End of Veracruz Exercises

A week has passed since the exercises started. The men of the Verlusian contingent in the Veracruz exercises were gathered for a meeting. They are being briefed about the venue and the formation that will going to be held at Rajah Dakila Port. This is where the ending and farewell ceremony for their allies will be held.

The exercises with the Atlanticans is about to end. Despite of this week being difficult for them the Verlusians, they learned a lot from their Atlantican allies. Some Verlusians became friends with Atlantican soldiers, which included Carlo's new friend Colin who is from Francisco Bay in the State of Concotta. He said his home is near the Atlantican bay facing the Atlantic Ocean.

It is almost 5:00 AM, August 27, 2021 C.T. The Verlusians were awake for an early morning exercise and early jog. They also practiced and choreographed their march that we rehearsed for two days. The men of colors and ranks were also practicing their role as well.

They finished their early morning activities at 9:00 AM and we were to return back to camp. The men looks weary and were resting including Carlo himself. His eyes are heavy and decided to lie down for awhile. The ceremony will start by 2:00 in the afternoon.

------------

Blinking lights and dim alleyways, the place looks like a mess and everything is thrashed. There is evidence of forced entry and dead soldiers are on the floor lying on the ground. The scene is painted with death and blood. Blood floods the floor as Carlo tried to traverse through it. His boots were wet with it and the groans of the dying was chilling his senses.

It is such dreadful sight to see. Most of Carlo's comrades were on the ground mostly unconscious save for those who are half dead and suffering. This is like the scene in his dreams being replayed in his mind as he close his eyes.

"Am I dreaming?" Carlo asked himself looking at the surroundings.

A pale woman in front looks in front of me and Carlo suddenly felt chills with her stare. She tried to open her mouth to talk to him but he could hear nothing. His senses turned numb with fear and he retreated back to feel a wall behind him.

"What's the matter? Alo?" The voice of a woman asked Carlo.

The voice is cold and shivering, like Carlo was being enveloped in ice as the voice enters his ears.

"Hmmm..." Carlo nodded in reply despite not understanding the word she is trying to say.

"The future holds... The future, is the key! You are..."

-------------------------------

Carlo suddenly open his eyes and gasp for air. He stood up from his bed and saw the time it is 12:00 P.M. He had slept for like three hours already. He looked at his surroundings and saw some of his colleagues in the army still resting or doing their stuff. Some of them are talking some are playing cards just to make themselves entertained.

It's the same dream that is haunting Carlo for weeks. He wondered why he have the same dreams often, it could mean something. An apparition or omen, he wondered what it really means?

Carlo walked away from his bed and took a walk outside their sleeping quarters. It is about time that the announcement for the closing ceremony has been said. They in the room began to change to their formal uniform.

It took them at least ten minutes to get dressed. After changing they went to the mess hall organized for their lunch. They were the first to feed themselves, for the ceremony this afternoon will be lengthy. They have too keep themselves fed if they were not to keep from dropping to the ground.

The formation started at 1:35 PM, they the Verlusian contingent are already in the field. It took them twenty minutes to finish the preparations and then five minutes until 2:00 PM the Atlanticans and the guests arrived.

The grandstand was already in place and what is left is the arrival of the high ranking officials and some VIPs who were invited. Upon their arrival the ceremony commenced and the solemn atmosphere was observed by both the military and the guests.

The speech then was started by the President, Samuel D. Roa, the honored guest of the event. He addressed to his soldiers and said.

"We Verlusians owe our existence to our ally who has been there since the inception of our nation. They helped us build our nation during its direst times. They fought and bled with us side-by-side against the Yamato Alliance during the Great War.

As a token of friendship, our nations have reaped the benefits of cultural and economic advantages. This exercise, held on the Veracruz strait where the last stand of our valiant soldiers along with our Atlantican allies fought to their last.

This with our agreement with the Atlantican government and the Joint Forces Treaty. Made these exercises possible, the exchange of skills and knowledge with our allies is a great asset to our nation's defense.

Today, I stand proud with our soldiers and our Atlantican allies that we stand with solidarity with the test of time..."

It is ironic for a president that is cold towards the Atlanticans to have said such speech. The current president has been warm towards its former enemy and rival, the United People's Republic of Qina which has been an expansionist lately. Due to their activities it has agitated several neighbors in the East Yalu Sea.

No matter what stance the president has, he has no power over other things. He may be the leader of the nation, but he is no god to overlord us over things. The thing that he like about their government despite of its flaws. Power is not concentrated on one body of the government alone.

After the ceremony, the ships of the Atlantican Navy, C.F.P. Thomas Wilconsin and its escort ships has left the port of Rajah Dakila in the Capital City of the country in Tondo.

Carlo bids farewell to his new Atlantican friends which he think he would work with in the future. He was glad to have known such professional and confident people who are willing to trade their knowledge and skills.