Cheng Jinhai arranges beads to a string, and each of them varies in color. Jinhai handpicks an orange one and slides it to the nylon in maximal precision. A flashlight is on the side, but the direction is towards the wall, as there is still someone asleep from the other bed adjacent to his direction. Silent with his small activity in crossed legs, a slight quake from the upper bunk startles him.
He stops for a moment and there is a thud on the floor. Someone has jumped from the upper bunk and Jinhai resumes his activity again.
“You’re gonna injure yourself, sarge,” Jinhai says. The sergeant in question is a guy with average height and blonde hair, blinking and stretching like an old man.
He is Sergeant Judd Klovern, Fornax Squad’s leader.
Judd scratches the itch on his body, trying to warm up his morning.
“You’re up early, Cheng,” he says, proceeding to the bathroom. Jinhai just hums as response and goes on completing the bracelet.
Orange. Red. White. Black. Then reverse.
Only few beads left and not too soon, Jinhai ties the knot in the end. He closes his small toolkit and places it under the bunk bed. A click and the flashlight is off, Jinhai leaves his bed to his locker. His uniform hangs near the lockers and so he inserts two bracelets into the breast pocket.
“Wake up, Charles Tausend!”
Myrna winces while washing her face. Sheena is already stressed early in the morning, and Myrna can only imagine how much trouble their corporal deals with their sergeant. However, it is not up to her to judge.
Someone knocks on the door. Myrna speeds up the washing and opens it. Samantha stands in front of the door while carrying her towel and clothes.
“Oh, you gonna take a bath?” Myrna asks.
Samantha nods.
“Okay, just a bit,” Myrna says and grabs her towel. She steps out and Samantha enters next.
As Myrna returns to her bunk bed, she notices that Charles is already up.
“We need to be early today for PT, Charles,” Sheena says.
Charles yawns. “Sorry, sarge. I only got good sleep today…”
Sheena somewhat is taken aback.
“Just go to bed early tonight. I know they can be slave masters even during weekends, and for the record, I’m part of that machination. I’m sure they’re gonna drive us crazy for the near deployment again,” Sheena says.
Charles slaps his cheeks. “I understand, sarge.” He yawns again. “Is there someone in the bathroom?”
“Yes, Aran is there,” Sheena answers.
Charles gets up and pulls something under the bed. A bag and starts scouring something. Myrna then minds her own business again and places the towel on the metal railing on her bed.
This is going to be her life in the upcoming three years of her contract duration.
To gain a place in the military, one must prove themselves to have enough strength and skill to help with operations. Carrying comrades when fallen or running with artillery to provide support. But in the current state of the world, soldiers are also forced to adapt to the problem they are facing.
And that is the nature of Hollows.
“Attention!”
The soldiers form their feet at a 45 degree angle, backs arch, and arms in each side. Gunnery Sergeant Denrich leads the morning drills once again, and Samantha cannot help but feel uneasy.
Stoic face. Rested brows but roaming eyes. Samantha flinches a little when the Gunnery looks at her.
Samantha tries to focus her sight straight. She has been told and trained with basic drills before getting enlisted, but then, becoming a real part of the military still feels all different. There are things she need to learn, and she has to be smart about it.
As she keeps her concentration, she notices that Gunnery Denrich is staring at her again.
And not just a simple stare—but his eyes flare with revulsion.
Almost reminding her of her teacher.
Gunnery Denrich turns away from them, looking at the flag in front of them. Two soldiers are at each side of the pole, as the gunnery issues another command.
“Hand, salute!”
The soldiers move their hands in unison as the ceremony begins. Eridu’s Path to Tomorrow is played, as everyone keeps their respect to the flag being raised.
As Samantha glances at the flag, it remains a wonder to her why she is even here.
After the flag ceremony and morning drills, platoons are sent back to their companies to continue their training. Red Sparrow Platoon currently hosts the firing range, with Sergeant Sheena Macandro overseeing their training. The staff sergeants are not around because of company meeting, and they are tasked with finishing rounds as commanded.
With different arms on each soldier’s table, Sheena eyes closely where Samantha is. She can see how Samantha’s grip on the rifle is concentrated firmly, but not too tight to get all the pressure in one place. Skill appears to be ingrained in her—something Sheena has expected—yet it seems a speck from what the young soldier can offer.
As gunshots press on, she notices Samantha stopping abruptly.
Ivan, who is right beside her, leans a bit to Samantha.
