Category: Writing

Unspeakable Acts, p3

Savoi’s sundress was at the top, nearly revealing her full cleavage, while the skirt displayed much of her upper thighs. There was no doubt she had put up a lengthy struggle before succumbing to her captors. However, her ordeal had no bearing on her appearance. Even with frayed hair, her defiant gaze emanated a sultry allure to a bevy of fevered oglers. Yet, she did not tremble as the other men and women did.

Eisen made his way to her, salivating like a wolf ready to devour his prey. He snatched her arm away from the flesh trader and placed his hand beneath her breast to make it jiggle. Then he spun her around and did the same thing to her buttocks.

“Well, what can I say about this sable lassie?” he asked, as the crowd cheered with delight. “This is one delicious piece of meat.”

 He spun her forward and leaned in to bite her neck. Savoi spat a large wad of phlegm in his mouth, but he merely grinned and swallowed her saliva with a grotesque satisfaction. Her stomach turned to his lascivious nature. A thousand notions of how to kill him swam through her mind, but there was no straightforward way to execute such a task without swift repercussions. Eisen continued to molest her in plain sight, which brought Yoshida’s wrath front and center.

The initial shock of Savoi’s capture and present situation had worn off. Yoshida’s horror turned his blood cold, and he laid waste to anyone in his path. In mere seconds, he bolted through the crowd and stood boldly before Eisen. Savoi was anxiously breathless, not recognizing him at first glance. Her eyes glazed over the Lesser House uniform, then up to his face. It was all she could do to stifle the streak of relief she felt in her heart.

Eisen did not take kindly to the interruption. He glared at Yoshida and recalled their brief interaction at the morgue. Yoshida’s reputation as a dangerous crime syndicates lead operative made him an indispensable asset to the Lesser House. His rank alone marked him above any of them within a 200-mile radius. It was no wonder such a man would want to challenge everyone for the flesh trader’s rare prize. Just as they were about to come to blows, one of the flesh traders eagerly intervened with another whisper in Eisen’s ear.

Eisen clapped once, then clasped his hands together.

“Where are my manners?” he said. “Most of you are new to our ways.”

He smirked at Yoshida and nodded so that more Lesser House rebels surrounded him.

Eisen confidently fixed his gaze back on the crowd. All that confidence vanished once he surveyed the scores of men injured during Yoshida’s advance.

“Oh, yes. We have ways here,” he said with a nervous chuckle.

Yoshida moved closer to Eisen, but a quick glance into Savoi’s eyes pleadingly advised him to stand down. He was unsure if she was well enough to fight, and they were outnumbered. The last thing he wanted was for further harm to come to her.

Eisen did not understand Yoshida’s withdrawal, but was relieved. He cautiously crept over to Yoshida, daring to keep a comfortable distance. Yoshida never once removed his eyes from Savoi, but kept his guard clear. Eisen felt relieved to have a slight advantage and, as a result, could make reasonable arguments.

“You want her?” he asked Yoshida. Cunningly, he continued. You stand in good company.”

Though he was weaponless, Yoshida lunged at Eisen with full intent to tear him apart with his bare hands. The Lesser House rebels stumbled over themselves trying to hold him back. Eisen took the brief window of distance to grab Savoi. Desperately, she resisted, but fell to her knees in anguish. Eisen pulled her up with a small dagger at her throat.

“I’d hate to damage such a lovely package. It’s rare that we come across such an exotic find,” he teased.

Yoshida stood motionless as Eisen commanded his men to back off.

Eisen called out to him. “Tell you what. You can have her, but just like everyone else, earn it.”

Yoshida found himself at a crossroads. His path was undoubtedly determined by Savoi’s condition. Back at the academy, he witnessed her take down twice as many men who were also twice her size. Her reluctance to fight could only have meant she was too weary or injured. He aimed to ensure that she had the best chance of saving herself if his efforts were foiled. With no clear sign she could manage, he was not willing to take the gamble on it.

Yoshida allowed himself to be hauled off by the rebels along with the remaining uninjured men. Hours later, they arrived at a stone amphitheater arena, dressed in yellow burlap togas and sandals. Eisen sent his cronies to address the men with their orders. The challenge he mentioned earlier that evening entailed a gladiator-styled duel. Eisen provided each contender with a weapon of their choice. All eyes rested on Yoshida to observe what weapon he would choose. The Dao sabre was his weapon of choice. Many pondered how he would overcome such weapons as firearms, but no one dared questioned him directly.

Heavy raindrops pounded on the rooftop of the corridor leading to the center of the arena. Yoshida stood at a distance, suitable for mentally preparing himself. He closed his eyes and steadied his breath as he reminisced. Shadows of his squad mates danced before him. The last time they were all together was during the exit exam. This time, there would be no one by his side to support him. Also, unlike the exit exam, death was the goal. For Yoshida, this meant he would have to resort back to his former glory as the 3rd lieutenant of the Gokudō Clan. Savoi’s life depended on it.

~The Waring Robins~

Unspeakable Acts, P.2

Days and nights passed by through deep swamps of the marshlands passed before Yoshida and the other men arrived at a villa compound. The area was heavily manned with armed guards and sealed off by a fortified mortar gate. Once inside, haggardly men dressed in sackcloth shirt and pants stood in clusters as Lesser House guerrilla berated them at gunpoint. Yoshida observed that each man wore shackles from the neck down. Most of them cowered together like frightened children receiving punishment for an unimaginable offense. Exhaustion, misery, and terror permeated through their ranks.

A powerful wave of anxiety and panic washed over Yoshida. It was the first time he felt such grief since he lost his beloved childhood playmate and sister Hinna. Though he drifted in and out of a haze, the fresh memory of helplessly witnessing his best friend’s death during the catastrophic massacre in Heddison singed deep in his heart. Then there was also the mystery of what may have come of Savoi to consider. Not knowing whether she was dead or alive, both crippled and strengthened him. He was determined to find her. No Lesser House agent or hell itself could keep him from the woman he loved.

With full composure, Yoshida quelled his anguish in time to witness the sectioning off of the men in his group. Only he and five others received instructions to follow a curious-looking man with the word Finlay inscribed on his name badge. His soft cap revealed thin strands of hair, and his mustache styled in an upside-down chevron. Finlay seemed completely indifferent to the men or directing them. Without a word, he simply motioned with his right hand for everyone to line up behind him and keep up.

Several miles away from the gate led to a bustling city. This scenery was a stark contrast from the internment camp. The stench of booze and sex provided a hint of familiarity in Yoshida. He quickly realized they had entered what could only be assumed to be the Pleasure District. The cobblestone walkways hosted dozens of stalls set up for gambling, alcohol, food, and trading.

