At age 18, Stewart Mace has enlisted to the Chrysoberyl Division, in all hopes to contribute the humanity’s fight against the Hollows. One can say that he should have been in Obsidian Division instead, but things are not favorable at that time. It is also the same exact moment when Stewart realizes that the Defense Force is still young to equip itself to handle different problems at once, and conflicts other than the Hollows can be equally deteriorating to the peace within Eridu.
Then, 12 years later.
The young Stewart is now a lieutenant of a platoon within the 2nd Assault Brigade of Chrysoberyl, which is a military formation that handles oppositions within ‘reclaimed’ areas. To define what a ‘reclaimed’ area differs—from a Eridu citizen’s point of view, expansion of the city, but to someone outside of it, it is crossing the lines.
In this exact moment, First Lieutenant Stewart Mace finds himself in the middle.
After losing connection to the sergeant of Fornax Squad, Stewart can only stare at the logs of other squads’ explorations. That specific area is where soldiers are often kidnapped. There have been countermeasures done to avoid or to handle it, but their enemies are masters of guerilla warfare. One thing they must be thankful for—no pointless bloodshed has occurred.
Yet.
Gradiva Freedom Fighters, the active insurgents in these mountains, is yet to claim a life.
Stewart cannot let it happen.
As he reads upon the reports, there are sights of Cheetah Thirens, which are quite rare to be seen around. Based on his knowledge of this clan of Thirens, they used to be the guardians of Plutarch Mountains, alongside ancient bloodlines of Orangutan and Tiger Thirens. After the latter clans moved out to other areas, Cheetah Thirens are left to guard these mountains. A longstanding conflict however is etched between them and the other natives prior to the founding era, and their trust to outsiders is known to be non-existent.
On a positive note, they are not known to be brutes without reason.
A hope that Stewart clings into.
However, his brows end up still crossed but his resolve remains unfaltering.
We have no choice but to continue the operation as planned.
Time: 5:21 AM
Hadrian Hollow Operational Outpost, Located at the foot of the dense forest of Plutarch Mountains
Friday, June 17, 2011
Charles stares at the breaking dawn, while chewing with a banana in hand. He already wears his full battle gear and waits for others to arrive while sitting on a random crate outside. The soil is quite swampy from the rain last night, which thankfully stopped two hours ago.
He takes another bite—as notable footsteps halt beside him.
“The sun will rise around 20 minutes.”
Staff Sergeant Maylene Charow.
Charles thaws the banana peel on a nearby trashcan before speaking. “Mhmm. We might see the full golden sun already once we’re already trekking the mountains.”
Maylene is not up for small talk.
“The kid. This is probably when we’re gonna see her in combat.” Maylene pauses briefly, maintaining her posture. “What are you going to do if she ends up as a liability?”
Charles purses his lips, prominent at one side. “If she turns out to be a liability, I’d file a complaint to the lieutenant to possibly discharge her. I believe that would be a good thing to happen.”
“If she doesn’t?”
Charles jumps from his seat, stretching his arms with a satisfied groan. “We need to keep her alive till her contract ends. That’s the best thing we can do at least for that child.” He rolls his shoulders and then turns around. “See you later, sarge. I’ll just be checking on them.”
“Charles.” Maylene calls, prompting Charles to stop and look back again—only for their eyes to meet. “You have to cook the dinner tonight,” she says.
One second. Maylene appears to be serious about it—then Charles smiles.
“Then you gotta be there to join us for dinner.”
No response to adhere anymore, and so, Charles salutes first before leaving.
Maylene merely watches him go away.
Only for a distant spectator to release a huge sigh of disappointment. Nigel, who happens to be around the vicinity while Charles talks with his squad leader, accidentally catches everything.
“Why these two can’t be together already?”
Samantha appears to be fixated staring on the ground, and her odd concentration—or spacing out—catches Myrna who arrives with bottles of water in her arms.
“Aran, come here,” Myrna calls out.