“You okay, Aran?” Ivan asks.
Samantha shows no expression upon her face but then aims the cardboard again—only to miss the shots completely.
Private Yosef Castaneda of Lupus Squad, who is on her other side, chuckles.
“You keep missing the target, Aran,” Yosef notes, “you sure you’re okay?”
Samantha feels her neck is hot.
“What’s with all the chitchat?” Sheena approaches them.
“Err, sarge! I mean, Private Aran looks like she doesn’t want to hurt anyone,” Yosef says. “Her cardboard is almost clear of holes.”
Sheena confirms it is true. Samantha appears to bite her lower lip.
“You look frustrated, Private Aran,” Sheena remarks. Myrna overhears it and she cannot help but look where Samantha is. The others seem to notice it yet varying from just a normal occurrence to invested interest in the situation.
Samantha avoids eye contact. “I…”
“Too bad for you because this exercise won’t be over until—” Sheena looks at her wristwatch, “—1100. Stop senseless murmurings, keep going!”
“Aye, sarge!”
More gunshots are heard.
Samantha concentrates for another time—only on missing the target again. Yosef blinks.
“Trigger finger.”
Nothing makes sense.
Samantha is quietly eating her meal, deep in ponder why she keeps missing the target this morning. She is supposed to work under pressure, especially when a situation is dire with low chance of survival, yet this morning is benign to cause this rustic performance from her. She is a sniper for goodness’ sake, and shame cannot leave her small system.
However, she is not without perfection. She knows she has failed many times before. And she dislikes it whenever this happens.
Her hands mindlessly scoop some rice into her mouth, failing to also realize that Charles and Myrna are looking at her.
“Trigger finger.”
Samantha jolts and finally looks at Charles who is merely beside her.
Charles chuckles. “You’re a quiet kid. You should be called ‘Quiet’ but I guess Yosef already birthed you a nickname.”
Samantha looks away and goes on with her meal.
“Isn’t trigger finger an abnormal condition with the tendon?” Myrna asks.
“Yeah. Wait, that’s a random fact, Myrna,” Charles says.
“Sorry, I just got reminded of that…”
“I’m gonna invade this space!” Alisa says and joins them on the table. She sits across from the Corax Squad members. “Eh? Is Sergeant Macandro called, too?”
“Mhmm, nothing new about it,” Charles says. “Also, why you’re here? You’re annoyed again with the boys?”
Alisa grimaces. “I don’t know with them. They like messing with me. I just only want to eat in peace.” She smiles at Myrna and Samantha. “But now, at least I have new sisters in the platoon!”
Charles chuckles. “Well, don’t you want to talk with Vox?”
“Vox is serious!”
“Who is serious?”
Charity Vox also joins them on the table, sitting beside Myrna.
“N-No one…” Alisa defends.
Charity prays first before starting her meal.
“Hey, Rhodes,” Charity speaks again, “let’s train later.”
Myrna nods. “Sure, PFC.”
“Waah?! Myrna already got a partner?!” Alisa exclaims. “My dream of having a best friend in the military is shattered!”
“George is kinda fine, though?” Charles says, suggesting.
“No, I want a sister,” Alisa insists.
“Well, I was inviting you to train with me before, you keep declining me,” Charity says, “and now you’re complaining.”
“Maybe if you didn’t throw me on the ground the first time we met, I won’t be afraid of you,” Alisa says.
“Scaredy cat,” Charity says.
“Amazon…” Alisa counters, but in a low tone.
Charity stares at her. “For a junior, you’re excellent at respecting seniors.”
“What, that’s what they call you, right?” Alisa replies.
“You also know how to test my limits,” Charity says.
“…That’s quite a history…” Myrna remarks on the side.
“Speaking of training,” Charles meddles in, “Alisa, you don’t you have any training later?”
“Just few more tasks, Corporal,” Alisa answers.
“That’s great then, I’ll be training Sammy later at the firing range,” Charles says.
Alis frowns. “Sammy?”
Charles points at her seatmate. “Samantha.”
“Ah.” Alisa forks a meat. “Yeah, I wanna join, Corporal. I want to train my firing more, too.”
“At 1600,” Charles adds.
Alisa nods. “I’m free that time.”
“Supposedly we need to enjoy Saturdays but well, they are planning deployment again, obviously,” Charles says. “Ha, I wish they leave us some breathing time.”
