4 Chapter 4: Operation Start and The Recruit

[23:54 PM]

D: "The dummy is now set, Commander. Awaiting further orders."

H: "Good work, Viper. Now rendezvous with Owl and aid them with the infiltration."

D & F: "Roger."

H: "Do not kill the figures that look like researchers. They will still be valuable to gather more information."

Dan and Frank left the human shaped dummy holding a detonate bomb and proceeded to the next designated target point where Pola, William, and Johannes are assigned.

H: "Well then… Shall we start the party?"

The air around the Commander suddenly changed and the once gentle eyes now turned that of an animal after its prey. If one would look at him, they would not recognize the usual commander anymore. While hiding silently in a bush just by the side of the entrance to the facility, the commander flashed a sinister grin.

…

..

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[22:12 PM]

Less than two hours before the operation starts.

Three days have passed after they have departed from the temp camp.

H: "Let's have an overview of the plan."

All: "Roger."

They are getting near the target facility when the Commander decided to brief them once again. It's almost midnight and everything around is quiet except for the sound of the engine from inside the armored car.

H: "Dan and Frank, or will be called Viper, will sneak in near the entrance of the facility. Here is the map of the said facility. The entrance is pointed towards the direction of the sunrise. We will stop the car after going around until the opposite of that point."

Coming from the western side of their target point, they will have to leave the car at the opposite side and the squad must go around the site unnoticed, which means they have to go through the forest that surrounds the facility by foot to reach the entrance part. They will have to leave the car at the opposite side.

H: "I will follow you partway but you will do the rest afterwards. Intel have said that there will be two squads guarding the place."

Everyone except for Dan focused on the map as he was focusing on the road. Whether it is the tension of their yet another dangerous mission or the silence inside the vehicle, no one spoke a word and listened intently to the Commander.

H: "Viper will set up the dummy with a detonate bomb attached to it. That's what we will use to as a decoy to get their attention. Are we clear?"

D & F: "Roger."

H: "William, Pola, and Johannes, or Owl. You will be tasked to infiltrate the power generator of the facility after the detonation of the bomb. The bomb will draw the attention of the guards inside the facility too but expect there will be more that will stay inside to act as security for those inside. The explosion will be your signal to begin the infiltration. Got it?"

W, P, & J: "Roger."

H: "When you're inside, proceed to the main room of their power generator and destroy it. That will remove their eyes for a moment. Here's the floor plan of the facility. Review it."

Then Pola raised her hands gingerly.

P: "What about the Commander?"

H: "I'll move alone. Don't mind me and focus on your assigned task."

P: "R-Roger!"

Pola instinctively stuttered at the display of seriousness by the Commander. Every time it is the time for their mission, the air around their Commander suddenly changes to that of someone different.

Usually he is just a carefree and easy going but when it comes to missions, no one can miss the feeling of the tension he emits in the air.

H: "Well then, report every time you finish your assigned task. Focus and we will soon be arriving."

…

..

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[00:00 AM] Operation Start.

*boom!!*

E.Solder A: "Wha-?!"

E.Soldir B: "What was that?! It came from the direction of the entrance!"

E.Soldier C: "Enemy raid!! Enemy raid!! All combat personnel come to the entrance of the facility to retaliate!"

After the large explosion that was just heard inside the facility, the non-combatant was in state of panic where the guards immediately went after the site of the explosion. The first squad that was tasked by guarding the inside of the facility and reorganized the place. As expected from a well trained soldiers.

E.Soldier A: "Boss! What was that??"

E.Boss: "Someone bombed the entrance of the facility. Some of you stay here to guard the place for possible intruders."

E.Soldier A: "Roger!"

E.Boss: "The rest, follow me!"

One-fourth of the guards stayed for the lookout and the rest followed their leader. Just seconds after their action, all the lights and computers shut down at the same time. Blinded by the darkness the panic arises more.

E.Soldier C: "Boss! A lone figure spotted!"

A shadow of a small figure appeared coming from the hallway directly to the back exit.

E.Boss: "Keh. Someone's getting ahead of themselves, eh? All arms, ready! Aim and wait for my signal!"

E.Soldiers: "Roger!"

E.Boss: "Now let's see what kind of an idiot we would get this time…"

…

[00:12 AM]

E.Soldier A: "Ugh-!"

The sound of a body falling flat to the floor was heard everywhere inside. Followed by gunshots which was fired aimlessly attempting to dispel their fear.

E.Boss: "Ack-!"

After some time, the lights turned back on and the researchers was shown a scene of catastrophe where in a span of a minute every combat capable person now lies on the ground with their blood spilling forming a pool.

