Chapter 5 - Admission To The Coalition
Randgriz. I thought I would never see the day I set foot in Gallia's capital. It was a city that people in Meppel described as"majestic" and, funnily enough, "just down the road". To Gallians, it was the center of civilization, the last bastion of democracy in times of war. Being a country boy and a proud one at that, I thought that those folks were exaggerating. I was satisfied with what I had back in Meppel, and had no interest in visiting an urban city, let alone one that houses our beloved head of state, Archduchess Cordelia Gi Randgriz. Its tall city walls and grandiose castle gave the city an imposing, yet welcoming look. Not bad for a city that was devastated twice during the past few years.
"Well, here we are," Charlotte said. "First time?"
I couldn't help but marvel at the city's marvelous infrastructure. It was unlike anything I've ever seen. Did Charlotte really come from such a place?
"Yes," I replied. "And I've got to say: it sure lives up to its legacy!"
One of the soldiers behind me cleared his throat. Something was telling me we were short on time.
"Anyway," said the soldier. "We didn't come all the way here just for sightseeing! We've got to get you enlisted, sonny jim!"
"Oh right!" I said. "What about you, Charlotte? Are you coming with us?"
"No," Charlotte said. "I need to deliver my report to Archduchess Cordelia. It is imperative that she learns what happened in Meppel."
"The Confederates are making progress with each passing second," said one of the soldiers. "If we are to push them back, we need to ensure that proper and swift action is taken. This means we can't afford to delay ourselves."
Both of them were right: I barely go a glance at what Randgriz looked like, but I came here for a good and important reason, one which I could not deny in light of what happened back in Meppel.
"I guess this is where we part ways," Charlotte said.
"There are bigger things at stake," I replied. "Do what you have to do."
Charlotte smiled and ran off to Castle Randgriz. I was now under the supervision of the soldiers.
"Come with us, boy," said one of the soldiers. "We'll take you to HQ where you'll be suited up and ready for combat."
"Gladly," I replied. "Let us make haste."
So we set forth for the Gallian Army's central base, where I would be suited up. Honestly I felt a little scared: I never wielded a gun before, let alone killed anyone. I preached peace well before I took over from my father, so obviously I thought I would contradict myself by joining the Army. But if what Charlotte said back in Meppel is true, then there must be folks in the Army who are in need of someone who's able to lift up their spirits, and that someone is me. There was only one way to find out.
We soon arrived at the central base. It was quite large and certainly looked like the kind of building that no one would dare break in.
"Well, here we are," said one of the soldiers. "Come with me. I'll take you to your quarters where you'll get your uniform. After that, we'll head for the command room where you'll be quickly enlisted and assigned to a squad by one of our captains.
"Just like that?" I replied.
"Well, usually you'd have to go through lots of formalities before enlisting in the army," the soldier said. "But your case is quite unique. While you get dressed, I'll let the captain know of what happened in Meppel."
We went inside and proceeded to my quarters. The hallway was empty and reminded me of the one located on the second floor of my old school. It was a bit dirty, but at least it wasn't as cramped. Kind of obvious considering that we're just on the first floor of a building that's several stories tall.
"Right now, our men are on the training field," the soldier said. "They work hard every day, knowing that their next battle would put their strength and psyche to the test. You'll have to get used to it once you're enlisted."
"I see," I replied. "I know that being a soldier is no laughing matter, and I can understand the benefits of training every day. I hope I'm up to the task."
"You used to be a pastor, huh?" the soldier asked. "I can tell from your collar."
"Yes," I replied. "You could say that being a pastor required lots of mental work. Perhaps being a soldier will teach me the basics of enduring mental AND physical strain. Multitasking, I might add."
"Haha! Yeah, you could say that," the soldier said as he laughed. "That's exactly what I thought when I first enlisted. Well, minus the pastor part."
I laughed a little bit at that last comment he made. Besides, I'm probably the first pastor to become a soldier!
After walking for a while, we stopped near a door that had a plaque reading 'Vacant'.
"Well, looks like we found a spot for you," the soldier said. "Let's go inside."
