Chapter 22: Testimony

* For some time now I have the impression of seeing strange things. I can better feel the heavy atmosphere around me and I can also see certain things that make me think of electrical signals. Yes that's it I see the flow of electrical signals going through people's brains. But watching it too much ends up causing eye pain. And then what I see does not please me at all. I had the impression that Zell's brain was boiling *.

-These motherfuckers if they dared to hurt her I swear to ....

* He clenched his fist so hard and his gaze was certainly the same but it emanated a great anger. I walked over and grabbed his hand *.

-Zell calm down.

-How does that calm me down ? * He yelled, releasing his hand *.

-ZELL. * I screamed in turn *.

* When he looked at me again he let out a sigh and began to smile. And looked up, running both hands through her hair, then I felt his wavelength return to normal *.

-What am I thinking about already ? * He said to himself *. Asgeir, what happened to the soldiers guarding the North? * He asked quieter *.

-Zell I don't think this is the time. * Had started Friedich *.

-A day off for everyone. * He announced *. But I want to know exactly what happened in the North.

-Roger. But don't go crazy like that, it doesn't look like you. *Fried told him*.

-I take note.

-Troy is already gone. Shall we put it on ? * Swan asked *.

-No that will be fine, we don't need him for now. * Said Zell *.

-At ease Swan. * Said Aunt Gilda *. Marie needs you more than ever. Has the poor thing been inconsolable for a while?

-Marie?

-Well we'll deal without you Don Juan. * Said Zell *.

-Who is Don Juan? * Asked Merak *.

-It's not important. Go before I change my mind.

* He really scared me, but I think he especially cracked under the flow of information. Attack in the north, probable destruction of the Factory and Arianne who has surely been captured. All this must have caused him an impossible stress. But he quickly regained his composure. In the evening, the three of us returned to the Cailum manor. To be honest, I didn't want to go back to the Ducal Palace. Seeing my brother and my sisters take pleasure in their Idleness did not inspire me *.

- Over here Lancell. * Said Asgeir *. You will sleep in the next room.

- And where is Zell's room? * I asked *.

-Just in the middle. * Friedich replied from the other side *. What, do you want to join him? * He said smiling *.

-leave me alone. * I say, slamming the door *.

* It's true that Zell's mental state worried me, but they stop misunderstanding me. That said, I was curious to know what he could do on his own in his room without Arianne. Just to check I decided to use this gift that I had received I do not know where and what happened shocked me terribly *.

-No ...

* I almost swore, but Zell's brain was in full swing. He couldn't stop thinking, and if I believe what I see he seemed to love it. Besides, the fact that the walls did not stop my capacity was very practical. It would help detect people in unlikely places. On the battlefield for example, or those who fake their death *.

-Aaah here I start to think like him.

* Having said that I did not expect it. Not long ago I would never have seen myself joining the army. I have admired Zell ever since he saved my life, his charisma and his steadfast composure. In my eyes, he's the big brother I never had. If Arianne is important to him then she is just as important to me. So I spent my night thinking about how to get out of this situation. The next morning I woke up earlier than usual *.

-What time is it already?

* I was surprised to see that I had barely slept. It was 5 math time and I was in great shape. The army had turned me into a monster *.

-Sleep is important for health. * Zell said *.

* After a meal in the company of the family, Aunt Gilda Incluse, we all headed towards the army headquarters, a splendid building which was the pride of our country. Fried was driving the convertible and I was in the back. On the way we noticed people demonstrating in the street with signs *.

-Who are these guys? * Fried asked *.

-Anti-war activists. * I replied *. People who have lost a loved one during recent conflicts.

-The same assholes who want the army budget cut. * Zell resumed *. Because of them, many disabled veterans find themselves on the streets.

- Speaking of vets, there are 3 in this car totally. * Said Fried sarcastically *.

* No need to read the atmosphere, we had all 3 our but put on our guns ready to draw if necessary. That said, we didn't have to. They just stepped aside and we arrived at HQ safely *.

-Have to watch my back in my own country eh. * Said Fried *.

- As long as we are in civilian clothes we fear nothing. *I said*. By the way, where is Swan?

-With Marie, for sure.

-We don't have time to wait for him anyway. Come on.

* Once inside we asked to see the General Lineberg. The woman at the reception led us to her office *.

- By the way, Zell doesn't have to be so austere. *I said*. You've been in trouble since yesterday, I don't like it.

