Chapter 13

The soldiers who had infiltrated one of the enemy's bases were already back in the barracks. Everyone had an air of gratification for having made it all back alive, however Arthur was upset, at that moment he was full of doubts, what was he supposed to do in that situation? Acting like nothing was happening around you was the right thing to do? Was there a right side to this whole story? Amidst so many complications he snuggles in his bed, sighing deeply and letting out all that air slowly, he was exhausted, his first mission was an experience that completely moved his being.

-Where's the captain? (recruit 1)

-He's been gone for a few hours already. (recruit 2)

-The captain is in the meeting room along with other people with higher positions. Everyone is passing on the information they got, including our captain. (Mike)

-I see, so it will take time. (recruit 1)

-Maybe, but usually it doesn't take long, after all they only pass on the information, they don't even discuss the actions they will take based on it, it's the generals or people with a higher level who do it. (Mike)

-Must be complicated. (recruit 2)

-That's why I like to be just a pawn, I don't need to think about these complicated things or think about anything, I just go along and do what I'm told and everything's fine. (recruit 1)

-You huh... (Mike)

Opening the group's tent, the captain arrives at his unit.

-Speaking of the devil. (Thomas)

-Sir! (Mike)

-Oh yeah... (recruit 1)

Recruits follow veteran Mike and stand in front of the captain.

-You don't need to be so formal, today I would let anyone careless go unnoticed. (captain)

-Did something good happen for you to be in such a good mood? (Mike)

-We came back alive, isn't that reason enough? (captain)

For a brief moment everyone was silent at these words, they realized that they might not have gone back to that cabin.

-Hahahaahahah. You're right, we all come back well, that's more than enough. (Mike)

-Well, the food is being prepared, let's go outside. (captain)

Everyone followed out of the hut, it was already night and the only light that existed was from the huts' lanterns and the lit fires. Above that pitch the stars could be seen clearly and in them Arthur is lost for a moment, he who was troubled by the problems of his first mission, realized how insignificant it was compared to the size of that view.

-Hey Arthur what are you doing standing there? Get over here. (captain)

Arthur obeys and joins the circle of his friends around the fire. After a while the food arrives, it was a soup with canned ingredients.

-Hmmm it's delicious! (Mike)

-It's really good. (Arthur)

-It is not!? Hahahahaha. (Mike)

-I wish I could eat more foods like this more often. (Arthur)

-You know she doesn't have anything special, don't you? (Thomas)

-And even? (Arthur)

-Any restaurant food would be better than that. What we're eating is just a mix of canned stuff. (Thomas)

-Even if you say that, she looks so delicious. (Arthur)

-It's the flavor of the moment. (Mike)

-Huh? (Arthur)

-It may not be obvious to you recruits, but we are familiar with this flavor. That's the taste of life. Most other people are out there, looking for something to kill time, aimlessly or any goal. They're bored and every day that passes for them is a bore, but unlike these people, we don't know if tomorrow we'll be alive, just enjoying one more meal with so many companions... that alone makes it worth it. (Mike)

The recruits look at each other and start to smile at each other.

-It was an exhausting day. (Thomas)

Thomas lights a cigarette and starts smoking.

-What do you think you are doing? (Mike)

-What else would it be? Smoking huh? (Thomas)

-That damn habit of yours. You know your lungs get blacker and blacker with every cigarette you smoke, don't you? (Mike)

-So it means he becomes more and more like me. Black like me. (Thomas)

-No use talking. (Mike)

-What does it matter, when we die do you really think his color will matter? (Thomas)

-The color doesn't matter to me, but it won't be working anymore. (Mike)

-I won't call, do you know why? Because I'll be dead seven feet off the ground. (Thomas)

-But what if you wanted to donate it? (Arthur)

-Hmmm? (Thomas)

-What did you mean by that? (Mike)

-I was thinking after seeing that they traffic organs. If they deal so much and earn a lot then it means that a lot of people are in need. It's just my thing, but would you donate your organs after you die? (Arthur)

-Not screwing. I want to die with them all in my body, be buried together and go to heaven in one piece. (Thomas)

-Well, it's not like you could donate anything. (Mike)

-And you Mike? (Arthur)

-Well... I don't know very well, if I was going to help someone. It's not like I'm going to need them after I die, so it doesn't matter to me. (Mike)

- Indifferent as always. It makes me angry. (Thomas)

-Hahahahhahah. If you were annoyed I see that I did the right thing. And you captain? What would you do? (Mike)

-Hmmmm. I am not sure. There's a lot to think about, even if I'm dead, it's still a possession of mine, you know, I don't know if I'd like to give it to someone else. (captain)

-I see... (Mike)

Everyone was enjoying the moment well, they who always had something to worry about, they forgot all those worries and just watched each other as they talked.

-And even! Hey Captain, don't you think we deserve something after this mission? (recruit 1)

-It is true. (recruit 2)

-I don't earn as much as you think, if it's something very expensive I won't be able to buy it. (captain)

-Tsk, petty. I mean, that wasn't it! (recruit 1)

-What is it about then? (captain)

-Your name, we would like to know your name. (recruit 2)

-Which is? We've been through the worst, don't you think we deserve to know it since we're fine even after facing enemies? (recruit 3)

The captain remains silent for a brief moment.

-Tsk, this is revolting. How can you be so confident? This was just your first mission. Nobody guarantees that they will come back alive from the others. (captain)

After saying this in an angry tone, the captain abandons the wheel and leaves.

-Ahhhhh. I will give you a tip. Just forget about wanting to know the captain's name from his mouth. It's something even we veterans can't. (Thomas)

It had been quite a while since we had dinner, the fires had already been put out, everyone was going into the cabin to get ready for bed. I was one of the last to enter the hut, after entering I didn't see any sign of the captain, he must have been watching the place with other soldiers. (Arthur)

-Hey Arthur! There's a phone call for you. (recruit)

I went towards the phone in our cabin, it was in a secluded place to give a little privacy to the person who was talking to it. I look at him and wait for my colleague to leave before finally talking about him. (Arthur)

-Hello? (Arthur)