He could still taste the remnants of last night's burger lingering on his tongue. It was a new experience for him, the mixture of the onions, tomatoes, and the half-burnt beef, The beef was only half-burnt because Kail had a fear of the flames.
He strolled through the field, a sight completely unfamiliar to him. In the past, he had only glimpsed such a scene in old photos and cartoons from his childhood. But this wasn't your average field – it was a vast expanse teeming with a variety of mushrooms. Red-capped ones, white-spotted ones, and even some that glowed in the dim light. It was an odd sight, but somehow, he felt a sense of tranquility wash over him as he took it all in.
Until.
Thud!!
Losing his footing on the slippery ground, he fell into a patch of thick mud that happened to be an isolated area in the field with no mushrooms in sight. The muddy spot was small, about a foot square, but it was enough to completely coat him.
Sitting up, he brushed off some of the mud from his clothes, but his hands and arms were already caked with it. As he gingerly touched his back, he could feel the uncomfortable wetness clinging to his skin, making him shiver at the sensation.
As he turned his head to the left, his eyes met a group of men in sharp silver suits reminiscent of the ones made by R.F.Z (Radiation Free Zone). These suits were adorned with black tubes that caught his attention, resembling guns he had only read about in his history and combat classes - weaponry that bore a striking resemblance to the arms used by the Soviet forces.
Far off in the distance, he could see the group of men, their figures blurry yet intriguing. As he took a single step closer, a sudden urge to approach them and meet these unfamiliar faces consumed him. But right in front of him, just one step away, a beautiful lily sprouted unexpectedly.
Its petals were a pristine white with a hint of yellow at the core, captivating his attention. Next to it, another flower bloomed, almost a shade of grey, its beauty mesmerizing him to a halt. Unable to resist, he knelt down, his hand extending towards the delicate blossom. The moment his fingers grazed its softness-
~^~
Waking up to the sound of his own heavy breaths, he realized it was the dead of night. The dim light seeping through the window confirmed the lateness of the hour, while the old clock sitting on the nightstand dutifully displayed the time as 2:47 am in glowing red digits.
Anom peered over from the opposite bunk where he lay, watching Tanner peacefully slumber below him. The rhythmic sound of Tanner's snores filled the room, echoing like a distant freight train rumbling through the night.
"You good?" Anom inquired, his voice barely above a whisper to avoid waking the sleeping giant.
"Yhea," He replied with a shrug, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Just had this weird dream, man. It was all over the place.”
"It's that burger, I tell you. It's giving me some trouble sleeping too," Anom said with a chuckle, as he rubbed his belly in discomfort.
"What's wrong with you?" He asked Anom, but he got no answer except for the fart that Anom shamelessly let out.
"Your killing me! Go to the bathroom," Yang exclaimed groggily from the top bunk, where she had been trying to catch some shut-eye. "Seriously, you’ve been letting them rip all night long. Do me a solid and take a trip to the bathroom, dude.”
"Tell my stomach," Anom replied jokingly.
"Stop, the both of you," he commanded firmly, asserting his authority as the team leader, "Anom, go to the Medic," he instructed
“Its too late now.” Anom replied, with another fart.
“Bahir!” Yang whined.
"Go! Anom, now!" Bahir's voice echoed through the room, Anom sprang from his bed, slipping his feet into his trusty boots, the leather worn from countless journeys. His hand instinctively went to the hilt of his dagger, a loyal companion that had seen him through many trials.
soldier should never be without this simple yet deadly weapon. The dagger wasn't just a tool of combat; it was an extension of himself, a symbol of his readiness to face whatever challenges lay ahead. It was the RFZ Military taught them.
Anom reached out to open the door, giving it a strong twist before pausing to inquire, "And who might you be?" Bahir peeked over, noticing a distinguished lady of high rank standing beside another person to her left. Scrutinizing her for a moment, he rose from his bed, rubbed his bleary eyes, and positioned himself behind Anom.
“I told you they were awake.” the one to the left said.
The high-ranking officer inquired, "What's got you up so late, recruit?"
