April 13, 2056

Smith

Smith

Dad!

I wake up in a cold sweat, gasping for air, with dried tears down my cheeks. I'm on a stretcher, inside the infirmary I would guess.

I sit up to look around but don't see anyone, no Tyranians or Shards. I look around further and notice a calendar on wall. It's the thirteenth now. How exactly long have I been out?

My mind is in a fuzzy state. All I remember was... seeing that symbol I didn't recognize. Then the room faded away, and I was back in Rambell with...

With...

Another tear falls down my cheek as I struggle to keep in my emotions. I had buried that memory so deep inside my mind that I forgot how much it hurt after re-experiencing it. I don't tell anyone of what happened that day. Not even Frost. I lost everyone that day, and it made me to who I am now.

But why?

Why did that happen?

Why was I there again?

As I can't think straight and I begin to have another headache, I hear the door open with Alice entering soon after. I must've caught her by surprise because as soon as she sees me, she drops the duffel bag she was carrying and rushes to my side.

"Luna! You're awake!" She grabs ahold of my hand, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay, but what happened?"

"I'm... not too sure myself." She starts off, "One second I was sparking up a conversation with one of the Sentinels and the next I see Frost running out of the Command building with you in his arms. By the time things settled down, I was told you had a panic attack of sorts, and they couldn't wake you up."

A panic attack? I haven't gotten one of those for a about three years now. Is that what possibly could've happened to me? That doesn't explain that symbol I saw though... maybe it wasn't real after all? I don't know...

But for now, I guess I'll go with that story. There's just no possible way I'd be able to explain what happened anyways.

"I see..."

"Jeez, you need to stop scaring me like that!" She leans in to bear hug me, "What would I do without my best friend?"

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't be! I'm just glad it wasn't anything more serious." She states before backing away and retrieving the bag she dropped earlier.

"By the way, where is everyone?" I ask as I hang my legs off the bed.

"We've been called to defensive positions." She says before tossing the bag onto my bed, "If you think you're ready, start putting your gear on."

"What's going on?" I ask, finally getting to my feet.

"A lot happened while you were out. There is reports that The Federation is planning a move near the border of Tyran. A order was given out that every garrison along the wall to assume positions and await further instructions. Command said since we're already here, to follow suit as well." She states.

I take a moment to take in the news. Was this it? Are they fully intent on going to war with Rambell? They can't be... Not after we just arrived.

"I'm not going to force you join us out there if you still don't feel great, but I'm guessing you'd rather be out there than in here, right?" She asks with a smug.

She knows me too well.

I nod and start putting on my gear before the two of us make our way outside.

Outside, the base is almost void of any activity. Most of the garrison has already gone to their stations and the ones still inside are operating various kinds of defensive emplacements. The APCs and tanks that were parked before are now gone and I can also spot heads moving about on top of the walls.

"So, if Tyran is doing this, what's Rambell up to?" I ask Alice while we walk towards the front gate.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"No idea. Josh's Unit was called back hours ago, they didn't elaborate further..." She says.

"Do think The Feds are actually going through with this?"

"...I don't know. All I know is that everyone is on the edge, and they want to be ready if the worse comes to pass."

Getting beyond the wall, three trenches have been dug, occupied with troops and with armor vehicles stationed next to them. One on each side of the entrance with one directly in front.

Alice takes me to the right trench where Black Shard is stationed along with Tyranian forces.

As we approach, Macy turns around and notices us.

"Hey. Glad to see you up again Luna." She says as we hop into the trench.

"Sorry about... worrying everyone..." I mutter, feeling a bit embarrassed now...

"Don't worry about it and I won't," Is all she says before taking me through the occupied trench to my position.

We arrive shortly later where an APC resides next to it along with a squad of Shards and Tyranians. Among them are Carel and Carl. Two that I also have a fond relationship with.

On one side there's Carl, who is very much similar to Frost. He gets his caring side from probably taking care of his sister at a young age while still having a military attitude. Him and Frost are also good friends because of this. And on the flip side there is Carel, a kind and determined girl who works hard to follow in the steps of her brother. He's the reason she joined the military in the first place.

Both look almost identical, with their white skin and blue eyes. Carl has short wavy blond hair with Carel having long wavy hair usually kept in a messy bun.

