I'm trying to explain the reason why Eagle and Jess have that tension between them as well as how Jess had to work hard to make to a Green Earth CO. It's before the first war (AW1). I'm still working on the idea, but I thought I should just post and see if I get any positive feedback. If I don't, I'll just drop it already.
Oh! I do not own Advance Wars characters. Any of them. And hopefully this story won't have any OC.
Read please. Review if you feel like. Flames are not welcomed, but criticism are. Well... if you have to flame, I can't really stop you, but try not to, ok? Thanks in advance.
Chapter 1: A Battle and a Decision
"Here we go again" she thought as she saw her fleet of tanks approaching ready to roll on the roads going back to Green Earth bases. It was a hard battle and she managed to lose only 3 units out of the 15 that she had brought with herself. "Damn those mechs!" Jess thinks once again as she remember the trap around the mountain. Good thing her Anti Airs were ready to take care of the suddenly danger before any more damage was done.
But the problem was not just because she has lost 3 units. The problem was that, even though she managed to protect the city she was assigned to, somehow she had forgotten of asking permission to go. Again. She couldn't stand this anymore. Drake or Eagle were never around these days, busy patroling skies and seas. But yet, she still had to wait until one of them had given her permission to make any moves. As she approaches the base near the headquarter, Eagle was there, looking at her, infuriated. She let out a heavy and annoyed sigh as she sees the Commanding Officer, arms crossed in front of his chest, an angry expression - as always - in his face.
- You just won't learn, will you, Jess?
- I'm sorry... 'sir' - at this, she bites her tongue in annoyance. - But neither you or CO Drake were here and we had to protect that city from another Blue Moon attack. That city is very important, strategicly speaking to Green Earth and...
- What? Now you want to teach me how to do my job? I am full aware about the importance of that city, thank you very much! For what I can see, soldier, you are the only one who has no clue of how to do your function.
At the word "soldier", Jess fight the urge of punching him right on the face. She was a sub-comander and he knew full well that she had autonomy to take this kind of decisions. Fortunatelly, Drake appeared behind Eagle.
- Now, c'mom, Eagle. Jess did just right. I know she should have waited for reinforcements to come, but hey, she did a great job and now the city is safe! That's what really matters, isn't it, mate?
Eagle looks at him, then look back at Jess. Sighing annoyed, he finally says sarcasticly:
- Yeah, I guess I should be thanking you for not scrweing everything up, anyway. - then he walks away.
Jess had to take a deep breath and fight the urge to cry. Not of sadness but of pure anger.
It's been 3 years now since she started to work in the Green Earth military force. She make her way very fast until reach the postion of being a sub-commander. But why not a CO? Eagle. He had put her thourgh a whole bureaucracy to apply for a position as third CO in Green Earth. Drake had tried to put some sense in his friend's stubborn head, but his stupid pride wouldn't allow him to reconize the value of Jess to Green Earth. Even though it was pretty obvious that the country needed a land specialist and that was what Jess certainly was.
She and Eagle went to the same military school together. They took basic classes, but he joined the air force, as everybody knows, and she decided to be a vehicular expert. Eagle was promoted a Commanding Officer almost as soon as he got his degree on the military school and because of his dedication to serve the country, he was made the 1st Commander, the commander in charge.
Drake came afterwards. He was a former pirate with a lot of knowledge in what it was Eagle major weakness. The sea. The ocean was just a nightmare for the young pilot. Well, not only the ocean, water in general. Jess, who was promised to be made second in command was not all that great with naval units, so, as soon as Drake arrived and showed some interest in work for Green Earth military, Eagle rushed and asked the general if he could give him the spot. Eagle and Drake became friends after the captain saved the pilot from a hard time fighting Blue Moon forces in a snowy day. It was common knowledge that Blue Moon troops - Olaf's troops actually - were just unbeatable in the ice, but is also common knowledge that rain follows Drake everywhere. The rain saved Eagle's troops and made Olaf retreat again. So, that was how Drake took what it was supposed to be her spot. But she didn't mind at all, once the rainy man was also a good friend of her. It was quite impossible not become friends with that old sea dog.
- Did you hear the news, Eagle? - Drake was asking while they were in the main HQ officer.
- What news?
- Blue Moon has a new CO. Former Orange Star indirect specialist, Grit.
- Oh yeah? Hmm... That's not so good to hear.
- Nah, relax. He has a little bit more sense than old bearded Olaf, that's for sure. Have you noticed how Blue Moon attacks are getting rare?
- And you think it's because this Grit person, eh? Well, I don't care, as long as they leave my country alone.
