Chapter 2- new comrades...new enemies?
Aika and Vyse stood on the outskirts of Randgriz city, close to them many blue, red and white tanks were rolling along down a road leading into the city, following close behind them were dozens of soldiers, dressed in blue, red and white uniforms.
Vyse looked over at Aika, "Guess we know the national colors of this country." joked Vyse, Aika chuckled nervously.
"Vyse, this looks pretty serious. I don't think I've ever seen this much military activity in any of the previous lands we've visited." said Aika.
"Hey you two!!" shouted a loud, commanding voice. Aika grabbed a hold of Vyses' arm as she jumped in surprise and both of them turned and saw a very large, stern looking man, dressed in the military uniform of Gallia walking towards them. He was so big that Vyse and Aika had to crank their heads up just to see his face.
This large man had brown hair, along with a blue and golden eye patch covering his left eye, he had his hands placed on his hips in a displeased manner. "Why aren't you two in uniform, incase you hadn't heard there's a war on!!." said the military officer.
Aika squeezed Vyses arm even more tightly in fear, Vyse winced in pain. "I'm sorry sir, but we are not from this country. We're just visitors" said Vyse, the large officer removed his hands from his hips.
"Oh, I apologize, I guess you do not know the customs and laws of our country then." said the officer, he then stood up straight and saluted both Aika and Vyse "I am Drill instructor Rodriguez, and it is currently my duty to train, as well as round up any able-bodied Gallians to fight against the invading empire."
"Round up?." asked Aika.
Rodriguez nodded, "Yes, you see in Gallia we are a very small country, who to this day holds a very firm standing of Neutrality. We belong neither to the Empire to the east, or the federation to the west. That being said, one of Gallias national laws states that all citizens, male or female are eligible to be drafted into military service in a time of war." said Instructor Rodriguez
Rodriguez could see Aikas' eyes spinning in circles at all the new information she was taking in about the new country she and Vyse were in. "I think I've explained enough for now, also used up precious recruitment and training time. So I will say good day." said Rodriguez, he then saluted Aika and Vyse once more and started to walk away, but turned around once more.
"And I'm am sorry to the both of you, Gallia is normally a very peaceful place. It's such a shame you had to visit during a time of war." said Rodriguez.
A military jeep then pulled up beside Instructor Rodriguez, "Sir, refugees are making their way here from Bruhl, that town has fallen to the Empire's armies." said the solider in the passenger seat.
Rodriguez looked down at the ground and cursed, "But I do have a bit of good news sir, one brave Bruhl citizen managed to take out over a dozen Imperial soldiers and destroyed an enemy tank, all while helping many of Bruhls citizens evacuate...he's a hero sir."
"Is that so...this early into the war and we already have a hero on our side." said Rodriguez, "Normally I don't like heros or show boating, but in this case it brings a smile to this old face."
Just then everyone could hear a low rumbling, slowly growing louder as everyone looked to the south and saw a large Gallian tank approaching the city, a large convoy of trucks carrying many of Bruhls refugees followed close behind the tank.
Vyse and Aika watch the tank approach and saw a girl in a blue and white outfit, wearing a red and white scarf on top of her head sitting on top of the tanks turret, talking to a young man in a brown coat and wearing a white shirt, wearing a headset as well.
Both of the young man and girl stopped talking just long enough to look down and see Aika and Vyse standing on the side of the road, staring at them in awe. The girl smiled and waved, the young man did as well, the tank then rolled passed them and into the city.
"I wonder where their uniforms were?." asked Aika.
"My guess is that that boy is Bruhls young hero, And the draft has only just begun so I think he and many of Bruhls citizens are heading to the military base to join the militia." said Rodriguez "Well I am off now, I need to report back to base, seems I will soon have alot of new recruits to whip into shape", Drill Instructor Rodriguez then hopped into the back of the jeep, which soon drove off into the city.
Vyse looked over at Aika and raised an eyebrow, Aika's eyes grew wide open and she immediately shook her head. "Oh no...no no no, never, no way!!" said Aika, Vyse just grinned and headed off towards the city gates.
Aika put her hand against her forehead and sighed, "Oh man, I knew he was going to join the moment someone mentioned the word 'Hero'." thought Aika.
Two hours later, after lots of asking for directions, Aika and Vyse reached the militia military base. The sheer size of it was amazing, there were tank hangers, a large training facility, lots of military barracks and a giant building in the center of it all.
As Vyse and Aika looked around, they were very surprised to see that there were just as many female soldiers as there were male soldiers walking, marching and training in the base. A large group of girls were walking together, dressed in full uniform, chatting and giggling together.
"So did you hear, Squad 7's new commander is a total hottie." said one blond haired girl with a pony tail on the right side of her head near the back.
"I heard that he is the son of a famous general from the last Europan war...I think the Generals name was...Gunther. General Gunther." said a brown haired girl. Vyse was amazed at how much equipment she was carrying on her back. She had a large box of ammunition, lots of grenades, a shovel and lots of different pouches carrying who knows what else.
"No way...I know a guy named Welkin Gunther. We went to the same University together. He was SO handsome...abit of a nature freak...but did I mention that he was handsome!!." said a blond haired girl, wearing glasses, she was also carrying a rifle and a set of binoculars.
