"Older men declare war. But it is youth that must fight and die."

― Herbert Hoover

The moon shone down on the city, which was in a state of tranquil peace. The occasional owl hooting could be heard, but besides from that, it was mostly quiet.

Then suddenly an alarm rang in the academy, waking up all the cadets including Ajax and Alaric.

If that wasn't enough, their door was busted open as guards came in and dragged them out. They quickly made them stand up as they were hauled off to the barracks. "Really now? I need my beauty sleep" Ajax replied as he tried to sound angry, but failed to do to him yawning.

Alaric, on the other hand, looked annoyed as they were pushed into what seemed to be a briefing room along with the other cadets of the grunt class. A captain stood in front of them as he had a solemn expression as he cleared his throat.

"Due to some recent events, you have been called to the battlefield. Your main objective is to buy time till the main forces arrive, and do to the danger involved you will be promoted once you get back.....if you come back that is."

The captain muttered the last part under his breath as he motioned to the guards. "You have no say in this matter, your gear will be on the ship, good luck kids."

And with that, they were hauled off, now to the docking bay. Alaric was fuming turning to Ajax, "Can they really do this? They're sending us to our deaths!" Ajax still yawned, raising an eyebrow at Alaric, "You know Alaric, might is right, nothing we can do about it since we are weak."

Alaric was shocked by his answer as he kept quiet. They were pushed into the ship as it closed behind them, the interior lights now turning on.

The light shone on the standard gear of the army, a lightweight suit of armor along with a sword and gun.

The gun itself was more of an emergency/just in case type weapon do to the bullets not really being able to pierce through the armor like the swords. Alaric stepped into the suit as he winced as it bit down into his skin as the armor adjusted itself.

He breathed slowly as he put the helmet on along with strapping the sword, which was a matte black color, to his waist. He loaded the gun and strapped it to his leg as he checked over his gear one last time like he was taught in class.

He then sat down, taking deep breaths as he strapped himself to the seat, waiting for the ship to take off. He was drifting off when he felt someone hit him lightly, causing him to turn as he saw someone waving at him.

"Hey Alaric, how does the suit feel?" "Strange I guess, but I guess I'm getting used to it."

"Why do you always have to answer my questions seriously? Jeez, you're no fun, no wonder you can't get a lover."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing.." Ajax giggled, turning back to stare towards the front of the ship. Alaric smiled under his helmet, realizing his friend was probably trying to help him relax. He let out a chuckle, wiggling his fingers before clutching them as he closed his eyes again. He opened them again, soon realizing some unknown time had passed as he yawned, looking around the ship.

Along with him and Ajax, there were about 30-60 other cadets also joining them in this operation, although only 8 others were on this ship, totaling to an amount of 10. One of the cadets turned to Alaric, tapping his arm as he asked in a quivering voice. "D-do you think we will be able to return?"

He sat there silent for a moment as he took in his meaning. He then moved his hand and patted the other cadets' helmet, "Honestly? Probably not, but in times like these aren't we supposed to believe in hope? If there's one thing we humans are good at, it's having hope in the dire of situations and coming up with ways to prevail, this time is no different."

He couldn't see it, but he thought he saw the cadets eyes widen as he nodded. "I-i see, you're right! T-thanks, by the way, I'm Lein, and you are?" "Alaric." He replied, short but it was all he needed to say.

"T-thank you, I'll be sure to remember that. After this let's hang out together." Lein said, seeming to smile under his helmet as he scratched the side of it embarrassedly. In that moment, even Alaric was surprised. He even managed me to believe that we could get out of this, even if it was just for a moment.

"I-is that a no?" Lein said, seeming down. Alaric was knocked out of his stupor by this as he laughed, smiling even brighter.

"Sure, why not." Lein nodded, looking up as he sighed in relief.

"I retract my statement from earlier, even if you can't get girls, you can get guys," Ajax said as he leaned over to Alaric, having heard the whole conversation from earlier. Alaric stopped, turning to Ajax as he silently stared at him before hitting him on the back of the head.

"Shut it you idiot, what nonsense are you spouting?" "Aww, don't be like that, you know I won't judge you.....possibly....maybe......fine, I would judge you, but only because you're my friend." Ajax, laughed, leaning back as he put his hands behind his head.

"Glad to hear" Alaric muttered in annoyance as he sighed once again, now remembering what Ajax said about him having a depressive aura as he closed his eyes, now drifting off to sleep once again.

He woke up sometime later, hearing the shouts as the Captain came out from the cockpit as the back of the ship opened. "It's time boys! We get off here, and like I said before, your objective is to stall and delay the enemy till reinforcements arrive, in addition, you will also serve as support and reinforcements for the soldiers already there. Any questions?" Seeing none the Captain let out a smirk as he shouted, "Now then cadets, off to battle you go!"