Soaring above the skies piercing the heavens was a lone F-35 C flying at speeds faster than the speed of sound rushing to the battlefield. Fighters usually fly with a wingman but this one pilot was flying solo wing , pushing the aircraft to beyond its flight envelope to quickly save his comrades from being overrun by the enemy. Outgunned and outnumbered, the military was fighting a losing battle.

I hear the aircraft warning systems that I have Bingo fuel and was already close to being Winchester having low fuel and munitions left to spare. The only remaining weapon I have left was the 25 mm cannon. This was a weapon of last resort. We rarely or even never used it but this was all I have.

Already running out of fumes, I hit the throttle at full afterburner and sped up even more. I can feel the vibrations dissipating as my airspeed went up I've reached the point that I’m flying so fast that my aircraft pierced through the drag ,the thick wall of air it was flying against. I could feel the cockpit heating up due to the air friction making the skin of the aircraft to heat up rapidly.

The target is already in my sights and I’m ready to squeeze the trigger. Frankly I’m not good at strafing and this is my first attempt. My aircraft was yelling “Pull up! Pull up!” but it’s too late now. Here goes nothing!

“To all ground units! This is Midnight going for a strafing run!”

That dream again huh… I woke up to the sound of malevolent laughter and I knew it was them, my squad mates my new current squad mates serving in a new allegiance.

After my last mission serving the States Military I got court martialed despite the many of my brothers in arms rallying for my defense. Alas the military court has made it’s decision, I got dishonorably discharged from the Navy due to insubordination and crashing a multibillion dollar fighter jet.

I admit that sometimes the thought of regret from my actions crossed my mind but I shook it off. I still believed I did the right thing.

One day I was looking for a job an old friend living in the country called “The Country” suddenly called. Asked me if I was willing to join the Country Military since they were pretty depleted on manpower from the last war and now aggressively recruiting for another potential conflict. Another conflict ey? I smirked sarcastically as I remembered that there was never “another war” the war never ended or truth be told it was just about to start.

I don’t have much of a choice, rather rotting here in a country where I was refused to have second chances, I took up the offer and signed up. Now I find myself serving with these guys.

I instantly rose from my bed, anticipating for another prank. These guys just won’t let me be. Surprisingly nothing happened; guess they’re all too excited these days like kids going on a field trip. Well I myself too am excited.

“Yo buddy! You alive!?“

Greeted me good morning was callsign “Aero“ he goes by many names but we all call him that cause his an airman…an airman without wings that is. He’s one of my childhood friends in the Country where I grew up before going to the States.

He knows my circumstances and I know his. Surprised that someone like him joined the military. It’s just out of character for him to do so. He does not give me any details on what exactly happening to him but I can tell that he’s also screwed up like me.

“Can a dead man speak?”

I bantered back as I rose from my slumber and started making my bed and gearing up. The Country military isn’t the best military around but on recent years , not bad either. I wore my locally made green camo uniform and Kevlar vest and tied my boots. I picked my standard issue M4 5.56mm rifle which the Country still uses while the States is already transitioning to the heavier 6.8mm; well at least back home. In here we still use the 5.56mm cartridge.

To be honest, most of my gear was not standard issue. The only thing that was originally given to me is my uniform and the rest of the gear, I bought them myself. Even my service rifle was personally customized to States standard. One more unique thing I was issued, a Bolo knife as a weapon of last resort they say.

“Hahahahahaha!”

He just laughed it off. Seriously, he’s been out of character ever since we met after 5 years.

Aero is a man of many names. Sometimes he’s “Hachi”/“Hitoribocchi“/”Bochkun“/”Frost”/“Allein”/“Solo” and many others.I simply call him “Tomo” for simplicity’s sake.

“Where are the others?” I asked

“They got up earlier like a high schoolers excited for a field trip joking around is the first thing they did in the early morning”

“That explains the laughter.”

“Yea well let’s go get our breakfast before those mf eat it all man, Gook will meet us in an hour after breakfast.” - Tomo

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

“Aight” - Ej

We exited the tent and the cool breeze greeted us in the early morning. I put on my gas mask as this was mandated before we got here. Will take it off later when we’re in the mess hall.

“The hell are you wearing man take that shit off ! The guys in the lab coats already told us that the air’s safe! In fact it’s rich in oxygen and oxygen makes you high *breaths in * …..aaaaahhhhhhhhh”

Than young man inhaled deeply with his nostrils enlarged with eyes closed then let out a satisfying exhale. He looked like a mf smoking his weed. The lad approaching us was Afro bringing us some coffee.

His story was that he failed Law school then joined the Military. I can’t exactly call his experience a tragedy. Nope, far from it. In fact he was so happy he became a soldier he even declared that “It must be fate” or something like “This was said to me in a dream that I would become a warrior”. Well, at least he’s happy. We call him “Afro” yet he shaved his hair so he does not technically have an afro.