"And who might you be?" Anom questioned
"Shut up, Anom, go to the medic," Bahir grumbled as he lightly shoved Anom, a disgruntled expression on his face. He then turned to the others and nodded; his annoyance evident. "I was awoken by you, Anom is sick. What do you want now?"
“I am Colonel Mandez, Intelligence, I am here for first soldier Bahir.” she replied.
The unexpected announcement left Anom and Yang in disbelief. "First soldier?" they both exclaimed simultaneously, exchanging puzzled glances. The news caught them off guard, considering that the prestigious rank was meant to be bestowed upon them during the upcoming celebratory event. Until that moment, they were merely new recruits.
“I am Bahir.”
“Come with us.”
“Give me a minute.”
"Be quick," she replied firmly.
Bahir swiftly shut the creaky wooden door of his small room, the sound echoing down the narrow hallway. As he hurriedly laced up his worn-out shoes, he could sense Yang's intense gaze fixed upon him the entire time. Thoughts raced through his mind, questions bubbling to the surface. ‘What is this about? Did I do something wrong? And how is it that overnight, I've suddenly transformed into a soldier?’ He couldn't wrap his head around the sudden turn of events.
"How are you this calm?” Yang asked.
"I am not calm, I am still asleep," Bahir replied with a yawn, rubbing his eyes as he slowly made his way to the door. He turned the doorknob, feeling his heart race in his chest like it was trying to break free.
He gave them a quick nod of acknowledgment before following behind as they led the way. The two of them, each armed to the teeth with Glocks, a dagger, and another hidden weapon at the colonel's ankle, he did not see it, but he saw a differance in the walk.
Their sure steps guided him towards the elevators, a sight he hadn't laid eyes on since he was just a ten-year-old kid.
In the land, there was a strict rule that each household must raise two children - one to pursue academic studies and the other to enlist in the military. This custom ensured that families remained connected even as the children pursued different paths.
From the age of ten until nineteen, these youngsters followed this traditional trajectory. As they reached the age of eighteen, they spent their final year living with their parents before being deployed to their respective duties.
"Jill, no worries, I got this," Mandez reassured
"Colonel!" she exclaimed with a crisp salute, her boots clicked against the pavement as she marched away.
Mandez slid the card from her pocket and effortlessly swiped it to open the elevator doors. As she glanced at Bahir from the corner of her eye, she remarked, "Intelligence, a floor that's strictly VIP access only with one of these bad boys."
With a subtle smirk, she extended the card towards Bahir for a closer look. The card boasted sleek blue edges, a sophisticated chip in the center, and featured her own photo alongside some personal details.
‘Dumass.’ Bahir thought to himself, ‘She must be a fresh face around here. The recent announcement of promotions must have included her, hence the air of confidence in her smile. It was all written on her proud expression and the way she carried herself.’
"Not tonight," Bahir replied with a small smirk playing on his lips as he noticed her cheek rising in amusement.
"You're a special boy, Bahir," she said with a hint of admiration in her voice, as they made their way towards the elevator. The words echoed in his mind, triggering a sense of deja vu that he couldn't quite place.
. As they stepped into the elevator, she spoke again, this time with a touch of intrigue in her tone. "I've never been tasked with escorting a first soldier from way down to all the way to the top level," she mused
"Tasked?" Bahir said as she gazed up at him. He stood just a few inches taller than her, prompting her to tilt her head back slightly.
Despite holding a higher rank, she couldn't help but notice his observant eyes scanning her short hair, which hung down to the nape of her neck in a shade that teetered between light blond and approaching brunette. His keen gaze then shifted to her light brown eyes and tanned skin, taking in every detail as they stood face to face.
"Yes, there are ranks, you know," she replied.
"I know. But which one?" he asked.
"Have you heard of General Oswold?" she asked, beaming with pride. Everyone knew and loved General John Oswold, the beloved son of the fearless Colonel Mark Oswold. The Colonel had led the 2020 rebellion against the oppressive UN council that controlled the RFZ.
“Shit.”
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
“Describes it well enough.”
