One year had passed since the success of my plan "Heaven's Tears". The Margusian, Tartusian, Zerathian, and Zaphlisian forces were completely decimated. Almost 90% were killed in that bombardment. Once again, their arrogance killed them.
The bullet that killed Michaela nearly took my life, but I was saved. I am alive. Heaven's Tears was a success because the enemy, despite having Argen, became comfortable. They thought that due to Michaela's death, Arkania would fall. But the opposite happened, and Hectagon Alliance lost the eastern front. Now the only threat lies in the south.
I was in my office, doing some paperwork, when a sergeant entered the room.
"Major, the supreme commander is calling you to his office."
I looked at him, nodded, and he left.
Now the question is, Major? Wasn't I a captain?
After Michaela's death, Colonel Yornus, the opposition leader, was elected by the parliament as the supreme commander. The enemy delivered us the corpses of the ones we lost in that mission, including Ferry. And presented us with an ultimatum of either surrender or die. But the colonel chose war. And I presented the operation Heaven's Tears, despite being heavily injured.
Yornus saw this as a chance to strengthen his hold on the throne, and in the name of revenge for Michaela, though he hated him, accepted my plan. The people adored Michaela, which boosted our plan and his grip on power. The plan succeeded, and to satisfy the parliament, the people, and to make me happy, he promoted me to Major. All to demonstrate that he values Arkania's heroes. Thus, I am now a major, not a captain. And Yornus's assistant as well. It is indeed a big feat to become a major at 18, though I am turning 19 tomorrow.
I entered the office of the supreme commander. And stood near his table.
"Since I have become the supreme commander, the Hectagon Forces in the east have fallen apart, and our surveillance proves that they have lost the power to fight. Now the threat is in Targalia. Colonel Felmer and the rest of the 206th Battle Division, except for your men, are in Targalia. You will go there and you will only answer to General Yarna." He said and handed me a sealed file.
"Yes, sir," I said, saluted, and left the office.
He didn't do any long talks anymore. I went back to my office. Captain Alfred, Captain Rofil, and Captain Tegris were there. I called Lieutenant Ilfir and ordered him to prepare our 350 soldiers. After that, I took out a map and told Alfred to open it.
"What is the situation of Targalia?" I asked him.
"Ohhh…Targalia. So break's over." He said. "According to the latest intel, the western coastline is receiving heavy attacks, and the eastern coastline is in our hands. The western coastline is the closest to the city and the general supply line. The Barkilisian and Dormisian ships are constantly pounding the coastline. They won't hold for long."
"Aren't we constantly sending reinforcements?" I asked.
"Yes, you are right. But since the beginning of the war, forces in Egnisk were reduced to 55,000 from 125,678. And 35,000 of them have already been sent to Targalia. 15,000 troops from Narkin and 18,000 from Pharkis have been sent there. So currently, there are 238,987 troops in Targalia. Almost 70% of our army's weapons are there. 56 fighter jets out of 70, all 10 naval vessels, 5 tank battalions, 780 artillery cannons, five defence systems, and 430 armoured vehicles." Rofil spoke.
"And the enemy?"
"783,566 troops, 545 fighter jets, nearly 900 battle tanks, zero artillery, 110 defence systems, 1200 armoured vehicles, 90 missile batteries, and 256 naval vessels." He stared at me.
"Seriously?" I was totally shocked. "It's a miracle that Targalis hasn't fallen, yet."
"Well, we do have advantages," Alfred spoke.
"Yeah, the artillery, the typical thick fog of the region, and the walls. Targalia is the only walled city in the whole country." I said, took a deep breath, and slammed the table. "Targalia won't fall. They have held the line for three years. The supreme commander trusts us. We will not fail him and our people."
"Yes, sir!" The three of them spoke.
We packed our things and left the office. Lieutenant Ilfir was coming towards us.
"Sir, the troops will be ready in 3 hours."
"Okay," I said, and we went outside the grand palace.
"Captain Alfred and I are going out. Get ready, we leave when we come back."
"Yes, sir!"
Alfred and I got into a jeep, and then we went to my home. As we reached, I got out, knocked on the door, and it was my grandmother who opened the door.
"Hello…I don't have time. So I will just greet you here. I have been deployed to Targalia, and we are leaving today."
Grandmother gasped, "Well…I can only pray for you. Go safely and return safely." She said, embraced me and kissed my forehead.
I turned back and was about to get inside the jeep, then I heard Aldrin calling me. He came running to me. He had a photobook in his hand.
"Here, I found this in your father's box." He handed this to me and had a small, sad smile. Two months ago, a call came. My uncle, his father, was killed in the war. He was now like me, but he was too young for this. I hugged him, patted his head, and thanked him. He smiled back.
We went to the graveyard. The two of us stood beside my parents' graves.
"Our break is over, we are going back to war. I hope you are watching me." I said.
I plucked some flowers nearby and placed them on their graves.
Then we left and went to the general hospital. We went to meet Barnett. She was still comatose. I placed new flowers in the vase. She was fragile. The doctor didn't know when she would wake up. We spent some time there and went back to the Crescent Head. My troops were almost ready. I went to my room and packed my things.
Finally, after one and a half hours, we were ready to leave.
"Soldiers, we have done enough resting. Our brothers in Targalia need our help. We have a big duty on our shoulders. We must not fail the people of Arkania!" I said.
"Yes, sir!" All of them shouted.
I looked at them, and they were ready to fight. They were ready to die or survive. Then our convoy left for Targalia.
The final front, the showdown, the siege of Targalia. We were now part of it. It was time to confront the real enemy.