The soldier opened the door, and we saw that the room was pretty big and well-furnished. A single bed by the window, a large wooden desk, a closet, a sink, you name it. Apparently we were lucky enough to have found a room as cozy as this one.
"Well then, it seems that today's my lucky day," I said with a smile.
"Indeed," the soldier said. "I'm not sure why anyone would ignore that room. Anyway, you'll find your uniform in that closet over there. Get yourself dressed quickly. I'll head to the command room to notify the captain of your arrival and situation."
"Sounds good," I replied.
The soldier then left me and ran to the command room. I was free to look around and still wondered why anyone would pass this room up. It literally looks like the kind of room you'd give to a high-ranking officer or even a captain, not a pastor who just lost his home like many Gallians did. But I couldn't complain, since the room was mine.
I walked towards the closet and opened its two large wooden doors. Only one thing was actually inside it: the uniform that the soldier previously mentioned. But not just any uniform. This one looked different: it was a blue trenchcoat with red stripes that came with a pair of black leather gloves, brown leather shoes, and a blue army hat. Both the hat and the trenchcoat had an emblem on them. The emblem depicted a rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike with the background being a yellow field. The number "88" was clearly outlined on the snake's body, and positioned below the snake were the words "Ne Calcate In Alios", meaning "Don't tread on others".
I realized that it wasn't just the room that was out of my league, but also the uniform. I once again wondered why people ignored such an amazing room. Probably because it was recently vacated, but even then, the administration would have taken note of that.
"Well, I guess I better suit up," I muttered to myself..
I undressed myself and put my civilian clothes inside the closet. Something told me that I wouldn't be wearing them for a while, but that was a fairly obvious guess considering that I was about to be enlisted in the Army.
To my surprise, the uniform was easy to put on since it was just the right size for me. When I finished dressing myself, I looked at the mirror that was attached to the back of the closet door. I was astonished at my appearance. I looked more like a captain than a private!
"Holy moly," I said to myself. "I sure look...authoritative."
Suddenly, I heard the door knocking. It was likely the soldier who escorted me to my room earlier.
"Hey, you ready?" the soldier said. "Captain doesn't like to be kept waiting."
"I'm ready," I replied. "You can come in."
The soldier opened the door, and took a quick glance. He seemed very surprised at the fact that I wasn't wearing a private's uniform.
"How do I look?" I asked him.
"Wowzers!" the soldier said. "That uniform sure fits you like a glove! At least, the glove part does."
That last sentence made me chuckle a bit. I realized that being a soldier didn't mean you couldn't have a sense of humor.
"Was that uniform in the closet?" the soldier asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Well, whoever was in this room before must have been at the top of the food chain," the soldier said. "Anyway, it's time for you to meet the captain. Follow me."
"Right with you," I replied.
We both went in the hallway and started to walk to the command room. I wondered if the captain would have the same reaction as the soldier did when he saw me in my uniform.
I noticed a big double door entrance further down the hallway. It looked like we were approaching the command room.
"Hey," I asked the soldier. "I never quite got your name."
"Harry Graham's the name," the soldier replied. "I should have told you that earlier, Watfen."
"That's alright," I said. "We never really had the chance to have a private conversation until now. Besides, it's important to get to know your fellow brothers-in-arms."
"True, true," Graham replied. "Anyway, we're here. Just go in the command room and act natural. After all, you don't get a second chance to make first impressions."
"What about the uniform?" I asked. "Don't you think it's a little strange to be enlisted in the army while looking like a high-ranking officer?"
"Some enlistees end up being and looking like lieutenant and squad commanders," Graham said. "Look at Welkin Gunther, for instance: he was a civvie just like you, but that didn't prevent him from managing his own squad!"
"But his college experience landed him in that position." I replied. "My only education is a parochial one."
"I'm not sure how the enlistment process works," Graham said. "But I don't think college or watch experience is the only thing that lands you in a high-ranking position. It's up to the captain to decide. He has the final say on your rank. Anyway, good luck in there!"
"Thanks," I said.
