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

Chapter 27- Troops on Standby

“President Jesse speaking. Alyssa, can you hear me?”, I yelled at my earphone which was attached to a satellite system Stephan gave me. He , Thomas and the engineers worked on it so that there would still be effective communication within the army. All major officials and Heads had it. You just press several buttons (that’s your pin number) and then the computer geeks direct you to the person you want to talk to. Super techie.

“Alyssa awaiting orders. There were four girls who fainted because of heatstroke”

I held back my laughter. “See to it that they get the proper medical attention before they’re sent to work”. Now I feel like a slave driver, ordering children around like that.

“At once, Commander”

Wow. I was being called a commander. Sorry, I still don’t believe in my own capabilities. I saw Wesley pass by, clutching on to a wooden chessboard fresh from the woodcutter’s shop. He accidentally bumped me and mumbled his apology.

“Wesley, where are you going?”, Lexine asked, curiously.

“Back inside the academy. I’ll play my last game before it all ends”

What an emo guy. Can’t he just do something better and help us out??! “You can be our defense tactics captain”, Gerard said, annoyed by his insensitivity.

Wesley shook his head. “I’ve done what I could. Everything will end in bloodshed. We won’t win this war. We can’t”

He is so pessimistic! I wanted to slice his guts with my lance! Instead, I gravely nodded and allowed him to step inside the school.

“There is always hope”. Trevor called out just before he went inside. Wesley looked at all of us and grinned indifferently. He’s so weird…

The position  of the army was impeccably organized. I wonder how much time they spent on doing this, since the time was really limited. My stay on Earth has not been that fulfilling. I saw Nikki ordering some students to do some last-minute training with her.

I could feel the excitement surging from the army. All students of all camps were all united here for a common goal. If this were a regular school year, we would all be fighting for the EDSOR Cup. The camp that garners the highest points wins the golden cup. Its usually La Salle or Xavier that would win, considering that many boys comprise of the team. Ugh. I know deep down inside that women are better than them.

The sun’s rays were beaming down on all of us. Everyone looked…well…uniform in what they were wearing. Same breastplate, same hairdo (even the girls had to tie their hair in a bun or cut it short). I was surprised to see Rani holding a chainsaw. Students tried to keep their distance from her. She waved at me. “Hey Jesse, I’ve found a new hobby!”, she called out. I chuckled.

Chelsea, whom I’ve already forgiven, was handing out food packs of instant-prepared food to the warriors. Sweat streaked her face and neck as she wore a blue apron and slacks. Her hair was loose and I guess this made her more attractive because many men turned their heads in the direction she was walking.

As I assumed my position at the middle of the entire army, I realized that we were truly a grain of sand in the Militician Army. I reached for my speaker phone and connected it with my earpiece. That has been part of the satellite device Stephan installed on my skin. It was painful and Thomas had to donate more blood for me. My white Apple earpiece was connected with that satellite device on my left arm. Freaky, isn’t it? I am a cyborg now.

“Thomas Terrence in the computer lab”

“Speaking”

“Helicopters and smoke bombs ready?”

“Yeah they are. I’ve kept them hidden at the Poveda garage. Signal me when to fire. Militician Army approaching Makati City”

“Wow they really are close, huh? If you were here, you’d feel the pressure building. All these children…these students will never be the same again”

“I guess we were destined for all of this. But even if we all perish, we’ll all be heroes of the last frontier of freedom. At least we all did something rather than slacking off”

“Thanks. I am signing out”

“I..er..143”, he said as I heard him typing something on his keyboard. I was surprised at this confession. Too much unrequited emotion is bad for me. I don’t know why but I found this very disgusting and a puke-worthy experience.

“EDSOR Army, take your positions!”, Gerard called out from the fortress castle, where I was supposed to be. The army started moving in coordination. I could feel agitation and suspense hanging in the air. I moved with them (I did not go to training because I was under medications). Stupid sicknesses.

They formed a Phalanx position, just like what Spartans did. The Spartan people are our unofficial role models. We follow their ways and lifestyles. When you’re accepted in this school, you’ve already been exposed to many kinds of death. The entrance exam here is not based on intellect. Its purely based on luck and willpower. Ten children are placed in one group. The EDSOR Personnel and Faculty will let you explore some kind of a Cornocupia or Utopian area powered by digital technology. Out of those ten, two or three survive only if they team up. The main goal here is to the last one standing. Crazy, isn’t it? Thomas, Stephan and I were the only people living after the entrance exams. Parents who send their children to this school have no more use for their children. Its really weird that sometimes because of connections, popular and rich kids get in here without facing death. That irks me a lot.

Going back to the positions, I realized that everyone was so prepared for this war. In an hour or two, our lives will drastically change. It will be like the North and South poles switching their positions on the Earth. We’ve only got each other to hold on to.