Drake smiled good-natured. It wasn't really a war Blue Moon was leading against Green Earth. More like randon attacks in weak areas with no civilians around. And they weren't even Green Earth land to begin with. But they were near, and Eagle was afraid that if they had a base so close to the country they would attack it for real.
- Hey, look. I want to ask you something. - Drake started again.
- What is it?
- Why did you have to treat Jess like that? I mean, she did a good job, you know that she did. Besides, that girl is awsome, not only with tanks, but with AAirs, recons, rockets...
- You're her attorney now? - Eagle interrupted him brusquely.
- Easy now, mate. I'm just saying that... sometimes you can be a bit too hard on her, don't you think?
Eagle looked at him without answer the question. He got up from his chair and started to walk away. Before leave the room he turned to his friend and finally said:
- I know you're right, but you also know me. I know I should thank her, but I don't feel like. Don't ask me why, but she just... bothers me so. But if you want... - he put a light expression on his face - you could send her my apologies for my behavior back then. - and he left.
- So he said he was sorry, is that what you're telling me? - Jess was asking.
It was early night, around 7pm. Drake has found her still working at her office in some relatories about the earlier operation.
- Yes, he seemed quite honest about it as well.
- Ha.
- Seriously. Well... kinda honest. But... you know him, don't you?
- Unfortunatelly.
Drake smiled. Most of the times he found it funny the way his two friends used to argue about everything, but there were times when they actually seemed serious about not liking each other. This was one of this times. There was something strange about the way Jess was looking. She looked sad and somehow tired of everything.
- Drake?
- What?
- May I ask you a question?
- Sure thing, Jess. What is it?
- Do you honestly think that I can make to a CO if I stay here?
- What do you mean? - he looked at her with a puzzled face.
- Well... I've been thinking. I've been promised more than once a promotion. And every time, Eagle just had to step on and delay it.
- Look, about that...
- No, listen to me. I didn't care that you got the spot. At all. You deserved it. But that was not the only time he did it. You see... I think he really doesn't want me to be equal with him.
- But why?
- Heh... that's something you'll have to ask him. - Jess said rolling her eyes.
Drake looked at her almost guessing what was going on through her mind.
- I think I'm gonna leave Green Earth.
Yeah. He really had read her mind.
- Don't talk non-sense, Jess.
- I've received a call from Orange Star. Apparently, Nell is in the need to someone to train with one of their young Commanding Officers. I told her I was only a sub-Commander, but she told me that if I agreed to go train with him she would talk to the general and have me finally promoted.
- But... are you gonna stay there... forever?
- No. But I have to stay at least 3 years. Then I must decide if I'm gonna join them or come back.
He looked at her thoughtfully and worried. It's not that Orange Star people were untrustworthy, but the way things were going, with Blue Moon attacking neutral areas and even putting Green Earth and Yellow Comet in delicate postions he couldn't be so cool about a person as talented as Jess leaving Green Earth's force.
- I know what you're thinking and don't worry. If Orange Star ever show any hint of desire to attack Green Earth, I'll leave the place right away. I would never betrail my homeland. - she made a pause - But I can't stand deppend on Eagle to get promoted anymore. It just won't happen and I won't waste my time here waiting.
Drake sighed. She was right.
- Well. Then I think all I can say to you is good luck.
Jess smiled at her friend.
- It's more than enough coming from you, 'mate'.
- And when are you leaving?
- I have to call CO Nell first. Then I have to arrange things with General Oliver. Hopefully, next week.
- Are you planning on tell Eagle?
Jess gave him a serious look. She didn't answer him right away, but it was kinda obviously what was going on through her mind.
- Honestly, I'd hope you could do that for me. - she said after a while.
- Jess! You can't just leave without telling him! He's our 1st commander and...
- You really don't need to remind me that. - she seemed a bit upset. - Look, when the time comes, I'll see what I'm gonna do. So far, I'd appreciate if you wouldn't tell him about my plans, please.
- Sure thing. - Drake said with not too much enthusiasm.
- Thank you. Now I have to finish this thing. I'm afraid we won't be able to have dinner together... I'm sorry.
- Nah, it's alright. See you tomorrow, mate. Take care. Bye.
Drake left the office still worried about his co-worker decision. More worried about what cnsequences it could bring to Green Earth. And even more worried about what Eagle would say once he heard about the news. Especially if he knew after she was gone. "Oh boy..." he thought. "This is not gonna be pretty."
So, that was that. I was planing on making a one-shot fiction, but it just got so big. Oh, and I use Notepad. Always! I'm aware that I'm not using the classic fanfiction style to make the dialogues, but I'm just more confortable writing this way.
Again, I'm sorry about any mistakes.
By the way, I'm ATF, from AWB and now AWRev. Hello, guys!
First non-comedy and non-scripted fiction. I hope it's not that crappy.