Making It Personal

The sun shone a bit mildly during the afternoon after the heavy downpour—which lasted the whole morning—stopped. The sky was clear with little clouds.

The recruits lined up outside in their usual spot, the rain droplets that occasionally fell moistened their skin. They seemed unmotivated. They numbered up to 60 after about thirty recruits dropped out of the training either due to severe injuries that made them incapable of enduring the training or because of the fear the attack had ingrained in them.

It left a gloomy shadow following them. Most of them knew that this was the exact thing they signed up for when they wanted to join the army yet it still gave them nightmares. They weren't ready yet.

They could still hear the cries of their companions as the heavy duty bullets and explosives shattered their flesh and bones, spattering their blood on the soil and on them as well.

They were tired and weak and even after one week only a few of the willing ones could still show the courage to carry on. They were determined to go on and forge through and become soldiers then hunt down those savage beasts that slaughtered them.

Arianna felt no different. Although she couldn't really say that she had any trauma but she felt the blow of the attack. They had been the lucky ones. She had mostly been afraid for Edwin. She had thought that he would break down but he surprised her.

Even after the attack ended, he seemed very enthusiastic and willing. He fought like his life depended on it—almost like Marco's definition of a true soldier. She had seen this wild, unbridled passion in his face every time he shot down an enemy.

She could only conclude that he had a stronger mental fortitude than her.

On the other hand, Edwin was still running on adrenaline. He felt sorry for the dead recruits but he also found it really great an experience.

It was just the perfect outing to prove himself to his father and indeed the whole world that he was capable. He was more than capable. He was excited by the challenge because in all his days in the training camp he had heard so many things.

So many disheartening things said about him. He was called a weakling straight to his face. He had been told how bad he was and how low a chance he had to be enlisted. His own father had even displayed how poorly he thought of him.

Yes he knew that he wasn't good at combat and he had zero knowledge about it no matter how many times it was taught. He always lost the sparring sessions. He knew that he sucked badly at the endurance tests.

Heck, he had the worst endurance and fitness stats in the whole camp and even after the attack in Groovy Wild; he had been the only one, aside from Lieutenant Marco, to pass out cold.

Yet, that wasn't a test of combat skills or endurance. It was a test of survival and who's will to live was strongest. With a gun in his hand he didn't have to worry about throwing a punch. He didn't have to worry about lasting long enough.

All he had to do was hide, point and shoot. Edwin smiled inwardly as he recalled the events of the attack. At least he was good at one thing.

He lifted his eyes and looked at Lieutenant Marco who was pacing in front of them as usual. Another droplet of rain fell on his cheek and he wiped it instinctively while still studying the Lieutenant.

He had a grim expression and a shade of sadness cloaked his usual vibrant and cheery face. He subconsciously glanced at Arianna who was also engrossed in looking directly at him.

"We all know that it's been a tough week," Marco said with a sigh and let his gaze wander from each recruit to the other. "We only have 60 of you left. The other 60 were wiped out by a terrorist group in the forest during training.

"This can be really hard to stomach but there is nothing we can do. We wish that we could've been stronger or even more powerful yet the truth remains." He glanced around. His arm was still in a sling and according to the doctors, he was quite lucky to not have had the arm amputated.

He had lost a lot of blood though and he had been out for five days straight. The wound hurt less than his pride which had taken a dent.

He continued. "I know I said that we were preparing you for the battle field but this isn't how we planned on doing it. I can understand that most of you might want to quit and if you do no one will hold you responsible."

Those lines sounded like what he had always wished for them. Most of the recruits snorted. He had said in the beginning that he'd bet that most of them would quit even before they could pass out. This, to them, was a way to show him. They all made up their minds to defy him for once.

Marco continued. "In the light of this event, you are all given a week's worth of break to go home, take fresh air and relax. By the end of one week, those who wish to take up arms and fight for the souls of their lost comrades should return here."

Marco lowered his face. He felt like the greatest coward in history. He hid his reddened eyes and said with a lifted fist. "The sands that drank our comrade blood shall drink the blood of the terrorists! We shall avenge them!"

This was no longer about military training. This had become personal and every recruit knew it.

Arianna observed Marco for a while and thought that maybe he was a good person with a good heart somewhere in there. She had always seen him as a heartless, cold tyrant who enjoyed overworking them—especially her.

It was only in the forest that she realised the usefulness of the tough trainings. He had also risked his life to save hers and she hadn't said a proper thank you yet.

As the rest dispersed, she walked up to him with a calm expression. "Lieutenant Marco."

He glanced at her and nodded. She heaved a breath and said, "I want to thank you for risking your life to save me back in the forest. Thank you."

Marco nodded solemnly. "Don't sweat it short stuff, it's my responsibility."

Arianna found herself furiously clenching her fist by her side. 'Of course he called me short stuff! I'm starting to think that he's an actual mean bastard!'

She nodded. The smile on Marco's face made her want to slap him silly.