Toda had been crawling for two days, following the direction of the radio signal. He had found a radio transmitter in the pocket of the dead soldier, and he had turned it on. He had heard a voice, speaking in his language. It was a friendly voice, a familiar voice. It was the voice of his instructor, Sergeant Lee.
"Attention, all Federation trainees. This is Sergeant Lee, from the training camp. If you are hearing this message, it means that you are still alive, and that you have a radio transmitter. Congratulations, you have passed the first test. But your mission is not over yet. You have to reach the base, where you will be safe and treated. The base is located at the coordinates 34.567, -87.890. Follow the signal, and you will find it. Do not give up, do not surrender, do not die. You are the future of the Federation, and we are proud of you. Over and out."
Toda had recognized the voice, and he had felt a surge of hope. He had realized that the field exercise was not a real combat scenario, but a test of his survival skills and his loyalty. He had realized that his friends were probably alive, and that they were also trying to reach the base. He had realized that he was not alone, and that he had a chance.
He had decided to follow the signal, and to reach the base. He had decided to ignore his wound, and his pain. He had decided to ignore his doubts, and his guilt. He had decided to ignore his enemy, and his humanity. He had decided to survive, for himself, and for his friends.
He had crawled through the forest, avoiding any obstacles and dangers. He had used the rifle and the pistol, to defend himself from any attacks. He had used the flashlight and the radio, to guide himself to the destination. He had used the knife, to cut his birthday cake.
He had celebrated his 15th birthday, alone, in the middle of the war zone. He had found a can of cake, in the backpack of the dead soldier. He had opened it, and sliced it with his knife. He had eaten it, and wished for a better life. He had wished for peace, and justice. He had wished for his friends, and his family. He had wished for his country, and his cause.
He had wondered if he was doing the right thing, if he was on the right side. He had wondered if the war was worth it, if the war was ever going to end. He had wondered if the Federation was really the good guys, if the Federation was ever going to do a wrong. He had wondered if the Alliance was really the bad guys, if the Alliance was ever going to do a right. He had wondered if he was really a hero, or a victim.
But he had pushed those thoughts away, and focused on his goal. He had to reach the base, where he would be safe and treated. He had to reach the base, where he would meet his friends and his instructor. He had to reach the base, where he would pass the test and become a soldier. He had to reach the base, where he would prove his loyalty and his worth.
He had crawled for two more days, until he saw a light. It was a bright light, shining in the dark. It was the light of the base, the light of his salvation. He had crawled towards it, with his last strength. He had reached it, and collapsed. He had heard a voice, speaking in his language. It was a friendly voice, a familiar voice. It was the voice of his instructor, Sergeant Lee.
"Welcome to the base, trainee. You have made it. You have passed the test. You are a soldier now. You are a hero. You are one of us."
