Toda, Emily, and Koiner had been in the base for a month. They had been training and preparing for their first real combat mission. They had been assigned to the 7th Squadron, a special unit that was composed of the best fighters from the training camp. They had also been given new weapons and equipment, such as advanced rifles, pistols, grenades, and vests. They had also been given new vehicles, such as boats, planes, and trains. They had been briefed by their commander, Colonel Smith, who had explained the purpose and the plan of the mission. He had said:
"Attention, soldiers. You are about to embark on the most important and the most dangerous mission of your lives. You are going to attack the city of Marina, the capital and the stronghold of the Alliance. Marina is the weakest ally of the Federation, and the most vulnerable target of the enemy. If we can capture Marina, we can cut off the enemy's supply lines, weaken their defenses, and demoralize their morale. We can also liberate the people of Marina, who are suffering under the tyranny of the Alliance. We can also secure a strategic position, from which we can launch further attacks on the enemy's territory. This mission is the key to winning the war, and ending the conflict. This mission is the ultimate test of your skills, and your loyalty. This mission is your duty, and your honor.
The mission will consist of three phases: the air strike, the naval assault, and the ground invasion. The air strike will be carried out by the planes, who will bomb the enemy's airfields, radar stations, and anti-aircraft guns. The naval assault will be carried out by the boats, who will land on the enemy's shores, and clear the way for the ground invasion. The ground invasion will be carried out by the trains, who will transport the troops and the tanks, and storm the enemy's city. The mission will be coordinated by the radio, who will provide the intelligence and the instructions. The mission will be supported by the base, who will provide the backup and the supplies.
You have been divided into four teams, according to your vehicles: the plane team, the boat team, the train team, and the radio team. Each team has a leader, who will report to me, and who will be responsible for the success and the safety of the team. The leaders are: Toda, for the plane team; Emily, for the boat team; Koiner, for the train team; and Rina, for the radio team. You have been chosen as the leaders, because you are the best fighters, and the most loyal soldiers. You have proven yourselves, in the training camp, and in the combat test. You have earned your ranks, and your respect. You have my trust, and my admiration.
The mission will begin tomorrow, at dawn. You will board your vehicles, and you will follow the route that I have given you. You will follow the orders, and you will follow the rules. You will not give up, you will not surrender, you will not die. You will fight with skill, and honor. You will fight for freedom, and justice. You will fight for the Federation, and its people. You are the future of the Federation, and we are proud of you. Over and out."
Toda, Emily, and Koiner had listened to the commander, and they had felt a mix of emotions. They had felt excited, and nervous. They had felt confident, and scared. They had felt proud, and humble. They had felt ready, and not ready. They had realized that this was the biggest battle yet, and that this was the real deal. They had realized that this was not a test, but a war. They had realized that this was not a game, but a life.
They had talked to each other, before the mission, in private. They had wished each other good luck, and good bye. They had hugged each other, and said that they loved each other. They had promised to meet again, and to win the war. They had hoped to survive, and to make a difference.
They had boarded their vehicles, and they had followed the route. They had followed the orders, and they had followed the rules. They had fought with skill, and honor. They had fought for freedom, and justice. They had fought for the Federation, and its people.
They had fought the battle, and they had changed the world.
