PRO-LOGUE
"They say we have the Ability to choose our paths, but how come we are slaves to the outcome either good or Evil."
The world is in a state of war, which is being fought over small orbs, that enable people to some people cast magic, enhance their abilities, and summon huge mythical beasts. These orbs are called Materia, and which is the central reason why the world is fighting over them is for control. Currently the Western, Northern had surrendered to the Eastern Continent war machine caused the two other continents to surrender, and basically decided to sign a pact equally sharing the Materia, however one continent the Far West which is governed by Wutai, has decided to still stand tall against the rest of the world claiming it has the right to keep any amounts of Materia Orbs, and procure more without any limits.
A young man steps out of a Shinra transport, just out of Combat Officer Training, His name is Ian McDiarmid, he stands about 6 feet, and has blue eyes, and dirty blonde hair. He drops his ruk sack down which has his gear, and personal effects.
He looks around, and sees the base is buzzing with activity Helicopters landing with wounded from the front lines, people running by him, Ian felt a little invisible because of the activity on, but he picked up his ruk sack, and started to roam the base trying to figure out where Major Gainsborough is. He sees a group of enlisted men, playing cards around a bunch of oil barrels, he walks up to them.
"Excuse men gentleman" said Ian.
"Wait your turn, I am sure they will be plenty o time to take your money" said the Sgt.
"Excuse me, Sgt. I think you should not be playing cards, seeing that Gambling is Illegal, on Shinra bases "said Ian.
"What are you an Officer?" asked the Sgt joking said.
"Yes, I am Sgt" responded Ian.
"Well let me just get up here, and give you a salute then" said the Sgt.
The Sergeant, gets of a stool, and turns around, and realized that he looking at a 2lt, and then snaps at attention, and then the rest of the group follows.
"Sorry, sir I thought you were joking because we get a lot of people joking around" said the Sergeant.
"No problems Sergeant, make sure it does not happen again, I need to see Major Gainsborough do you know where he is?" asked Ian.
"Yes, Sir I do sir, in fact I will personally drive you there to make it up to you" said the Sergeant.
"Why, thank you Sergeant, I will also have some of your winnings also to overlook the poker game too" said Ian.
"Of, course sir" said the Sergeant.
The Sergeant hands over a small amount of Gil to Ian, then gets into the driver seat of the jeep, and starts it up, while Ian gets into the passenger side of the jeep. The jeep takes off, and within minutes the jeep arrives in front of the small command tent. He walks in, and sees a corporal on the radio, possibly taking with supply, after a few minutes he hangs up the radio.
"Can I help you sir?" asked the Corporal.
"Yes you can I have orders here, that I am assigned to this Unit, under the command of Major Gainsborough, and I was wondering is he here?" asked Ian.
"Yes, sir he is in office right, now he was informed about your arrival when your transport arrived" said the Corporal.
"Thank you, Corporal, and can I leave my bag here, while I am talking to the Major?" asked Ian.
"Sure you can, sir I do not see why you can't I will watch it for you" said the Corporal.
Ian walks up to the door, and adjusts his uniform, and then knocks on the door. After a few minutes, he hears a phone being hung up. And then a voice says "Enter". Ian opens the door, and walks up to the front of Major Gainsborough's desk, and Salutes.
"Second Lieutenant Ian McDiarmid reporting Sir" said Ian.
"Relax Lt. and welcome to the 15th ECN Forward Position" said Major Gainsborough.
"I am excited to be here, sir" said Ian.
"I am sure you are son, you will be assigned to Capt. Franklin, squad he is a good officer" said Major Gainsborough.
"Sir, I have heard that all of the officers that are in ECN's Forces, that he is a good one to learn from" said Ian.
"Yes he is, in fact I heard that while in training that you are some kind of genius at squad tactics" said Major Gainsborough.
"Yes, sir I graduated at the top of Military School, Sir" said Ian.
"You sound so modest, in your voice" said Major Gainsborough.
"Sir I hate to brag, while there is a war going on" said Ian.
"I am sure that you are just dying to get out there" said Major Gainsborough.
"Yes, sir, I would not mind, but that is up to you sir" said Ian.
"True it is, now that is over here is your tent assignment, and of course you better get you gear on, because Capt. Franklyn is leaving soon, dismissed" said Major Gainsborough.
"Yes, sir" said Ian as he Snaps a Salute, and runs out of his office.
"Corporal, I need you to have someone, take me to Captain Franklyn, and after I meet up with his squad have my personal effects, taken to my tent" said Ian.
"No probs, I knew that the Major, would do something to a new officer, so I have already sent for a jeep, don't worry your stuff is safe around here" said the Corporal.
"Thanks" said Ian.
After ten minutes the jeep pulls up to an APC, which Ian has finished sorta getting into his combat gear, and starts heading up the ramp.
"Whoa where do you think you going, son" asked a 1st Lt.
"Sir, I am the Squads new 2nd Lt." said Ian.
'Oh really let's some orders" asked the 1st Lt.