“I heard it might be next week, full on company this time,” Charity says. “And I also heard there were problems about some other groups pestering the cleanup operation.”
“Yeah, I guess I should not be surprised about it, considering Faunus Quarter is still a heated area,” Charles vents out. “For the record, this is gonna be my third deployment for Hadrian Hollow. I know this was also your first major operation, right, Alisa?”
Alisa nods. “Yes, Corporal.”
“I still believed this should have been over for two or three months, but that’s only the ideal not the reality. Hadrian Hollow was stable enough to shrink it in few months,” Charity adds. “Perhaps that’s also the reason why your big squad remained listed when it’s supposed to get dissolved.”
Myrna merely listens and tries to understand certain implications. Squads are usually changed every time for one or multitude of reasons. Losing comrades, however, is the most common denominator.
Something they all sign up for.
“Anyways, what happened again this morning, Sammy?” Charles asks. Samantha remains silent while eating her meal. “You know, answering a superior all the time is something I don’t exactly believe before, but giving even a thoughtless answer is better than getting disciplined, Sam.”
Samantha slows down in munching. There is a little tension in the air while Charles waits for a response.
“I…didn’t do well…” Samantha says, yet her voice is weak. “I…failed the training exercise…”
“Yes, I see it. But you are someone who passed a specialized test and passing that isn’t even easy for people like us. However, I believe someone like you isn’t exactly immune to some troubles. I believe then that was the case?” Charles says.
Samantha is surprised. And nods.
“What troubled you then why you performed badly today?” Charles asks.
Samantha clutches her spoon and fork, lowering her head furthermore. Everyone at the table stares at her.
“I…” Samantha cannot find the right words. “…just keep wondering if someone like me belongs here… Soldiers should not think like this, but…I don’t think I can be the soldier you wanted. Sergeant Macandro told me she wanted to see my skills today, but I failed her…”
Charity slows down her chewing. Alisa cannot help but sympathize with her.
“I genuinely think you should not be here in the first place,” Charles says. Samantha looks at him with wide eyes, and it seems to validate her assumptions of not being belong with them. “But it doesn’t mean I don’t like you as a person, those are two separate things.”
Samantha’s chest suddenly tightens, and she does not know why. All she can see right now is a blurry image, when the tension in her body gets upwards to her head.
“Oh no! Corporal made Samantha cry!” Alisa says.
Cry?
Samantha touches her cheeks, and it is wet.
“I just tried to be honest with her,” Charles says. “It’s better we’re clear about how we see each other instead of keeping things inside our heads, that’s gonna cause more problems in the future.”
“I agree,” Charity affirms.
“But well… I don’t know what life you had before, Sammy. I reckon though it isn’t any easier,” Charles adds. “But I just only wanna tell you that, we’re also called lowlifes in a daily basis just to break our old personalities to become the soldiers they wanted. I understand what you feel, and I won’t invalidate your frustrations. However, since you’re also now part of us, we’re responsible to teach you about rules and customs that will help you adapt the life here.”
Samantha wipes her tears.
“Yes, Corporal…”
“Haha, well, I prefer being called as big brother… Anyways, let things begin with having mutual respect for another, including answering questions when you’re being asked. But of course, it will depend on some situations. Can you understand what I’m saying, Private Aran?”
“Yes, Corporal…”
“Good. Please don’t take it as something that we want to shame you, no. We’re also in this situation that we don’t expect in the slightest. This isn’t your fault.”
“I’m sorry again, Corporal…”
A sudden but strong pat rustles Samantha’s hair.
“No, you’re good,” Charles says. “Myrna told me you are responsible enough to handle some tasks. You’re adjusting just yet, so don’t blame yourself. That’s why we’re also here with you, your squadmates. We’ll carry each other up, okay?”
A bubbling of emotion emerges inside Samantha’s heart. It is incomprehensible, but she feels that something about her is finally seen.
The heat from the sun is not too violent during the late afternoon hours. Charles stands behind his two trainees with his eyes focused on the cardboards.
And the number of holes is identical.
Charles claps twice. “Your accuracy improved, Alisa. Last time, it’s still pretty scattered.”
“Corporal Allard told me something along the lines of not thinking about anything but shooting, since I keep missing targets from the last two missions,” Alisa says.
“Ohh, then are you getting used in shooting bodies?”
Alisa grimaces. “I still get jitters about it.”
“That’s good,” Charles affirms, “don’t forget that feeling.”
