Chapter 1: Akeya's Diary (April 22)
title page
Akya Troshumi, male, was born on January 5, 117 in the new era, in the small country of Anju in the northern hemisphere, in the village of Senjin in Barasta. Other than that, nothing special.
It is customary to start a new diary before paying tribute to my parents and brother who died in the plague in their hometown when they were 5 years old. Without their photos, I had to write these words over and over again, fearing that I would forget them. I don't have many memories of my home either, and after my family died, I was sent to an orphanage far away from the village. Later, he met Colonel Karp and came to his current place, the Silver Wing Special Operations Group.
On October 14, 138 of the new era, the special operations group officially entered the Alpha area.
*****
April 22, 139 Nova 139
From the moment I opened my eyes, the weather was gloomy and gloomy, as if it would rain at any time. Just after 0500, I went to work with a broom and started from the south end of the base. To the south of the base is the command post, to the east there are canteens and dormitories, to the north of the dormitories are arsenals and garages, and to the west are training grounds consisting of playgrounds and shooting ranges. I had to start with the compound of the command post and clean up all the way to the last dormitory.
It took me more than half an hour to clean the command post. On the way to the dormitory, I passed by the training ground. This time the rain is sparse and falling, not too big. Even if the soldiers are not wearing combat uniforms, I am afraid that they do not have to look with their eyes, they do not know that it is raining. But now it's 40 newcomers who are ready to train, and the rain makes them chatter and complain.
"Hey! The sweeper over there, come here! ”
A recruit yelled at me. I hurried over, after all, I was just a cleaner.
"What's wrong?"
The recruit was not short, and looked at me like a dog: "Go and get a rag, my shoes are dirty!" ”
I looked down and saw that the shoes were indeed a little muddy. But when the training starts, even the face will be covered with mud, do you still care about the shoes? Of course, I didn't say that.
"Yes."
I was about to leave when another recruit came in, and this guy's hooked nose was really impressive.
"Wait," he said to me, and then to the tall recruit, "if you want me to say, what other rags are you looking for?" I'm about to train. Besides, isn't there a rag right in front of you? ”
As he spoke, he glanced at me with malicious eyes. The tall man immediately understood, dragged my clothes, lifted his right foot, put his shoe on the clothes and rubbed them repeatedly, and said as he rubbed back: "Yes, why didn't I see such a big rag?" Hahaha! ”
When he laughed, the people behind him laughed too. I was silent, and when he had rubbed enough, I turned away in laughter. Anyway, this garment can be washed if it is dirty.
Besides, I'm a cleaner.
At least in their eyes.
*****
The Silver Wing is one of the three peacekeeping forces under the command of the World Government, and this base is a stronghold of the Legion on the Anzhou continent, which was built three years ago and is located in the southernmost part of the Alpha region. In the past, it was used by other units of the Corps, but it was handed over to our Special Operations Group last October, and since then the entire regiment of 962 people has been stationed here.
The Alpha region is the smallest of the six major conflict zones in the world, and is located on the border of two countries in the southern part of the continent, the Republic of Myari in the east and Adullar in the west, a narrow area of about 300 kilometers from north to south. It's close to the tropics, and it's hot and humid most of the time, but at least there's not much difference between day and night, much better than the desert areas I've been in before. However, barren scenes can still be seen everywhere, and there is very little smell of human habitation.
About 40 years ago, the Republic of Myari became a sovereign state after independence from Adullar, and then the two sides quarreled over the ownership of the Alpha region, and armed conflict broke out for more than a decade. Today, the conflict between the governments is over, but the area is still full of civilian forces (in fact, terrorists) and mercenary forces, and the situation is volatile. The Silver Wing carries out peacekeeping missions here all year round, eliminating terrorists and private armed groups who take advantage of the fire until the problem is resolved.
Peacekeeping is a thankless task, and the tasks assigned by superiors are often daunting. Looking at the appearance of these people in front of me, I am afraid that it is difficult to compete.
I went back to the washroom near the training ground, took off my clothes and threw them into the pool, and sat on the bench by the pool again, watching the recruits run laps along the training ground amid the scolding of the instructors.