Well, I hate PPE’s so I quickly removed it. I welcome the gentle breeze hitting my face and inhaled some fresh air. The air here is indeed very fresh and relaxing compared to back home. This will be the first time breathing without the mask issued to us when we came to this realm.

The three of us got our coffees and started trekking towards our outpost somewhere beyond the outer perimeter of the forward operating base but plans of turning it into a permanent installation was already underway. The FOB was situated on top of a hill where we first landed.

We ventured to the woods in the direction of the small outpost our platoon’s “HQ”.

Tomo seems to be enjoying the surroundings.

The path we are taking is surrounded by tall conifers, not so different from the ones back home, even Gook commented that they are exactly the ones from the northern mountains of the Country. We have the farthest outpost in the area but we don’t mind, the scenery is majestic just like in a fantasy world. The path is heading downhill. Parallel to our path was a small stream of flowing clear fresh water.

Despite the temptations of drinking or bathing, we were advised that we refrain from touching it as further tests were to be performed. I can see salmon swimming. Too bad, Fishing was also prohibited...for now.

Speaking of water...

“I wonder who are today’s water boys?”

“Aniki and Law were assigned to bring in the water.”-Afro

“I’m ok with being water boy just no to latrine duty.”

Tomo said whilst gesturing his hand to a stop.

“Agree!”

Both me and Afro said in sync. No one wants to handle shit. Literal shit.

“The chirping of the birds and the flowing of the water makes good background noises ey Ej?” - Tomo

“Yea.”

I briefly answered still in trance with the serene environment. My head involuntarily turns to scan the area from the tall trees, the color flora, the green moist grass and the small creak beside us making a gushing and relaxing melody. Afro seemed to notice that I spaced out.

“Ej I get that we are venturing to a place that came straight out from an anime but we got to keep our heads in the game man. We’re still in hostile territory so always be on your guard.” - Afro

“Acknowledged. Thanks for the heads up man”

Afro simply nods. Afro was right. We are still technically in a hostile environment. Let our guard down one millisecond then we’re dead men. It’s been so long since I was in the cockpit I’m losing my situational awareness.

We continue to walk through the trail we always walked for the past few days here. We walk through this path forward and back that we made a human trail. We trekked as we sipped our cups of coffee.

The sunrays penetrating through the forest canopy further adds beauty to the scenery. Tomo then suddenly gulped down his coffee and picked up his pace, brisk walking faster than normal. Eventually he started running as if being in a hurry. He stopped and faced us while still jogging in place.

“Come on you guys! Dawn is approaching fast! We better pick up the pace or we’ll miss it!.” Then back to running he goes.

“Oh shit!”

We realized what’s happening. We both started sprinting despite our heavy gear and coffee on hand. There’s a good reason for this. It became an unspoken ritual in the morning since we got here. Our 15 minute trek ends as we reached the outpost.

We hit the jackpot when we got stationed to the spot near the edge of the mountain with a spectacular view of the valleys underneath, with the snow capped mountains meeting the horizon. It was a sight to behold. We were lucky we came here during spring time for the flora painted the vast terrain with their colors.

We saw the others already in position to welcome the first rays of the day.

“Hey guys you made it on time! Come up here now!”

"Yo Lee what's the sitrep!?" - Tomo

"Doi and the others are finished cooking Silog of different variants and fried rice. Breakfast will be served after the morning ritual." - Lee

"Sounds delicious!"- Ej

Silog is basically any fried meal supplemented with egg/s and sometimes complimented with various other food.

The friendly guy with a smile is Lee, He invited us up to the usual spot where the whole squad welcomes the sunrise, the first ray light of the day. I don’t know who started this serene morning practice but it was the time where we say our prayers, meditate and think. It has an effect of being lost in your own thoughts.

Well, my dreams had been bothering me these past few days I guess I really need this time of peace and serenity.

“The future hasn’t been really kind to us huh Ej”

Tomo spoke still staring at the sunrise.

“Yea, I remember when we were kids we used to dream of being super heroes, ride fancy cars, fly fighter jets, do really cool stuff , be rich and successful as fuck but it didn’t go as planned.”

This was the point where nostalgia, depression or anxiety hits. What happened to the dreams we once held? Our promises to our younger selves that we become great men? Is this it, is this the farthest we can go?

A lot of questions crossed my mind until I got swept by its flow drowning me further. My trance ended when a UAV passed by above us. The sun has fully risen and the sky was turning blue. Looking at the blue sky made the raging rapids of thoughts calmed down to a calm and still ocean.

Reality is cruel yes but the truth I’m seeing right now is so beautiful. We are in a new world now, a new life awaits!