Samantha reloads her rifle.
“I think you did enough for today, Sammy,” Charles says while staring at the cardboard, “you certainly did better than this morning.”
Samantha becomes still with the praise.
Charles chuckles.
“Let’s go buy some food,” Charles says. “My treat.”
Alisa grins. “For one thing, you’re my best senior in the platoon.”
“Wow, are you switching sides, Alisa?” Charles remarks. “Should I call you Switch now?”
Alisa grimaces. “Not funny, Corporal.” She turns to the unresponsive Samantha. “Let’s go. Tell everything you want to that senior of yours,” Alisa says with a wink in the end.
Samantha only stares at her.
Commissary is a term that Samantha learns today, which is basically a grocery store inside a military base. It is just the same as on the outside, and Samantha gets a feeling of familiarity even for this time.
They are looking over the shelves when Alisa grabs an oat bar.
“I’ve been craving this lately, I’ll have this one, Corporal,” Alisa says.
Charles gets a condiment, inspecting it, before looking back at Alisa.
“Sure, just get whatever you want but don’t make me poor after this,” Charles says. “Mhmm… Sukiyaki…” He contemplates a bit. “Sam, can you handle spicy food?”
“Not…much,” Samantha answers.
Charles frowns. “Eh? Why? Spicy is delicious.”
“Here, Corporal,” Alisa puts the oat bars and some sweets to the basket.
Charles checks the basket. “I think everything here is yours, Alisa and I don’t see anything from you, Sammy. Don’t be shy.”
Samantha clenches her fists while looking at the shelves. She spots something and runs at the alley, then returns with a red bean bun on hand.
“Oh, so you’re a sweet tooth,” Charles notes and chuckles. “Are you sure that’s all?”
Samantha nods.
“Alright then. It’s just kinda funny, there’s some stereotype of snipers liking red bean bun,” Charles remarks.
“Is it bad?” Samantha asks.
Charles blinks. “No. Food preference is hardly something to question. I just remembered a show I loved when I was a kid.”
“Is it the Silver-Haired Samurai?” Alisa asks.
“Yep.”
Alisa smirks. “Now I know where your humor came from.”
“Haha, oh well.”
Time seems to be moving too fast, as the sky is already dark. It is Samantha’s fourth day in the force, and in just three days alone, she learns the majority in her platoon. While Charles’ remark is still stirring some uneasiness in her mind, it also brings a strange serenity to her mind. It is a new environment, and like what she has felt on the first day, the adjustment is not still fully conformed in her system.
And a part of her mind keeps refusing to assimilate yet.
Red Sparrow Platoon is called to the mess hall, and Samantha finds a larger crowd around. They go towards a specific table catering to their platoon, only to see Lupus Squad being the only ones present yet.
“Oh hey, isn’t this Trigger finger?” Yosef calls and spots the guy from Lupus Squad across from her. The blue-haired private of Lupus waves his hand even, just to get their attention.
Charles chuckles. “Come on, you’re scaring her, Hammertoe.”
Yosef shrieks. “Corporal Tausend… Please…”
Charity, who is beside Yosef, just crosses her arms. “That’s what you get from what you ask, Private Castaneda.”
“Don’t bully our private, Charity,” Ed says.
“What if I’ll beat you tomorrow on the mud?” Charity retorts.
“Don’t start now…” Ziggs meddles quickly.
Samantha sits down quietly. Myrna and Charles are on each side again as usual, as they keep talking with their teammates. Yosef is busy talking with a gray-haired person, and if Samantha recalls, his name is Royce Gisbert, who is a fellow private as well. Charity, Ed and Ziggs are often seen together, when she realizes that their corporal, sergeant, and staff sergeant are not around.
For the record, Sheena is not with them either.
“Corporal, is this like a platoon dinner or something?” Myrna asks.
Charles looks at her. “Yep. We have dinner like this during weekends if budget permits it. It doesn’t happen too often, but it’s like a way to keep everyone’s spirits up. We also introduce the new assigned soldiers in teams during these occasions.”
Myrna is awed. “Oh, I see…”
“Don’t forget to give the first salute when he called you later, alright? Myrna, Sammy?” Charles adds.
Sheena arrives and taps Charles on the back. “Charles, Lieutenant Mace is looking for you.”
Charles frowns. “Oh, alright.”
Samantha watches Charles and Sheena leaving their side and going to the far side of the hall. They appear to be talking with some officers, but Samantha fails to see anything because of the crowd.
