The jovial atmosphere in Warin's room reached new heights with the unexpected arrival of Bernat and his group, blending the celebration into a chaotic but heartwarming reunion.

Bernat broke the ice with his trademark humor, "Yo! Long time no see... Mr. COLONEL hehehe!"

Yago and Valdis chimed in, their tones laced with playful sarcasm, "Yo! You sure working hard aren't ya!"

Tomor couldn't resist a jab, "Colonel, huh? Not bad, for someone who's such a party pooper!"

Warin, surrounded by familiar faces, couldn't hide his mix of surprise and joy, "You guys! So you're all still alive, aye?.."

Bernat feigned offense, "What's up with that tone you monkey?!"

Yago and Tomor piled on, "C'mon, you could have at least acted like you're happy to see us..."

Valdis, ever the blunt one, added, "He's bad at acting, don't bother with it. Warin, you suck anyway."

Warin retorted with a grin, "Well, glad to see you guys didn't lose your humor and are as annoying as ever! Haha."

Curiosity got the better of Warin, "So how did YOU guys know I was promoted to colonel?"

Yago revealed their source, "Well, we overheard it from a group that passed us. They were saying something about throwing you a party because of your promotion to colonel, so we asked Emily the guide where your room is to see what it was about."

Bernat pointed an accusatory finger at Aki, Daw, Karen, and Miro, "YEAH, IT WAS THOSE GUYS!"

Aki, sensing the new dynamics, asked, "So, Warin, care to explain who these weirdos are?"

Valdis and Tomor were quick to defend their dignity, "WEIRDOS?!?!"

Bernat, never one to back down, shot back at Aki, "You're the weirdo here, Miss Rocket." The nickname, a jab at Aki's height, stirred the room into laughter.

Aki, not one to take an insult lying down, retorted, "WHAT DID YOU SAY YOU PEAR LOOKALIKE?!"

The room erupted into chaos, with Miro and Daw cheering on the burgeoning argument, while Valdis chuckled at Bernat's expense. Karen, ever the voice of reason, expressed her desire to leave the madness behind.

Amidst the laughter and light-hearted insults, Warin seized the moment to calm the storm, "Well, well, calm down, everyone. I thought we were going to celebrate my promotion? Besides, I have some great news for you guys as well; the timing is perfect!"

Warin gathered his eclectic mix of friends for a serious talk amidst the celebratory chaos, ready to share news of his new role and its implications. "So first of all, yes, I will be a Colonel. That also means the 3 days rest I received, just like my division, will be nonexistent because of all the paperwork and whatever I have to do more. Sigh, but that's not the important part. The important part is that I was told by Vice Admiral Stessler that I need 8 captains to each lead a team within the 5000 member brigade."

"That means a captain will lead a team of 625 men. Also, the captains have to be at least Sergeant level or higher, their rank will be promoted to Captain to fit the military rank system of a brigade. Besides, one of the 8 will be a lieutenant colonel, or my second in command."

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Bernat, ever the joker, couldn't resist. "Questionnn.!!"

Warin, already bracing for what might come, nodded. "Yes, what is it?"

"That's cool and all, but we're here to party, not to hear your stupid revision on what a colonel and a brigade is," Bernat quipped.

...

Bernat's irreverent comment sparked a wave of laughter. "HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAH NOW THAT'S MORE LIKE IT GOOD ONE BERNAT," Aki roared, slapping a high five with Bernat. They were lost in laughter, while Warin could only gaze into the distance, humorously regretting his existence for a fleeting moment.

Karen, watching the sudden shift in dynamics, couldn't help but remark, "Weren't you guys at each other's throat just a minute ago..."

"The past is the past, now we're a power duo, we're ying and yang of humor!" Aki and Bernat declared, their previous animosity forgotten in the face of camaraderie.

Valdis chimed in with a smirk, "You guys are ying and yang of being annoying, that's for sure."

"Yeah, that's for sure," Daw agreed, the room filled with a mix of laughter and playful jibes.

Seizing the moment, Warin addressed the group, "So, Aki and Bernat, to answer your brainless question: you guys are the best I know who also have a rank of sergeant. You 8 will be captains of my brigade!" The room fell silent, the weight of his announcement momentarily pausing the festivities.

Tomor clutched his stomach, feigning illness, "Aaarchh, my stomach hurts. I'm gonna go home now, I think."

"What a coincidence, me too!" Valdis quickly joined in the pretense, looking for an escape route.

Aki and Bernat theatrically groaned, "Uuuehh, we areee aaa... we have being-captain-in-a-brigade-sickness."

Warin, fully aware of their antics, dropped the bombshell, "You guys don't have a choice, by the way. I already gave your names. Too bad." The shock was palpable as everyone processed his declaration, "YOUUUUUW WHHHAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT????!!!"

As reality set in, Karen and Daw voiced their anxieties about leading, while the others humorously expressed their dismay through playful punches aimed at Warin.

Elevating the surprise, Warin announced Bernat as his second in command. Bernat couldn't resist flaunting this new rank, "AHAHAHAH, I OUTRANK YOUUUUUUU NANANANANA," he teased Aki, who retorted with a jab at Bernat's expense, highlighting their enduring banter and friendship.

Warin, bringing the room back to a semblance of order, turned solemn. "I chose you guys because there is something more I want to do, and the only ones I can trust with my life are you!" His words brought a focused silence over the group, each member realizing the depth of Warin's trust and the journey ahead.

...

...

In a dimly lit room within the West Department, Admiral Hanna Kehlman stands across from a figure shrouded in shadows, the details of their face obscured, lending an air of mystery to the encounter.

Rear Admiral Kehlman reports with a tone of formality, yet there's a hint of unease as she speaks, "Yes, sir, these were the secret ammunition that was recovered by the 99th Division during their recent rescue mission."

The mysterious person, with a voice that carries weight and authority, probes deeper, "Hmmm, I see. Do they look familiar to you, Hanna?" The casual use of her first name underscores his superior position, demanding respect and attention.

Caught off guard by the question, Kehlman hesitates before responding, "..No, sir, I fail to understand how they were able to make these, considering we're way ahead of them in the technological aspect.."

The mysterious person acknowledges this with a simple, contemplative, ".....mhm."

Then, shifting the focus of their conversation, he expresses his next request, "I will be taking these with me. Can you give me the details of the 99th Division? A list with their names would be perfect."

Without hesitation, though clearly troubled by the implications of this request, Admiral Kehlman complies, "Yes, sir! ...Here you go." She hands over a document, the weight of her action palpable in the silence that follows.

The mysterious person accepts the list, his eyes scanning the names inscribed within. Though no sound is made as he reads, the pause is telling, his interest piqued as he mentally acknowledges one name in particular,

...

"...Radboud..."