Samantha looks at her and proceeds closer. She already wears her combat uniform, and her backpack and front bag seem to be bigger than her. Myrna opens the camel bag where she places two bottles in.
“Your food packet is here… The choco bar… Then the water bottle…”
Samantha cuts Myrna’s trance. “I already know.”
Myrna smiles. “Alright. Sergeant Macandro told me that you need to stick close to me, alright?”
“Mhmm.”
“Hello, Sammy, Myrna.”
It is Charles.
“Corporal,” Myrna greets.
“This mission could have us longer at the wilds.” He informs as he raises his visor up to his forehead. “Did you guys bring enough food for two days?”
“Aye, Corporal,” Myrna affirms.
Charles’ eyes roam around till a frown rest on his face. “Where’s Sheena?”
With the question that has been asked, Alisa arrives with full gear on.
“They are observing the situation with Lieutenant Rexil at the tent. Sergeant Dane is there, too.”
Charles nods. “I see. I know we’re gonna meet first with Fornax Squad and the other half of Lupus would also be going there, too.” He stretches his arms. “I just do hope we won’t have to be longer in the mountains, however.”
“Do you think it’s the insurgents’ work why we lost communication with Sergeant Klovern?” Alisa asks.
Charles pins her a sharp gaze. “Caritas, there are things that should not be spoken out loud yet.”
Alisa flinches.
“I-I apologize.”
The body language is enough to shift the atmosphere into slightly heavier. Samantha hears often about the insurgents, but she can tell that something is amiss from Charles’ tone.
“Where do the insurgents are clumped in the reports?” Samantha asks. For the first time, Charles hears her ask about something.
“It seems Young Sammy is curious about it,” Charles says, albeit in a lighthearted tone.
Samantha moves her sight downwards, staring at the scattered larger dirt apart from the flat soil. She stretches her leg and flattens them with her boots.
“It’s just imperative of me to be curious about it, so I’ll know where do I place myself, in case something happens…”
Samantha expects to be also reprimanded as Alisa earlier. Walt has told her many times not to say anything unnecessary, especially as a soldier, but then…
“The mountain is pretty vast, and from the past intel, they would be somewhere at the eastern part that borders the Lamprias District. That’s quite a distance from here.”
Charles, despite the harsher expectation, has entertained her inquiry.
He goes on. “That area is pretty much a place that our Defense Force lacks coverage from, because it’s an area that can possibly kill us if we cannot be careful enough. There are things going on that even with bearing a rifle won’t let us simply penetrate our way in.”
Lamprias District. As far as her knowledge goes, it is an area where a failed Shiyu Pillar project has used to be. However, instead of it being led by the city’s engineering department, it is spearheaded by Roll Roader Corporation, which is part of the TOPS Alliance.
And the reason for why it is not able to continue…
“Isn’t the insurgents being parasitic in these lands?” Samantha blurts out.
Alisa looks at the fourteen-year-old kid. There is a strange murderous intent in her eyes while staring at her corporal.
Myrna suddenly pats Samantha’s head.
“Kiddo, I think you’re thinking way too much of a black and white,” Myrna cuts in, then rubs her palm a bit to Samantha’s cheek. “Our situation isn’t simply between two options. Haven’t you asked why they are doing this?”
Samantha stares at her with a slightly annoyed look. “Please don’t touch my cheek.”
Myrna grins. “Oh? The quiet kid is now being outspoken?”
Samantha grows more irritated and shoves Myrna’s hands. However, that still never stop the older rookie messing around the kid’s face.
Charles watches them for a while, as he decides to speak again.
“Sammy, listen to me,” Charles calls, successfully gaining his teammates’ attention once again. “Let’s put it this way, a Hollow is a neutral ground if we take away its parasitic nature in eating our homelands. We can compare it with an oasis in the middle of the desert, and it would be impossible to think that people won’t drink from it because someone said no, right?”
