Salvation Mercenary

Prolouge - Six Weeks Earlier

6 WEEKS EARLIER

LIAM
"Run! Go! Come on soldier, MOVE IT!" The creaking of the wood and the stamping of the soldier's feet on the softened mud was music to my ears. Echoing from the campus grounds to the end of the woods, miles away, was the penetrating screech of the red plastic whistles we bear in our mouths. The perimeter was secured by dozen by well trained salvation mercenary soldiers positioned around the hexagonal electrical fence. Living by your own rules. Making them up not only to keep ourselves safe, but to keep the other bases safe. Keeping us out of trouble. My soldier's were in the higher cells - better trained - better classes - better life. I've been in their position. Now I'm here, respected and feared.

"Sir, can I have a moment, sir?" Kathy lowered he ocean blue eyes as her face hardened. As if knowing what I was about to say, she turned and walked away. I let her take as few paces forward.

"Soldier, what do you want?" She turned slowly towards me with a suspicious gleam in her eyes, as if I just spat out poison to the soldier next to her and called her back for a second helping.

"I have finished the course and beaten my time by two minutes, an improvement from yesterdays." I glowered at her and cleared my throat, "Sir!" She squeaked out, composing herself mere seconds after she forgot her respect. From the look I gave her, that would not happen again and she knew that. I nodded and walked away. She had only just been put in my class, this was her second training day with me and she was nervous, something I would have to train out of her, like a bad habit. She had gotten on very well with her last commander as he was a family friend and so I took pleasure in watching her stand there not knowing what to do.

"Go on then!" I said accompanied by a torturous smile as I called back to her. I laughed to myself and wandered off towards the canteen. Coughing pointedly and sticking my finger in the air, sensing that she had turned around to walk towards the open grounds that lead to the leisure centre, I pointed back to the obstacle course. Turning sharply, I watched her hang her head,rubbing her stomach and head of to start again. I spent the remainder of my time watching them finish and then start again on the military style course. My lot knew that they wouldn't be rewarded for good behaviour and timings, and that they most certainly would not be allowed to leave ten minutes early.

KATHY

I think a lot about what my life could have, would have been if I didn't join the SM. But then the cause I am fighting for, I would give up my life, or would I? Isn't that what my commanders have been drilling into my head since day one? I live for the cause, but would I die for it? I could have been so happy. Peaceful protesting, sit-ins, boycotts and petitions, but now I will be killing, taking lives, hurting families and friends. But the peaceful protests to the race and gender discrimination always turned violent - never because of us, government interference, police brutality. So I have sunk down to their level now I'll be killing, just as bad as the government, taking lives, hurting families. But once you're in you cannot get out. We are outside of my country, we share a border with a country run by democracy - determined to help us instate democracy and equality for all inside of our own, without provoking a war. Our base is a mere one hundred miles from the border of Pzech (our home), deep inside of the Ainran Forest (a large concealed forest that belongs to the Ainran government - SM's allies).

My feet are killing me, my cell is so far away and the canteen so full, but I'm so hungry. Scanning the grey painted walls, the white circular tables littered across the black tiled canteen floors - I searched for Aiden and Emma. Over in the corner is the counter, with an array of healthy food spread out upon it. Making my way over, I feel a tug on my charcoal green trousers, I look down to see Emma's long fingers with her perfectly manicured nails wrapped around my thigh. Tossing her long auburn hair out of her face with a highly practiced movement, she pulls out my gun and flicks the switch. Thrusting it back into my pocket.