Song Before Battle
[Edited]
The battle would be officially commence in just moments. For now however, hope and merriment rushed through the crowd, the last silver lining spreading over the thin clouds above.
Rows and rows of soldiers, everyone who managed to get past a year of intense military training was there. The faces of dozens, no hundreds of young men and a set few females that had passed the requirements for this war. Such colonies of warriors were everywhere, young and old, waiting or fighting, depending on where they were located.
Manfredi and Johnson, Kowalski, Rico and Private. Those were the soldiers closest to him, his most trusted allies. Yet, all of the soldiers fought for one cause. World freedom. Skipper looked from them, up to the stage. Even as a skilled commander, his hands were trembling, he was trembling. Fear etched his face, before vanishing with the concerns of his fellow men.
"I guess this is it, Skipper," Manfredi murmured," we are going to a battle, where many will die, so many precious lives, so many innocent people, animals, plants." He sighed and shook his head. Skipper looked at him nodding his head.
"Soldiers, before you all leave for battle I present a group of singers that will give you courage!" General Kent exclaimed in a clear, loud voice as the crowds faced the general. A group of singers came up to the stage. Skippers eyes locked onto one of them. A fairly short woman, with medium length, chocolate brown hair stepped onto the stage. Her hazel eyes were full of sadness, but pride clearly shone in them. Pride for the soldiers here, Skipper could only hope. She gave a sad smile and started singing,
"You're a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up and dust yourself off
And back in the saddle
You're on the front line
Everyone's watching
You know it's serious, we're getting closer
This isn't over
The pressure's on
You feel it
But you've got it all
Believe it," the woman's voice was so warm and hopeful that it had all of the soldiers cheering, either silently out loud. As she continued singing, there really was no need to say anything, or worry about anything. Not yet, anyway. Skipper briefly closed his eyes, only, it might not have been so brief, for by the time he had opened them, the last line drifted from her lips to his ears.
We're all Africa" she sang with a voice so soft yet full of energy, filling Skipper with faith in the men and women he would be fighting alongside. A powerful emotion welled up in his chest, as he lay his gaze on her. 'She has a great voice...' he had to admit, even if perhaps his praise had always been reserved for only his closest team mates. To this woman, he could admit it.
"Good luck and may you win this for the country, for the whole world, make us proud!" she exclaimed as the background tune died down too, eliciting a cheer from her audience row after row began clapping.
'I'm gonna fight, for the world and for you,' Skipper thought, looking at the beautiful brunette. Safe to say he was smitten, and Kowalski seemed to acknowledge it with a knowing smile. The shorter male gave his tall friend a stern look, clearly denying all emotion. It was a pity, to conceal one's heart, but in war, it was better to be safe than sorry. With another singer walking up on stage, their shoes clicking against the wooden planks, another song commenced. Skipper paid no heed to the song, his mind now elsewhere.
Private looked at his leader, pain in his eyes. "Skipper?" Private asked, looking up to him.
"What is it?" Skipper raised an eyebrow, his voice soft and laced with concern for his younger team mate.
"Are you scared?" Private inquired of him.
"Yes. And I can imagine everyone else is," Skipper reassured him, though his voice was detached lest he breaks down in terror. He was a leader, he could not be weak, not around his men. Not when war was at the door. "But we have no choice. Hans wants a battle, so let us bring the fight to him," Skipper exclaimed, challenging the enemy even from this distance. His friends seemed to leap to their feet, with Private's eyes widening in shock. Perhaps the enthusiasm was a bit too much...?
Though once he turned away, the man swallowed thickly, no longer so certain. This wasn't going to be easy. The enemy already occupied most of Europe and unlike in the second world war, the enemy had somehow managed to occupy America too. The moment bombs dropped over the expanse of the continent, everyone began fleeing, everyone started panicking. Yet, why would they not defend themselves? Why had no one fought? War was to start in an hour, the battle would end up killing off nearly all of them. It was just how these events ended. No cheers, no laughter, not for another few years until someone from the future would see that world under a different, naively heroic life. Still, he was determined to save the world, to win, to survive. What choice was there, if he wished for the men and women he was closest with to see another dawn? Skipper vowed to himself, that he would not fall down on the battlefield, but if he did die? Doubt flickered over his mind. Will he ever see that beautiful brunette? Will Private survive? Will Kowalski, Rico, Manfredi and Johnson survive? Or will he regret fighting against the tyrant known as Hans?
Oof. I had just read that all. And OOF. That needed fixing. So, guess who may have no bitten off more than they can chew trying to fix this and write up another chapter for Shadow? That's right, this moron here. Anyhow, I hope you find this version a little less cringe-worthy to read and if you could, a review would be much appreciated.