“What does the-”
As they stepped out of the elevator, she abruptly interrupted them with a firm "Wait." Standing before them were two imposing figures, decked out in full armor, blocking their path to a plain wooden door about ten feet away.
"Evening," she greeted calmly, reaching for her card, which she handed to one of the armored men. He took it, examining it with a hint of skepticism before posing the rather peculiar question, "Do you still remember your name?"
“Lola Mandez.” she replied.
“Rank?” the guard asked.
“Colonel.” she replied.
“Code?” The soldier asked, she turned to Bahir with a grin, and asked, “Can you close your eyes.”
“Close my-” Bahir was cutoff.
“Do it.” she commanded, since she was a superior, he did, he heard giggles and then a tap on his arm, “Follow me.”
“Can I look now?”
“Yes, now, once we enter, no more joking.”
"Fine by me," he replied with a nod as they entered the place. It turned out to be not exactly what he had expected. The room was bustling with people moving around and chatting excitedly. On one of the walls, there was a detailed map of South Africa, focusing on the region rather than the entire country.
A prominent feature on the map was a red dot with a red circle expanding from it. Bright yellow lines and dots were scattered to the east, while red ones marked the western side. In a hushed tone, he muttered, "Others," as he tried to make sense of the intriguing display.
‘There are others in Africa? Societies.’ Bahir thought to himself.
"Come on, Bahir, stay with me," she whispered urgently as they weaved through the crowded corridor. The hallway was abuzz with activity - bustling offices, stern military personnel, and a few sharp-suited individuals catching their attention as they passed by.
Eventually, they arrived at a deserted stretch of hallway. There were no offices to the left or right, just a single imposing door at the far end. This was the council chambers. As they approached, a stream of people emerged from the room - doctors, soldiers, and politicians, all deep in conversation and moving with purpose.
She hesitated before speaking, causing him to mirror her abrupt halt. His gaze pleaded with her for guidance, and she obliged, breaking the tense silence between them. "The group just had a quick vote,"
She explained, her words calm but firm. "If they let you in, most of them are on board with the leader's plan. But if not, it’s back to square one for you – straight back to bed, buddy."
“THEY ARE WHAT?!” the question was shouted from within the big room, suddenly, a man with a shiny bald head, slender frame, and glasses appeared at the doorway. Anger was written all over his face as he fixed his gaze on Bahir.
Following closely behind him was General Oswold, looking much older now with a bushy beard and grey hair that he still took the time to comb meticulously, just like in those old history books.
"First Soldier Bahir, come." Oswold commanded firmly, Bahir swiftly approached, the commander's gaze shifted towards Mendez. With a slight nod of acknowledgement, Oswold remarked in a low tone, "Thank you, colonel,"
"At your service," she replied with a polite nod, before walking away gracefully. As she left, Bahir entered the room with an air of anger emanating from the skinny man. His cold eyes locked onto Bahir, giving him no acknowledgment whatsoever, and choosing instead to focus on Oswold, his idol.
Bahir stood face to face with Oswold, so close that they could almost touch. They shook hands firmly, a sign of mutual respect. Bahir finally spoke, his voice filled with reverence, "You don't understand the honor it is for me to meet you, sir."
Oswold scuffed nonchalantly and flicked his hand, indicating for him to step inside. As he entered the room, he couldn't help but be impressed by its sheer size. Rows of seats lined both sides, but all attention was drawn to the central round table. The table's surface was subtly concave, creating a focal point for the seven seats arranged around it in a specific order.
Oswold occupied the first seat, while the second was designated for the factory representative and the third for the farmer delegate. Next in line was the speaker, followed by the head scientist, Dr. Ros. Finally, there were two seats for the overseers of the Energy and Water storages for the entire RFZ – one of whom exuded a palpable aura of anger while the other remained serenely calm.
"You had this set up!" the angry man yelled, his face flushed with frustration as he pointed accusingly at the intricate control panel in the corner of the room.
