I was inspired/influenced by the novel "All Quiet on the Western Front," so if there are some scenes that seem similar, that's why. Anyways, my first fanfic that I've completed fully, I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 1: Edward Sarge
My name is Edward Sarge. I am 22 years old. I am a Ghent soldier. I did not volunteer to be a soldier, I was merely forced to. Over the years I've been here, I've met several people that became my friends. Thomas (Tom) Friesly, the soldier who could make a bleak situation into a grand event. Jones O'Reilly, the joker who lifts people's spirits, and can still hold his own in battle. John Terres, the knowledgeable man who you can learn from, for what he knows saves people daily. And Bobby Westheld, one of the nicest people you would ever meet, and one with many stories throughout his life. They were all forced here too. It's not like it's too bad. We have become friends by being here, and we never have too many casualties. We always joke and play, yet on the frontline we kill efficiently. The Kartels are dangerous people though, and while we do not have too many casualties, we still have casualties. It's silly for me to think that we would be invincible and emerge victorious. The new recruits make mistakes and they die because of such. There is no mercy from the Kartels. It is queer though, for I was once a recruit and seeing them reminds me of my younger self. Oh how lucky I was to have survive to where I am now. That's mostly how it is when you're a recruit, you must be lucky. The things they teach you will not help as much as being on the field. You could learn all you want, but until you have experienced being in the war, you are still clueless. And many recruits die from this, all the which that makes me think of my own past.