Finlay ushered his team inside a some-what lavish tavern and guided them up three flights of stairs. Each team member received a key and told to use it to enter their living quarters. The innkeeper, a small and bald old woman, greeted them. She had missing teeth, and it was clear heavy drinking and smoking were a part of her daily routine. With an aggressively lustful purr, she handed Yoshida his key. Finlay shooed her away by tossing a coin purse down the flight of stairs.

Inside every room was a bathtub filled with soapy, boiling hot water and a fresh change of clothes spread on a bed. Yoshida quickly bathed and put on the Lesser House uniform. He cringed at the thought of being mistaken for one of them, but had no other options if he was going to find Savoi. Once the men reassembled, Finlay led them back out into the city streets. There, they joined in formation over fifty other men and waited for orders.

Yoshida recognized the leader from the morgue when he walked by. His name badge, inscribed Eisen, was more visible. Eisen’s silver teeth glowed in the streetlight as he climbed up onto a makeshift platform to speak.

 “You are here today because we have deemed you worthy to stand in the ranks of the Lesser House. We only select the best crops, so consider yourselves fortunate.” His eyes glazed over the crowd. “Don’t get too comfortable yet. We will need to weed out the weakest among you. There will be games of challenge. Only the strongest can truly be on our side.”

The men discontentedly murmured among themselves, so Eisen continued.

“Fear not! We aren’t without reason, unlike those scoundrels of the so-called Greater House. We always reward our winners accordingly.”

Suddenly, four flesh-traders rolled a large metal cage into the middle of the platform. Once the cage was unlocked, a sea of people sauntered out. Yoshida scanned across many faces of young men and women put on display. Some faces were unknown to him, but others were captives from Heddison. Eisen scoffed at each of them until one of the flesh-traders whispered in his ear.

“Well, now. It appears we have a pleasant surprise,” Eisen cackled, then pushed to sift through the crowd. “Let me see her! Bring her to me!” he demanded.

Before long, they brought a girl in a yellow sundress front and center. The men all gasped in astonishment and delight. Yoshida’s heart dropped and stomach sank at the sight of none other than Savoi standing among the women and men meant to be traded.

~The Waring Robins~

Pride Before the Fall, P. 2

Yoshida had just returned to the sleeping quarters from a session of tactical training. He was weary and irritated, given that the AAF team was far less skilled and disorganized than what he predicted. In his mind, even cadet Farouk had more competence and was easier to work with. Yoshida’s talent either attracted flirtation or intimidation from the batch of male and female officers. It was no wonder that none of them had seen any combat on the tour.

Just as Yoshida opened the door to head for the shower rack, Broudus stood in front of him. The men starred at each other for a moment, then Yoshida walked past him. Broudus spun around and forcefully tapped him on the shoulder.

“Uh, a word, lieutenant,” he said.

Yoshida was in no mood for meaningless conversation. He stopped in his tracks and sighed without turning to face Broudus.

“What is it, ensign?”

Broudus had been trying to restrain himself, as he was seething with anger. He collected himself, which made Yoshida shrug and walk away indignantly. This brought Broudus to a new heightened level of rage. Then words tumbled out of his mouth with spit and stutters.

“You—you gave me forty-five d—days of ex—extra duty, citing I st—stole a weapon!”

To this, Yoshida smirked and turned to face Broudus.

“I did.”

Broudus was taken aback by Yoshida’s calmness.

“Why? Why would you report a lie?” he pressed.

Yoshida looked dead into his eyes and said, “I did no such thing. On that last night guard, what happened?”

Broudus froze for a moment, trying to imagine what Yoshida meant.

“Think about it,” Yoshida scoffed. “You asked Lieutenant Savoi for help, then scurried off with her crossbow like a squirrel carrying away an acorn. I couldn’t very well let her take the fall for your stupidity.”

“Th-that’s not right,” Broudus stammered.

“Oh, it isn’t” Yoshida walked over and leaned his ear closer to Broudus’s mouth. “Do tell me all that happened.”

Broudus gulped. He knew saying the wrong thing could earn him a knuckle sandwich from Yoshida, but he also knew intimidation was the reason he was in this mess to begin with. Suddenly, he became infused with more hostility. Yoshida had given him grief the moment they met. It was unfair that he would also use his position as chief armor to bully.

“It was Th-Thomasa’s—”

Yoshida cut him off before he could finish.

“Who?”

Broudus shrunk as he dug his heels into the wooden floor.

“Lieutenant Savoi. It was her idea to offer the balm for my lips because they were burning in the cold air. I was just trying to return the favor by holding her weapon while she put it on me,” Broudus answered with a tremble.

Yoshida held his close position next to Broudus and whispered,

“Did you also return the favor by running off, leaving her to go back to the armory without her weapon in tow? Forty-five days is nothing compared to the scrutiny she would’ve faced in this god-forsaken Hoboken town.”

Broudus thought to stand down after Yoshida’s zinger. It was true that Savoi’s name was murmured under many lips since she upgraded the plain broth recipe. The AAF members were uncertain of how to perceive her. Though she never carried herself like a know-it-all, the results of her work made them all feel inadequate. Still, the matter of Yoshida’s intimidation tactics needed to be addressed. He was another anomaly in their otherwise mundane realm.

“Your presence startled me that morning. Nothing I did was meant to cause trouble for Lieutenant Savoi,” Broudus asserted.

Yoshida burst into a fit of laughter at the absurdity of his comment. Seeing that Broudus was none the wiser to the severity of his own actions left nothing else to say. Yoshida gave him a hard pat on the shoulder, then turned to continue on his way to the shower rack. Just as Broudus reached for him, Roudan came humming around the corner. The two men exchanged pleasantries before Roudan pulled out the ultrasound and palmed it onto Yoshida’s chest.

“Get a load of this!” Roudan beamed.

Yoshida looked at the paper, confused for a moment, until Roudan turned it right side up.

“Is this what I think it is?” Yoshida gushed.

Broudus felt slighted from being ignored. He rushed up to peer at the piece of paper, but his presence was non-existent to them.

Yoshida pulled Roudan in for a half-hug, then said, “I’m so happy for you. We should celebrate.”

Roudan shook his head.

“Well, there’s no more ale in the storage closet. We drank the latest shipment, too.”

By then, Roudan curiously looked at Broudus but still did not address him. He continued on with Yoshida.

“I have an idea, though. Some of us are gathering in the field to play rumble tag.”

Yoshida waved his shower gear in the air.

“Hell no. I’m off to see if there’s any hot water left. Have fun.”

Broudus bolted past the two men to stand in the way. His eager eyes practically begged Yoshida to play so they could settle their business.

