Republic of Tactics

Republic of Tactics: Chapter 5

Chapter 5

I'm administered medicine for pain and energy boosters. Apparently, I was struck in the head, which made me pass out.

Sgt.Wolace explains to me that I will be taken to HIS squad's headquarters. 'Elite 1' is their name. Their home is about sixty miles south of Dertus.

"We have to hurry." Wolace tells me. We are walking in a highly lighted tunnel underground. Till we come to some stairs which lead to the outside. There is a 'catapult' waiting on a platform. A catapult is a vehicle in a capsule like shape. It runs at nearly one hundred and fifty miles per hour. It can hold up to eight passangers. Once inside, I observe the hybrid and augmented technology that beeps and flashes.

We depart from the hospital. Bound to the camp Elite 1 has built in the woods. Well, more of a city. Septimus is its name. Consisting of armed forces and prepared fighters. Victims of war looking for freedom and justice.

"I can't believe this is all caused by my grandfather. Fifteen damn years ago!" I'm loosing it. I try to regain my peace. I can't bear to look at Wolace, so I stare out the window at the passing trees and distant meadows.

"Oh boy, it's more than that. Your grandfather was the first in almost one-hundred years to speak up to the government. And that gave these people courage, well the ones that were in his side. And they followed his footsteps after the war." He says. I turn to face him.

"After that, the government was loosing control of its people, it seemed as if the people were ruling themselves, people snuck out and left the city. That was the twenty percent of people who supported him. And those twenty percent took a trek and landed in a place called, Septimus." He continues. I was about to speak when we intervened.

"Those twenty percent, are the Elite 1." He tells me.

I begin to find a bit of understanding.

"I get it now, but what's the goal?" I ask, trying not to sound ignorant and clueless. He looks at me in deadpan.

"To overthrow the President and to revive the other cities into one nation. Before the war, more than half of the cities in the country were withdrawn as a union and Dertus literally ignored them. Same reasons, wanted to overpower." He sheds light to my conflict.

"They know Elite 1 is out there. There's actually ten elites. Refugees from nine other cities. Yes, the ones that were withdrawn. We're one because we hold the higher throne. We started this army first." He says.

"The Capitol and the President don't know when we're gonna strike, or how?" He added.

"Oh, and your friend is in Alpha also." He shuts his eyes and reclines his air chair back.

I turn back to the window. Wondering. Finally solving the puzzle that has haunted my family and kept me up at night during all these years.

The trip to Septimus was thirty minutes, exact. Before actually entering the bulwark of the city, I can see there is multiple tents scattered about along the road. The city itself is in a valley. Mostly deserted terrain and dry hills.

Smoke emerges from campfires here and there. I focus on a flag that stands tall and upright on a mound. I squint my eyes for a better sight, the design on it is of a number 10 inside a blue circle glued on a white backround.

"Bovise Asherman? Please step out of the vehicle." A man demands. I look at Wolace, he nods for me to proceed.

The door opens upwards and the sunlight hits my face when I exit.

The man is accompanied by groups of men and women. The man is bald and well built. The men wore the same clothing. A uniform of a brown shirt, cotton it seems. Along with black shorts with many pockets. Black army boots. The women wore a skin-tight brown shirt, sleeveless. With camo leggings. Same black army boots.

"Yes sir?" I accommodate. He begins to search me and my pockets for any weapons.

"Welcome. Soldier Bovise." He smiles. The giant gate opens with no sound. I walk along with the rest of the residents. The 'catapult' slowly driving on the road next to us. Once inside, the residents split up and I find there is WAY more people here than I expected.

"This is Septimus soldier Bovise." Bald man introduces.

"What's your name?" I ask him, I sound tremulous.

"Just call me Ellis." He responds. He pulls out a mini-mic.

"Olden report to entrance two." He speaks into it. I gander the perimeter. I can't find Sgt. Wolace anywhere.

Septimus is widely expanded over the valley it sits in. The terrain itself is mostly a desert environment. Warm weather and no insects populating the air, like back in sector thirty four. The horizon over the hills looks delightful. With some clouds drifting away. Not so much high-tech. I can get used to Septimus.

"Soldier Bovise, this is your head trainer, Olden. He'll be in charge of preparing you for the battle." Ellis says.

I look over at Olden. An average man. His stunning blue eyes looks perfect with his terrific blonde hair, it's all swaying in the air.

"Nice to meet you." I greet, shaking hands.

"My pleasure. We may begin tomorrow. Time is precious." He advices me. There's a hint of love in his voice. As if recalling a lovely memory, which makes his eyes watery and places a smile on his lips.

As Olden chaperones me to my room, he tells me about Septimus and regulations I'm expected to follow. My room is settled on a platform right next to a huge arena. In a building multi stories high painted in tasteless colors.

The arena is used for assemblies and meetings.

That night, I took a bath and and I walked out to the balcony for fresh night air. The silence was soon broken...