"Hey, calm down Roger," a soothing voice intervened, instantly diffusing the tense atmosphere. It was Aitr, the artificial intelligence known affectionately as The Roach, which operated the entire facility with precision.
Aitr was the silent force behind the scenes, serving as the right-hand assistant to the leaders who oversaw the operations of the RFZ building. Often referred to as the building's "tongue," Aitr communicated and executed the commands that kept everything running smoothly within the high-tech structure.
“I had a lot of confidence in their decision-making, so I went ahead and asked them to bring him over,” Oswold explained, sitting back in his place.
Bahir found himself at a loss, unsure of where to go next. He decided to hang back behind Oswold, taking in the breathtaking view before him. In that moment, he felt a surge of excitement coursing through him, though he managed to maintain a facade of calmness. The drowsiness that crept in partially subdued the rush he felt.
"We're here to drag you out of dreamland," announced Dr. Ros with a chuckle. Bahir always thought she had that motherly vid to her, she was calm between the generals and the instructors, everyone shouting commands and looking down at him, but she was different in Attonomy class, they take it in the case of an emergency, someday, they may need to become sergoins in the middle of battle.
"No worries, it's all good." Bahir said.
"He's to become a soldier, so a bit of insomnia won't be his biggest concern, that's for sure." Oswold commented.
Bahir could not help but smirk to himself, thinking, ‘Now that's some serious motivation.’
Aitr turned to the group and asked, "Ready to get started?"
Oswold nodded without hesitation, "Just dive in and let's do this."
Bahir, you have truly shown that you are a cut above the rest of the recruits. Your teams hardly faced any real competition, maybe just from the tenth. When you were leading the sixth team, they aced all the tests, except for Tanner. On the mats, your team crushed every opponent, almost never losing to anyone. And through it all, you maintained a sense of humility.”
"Thank you?" Bahir said, his eyebrows furrowed in uncertainty as he glanced at the screen displaying a map with moving dots.
"You did see this map when you first came in, right?" Ros asked, The map on the screen was a replica of the one Bahir had encountered at the entrance.
"Yes," Bahir responded quietly, his gaze fixed on the map.
With a sense of gravity in his tone, Oswold pointed to the small blue dot representing their location. "This is us," he reiterated, before shifting his finger to a neighboring red dot symbolizing a radar outpost. "That red dot over there, it's a radar station. A team was deployed there two decades ago," he divulged, his voice lowering to a hushed tone. "Consider this your first taste of classified information. Keep it under wraps for now."
Bahir's mind reeled as he tried to comprehend the implications of what he had just heard. ‘Twenty years ago? People were sent beyond, outside?’ The mere idea sent a shiver down his spine. Despite the chaos in his thoughts, Bahir managed to gather himself and blurted out his question, "First?"
Aitr responded excitedly, "Another thing to consider is that we've witnessed the development of three distinct communities." As the map zoomed in on East Africa, a significant portion of the region, stretching from the horn of Africa to the eastern coasts of Mozambique, was highlighted in a vibrant shade of yellow.
"These folks are the East Asian Alliance, and they've been making their way to Africa since 2038. They're a sizable group with ties to other societies in Asia that remain unfamiliar to us. The EAA members have been utilizing these lands for agriculture, benefiting from the pristine water sources free from any harmful radiation, unlike the water sources in their homeland." Aitr said.
And? The other two?" Bahir asked, his curiosity piqued as he observed the arrangement of purple dots and red ones in the western and northwestern positions of the map.
The map zoomed in on West Africa, highlighting the vibrant red shade, "These guys," he said, a circle was drawn on the area he spoke of it went from the Congo river to Zambia, "they're always on the move, riding whatever they can get their hands on. They have but two settlements right around the Congo river. They have a queen.”
“Stretching from the region known as Nigeria up into the southern parts of Egypt, the group of individuals referred to as the Sunset Coalition are a bunch we've had the displeasure of crossing paths with before. These ex-military fellas hailing from western bases, all of them are ex-military but they rule over what was African nation citizens.” Aitr said, “they have got a stronghold in four key cities, with Khartoum being their main hub of activity. It was about two decades back when they came sniffing around for us, and sure enough, they managed to track us down. A little scuffle ensued, and before we knew it, both parties decided to back off. Since then, our paths have never crossed again.