The training of the Silver Wing is known for its rigour, as long as there is no combat mission, it is training, and the intensity is also very high. When running, you need to tie sandbags to your legs and body, and the weight of your whole body should reach 30 kg or more. In addition to the morning run, there is also a 30km marathon in the afternoon, which also requires weights, which is a must-do subject every day. After ten laps around the playground, the recruits' expressions became the same as their movements, staggering.
"Tsk, are you still here with this quality?" A voice sounded behind him.
I turned my head: "Tokar, are you done sweeping it over there?" ”
This man was my height, about my age, completely ignoring the still cold weather, his military uniform was open, revealing a light-colored vest underneath, his untrimmed hair covering his eyebrows, and the expression on his face was very disdainful. Despite this, he was a sweeper like me, and he was an orphan like me, having grown up in the same orphanage, so we had a good relationship. But how to put it, his personality is more radical than mine.
"It's over."
Tokar tossed the broom in his hand and sat down next to me, stretching his arms over the back of his chair, and craned his legs to look at the recruits.
"I said Akeya, when did all this waste come from?"
"It should be the end of January."
"It's been three months," Tokar muttered, "if a few years ago, a soldier who had been training here for three months would have been able to use it." But now, they're still tired here. ”
"How can you say that?"
Tokar sneered: "I'm afraid that they will go out and embarrass the troops." ”
On the training ground, the tall recruit fell on his heels, lay on the ground panting, and no matter how the instructor scolded, he just couldn't get up, and he had to untie the sandbag on his body. The instructor kicked him hard, and the kid simply knelt down.
"It is true that the quality of recruits has deteriorated year by year in recent years." I say.
"Do you know why?"
"How do I know?"
Tokar was a little indignant: "Because these people are either the second generation of officials or the second generation of rich, and they have never been soldiers at all. For that piece of paper, it was sent in by the family, and in this will be. It seems that they are also a hundred unhappy. ”
"That piece of paper" is talking about something called "Silver Wing Senior Military Certificate". A year of service in the special operations regiment and participation in a battle, it can be obtained. I don't know what this thing is for, but Tokar says it can be used as a "pass" on many occasions. As a result, in recent years, more and more people have volunteered to join the special operations group.
The fact that the military certificate has such a function is inseparable from the special status of the special operations group. Our team, led by a colonel, is the spearhead of the Silver Wing Army, a special forces, which has been active at the forefront of the anti-terrorist front all year round. In the past, the recruitment of soldiers was handled by the colonel, who had a strict vetting process. After the recruits join, they must first undergo half a year of intensive training, and only after passing the assessment can they be assigned to the regular army, and before that, they can only be regarded as reserves. Every year, 80% of recruits are eliminated, most of them quit because they can't hold on or are not qualified, and a small number of them die in battle.
The last 20% are all soldiers who are physically and mentally formed. Even so, we have no less than 10% attrition per year due to casualties.
Five years ago, the command made this "Silver Wing Senior Military Certificate" and decided that the personnel department would be directly responsible for the source of troops for the special operations group, and many of the rules for colonels were abolished, and the threshold for entering the special operations group was greatly lowered. Originally, the peacekeeping force was composed of active military personnel from various countries, but now even some pure newcomers who have no military experience can join. The superiors said that it was "in order to better replenish manpower", and as a result, such a group of young master soldiers came. Presumably, their families have already made arrangements so that they can spend the year in peace.
In the words of the colonel, no matter what organization, after a long time, it cannot withstand the corrosion of power and money. Tokar was also indignant when he mentioned this.
But I have never felt the slightest injustice in my heart, after all, people have different conditions. There are not many people in the world who have experienced this way of ours.
*****
1130, the end of the morning training. Our clean-up mission has come to an end. Tokar and I put away our tools and walked into the cafeteria. Today's meal was delicious, fragrant rice, served with local local specialties such as green rape and tomatoes, and some bacon meat. It's just that in the eyes of the recruits, there is no difference from a table full of pig food. Across a dozen tables, I could hear their whining clearly.
"Leave them alone, eat quickly."
Tokar was always quick to eat, and he scrambled his food from side to side, finishing it in a few minutes. Although the soldiers have to be vigorous in everything they do, I can't eat at a faster pace.
Just as I was trying to finish my meal quickly, someone sat next to me and patted me on the back.
"It's not good to eat too fast, and as a soldier, you should pay attention to your physical condition at all times."