Yoshida rolled his eyes.

“Thomasa was right. You are a pain in the ass.”

Much of the snow melted and turned to town center field into a mud swamp. It was the perfect setup for a game such as rumble tag, in which the premise was merely to tag an opponent and wrestle them to the ground. When they got to the field, four other AAF males joined them. Everyone was already paired up into 2-men teams at the start of the game. Yoshida and Roudan sized up their opponents, then laughed.

“You call this our competition? They might as well roll in the mud now,” Yoshida scoffed.

Roudan smirked.

“Well, if you must know; Broudus and his mate were Charlie squad leaders back at the academy. The freckled-faced gent and his buddy were Deltas.”

Yoshida sat down in the mud and crossed his legs.

“That tracks, for sure,” he replied.

Broudus and his partner took that as a sign to begin. They ran up to Roudan and Yoshida with full force. Roudan dodged being tagged, which caused the opponent to slide down. Yoshida had closed eyes, but could hear Broudus approach. At the last minute, he kicked both legs out in front. Broudus ran chest-first onto Yoshida’s feet, then Yoshida laid on his back and lifted him into the air. Yoshida toyed with him in that position until Broudus spat in his face. Yoshida balanced himself to fling Broudus across the field. The other two players felt appalled, and no longer wanted to play.

When Broudus recovered, a crowd had formed. Most everyone pointed and jeered at him, which made him angrier with Yoshida. Roudan had already wrestled his opponent into the mud, and helped Yoshida to his feet. Broudus charged at Yoshida with all his might. The tackle started off in jest to Yoshida, but when Broudus sucker-punched him, all bets were off. Not even Roudan could tear the men apart.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Savoi emerged onto the field with a gaggle of children.

“Let’s get Uncle Haru to play with us,” she encouraged.

The children swarmed over Yoshida, who was on top of Broudus. They pounced on him with giggles and tickles, which allowed room for Broudus to slither away.

~The Waring Robins~

Pride Before the Fall, P. 1

In just a little over a month, Heddison entered a period of rejuvenation because of the drastic climate change. The winter wonderland became a tropic amazon of sorts. Savoi wasted no time with this advantage by dispatching chemical reactive sets brought from the academy to restore both the soil and dead seeds buried beneath. Trees, vegetables, and fruit were once again available to produce. Shipments of healthy livestock from out west replenished farmlands. Imitation beef and other substitute supplements were no longer offered. 

This minor victory was a win for everyone, and could not have come sooner. An avalanche of disgruntled civilians complained to the Tribunal Council about their poor treatment from the distasteful foods rationed to the inept medical staff. The Company Commander, Captain Zukowski, had been overwhelmed with criticisms. Then suddenly, Heddison became the premier safe haven location once it had been stabilized. People from all over the kingdom attempted to negotiate passage to and through the territory.

Savoi directed the chemical technician team to extract components of turmeric, flax seed, ginger, curcuma longa, and echinacea to replicate phytomedicine. Chief Petty Officer Bededa was the first-line supervisor who monitored the project from start to finish. With doubtful eyes from the entire team, Savoi worked tirelessly to ensure they were taught in the same manner she learned from her mother.

Hushed snickers and jeers could be heard from the back of the kitchen all the while. Many technicians scoffed at the idea of medicine extracted from plants instead of being formed and combined with lab chemicals. They knew no other way because using natural resources to combat chemical warfare was a foreign concept. They had provided no real aid or relief. Which meant healing was delayed with scores of casualties by the wayside.

Chief Petty Officer Bededa was impressed by Savoi’s unusual approach, which eased the tension among the group. She commanded the team with a rich, even-toned voice to be silent, which allowed Savoi to work in peace. Then Bededa addressed the team.

 “Years ago, my unit deployed on a tour to Intagua Island. The land was so beautiful, filled with potent vegetation and sturdy animals.” She nodded at Savoi. “I was thrilled at the opportunity to learn from your people, but sadly, most were sent to be slaughtered on the infantry line. Over a short time, the island became a destitute wasteland. It gives me hope to see that all was not lost after such ruthless and ignorant pillaging. We are truly fortunate to have a native lead the way.”  

Savoi smiled at the acknowledgement. Her work was still met with resistance, but at least the results spoke for themselves. No one could refute the positive effects of the natural resources, which not only had been buried but simply disregarded for use. Though she had nothing to do with the climate change, she reversed some damages caused to the area by the winter storm. Time would tell if the advantage would remain in their court.

On the third level of the mail bay, Roudan and seven other AAF members were deeply engrossed in a competition to see who could stack the most ale cans on a wooden desk. Roudan had the highest collection of thirty-nine cans stacked in a pyramid. His concentration could not be broken, even as his counterparts verbally sparred around him. A tall redhead named 1stLt Bernal drunkenly cackled over his shoulder.

“Just tell me who it is, because I’m not good with names.”

Roudan did not stir from Bernal’s hot breath in his ear. He added yet another can on top of the pyramid, which caused the rest of the group to go wild with amazement. Bernal was also undeterred from being ignored.

“Well, I don’t know his name. I just know he’s on point with marksmanship and is the best weapons trainer we’ve had in a while,” she continued.

An officer with thick glasses crept on the other side of Roudan and interjected.

“Um, Bernal. You might want to take a step back from that guy. I heard he’s with that island girl.”

Bernal retracted the sentence in her throat and paused.

“Oh, yeah. They always seem chummy, regardless of who’s watching,” she replied while rubbing Roudan’s shoulder. He took his focus off the pyramid and starred at her with such disinterest that Bernal retreated to the other side of the table. The other female officer hesitated to speak, but lost the nerve when Roudan went back to his project.

The mail courier arrived shortly after, which caused Roudan to jump to his feet. Majestically, he left the table, knocking no cans over. It was to no avail since Bernal instinctively tried to pick up where he left off, but made the pyramid collapse by adding a last can. The group booed her unmercifully. Her friend instantly squatted beside her to clean up the mess.

Roudan accepted his telegram and walked out of the mail bay. His hands fumbled over the letter, not knowing what it would entail. To his surprise, the letter was written in Shevchenko’s handwriting. He took a seat on a nearby bench and carefully read each word as if they were sacred text. The letter was but one page with three paragraphs.

Paragraphs one and two were the usual status checks of wellbeing between her and Farouk, along with inquiring about their respective squad members. Paragraph number three was concerning, as she questioned his arrangement with General Benavides not to deploy to the capital, knowing Heddison was not the place to gain rank or notoriety.

