Warin, standing in his designated room within the West Department, was swiftly changing his clothes, preparing for the journey back to THE Central. The calm before departure was shattered by a knock at the door. Upon opening it, he found Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Alfin, the second in command.
"Ready to depart?" Alfin inquired, his tone signaling the urgency of their mission's conclusion.
"Just about, though I need to ensure my team is as well," Warin replied, his mind on Miro, Aki, Daw, and Karen.
"They're prepared," Alfin assured him, prompting Warin to nod in agreement. "Then I'm ready. Lead the way."
As they walked towards the main hall, curiosity got the better of Warin. "Where are we headed?" he asked, trying to decipher Alfin's intentions.
"Just a little patience, you'll see," was all Alfin offered, a hint of mystery in his voice.
The main hall was where they reunited with Miro, Aki, Daw, and Karen, all summoned there under Alfin's instructions. The group was then led outside, greeted by the unexpected sight of the entire brigade, formerly under Colonel Foster, arranged in a meticulous formation.
Confusion spread among Warin and his friends, their faces a canvas of questions. The air was thick with anticipation until Admiral Hanna Kehlman's voice cut through, urging the soldiers to express their gratitude. After a heartfelt thank you for their heroic efforts and the capture of the secret ammunition, she departed with wishes of luck and fortune.
Then came the moment orchestrated by Alfin; a countdown led to a resounding shout of "THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!" from the brigade, a chorus of gratitude that warmed the heart.
"We were simply following orders, glad we could assist," Warin responded, humility in his voice despite the pride swelling in his chest.
Alfin's gaze lingered on Warin. "You've shown immense potential. Your planning and foresight are unparalleled."
The journey back to the Central was a montage of camaraderie and reflection, the armored vehicle carrying them home alongside the echoed farewells of the brigade and Alfin.
...
Upon their return to the Central as the noon sun embraced the compound, the squad was greeted by Emily, the guide in the main hall. Before they could disperse, she shared the news that brightened their weary spirits further—a three-day rest period granted, starting the next day.
Aki's eyes lit up with the possibilities. "Maybe I'll go hunting!" she exclaimed, already envisioning the wilderness.
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Daw, with thoughts of home warming his heart, declared, "I should visit my family!"
Miro, ever the lover of simple pleasures, sighed in relief. "Finally, I can sleep as much as I want..!"
Karen, slightly overwhelmed by the luxury of free time, pondered aloud, "I've never had a 3-day rest period...what should I do??"
Warin, amidst the excitement of his team, suggested pragmatically, "Let's first calm down and grab some supper." They acknowledged with a collective "Roger," their steps quickening towards their respective rooms for a well-deserved break.
Emily then turned to Warin with a reminder that mirrored his team's directive, but with a twist. "You have a 3-day rest period as well, of course. But Vice Admiral Herto Stessler awaits your presence before you take your leave."
Grateful for the guidance, Warin nodded to Emily and made his way to Stessler's office, pondering the nature of this unexpected summoning after such a monumental mission.
...
Entering Vice Admiral Herto Stessler's office, Warin was immediately greeted with a booming laugh. "WELL WELL WELL IF IT ISN'T OUR COLONEL WARIN RADBOUD! YOU REALLY DID SAVE A WHOLE BRIGADE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS WITH ONLY ONE DIVISION!" Stessler's voice filled the room with a mixture of jest and admiration.
Warin, taken aback, managed a humble reply. "Thank you for your kind words, Vice Admiral, but I couldn't have done it without my division and some good old luck. However, what do you mean by 'Colonel'?"
Stessler chuckled heartily, "It seems you're a greenhorn after all! JOKING! It means exactly as I said. You're being promoted to Colonel right here, right now!"
"But how? I'm a First Lieutenant. Before becoming Colonel, I need to have gone through the ranks of Captain, Major, and Lieutenant Colonel first!" Warin's confusion was evident, struggling to grasp the reality of such a swift ascent.
"Warin, this mission was supposed to be impossible. Your leadership skills, war sense, and planning clearly exceed even that of a Colonel. However, I was only able to grant you no more than a Colonel rank as of now. Of course, you can decline, but that means I would lose face, so you better accept it," Stessler's laughter echoed, "ZEHAHAHAH!"
Flattered and somewhat overwhelmed, Warin accepted, "In the name of King Berk the First, I, Warin Radboud, hereby accept my promotion to the rank of Colonel. I understand the higher-ups, including the top executives, are approving of this. I will do my utmost best to further reach all of your expectations."
"That's EXACTLY what I wanted to hear," Stessler continued, laying out Warin's new responsibilities, including selecting eight Brigade captains and informing him of the upcoming challenges. "Enjoy your rest, but as a freshly made Colonel, there won't be many of those! Zahahahahah!"
Leaving Stessler's office, Warin mused aloud, "Colonel? You've got to be kidding me. Now I've got to babysit 5000 people. What a big drag..."
...
Upon arriving at his room, Warin was bombarded with a surprise party by his friends, who had already been informed of his promotion. "CONGRATULATIONS, COLONEL RADBOUD!" they shouted, filling the room with celebration and slight chaos.
"What the-," Warin started, only to be interrupted by the enthusiasm of his team, insisting on a three-day-long celebration. Despite his protests for peace, the party was in full swing.
Just as Warin stood bewildered at the doorway, a familiar voice chimed in, "Well, it's good to see you're still the same old party pooper, Warin! HAHAHAHAH."
Turning around, Warin's surprise turned to joy as he saw Bernat, and behind him, Yago, Valdis, and Tomor, joining in the celebration.
...
"......you guys..!"