"This is your station. These two will take care of you. Right?" She says, turning to the siblings.

"If I can keep Carel in check, then Luna won't be a problem," Carl cheerfully says to her and Macy gives him a smile before walking away to her position.

I walk up to the siblings and Carel immediately gives me a tight hug. "I heard what happened! I was so worried but now everything is fine right?! Right?!"

Carl comes close and pulls her sister off of me. "Forgive my sister Luna. She still lacks discipline and maturity."

Carel pouts and pulls herself off of him.

"It's fine. And yes, everything is okay now."

"Well, I'm sorry for being so worried. If my friends are hurt then I'll do everything in my power to fix it!" Carel announces, placing her hips on her waist.

"That sounds stupid." Carl says. Alice and I also nod in agreement. It did sound stupid.

"Hmph! Whatever, I'm going to my post." She says and storms off.

"Are you sure you two are related?" Alice turns to Carl.

He chuckles. "Yeah, I'm sure."

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"Flag Bearer, it's time."

"...May the Lady grant us UnHoly Protection..." He mutters a prayer beneath his breath as the air around him becomes heavy.

Without any furyher delay, he takes a step out of the tree line... and starts to cast the Enhancement.

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"You there! How long are we supposed to stay like this?" Alice calls out to a Tyranian soldier.

He shrugs and shouts, "How the hell am I supposed to know? I'm ready to go as well."

"Useless Tyranians. I bet none of the other Shard Companies have to deal with this," she complains while yawning.

It been around four or five since the initial report and so far, nothing has occurred. This of course is a good thing, but Alice tends to get impatient rather quickly.

"Just be glad that we're not stuck up north like White Shard. I heard it's below freezing twenty-four seven over there." Carel joins in the conversation.

"Yeah, that's true, but they get to play with all the cool toys." Alice counters.

"I heard they made the next advancement in armored ballistics," I add on, "Along with a new prototypical Anti-Material Rifle".

I knew this because Frost and Macy have close friends in White Shard and I always hear them talking about them while back in Atlis. I'm also guilty of having a side of me that loves discussing about new military technology or anything revolving that for that matter. It's the one thing I can actually add to a conversation sadly.

"That's cool. We might get issued them within the next few decades if we're lucky." Carl rolls his eyes, "Still, it's weird for Atlis to have a testing facility in the middle of nowhere... wait.. was it that?"

"Contact Twelve o'clock!"

I immediately turn to face towards the plains ahead of our position. In the distance a figure has emerged from the tree line and has stopped... with a banner waving over them.

The Flag Bearer.

"Is that who I think it is?" Alice asks.

"Yeah, but what is he doing?" I answer.

All of a sudden, a blinding light begins to form around his flag.

He's charging an Enhancement. But he's at least three hundred meters away. At that range it'll be ineffective... yet... that color. I've seen it before. Silver?

There's also no-one else with him. The trees behind show no movement and chatter from the radio have no confirmation on other personnel.

"Frost, Macy. Are you seeing this?" I say over my radio.

<>

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"Grant me strength to oppose my enemy. For they will be shown the power of Our Lady's UnHoly Justice.

UnHoly Javelin!"

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A bright light suddenly flashes, almost exactly the same as the one I saw when that symbol, blinding our view of the Flag Bearer. The light then surges forward, like a javelin, as it soars over our trench. Everything seems to slow down as I watch the silver ray collide into the wall's surface behind us.

For what seemed eternity, nothing happens but soon that changes as the light explodes into a massive ball of white fire.

I'm thrown back from the sheer blast force of it as the wall instantly breaks apart, sending concrete flying in every direction, along with the unfortunate soldiers that were directly above the explosion. The section crumbles, leaving a gap open next to the entrance.

I'm in a daze when shadow goes over my face, and I look to see a piece of rock falling down towards us.

I leap out of the way just in time as it lands on top of the APC, crushing it. Smoke has covered the entire trench as I stand to my feet, coughing my lungs out.

"Guys! Are you alright?" I call out.

"We're good! What the fuck was that?!"

Back over the trench, the smoke clears up to reveal the Flag Bearer gone.

A flare then flies up from the tree line and explodes.

Seconds later, the forest comes alive as hundreds of figures begin to emerge from the trees.