Only an Exercise?

The sun is rising from the horizon. The flock of birds on the sky passes by in a vee formation above the ragged, steep mountain on the right side. The humming of the early morning gulls seems to cloud the crickets already finishing their symphony, a sign of a new dawn. The ocean waves smashes through the smooth, grainy sand as the sunlight peaks on the water glistening like a crystal.

The cold, soft breeze touches the skin of the soldiers line up across the prairie plain. The sound of their feet marching combines the sound of the waves smashing on the coast.

The 23rd Mechanized Division starts their exercise together with a detachment of two destroyer and a battleship. Their purpose is to make sure that invasion by the Argentinians on a small British Island back in the 80's won't happen to them. 900 soldiers, 30 tanks and 19 auxilliary and combat vehicles participates in the exercise also. They've been preparing for this since last June. As this month of November comes everyone is thrilled for this. Everyone knows that barracks is a boring life and it will only take you two weeks to realize that. Preparation is a must as to why this exercise has been delayed for many months is their only reply to that.

A brief speech is made by the commander of the 23rd Mechanized Division thanking the participants especially the small group of air Force who only have two copters to lend to them. Captain Dewey is aware of that. Jokes around before the exercise as to why only two Chinooks ,a combat helicopter , should be called to represent the air Force. If Force is needed then they prefer two UH-14 combat helicopter. Stating the fact that those two copters should be called air poise instead of the more technical term.

Captain Dewey felt the cold breeze passing by. Just enough to make his spine shiver from the thought of leading one of the company.

He was just recently promoted from being a lieutant to an unknown horizon of being a Captain. Although unexpected to lead a company, he didn't thought that it would be sooner than later.

" Men, line up!" Captain Dewey said while mustering his dry voice as he can.

The company under his command lines up. The commander of the 23rd give his final speech to them. " ...as to you soldiers of this nation, you will be thankful for this exercise as this will save you life.." The commander salutes then gives a glance on his aide at his right side. A long whistle echoes signaling the beginning of the military exercise.

Save me that speech after this men come back alive from a real war, Captain Dewey thought. He then cocks his gun and looks at his men. " Let the exercise commence!"