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

Chapter 26- Marching to the Battlefield

I ate my breakfast at 7 am at the War Council Room with the other members. All of them, except Peter who was busy putting make-up on himself, had solemn and somber faces. This day was the last day we’ll all be seated here in this rectangular brown table. We ate a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs and honey cured ham with garlic rice. The good food was able to warm my soul. I swear my legs were shaking even when I made the slightest movement.

I took off my armor. It made me look ridiculous seeing everyone in pajamas while I looked like a paranoid person. I tried to run things down in my head as I took a spoonful of yellow egg into my mouth. “Leave the gates of EDSOR Military Academy. Head straight to EDSA Shrine. First cavalry then front line warriors attack. Set aside troops for the ambush mission. Start when Gerard blows the horn to signal the war. Be calm. Stay relaxed. Do not panic. Do not falter before the first blow…”, I tried to reiterate all of this in my head.

Oh damn! I didn’t even see these formations because I was in the hospital! UGH! I wish I could turn back time to undo the mess I’ve created.

“Gerard”, I say with a firm voice. He dropped his fork and looked at me. “Yes?”

“Have you seen the warriors in their formations?”

“Certainly. We’ve adopted the Spartan code of lining up”, he smiled.

“I’ll make you in charge of the battle preparations. Lexine, stay with the ambush team and lead them away from the Militician army. Attack from their back to stun them. I’ll…I’ll shoot an arrow towards the air as a signal. Trevor and Peter…”

Peter was putting busy putting some powder on his face. “Peter for God’s sake! Put the wretched compact down! You can make yourself up before you die!”

Peter obediently placed it down and smiled at me. “Yes mam?”

I found it so irritating that he would be slacking off at this time. I frowned at him. “Peter and Trevor, assist in guiding the army to their positions. Alyssa, stay in the infirmary to help and monitor mortality rate. This will be one hell of a war”

Paolo was still scribbling stuff on his notebook. “Paolo, document everything. You should hang out in the computer room with Thomas and Stephan. They’ll make great pals”

I felt a tug in my heart as I heard the emergency bell ring. All the War Council members stopped. I did not breath. Silence. Was. Power.

I heaved a sigh. “That’s Ms Militante’s call for the entire student body and faculty to head out of EDSOR”, Gerard said, as-a-matter-of-factly.

Everyone stood up. “Guys”, I called them before they left the room. This room used to be the center ground for new ideas and innovative techniques before. Now, all of the memories carved here, even the brown table, will all disintegrate in the war. My heart was fiercely pounding that I couldn’t breathe properly. I was hyperventilating.

“May the odds be with you”

“Animo E.M.A”, they all said in chorus. I felt unity and determination in their voices. “President Jesse, I will await orders from you”, Gerard softly said as I fitted my shin guards and metal armor. I noticed the others were changing as well. Gerard was putting on his oversized metal gear.

“Isn’t that a bit too big for you?”, I asked curiously as he tried to stride gracefully. He walked like a penguin with those gigantic boots.

“I feel comfortable in it. A size smaller would make me feel cramped and claustrophobic”

Peter and Trevor (I wonder why they’re always together) were wearing identical pieces of green and black armor. Trevor was spinning his REAL gun. Peter was putting his finishing touches to his lip gloss. He can scare people by just doing that. Freaky.

Alyssa put on her armor but did not put on her shinguards. She quietly rolled her wheelchair away from us and down the ramp that led to the academy infirmary. She saluted to me and grinned at me. Her face faded away in my memories.

Lexine wore her regular white short, cargo pants, sneakers and her EDSOR Military Academy jacket so she would look like a civilian. Paolo did not change at all. He told me he was drafting a full and detailed account about this war. The last thing he’d want is something that would hinder him from writing fast.

With arms bound together, we walked out of the War Council Room together to the battlefield. Our footsteps echoed at every stride we took. We were walking to our own destiny. At least I was not alone in my stand. I was in between Lexine and Gerard, who both looked agitated too.

“Nervous?”, I whispered to Lexine as she flinched. “Sorry I am too paranoid now. Yeah. Who wouldn’t be?”

I let the question hang in the air. When we marched outside the gates of EDSOR, I looked at my dear school for one last time just before the rainbow colored gates closed. “Goodbye, EDSOR Military Academy. I’ll be putting to practice everything I’ve learned here. I only wish this glorious school will be remembered after the war no matter what the result is. I want this to be known as the last stand of the youth against oppressors”.

As I heard the thud of the gates, I knew that there was no turning back. I couldn’t escape my destiny anymore. I was tired of running away because of fear. Now, I shall face Death in this war, courageously armed with my loyal supporters by my side.