Before the Battle

Family Name 17/17

We raced down and headed north, where soldiers in the red uniforms of the Empire were waiting in solid formation.

With hands above my head, I hoped they would not shoot us on sight, but fortunately they recognised us immediately.

"Where's your commander?" I shouted to the nearest group, who had taken cover behind the last row of low trees, assault rifles ready to fire.

A few of them pointed to the rear behind another line of determined men, but otherwise paid no attention to me. Their eyes were fixed on the enemies in black uniforms who were advancing slowly but surely.

I recognised Hiroki and called out to him, "What's going on? Didn't Kioshi tell you to stay back?"

He stared at me in confusion. "He did, but then the other message came. It said we had to attack now and..."

"What?" I interrupted him impatiently. "What other message?"

I should have expected that. Satoshi had his men among the Imperials and somehow he slipped them a fake message telling them to attack.

"It's a trap. Retreat. Do not attack."

My words didn't seem to convince him or the others.

"I must speak to your commander now," I shouted, trying to find him among all the nervous, frightened, but also determined soldiers, ready to rush into battle at any moment.

Meanwhile, the Resistance army had come within reach.

Time was up.

"Ready! Aim!"

Orders flew around, the soldiers no longer taking in anything I was saying. It was too late to explain.

There would be a fight. There was going to be a massacre. Nothing could stop it.

I turned desperately to Shira, who stood faithfully by my side, with a look that begged me to give up. To understand that all was lost and to retreat to safety.

"I'm sorry," I said softly.

Then I did something no sane person would ever do.

I ran into the line of fire between the two enemy sides and shouted with all my might: "Enough!"

I didn't know why I did it.

It was a combination of adrenaline, enormous anger and a determination not to let Marat win.

It was a blind faith that by doing so I would prevent the first shot, because if it fell, there would be no turning back.

It was Chairwoman Hannara's words echoing in my head that I had the power to reconcile the opposing sides.

Although she probably didn't mean for me to try it right on the battlefield.

I immediately became the main attraction. A madman doing such a thing usually attracted the attention of the crowd.

The Resistance soldiers finally faltered and halted their advance.

"If you want to kill each other here, in this village, my birthplace, then start with me!"

I shouted so that those behind me could hear me. I shouted to hide my trembling voice, to give myself courage.

I held my empty hands away from my body to prove that I was unarmed.

Out of the corner of my eye I spotted Shira coming after me. I knew he would. That he would follow me anywhere, even into the burning hells.

Unlike me, he had a gun in each hand, pointed at the approaching groups of enemies.