“It’s a source of water without ownership before it appeared and everyone has the right to drink from it.”
“Exactly,” Charles affirms, smiling. “Faunus Quarter is often contested, but to get the specifics, we can talk about that the other time. To make things short, this Hollow became another opportunity on who will become dominant force here. But since neither the government nor TOPS are able to build their stronghold around the Plutarch area, there will be a struggle for it. However, who do you think will suffer because of that?”
“Those who live from here…” Alisa says—or rather, she is the one who has realized the real answer.
“But insurgents are still insurgents,” Samantha insists.
Charles raises his index finger. “Private Rhodes, do you still remember our objective here in Plutarch Mountains?”
“Our objective is to help Obsidian Division clear the Hadrian Hollow,” Myrna answers.
Charles puts his hand down. “That’s all we need to remember, soldiers. There’s a reason why we’re taught in the first place just to obey orders. It can take too far, however, but it’s gonna be a matter of priority. Do you understand?”
The three privates stand straight. “Yes, Corporal.”
This time, Ivan arrives with a directive.
“Corporal Tausend, they are calling us now to assemble in the tent,” Ivan says.
“Wow, so formal, Ivan.”
“Come on, I don’t wanna get my arse kicked out of the blue.”
As being commanded, the Red Sparrow Platoon members head towards the tent. With Charles and Ivan ahead, Samantha ponders while staring at Charles’ back. There are questions roaming inside her head but there is also a voice whispering in her heart that she can only trust him—even though she does not understand what is truly going on.
Perhaps, the beginning of change is already on its course.
Charity is washing her face.
She is second to the last on watch, as her team is on its way to a rendezvous point in Plutarch Mountains. It is the location where the half of Fornax Squad’s stop last night, and based on reading her squad leader’s face earlier, something has happened. She is in no place to ask, but she can feel that something serious has fallen on their platoon.
As they are taking a quick rest beside the riverbanks, she has taken this opportunity to clean a bit, when she notices from a distance.
They are being watched.
Reacting so soon will get them in trouble, and if it is their enemy’s goal to hurt them, they must have done it already. However, she feigns ignorance and stands from the riverbank.
Ziggs, who is resting on a tree root while eating his MRE food, notices Charity approaching him.
“We still have few minutes,” Ziggs says.
“No, someone is watching us. At my eight.”
“Enemies?”
“Probably. Perhaps on a patrol like us. I think we need to leave sooner.”
Ziggs grabs his radio and informs their mates.
“Wolfgang, reporting in. We need to close in and move to the coordinates as soon as possible. Bogey detected in our area, out.” He hides his radio again. “Let’s go Vox.”
The first recon team has reported new coordinates about the possible hideouts of the insurgents, and which Red Sparrow Platoon is now partaking of to keep a close watch in those areas. In two days, HIA will arrive in Hadrian Hollow to get new data along with supplies and they need to make sure the area will remain secure, ensuring that no insurgent will be able to infiltrate the parameter.
Currently in the rendezvous point where the Fornax Squad is located, Charles talks with the first recon unit’s scout, Corporal Pike Nyrog of Yellow Canary Squad.
“Hmm, so they may be using underground tunnels, and these are the trench network,” Charles says, looking at the diagram. “Then there might be traps around these dots.”
Corporal Nyrog nods.
“Two in our squad got injured along the way. Thankfully nothing is fatal to make us worry too much. Always look around the trees and on the ground, just the curse of this mission will be passed on you.”
Charles chuckles. “Well, you guys are needed for another mission, we’ll take it from here.”
“Thrill seeker,” Pike remarks, then he pats Charles’ shoulder. “But to be honest, it’s surprisingly easy that we return pretty unscathed. It’s just unusual to think about, knowing there were soldiers who are captured. You know, those Thirens. Anyways, stay safe out there.”
Pike picks up his bag and equipment, giving Charles another slap on his shoulder before leaving. Charles turns to his teammates, specifically to Samantha who is looking after her rifle. Not too long, Sheena meets with him.