Graham subsequently walked away. Before entering the command room, I took a deep breath that was not dissimilar to the one I took when I entered the classroom back before the Meppel attack. Some habits are hard to break, I guess.
I knocked on the door and waited for a response.
"Come on in," a voice behind the door said.
I grabbed the doorknob and slowly turned it. I was about to meet my captain face-to-face and gulped at the mere thought of making a bad first impression. Had I known that Charlotte was in my classroom on the day of the attack, I would probably have had the same feeling.
I opened the door, and noticed that the room was quite big upon entering it. Most of the furniture was located on the sides of the room with the center being mostly empty, save for a carpet on the floor. But what really grabbed my attention was the figure at the end of the room: the captain himself.
The man was a tall and rather burly individual who bore a horseshoe mustache and a comb over. He looked like he was in his mid-forties.
"You may approach, enlistee," the captain said.
I walked to his desk in a rather stern manner. I know Graham told me to act natural, but I couldn't help but look serious just so I could leave a good impression on the captain.
"Jacob Alexander Watfen, reporting for duty, sir!" I said.
"So you're the pastor boy Graham's been talking about, am I right?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," I replied.
The captain took a good hard look at me. He was probably wondering why I was wearing a high-ranking officer's uniform.
"Tell me, son. Where did you get that uniform?" he asked.
I gulped for a second. I knew the answer, but I was slightly afraid to tell him. What if he didn't believe?
"It...it was in my room's closet, sir. There was nothing else in it," I replied.
"And which room was that?" the captain asked.
"The one that has the word 'Vacant' on the door, sir," I said.
The captain paused for a bit. Did I say something asinine?
Suddenly the phone on the captain's desk rang. I felt slightly relieved, knowing that I would have plenty of time to explain the uniform and the choice of room.
"One moment, enlistee," he told me as he raised his finger at me.
He subsequently picked up the phone.
"Captain Lyndon Saxbury on the phone. Who is this?" the captain said.
I just stood there, watching the phone conversation unfold.
"Yes, he's with me right now. I was…. Oh? Oh! Al...alright," Saxbury said with a slightly surprised tone.
Was it Charlotte? She's the only person who knows me well so far.
"I need to mention you something. He chose Haswell's room, and he's also wearing his uniform! What should I tell him?" he asked.
"Well, that makes things convenient. Understood, I'll let him know immediately. Have a good day," he said before hanging up the phone.
"Well, son. Today's your lucky day. You're promoted to lieutenant. You'll be the leader of Squad 88, in my regiment obviously," Saxbury announced.
My jaws literally dropped to the floor. What in the world was he and the caller talking about earlier?
"I'm as surprised as you are. We don't normally hand out high ranks to our recruits unless they have some kind of college or watch experience, but your unique background and recent actions make you a rare exception," he said.
"As for the uniform and the room, I was going to tell you that you made a mistake. But I guess that decision would be doing you and me a great disservice," he told me.
"I...I don't know what to say! Frankly, I'm both shocked and honored to have been promoted to lieutenant," I said.
I then shook my head when I realized I was talking to my CO.
"Forgive my manners, sir. I should have been more formal," I told him.
"No need to apologize, lieutenant. To be honest, I would have had the same reaction if I were you," Saxbury said.
"However, there is a catch," he explained.
"Which one?" I asked.
"Squad 88 is technically defunct, owing to the fact that its leader, Lieutenant Haswell, went AWOL recently," he said. "But that doesn't mean we can't reboot it."
"So what now?" I asked.
"Right now, go back to your room and get some rest. I'll ask the other squad leaders in my regiment if they have a few men to spare. You went through a lot lately. I don't want to treat you like a slave, which is what those treasonous Confeds are doing to their 'property' out in the East," he said.
"Anyway, you are dismissed," Saxbury told me.
"Sir," I replied.
So I left the command room and returned to my quarters. I honestly didn't think I would put on such a good show in front of the captain, let alone be promoted to lieutenant. But what happened was already set in stone. I would have to be a good role model for everyone else, including the rest of my squad.