P: "Phew. We're done here then. Will, Johannes, tie everyone who are still alive."

W: "What the… we didn't even do anything…"

J: "That's the reason why Pola is in our squad in her age…"

W: "Really now… She's like the Commander in combat mode."

J: "Agree."

Pola at that time, was looking for other possible survivor around the facility.

D: "As expected, you lot are already done. Gahaha! Good!"

F: "Heya~ Good work guys~"

Dan entered the room followed by Frank walking leisurely as they check the premise.

W: "I guess another kind of monster just joined our squad, eh…"

P: "Viper! We're done here."

D: "Good work, Recruit."

P: "Where's the commander, by the way?"

H: "Called for me?"

P: "Eek!"

All of a sudden, the Commander appeared just behind Pola and greeted them with a smile surprising her making her squeal.

P: "C-commander! Since when? I mean, where are the other guards??"

Pola tried to look behind the Commander only to find fallen enemy soldiers.

D: "'Eek!' she said…"

W: "'That's kinda cute, sirs."

J: "Yeah…"

F: "That would go well with a glass of beer~"

P: "There! Shut it!"

Pola pointed towards her teammates with a glare.

H: "About the other guards, you don't have to worry about them."

D: "As expected of our commander! Gahaha!"

P: "Eh? Eh? Those guards… Along with their leader, they numbered over thirty, right?"

Pola widened her eyes from the words she find unbelievable.

J: "That's just how our commander is…"

P: "Eh…?"

…

..

.

[00:02 AM]

10 minutes prior to the Commander entering the facility to rendezvous with his squad.

Running towards the site at full speed, the second batch guards that were tasked with protecting the outer side of the facility, together with their leader were greeted by an immense amount of smoke.

E.Leader: "Spread out! Don't stay in one group and don't let the enemy detect your position! This is smoke is not from the explosion! And stay silent as much as possible!"

E.Soldiers: "Roger!"

Determining the true identity of the smoke, the leader of the guards judged that the smoke was intended to blind them.

E.Leader: "Now… What will come out from this…?"

He surveyed the surrounding by straining his ears. The night sky was not helping at all and the smoke thickens by the minute because of the smoke grenade draining its content.

E.Soldier E: "Leader, there's a figure near the entrance of the forest."

E.Leader: "Yeah."

The leader aimed his assault rifle towards the figure.

E.Leader: "If you're not going to do anything then we will!"

He opened fire at the figure but it did not budge an inch.

E.Soldier F: "What the?! Wait… What's that…?"

Approximately ten meters from him, he heard a small foot step that is coming towards him. He then pointed his gun towards the noise only to find it fading.

E.Leader: "Where'd it go…?"

The next moment, it's now heard from the opposite position another ten meters from his place.

E.Soldier E: "Guha-!?"

E. Leader: "Kuh… what the hell??"

Not far away from the leader's position, a sound of pierced flesh was clearly heard followed by someone's grunt. Someone was definitely killed. He aimed his gone towards the direction of the sound but once again, it disappeared.

E.Soldier F: "Gah-!"

E. Soldier G: "Kuh-!"

E.Soldier H: "Urk-!"

Then one by one, everyone fell on the ground as if in a synchronized performance. Coming from all direction, the leader became frozen in his feet, unable to do anything.

E.Leader: "Wh-wh-what the hell…?"

His feet began to tremble. Without eyes in their current situation, no one know what exactly is happening. Humans are afraid of what is unknown to them. It is like saying they fear the dark but it's just that they are only afraid of what is in it. They are drawn to conclusions as to what will be done to them by the unknown.

??: "Now…"

Coming close to him, a gentle voice poured out from the figure.

??: "You're the only one."

Out of fear, the guard leader pointed his gun to the figure but seeing the true identity of their attackers, he was petrified in his position and felt his teeth gritting. He forced his mouth to move nevertheless and asked the figure.

E.Leader: "Y-you… What are you doing here!?"

??: "Oh. Perhaps you recognize me?

E.Leader: "B-Blond hair… B-b-b-lue eyes… Y-y-you are that…!!"

All sorts of scenario have begun to play inside the head of the guard's leader. But they all in end the same; he will be killed.

E.Leader: "G-Golden Death God!!"

??: "Ahahaha! I wonder how I got that name. They just began calling me that out of nowhere."

The figure called Golden Death God just laughed because of the name. But in the perspective of the guard leader, he was hearing the laugh of the demon who will take away his life in a moment's notice.

E.Leader: "N-No…"

??: "Don't hate me for this, though. It's just give and take."