“Oh, glad to see you’re here already,” Nigel remarks, and the Lyre Squad has arrived, minus the squad leader. Alisa rushes towards Myrna, hugging her to the side.
Myrna is surprised but happy with the gesture. Alisa then turns to Samantha, also hugging her a bit.
“Corporal, I think Lieutenant Mace would call for you. Corporal Hoover and Tausend are already there,” Ziggs informs.
“Ah, alright then. Thank you Efflstein,” Nigel says then also leaves.
“Ohoho, we’re feasting tonight!” Ivan exclaims before taking a seat. “Wow, Four-nax isn’t around yet.”
“They’ve been here, but LT called all of them earlier, too,” Charity says.
“Ah, I see. Not surprising since they are the ones closely working more with Sir Mace,” Ivan says.
“I think this is gonna be the first time that Rhodes and Aran would meet the LT and our senior NCO,” George says. “They aren’t able to join the drills earlier in the morning. I just assure you though, our LT is awesome.”
“Sergeant Dane told me our lieutenant is a former NCO, too, right?” Myrna asks.
George nods with such approval. “That’s what makes him really cool.”
“Oh?! The cute baby is here!”
Samantha becomes curious about the sudden pitch voice when someone is almost hugging her—as she puts her arms on guard. It is Private First Class Elly Morgan, the orange-haired of Fornax Squad, along with the rest of her teammates.
“Elly, it’s impolite to just suddenly hug someone without their consent,” Cheng Jinhai reminds his teammate.
“Aww, Jinhai! Corax’s baby is just too cute for me to resist!” Elly shifts back again to Samantha. “Please, can I get a hug?”
Samantha is frozen.
Myrna cuts in. “PFC Morgan! How are ya!”
“Oh hey, Rhodes! I heard from Sergeant Combs that you’re really good at combat. Let’s spar sometimes?” Elly asks.
Alisa grimaces. “Why it seems every lady here in Red Sparrow are meatheads?”
“I’ll say that to Sergeant Maylene.”
Alisa widens her eyes and finds Sergeant Judd Klovern picking a seat near her. “Please don’t tip me to my squad leader!”
Judd laughs. “I’m just joking.” He then stares at his red-haired corporal, Corporal Conleth Ewing, talking with Jinhai. “I believe there’s some truth to it.”
“Hey, Sergeant Judd,” Ivan greets, moving a seat beside him. “My best man. Did Sir Mace bring some souvenirs?”
“Oh, that I don’t know, haha.”
The Red Sparrow Platoon table becomes lively, with each of their own interactions. Samantha has been part of a crowded group, but not as extensive as this. Red Sparrow Platoon consists of four squads—Corax, Fornax, Lyre and Lupus. It is still smaller compared to others, yet each member has their own expertise in making a versatile team. Lupus has the largest number, having eight soldiers. Next is both Corax and Lyre with five soldiers each, and the smallest being Fornax with their four core members. Then there is the lieutenant as the platoon leader, another is the platoon sergeant, and a medic—completing it with 25 members.
But like in Fenrir, Samantha only goes in her quiet headspace.
“Aran.”
Samantha’s spacing out is interrupted. Entertaining it, Jinhai is staring at her and then crouches to her level.
“Can you open your palm?” Jinhai asks. Samantha hesitates but then does so. He places something on her palm.
A bracelet.
Samantha returns her sight to him.
“That’s my welcome gift for you. I hope you can take care of it,” Jinhai says.
Samantha receives a gift.
“I…will,” Samantha says. “Thank you…PFC Cheng Jinhai…”
Jinhai gives a smile before going elsewhere. She follows him until he sits beside his sergeant, and stares again at the bracelet. It has orange, red, white, and black beads. She wears it to her left wrist then circles it around.
While playing it a bit, a tap on her back causes her to break her trance.
Everyone already stands. Samantha awkwardly follows.
A tall blonde man stands in front of them, alongside with Staff Sergeant Dane, Sheena, Nigel, Charles and a couple of unfamiliar faces. The tall blonde has strong stature and thick eyebrows, with his blue eyes clear of malice.
“Greetings, Lieutenant Mace!” Everyone greets, except for Myrna and Samantha.
The blond man, First Lieutenant Stewart Mace, gestures everyone to sit down. His stoic face is quite intimidating, and Samantha can tell her nerves are on the work again.
