[Val Verde]

[November 8th, 2009]

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“Alright Carmen. You stay safe and listen to your instructor,” I said into my prized cell phone. The new Motorola Razer.

It wasn’t the newest phone on the market, but it was the hottest. Technology trickled in Val Verde, unlike the fierce world of first world countries.

I was eager to buy it with my first paycheck. My previous job paid better, but it also came with a lot more bills. As if mocking me, by joining the military i had more money in the end.

The line was full of fuzzy static as the phone towers were under heavy load. We sometimes had to repeat words, but the connected still beat the raw countryside.

Despite half of the Morning Mountains separating us, we talked as if we sat across from each other. Technology was amazing.

“Johnny!” Carmen complained as she often did when we were younger.

To me, she would always be that little girl that ran through the water puddles. She was still that cute little girl who learned to blow snot from her nose from watching me.

In some ways I missed how she used to say my name to get her way. In front of mom and dad, she was always the little princess. Yet out in the field she was the poster child a tomboy.

“You are still in first service, Carmen. Don’t take risks. You should be in the shelters until we push out the invading force,” I reminded her. We had talked about this the night before, but today was different.

We had real problems on the literal horizon. US ships were already anchored in international waters. They could land troops within hours of the first centimeter of movement.

Command had intercepted communication that the Americans would strike soon. Today or tomorrow, weather pending.

It would be their first major foray into our territory. Hydra territory.

“Geez. Relax. Just because your decided to enter second service months ago, doesn’t mean you can boss me around!” Carmen complained. I could see her pout despite the voice only connection.

The rise of Hydra, and its influence around Val Verde came with a great political campaign.

Join the military. See the world. Enlighten newcomers. We pay well!

Most of my previous classmates heeded the call. We joined up despite having gone into the workforce. I wasn’t making it as a salesman anyways. We were losing business to foreign companies that could sell it for less.

“Just be careful, yeah? We aren’t fighting nobodies. Americans have some real power,” I said as I took in a deep breath.

To challenge Hydra, they would need someone big. Even among the top countries, there was no one bigger then the United States of America.

“You be careful too…” Carmen whispered. I heard her muffle her cell phone's mic. Then she was back. “I got to go!”

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“Stay safe!” I yelled, and then the line went dead. Her faint ‘Kay!’ hung in my ears as I flipped my phone close.

“Hah. Still a sister lover!” Harvey said as he slung his arm around me. “Aren’t you already seeing Cheryl? What would she say about this!?”

“She would be jealous that Carmen didn’t call her,” I replied as I slapped his arm. My girl winked at me as our eyes met and then she went back to her fashion magazine.

“Enough, we are still on duty,” Candice huffed. She reminded me of my sister. A tomboy with dark hair. Carmen kept hers short too. I suspected that she was trying to emulate Candice’s no nonsense attitude since they met a month ago.

“Yes, Lance-Corporal Brown!” Harvey and I said in sync.

She eyed us, but we were innocent.

“Hail Hydra!” we exclaimed as we snapped a salute. Others echoed it as it was the popular thing to do nowadays.

Candice huffed and left. A beer later would smooth this even over. Though as her official boyfriend, Harvey would have to buy her at least two.

Even though we were all official soldiers of Val Verde, Hydra considered us to be green recruits. We were a mishmash unit.

Some had recently graduated from first service, the mandatory conscription for all citizens. Others like Harvey, and myself, had graduated years ago.

In my time, there was no Hydra. So most of my original classmates decided on other things. Some entered tertiary schooling for advanced education. Some went into trades. Others traveled.

We got jobs, and started the adult life. When the call came, a lot of us chose to serve in secondary service. They had a good pitch.

Good pay. Guaranteed pension. Citizen bonuses for going above and beyond the expectations.

Though after the initial tests, we got rated for reserves. We got extra training to get back in shape. The lenient lifestyle of civilians was far kinder. Full of rich food, and less rigid routines compared to the proper military.

It came back to us though.

For the people of Val Verde, soft training that began in primary education. It started as games. Simple rules that was full of fun and twists to keep them thinking.

The games then changed into complex game theory. Physical exercises got expanded in secondary education. This was to prepare them for the harsher first service.

Our muscles remembered, and six months since Hydra’s call, we were in shape again. Even if we left, we would be in excellent standing for future jobs, and further education.

After first service, you were an official a citizen of Val Verde. You would become an adult among the most well behaved people in the world.

Val Verde currently had the world's lowest crime rate.

Part of it was due the guidance of the state religion of the Greater Good. The teachings that we all helped each other. The fact was that every person was also graduated from a military oriented education.

Trying crime was a lot harder when everyone had a gun. Small arms left over from Cobra's time as the government. Martial training in unarmed fighting was also standard.

This meant that crime high a much higher risk of failing. It wasn't a zero chance, since there was always people to stir up problems. It was a lower number as problems didn't last long.

Across the country, it was a common sight to see groups of people in parks. They would go through the basic motions of the morning exercises. These got taught in primary and secondary education.

I moved up to my girl. Cheryl gave me a saucy wink and I kissed her on the cheek. Candice would frown if she saw us, so I made it quick.

After I completed my first tour I hoped to keep with the sweet life. Cheryl was fun. She was cute, funny, and willing to talk about the possibility to settle down…

We would start a family. Have sex. Pay taxes. Have sex. Buy a house… to have sex in.

Then we would make lots of little Rico’s. Mom and dad would be able to fuss over them. I am sure Carmen would have loved to spoil them rotten as well. I was sure she was more excited about this prospect then I was.

“Well, its not like we are facing a huge force. Even if the Avengers show up, we still got millions on our side,” Harvey said with a cackle.

I frowned.

The memories weren’t always precise, but they also gave a lot of insight into these heroes.

The Avengers, while not invincible, were also not to something you could ignore. They had far too much power.

I leaned onto Harvey’s shoulder.

I hoped he was right.

With millions of trained Hydra soldiers, we would only be useful for cleanup.

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Chapter 01: Hail Hydra!