Roudan sighed, feeling disappointed that Shevchenko did not trust his judgement. He understood the consequences of his actions and that their life would not be an easier since he was merely a lower noble. When he stood up from the bench, a small piece of paper fell from the telegram envelope. Roudan tucked the paper neatly back in the envelope, then pulled it out. He gasped and nearly doubled over once it was unfolded. It was an ultrasound, the very first picture of his unborn son. 

~The Waring Robins~



Sins of a Son, P. 2

Between 2100 and 0900, the people of Heddison were under a strict curfew known as the quiet hours. They mandated all civilians to remain silent in their tiny cottages while the AAF assigned squads to patrol the area. Until recently, the mandate had not been in effect. A month before the newly dispatched troops, there was a bloody scrimmage between some town folks and a posse of men who claimed to be bandits of the Lesser House. Shortly after the battle, twelve consecutive tsunamis brought in a winter storm that continued to plague the land.

Heddison’s layout of was that of an oval-shaped maze with frosted boarders where lavishly tall shrubs once stood. The terrain was filled with steep rows of inclined hills. Compacted hardened snow covered the ground, which made mobility quite treacherous. AAF designated specific civilians along with military personnel to be supplied with spiked-snow boots. There was rarely a difference between the days and nights, as dense fog and continuous snow flurries blotted out both sunray and moonlight. The eerie scenery triggered fear and uncertainty among everyone.

Savoi found herself in a dilemma, as she first believed her sole mission was to find a solution to counteract the chemical warfare that brought on the cold front. However, as soon as she set foot in the town, dozens of tasks were assigned to her from different departments. When she wasn’t assisting the medics, the culinary specialists called on her to recreate the ingredients she mixed in the plain broth. Her skills were in high demand, which gave her déjà vu of her time at Calvary academy.

Even with all her assignments, Savoi was not excused from night guard. The rotating schedule placed her on duty every third night, along with Yoshida. Teams of six drudged through the perimeter of Heddison’s maze, with weapons of choice at the ready. Only one candlelight post stood in the center of the town square. Yoshida and Savoi crossed paths at the top of each hour. Brief intimate glances beneath the dim light were all they shared.

After four weeks of the tour, everyone had adjusted to the weather and routines of their fellow members. Then one night, an unusual occurrence happened. The fog suddenly lifted along with the snow for a half an hour. The distinct sound of cannons from far off was heard. On the last rotation of the night guard’s shift, Yoshida expected to meet Savoi at the light post as he had every shift before. To his surprise, she was not there. Panic and frenzy took over his mind and heart. He broke ranks to search for her. He also broke the vow of silence, asking team members if they had seen her.

“Where could she be?” he asked himself out loud. Yoshida jogged a quarter of a mile away from the light post. Daybreak had not yet come, though the sky was visible. His adrenaline reached fever-pitch, trying to make out two figures ahead of him in the dark. Broudus stood next to Savoi, holding both their weapons, while she casually rubbed her fingers over his lips. Rage descended over Yoshida and blurred his vision for a moment. Broudus clearly enjoyed Savoi’s pampering, but quickly realized he crossed a line. His smile faded instantly, which puzzled Savoi.

Yoshida waited in contemplation over whether he should beat the young man to a pulp, or asking questions first. His mind wanted to go with the latter, but his heart knew that Savoi was more than likely in control of the situation. As always, she was undeterred by his arrival and continued to rub her index finger gently over Broudus’s lips. Finally, Yoshida’s temper overtook him, and he lashed out.

“What the hell is going on here?” he asked.

Broudus trembled and moved away from Savoi without a word. Savoi darted her eyes at Yoshida, then unapologetically explained.

His lips were grossly chapped, so I offered him some of my herbal balm.

Yoshida never took his eyes off Broudus.

“What, are you a toddler? Do you need your mommy here to wipe your nose and change your dirty nappy as well?” he quipped with a dead stare.

“Haru!” Savoi called to him. “That was completely unnecessary. You need to apologize to Cal at once,” she said.

Yoshida scoffed.

“I’ll do no such thing.”

“Then I’ll do it for you,” she fired back.

Savoi took Broudus by the hand, which he knew would only make matters worse.

“Thomasa, please don’t. It’s alright. Thank you for the balm,” he said, then scurried away.

I wish you hadn’t done that,” she sighed.

Yoshida walked over and clutched her shoulders.

“I thought you were lost—I thought I’d lost you.” Her expression did not show remorse, so he continued. “Thomasa, something is going on around here. The snow is melting and I know you heard the feint booms in the distance. Back at the academy, you were right; real. He pulled her head to his chest. “I don’t want to see any harm to you.”

She paused, relishing his embrace. It was the closest contact between them since they deployed. Then, feeling the need to advocate for herself, she lifted her head up.

“I was frightened graduation night, it’s true. But I have to push past that if I’m going to accomplish anything here.” She leaned on his chest again, then continued. “You know I feel the same about you, but we’re supposed to be helping instead hindering each other.”

Yoshida took her last statement as a dig. He placed a hand under her chin to tilt her face up.

Indignantly, he asked, “Is that what you call what was going on with blondie?”

Savoir smirked.

“Oh please. He is less harmful than you are. Cal is just a regular bloke from Dynsey. He’s sweet, but needy.” She paused, then chuckled. “I suppose that’s what you both have in common.”

Yoshida slightly squeezed her cheeks together, which caused her lips to purse.

“How do you mean by that?” he asked.

Savoir snatch her whole by from his clutches and walked away.

“You’re both a pain in my ass,” she jested.

Yoshida caught up with her, then gave a playful swat on her buttocks. They returned to the central station to sign off on night patrol. Back at their sleeping quarters, Savoi did not bother to remove her uniform. Instead, she fell asleep on her cot watching Yoshida attempt to make coffee. Roudan came in from the shower rack, instantly requesting a cup of hot brew.

After a large gulp, he spit the liquid in the sink.

“Yuck! What is this rat poison?”

Yoshida tried his best to stifle a laugh.

“What? You don’t like it? I made it special for you.”

“Yeah, well, Thomasa’s is better,” Roudan scoffed.

Yoshida sighed.

“Yes, well, she makes everything better.”

“Aw,” Roudan cooed. “Now, aren’t you glad I had us stationed in this safe haven.”

Yoshida took a more serious tone.

“I would say thank you, but this place won’t be safe or a haven for long. Something bad is coming this way.”

Roudan knew exactly what he meant. The signs that occurred early were telling, but Roudan still believed in the choices made.

“I don’t think we should be alarmed just yet. The opposition would have to sack the capital before they can reach Heddison. Our guys and gals have been holding strong for a while now,” he said.

Yoshida wanted to be supportive of his friend and forget all doubts, but there was Savoi to consider. He nodded towards her, then said,

“I’m worried about Thomasa. She going to spiral out again at this rate.”

