The Fight for Freedom (Book One in the EDSOR Military Academy Trilogy)

Chapter 2- Alyssa's Speech

Thousands of girls and boys swarmed in the gymnasium. People may remember that each camp was an exclusive school for each gender but after the pact that all schools made, the school became Co-Ed. I am not exempted from secret notes and secret admirers (ahem, stalkers). But it doesn’t matter. I am not interested in men. Ever since I was appointed as junior defense captain back in freshman year, I dedicated my whole life to serving the school. I don’t think I am bad-looking either but its best if I stay single.

“Jesse”, Mike called. “Do the introduction for all of them”

“Me? Why?”, I asked, quite confused.

“You’d appeal to men and women”

The whole War Council sniggered. Um…should I take that as a compliment or insult? I was wearing  a blue skirt that was ridding up my knee cap only because someone sabotaged the uniform. I only got it today. It is so awkward when guys look at your revealing skin for fun.

I grit my teeth. “Why can’t you do it, Peter?”, I snapped.

Peter shrugged. “I guess Mike has his reasons”

“Fine. I’ll do it. What should I say?”

“Plead for help like what a desperate woman would do to a lover”, Trevor laughed. The whole war council except for me and Lexine laughed. Glad to know Lexine’s on my side.

“She wouldn’t do that. If she did, people would question her authenticity as defense captain. Let me do it. I’ll appeal to the teachers because I am in a wheelchair”, said a familiar voice from behind. It was firm and strong. It was the beautiful Loreal hair girl Alyssa. There’s always something so pretty about her that I don’t have. Why did God give me damaged hair when her hair always shines like….commercial hair??

Of course, Mike was stunned and he could not say no to her. “Well, go ahead”, he smiled helplessly. I knew it! He totally liked Alyssa.

“Well then, that settles all the matters”, she smiled faintly as she moved her wheelchair by herself to the center of the stage. I forgot to tell you the war council was mounted on the stage.

“Students, teachers, personnel, friends and enemies, this is the war we have been training for. The Militicians are in the Visayas region and are marching towards our zone. We may only be sixteen thousand people but our courage is much more than the Militicians”

Boos were heard from the crowd. I covered my face so I will not see Alyssa’s reaction. Instead, she continued.

“Practically speaking, we are only 0.1 percent in their vast army. The Militicians have conquered basically the world, both East and West. They will have conquered the entire world when they infiltrate the capital. Practically speaking, we are a tiny speck of dust in their empire. Others have done the same because they FEAR that they’ll never win. They’ve never tried to raise arms against them, hoping they will be spared. But it is only in trying that one finds triumph whatever the result will be. We are the last of the world’s civilization and if we are conquered without trying to win, our civilization will be on the brink of extinction. What would the use of the treaty our four schools be if we don’t try? Try to win? Dare to lose? TRY again???”, Alyssa shouted.

The whole crowd cheered for her. “So EDSOR Warriors, to God be the glory! To victory be our goal! To heaven we shall stand. Never to be underestimated!”, Alyssa shouted as the crowd went wild, shouting praises to her. She plainly rolled her wheelchair to a stunned War council and gestured to the stage.

“Now President, you have to tell them the strategy otherwise my inspirational words would’ve gone in vain”, she grinned. Mike was too shocked he couldn’t answer.

Gerard had to push Mike in front. “Say your speech, Prez”

Mike cleared his throat and when he went in front of the crowd, all the girls started screaming their heads off like fan girls in a concert.

“Citizens of EDSOR Military Camp, this peace pact wasn’t made in vain. This pact has united all of us for this inevitable war. You will all be assigned to your designated jobs tomorrow. The War Council and I will sort out your talents and make sure they are used to the best of your abilities. For now, you shall all rest. All normal classes have been cancelled and replaced with military training. Good luck to you all and we are all counting on you to fight until the last drop of blood”

Of course, several girls moaned about training. That’s normal. I never did that before. I used to think that training was fun. Sometimes, I forget that I am a girl who should live a normal life.

Well, I’ll save that normal life for next time. Everyone in the War Council still looks down on me because I am just co-defense captain. They pay more respect to Alyssa and absolutely no attention to Lexine Martyr.

Gosh men are so confusing. I guess if I were in their shoes, I would totally understand them.

“That is all. You’re all dismissed. Please go to your respective dormitories now and come back here at seven in the morning tomorrow. Animo EDSOR!”, he cheered.

To his surprise, everyone started looking sullen. Even the War Council didn’t have enough energy to cheer. This was an actual battle we were fighting. We’ve only been trained war tactics and spared from harsh training. Stupid Militician army! Why do they have to force us to fight when we’re just kids. Its better if we surrender. Look at us. We’re downtrodden people. How can we win a war against adults? We’ll just give in torture!

Mike’s shoulders slumped as he walked back to us. “Guys, at this rate we’ve started, this is the rate we will cope with. We can’t let fear and sadness take over their courage”

Gerard started stammering again “B-But if you th-think about it, they are merely ch-children. There are four billion men out there hungry for our capital, the last one left before we all kneel before them as servants and slaves”

Paulo started huffing as he ran to us. “Hey guys what did I just miss?”, he asked. Lexine looked away when Paulo noticed her staring at him. “Whatever Paulo. You’re late”, she hissed.

“I was busy….”, Paulo helplessly replied, combing his black hair. He’s an exchange student from Madrid. I can tell him apart from the rest because of his tall nose.

“Too busy for the War Council Pao Pao?”, Mike teased him and ruffled his hair.

I heave a sigh. Training starts tomorrow. I don’t even think I’ll be willing to lay my life down for the rest of us.

“So see ya around guys”, I quickly said as I inched away from the War Council. “Meeting up with Thomas again?”, Paulo called as Lexine stood beside him, slightly tomato red.

“Our little sister is growing up so fast!”, Peter teased as he held a pink compact mirror in front of him. He must’ve taken it from his sister Hershel whom I saw applying blush on her face the other day. This is news. I grimaced. The thought of a guy putting blush is very disturbing.

“For your information, we’ve been childhood friends since five. I need to inform him…..are you listening to me?”, I abruptly asked as everyone gave me a smug face.

“You always meet him every Tuesdays and Thursdays? Is it like a date or something?”, Alyssa laughed. “No”, I quickly said. “Uh…its more of advanced classes”, I stammer. I can’t believe I am doing this.

“Well, let’s leave our lil’ sis to her own gig. Be safe”, Mike concluded everything as he place his right hand on my chest and then to his. This was our gesture of camaraderie and unity.