After the permission of the supreme commander and the parliament, I was given the command. The equipment, ammunition and soldiers began to move towards Targalia. I had control over the battlefield and the pieces of the board.
After 6 hours, I was back in the operations room.
"On the approval of the parliament and the supreme commander, I, Major Martin Arkila, the second-in-command of the Nation of Arkania, will take complete command of the Crescent Army till the upcoming threat is suppressed."
My announcement shocked every general, even General Yarna.
"As the supreme commander approved, we will not question." General Yarna responded.
"Thank you," I nodded. "The soldiers and the equipment are arriving. What are our numbers now?" I asked Captain Oliver.
"Sir…Our soldiers were reduced to 80,000 from 197,000 in the last battle. With the upcoming reinforcements and the reserve soldiers, our numbers will increase to 109,000. Five out of six tank battalions and approximately 700 artillery cannons will be in our forces." The captain reported.
"Good, we have plenty. We will compensate. What is the status of the Arkinson-550?"
"Before your arrival, 3000 technicians had arrived on a previous request. And by now, almost 2500 must have arrived. The total number is 12,000, so the rest will arrive by tonight or tomorrow morning." Captain Oliver said. "As for the cannon, the railway was repaired and was replaced with new rails, 7 hours after its discovery. Today, the soldiers found five 550 mm shells. They were ready for use. They found chains and other equipment required to move the cannon as well. The main problem is the rust."
"Will it be prepared in 8 days?" Lieutenant General Tisker asked.
"It will be partially prepared. By day 8, the barrel and the aiming mechanisms will be functional. The barrel will be rotatable, but to make the whole cannon mobile, almost 3 weeks are required."
"It is enough. Tell the technicians to make it functional enough for firing and aiming." I said.
"Yes, sir," Captain Oliver responded.
I took a deep breath and began to look at the generals. They were trying to maintain composure, but they failed to hide their worry and hopelessness.
"We know how big the threat is. But we must not lose hope. Just like always, we will fight to the end. We are not weak. Every soldier is skilled. We must believe in ourselves and them." I said.
My words weren't powerful. But their tension reduced a bit. They believed in me like they did in the Battle of Targalia. I must not fail them and the people.
The preparation for the final battle began. Unlike three years ago, when Zaphlis surprised us, we know when the enemy is coming, and we are prepared for it. The days began to pass slowly. But the preparations didn't stop. Every soldier, every commander and every person did everything they could. The reinforcements and the ammunition kept arriving. The industries worked day and night. Every hour, more and more ammunition and equipment kept arriving. The preparations took place with full zeal and zest. And after preparation of day and night, the eve of the battle arrived.
It was day 7. Tomorrow was the expected day for the arrival of the enemy. It was evening, and all the generals were in the operations room.
"Our satellites and drones had confirmed that the fleet is arriving. They will be here by tomorrow morning. Approximately at the time of sunrise." Captain Oliver reported.
"So, it's finally time." General Yarna took a big sigh.
"We did everything we could. All we can do is believe and hope for the better." General Irgis said.
"Yes, you are right. We did everything we could. It is still evening, but all of you should go and take a rest. I don't want to say this…" I said.
"…This may be our last chance to rest." General Yarna completed my sentence.
I nodded and looked down. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was General Yarna.
"When you came here, we didn't trust you. But in all the recent battles, you have proved yourself. Don't worry, we are not supporting you because of the supreme commander or the parliament. We are with you because we trust you now. We believe that just like before, you will give us victory again."
All the generals smiled at me and nodded in approval.
"Yes…Thank you for your support. I won't fail any of you."
Then we went to rest. I told all the staff except for a few to go and rest. They all deserved it. I left the central building and moved towards my room. On the way, I saw the sun setting.
Watching the sunset, I wondered if I would live tomorrow like every other veteran or if I would be buried like every martyr. But I know one thing: whatever rises after this sunset will decide everything.
Then I went to my room. Alfred was there as well, and he was sleeping. I went to sleep as well.
Though I was the commander, I still had doubts. I still had the 'what if'. What if we lost? What if they destroy us? What if Arkania falls? What if my plan fails? With these depressing questions in my mind, I slept.