Roudan chuckled at the sound of Savoi’s light snores.

“I don’t envy you. If Lily were here, I’d be on pins and needles too.”

~The Waring Robins~

Sins of a Son P. 1

23 hours after Calvary academy was attacked, all eligible graduates deployed on their first mission. Designated cadre, junior cadets, those in the infirmary, and medically profiled cadets deployed in an undisclosed location. The Alpha squad had been disqualified to deploy into the capital since two members were not in attendance. Instead, they were sent to Heddison, which was a small property acquired by an affluent family with no affiliation to either of the dueling houses. General Benavides established the city as a safe haven for civilians with support from the Allied Armed Forces.

The platoon disembarked from a chinook helicopter to fields of snow-covered crops and icy streets in what looked and felt like the dead of winter. City folks, both young and old, lined up around tents waiting to receive rations of food, clothing, and medical care. Low murmurs of conversations through the crowds were lost in the thick, icy air that chilled to the bone. Roudan, Yoshida, and Savoi were assigned to a food station. Since the crops long had died from the frost, only broth with a side of imitation beef tripe was offered.

Ensign Broudus, a young male officer who graduated two classes prior, was relieved when he no longer had to man the station alone. He was rather jovial and talkative, despite the dire circumstances. Roudan paid him no mind, but Yoshida took an immediate offense over Broudus’s flirtatious attentiveness toward Savoi. The brutal climate was a drastic change to what she knew back on the island. As she fell into a fit of cursing the weather, her accent could not be masked. Neither Roudan nor Yoshida could deny that it gave a charming compliment to her unique beauty. Ensign Broudus continued to engage her in conversation. Then he was beyond amused and enamored.

Savoi broke from the group, hoping to find anything to spruce up the plain broth they were about to serve. She had to remove her overcoat to squeeze around stacks of unopened barrels. After prying open an unlabeled barrel, she optimistically leaned over, nearly falling inside. Savoi was undeterred by her half-submerged state, but continued her search with flailing legs in the air. Broudus fixed his eyes on her like a starved fox prepared for a kill.

“Hey, buddy. What the hell are you gawking at?” Yoshida growled.

Broudus abruptly snapped out of trance and was met with condemning glares from Yoshida and Roudan.

With a nervous chuckle, Broudus swept his a few strands of blonde bangs from his forehead.

“The academy sure has changed since I was in,” he said.

“What’s the matter? Haven’t you seen an islander before now?” Roudan asked in a protective tone.

The two men cornered him in the back of the tent, away from Savoi’s view. Broudus was slightly shorter than both and was certainly no match for either of them. Yoshida leaned in closer so the fog from his breath hit directly on his face. Broudus shook his head nervously, then accidentally let out a fretful whimper.

Roudan peered at him, then softened his stance. It had been only three years ago that he himself met Savoi. She was the very first islander permitted to enroll at the academy, and quite the anomaly. Nonetheless, she was his little sister. Perhaps not by blood, but certainly by the strings of camaraderie woven together during their time at the academy. The Alpha squad had a strong bond; one that he would protect at all costs.

Broudus pivoted to the side and balanced himself against a wooden table. He was uncertain of Yoshida and Roudan’s relationship with Savoi, so he tried to throw them off with a joke.

“Ha. If more broads like her had been enrolled during my time, I might’ve gotten recycled just to stay in a bit longer.”

“Stop being weird!” Roudan snapped.

Yoshida gripped Broudus by the collar of his coat.

“Listen, wise guy; that young lady is 2Lt. Thomasa Savoi, not some random broad,” he said.

 “Hell yes! She’s a brilliant chemist and our fellow officer-in-arms,” Roudan added.

“You’ll put some respect on her name, and not spout any further derogatory drivel,” Yoshida growled between clenched teeth.

Savoi perked her head from the barrel without noticing the ruckus behind her.

“Hey guys, I think I found something,” she said stiffly.

Broudus used the opportunity to free himself from Yoshida’s grip. He wanted to call out to Savoi, but thought better than to do so as Roudan stood in his line of view. Broudus calmed himself and waited for whatever would come next. Savoi continued to dig head first inside the barrel, completely clueless about her surroundings. The men silently lingered until a gust of ice wind crashed across their faces. Though all AAF personnel wore high-tech fabric snowsuits, their uniforms were no match for the severity of the elements. 

“My goodness, it seems as if hell has truly frozen over and we’re stuck in the midst,” Yoshida groaned. “Damn General Benavides for placing us here.” He slapped Roudan on the shoulder. “I thought you could’ve at least talked some sense into him.”

Roudan shrugged, “Be grateful I got him to do as much. I wasn’t prepared to go on the front lines when we were a few men down.”

Broudus became intrigued by them.

“So, you got to rub elbows with the big wigs back at Calvary?” he asked. Every bit of enthusiasm melted from his face, as Roudan and Yoshida’s glowers dropped the temperature down by 10 notches.

Roudan rolled his eyes.

“The old geezer was hard to read. Over the course of our term, he seemed heavily invested in our squad, yet the sorry bastard didn’t have the decency to acknowledge me by my rank at our last conversation after graduation. I could barely negotiate the terms of our deployment because his smoldering indifference was noted.”

Broudus chuckled.

“Sounds to me like you were considered the chosen one out of many. I’ve met no other cadet who has privately met with him. It makes sense, though.”

Roudan and Yoshida patiently waited for Broudus to continue. Their eager eyes lessened the harshness of the mood. Broudus was glad to find a common ground among them at last.

“Well, I can’t be certain of the story, but it’s what I heard during my 2nd year.” He continued. “Everyone knows that the General and King Klauvius had a romantic involvement. They hired a segregate to carry their child. It was a son, but he was stillborn. They lost the only known heir to the throne. Perhaps you reminded General Benavides of the child he never got to have, and that’s why he talked to you.”

Roudan and Yoshida glared at Broudus, then looked at each other crossly. They erupted into the sort of laughter that made Broudus feel insulted.

With teary eyes, Roudan cackled.

“I’m sorry, buddy; but that is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”

Yoshida was so tickled, he could not speak. Broudus took the slight as a cue to walk away. He slid next to Savoi, who was busily mixing some powders together. Yoshida straightened up, but Roudan insisted they leave well enough alone for the time being. The lines of town folks flocked to the tents like vultures to prey. The plaza was bustling with business.

Yoshida whispered to Roudan loud enough that only he could hear him.

“You want to tell me what the real deal is here? That clown Broudus has been stationed in this same spot for six years, and he has nothing to show for it except serving broth.pt serving broth.

 Roudan sighed and then he looked over at Savoi, who was happily enthralled in her duties.

