Chapter 15: Ethics

* The Yukon, one of the two nations that still borders us in the West. At the time there was Sutherland but since half of the country came under our control they began to fear an attack from us by the conquered territories. So they decided to take the lead and deploy their troops to the Elysian border. In response to this the guarding of our borders has also been increased. But since it is a mess, the skirmishes multiply between the two camps. Sometimes there is an exchange of fire but neither of the two having declared war on the other we are obliged to stay planted there like pickets. Finally I say we but not me. I command the 36th Infantry Regiment assigned to the 8th Battalion of the 10th Division. And luckily I am assigned to the back, in a farm to keep sheep with my men *.

- Lieutenant, bring us the ball. * Said one of my men *.

* My men play baseball and yeah even the sport continues to exist no matter what time, period and time. I grabbed the ball and threw it back to him forcefully *.

-Wow what strength. Join us sir.

-No I have other things to do. Like hanging out.

-As you want sir.

* Make no mistake, we weren't always in the back, we weren't even always buddies. All this goes back to the beginning of summer 1018. After a long and tired journey by train we finally arrived at the HQ of the Western army. The place was swarming with people, many young people like us had been mobilized *.

-Well, it's not the number of people that is lacking. * Said Troy *.

-That's the power of conscription. *I said*. You do your service or you go to jail, it's that simple.

* I saw two young people about our past age. Obviously happy to find each other, their conversation again did not escape me *.

-So you are here too.

-Yeah. I told my father to do everything to spare me the North. It seems that the rebels are killing a lot there.

-The north eh. * Said Fried *. It's me or nobody even talks about it to the Media. Yet everyone is totally scared.

- There are rumors that the rebels are taking no prisoners. They open your guts and scatter them all over the roads. * Swan explained *. Tactics worthy of a guerrilla war.

-Unless it's a guerrilla. *I said*. But what worries me is my weapons lab in the .....

* Unfortunately a voice that I know well interrupted me *.

-Zeeeeeell.

* A young man appeared out of nowhere fell on top of me and hugged me very tightly. Needless to say, I felt embarrassed in the extreme *.

-What a pleasure to see you again.

-L ... Lancell. It's been a while.

* Why he is mobilized to ? Seriously uncle, he's a crown prince. At worst, do as the crown of england stick him in an apache, although in a fighter plane it would be better *.

-Zell are you okay? You look thoughtful.

- Oh, don't worry. I'm glad to see you again. * I say hugging him back *.

-Arianne is going to be jealous. * Said Troy mockingly *.

-Shut up. * I say releasing Lancell *.

-I'm glad to see you again, in Aether I was locked in the palace H24.

-It is time for you to take your independence.

* Lancell and I, being an officer and a non-commissioned officer respectively, were invited to the battalion chief's office. For a surprise it was a surprise. Colonel Dietrich who had served as director during our classes. I didn't expect him to be remobilized so quickly. As we entered the office, the other officers stared at us, which was quite legitimate considering our young age *.

-I see that our two geniuses are not late. * Said the general keeping his arms crossed *. Well I know it's a bit early but we're going to have to start the strategy meeting here.

* We each took a seat with the other lieutenants and turned to the map *.

-You already know it, but the Yukon and us are in an ambiguous situation. A bit like me and my wife for that matter.

* We let out an amused chuckle and then started to follow *.

-A week ago they doubled the number of troops posted at the western border. We go from 100 to 250 thousand men in such a short time. All this thanks to the monstrous rail network that crosses the country. In response our staff decided to respond by sending an almost similar number which raises our strength to 287,000 men.

* Throughout his speech I scrupulously noted every detail in a notebook *.

-Their aviation engages in violent fights every day against our pilots who suffer losses every day. The front line is always on the move but not really changing.

-It is a large network of trenches that extend over several hundred kilometers. *I said*.

* Everyone turned to me, cutting off the floor at its top is frowned upon unless there is a relevant remark. The colonel smiles at me *.

-Yes. Exactly.

-Which means that we will have to stay in the holes and wait for the artillery to explode us and another unit to take over. *I said*.

-What does Second Lieutenant Cailum mean? * Lancell continued *. It is that concretely what is the plan of the staff. Trench warfare is simply a dead end and it is difficult to have the upper hand on equal terms.

-I'am aware. * Said the Colonel *. For now since war has not been officially declared the plan will be to weaken the enemy with heavy artillery fire. When one of the 5 points on the map will be weakened, a cavalry charge will be ordered to break down the enemy lines.

* A cavalry charge? Where are we, Gettysburg is far behind us. I finished my notes and put away my notebook *.

- Understood Colonel.

-Fine. then i will assign the positions.

* So I was assigned to the 36th regiment. To make you a toppo a regiment is made up of 200 soldiers under the orders of a lieutenant. 4 lieutenants are under the orders of the company captain who trains approximately 800 to 1000 men depending on the size of the company. 2 companies form a battalion of about 2 thousand men under the orders of a major or a colonel following the chain of command. 5th battalion forms a division of 10 thousand men under the orders of a brigadier general. The size of a division varies depending on the extent of the conflict. We have nearly 20,000 men. Of course, this model varies depending on the country. The size of both regiments and battalions is not the same everywhere, but it remains roughly the same *.

