Prologue: Moving out
20-year-old Kon felt like his life was finally complete. He was self-sufficient and not broke. Living in one of the most renowned cities in the world, he was happy. However, it was his turn for mandatory military service. It seems like there's going to be a big detour before he can lay his hands on peaceful living.
The sound of house music and laughing were heard through the small apartment.
“YEAAAH, and that’s GAME,” said a big burly man.
“C’mon, that’s like three back to back wins. I can’t end on this,” said another big man, but with less visible muscles.
“I wish we could play longer, but I seriously have to leave early tomorrow,” I said.
We were playing a game of serious dominos, with of course money on the line. Thankfully I broke even, but I couldn’t say the same for Rudy. Seeing Rease tease him about being 50 credits up, I couldn’t help but smile.
“I’m gonna miss this,” I weakly said.
They both stopped and looked at each other, then me.
“These were probably the best two years I’ve spent with y’all”
“Ya don’t gotta be sentimental, it’s only six months,” Rease said.
I shook my head and he looked confused, until Rudy spoke.
“Wait, you got the two year service?” Rudy said exasperated.
“What wait what. What's that?”
I sighed.
“I didn’t know this when I got drafted, I thought it was the same as y’all. I only found out three days ago when I went in for a checkup. It’s a rare occasion that’s random, and the recruiter said I was lucky.”
“Shit, I was wondering why you weren't yourself,” said Rudy
“Hold the fuck on, TWO fucking years in the military? Is that shit even legal?”
“Calm down Rease, and yes, it's an actual thing. Kon’s just unlucky. It’s like winning the lottery just with multiple people.”
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“BUT THATS TWO YEARS RUDY! We’ve lived together and know each other for the same amount of time.”
It was kinda funny seeing him be mad on my behalf. It felt like I was leaving home again.
“Listen the both of y’all. It’s just life. Right when we feel good and everything's going well, we hit a wall. When I’m done, we can have a sick reunion. Besides one of use was going to be moving on eventually. Now let's clean up and sleep so I won’t miss the hover bus.”
With that I started to pick up our drinks and headed to the sink. Looking up Rudy was putting the game away and Rease was folding up the table. I turned off the music and went to get the futon.
“Can you guys manage the rent?” I asked trying to lighten the mood
Rudy who was closes to me answered
“Yeah, we both got a raise, besides you were probably gonna give us some creds to pay for your half right?”
I could only smile at him. If only I could stay a bit longer. Rease who was in the kitchen asked me.
“So, what gonna happen to your stuff, do they got a storage or is it staying here?”
“I put all my stuff in boxes yesterday, the recruiter said someone will pick them up and put my stuff in long term storage. On the upside you could fit someone in the extra room now.”
“Shit, you really are leaving. I still can’t believe it.”
With that we slowly prepared for the next morning.
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Early in the morning at 5:00am I was getting my bag ready. It was issued to me at the recruiter's office. Double checking it to see if everything was in order with the list. Both my roommates were up talking. With one last goodbye hug I walked out to the bus stop.
There’s a dedicated stop a couple kilometers out. Walking up to it, I saw a couple of other early people all hanging around. I stood near the back of the designated area, a couple meters away from the group. Their bags were like mine, pure black with a red stripe on the left shoulder strap that goes down the rest of the backpack. The difference was that mine was a silver stripe.
The place was slowly becoming packed as more and more people were coming up. A few were dropped off by their family, saying their goodbyes. Around 6:00am, the hover bus pulled up. Slowly everyone's chatter died down. The doors opened up and a man in military uniform walked out.
“LISTEN UP!”
“I want 12 lines of 10 people arm's length away.”
His voice roared like an engine.
“MOVE!”
His command was executed and everyone was scrambling bumping into each other as they lined up. I was in the back counting. Waiting for nine to form up and quickly stole the last. A girl went behind me.
“Hey no harm, but I’m the tenth.”
She panicked for a second but went over to another line. It took a while but 12 lines were formed.
“ARMS LENGTH.”
At his shout the quick ones were able to pick up what he meant and all lines started to shuffle a bit. I didn’t have to do much but back up a bit and reach my arm up, barley out of reach of the guy in front of me.
“I SAID ARMS LENGTH.”
I put my right arm up to the right and touched a guy's shoulder.
“Hey move over a bit.”
He looked at me then my arm. I could hear the ‘ahh’ in his head and he did the same. The guy in front of me looked and did the same on his side. Soon about everyone was doing it. Another minute later and all 12 lines were all arm's length away. We were all staring at the man in the door, waiting for him to speak.
He turned and spoke to the driver, soon the lights on the side of the bus started to strobe. I put my hand up and blocked most of the light. When it stopped, he spoke.
“We got a luck one.”