5 Chapter 4: Brothers at Arms

Camp Caturman

City of Infante

September 23, 2021 C.Y.

0800 Hours

The days later, the remaining members of the 51st Greyhounds assigned to their last mission was debriefed. They were investigating of the lapses done by the Lieutenant Lius Alfonso and his men during their mission. Their superior officers were not pleased with the results thus to add insult to their injury, they were reprimanded by them. The planning also was found faulty which resulted to its faulty execurtion, intelligence was also erroneous and equipment of the men was not according to the mission.

Only eight of the thirty-man task force survived which included the men of Task Force Python and Wolf. Two of the men from Task Force Derby also succumbed from their wounds while being treated. Jill Hancock is one of the members of Task Force Taffy who observed the mission. She debriefed everyone in the room and discussed the errors done not only by Lieutenant Alfonso's men but also their mission planners.

"Everything from planning to the execution of the mission is a mess. We see lapses from the operators on the ground and their lack of skills in handling their new equipment."

A mission planner stood up and protested and said. "The intelligence may be spotty at best but you cannot blame it in the planning of the mission alone. The fact remains that these men of ours should also take accountability for their actions!"

The mission planners are trying to cover their mistakes, it is something that made Captain Lucas and his men disgusted towards them. Not only that their higher ups were incompetenent but worse would resort to finger pointing and escape accountability for their mistakes. They decided to instead keep their mouths shut due to the lack of professionalism displayed by the mission planners of the Republic of Easting Army.

After the squabble of the mission planners, Jill proceeds to evaluate Lieutenant Alfonso's performance in the mission and said, "There is a problem with this young Lieutenant of yours. Not because he is incompetent but he lacks something. Based from the recordings of their conversation between him and the squad leader of Task Force Wolf. It seems like the men of Task Force Wolf has little respect for him. They did not heed his calls for withdrawal."

Hearing this the Lieutenant stood up angrily but was calmed down by his subordinates.

"Lieutenant sit down!" His superior officer told him.

"If these pieces of shits had helped us earlier this mission should have not fallen into such a mess. I thought we are going to work with them? Why are they just observing us from afar!?" The Lieutenant pointed out the actions of Task Force Taffy.

An intelligence officer explained to him the role of task force Taffy and said, "Their mission is to observe and provide technical support. These people are officially not here and their involvement in this mission is classified for your information!"

One of Captain Lucas' men Jackal smirked at him mockingly. The Lieutenant calmed himself instead and sat down.

"You have some mistakes too in this mission Lieutenant. As for you, you are relieved of your post as leader of Task Force Derby. You are going to take a break since you are too stressed after the mission. The meeting is adjourned!"

Lieutenant Alfonso left the room and went outside to get some fresh air. Captain Lucas, the leader of Task Force Taffy followed him with two mugs of coffee in his hand. He opened the door which was partially open and greeted the distressed Lieutenant. He realizes that he needs to give advice to the greenhorn in front of him.

"Civet coffee, it is good for this kind of weather. Have some!" Captain Lucas hands him a mug of coffee.

Lieutenant Alfonso accepts the cup from his counterpart and his face lightened after sipping some of its contents.

"You wouldn't realize that it comes from those cat's dung, or whatever creature they are. For me, I still find it delicious nonetheless, my favorite!" Captain Lucas said and tapped his shoulder.

"I haven't faced this kind of failure before. How can you be so easygoing?"

Lieutenant Alfonso replied staring at the ground sulking about his failure and the loss of his men.

"It is okay to grief but do not let it get into your system. We are soldiers trained to take lives but in the end we are humans before we are warriors. You will get used to this... Trust me, been there!"

Lucas then nodded and went back to the camp. Inside he saw his squad mates who were waiting for him. They ridiculed at him for comforting an allied soldier which he retorts with a joke.

"You are being too soft with him Captain. He will grow fond of you, you know... those Eastings. The rumors that you hear about them!"

"No homo bro!"

Lucas laughed along with his men and went to the mess hall. Alfonso who was left alone sitting beside the a tent saw military aircraft and helicopters heading to the city. The fight has getting more intense as the terrorists refused to surrender or give up their positions. Feeling a little bit better he stood up and took an envelope from his pocket. A lucky charm that is given by his mom before his departure. His lonely face finally cracked a smile in thinking how fortunate he was.