-Soldiers. Salute. *I shouted*.

* A lot of the guys in my regiment were young, but there were a few veterans nonetheless. There were even black people that were new since my reforms 6 years ago. Apart from Friedich I didn't know anyone here. I heard Lancell was running his own regiment with Troy as second. He also had half of our friends from the 51st. Sergeant Major Der Linde served in the rear as an artilery officer. Decidedly this guy had a very easy life *.

- Let me introduce myself, I am Second Lieutenant Alfar Zell Cailum. * I announced verbally *. And you might as well set things straight from the start. When I give an order your obey. I have no preferences and I am impartial. Black white red green you are all the same worthless shit to my eyes. If I ever hear that a guy in my section has brutalized another guy in the same section for some reason I think is stupid. I'll shout him down.

* The way I had said it let out a chill and I saw some people looking at me "he's not serious". *

-I see women in the troop. If any of you try to abuse a girl in the section or in another section I will shout him down. If any of you are caught engaging in immoral acts such as looting and summary execution of civilians or unarmed prisoners without my permission. I swear it on my ancestors I open him in half with my knife.

* Friedich standing next to me smirked at my statements *.

-I hate people who use the excuse of war to do whatever they want. Rape and murder are things that happen on the battlefield. But just because these are things that happen doesn't mean these things have to be far from normal. You will find me idealistic but on this battlefield I appeal to your humanity. I speak mostly for your benefit. That you don't have to tell your kids how you regret serving your country in a bad way.

* I got off the platform and put my gun in my pocket *.

- Break it up.

* A week now that we were now on the battlefield. My section was in the trench just behind the first line. Lancell's was several hundred yards to my left. The front being divided into 5 large points the enemy had about 40 miles on that and us 60 miles. Given the situation the general staff will surely order a massive strike. Except that who says few men in a position also says that it is in defensive mode *.

-Are you still thinking about the state of the battle? * Fried asked *.

* It was raining that day and we were both sitting with our backs against the wall at the back of the trench. Of course it was not worth the great war but I think we were not far from it *.

-What else do you want me to think about? * I say while drinking my coffee *. Shit he's terrible. Who did that ? * I was yelling at one of my men *.

- I don't know sir.

* I tossed the cup, still full, avoiding imagining what they might have put in it *.

-And a wasted ration.

-Firing of mortar. * Shouted a lookout *.

* The shell hit the first trench head-on and the bombardment continued. The noise was deafening, of course, but this din had become our daily life *.

-Do not panic and stay in your holes. * I screamed *.

-So explain to me...

-Well I ....

-I was talking about the kid you brought home.

-Oh that. Don't tell me about it. It was after our date with Shina. He was part of a small group of thieves. Rather lively as a kid. She decided to keep it.

-And you ended up accepting when you didn't want to.

- Obviously I refused but who is listening to me already? We kept him, we washed him, we made him sleep in our bed.

-You slept all 3 in the same bed. * He said smiling *. Arianne wouldn't be sending you signs.

-What are you talking about?

-She wants a baby. * He whispered *.

* My heart skipped a beat and I almost jumped. A shell fell right in front of our trench *.

- We should move.

-Stay seated. Nothing will happen to us. * He said *.

-A baby, are you serious?

-You looked like a family all 3. What's the kid's name.

-Merak. * I answered promptly *.

* Ah well done. He had managed to soften me. Now I had films in my head. And the worst part is that it amused him *.

-Let's talk about your relationship with Betty. *I said*

-Just a friend.

-Oh just a friend. Don't lie I saw you hugging her in front of the station.

-You wear glasses normal that your sight is shitty.

- I have the best eyes on the whole planet, I tell you.

-Second Lieutenant Cailum. Tell your men to be ready for the assault.

* A man appears in my trench. He was my captain and had his eye on me since the meeting *.

-How what assault? * I asked *.

* Fried stood up observing the first line *.

-There is a massive crowd of soldiers over there.

- This is the first wave of assault. You will constitute the second. Get ready.

-We're going like that without artillery cover or anything? * I asked *.

-These are orders Cailum. Obey.

* He went away without adding something. I stood up and watched the first wave forming ready to charge the enemy trench *.

-They are going to be cut to pieces. * Said Friedich *.

-And not just a little. There is at least 1000 to 2000 guys.

- Come on. crush them. * Yelled a guy from my section *.

* No one except Fried and I understood that this attack was going to turn into a bloodbath. The order was given and the first group charged the enemy with shouts. At 500 meters from the trench the enemy opened fire and the machine guns already laid down a good number of our guys but they continued the assault under mortar and artillery fire. Some were jumping on mines. Seeing this my eyes narrowed. No matter how much I loved war, there are things I hate or weapons I don't validate. I hate mines as much as flamethrowers. That kind of atrocious fate that leaves no chance for his enemies. I'm against. But hey it's war you tell me *.

-Sections, gathering. * Yelled the captain *.

* I felt the guys stressed out when I saw that the guys on the front line were almost all dead. And there was something, 5 machine guns in front and a hundred guys *.

