Only War Lasts Forever

 

 

 

 

 Chapter 7

 

 

The inside of the domed area had not changed, yet it felt different to Jaan. Perhaps it was the fact that today was the day everything came to its end. It was difficult to describe, but to Jaan it was the best feeling the in the world to know that all of this hard work would translate into tangible rewards. He still had no love for the HDGA or war in general, but over the past few months he had come to appreciate what it all meant. It was hard for someone like he was to truly grasp what it means to be a soldier. Even now, Jaan still wasn’t sure he understood all of it, mostly because he had yet to be in an actual battle. Nevertheless, he felt that the reason had gained substance.

 

Upon arriving next to a large structure, the instructors ordered a halt, followed by the order to reform in front of the building. Each of the groups moved into position with only the sound of boots on the ground. Their training had taught them how to keep their current formation while still being able to move as a single entity. Jaan felt a certain satisfaction in knowing that everything up to this point was thanks to the efforts of the instructors. He also felt somewhat guilty when he thought of how in recent times he had begun to enjoy the military life, despite what he had told everyone back home.

 

Names were soon being listed off and the person who matched the name being called would leave their spot and stand in from the instructors, who would then hand them a holo-card and order them inside. Among the first to be called were some of Jaan’s friends.

 

“Alstova, Lya.”

 

Lya quickly but formally walked over, grabbed her holo-card, then stood up straight with both feet together and both hands at her sides.

 

“Thank you, sir.”

 

The instructor gave a grim, quick nod and jerked his head in the direction of the door.

 

Most of the other recruits did the same thing. It wasn’t as if it was a ceremony, it was more that they were reacting to the situation so rigidly due to their training. Of course, not every recruit was being a good little soldier.

 

“Baskovi, Jerissa.”

 

Jaan watched as a female recruit marched indignantly up to the men handing out the holo-cards. She forcefully grabbed her assigned holo-card and stomped off inside without a single word. After she went inside, the instructors were visibly amused by her outburst. Personally, Jaan was appalled to see it and was surprised that they weren’t storming after her demanding she do it again and with more respect, but the instructors seemed to be in a different mood today. They seemed as if they were accepting her actions as those of a capricious comrade. Jaan wondered if others thought the same of him when he dealt with Helix.

 

The instructors continued calling names and handing out holo-cards. Some of the other recruits were people Jaan recognized, but most were not. They went down the list until eventually someone was called who Jaan knew very well.

 

“Reeth, Andi.”

 

Jaan had been letting his mind wander a bit while everyone else was being listed off, but hearing Andi’s name being called brought him back to reality. He focused entirely on Andi’s movements and the movements of the instructors.

 

Andi approached one the instructors, who said, “Here you go, Reeth.” He gave a quick wink, “You’ll do just fine in there.”

 

“Thank you, sir.” Andi nodded and walked inside.

 

Jaan noticed that Andi seemed to have a more confident gait than he had before, but then again so did everyone. In Jaan’s eyes, though, Andi in particular seemed to be even prouder. Jaan wondered for a brief moment when he saw Andi why he had even felt the need to follow him in the first place. Clearly the HDGA so far had done nothing but improve Andi, and Jaan began to felt guilty for doubting him. In fact, he even started to feel a little worried. Jaan knew that his scores on these tests would not be poor, but from the way Andi walked and the way the instructors seemed to have confidence in him made Jaan wonder if there scores were even going to be remotely the same. There was the chance that Andi actually had some hidden talent that Jaan did not know about, and maybe he would do so well that Jaan’s plan to get assigned to the same unit would fail.

 

There was not much time to think, because as soon as Andi had entered the building the instructors called out for Jaan’s name. They did, after all, share the same last name.

 

“Reeth, Jaan.”

 

Jaan approached the instructors roughly the same way as Lya had, albeit with a little less composure. He was not sure whether he should put as much effort as he could into the tests or not. Jaan did not think of Andi as being stupid or inept, but there was the chance the pressure could make him make a few mistakes. Of course, that too was a hard theory to swallow. What were the past several weeks for if not to weed out those who could not deal with pressure? By still being here Andi demonstrated that he had enough mental fortitude to deal with whatever they had thrown at him.

 

“Here you go, Reeth.” An instructor handed him a holo-card, and after Jaan had taken it he gave a firm slap on the back, “Don’t you worry, your cousin has lots of potential. He’ll be alright, if he doesn’t pass you up.”

 

Jaan gave the instructor a confused look, and the instructor chuckled and motioned for him to go inside. Jaan did so, while considering the instructor’s words about Andi. He was not surprised that the staff knew about his relationship with Andi. Anyone with access to the files of the recruits could know without asking either of them. What did surprise him was the attempt to reassuring him. He thought he had been hiding it pretty well, but perhaps his concern was showing on his face more than he realized. Still, though, the instructor could not have possibly known that Jaan was worried about his own test scores in comparison to Andi’s. Nevertheless, the instructor’s words stuck to Jaan’s mind more than the red mud outside of the dome stuck to his feet. He came to the conclusion that Andi was almost definitely going the be trying his hardest on this test, and if Jaan wanted to be assigned to a posting similar to Andi he was going to have to put forth just as much effort.

 

Steeling his resolve, Jaan entered the building without any hesitation.