E.Leader: "N-n-no! S-s-s-stop! P-p-plea-"

*bang!*

??: "Hmph."

The body of the guard leader dropped lifelessly to the ground from being shot straight to the forehead.

??: "Aren't you happy? I removed the silencer just for you. So that your death will be heard by the others."

The smoke cleared and a figure with light blonde hair appeared while holding his handgun still pointed to the body of the guard leader.

??: "… They're already dead, though. Well, then. Let's meet up with Viper and Owl."

…

..

.

Dawn has begun to break and the squad are patiently waiting for the HQ's decision about what to do with the facility. Either they will leave them as it is or wait for the back up and leave it to them. But for now they are in charge of the place for the time being.

D: "Commander, every place is clear."

H: "Good work. Leave the rest to me and take your rest. Tell the others to do so."

D: "Roger."

Dan immediately called for the others and told them to set up the camp just outside the facility.

D: "Will and Johannes, you now go and set the tent that we will use. Prepare two, for Pola."

P: "Ah, Sir Dan, I'm good. I'm still not sleepy. I'll join the Commander after this anyways."

D: "Are you sure?"

Pola was waving her hand to show Dan her refusal.

P: "Yes."

D: "I see. It's nice being young eh? Gahaha!"

"Wha-?! What do you mean, sir?!"

Pola got flustered because of the sudden words of Dan. Her face turned red like a tomato, and her temperature turned hot, as if steam would blow out from her.

D: "Huh? I just meant you're still energetic even after a long night."

P: "Ah- eh? Th-that's it? Phew… I thought you meant…"

D: "What else would I have meant by that- Ah… Ahhh! I see! I see! It IS nice to be young! Gahahaha!"

Dan grinned at Pola's display of innocence, followed by a hearty laugh. Nevertheless, he was relieved at the response of his junior at arms. The war is inevitable and some things are just lost with it, whether one likes it or not. But seeing that the recruit have not yet succumb to the tragedy of war, everyone at the place felt happy somehow.

P: "Stop it!! I just wanted to help!"

Pola, with her flushed face and steaming head, she ran away towards the direction of the Commander.

W: "What's with Becker, sirs?"

Except for William.

D: "Nah. Just a proof she's still a maiden inside."

W: "Hm? What does that mean?"

J: "So slow, Will… Guess it can't be helped with that brain of yours…"

W: "Everything that comes out of that mouth is always, and always, and always! Johannes!!!"

…

..

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P: ["Geez… I just wanted to help Commander… Hrm…"]

Walking past inside the entrance of the facility, Pola ran into Schmidt writing a report about the incident just after he interrogated the researchers. They are tied by a rope in a circle with all their backs together. Getting caught by the enemy, they had no choice but to follow if they value their own lives.

H: "Hm? Pola? Shouldn't you be resting now?"

P: "N-No… I-I-I thought I should go and look if I can h-help you with something…"

P: ["Goooosh! That was weird! I so stuttered all through that! Because of what Sir Dan said, now I'm overly conscious of the Commander…!"]

H: "Are you okay? You're sweating a lot too."

P: "O-Okay! I'm so okay! Don't worry! Aha… Ahahaha…"

H: "Hm."

The Commander put down his pen and stood up. He went to Pola's direction while looking directly at her eyes and…

P: "Eh…?"

… reached his hand and placed it on her forehead.

P: "…~~!!"

H: "Hm… It's not a fever, huh."

P: "Aa… Ah…-"

Pola's brain halted every function and focused only to the now near face of her commander. It was almost inches away from hers.

H: "Your face is flushed and sweating a lot. The other day too, your face was also red."

P: "I… I-I'm…"

Still baffled, she could only utter incomplete words.

H: "Just in case, you should rest. I'm almost done here anyway. "

P: "B-But…"

H: "This is an order."

P "… Roger…"

Upon hearing the word 'order' from the Commander's lips, Pola could only comply. Her shoulder instantly drooped as she was shunned by the Commander as he returned to his sit and continue writing the report. But one thing boggled her mind.

P: ["Why did I feel disappointed…?"]

In her mind, everything is just to help his superior. For a soldier, no, even for someone who works under someone, one who is devoted to his work will feel the desire to be of help to someone, especially to their superiors. That should be all to it. If they did not need any help then one should just go to the next person to help.

P: ["Did I want to help the Commander that much?"]

In a way, Pola has that side to her. When her family became just her, her sister, and her mother, the desire to help her family grew even more and is now reflected with her actions. But until now, she never felt disappointed from her help being rejected. Moreover, it was because of the Commander's concern for her health.

P: ["If not… Then why, I wonder?"]