"Hehe, I know, he's like totally the whole reason I joined the militia. I hope he selects me to join his squad." said a long, brown haired girl. Aika was surprised to see that she was smaller then she was, yet she was carrying an enormous weapon that looked like a medieval lance. As well as a giant armored plate on her left arm. Yet she looked naturally comfortable carrying it around.
"Lieutenant Gunther, Squad 7." said Vyse out loud as the group of girls passed him and Aika.
"Taking notes?" asked Aika, smiling brightly. Vyse nodded.
"Excuse me, are you two lost?." said a soft female voice, Aika and Vyse turned around and saw a small girl with very dark blue, almost black hair smiling at them. She was wearing the same gear as that overly packed girl loaded with all those tools and ammunition on her back and belt.
"Oh yeah, we were wondering...hoping that we could sign up for the Gallia Militia." said Vyse.
The girl tilted her head, "Why would you wonder that, it's a draft, you don't really get to decided whether you want to join or not." said the girl.
"Oh you see, we are not from this country, we're both adventurers. Is it alright if we join the Militia." said Aika.
The girl gasped, "Well I must say...I don't think I've ever heard of people from another country wanting to join in a foreign country's war." said the girl.
"Yeah, that's us. I'm Vyse by the way, Vyse Inglebard." said Vyse.
"And I'm Aika, Aika Thompson, nice to meet you." said Aika.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I should of introduced myself the moment I met you." said the girl.
She stood up straight and saluted "I am Squad 7, 1st class Engineer Nadine. Just call me Nadine."
Just then a young lady with red hair in two large buns on her head walked past and scoffed. "Tsk, I can't believe a Darcsen is allowed to show new recruits around. Be careful guys, she'll probably blow you both up.", a large man next to her chuckled and gave the girl a high five.
Nadine lowered her head and looked extremely hurt by the rude remark, Vyse became enraged, dropped his backpack and began to walk towards the two other soldiers.
"Hey!, who are you to say that to her, she was just being helpful." shouted Vyse.
The two soldiers stopped in their track, the red haired girl turned around "Excuse me!" she shouted, "I don't know if your blind or something, wearing that eye patch. But how can you even stand being around a Darcsen like her. Her kind has a bad reputation and everyone knows it."
Aika rushed up to Vyse and attempted to hold him back, "Vyse, please, we just got here. I don't want to get into trouble the first few hours that we are in this new land." said Aika.
"Hehe, you hear that Rosie, these two aren't even Gallians...no wonder they socialize with Darcsens." said the large man.
"You said it Largo...foreign riffraff." said Rosie, cracking her knuckles, getting ready for a scrap.
"No, please don't." said Nadine, rushing in between the two groups, "Corporal Stark, Sgt. Largo, I apologize. Please don't hurt these people, it's true they are not from here. And perhaps it was wrong for a Darcsen to be their first contact. So I'll be going now." said Nadine, she then turned around and began to jog away.
"Let me tell you something." said Rosie, "All Darcsens are bad news, they have a very bad reputation and they just plain stink!. They're not the kind of people that you want to make friends with or even be caught talking to.". Rosie then shuttered in disgust, "All this Darcsen talk makes me feel so dirty, think I need to take a shower."
"Rosie, don't be so cold hearted." said Largo, "You guys need some help enlisting?"
Vyse had calmed down again, but shook his head. "No thank you, we'll find our own way around." said Vyse.
"Suit yourself." said Largo, he and Rosie then continued on towards the central building.
Vyse exhaled angrily, then felt a tug on his sleeve and looked at Aika, she was pointing to something, so Vyse turned his head and saw Nadine walking around by one of the storage sheds. And without any words necessary, Vyse and Aika made their way over to her.
"Nadine!" called out Vyse.
Nadine looked partially over her shoulder, but quickly looked forward again, she then took off her large backpack and began filling it with belts of ammunition.
"I'm sorry, but I can't help you right now." said Nadine, her voice cracking and sounding very sad.
Aika peered over, and saw some tears streaming down Nadine's cheek, and her heart went out to her, "Are you crying?" she asked.
Nadine could no longer hold her composure and she began to sob loudly, covering her face with her hands.
"Hey hey...what's wrong?." asked Vyse, kneeling down and placing one hand on her shoulder. "Is it because she called you names, I take it Darcsen must mean some kind of mean name to call someone."
Nadine chuckled between sobs, "You really don't know what a Darcsen is?." asked Nadine. Vyse and Aika both shook their heads.
"Darcsens are a race of people in Europa, another name people call us are Dark-hairs." said Nadine, wiping away some tears. "But...what you saw back there happens all too often, we get discriminated against all the time. Our history is..."
Vyse raised a finger to his lips, "Shh...I don't need to know." said Vyse, Nadine looked up at Vyse. "I still don't fully know what a Darcsen is, or anything about Gallian history and such. But I do know this...", Vyse reached out and placed his hands on Nadine's shoulders, and looked into her teary, red eyes. "You are a good and friendly person....Whatever discrimination you have suffered before, you won't get from myself or Aika. and I would be most honored if I could call you, my first Gallian friend."
"Me too, count me in on that." said Aika, placing her hand ontop of Vyses hand that was already on Nadines shoulder.
Nadine began to cry even harder, her sobs could be heard from nearby soldiers training and marching around. "I'm so sorry, I'm not crying because I am sad...I'm crying because I am so very happy. No none Darcsen has ever been this nice to me in my entire life." cried Nadine, Vyse pulled her close and let her cry on his shoulder. Aika smiled and joined in on the warm group hug.