I looked up and saw that it was Major Jed Aronchi, the colonel's most trusted subordinate, and Tokar and I trusted him very much. Despite being a teenager, Jade gives us the feeling of being our peers, often asking for warmth and caring about our daily lives.
He turned his gaze back to Tokar, "Tokar, if you gobble up like this, your stomach will be wrong." ”
"It's okay, I'm used to it." Tokar replied as he slouched back in his chair.
"Oh, well," said Jed, looking at his watch, and said to us, "it's 11:42, so take time after dinner to tidy up the Colonel's office." At half past one, someone from the intelligence department was coming to discuss something with the colonel. I have something to do in the afternoon, so the old rule is that you two will receive it for me. Remember, don't go wrong. ”
With these words, Jade got up and left, and it seemed that something was indeed important. When the guards accompany the colonel to meetings, we have done it a dozen times in the past, and we are used to it. Actually, I often wondered if I could be the colonel's guard full-time, because I respected the colonel, but the colonel said that I had a more suitable job to do.
I had to obey the Colonel's orders, not only because he was my benefactor, but also because I was a soldier myself.
*****
In order to be able to summarize and analyze all kinds of information at the first time, the Command of the Silver Wing Army, with the consent of the Republic of Miari, arranged for some members of the Intelligence Department to be in Miari so that they could contact us at any time, which was at the beginning of February. It has always been our special operations team that has been in charge before, and now we have put the baton on our roots. But this baton has not responded for two months, what are you doing today?
At 1300, Tokar and I changed into clean uniforms and stood outside the command post building, waiting for the guests. Twenty minutes later, several military dark green "Lima" off-road vehicles, sandwiched between a luxury sedan, drove into the compound of the command post. First a group of heavily armed soldiers jumped out of the horse, and then an officer stepped out of the sedan with a briefcase under his arm.
Needless to say, this is a high-ranking officer from the Ministry of Intelligence, looking at the epaulettes is a major. The man's nose was high, his eyes were flat and pointed, and he was half-open, and his lower lip was raised upwards to make his mouth arc, and his whole face was empty-eyed, very unkind.
Tokar and I walked over and saluted the Major. The Major saluted us back, and we led him into the building and into the colonel's reception room on the third floor.
The colonel and the major, who had been waiting for a long time, shook hands. In fact, according to the rules of the army, it should be a military salute, and those with low ranks should be saluted first, but the colonel prefers to shake hands and does not care about the identity of the other party.
"Welcome to the Intelligence Department, I'm Karp Vesilin."
"Hello, Colonel Vesilin, the subordinate is Major Addrew Pister of the Intelligence Department. Today, it is the first time to come to your station, and I would like to ask for a lot of advice. ”
There was nothing wrong with the diction, but I could make out a clear hint of contempt in his tone. Unmoved, the colonel sat Adrew on the sofa prepared for the guests, sat himself behind his desk, and ordered us to serve tea. Unexpectedly, the colonel allowed us to sit in on the hearing.
After a few pleasantries, Adrew pulled out a few pieces of paper from his briefcase and placed them on the coffee table.
"It's been just a month since Xia Guan was transferred to the Intelligence Department, and today I am looking for Colonel Vicillin, I have some questions to discuss. Since October last year, your ministry has been responsible for the extermination of the armed group 'Viper'. But with all due respect, in the past six months, the progress of your ministry has ......"
Speaking of this, he paused, his eyes slightly furled, and the corners of his mouth were slightly curled.
"It doesn't seem to be going well."
Isn't this here to find fault? You must know that the special operations group is specifically responsible for gnawing hard bones and has a high degree of independence. Deploy weapons, organize manpower, and gather intelligence, all on your own. We are looking for terrorists in a mixed area of hills and woodlands, and it is not so easy for the police to catch criminals in the city.
The colonel took over the conversation unhurriedly: "It is true that in the past six months, our results have deviated from the original plan, but this is just an extension of time. As long as it continues, the elimination of them is just around the corner. ”
Adru nodded lightly: "Colonel Vesilin is really confident. But so far, your ministry has only carried out military strikes against the 'Viper' and has not made any breakthroughs in intelligence. Even the purpose of the enemy, the location of the main strongholds are not clear. Although you say it is a matter of time, the command is very impatient. Because of the existence of this armed group, the evaluation of our Silver Wing Army dropped a lot last year. Colonel, the lower officer is just worried, if you repeat the mistakes of the past this year, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to protect yourself, Colonel, right? ”
Reading between the lines is full of mockery and threat. Tokar couldn't hold it anymore, he had been angry in meetings before, and I quietly grabbed his arm.