“The other half of Lupus Squad finally arrived. We need to meet with Sergeant Combs for more intel and formation.”
“Okay,” Charles says.
“I had a feeling that Sergeant Dane will lead another team, however,” Sheena dreads.
“Eh? Why is that sarge?” Myrna asks.
“Sergeant Dane is one of our top scouts in the brigade, which is why his transfer to become a warrant officer is often delayed. I just hope this time either Sergeant Combs or Sergeant Nichols would lead our team,” Sheena answers.
Myrna shows an awestruck face yet becomes confused again.
“But…why not with our squad?”
“He’s just our squad leader on paper at best,” Sheena says and glances on Charles. “Besides, we already had another scout here. We lack personnel, so they want to optimize as much as possible.”
“That’s right, a very competent one, if I will be honest.”
Samantha notices that Sergeant Gavin Nichols is behind them.
“Sergeant Nichols,” Charles salutes, with the other three on the same stance.
“At ease,” Gavin says and looks at the Corax’ rookies. “Looking forward working with the greenhorns.”
“I believed they already made the arrangement?” Sheena asks.
“Yes. I’ll be leading your team. Rothstaylor will be with us, as well. While Sergeant Dane will be with Hoover and the two Fornax left here.”
“Oh, Ed,” Charles muses.
“Are you fine with it?” Gavin asks.
“It’s great,” Sheena affirms.
Gavin nods. “We’ll trek with Sergeant Combs’ team before we split halfway, just to let you guys know. Let’s get going.”
Samantha has received her training with forest navigation before becoming a part of Fenrir Mercenaries, and her assignment is to find a cabin before sundown. There is a punishment for being sent to another part of the mountains if she has failed to do so, and she has not made it twice. The third chance has pushed her to be attentive to her surroundings, and somehow—she has found it.
Their destination is towards the alleged hideout near the northern entrance of the Hollow, as Charles acts as the point man. Two groups, each led by the higher ranking NCOs of Lupus Squad, this trailing is near where they need to split their way out. First group is under Sergeant Gavin Nichols, with the four of Corax, plus with Ed. The second group is under Staff Sergeant Zachariah Combs, with his team consisting of Ziggs, Charity, Yosef and Royce.
Charles stops and raises his hand, signaling everyone to crouch down. He signals Ed, who is just right behind him, to place a device nearby. Ed hides it behind the bushes and gestures back to Charles, so they can proceed.
Resuming the trek, each of the soldiers are looking around, keeping each direction protected. Moving on two files, Gavin’s team are on the left side, with Zachariah’s at the right, yet further from each team to maintain enough vicinity.
A rustle.
Samantha turns around and spots a figure from a nearby bush.
“Aran!”
Myrna yells before Samantha can react—and in a blink of an eye, something rolls on their feet.
A sharp and whirring sound then results in a cloud of smoke.
“Don’t shoot!” Gavin yells.
Charles picks up the radio. “Lima-3 got contact! Over! Lima-3 got contact!”
The smoke fades.
Sheena immediately starts counting everyone and…
“Vox is missing,” Sheena remarks.
Everyone is somewhat disrupted, as Zachariah grits his teeth with Sheena’s report.
Meanwhile, Samantha is on the ground, with Myrna covering for her. Myrna slowly gets up as Samantha widens her eyes seeing Myrna’s left arm bleeding. So much—that the flesh is out from the skin.
“Are you okay, kiddo?” Myrna asks.
Samantha wants to say something when Ed immediately spots Myrna’s situation.
“Rhodes, your arm!” Ed takes out his medical kit. “Please give me your arm.”
Myrna stammers. “T-Thank you, PFC…”
Gavin finds Royce also wounded—with his left arm having huge and deep scratches. “It’s the Thirens. We need to move! Quick!”
Samantha looks down.
Why is she not able to sense that someone is following them sooner?