But not as bad as Gunnery Sergeant Denrich, but similar with the meeting with Major Gaston Ludwig.
Lieutenant Mace suddenly moves his eyes towards the new recruits of Corax Squad.
“Rise, new privates of Corax Squad,” he commands.
Myrna almost stumbles when she stands from her seat. Sheena gestures the two to hurry up, as they oblige to follow fast. Myrna raises her right hand to salute, and Samantha does the same.
Lieutenant Mace returns the salute.
“Private Myrna Rhodes of Corax Squad, sir!” Myrna says.
“P-Private Samantha Aran of Corax Squad, sir!” Samantha seconds—her voice almost cracking.
“Face the crowd,” Lieutenant Mace orders and they do so. Samantha becomes heightened by seeing everyone looking at them.
“Remember the face of your comrades, privates,” Lieutenant Mace says, “and these are the new soldiers of our platoon that you must look out for. Answer me!”
“Yes, sir!”
It is the first time Samantha shouts out loud, yet her voice is drowned from the rest. While those words from their lieutenant are simple, Samantha wants to reciprocate it.
For better. Or for something worse.
Back in their dorms.
Charles has been staring at the pin for quite some time now—a four-pointed star with an emerald in the middle. He stands near the table—when Sheena purposedly bumps to his back, effectively conveying that he blocks her part to the bunk bed.
“Oh sorry,” Charles says.
Sheena stares at him with narrow eyes. “Nah, you’ve been staring on LT’s souvenir nonstop. You might even sleep with that beside you.”
“It’s rare to get something from LT,” Charles says, grinning. “He’s really cool.”
“You know what’s cooler?” Sheena puts a hand on her hip. “If you finally accept the promotion. That’s what the badge is saying! You’re actually weird for not working on your promotion. Who wants to stay as corporal for more than three years!”
Charles shrugs. “If there are unicorns, I guess I can be different, too.”
“Aren’t you complaining about your pay grade?” Sheena asks.
“I do but—”
“Then please work on your responsibilities.”
Meanwhile, Myrna is fixing her bed. She pats her pillow and places it down, then submerges towards it. She raises her left arm, focusing on the bracelet she has received from Jinhai earlier.
“Oh hey, you got your bracelet!” Charles remarks.
“Yeah, PFC Cheng gave it to me earlier. I know he also gave one to Aran,” Myrna says.
Charles appears happy. “Yeah, he always do that. I know it’s something customary within his family. He just told me about that quite randomly.” Charles tiptoes to look at the upper bunk, only to spot a sleeping Samantha already. “Ow man, the kid is already down. I guess this day has been exhausting for her. I realize how we’re noisy earlier, good thing she didn’t budge.”
“Yeah, she sleeps deeply,” Myrna says. “For a small body like hers, she seems to be carrying a lot…”
Sheena sits on the spare chair. “I am still not sure how to integrate her in our team. It feels like a whiplash. Ah really, I can’t believe there will be a literal child in my career here.”
Charles leans over the railing. “Sadly, we don’t have a choice but to deal with it. But I’m getting a hang of her, let me handle it, sarge.”
Sheena smiles suspiciously. “Oh really, just to avoid promotion?”
“I’m being a nice guy here,” Charles says.
Myrna gets up and crosses her legs. “Speaking of, sarge, can I ask something?”
“Yes?”
“How do we get promoted here?”
Sheena crosses her arms. “Well, depends on performance points, but from private to private first class, at least a minimum of six months to a year. It can happen way earlier, which again depends on performance. Then to become a corporal,” Sheena pauses for a second, “at least 24 months in service.”
Myrna grins. “Hehe, corporal.”
Sheena eyes Charles. “To become a sergeant, 36 months in minimum of service. It will all be grade-based, but some idiots who are clearly capable don’t want better pay grade for some reason.”
Charles clears his throat.
“But of course, if one planned to stay in the force for too long without getting killed in the Hollow or by other circumstances, they can apply to become a warrant officer, like the case with our squad leader. Which to be fair, he’s kinda delayed for it, too,” Sheena adds. “There are some exceptions, but that’s the standard.”
“My classmates told me it’s gonna be faster when one is often deployed,” Myrna says.
“Eh, it depends. But yeah, there’s surprise promotions, too.”
With their conversation going on, Sheena glances at Samantha. No one knows what the future will be, and things can be shrouded in mystery.
“Well, good night, everyone.” Sheena goes to turn off the lights.