The Colonel picked up his teacup and took a sip, wondering if he was pondering Adrew's words.
"What do you think?"
Adru picked up the pieces of paper and continued: "Actually, I came here today to convey an order. From now on, our intelligence department will set up a special command group to draw up a combat plan for the extermination of the armed group 'Viper'. The Einsatzgruppen was placed under the command line of the Intelligence Department during the operation. This is the letter of order, and the official order will be issued directly by the command tomorrow. ”
His hand holding the paper was raised, and I stepped forward to take it, and quickly glanced at it, and sure enough, it was an order signed by the headquarters, and I hurriedly handed it to the colonel. The colonel just looked at the seal on the order book and set it aside.
"Since it is an order from the command, of course we obey it. May I ask what happens when the Ministry of Intelligence takes over? ”
Adru looked prepared: "Rest assured, our plan has been made and we are ready to start from the inside of the enemy. Of course, this has been fought for half a year, and your department still doesn't know where the enemy's headquarters is, and for the enemy's leader, he only uses the 'snake head' instead, which gives us a lot of problems. ”
The arrogant tone and attitude exposed his vulgar character. Tokar next to me was about to explode, and I could feel it as I gripped his arm.
"What do you mean by the Ministry of Intelligence?"
"We decided to start with the source of their munitions. The weapons used by Vipers have always been so advanced that it is hard to imagine ordinary terrorists. Preliminary investigations suggest that there is support from other organizations behind it. Therefore, first find out their arms supply line, and then find a way to send people to infiltrate this line, so that there is a chance to eradicate them. ”
The Colonel nodded in agreement, but Adru's words stopped. The Colonel understood what he meant, and motioned for us to recuse ourselves. I saluted, and quickly pulled Tokar out.
"Too much deception!" Tokar, who walked not far away, slammed his fist against the wall, "Akya, don't you react at all?" ”
I said, "Since it is an order from above, it is necessary to obey it." This person's attitude is his own problem, and I agree with the approach of the headquarters. ”
"Hmph, why didn't he say it, the situation in the Alpha region is so complicated, we have always fought independently. Two months have passed, and has the Ministry of Intelligence provided a single decent intelligence? It is clear that the work of intelligence gathering and analysis is their job, but now they accuse us of ignorance of the enemy's situation, and are they clearly shirking responsibility? ”
Tokar slammed the wall again and walked away in a rage. As soon as his temper came up, it was useless to say anything. It's still early, so I'll get on with my job.
*****
It's a little over 1720, and it's getting dark. I walked out of the command post compound and saw Jade's car driving towards me, parked at the gate of the compound, the window slowly rolled down.
"Good work, Akeya." Jade poked his head out, "Where's Tokar?" ”
"I was angry with an intelligence major who came in the afternoon, and I was gone."
"Ha, I guess that's the case, I guess I went to the training room to vent again." Jade smiled happily.
"The major's business is done?"
"Huh? Ah, yes, it went well. ”
Jade seemed a little distracted, a hand flapping lightly on the steering wheel, eyes looking ahead of the car, and then turning to me after a while.
"Akeya, I've been warming up in the last few days, maybe it's going to be a little bit of a situation. See you later. ”
Saying goodbye to Jed, I walked towards the dormitory with my tools, thought about it, and then diverted to the shooting range. Seeing that there was no one around, I pulled out the silenced pistol tucked in my waist, aimed at a target in front of me, and fired a shot. After a slight adjustment, two more shots were fired.
All three bullets hit the bull's-eye, but there was only one more bullet hole in the top, and they hit the same spot. It's my habit to subconsciously aim at the same spot when I shoot.
Seeing that my archery skills were not rusty because of the lack of war recently, I was somewhat relieved. On the way back to the dorm, I remembered Jed's words again.
"I guess that's the case."
It sounded as if Jade knew Tokar's reaction in advance, or rather the Major. Acquaintance? No, in the cafeteria at noon, he would definitely say "an acquaintance of mine", and not "someone from the Ministry of Intelligence".
But I only think about it, and I don't think about it anymore.
After all, it's not something I should be thinking about, I just have to do what I'm told.