I was in that dream again. Whenever something important in my life was going to happen, I would see something. But this time it was a bit different. I looked up and saw the figure. I began to walk towards it. But suddenly a big light shone on me. It was so bright that I had to lower my head and look down. Then a voice spoke.
"What are you scared of?" The same figure asked me.
"I am scared that I may lose. I am scared. I can't hold myself." I replied.
Then I felt hands on my face. I looked up, and what I saw shocked me. I was finally able to see her face—no longer a shadowy figure. I could see her face clearly. Yes, I really could, at last! And it was the face of the woman from the picture book. My wish was granted.
"Don't worry, son. Your mother is always with you. You are never truly alone," the woman said tearfully.
Then I hugged her, and both of us shed tears.
"Finally…I can see your face, mother. Finally!!!" I cried out, overwhelmed with emotions. I couldn't hold back my tears—I didn't want to.
Of course, I had seen her face as a baby. But I had forgotten; I couldn't remember. That picture brought back my memory—unconsciously. I cried and hugged her tighter and tighter, overwhelmed with happiness.
Then I opened my eyes, and I was back in my room. Alfred was standing right beside me.
"There is still time. I am watching you. Why are you crying?" He asked me.
"What? I am crying?" I got up and rubbed my eyes. Yes, I was.
I sat on my bed and smiled. After years, finally, my wish had been fulfilled. I had seen her. I had felt her in my heart. I had hugged her. That encounter erased all my doubts. I no longer doubted myself. I began to believe in myself.
I rubbed my eyes and wiped my tears.
"What is the time?" I asked Alfred.
"It's 4:00 am. The troops are moving. They are taking their positions. But the unrest and hopelessness are still there."
"Okay, get ready, join your squad and move to the city."
"Yes, sir," He replied and moved out of the room.
I got up from my bed and put on my uniform. Then I wore my cap and moved out. By the time I woke up and got out, almost all soldiers had moved to their positions. The artillery and the tanks were positioned yesterday. Only the humans were missing. I got in my jeep, and the generals moved to the city. We went to the southern gate, and then I, alongside the generals, climbed the roof of the gatehouse. The sunrise was almost half an hour away.
We had the preparation, the plan and the weapons. But the courage didn't build up. The soldiers were still hopeless. Something had to be done about it. And I know what to do. I ordered the communication sector to connect my headset to all the squad leaders. Every soldier must hear my words.
I took a deep breath. I looked here and there. The sky was a bit dark, but light was coming.
"Soldiers…I know you are scared. I know you are hopeless. I know you want to run away. I was, too, when I joined this war. So there is nothing to be shy of." I looked at them again. They were attentive towards me.
"You are all here fighting and have left behind your families. Some of you are fathers who are fighting for their children, wives and parents. Some of you are brothers who are fighting for their younger siblings and parents. I also have a young cousin and grandmother at home. I understand your pain." I said. They were listening with complete focus.
"But I have a question for you. Would you like to be the coward or the brave?" I asked. There was no response, but I heard light murmurs. They were confused.
"You run away now, and you will lose all your pride. Tell me one thing. Would you like to be remembered by your children as the one who ran away and surrendered? Would you like your children to hide their faces when someone mentions your name? Or would you like to be remembered as the hero? Wouldn't you like it when your children announce proudly that they are your sons? That you gave your life for Arkania." I had raised my voice.
"Answer me. Would you like to be remembered as the coward who ran away or as the martyr who fought till the end?" I paused and pointed at the south. "From this direction, the enemy is coming. The enemy who will steal your and your children's future. Would you surrender to them? ANSWER ME!"
"NO!" The soldiers responded.
"Behind you are the gates. You leave now and be a coward, or remain here and fight till the end." I took a deep breath.
The murmurs among the soldiers became louder. Some of them were speaking loudly. They were understanding. Their courage and hope were increasing.
"Are you cowards?" I asked.
There was no response.
"Are you the soldiers of Arkania!?!?" I asked again.
"YES!!!" All of them shouted.
"So…fight and fight and fight till the end!" I announced and raised my arm.
"FIGHT…FIGHT…FIGHT!!!" The soldiers began to shout.
The courage had been built again. They were ready. They weren't hopeless anymore. They were prepared to fight and die for the future of their families and the country.
Then the time came. From the east, the sun rose.
The red sun of the morning rose, and with it, many balls of fire rose as well. But from the south.