Its been two... no two and a half weeks since the liberation of Vasal and we have yet to go on the offensive. Fouzen fell a few days ago the defenders were rolled over and the army couldn't provide reinforcements to hold the city. There was an attempt to recapture Fouzen but from what I've heard it ended in disaster. Taking Fouzen will be the army's top priority. Since we're still stationed in central Gallia I don't think we'll take part in recapturing the city.
The First army is now an actual army and not just a single regiment. It consists of the Third, Fifth, and Seventh infantry divisions. Our company has been folded into the Third division along with the ninth regiment. In regards to our company, we received reinforcements in the form of squad twenty. I'm not sure when our next action will be but the squad is getting a little restless.
Randgriz was always a hub of activity but with so many refugees from the county coming to the capital it was even more congested than normal. Dozens of cars slowly made their way through the city and the sidewalks had constant and heavy pedestrian traffic. Supply trucks are parked informant of stores offloading supplies as customers flow in and out. Gallian soldiers on leave come to Randgriz for some much needed R&R. In short, Randgriz is a hive of activity.
Chole found the whole setting strange. None of these people know each other and there are so many people. How do they not run into each other!? How do they put up with this daily!? Plus how do these people sleep at night? It's so loud she can barely hear herself think!
"Ugh, I hate cities. How has mom adapted to it so quickly?"
Since she didn't bother changing out of her uniform people tried to give room but with so many people it didn't amount to much. "How the hell can people go from living out in the country to living in the city? It's ridiculous! Maybe mom can let me in on her trick."
"Now what was the apparent number? 410... yeah that sounds right. Ah, here it is."
She pushed the door open and entered the complex. She walked into an elevator and hit the fourth-floor button. A short ride later and the door opened. "Alright, room number 257."
She walked down the hallway until she found the room she was looking for.
Knock, knock.
"Coming!"
The door opened and Chole smiled, "Hi mom."
Surprised blue eyes met hers. Her mom is wearing a simple white shirt with a blue skirt. Her chocolate brown hair is tied in a bun just like always. "Chole!" They're about the same height so she could rest her chin on her mother's shoulder easily. "It's good to see you."
"It's good to see you too mom. Can I come in?"
"Of course! Make yourself comfortable, I just finished making tea. Would you like a cup?"
"Yes please." Chole answered as she sat down on the couch.
"Alright, it won't be but a moment."
Chole leaned back on the couch, her eyes slipped shut, and her whole body relaxed. The sound of footsteps made her eyes open again and she saw the smiling face of her mother.
"Relaxed?"
"Mmm, very."
She chuckled, "I can tell. Here. It's a little hot."
"Thanks. So you've adjusted to city life quickly."
"Yes, I'm surprised. I figured it would be torture for at least a week but it wasn't."
"I don't know how you do it. I was in the city for thirty minutes and I already wanted to go back into the country. You have to tell me your secret."
"No secrets here. I guess I'm more adaptable."
Chole sighed in disappointment, "Damn."
Her mom glared, "Language."
"Mom, I'm twenty-one and I've heard you swear plenty of times."
"Doesn't matter. I don't want to hear you swear."
"Alright mom. So where's grandfather?"
"He's gone on one of his nature hikes. He'll be back in a few hours."
Chole smirked, "Nice to know his age hasn't dulled his sense of adventure."
"Ha-ha I told him the exact same thing." They sat in silence for a bit simply enjoying the moment with a nice cup of tea.
"Your tea is still the best."
"Thank you. After this war is over..."
Chole sat her tea down, "Mom, are you alright?"
"...It's just sinking in, my baby girl has gone to war." Chole stood up and sat down beside her mom. She turned and Chole could see tears forming in her eyes. She wrapped her in a hug and her mom started to cry. "You lost your dad in EW1... and I lost my mother. I-I don't want to lose my baby girl."
"Shhhhh, I'll be alright mom... I promise."
"Don't say that honey. War is, brutal... You can't make a promise like that."
Chole felt her eyes burn as tears ran down her cheeks, "I know. I know I can't make that promise... but I'll do my damnedest to return home."
"...Swear." Chole chuckled and saw her mom's smile when she pulled away. "How about we go for a picnic, get our minds off.. this."
She smiled, "That sounds lovely."