"Here they are, Sir" said Ian, as he hands them to the Lieutenant.
After a couple of minutes, the 1st Lieutenant, reads the orders, and then nods Ian through. As Ian makes his way into the APC, the 1st lieutenant yells into the APC. "Captain Franklyn the new Second Lieutenant just arrived just in time too".
"Really, that's good first time for everything eh boys" said the Captain.
Inside the APC, several small laughs could be heard, and of course the occasional smile. The APC back door ramp comes up, and for a second it is dark, but some dim lights come on, and then Ian sits in vacant seat Capt. Franklyn looks at Ian for a bit.
"I would not sit there 2nd Lt." said the Captain.
"Why not, sir?" asked. Ian.
"Because that's where 1st lieutenant Strickland sits" said the Captain.
"Oh sorry, sir" said 2nd Lt. McDiarmid as he gets up.
1st Lieutenant Strickland takes another seat closes to Captain Franklyn.
"Why are not sitting down 2nd Lt.?" asked the Captain.
"Sir I thought that seat was the 1st Lieutenants" said Ian.
"No, there is no particular seating arrangement, you see a seat you like, just take it" said. Capt Franklyn.
"Oh, you were playing a prank on me, sir" said 2nd Lt. McDiarmid
"No I was betting on how green you were with the first Lt., and he won" said Captain Franklyn as he hands some Gil to 1st Lt. Strickland.
"Alright ladies, we are heading to the hottest favorite vacation spot; the Bakura Canyons here on the Wutai front lines, it does have the nicest inhospitable natives, which do use Materia, which we are all fighting for control over" said Captain Franklyn, as he takes a deep breath.
"Sir, what are the plan, and are we getting any air cover?" asked 2nd Lt. McDiarmid.
"Boy you like to get to the point" said one of the Enlisted men.
"Pipe down everyone, to answer your question No, next time let me talk before you shoot your mouth off" Captain Franklyn. He pauses again.
"Alright, the plan is to take the Bakura Canyons, as they lead right into Wutai, in fact if we can capture this Canyon the war is basically over, but watch it they will not give it up as easily" said Captain Franklyn, as he looks around.
"Command will not risk an air strike, and cause a cave in, we need this a bad as they need it, our job is punch a hole, through this line" said Capt. Franklyn.
"Sir, how will proceed" asked 2nd Lt. McDiarmid.
"Simple, son we will break the squad up into three Teams, I will head Delta Team, 1st Lt. Strickland will take Romeo Team, and you will take Tango Team. Which your team will be responsible for providing cover, then make your way into the caves, and route out those dam Materia Ninja's" said Capt. Franklyn.
After a couple of hours, of traveling, the APC reaches its destination, at the start of the canyon. The back doors open, and the squad files out, behind the APC.
"Alright Apes, you want to live for ever?" screamed Capt. Franklyn.
Just then several bolt one attacks almost hit's a soldiers, and moments later, an arrow comes zipping by almost hitting another.
"Snipers, Tango team provide cover, Romeo, and Delta let's start running towards those caves" Yelled Captain Franklyn.
Just as the Delta and Romeo Teams start running towards a cave, Ian Notices several snipers on the ridge, and letting go another bolt attack, which hits the ground causing it to send two soldiers onto the ground wounded.
"Shit, there going to get slaughtered" said 2nd Lt. McDiarmid.
"You two grab the man, and link up with Romeo and Delta" said 2nd Lt. McDiarmid
"Yes, sir but we will get hit, if try to go for them" said one of the soldiers.
"Don't worry about that, soldier just get ready to run, and grab them" said 2nd Lt. McDiarmid.
"I hope you now what are you doing, sir" said the soldier.
Ian grabs one of his Smoke Grenades, and pulled the pin, and throws it which starts to smoke the area, and mask the injured men.
"NOW GO FOR IT, AND START SHOOTING AT THE NINJA'S WHILE YOU GOING FOR THEM" yelled 2nd Lt. McDiarmid
"What the hell is he doing, he supposed to provide cover for us, we could have rescued them" said 1st Lt. Strickland.
"But in the process he gave us two more men by shortening his team, so we would be at full strength" said Capt. Franklyn.
While the two soldiers are moving through the smoke, they ring out shots of from there, M16A's at the cliff tops, then Ian's team fires a couple of bursts, at the cliffs to in different directions, confusing them, the two soldiers get the injured men to the cave opening with the other two teams.
"Now make a break for that cave" ordered 2nd Lt. McDiarmid.
"Sir that cave is not with the rest of the group" said a Corporal.
"I know, but we don't have much time before the smoke clears, we should be fine" said 2nd Lt. McDiarmid.
"Alright you are the new boss" said the Corporal.
After a few hours, the Bakura canyons have been secured by the ECN Forces, within a couple of months Wutai finally fell. But at a High Cost, Major Gainsborough was killed in the line of duty, when the base was attacked when a small group of ninjas prior to the signing of the Surrender. His lost was felt by everyone under his command.