-Hey .... Me? * Said he embarrassed *.

-He is right. * Said Friedich *. You don't have to take it all on yourself. Empty your bag if you need it.

* Once in front of the office, the young woman left us alone. Fried refused to come back to see his father and preferred to stand guard at the entrance. Uncle Lineberg was sitting behind a desk writing reports when he saw us come in *.

-Oh but it's you .... I was telling myself that you will come see me.

-Uncle Baldra. * Said Zell smiling *.

* They exchanged a very manly handshake, patting each other on the shoulder *.

-I heard about your exploits. I can't help you with your project, but I'll give you the name of a general who can.

* He quickly scribbled on a piece of paper which he handed to him *.

-Thank you but I haven't come to talk about Beowulf.

-I guess. * He said giving him another piece of paper *. Go to this address you will have the answers you want.

* That said during our brief interlude not once he mention Friedich's name. We therefore went to the place indicated as planned. A dilapidated building in the middle of a precarious neighborhood *.

-Summer ?

-Winter.

* It feels like a spy book. Except that it was real. The place was a military police antenna used to torture prisoners. We thus met Major Hook, the head of the place. A man in his forties with bearded brown hair tending to gray. Everyone was dressed in civilian clothes here *.

- What do I owe the honor of your visit, gentlemen?

-General Lineberg sent us.

-Oh you are Second Lieutenant Cailum.

- Lieutenant. I took the lead in the meantime.

* I turned my head towards the interrogation room and I could see through the glass. The soldier questioned was in our army uniform. I was the only one to quit because Zell and Fried remained unmoved *.

-W.... Why are you torturing a soldier from our own army? * I asked angry *. I ask answers.

-To tell the truth I don't know myself. * Said Hook, putting out his cigarette*.

-What? Are you kinding me.

-Calmos princess. I...

-I'm a man first.

* He lost his cigarette and the other men in the room were astonished. That said, Hook regained his calm *.

-Finally, 1 week ago I would say, our army in the North was ignited by rebels. Finally I say rebels but to hear the testimony it did not fit. Some say it would be trained soldiers who crept among them.

-And so ?

* A young woman then appeared. She was the only one we had seen on the air and she was wearing a gray sweater. Despite her looks, she seemed to be the same age as us. Blue eyed blonde with hair tied back in a bun. Its shape was also too generous for an ordinary soldier *.

-And so we had the idea to capture some of them to question them. And there ....

-Excuse but who are you? * Friedich asked, cutting her off *.

- I hate to be interrupted. She said with a smile *. You knew it ?

* His smile changed to a threatening look as his hand moved to the nearby sword *.

-Woman of character tell me. * Fried said with a threatening smile *.

-Calmos we are not here to fight. * tell Zell *.

- Lieutenant Caroline Barclay. * Introduced Hook *. She's good at collecting information.

-And to flush out the traitors. * She added, tapping the window with her fist *. I hate the vermin that is embedded among us and claims to be patriotic when they only abuse the system. They should already be grateful for the air they breathe.

-Totally agree. * Said Zell *. Treason should be punished with death.

-But we're not barbarians, are we? * She said smiling at Zell *.

-Right, you first need a proper trial. * Zell said, responding to his smile *.

-Oh hell the crazy duo. * Said Hook *.

-You don't think so well. * Friedich added *.

-What do you think ? * Hook asked *. that one.....

-Not one. * I cut *.

* Everyone watched me surprised *.

-From .... From what? * tell Hook *.

* I took the keys to the examination room and entered the room. The soldier had a hood over his head. Hearing me come in, he got scared *.

-W ... What, is that you? I have told you everything I know.

* I gently removed the hood and looked at him with a smile. When he saw me he immediately calmed down. I untied him and took his hand *.

-Soldier what's your name?

-Soldier 1st Class Jarod Gleiss. * He said calmly *. Number 00170019. I ... I know you.

-Tell me what happened to you.

-Y .... Yes majesty.

* POV Gleiss *

* I was a guard at the Sterben factory prison. As usual it was a busy morning with its share of silliness. Having said that this time it was much more hectic. While we were trying to put down a small rebellion one of my friends was stabbed in an inmate. And it has become instable. The prisoners began to pounce on the guards one after the other. Colonel Steinberg's instructions were clear, fire at will if there is rebellion. But we don't have enough cartridges to kill the whole prison. Yes because all the prisoners were involved. They seized the weapons of the dead guards and turned them against us. We were quickly overwhelmed *

-Someone needs to call in reinforcements from HQ.

