Love and War - (Book 1)

Chapter 6 (Part 2 - Three Armies)

The day before was rather lonely for Jordan. And today continues that. Lucas had not return to Jordan's apartment yet, so the days of living alone for Jordan had returned. The last time he was all alone in his apartment seemed like years ago, but in truth it was only nine days ago. 'Just over a week. Feels a helluva lot longer than that,' Jordan observes. 'I ought to get myself a new computer. Money is scarce, though.'

Later on that lonesome day, Jordan receives a call from one of his superiors in the Rebellion Force. Ring, ring! It echoes. Ring, ring! "Quiet, already! I'm coming, so stop yer chirping," Jordan groans. Jordan picks up the dark black home phone from its bed and places it against his head. "Hello?" Jordan answers.
"Jordan, this is Sergeant Ford. This is a safe line, right?" he responds.
"It's my fucking home. Nobody cares about me enough to ask what I do for a living. I doubt anyone in the Military even knows about me. So yes, I assume this a safe line."
"Just saying "yes" would've been sufficient." The man's voice has a determined approach, yet soft.
"What is it? Why did you call me? Me of all people," Jordan wonders; he isn't very well known in the RF, and he isn't very high up either. The Rebels tend not to use the general rankings of the army, as they see that as the Military's way of doing business, so instead they chose numbers and stars rather than titles and stripes and stars. Titles were used in rare cases, but regularly used for introductions and for respect. In other matters, rankings were not used, unless needing to identify.
"As everyone knows, us Rebels especially, we are low on soldiers. I have come to know you as caring and charismatic, two characteristics in which I lack. Using the two, I would have you find us some soldiers. Anyone. Perhaps some man or woman you happen to pass every day. Someone you see often. Anyone. We really are desperate."
"It shows: you're asking me(!)" he jokes.
"I have asked others, but I know you will succeed. Succeed more than the others."
"I barely even know one person. Except for... no. No, I had thought about for him, but it wouldn't work. He's not ready. He's unfit for it. I'll find you somebody, don't worry."
"Worry? It's all I seem to do these days. Well, good luck to you."
"Good luck to you with the war. Our war. How goes the fighting?" Jordan inquires.
"We lost one of our bases to the Military. They're gonna start taking some more, but they're staying there for a bit; Alex is mistrusting his men. One of them has even tried to rise against him and kill Alex and then lead the Military as their new leader. Our spy hasn't said anything more on the subject."
"Well, sounds like they are at least having more fun than we are."
"You can say that again. Anyway, get to recruiting some more Rebels, Jordan. For the safety of the world."
"For the safety of the world..." Jordan ponders. Sergeant Ford terminates the call on his end and Jordan places the phone back.

"Well, this is gonna be just great..." Jordan sighs, thinking about different people he could have join the Rebellion Force. He had thought for Lucas to join, but the whole drugs epidemic with him sees Lucas as unfit to join any army. 'Although, we are low on soldiers. I'm sure they'll accept anyone at this point. I could send him to some rehab or A.A to get him fixed enough to join the RF.'

-John-

A third army. Another army in the seemingly endless and bitter war. It's already killed millions, and how many millions of more people must die and suffer until there is one victor? Unless there will be no winners.

John thought about the army for the Government for some time, however he did go along with signing it. Even after the signing, he still wonders if it was a wise decision in the end. All he truly wanted out of this was his life to be kept, and his position of power.

He looks at his reflection through that undeserving size of a mirror. Smart grey blazer today, with a black tie and white shirt. His grey hair combed back. "I'm getting rather too old for these sort of things," John states. "But with an army for ourselves we can defeat both the Military and the Rebels before I die of old age. Or before I die of anything. Hopefully that day is far away-"
"John, Sir," Bridget interrupts him as she enters his office.
"Bridget! Would you please knock next time you intrude me and my solitude?" he shouts.
"I'm sorry, Sir... but I don't like your tone of voice."
"You think you're funny? Next time you make a joke or enter without knocking, I will make sure that my army practices their aiming on your head, do you understand me?" he threats.
"I do, Sir. I understand fully, Sir." She leaves abruptly.

'Where the devil is she off to?' John asks himself. After standing awkwardly in the same position for a few seconds, John follows after her, however in a brisk pace, making his best attempt at not wanting to look suspicious at all.

-Lucas-

Being tasked with staying at the house did not Lucas any pleasure or joy or comfort. Instead, it gave him tiresome, anxiety and misery. He wished to go back to the empty room, however there would be some painful memories to revisit if he had returned to it. Instead, Lucas chose to stay with the drug dealer, believing him to be his only friend. In truth, he was, save for Jordan. He would rather have had nothing to do with James. Him and Oliver never speak to each other anymore. The friendship between him and Jordan seems to be dying also. All his mates at work aren't people he would call "mates", and the job he used to work at brings painful memories as well. This drug dealer is the only one that brings the happiness in Lucas' life.

"When they're not all stoned outta their minds, they quite interesting to talk t'," the drug dealer explains to Lucas.
"And when aren't they stoned?" he asks.
"Never? Yeah, never. That's why me and my gang are doin' better than the others. Also why we got a lotta motherfucking motherfuckers up in our asses, you get me?"
"Sure, yeah." Lucas doesn't understand why he would phrase it that way, but he understood what he meant all the same.
"Shame you got no money on ya. Then you wouldn't have to be lying around bored outta your fuckin' mind here."
"I know, man. I'd do anything for secondhand smoke right now."
"Somebody here's gotta have somethin' left over. I'll see what I can do," he replies, smirking.

'Maybe today won't be so tough here. Actually, I don't see why I couldn't just leave yesterday. Perhaps he likes me. I am quite a funny guy to talk with after all. Maybe we're both going through some hard times and see that in each other,' Lucas wonders. Unbeknownst to Lucas, all he feels at this moment is insecurity.

-John-

On his way to find Bridget, John encounters far too many people stopping what they're doing just to pay their respects and greet him. It doesn't usually occur. Perhaps the signing of the army made everyone else view him differently. If that's the case, then none of were ever loyal to him to start with.

"John, the thing with the army... I understand you decision and know it must've been a tricky one," said Michelle as he was descending the stairs.
"You really must excuse me, Michelle." He had push out of the way forcefully.

As he almost caught up with Bridget down the hallway, he was blocked by Toby. "John, I just want to say something quickly," he begins, and John ignores him and prepares to push him away, too. However, Toby stood his ground. "I just wanted to say that I disagree with the army. You were always seen as a loving man and that violence was not your way. At least not anymore. We were all told to stop that. I know you won't take the army back, but consider a way to show that loving side again." John listened to what he had said, and realised that Bridget could wait for a moment.
"Thank you for your advice. I'll most certainly take it into consideration and will act upon it at once."

He leaves Toby, but does continue to follow Bridget. However, there is something he knows that must be returned to. Something he hasn't been back to in a long time. A place that he loves as much as it loves him back.