Lost in thought, Pola went her way to were the tent are set to rest. But without her knowing one of the tied researchers was holding something and was grinning sinisterly.

P: "*sigh*"

She failed to notice the creepy chuckle of the now untied researcher as she walked the way to the exit.

??: "Kukuku! Even if I'm caught here… I'll at least bring one of you down with us…"

The researcher slowly stood up without anyone noticing and brought out a small knife from his pocket.

E.Researcher: "Good thing I'm always prepared… Kukuku…"

He stared at Pola with cursing eyes as he planned the scenario in his head again and again. But he could not wait any longer and dashed towards Pola with the blade in his hands.

E.Researcher: "Kuhahaha!"

P: "Eek!?"

The sudden burst in laughter and movement caught Pola off guard.

P: ["Since when?! I won't be able to dodge"]

P: "Graaaaaah! Die you cursed soldier!!!"

Without any choice, Pola just closed her eyes and raised both her arms in an attempt to block the blade.

*stab*

Drop… Drop… The sound of droplets of a liquid was heard from inside the room.

P: "…? I'm… alive…?"

Pola slowly opened her eyes noticing that nothing happened to her body and does not feel any pain at all. But what greets her is the back of someone she knew ever since she joined the military. It was a reliable and reassuring back. In an instant she felt calm just by looking at it.

H: "You okay, Pola?"

P: "C-Commander…"

E.Researcher: "Curses!!"

But the next thing that caught the eye of Pola made her almost faint.

P: "C-C-Comander… Th-that… What…"

E.Researcher: "Kuhh!! I was close!! Why'd you interfere!!?"

H: "You're still saying that… You imbecile…"

The anger was apparent on the Commander's face. If a glare could kill, the researcher may already be lying lifelessly on the ground.

Pola's head could not keep up from the situation and her head started to get confused.

P: ["B-Blood… From Commander's sh-shoulder… knife…"]

E.Researcher: "Graaaaaaaaaaahhh!!"

The crazed researcher released his every ounce of strength that was left and remove the knife from the shoulder of the Commander and once again swing it to Pola's direction.

P: "N-no…!"

*smack!*

Almost in a flash, Schmidt aimed his fist to the researcher's abdomen and punched it with his whole strength.

E.Researcher: "Gufu-!"

The crazed researcher threw up saliva from the huge blow and instantly lost consciousness.

H: "You dared hurt my subordinate. Be grateful I haven't killed you yet."

Once again, his eyes turned that of a beast without a hint of mercy to its prey. Only to kill. Only a thin line of thread allows him to maintain his calmness and it was because it was included in their mission to leave them all alive.

*thud*

The body fell down to the ground along with the knife that was once stabbed the Commander's soldier.

H: "Are you uninjured, Pola?"

Then in an instant, the Commander's expression returned to the usual. A gentle smile that showed only kindness towards his subordinate.

P: "I… I should be asking you!! Your shoulder!"

H: "Ah. It will heal. It won't kill me at least. Ahaha."

P: "It's not a laughing matter!!"

Pola's eyes moistened while gripping the arms of her Commander.

P: "Why did you do that?! It could've hit somewhere dangerous! What… *sniff* What would you do if that happens?!"

Like a dam that was destroyed, all of Pola's emotion suddenly rushed out along with tears that ran down her cheeks. She was hitting the Commander with her hands as she bawled her eyes out.

P: "*sniffle Why d-did you save me even though you could've died… *sob*"

H: "Pola…"

P: "Don't do that again… If you died… I…"

While Pola's face was buried to the Commander's chest, her hands didn't let up and continued to hit him.

H: "I'm sorry."

Schmidt calmed her down by embracing her tightly. He held her for until she stopped crying while patting her head.

D: "Commander?! What happened?!"

W: "Blood, sirs?!"

F: "Researcher~?"

J: "Hug…"

P: "Wahh!"

Pola immediately pulled away from the Commader's arms after hearing the voices of the other squad members, especially the last comment. Hurryingly wiping her face and fixing her hair.

P: "That importantly! Sir Frank! Commander's injured!"

F: "I got it. Leave it to me~"

D: "What the heck happened here…?"

Dan crouched down to reach for the researcher's pulse. Judging that the researcher is still alive, he turned his way to the Commander and Pola, waiting for a response.

H: "Actually-"

P: "I'm sorry, it's my fault…"

Schmidt was interrupted by Pola as he was about to explain the story.

D: "Tell us what happened, Recruit."