-Load.

* It was our turn. The guys were crazy and were screaming for courage. Not me, not Fried. We knew what to do. As expected 500 meters from the enemy trench the machine guns went into action. Me and the guys in my section dived into the craters left by the artillery shells. Statistically speaking there is less chance of taking a shell. And then the lightning does not strike twice in the same place. As we stayed in cover we could hear the deafening sound of the machine gun as our guys were being cut to pieces. I heard some scream in pain. Others had been badly burned *.

-My leg help me.

* An allied gunshot apparently ended his life. Is this shit our army? The captain who had also charged arrived at my crater *

-Second Lieutenant Cailum what are you doing? Your men must lead the assault.

-Except your respect sir an assault on a wall of bullets, very few for me.

-You coward. You dare to shy away from your duty.

-My duty is to bring victory not to die like a dog.

* He took out his gun and pointed it at me, but he took a machine gun bullet in the elbow, opening his arm in half. He collapsed in my crater. When I told you I was lucky or blessed. There was a girl in my hole, a black girl name Sabine, she wanted to make him a bandage but I stopped her *.

-Let him die heroically.

* She looked at me surprised as did the captain. That said, she obeys because it is an order *.

-Caiii ... Lum. * Growled the captain *.

* Do not believe, a torn member is death guaranteed *.

-What are we doing in these holes? * Yelled one of my men *.

-Our guys are being massacred, we have to go help them.

-Do not wait for the machine guns to be silent.

- Shut up, you bastard nobleman. I won't hide in my hole like a coward.

-Yeah let's show them.

-No wait.

* They came out of the trench and rushed towards the enemy lines. Most of them were quickly dismembered by artillery but the machine guns ceased to fire due to overheating *.

-Charge now. * I ordered *.

* My men, those who still obeyed me began to move. Those who had left first plunged into the enemy trenches and engaged them with the bayonet. We quickly neutralized their defense and seized the machine guns *.

-Good job. Let's wait for the next wave to arrive. *I said*.

-What next. Follow me, we'll get them.

* Staff Sgt. Streiss, he was the instigator of this stupid charge. Obviously he wanted his share of the fighting in the conflict and his assault was disorder. The assault on the trench was meant to be a success, but I saw a cable sticking out of the ground and my fears were melted *.

-Retire everyone

* 95, I lost 95 of my men in one day. All because an asshole was too motivated. Addicted to fairy tales. I saw my men being chopped up without being able to reach the second trench. Fried and I open fire on the machine guns knocking down the snipers. Most of our guys were lying on the ground injured. That asshole Streiss couldn't take one more step *.

- Barrage.

* I came out of the trench with a group of guys and the wounded were dragged back before the artillery did its work. It was the first time since I've been in this world that a situation escaped me so much. In the end we received the order to return to our starting position. 3 companies decimated in one day. And it was like that every time apparently. We attack we take a position as soon as we have the advantage we fall back. We avoid big clashes. From a tactical point of view it is rather well done. But in reality it was much too expensive because this battle had no meaning or purpose. Also back at HQ with my men I knelt Streiss in handcuffs facing the rest of the section *.

- I had given orders to everyone, very specific orders.

* I punched him right in his jaw and he spat blood. I was that angry that I would have killed him on the spot but the others had to understand *.

- I only obeyed orders. Thanks to me we took the trench.

-What orders. * I screamed *. What a trench because the last I heard our losses were so enormous that we had to abandon it.

-If we had charge directly we would have had it.

-If we had charged directly we would all be DEAD. * I screamed as I kicked him *. If I hadn't ordered to stay in the craters, we would all be dead. It's because their machine guns overheated at the last minute that you were able to take your trench that you are so proud of.

- Except your respect, sir, he obeyed orders.

-What orders? * I screamed again *. The captain's orders which were to throw themselves against the enemy without any plan. Or those who said to wait until they stop firing. Because at the last I heard those who listened to me are still alive. And a lot of our guys lying down at the hospital because of that son of a bitch.

* I kicked him in the ribs which caused him to collapse to the ground. I pulled out my gun that I pointed at him. His gaze did not change that said *.

-I said I was going to shoot assholes like you.

* I emptied my magazine by firing my remaining cartridges, which made the others jump of fear. But to their surprise I shot right next to it *.

-Sgt. Streiss you are demoted to the rank of private. You will be affected at the rear. When this campaign is over you will be demobilized and I will personally ensure that you can no longer exercise a profession where you will be able to touch a firearm.

-N ... No wait, don't do that.

* Finally an expression on your eyes. He was panicked, it showed and why? He loved the military and wanted to stand out. He reminded me of me at one time. Except that he does not have the overall vision and he is convinced that he has acted well. This kind of asshole who only targets medals has no place in our army. No, our whole army is corrupt. I was wrong to think that they were all like the 51st *.

-Please Lieutenant don't take this away from me.

* But I don't care about his moans *.

-Habib.

-Yes sir. * Says a black guy in the ranks *.

-You are the new master sergeant. Try to keep the checkered man.

-Yes sir.

* This is the last time that one of my men disrespects me *.

* End of chapter *.