2050

Arc 2:Part 3

"Hey! it's time!" I heard the door behind me open. I turn around in my seat and a Volunteer stands in the doorway. He looks to me and tilts it slightly. "Wait you're still a recruit? Nevermind I'm sorry." He closes the door and walks off. His footsteps dulled out on the other side.

I sigh and turn to look back out at the scenery. I wish I could be doing something. But the more I help these people the more chances they have of actually winning. Then I could never leave. I kept myself from dying of boredom by ejecting the bullet of my rifle and then putting one in. I was about to stick another bullet in before I heard something that sounded like an engine. Looking up I could see the dust clouds extremely close. the clouds were big. Too big for a truck convoy to bring. I looked closely at the road and saw the barrel of a tank. Red and long. I could hear the diesel engine squeal as it came to a stop. There were about three of them with maybe five squads of infantry supporting them? I lifted my rifle in anticipation as the tanks barrels swiveled. I held my breath as it passed the mountains but turned to the river. A truck with a contraption on its back came over and faced the river. An entire bridge unfurled to cover the river. The infantry passed over before the tanks came over. they passed the bridge one by one before the truck dropped the bridge and went across itself. Then two people hopped out and attached the bridge back to the truck, It curled back up and the convoy was on its way. I watched it drive away with curiosity. Where were they going? They were heading over to Watlerville. That's a bit strange. I was pondering it for a while when the door opened up suddenly. I scrambled for the gun and aimed it at the person at the door. It was a Volunteer and they seemed scared. I let out the breath I had held and dropped my stance. The soldier began to speak.

"Are you a part of the Dreadnaught corps?" He says. Breathing quite hard. He must've been running here.

"Yes, I am. An arms carri-" I was cut off as he grabbed my wrist and pilled me. "Then let's go. We're boarding the ship and leaving! We had a change of plans." Surprised and confused I pulled my hand out of his grasp.

"Wait we're leaving? I thought we were just sending a small task force." The man was about to speak before a deep fog horn sounded. Loud and deep, that seemed to shake the entire mountain. I felt my heart jump before I leaned over the edge of the pillbox. I could see the bow of the humongous ship passing through the waterfall. Smoke billowed from the mouth of the cavern as water splashed along the edges of the rivers. I could see the Volunteer tri-color wave brilliantly on the mast of the ship. It was a sight. Definitely. I turned around and the man was waving for me to come with him. I nodded and slung the rifle over my head and ran with him. With no stop. We reached the bottom of the cavern just as they were putting away the ramps leading onto the ship. Tanks were loading on. We got onto the dreadnaught with them just as the last bits of armor were making their way on deck. I wonder why we were sending everything. The man next to me was breathing hard and I pat his back.

"If you hadn't told me we were heading out I would've been left here. Thanks." He nods and looks up to me. I can't see because of his bandana but I could tell that he was smiling. "No problem. Apparently, we're going to meet up at Watlerville. Since the entire frontline has been shifted over there." I was about to ask him why when the speakers crackled. I looked up and a voice came out. One that I recognized immediately. Nephias again. I listened with interest.

"Today the Hlevian army has decided to retreat. We'll show them the power of the Volunteers. Those that have willingly come to shift the fate of this island! We will topple the horrid government that has been denying us our freedoms! With our might of the people, we will save the city! Let us meet their retreating forces at Watlerville, and prevent them of escape. Because we, are, Volunteers!" His voice rose in anticipation or excitement. I couldn't tell. But it leeched out a large war cry. A few people even shot into the air. I almost gave in to the cheer before the fog horn sounded. One short one then a long one. This was something I didn't expect to be doing ever. I leaned over the edge and watched as the ship turned to the right into a fork on the river. We were moving away from the city slowly. I turned and watched the skyscrapers become smaller and smaller.

The cheers had subsided and everyone was beginning to do their jobs. The man who had brought me here was also gone. I shrugged and walked around aimlessly. I realized that I didn't know exactly where the ammo room was. This ship was at least six stories high at least. I sighed as I was about to enter the ship before I heard a voice behind me. I turned just to watch someone leaving one of the large cannons. He shut the behind him and walked over. "You seem confused about where you need to go. What job do you have? If you're a part of one of the infantry divisions you should meet up with your commander near the front of the ship." He pointed to show where it was. I shook my head.

"I'm a part of the Dreadnaught corps. I'm supposed to-"

"Great! I was assigned to patrol but I was told to man the gun instead. Here take this machine gun and patrol the west side of the deck six floors down. There is a long hallway some of my friends call the yellow hall. You'll understand. Thanks!" He tossed me a rifle that had a curved clip. I caught it and held it. Watching him as he entered the gun again. I wonder what command was doing because I doubt he could do that. He seemed to be a recruit just like me. But what annoyed me was the fact that I was cut off again.

A bit disgruntled I made my way down to what was the yellow hall. It was just that. A yellow hall. For some reason, there was splattered yellow paint on the walls. Which was weird. But this hall was near the side of the ship and one of the walls were torn down and replaced with a railing. So I could lean out. It had taken me all day to make it through the ship and it tired me. I leaned against the railing and listened to the water rush past. I could see lights in the far distance of what looked like a control tower. I wonder if that is Volunteer or Army property there. It was near Watlerville so I would guess the army. I continued to patrol the hall before another person came up to me. He was differently dressed. He didn't have the bandana for one and didn't have a scarf or yellow shirt. Instead, he had this dark green camo shirt that mismatched his pants. He crossed his arms looking at me. I salute him and stand still. He was someone ranking higher than me. Right? That's how it works.

"Nephias told me to look for someone. Do you mind taking off your headwrap?" I shook my head and unraveled it. It was nice to have this thing off. It was itching the back of my neck and my face in an uncomfortable way. He nodded and waved for me to follow. "he wants you to come up to the bridge. Don't ask me why. I have no clue why he would want a recruit." That baffled me too. He had given me a job, which I hadn't been doing. I guess that would be the reason he needs me. To punish me or something. It was going to happen anyway. Or I believed so. I followed close behind him. Putting the headwrap thingy on again.

"You should keep that thing off. You look so much better with it off." I was confused. I looked forward and the man was smiling warmly to me. Did the compliment come from him? I stop putting it on and scan him. He chuckles. "Yes, that came from me. Has no one ever complimented you before?"

"Yeah. Just never expected one from you." I shove the thing in my pocket. It was weird, why was he being so nice when I wasn't even doing my job?

"What? Lemme guess you think of us Volunteers are bloodthirsty barbarians right?" Feeling better I began to joke a little.

"Well, now that you mention it I think I should." I chuckled with him as we ascended the steps. After a period of silence, I spoke again.

"Won't I get in serious trouble if I'm not wearing the headwrap?" I ask. He shook his head.

"I'll say it was my order. Don't worry. And I'm sure you don't want that thing back on do you?"

"No. Never. That thing is uncomfortable as hell." I scratch the itch that was forming on my neck.

"I was glad to get that thing off as well when I became a Brother." He said. He seemed to be pondering something.

"A Brother? what's that?" I asked. Curious about what the title meant.

"Well, it's a rank. It's just above Cousin, I can change to a different kind of shirt and I have the choice of the headwrap or not. I have the authority to give orders to those below me." That explained it. So they have different names for ranks. I can't tell if that was for a strategy or something else. He stopped walking and stood in front of a metal double door.

"This is the Bridge. This is your stop. I need to make it back down to meet up with my division. Good luck!" He gave me a thumbs-up before hopping back down the stairs. I look back at the metal doors before sighing. Well, there was nothing else to do. Time to go.