Pola then told the wholes story to the other squad members while Frank was treating the Commander's wounds. The researcher had a knife from his pocket and kept it until he found a chance to attack. He cut the rope and waited for the right timing. When coincidentally Pola walked past by him, he could not wait anymore and attacked her on the spot.

D: "So he was untied all this time, eh. What a despicable bastard."

P: "Yes… Good thing, Commander was there…"

Pola hanged her head from the remorse. Remorse that she ended up relying on the Commander even though she herself is a soldier.

W: "Just thinking about it, if he waited until the night… Ugh… Gives me the shivers, sirs… Ugh…"

H: "Right. Well it end with just a wound in my shoulder. It's better than anything."

P: "Commander!!"

Pola immediately shushed the commander after seeing him taking the incident nonchalantly.

H: "Ah… Yes… I'm sorry."

Everyone except for the Commander and Pola widened their eyes at the display.

W: "That Commander…"

J: "The recruit made him shut up with just a call…"

D: "Gahahah! What a courageous young lady."

F: "Oh my…"

…

..

.

H: "Don't just stand there, come here for a sit."

P: "Ah… Yes…"

Night has come and those who will maintain the facility have yet to come. At the moment, they decided to have a look out while the others are resting and the Commander insisted that he will do the role.

H: "What's up?"

Pola sat beside the Commander, who is reading, on the bench they always bring whenever they have a mission that used every time they have to stop from travelling and make a temp camp. Pola could not sleep because of the incident and went to join her Commander for the look out.

P: "U-Uhm…"

But it was hard for her to strike a conversation. Being reminded of how she acted was enough to halt every function in her brain. It was extremely embarrassing.

P: "R-Right! Uhm… How's your wound?"

H: "Ah… It just stings a little. But it's not that of a hindrance. It'll probably heal soon."

P: "I-I see…"

H: "Yeah."

Another silence. A painful silence. For Pola, that is.

P: "… What are you reading?"

Unable to endure the silence, Pola asked a simple question.

H: "It's like the same from the one before. A story set in a fantasy world."

P: "H-Hmm… You must like those kinds of story then…"

H: "You can say that again. Whether the difference in this world and the world in the story or the fun of having to use magic and spells, it's a really fun world to me."

P: "I see… If you can use magic and stuff, you can do all kinds of things with it too. It'll be fun if I can use it too."

H: "Right?? Haha. I knew you'd understand."

Schmidt laugh with the book in his hands as he continues to read.

P: "Say Commander, what if… what if you get to live in a world like that, what would you do?"

H: "Hmm… Interesting… I'll have fun as much as possible. I'll explore it and look for all sorts of recipes to cook, study magic, and fight monsters. I'd live my life to the fullest I guess."

P: "…"

H: "In this world… You just can't do that anymore."

P: "Ah… Right."

A lonely atmosphere fell around them with only the sound of crackling firewood in front of them.

The world they live in once was a peaceful utopia that anyone can live in without the fear of the loud gunshots and explosions. Everyone can laugh and enjoy their lives. Of course, there are some places where war are also widespread. But life was easier to live in than it is now. Everywhere you travel, there will be deaths, starvation, destruction, and tears.

Everyone was warned of the consequences, but they still persisted with their wrongdoings and the result is the Great World War. A world where even a future with a smile on one's face is but only a dream. Dreaming won't start a person, hard work won't get him anywhere, a harsh yet boring world.

P: "But Commander! It's not all that bad…"

H: "Yeah?"

P: "That is…"

Pola placed her hands atop her fast beating chest. With a face painted with pink and eyes teary, she mustered up her courage to voice out her words.

P: "There is a commander who will cook you delicious food."

H: "Pola…"

P: "A commander who will encourage you, a commander who will support you, a commander who would protect you…"

The Commander's focus was no longer on the book and is now onto the girl beside her who is slightly trembling with her head lowered. They were heartfelt words. They did, without a doubt, reached Schmidt.

P: "A-A-And also teammates who would laugh together with you! Aha… Ahahaha…"

H: "Y-Yeah…"

For an instant, the Commander did not know what to do. It was a new experience for him.

P: "S-So… Commander."

J: "Yeah?"

P: "I'm sorry about earlier…"

H: "Haha. That's not it, right?"

P: "Eh?"

Pola was bewildered by the words of her Commander. She kept thinking about what she said and looked for something wrong in it.

H: "That's not the appropriate words to say there."

The commander smiled and look at the bewildered Pola.

P: "Ah."

Realizing what the Commander has meant, Pola turned his way to him and with a bright smile he could ever show...

H: "Yeah?"

P: "Thank you, Commander."

H: "You're welcome, Pola."

…

..

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Chapter 4 End