Progress

Good Evening!

Just wanted to let you guys know that I'm making some progress - though I am in need of an editor. Here is another quick blurb for your SA!

We were a diverse group - some who looked fresh from training, others had spent many months on the field - tell tale signs being the dirt and salt on their skin and uniform. Combining units wasn’t common, though it always carried omens of bad luck - they wouldn’t be here unless the rest were dead.

As for myself, I most likely confused most who saw me - I was a corporal, yet hadn’t done more than six months in garrison after training. It was mainly attributed to the time I had gotten drafted, with three years of university studies completed. I couldn’t complain, as the raise in pay and rank held its privileges, though minor compared to officership.

Yet I could feel some of the gazes I received while waiting in front of Lieutenant [blank]’s tent. Regardless of how I earned my rank, I would be judged on the same scale by my peers. One of them seemed particularly interested, as he fidgeted and would momentarily look my way.

“Don’t mind him, it’s the first time he’s been away from home for more than 7 months”

The eldest of the group motioned toward me, then gave a hearty smile. He wore a winter trench coat over his uniform, his helmet held in his hand. He was an older gentleman, the dirt and grime highlighting the ridges and lines on his face. Unshaven and with matted hair, it looked like he had spent many more days traveling than we did. His eyes were bright, in contrast to his worn out appearance.

“No worries, I’m sure it’s the case for most people, myself included”

I returned the smile. I looked over towards his collar - a sergeant. Most likely a replacement section commander for our platoon. I couldn’t help but wonder how many times he had gone through the process of switching platoons.

“[MC], you arrived from the reserve garrison right? Hear any stories about here?”

“Not in particular - other than the frontline updates. Judging by how many trains were behind me, and how they pushed us into the carts I’m guessing you guys are really hurting for bodies?”

I chuckled. Of course they were, which is why we were condensing people from the 11-2 and 11-3 instead of sending them on leave. Even though the 13th was on leave, these guys were still here.

“Hah, no war stories? I guess that’s good, better a quiet war than one like the one last time around”

He strummed his fingers along his helmet. Quiet war as in low publicity? There was plenty of coverage back home in terms of our progress on the front. Parades were still held for the victors that returned home, and memorial services held for those who didn’t. I couldn’t recall the last conflict, but nothing in particular stood up.

“Well, at least you’ll have something to talk about when you get home. With someone as young as you, you probably have someone waiting for you back home right?”

I thought briefly. I had friends in college, but they weren’t close enough to send me off when I left at first. The old lady at the store I worked simply smiled and gave me bread for the trip. There was [girl who represents life before war] that I corresponded with, though she most likely kept contact to ensure I returned her books.

“Hell, I’d rather be at home than where I was with the fucking 11th Company”

Someone else chimed in. There was agreement with amongst the augmentees that apparently their last assigned company was less than optimal. Perhaps that was why we were called here, though that wouldn’t explain my presence.

“I’m sure we would all rather be home [friend of MC]. There are better places than here where there are no women and you freeze your ass off on a constant basis”

Sergeant [Mentor] quipped. The fellow he was addressing looked similar to my age, however bore one less stripe than me. [Friend of MC] smiled brightly and clicked his tongue. Dressed similarly as his older counterpart, he lacked some of the grime and salt. He wore a large knife on his leather belt.

“Only good thing about the fun one-one was the fact that they didn’t mind leaving us in the shit. Whether that shit was village clearing or sitting in a hole…”

[Friend of MC] laughed. He dusted some snow off his jacket and continued.

“Though I have to say, every time we did take fire I never did see those fuckers. Like ghosts I tell you. Burlap colored fucking ghosts”

Ghosts. At this point they might as well be, those combatants from [Country B]. I had never seen them in person, however all I knew is that they are what prevented from [Country A] from having a stable future. If traditional ghosts haunted houses, these ones withered away at our nationhood.

“You sign up for the suck  [MC]?”

[Friend of MC] looked at me inquisitively. He was a strange one amongst the 11th augmentees, as everyone almost seemed emotionally and physically tired. I wonder if he drew some sense of glee from his time in the 11th, despite his complaints.

“I got lost on the way to college”

I smirked. He quickly picked up on my joke.

“Yeah bullshit, you seem like a bookie. Hey, at least you got picked up with some school time for the extra rank.”

I laughed at the nickname and knew what [MC’s Friend] was spot on. Sergeant [Mentor] followed up with the response.

“Hey, don’t be bitter you signed up for this shit. Just think of it as working harder to earn rank”

“But then I’d end up like you Sarn’t. Work all those damn years and still make less than Lieutenant [blank]. Hell, I’d be like you and fight in every war we have haha”

“You’ll never end up like me, [MC’s friend]. You hopefully have enough common sense left to get out after this one”

[Mentor]’s face subtly grew sullen. I didn’t catch it at first, but when I think back to this moment it always seemed to stick out to me.

Our conversation was interrupted by Lieutenant [Blank] emerging from his tent. Garbed in thermals and suspenders, he was leaning on comfort rather than formality. Cigarette between his lips, he addressed us.

“Folks from one-one, I’ll chat with you some other time. You guys already know the basic schpiel here. Corporal [MC], I’ll make this quick so you at least get some sleep”

The former members of the 11th stood at attention and saluted, then returned to their tent. Meanwhile, I followed Lieutenant [blank] into his tent - assuming he valued his time rather than military protocol.