1.1 | louder than bombs

- 1 -

please read the introduction if you haven't. it's important for the story.

🏔

"Alright, guys. That was it. You're all exempted from your training for today. So pack your things, we're going to leave tomorrow before dawn."

Everyone stood up, noisily moving towards the door, the rickety chairs that sat them groaning in relief. The air had a musty feel to it, thick with the lack of proper ventilation. Two bulbs illuminated the small space with its soft, yellow glow teamed with a blue tint from the projector screen.

Cairo got up with a sigh as fatigue washed over his body, running a hand through his soft, caramel-coloured locks and made his way out of the small, dingy room with a barely noticeable limp. He was more on the shorter side, muscles very much present though they don't really make an appearance, giving the man almost a delicate-looking guise. He had melanin skin with brown monolided eyes, all thanks to his Native American blood.

The dim corridor was crowded with tall and burly men, the brunette sticking out like a sore thumb with his thin and lanky frame. He may look like a twig but he was strong enough. After all, it was a job requirement.

"Cai!" He raised his eyes from the floor to look at the short, grey-haired male standing near the exit, waving his hand like a madman with a shit-eating grin on his face, his best friend. "I heard you're being assigned to the North Border. Guess what?"

The two friends walked out of the building. It was like any other day. Clear blue sky with little tufts of white looking as fluffy as a cotton candy acting as accessories on the infinitely cerulean painting.

The Training Camp was huge. The main activities building stationed smack-dab in the middle, surrounded by tents and buildings on three sides. Friends could be seen happily chatting away, either walking on the paved footpaths or sitting under one of those wide trees that have roots thicker than a utility pole.

"What, Blue?" Cairo entertained the grey-head, walking straight towards a tall, grey building which housed the youngsters training at the base, the other jogging to catch up with his friend.

The newly-recruited members were hustling about in their camouflage and combat boots, running all over the place. Some from tents to tents carrying their medical equipment for their training, while some were aiming at the shooting targets, trying their best to shoot with precision.

Commands were being thrown everywhere, each instructor working hard to mould the young minds to be ready to face the worst of the worst, to work in strict order in the midst of utter chaos.

"Me too! Though I had to sneak into the Head's office last night and add my name," he paused, his eyebrows furrowing before a wide smile took over his face, "But that's not the point. We got assigned to the same Base after so long," he said, looping his arm with his friend's, the two walking down the familiar footpath leading to the dorms.

"Troy!" Cairo blurted, staring at his best friend with wide eyes.

Troy was rather short, with his natural grey hair and electric blue eyes-courtesy to his rare Russian genes- though he did make up for his height with all the extra time he spent in the training, stocking up on his muscles.

Sure, Troy was the most idiotic person to ever exist in the history of mankind, well at least to him, but he wouldn't be stupid enough to trick the Head.

Right?

"It's okay, Cai. He won't notice. By the time he does, we'll probably be 30,000 feet above the ground for him to stop me."