“I was hoping you wouldn’t question my choices, senpai,” he replied.

Yoshida smirked.

“When have I NOT questioned your choices?”

Roudan took him by the arm and led him to the furthest corner of the tent.

“I know we could have been fine to go to the capital, but right now the only thing I’m thinking about is Lilya. She’s carrying my child. I offered to marry her, and I plan to be there to receive our bundle of joy. The truth is, we’re safer here so that I can make all that happen. It might be selfish of me, but I don’t care. The war can wait until I settle my affairs.”

Graduation Commencement P. 1

Most of Calvary Academy had been allotted a leave of absence to either support or witness the exit exam. After the completion of the exam, cadre and cadets alike returned to a gruesome sight to behold. The sky was smoky with a pinkish-gray fog, lush trees and grass withered brown, and the great waterfall turned smudgy-black. In the distance was the boom of cannons just beyond campus walls. A dreadful eeriness claimed whatever victories had just been achieved only hours ago. Reality singed all their minds; the war was upon them.

There was little time for all the traditional pomp and celebration of graduation. During the ceremony, they pinned graduating classes with the ranks of 2nd Lieutenant and Ensign, with the Alpha squad earning top honors. At dismissal, Roudan had been summoned to sit on the counsel with General Benavides and the senior ranking command. After the intel meeting, he found himself in front of the most decorated senior officer and founding member of the academy, this time as a junior officer.. Though age and experience separated the men, their passionate dispositions held them firmly together.

General Benavides peered through his spectacles at the young man, oozing with indignation and a newly found arrogance.

“Have something to say, do you, lad? Go on and spit it out,” he smirked.

Roudan cuffed his fist. With a tight jawline, he asked, “Can we take a moment to revisit the exit exam?”

General Benavides grunted as he leaned over his desk, trying to retrieve a cigar from the fancy box inside a top drawer.

“Your mind is still on that, eh?”

His voice had been grim, but after successfully salvaging the last cigar, he perked up a bit.

“Weren’t you here in this room with me just moments ago when our central intelligence officers read reports of an imminent attack?” he asked.

Roudan pondered whether to continue, though the General’s eyes suggested he had better get on with whatever business he had on his chest

Armed with confidence, he said, “With all due respect, sir, you set my team up for failure.”

General Benavides chuckled.

“I did no such thing. I demonstrated the evils of war.” He lit the cigar with a single match, then blew out the flame. After a long drag, he continued. “Some individuals take the mission to heart use their very last breath to see it through. Others look for shortcuts or self-preserving advantages. Our kingdom needs a unified military that can serve the purpose of the greater good—to end this war.”

Dumbfounded, Roudan sighed in disbelief.

“So, you mean to say the exit exam wasn’t about capturing the most flags?” he asked.

General Benavides dabbed out the cigar in a nearby ashtray.  

“It never has been. The exit exam is a hands-on lesson on the rules of engagement. I merely dangled a carrot towards the opposing teams to see which ones would cave under pressure.” He walked over to Roudan and pat him on the shoulder. “Now, let us visit present-times. A prime example of what I’ve tried to teach you is this; the academy has never been attacked in all these years. We established this entire territory as a sanctuary state. Until recently, we had armed forces resilient enough to withstand both dueling houses. Something has changed. Not only are we dealing with a leak, but a culprit or culprits willing to up the stakes by dismantling our best chances at a defense.”

Across campus in the shower racks, Shevchenko stood inside her stall, feeling woozy. She dropped and buried her face in her knees. Without realizing it, the hot water turned icy. Other female cadets just gawked and whispered. Only one had the sense to find Savoi to attend to her. They returned to their barracks quarters right away. Shevchenko laid curled up in a ball on the couch until Savoi finished preparing a concoction in the tiny kitchenet.

“Lily, I need you to sit up,” Savoi said, then sat beside her. “I have something to soothe your ailments or something to make them go away altogether.”

 She handed Shevchenko a mug with piping hot liquid.

Shevchenko sat up, then brought the mug to her lips. After a thoughtful pause she blurted, “Wait, is this something that will—”

“No!” Savoi gasped. “I would never do anything without your consent. This is only poppy milk and chamomile to calm your nerves.” Savoi gently rubbed Shevchenko’s belly. “It’s perfectly safe for both of you,” she said.

Astonished, Shevchenko asked, “How did you know?”

 Savoi gave her a reassuring smile.

“Remember, my mum was a doula in her prime, before she became a dressmaker exclusive to the Malta estate. I watched her care for many women in need of all kinds of assistance. Besides, you and Emmett have been going hot and heavy for a while now. All the signs were there during the exit exam.”

Shevchenko sighed in both relief and distress, so Savoi tenderly stroked her hand. “Does Emmett know?” she asked.

 Shevchenko sulked. “Yes. He went to check on me in the infirmary and visit Maaz.”

Savoi took a sip from her own mug. “I see. How is Maaz doing, by the way?”

Shevchenko frowned at how easily Savoi’s attention swayed from one topic of conversation to the next.

“He seems to be on the mend, but disappointed that he won’t be joining you on the 1st mission. I told him I wouldn’t be going either. That’s when Emmett overheard us talking,” she replied.

Savoi perked up.

 “What happened then? What did Emmett say?”

“Nothing,” Shevchenko huffed.

 Savoi blinked.

“Nothing?”

Shevchenko hesitated in her words, while reminiscing about the events.

“Well, he didn’t get the chance. Maaz got so excited and worked up trying to congratulate us he went into a coughing fit and his lungs collapsed. A nurse instantly sent me back to my room and Emmett was hurried away.”

“Goodness, that’s just awful!”

Shevchenko assumed Savoi was talking about her situation with Roudan, but that theory was quickly cleared up when Savoi fell into a tirade over her disapproval in Yoshida’s tactic to amp Farouk up for battle.

“Maaz is well on the road to recovery.” Shevchenko interrupted. “He should be able to join the team in a few weeks.”

Savoi paused, then asked, “What about you, Lily? Will you return to your family?”

Shevchenko winced at the very thought.

“Heavens no. Come on, you’ve met them. My family never wanted me to enroll at the academy. Even if I come back as a graduate and top-tiered officer, they’d rebuke me for getting knocked up. Not to mention the father being a lower nobleman.”

Savoi looked at her in astonishment.

“Don’t look at me like that, Thomasa. You know what I mean.”

Savoi shook her head in disagreement.

Shevchenko glowered.

“Or perhaps you don’t. Class and status mean nothing on the islands, but in my world, it means a lot. I’m not saying I agree. Obviously, I don’t care, because I fled that life to come here.”

“Emmett loves you,” Savoi pleaded. “That should count for something. I wouldn’t dismiss such a privilege.”