They grabbed everything they needed: A blanket, a basket, and something to drink. They made some snacks and left a note on the table for when her dad got back informing him where they went and when they would be back. With that, they left the apartment and headed to a hill that had a beautiful view of the ocean. It didn't take them long to reach it. The spot was far enough from the city that they wouldn't be disturbed but close enough so they wouldn't be tired when they got there. They laid their blanket under a tree and enjoyed the view along with the sense of calm that surrounded them.
"When did you find this spot?"
"I went with my dad on one of his nature hikes and he showed it to me."
"It's beautiful."
"Yeah, took my breath away when I first saw it... So when do you go back?"
Chole sighed, "Tomorrow, unfortunately."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yeah, there was a lot of activity at the base when I left. Colonel Adams said we had a day of leave then we needed to be back at base for a possible deployment."
"Well, we'll just have to make the most of it now won't we."
Chole smiled, "I already made the most of it mom." She wrapped her in a hug, "I love you."
"I love you too."
The next day the men and women of the First mechanized company returned to base. Their morale had been raised with the leave but they're disappointed that it was so short. Right now the company is en route to a Gallian base fifty kilometers behind the front line which has been static since the Imperial retreat at Vasal.
"Man, I still can't believe they gave us one day of leave."
"You better have made the most of it."
"Make the most of it? You can't make the most pf much in a day."
"So what you did nothing?"
"Basically."
"You just sat around all day and didn't do anything?"
"Yeah."
"...You're weird."
"I'm not weird!"
"Yes, you are!"
"Oh, you are not doing this again!"
"But-"
"NO! If you want to argue do it when I'm not here."
"Moving on. Sara, you get up to anything? Sara?"
Sara had passed out and was lightly snoring. They just stared at her, surprised that she had fallen asleep so easily.
"How does she fall asleep so easily?"
"No idea, maybe you should ask her."
Brooks kicked her in the leg. She groaned as she roused from her sleep and looked at Brooks questionability. "We're almost as the base. Wouldn't do you any good if you showed up and were tired."
She nodded and yawned, "Thanks Brooks," she groaned, "I feel like I have a hangover."
"That nap didn't do you any good did it!?
"Shut up Moss, you're making it worse." She rubbed her face and eyes while the others laughed at her misfortune. She glared at them, "I hate all of you."
"So Brooks, what'd you do with your day off?"
"If you must know, I spent the day with my mom. She's been worried sick about me ever since the war started. Hopefully, I eased her worries."
"Cool, cool. What'd you get up to?"
"Why are you so curious about what we did with our leave?"
"Is it wrong for me to ask?"
"No, but..."
"If you must know, I went to the beach and enjoyed the sights," he winked and they chuckled.
"This guy gets it, that's a perfect way to spend your leave."
Sara rolled her eyes, "Why I'm I not surprised," she said, smiling.
"Damn it man! Why didn't you invite me along?"
"Because you'd cramp my style."
"You're just worried I'd get all the ladies."
"That is the exact reason I didn't bring you. You got no game man."
"Hey! I have plenty of game!"
"Do you even know what that means?"
"Of course! It means... It means... Okay I don't," he slumped backward.
"Oh, you're hopeless."
"I'm sorry alright, not my fault I was never a hit with the ladies."
"... I'll help you."
"Huh, help me with what?"
"I'll help you be a hit with the ladies."
"Really!? Alright!"
"Um, what just happened?"
"I don't know, but every woman in a ten-kilometer radius should be scared right now."
Sara fake shivered, "Yep, there's the cold shiver."
"Oh come on!" Everyone started to laugh.
"Heads up people, we're here," the driver said.
The convoy rolled to a halt and they exited the half-track. The base itself is made up of dozens of tents with a trench line a few hundred meters in front of it. There is a vehicle depo for the tanks and half-tracks and behind that is the storage area for ammo, guns, medical supplies, shells, and ragnoline. This is one of Gallia's main bases set up along the front line along with dozens of smaller ones. Each one of these bases provides for a section of the front line allowing troops to be resupplied and treated.
"Alright people, this is where we are going to be stationed for the time being. Our company's barracks is that tent right there. Get yourselves situated; I've got to check in with the base commander. Dismissed."
"Sir!"