but be concerned as he saw their fatigue. Instead of walking, it was closer to dragging themselves across the ground. Guess they’re still human beings, Gin thought. The resting period was a much-needed activity. The only noticeable fit and healthy person was the man who sat comfortably in a caravan.

Rob leapt out with a scowl. He stormed his way over to Gin. His expression got more and more crumpled the closer he got. Gin smirked, adding to Rob’s anger, before preparing for what was about to ensue. Everyone else stopped in their tracks and spectated from afar.

‘What do you think you’re doing?’ Rob howled.

‘Greeting you of course!’ Gin replied, putting on a fake smile. ‘Your group has finally caught up. Enjoy your two-day rest.’

‘Rest? Rest?! We don’t have time for rest!’

‘By Brim’s and my calculations, we have plenty of time.’

‘Are you kidding me?’

‘No. I’m dead serious. Everyone’s tired and we need to recover.’

‘Ahahahaha. You think we’re tired? Shows how pathetic you are as a leader. We are not as weak as you and your fools. We can and will carry on, isn’t that right?’ Rob asked, turning to his battalion. Gin could see the fear in their eyes, and the tiredness in their faces, as they nodded wearily. Yet each and every one of them seemed to look down on Gin, as if what they’re facing was the better alternative. He wasn’t having any of it and played his trump card.

‘As the in-charge of the offence group, you are forbidden from leaving without my permission,’ he said, causing Rob to scrunch his face in anger ‘Otherwise I’ll strip your position of battalion leader.’

‘Was that meant to be a threat? I’ve seen more gall from the F ranks that cower in your shadow. How about you make the in-charge instead? You’re clearly not suited for the job.’

‘I gave you a chance and you immediately discarded it. You clearly don’t care for your fellow battalion member nor have any respect for you superior. I hereby remove you from the role as battalion leader.’

The crowd was in awe. Gin’s group were shocked by how well he was handling the situation. Rob’s group, on the other hand, were in amazement. No one had dared to go up against Rob in such a manner. Either way, Gin had the momentum.

‘Ahah. Nice joke,’ Rob said, forcing the laugh.

‘I’m not. I’ll decide your replacement tomorrow,’ Gin replied calmly.

‘Grr.’

In a blind rage, Rob hurled a fist. Gin expected Rob to resort to violence at some point and dodged the punch superbly. The others didn’t want to get involved in the brawl. They were too wary of the two leader’s abilities. They were too scared to intervene. All they could do was watch from the sides.

Blades. Shields.

Gin dodged a second punch by leaping backwards and readied for a strike of his own. He lunged forwards, sending out a jab. Rob sent a punch of his own. He thought he could equal it. He was the stronger of the two after all. A clash would lead to Gin coming off worse.

At the last second, Gin changed direction, evading Rob’s punch in the process. Rob’s momentum allowed Gin to circle round to his opponent’s exposed backside.

Rob twisted his hips and flayed his arms, in a last ditched effort to defend, anticipating a punch. However, the attack didn’t come from above, but rather below, as a low kick buckled Rob’s leg. He collapsed to the ground. He tried to get up but it was too late. In one swift motion, Gin’s blade was already at Rob’s throat.

‘Who was the weak one again?’ Gin remarked, as he slowly let a shocked Rob go.

Rob rose up slowly and lowered his head, avoiding any eye contact. He headed over to his battalion, a disgraced man. He wanted to hide in the caravan he jumped off from but Gin called out to him.

‘You’re no longer a battalion leader by the way. You don’t have the right to use the caravans anymore.’

The crowd resumed what they were doing beforehand, as if nothing happened. Gin beckoned the weary travellers to help set up camp, who were all still processing how such a ‘low-ranked mage’ managed to beat a B rank. But, though they wouldn’t say it, they were relieved that they could finally rest for once.

However, Gin was always scheming; always coming up with plans. This particular episode meant he could now start gaining the trust of those who once looked down on him.

‘Guess I’m getting even more followers,’ Gin chuckled to himself.