At What Cost?

Fellow Comrades: Chapter VIII

A Few Weeks Later...

20th December, 2010
1400 hours

It's been a few weeks since I was discharged from the hospital. During that time, I've made myself acquainted with the people in 3rd Squad. Miguel taught me the basics of sign language so I was capable enough to talk to Santos. Isla also finally showed me why she was called Ninja and it definitely suits her.

I was helping Isla set up the Christmas decorations in our Squad Barracks when I was called to see the captain.

I walked in and stood appropriately and attentively. I still didn't like Captain Gonzales and made no secret of it; I never talked to him outside of serious meetings and just stared at him pointedly. At first he tried to warm up to me, but once he realised I was giving him the cold shoulder, he gave up, only speaking to me as a Captain.

"Hello again Karlos," he spoke seriously. "Since our previous meeting was unfortunately cut short, let's get straight to the point. Are you willing to join us Freedom Fighters?"
I've practised answering this question since I got here so I barely even had to think.

"Yes, of course." I answered. "You're all fighting for a great cause; I want to contribute as much as I can." Answering it properly felt like a weight off my shoulders. It felt like I was preparing for that question my whole life.

"Good." I could feel the pride emanating out of him but I stood my ground, keeping a stone face. His eyes looked hurt; even when he gave up he still felt sad that I was shutting him out. I ignored the guilt that hit me; my resolve had been weakening the past few weeks but I was determined not to crack, still upset of what happened to Madre and Kamila.

He slid me a piece of paper with different companies, platoons and squad names on it. He then circled one branch of the LFL 1st Battalion; in which he also circled 'Alpha Company', '2nd Platoon' and '3rd Squad'.

"These are the teams you're going to be assigned to," Captain Gonzales informed me, gesturing to the circled names. "I assume you've already made yourself comfortable with 3rd Squad, considering you've lived in their barracks for quite some time.

"You'll be assigned as a Combat Medic," he continued, "as the previous one was KIA a couple months back in an operation." I barely had time to think—Wait, KIA?— before he stood up and walked outside. He quickly gave me a look that said Follow me.

While rearranging my thoughts, I promptly followed him outside the tent and into the full camp. After walking and passing by a few different barracks, we stopped by a young lady preparing a mission with other soldiers. I took a glance at her rank and name.

Marcy Méndez, Lieutenant

Lieutenant? I thought, slightly baffled. She looks no older than I am!

Captain Gonzales introduced me to the young lieutenant, who looked away from the soldiers and seemingly started inspecting me. "Karlos, this is your Commanding Lieutenant. She commands the 2nd Platoon of which 3rd Squad is a part of." I was listening, but I felt uncomfortable as she scanned me.

"The chain of command goes from Ventura to Méndez, to your company commander, which is me." He pat Lieutenant Méndez on the shoulder, which seemed to stop her scanning.

"Hey kid," she said, all smiles, "this old gilipollas probably already told you all about me. To answer your question—which I already know what you're thinking of—I know I look quite young to be a lieutenant, but I am legitimate.

"I worked my ass off to rise to this rank," she continued. "So if you try hard enough, then maybe you might just steal my job." She chuckled, playfully bumped me on my shoulder and went back to ordering the soldiers.