Encounter in Strife

Chapter 1: Dispatch

Kanxas City, Georginia
Military Fort (Kansas Fort)
04-21-20
 
"Attention!"   
  A loud command echoed in the training grounds just a mile behind the aerodrome (military airport), where hundreds of soldiers in battalion formation were having their morning exercise routines. 
 
Along the runway, a military truck is headed towards the headquarters, which is an O-shaped building with about 2.5 million square meters of floor space. It is equipped with the highest technology and security in the world. It has 10 floors above ground and 5 floors below. The circular open space in the middle of the building is known as the axis; it serves as the central defense system of the HQ against avian attacks. 

The truck passed through three electrical fences, roughly guarded by a squad that is responsible for validating the person's identity. The last security measure is biometrics through a camera lens that validates the identity of anyone passing through, automatically unlocking the door to the basement for people who are authorized to enter. 
 
After parking, a man dressed in an army combat uniform gets out of his truck, his ectomorphic body screaming strength and beauty. He ranges from about 6 '4 to 6' 6 feet. 

His toned abs and muscles are visible; they're toned but not bulky, which makes him look slender and sexy. Although his army patrol cap covers his forehead and eyes, the sharp nose, sharp jawline, and fair complexion are more than enough for anyone to conclude that he is handsome. 
 
He went straight to an office on the top floor using an elevator, and after being permitted to enter, he stood straight.
 

"Sir!  Lieutenant Colonel Nara reporting, sir!"

Lt. Nara said and firmly held a salute towards a man in service uniform, wearing a 5-star insignia, who seemed to be in his early 60s. 

The man looked at him with sharp eyes, as if looking at Lt. Col. Nara's very soul. This man is just as handsome as Lt. Col. Nara, but older. 

 
After a minute, the man returned the salute. It is a military practice and a sign of respect for military forces to wait until their salute towards a higher-ranking officer is returned before they drop their hands. Not to mention the fact that Lt. Col. Nara is actually facing a five-star general, which is the highest rank in command. 
 
"Have you received the order from your colonel?" 
 
"Yes, sir," Nara answered without meeting the eyes of the general. 

"Lieutenant Nara, your successes are quite commendable. Now, as the 1st battalion, we have particularly chosen to dispatch and mobilize your army to that place (he said while looking at a map spread on the table with marked coordinates).

We've got intel that Saiku (an international terrorist) is operating in that region. I want you to bring them down. We want him alive, but if that's not possible, then you are to defend yourselves by any means necessary. 
 
You are the head of this operation; do your best to protect your men and the civilians. Lieutenant Colonel Astro's 2nd Battalion is on standby to back you up at any time. 
 
Your deployment is in 23:00, and you've got 4,380 hours to complete the mission. 
 
Bring back the victory!"
 
The general spoke in an ominous tone. 
 

When Lt. Col. Nara received the order from his colonel, he was instructed that the National Geographic Institute had just recently discovered a tribe in the jungle. Only half of Salvania has been explored, and as they dug deeper, they found that there are natives in that area.

However, the exploration temporarily stopped during the winter for safety purposes. Unfortunately, the military tracked that Saiku's army had taken refuge in that particular jungle. The military was alarmed and rushed the mission before Saiku would discover and take unfavorable action against the tribe. 
 
"Sir, yes, sir!" Nara said this without making eye contact with the general.
 
"You know you can drop the honorifics." The general said as he went to a corner, took a mug, and put it under a vending machine for an espresso. 
 
"Sir I-" 
"Drop the honorifics, and that's an order!" The general commanded with a bit of annoyance in his voice.
 
"I'm sorry, father," Nara said, finally looking into the general's eyes.
 
"Can't you even talk to me like a normal person for once?" The general spoke with a hint of pain and longing in his voice. Silence filled the room. Only the sound of the espresso pouring into the mug filled the air.
 
"You go out on the battlefield and always take care, okay?" The general said as he walked towards Nara with the coffee in his right hand.
 
"Yes, Father, thank you. You take care, too," he said, gently tapping his father's shoulders.
 
"I'll come back alive, and we'll have a happy hour together." Nara continued as he once again did the salute.
 
The general sighed and just waved his hands, shoving his son out. 
 
General Nara watched his son, who was once just a kid in his arms, leave the room.
 
Since orders are transmitted down the chain of command, the only way for General Nara to meet his son is to directly ask for his presence at the headquarters. Lt. Col. Nara rarely comes home, which means the father and son rarely interact with each other.

As a father and as a general, he knew for a fact that that moment could be his last encounter with his beloved son; so before every deployment of Lt.Col Nara, the general would always call for him.

And every time Lt. Col. Nara walks out of the door, the father cries a silent prayer for his victory, hoping that his son may be able to come back into his loving and longing arms, breathing and alive. 

 
 

Trivia: 

Officer Ranks
(Descending Order)

5 Star General 

4 Star General

3 Star General (Lt. General): leads a corps (20,000–40,000 soldiers).

Major General (2-star general): leads 10,000-16,000 soldiers

Colonel leads a Brigade that consists of 1,500–3,200

Lt. Colonel: leads a battalion of 300 to 1,000 soldiers.

Captain: leads a company of 60 to 200 soldiers

A lieutenant handles a platoon of 16–44 soldiers. 

Staff sergeant: leads a squad (8–16 soldiers)

Sergeant: leads a team of four soldiers