Shevchenko smirked.

“I could say the same of you and Haru. He boldly confessed his feelings for you during the exit exam, and you haven’t given him as much as a tender glance.”

“He only said that to get inside Maaz’s head,” Savoi timidly replied.

Shevchenko rolled her eyes and scoffed.

“We both know that isn’t true. Why won’t you admit it and embrace it like you want me to with Emmett?”

“It’s not the same thing,” Savoi stammered.

Shevchenko challenged her assertion.

“Oh, it isn’t? You’re saying you don’t love him?”

Savoi pursed her lips.

“Do you not love Emmett back?”

“Don’t change the subject,” Shevchenko snapped.

Before long, the women found themselves in a shouting match. Each had exhausted all points and counterpoints on the subject. Then, a graceful and seemingly endless pause gave way so they could drink their tea.

 Savoi broke the silence with her final thoughts.

“The truth doesn’t always set us free. Will it make you feel better or worse if I tell you the truth?”

Shevchenko sighed. She knew Savoi was just as much in love with Yoshida, and it would not make her feel better to hear it out loud. For Shevchenko, this meant she did not have any other option but to turn towards Roudan with full intent. Their eyes met with an agreeable comfort of standing down. Shevchenko changed the subject entirely.

“When do you ship off?”

Savoi cringed at the even sorer subject.

 “As early as tomorrow night. The last two graduating classes have been propelled onto the front lines faster than any others.”

~The Waring Robins~

3rd Year, Part 14

Inside the lighthouse, Savoi and Farouk felt uneasy as they heard more footsteps and talking from upstairs. Farouk’s badly injured arm required first-aid before they could continue.. Savoi patched his shoulder with a blueish green salve. The fresh scent of aloe soothed the pain and calmed his nerves. She gave him a nod of encouragement, and he left her by the doors to divert any opposing threats. About halfway to the midlevel section, Farouk encountered nine cadets who had also breached the lighthouse.

They sized him up and quickly dismissed his less-than-intimidating stature. Farouk unsheathed the dome-shield from his sphere.  A Delta female cadet, who towered over counterparts, smirked and retracted an electromagnetic stick of dynamite. Just before detonation, Farouk reversed his shield. An explosion happened and sent electricity back to the other cadets. The violent explosion blew Farouk and the cadets a great distance apart. Suddenly, a rather pudgy girl with blonde pigtails clumsily sprung on top of him after avoiding being hit with the bolt. Farouk seized the last sphere from her utility belt and knocked the girl off with a punch to the face.

Farouk felt regretful, knowing most likely he had broken her nose. He carried on to retract a chemical grenade from the sphere. All of his limbs throbbed like fire in his veins. He limped to Savoi to hand her the grenade, but slumped over and fainted. Yoshida’s voice echoed in his mind. He remembered the promise to protect Savoi. Seconds later, Farouk launched himself up and began again. Drops of blood moistened the corner of his mouth. He arrived by Savoi’s side, exhausted and battered. She was no better off, as her face was covered with purple and black bruises from the blasted slivers of the doors. Fragments of the doors broke, but the impact of the rocket was not enough to demolish the doors.

Savoi planted the grenade by the doors, then dragged Farouk away a few feet back. She laid on top of him to shield him from the blow. This time, the doors disintegrated with only the hinges left behind. Yoshida, Roudan, and Shevchenko came hurling through the blasted entryway. Their hearts stopped for a moment saw at the sight of their fellow squad members laying lifelessly on the badly damaged marble floor. Yoshida was visibly beside himself with grief until Savoi finally roused. Straightaway, he embraced her, then examined her for signs of injury.

Savoi firmly protested being fussed over, especially since it was Farouk who needed attention. She briefed the team on Farouk’s heroism and her desire to reach the top of the lighthouse. Roudan agreed to escort her, while Yoshida and Shevchenko covered them. The team strategized to use Farouk as a decoy to lure incoming opponents so Savoi and Roudan could ease up the stairs undetected. Yoshida was certain his defensive attack would hold them off long enough for the plan to work. Shevchenko vowed to defend the already wounded Farouk from more harm.

Only a few minutes passed by before it was time to put the plan into action. The team split in teams of two, leaving Farouk displayed on the floor in front of the entryway. Fortunately, he remained unconscious and could not fretfully object his role in the ruse. Three Bravo cadets haphazardly entered the domain. The young men were worn out and mangled from the scuffle on the beach, but determined to complete their assignment. With weapons drawn, they peered down at the motionless body, completely unaware of the impending ambush.

Roudan gave a silent signal with the wave of his hand, then his team rushed the Bravos with heavy rounds of laser fire. He gripped Savoi by the arm, then whisked her away to the stairs. Yoshida and Shevchenko kept the Bravos engaged, while outside onlookers watched in terror at their intensity. The plan seemed to work accordingly until they heard General Benavides over an intercom inside the lighthouse.

“This is your five-minute warning. The exit exam will conclude in five minutes. Remember; the team with the most flags will be the winner of this simulation.”

All the clamor of laser fire and fighting turned into shouting. Roudan became concerned for the rest of the team. He looked at Savoi as she continued to climb the stairs. She felt him pause, so she stopped in a panic. Her eyes pleaded with a determination that he could not oppose.

“Well kiddo, this is as far as I can go. I have to get back to the team,” he said.

Savoi smile and nodded, feeling relieved that he did not command her to abandon the mission. It was more than curiosity which drove her up the stairs. Savoi felt a knowing in her gut that something important awaited her at the top of the lighthouse. The pair clinked the nozzle of their laser pistols, as if to toast each other’s success. Roudan made his way back down the stairs, while Savoi continued on her way.

When he descended to the bottom level to the entryway, Shevchenko was kneeling beside Farouk while Yoshida was in a shouting match with the other teams. Alpha squad had collected just under thirty flags over the course of the exit exam. All the other teams claimed to have just as many. A computerized scoreboard flashed on the wall. Each team member read the scores silently before General Benavides called out the numbers.

“Delta points, twelve. Charlie points. Twenty-one, Alpha and Bravo are tied at twenty-nine.”

“Wait a minute. How can you claim to have so many flags?” Roudan shouted. “If my memory serves correctly, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta squads spent nearly this entire exam attacking us. When did they have time to pick up more flags?”

“There’s no way in hell any of you mutts have collected as many flags as our team,” Yoshida barked.

“We won this match fair and square,” Shevchenko chimed in.

Yoshida nudged Roudan on the shoulder. “Unless they rigged this exam,” he said.

