Toda, Emily, and Koiner had been in the base for a week. They had been reunited with their friends, and they had been treated for their wounds. They had also been debriefed by their instructor, Sergeant Lee, who had explained the purpose and the outcome of the field exercise. He had praised them for their survival skills and their loyalty, and he had awarded them with medals and ranks. He had also informed them that they had graduated from the training program, and that they were now official soldiers of the Federation army.
They were happy, and relieved. They had made it, and they had passed the test. They had become soldiers, and they had earned their honor. They had also found out that most of their fellow trainees had survived, and that only a few had died or gone missing. They had mourned for the fallen, and they had celebrated for the living.
But they were also angry, and confused. They had realized that the field exercise was not a real combat scenario, but a cruel and twisted experiment. They had realized that they had been manipulated, and betrayed. They had realized that they had killed innocent people, and that they had risked their lives for nothing. They had realized that the test was not about their skills, but about their obedience. They had realized that they were not heroes, but pawns.
They had talked about it, among themselves, in private. They had shared their doubts, and their regrets. They had questioned their instructor, and their mission. They had wondered if they were doing the right thing, if they were on the right side. They had wondered if the war was worth it, if the war was ever going to end. They had wondered if the Federation was really the good guys, if the Federation was ever going to do a wrong. They had wondered if the Alliance was really the bad guys, if the Alliance was ever going to do a right. They had wondered if they were really soldiers, or victims.
But they had also remembered their oath, and their duty. They had remembered that they had sworn to serve and protect the Federation, and its people. They had remembered that they had volunteered to join the army, and to fight for freedom and justice. They had remembered that they had a cause, and a purpose. They had remembered that they had friends, and a family. They had remembered that they were loyal, and brave. They had remembered that they were one of them.
They had decided to keep their perspective, to keep their side. They had decided to stay loyal to their army, to their friends. They had decided to fight for their country, to fight for their cause. They had decided to survive, for themselves, and for their people.
They had also decided to prove themselves, to prove their worth. They had decided to participate in the combat test, a friendly competition among the soldiers. They had decided to challenge each other, to see who was the best fighter. They had decided to have some fun, and to blow off some steam.
They had entered the arena, a large and open space, surrounded by walls and spectators. They had chosen their weapons, from a variety of options, such as swords, axes, spears, and knives. They had followed the rules, which were simple and fair: no guns, no killing, no cheating. They had faced their opponents, who were their friends and comrades. They had fought with skill, and honor.
Toda had fought with passion, and fury. He had fought with his rifle, and his pistol. He had fought with his flashlight, and his radio. He had fought with his knife, and his fists. He had fought with his wound, and his pain. He had fought with his doubt, and his guilt. He had fought with his enemy, and his humanity.
He had beaten everyone, one by one. He had beaten them with speed, and strength. He had beaten them with strategy, and technique. He had beaten them with courage, and determination. He had beaten them into the ground, and into submission. He had become the best fighter, in his squadron.