Bahir found himself at a loss for words, his mind racing with the weight of the secrets that had been divulged to him. The room fell into a heavy silence as all eyes turned to him, eager to hear his response.
It was a moment of disbelief for Bahir, as he grappled with the revelation that there were others out there, people hidden from the world's gaze, when it was widely believed that East Asia had been wiped clean of life and civilization here they are with a Neo Mongol empire.
Bahir let out a sigh of frustration, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "I'm drawing a blank here. And if I am, then what's the big deal? What is it that you're after anyway?"
"Kid! The Asians have been approaching us; they are three days' drive from here; they pose a greater threat than the SSC; they are too far away, powerful, but still far away," yelled Roger. The Red Horde is weaker than all of us in terms of weaponry.
"We require you to scout the Asians, and to prepare the radar station for a battalion, we are sending men to maintain present of the station." Oswold clarified.
“Are you asking me to scout?” Bahir was taken aback.
“Not you alone, your team, and another of your choosing.” Oswold answered.
“Why two?” Bahir enquired.
"It's extremely dangerous to be outside." Ros answered right away.
“Dangerous how?” Feeling responsible, Bahir questioned, If he's taking men with him, he should know what threatens them.
"You're heading out there; you'll find out sooner or later." Aitr uttered, "Akkedis are reptiles, but they resemble humans in that they have thoughts and a language, but they are monsters that will not bargain with you; instead, they will kill and eat you.”
"Your overdoing it," Dr. Ros said with a hint of frustration evident in her voice.
“He did it just well, if the boy is afraid, then he shouldn’t go,” Roger remarked, confidently backing Dr. Ros's assessment. He then turned to Oswold, a slight frown creasing his brow, and asked, "You get it?"
Oswold gave him no answer, he was playing with the pen in his hand, fidgeting.
“How long do i have?” Bahir asked.
“No time, we need you out there before we make this public.” Aitr said, “You also need to understand, the Asians are many, they move in mass numbers.”
Oswold sat there in silence, offering no response as he absentmindedly twirled the pen between his fingers.
"I get it, I better make my way back to the dorm and give my team a heads up," Bahir said.
"Did you end up picking the other team?" Oswold inquired.
"Yeah, the tenth," Bahir confirmed.
Just as the sun began to rise. And as he was standing nonchalantly outside their dorm with his back pressed against the wall, he absentmindedly chewed on a piece of gum, his arms casually crossed over his chest. As she opened the door, he flashed a sly grin,
“Morning Jenny.” Bahir said.
“What the heck do you want here at the crack of dawn?” She asked very agrissivly.
“Ten minutes, and your ears.” Bahir replied, walking towards the door.
“Five, I want to shower.” She asked, he moved his wind breaker slightly, showing the first soldier’s shirt, and a rank, sergeant, and proudly displayed his shiny, intricate insignia.
“Bullshit.” she said.
“I am not shitting you.” Bahir replied, he showed a paper signed from Lieutenant Faisel, the man who watched over all recruits and gave the approval to push them up to first soldiers, or in this case, a sergeant.
“You've got to be kidding me, they never announce the ranks until after all the parties and festivities are done.”
“I remember, way back when, I asked you about joining the army. I was curious, you know? And you told me, ‘It's all about what's out there beyond these walls. The wind, the sun, the water, the sea... everything we've heard about, everything we dream about, it's all out there, not in here.’”
"And?" she questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"We have a chance to go, you me, the sixth and the tenth, but you have to say yes now," he urged, a hint of excitement in his voice.
"Are you escaping?" she asked.
"Fuck no!" Bahir exclaimed loudly, he inched closer, his voice dropped to a hushed whisper, "It's an intelligence operation.”
She let out an exasperated sigh as she forcefully slammed the door shut behind her. After taking a moment to collect herself, she emerged from the room five minutes later, accompanied by her team who were all packed and ready to go.