The shouting resumed for several minutes, then an A.I. hologram appeared before them. They watched in awe as Savoi came out onto the gallery at the top of the lighthouse. She circled the perimeter twice before stopping. The rain kept her vision blurry, so she extracted a rifle with a scope from her utility belt. Savoi honed in on an image hundreds of miles across the ocean. General Benavides began a countdown for the conclusion of the exit exam.

“Five, four, three—”

Savoi locked and loaded her weapon, took in a deep breath, and fired a sonic bullet towards the image. The hologram followed the bullet to its intended target, which was a cellular tower that hung a giant flag. Once the bullet struck, sonic waves recoiled back towards the lighthouse. Yoshida draped Farouk over his shoulder, and everyone inside immediately evacuated. The burning flag hit the water, adding a final point to the Alpha squad’s total.

Roudan and Shevchenko rushed around the other side of the deteriorating lighthouse. Savoi had no choice but to jump before the building collapsed. Roudan and Shevchenko quickly extracted Kevlar parachutes from their spheres and tied them together. Savoi dropped so fast they nearly missed catching her. The other teams were so impressed with the Alpha squad’s flawless synchronization that a frenzy of cheers overtook the beach.

Shevchenko was relieved Savoi was safe and unharmed. Years of well-nurse raw resentment faded into exhilaration. Savoi had come through for them in the end, when it mattered the most. By then, Farouk had awakened. Yoshida filled him in on the details before the medics came to tote him away on a stretcher. He watched his team mates reunite, and his heart swelled with pride that he was an Alpha.

~The Waring Robins~

3rd Year, P. 13

Yoshida had already unsheathed another sphere from its holster and retracted a dome-shaped shield to protect himself. Roudan and Shevchenko instinctively followed suit. Sounds similar to hailstone on a tin roof deafened their thoughts as a rapid fire of lasers showered over them. Their translucent shields held well as a protective barrier, but the consistent stream of rain and laser beams blurred everyone’s vision. A mass of bodies swarm around them, followed by waves of weapons clashing onto their shields. The Alpha team made progress towards the lighthouse doors by pushing their opponents back.

As luck would have it, the storm caused an opponent’s hand to fumble when retrieving their sphere. Yoshida nodded at Roudan with a knowing grimace, as the would-be weapon dropped near his foot in the muddied sand. The opponent tried to recover the sphere, but Yoshida intercepted it. Roudan and Shevchenko spun about, twirling shields which knocked the masses into each other. Yoshida promptly extracted and hurled a grenade. Seconds later, a majority of the opposition was blown back down the slope of a sand hill.

A small formation of remaining Bravo, Charlie, and Delta cadets emerged from the carnage. To their credit, they withstood the previous battle at the abandoned warehouse. They had also dispatched a slew of recycled cadets to lend aid to the efforts of the exit exam. Whatever trespasses landed them nearly on the brink of expulsion would be forgiven in exchange for going after the Alpha squad with full force. Each sauntered about with twisted faces as their eyes stung from rain and blood. Cries of agony echoed behind them.

Shevchenko felt a lump form in her throat as their enemies moved in closer. Another round of physical combat was imminent. She willed her mind and body to perform on command. Her thoughts fell on Farouk and on how Yoshida had tasked him to protect Savoi. Though no one had given her such a charge, she felt it was her duty to persevere and hold her own, so it would not force her counterparts to take care of her.

“I won’t be the weakest link of the Alpha squad,” she whispered.

In a blink, Shevchenko extracted an ax from her sphere. She braced herself, then walked behind a female opponent about to fight Roudan. When the girl threw a dagger, Shevchenko cut swiftly into her back. The girl howled and laid face down, convulsing in excruciating pain. There was little time to linger, but Roudan managed a half smile at Shevchenko as they darted off in separate directions.

Yoshida extracted his one more sphere, which took the shape of a guandao. Inwardly, he imagined himself a demon drunken by bloodlust. Fiercely, he wielded the short pole around his shoulders, arms, and over his head. The attached wide blade whacked every intended target from his path. It felt like ages since he had been in the throes of such violence, to which a morbid wave of nostalgia washed over him.

Roudan was busy dealing with his own skirmish when he suddenly became distracted by Shevchenko and a peculiar Charlie cadet. The lad was twice her size with a child-like demeanor. They wrestled with failed attempts of tugs and grabs. With a quick leg sweep, she leveled him into a large puddle. The cadet grunted as she landed an elbow to his temple. Roudan swelled with pride seeing that Shevchenko had returned to good form and his combat training was effective. Roudan body slammed a quivering Delta who stole a punch to his face while it sidetracked him.

Meanwhile, Savoi continued her long climb up the window of the lighthouse. Her gloves were slippery against the rope, but the tactical footgear kept her steady. Dread erupted in her mind as she heard the screams of her classmates below pummeling each other to a gory pulp. Knots in her stomach formed, thinking of her beloved squad. Resolve to succeed drove her further and faster up the wall, although hunger was also an obstacle.

Shevchenko had insisted forgoing a bite of breakfast in favor of making better time across the vast ocean. It was a small victory for her to prove whatever point she tried to make. Savoi harbored no ill-will on the matter, considering she too had made a bold assertion that the lighthouse contained a pertinent solution towards their victory in the exit exam. The sooner she found the answer, the sooner their struggles would be over. This was conundrum was parallel to the actual war itself.

When Savoi finally made it to the opened window, it took all her might to pull herself in. She did not realize Farouk had been trailing behind until she tried to retract her rope. His wounded shoulder kept him several paces down, but to his relief, Savoi had enough strength left to pull him up and inside. They looked out the window to drink in the view of the raging battle below.

“Oh, no! That looks bad,” Farouk gasped.

Savoi frowned, completely vexed with him.

“This is what war looks like. Are you going to cry?” she smirked.

Farouk shifted his stance to appear more courageous.

“No,” he sniffed.

The pair stood in the lighthouse’s midlevel. Although Savoi wanted to continue onward to the top, they opted to travel down the stairs to the doorway so the rest of the team could join them. As they rounded the corner of the spiral wooden staircase, they heard footsteps behind them. The other teams followed them up the lighthouse wall. It would not be long before they clashed. Savoi grabbed a sphere, which morphed into the shape of a rocket launcher. She mounted the large weapon on her shoulder, then proceeded to act.

“Wait!” Farouk cried. “How do you know if our men aren’t directly behind the doors?”

Savoi’s nose crinkled as her trigger finger slightly twitched. With limited time and impending doom pressed against their backs, she quickly took out a flare gun and fired it beneath a crack in the doors. Red smoke oozed from the space, then arose into the air. A skull- shaped cloud hovered over the fighters on the beach. Roudan instantly recognized the symbol of the Alpha squad and knew Savoi had breached the lighthouse.

~The Waring Robins~