Chapter 10- The Boast
Aika, Vyse and Claudia were walking through the streets of Vasel city, which was now abuzz with Regular and other Militia squads. Blue and white troop transports were carrying truck loads of regular Gallian soldiers, their uniforms had a darker blue top and black pants, very different from the militias uniforms.
As one of the trucks drove past the group of friends one of the regulars leaned over the side of the truck, "Hey!, not half bad for a bunch of farmers and city kids. Though we'd probably of taken the city in half the time it took you yokels." shouted the regular soldier, the rest of the regular soliders joined in laughing mockingly at Vyse, Aika and Claudia.
Vyse and Aika looked at each other and glared at the regulars as the truck moved on, "Better get used to it." said Claudia, "The Regular army soldiers always look down at us, because we're conscripts who got drafted into the militia when the war started. While they have been in the army for years before the war started, to them we're abunch of nobodies."
"Yeah, well I don't think abunch of nobodys could of taken this side of the Vasel bridge in such a short amount of time." said Vyse, Aika nodded in agreement.
"So which region of Gallia are you two from?." asked Claudia.
"Well to tell you the truth, we only just arrived in Gallia by ship afew days ago." said Aika, "So we're not from this part of the world...far from it in fact."
Claudia stoppped in her tracks, "WHAT?!?." said Claudia, "So...why are you guys even fighting with us?."
"Hehe, there's nothing more we enjoy then a good adventure." said Vyse.
"Well that's not all there is to it, we also made some really good friends not long after we arrived." said Aika, "So we wanted to fight along side them and help them defend their homeland."
"I see...well that's certainly surprising to hear." said Claudia, "And I'm really honored to have you fighting with us."
The group then reached the city center, which had a large rectangular tent set up with a giant '07' written in white letters on the side. Once they entered the tent they saw the rest of the squad members either sitting in chairs or standing together in small groups, waiting for Welkin to arrive and explain their next mission.
Vyse saw Nadine and waved Aika and Claudia to follow him and they joined Nadine's group. Aisha was also back, but was wearing a large white bandage taped to the side of her right thigh.
"Aisha!." said Vyse, "Nice to see your feeling better."
"Yeah, thankfully the bullet only grazed my thigh so the Doc was able to patch it up nicely." said Aisha.
Alicia then entered the tent, "Squad attention!!." she shouted and everyone immediately stood up and came to the position of attention.
Welkin then entered the tent as well, followed by Isara. But the looks on their face was quite concerning, both of them were looking down at the ground with a sad look on their face. Welkin then looked up at his squad members and his eyes moved slowly from right to left as he looked all of them in the eyes.
"I've got some bad news..." said Welkin, "The army wants us to attack the bridge head by ourselves. There will be no support from the main army for this attack."
Everyone immediately gasped and looked at each other in disbelief.
"What...they can't possibly mean that!!." shouted Cherry.
"So they want us to go out there alone and attack the main imperial base camp?." asked Nadine.
"That's not entirely true." said Largo, "The main army will take part in this battle...but only AFTER we've attacked the Imperials."
"So they're using us to weaken the Imperials first, then take all the glory for themselves...cowards." said Rosina.
Welkin then held up his hand and everyone became silent and looked towards Welkin, everyone was visibly scared as they nervously waited for their leader to speak once again.
"We achieved a great victory last time, so I believe that is why they have chosen our squad to go in first." said Welkin, "But I do not think that with this new plan we will have the same outcome. The bridge is only wide enough to send in 1 squad at a time and we are to be the leading squad. However...I fear casualties will be extreme."
"I agree." said Rosie, "The Imperials have lost one side of the Vasel bridge already, and I think they're gonna place everything they've got on the other side to stop us from getting across the bridge."
Aika's heart began to beat quicker and harder, she looked over at Vyse and even he began to get beads of sweat on his brow.
Welkin looked down at the ground for a moment then slowly raised his head.
"I'm sure that you all know me by now." said Welkin, "I've heard it whispered among the soldiers and militia...the son of General Gunther, the hero of Bruhl, the list goes on and on. I've even been awarded a medal for my service in Bruhl."
Everyone in the squad nodded their heads, Welkin was the most famous of all the current squad leaders.
"However...none of that means anything to me." said Welkin, and everyone gasped, their eyes growing wide with surprise.
"What matters most to me is you...my squad." said Welkin, "I do not fight for fame or medals, I fight to protect the ones I love, for my home. Each of which mean more to me then all the fame or medals in the world."
Welkin then stood up straight and slowly walked around the room, looking at each of his soldiers. "And I will not follow a battle plan that requires me to use my soldiers as nothing more then sacrificial lambs. I will think of another plan that puts your safety above anything else. In the meantime your all dismissed until further notice."
And as Welkin began to leave the tent everyone began to cheer loudly, clapping their hands, some of the squad members like Juno and Alicia even had tears in their eyes as Welkin disappeared out of the tent.
Towards the end of the day, Vyse, Aika, Nadine and Claudia were sitting together near the river bank. There wasn't much conversation as everyone was in their own little world thinking about the upcoming battle.
Vyse then checked his watch, "Where's Isara?." asked Vyse, "She said she'd come join us didn't she?."
"I'm sure she's on her way." said Nadine, "She was just finishing up repairs on the Edelweiss last time I checked."
"Oh here she comes." said Aika, spotting Isara who was making her way towards them.
However, her path was cut off by Rosie and Largo who were both glaring at her.
"Great now what?." said Vyse as he and everyone else stood up and began to make their way over to Largo and Rosie.
Rosie then reached out and grabbed ahold of Isara by the shawl and pulled her close glaring at her, "Just where do you think your going dark-hair??." asked Rosie, but Isara just looked back her her.
As Vyse's group neared Rosie and Isara, Largo stepped in front of them and stood up straight, his arms folded across his chest as she looked down at Vyse, Aika, Nadine and Claudia.
"This is seriously getting old!." shouted Vyse, Aika and Nadine attempting to hold him back.
"Yeah, and just what are you going to to about it Darcsen lover??." said Largo, putting a cigarette in his mouth and lighting it.
"You've got some nerve dark-hair." growled Rosie, "To prance around in your Darcsen clothing, all proud and true to your heritage. How can you be so proud after what your people have done...you know what I'm talking about."
"Oh yes, I've heard about it more times then you know." said Isara, "Your talking about the Darcsen Calamity."
"Darcsen Calamity?." said Vyse softly, Nadine looked over at him with such a great sadness in her eyes, Aika took notice.
"Ha!, your ready to defend the Darcsens even when you do not know the terrible deeds that these people have done, the destruction they have caused." said Largo.
Vyse was at a lose for words, this time he didn't know what to say this time.
"HOLD ON A MINUTE!!." shouted a familiar voice, and Welkin Gunther was running towards the group.
Rosie growled angrily, then released Isara, Largo also turned around and faced Welkin Gunther.
"Just what's going on here?." asked Welkin
Nadine grabbed ahold of Vyses arm, "I think we'd better go." said Nadine, "This is a conversation between officers."
Vyse sighed then nodded and his group of Nadine, Aika, and Claudia began to walk back into the city, but not before hearing. "I'll have that bridge back in Gallia's hand in the next 48 hours!!." said by Welkin.
Aika turned around, "What does he mean by that..." thought Aika before the group of friends entered the city and got out of earshot from Welkin and the Senior Officers.