* Me and a group of friends got on motorcycles and drove full throttle towards HQ. After ten minutes the HQ was in sight, but we hardly had time to rejoice. The guy in front took a bullet and fell. I managed to avoid it but the two behind me crashed into the asphalt *.

-Sniper. * I screamed *.

-Where ?

* But the shooter seemed invisible. He brought us all down like flies. I was the only one to arrive at the HQ but a bullet lodged in my thigh. I fell to the ground while rolling several times. I was picked up by a Corporal who dropped me off in the trench. I was given a gun. I was then ordered to retaliate *.

-Ripost? But ... Against what ...

* I was not aware that this whole area was under attack. These guys were moving way too fast. No matter how much I shot, I didn't hit anyone within 200 meters. They slipped skillfully between the trees and the rocks, the shooting windows were very small. They also had mortars, sniper squads, half trucks. But that was not the most dangerous. They had a special group .... The commandos were called *.

- Damn you fall back. * Ordered the sergeant *.

* Their commandos weren't kidding, they were fast, quiet and deadly. If I hadn't passed out from an explosion I would have died *.

* End of POV *

-When I woke up I was a prisoner. I later learned that they had captured all of our outposts.

* I put my hand on her shoulder in compassion. Obviously this guy went through something similar to a lightning strike like in Zell's book. It goes well beyond the level of simple rebels *.

-But something strange. When I was taken prisoner they treated me incredibly well. * Said he * Look at my leg and my shoulder.

* He stood up and showed them to me, partially removing his clothes *.

-They treated me like a human and not an enemy. Yet in the North there was a saying common to all soldiers.

-And what is it?

* After hearing him I left the room leaving the soldier alone in his reflection. On the outside everyone was surprised that he was cooperative with me but not me *.

- What are you a fairy? * Hook asked in shock *.

- Bring him something to eat. * I ordered *.

-Yes. * Answered a guard.

* This poor man has seen green ones and not ripe ones *.

-So ? * Barclay asked *.

-Seb never takes a prisoner. * I repeated *. This sentence does not fit with everything he said.

-You see ? * Said Hook *. I don't know what he went through but ...

-He was treated as a friend which means that he was not considered a prisoner. * Resumed I *. I don't know how, but these people use advanced fighting tactics like in the book. They are also well organized it would be correct to consider them as a country or even an enemy army.

-An opfore is that? * Said Fried *.

-Exact. But also a term he used to describe these commandos.

-Swift, Silent and Deadly. * Said Zell *.

-Yes How do you know ?

* At this point I saw Barclay and Zell head down. They both had a psychopathic smile that was scary. They immediately began to laugh without anyone understanding why *.

-The smell of war is getting stronger and stronger in the North. Isn't it Lieutenant Cailum. *She says*.

-You don't think so well put it. * He replied *.

* The following day we received an express summons to the Gare du Nord. A train had managed to escape shortly before HQ North fell. And this train was that of the North Armament Factory. A ray of hope flared again and I saw Zell smile excitedly. The train had been in a civilian station for a week already and no one had declared it. Arriving in the North we were surprised to find Swan and Marie crying *.

-Marie? * I say amazed *. Why is she crying ?

-Because the head of North HQ was called Lino Steinberg. Do you get it? * Said Fried *.

-Marie Steinberg? Lino .... Is that his father? * I asked surprised *.

-No. But it's just like. * Said Fried *.

-That is true. Colonel Steinberg is Marie's uncle. * Said Zell *. He used to hatch her with gifts too. It was more his father than his uncle.

-The poor. * I say compassionate *.

* We approached them looking a little sad but Swan had a strange smile on his lips as Marie cried non stop in his arms *.

-It will be fine. * He said *.

-Swan can you explain to me what's going on? * Zell asked a little lost *.

-See for yourself. * He said *.

* As we took a look at the train we saw a man walking in our direction. He wore a uniform and a kepit covered his head. The man helped himself to walk with a cane and a soldier also grabbed him *.

-It's .... It's not possible. * Say Zell before smiling with joy *.

-Uncle ..... Uncle Steinberg. * Said Marie *.

-It's been a long time kids. * he smile *.

*To be continued*