Chapter 26 (1/2)
Since their next course of action had already been decided, these Federation soldiers, who were well-trained in their discipline, immediately stopped all arguments. The two major staff officers, two captain officers, and Colonel Peter were naturally the highest ranking officers amongst the soldiers and had become the temporary commanding officers of this group. The group of over 200 Federation soldiers was divided into five groups. The third, fourth and fifth groups consisted of ground-based armored division soldiers who had plenty of experience in controlling Battle Mechas. The second group was completely filled with aviation squadron soldiers. This group of soldiers had interacted with Battle Mechas, though their degree of control allowed them to only start the mecha. However, because of the special requirements for a pilot, they would definitely have received survival training for when they are behind the enemy lines, thus they would not have too much trouble walking on foot and using weapons — barely pa.s.sing as an infantry soldier. As for the first group, it was the preparatory group which the colonel himself formed. In this group, they were all excellent soldiers with physiques and combat prowess that were relatively better than the rest.
Tian Xing Jian continued leading the special scouts second platoon, first section which consisted of ten warrior-cla.s.s pioneers, an [Antenna], and a [Fury Fire]. He was also appointed as the supreme commander of this ad-hoc a.s.sault team. The weapons and rations were distributed equally amongst everyone. This was an extremely difficult trek, so everyone had to arrange their own luggage carefully. Under the management of Peter, everyone gathered within the carriages before starting their pre-operation review.
In order to ensure the troops understood the target objective, would act decisively, would follow the orders from the commanders, and would act with high morale, a pre-operation review of the plan was needed.
Standing in the middle of the carriage, Tian Xing Jian started the very first briefing he has ever had since the start of his partic.i.p.ation in the war. To him, this was a true test. Across from him was a team that had been formed in a hurry. They were the over 200 prisoners-of-war that had just been rescued and the group group of people that had lost their spirit — the walking dead. He had to revert this group of chaotic Federation citizens back from their previous mindset of being captives to the mindset of being a qualified soldier.
”Beloved Federation battle comrades, I think we are fully prepared to escape this time round.”
This opening brought forth the group's laughter. Usually, the pre-mobilization speech done by the commanders of the Federation would be something along the lines of ”We are finished with our winning preparations”.
Fatty's seemingly lack of solemness altered this starting sentence.
”That's right. I don't feel shame at all for escaping! Today, I want to tell all you guys something and not the nonsense like we're doing this for the sake of the entire human race or the Federation. As a coward, I want to truly tell you what I feel within the depths of my heart!”
”Did you know that ever since the enemies started invading, I've already escaped from 21 battles? This time, it'll be my 22nd escape with everyone. This is a journey filled with thrills, dangers, and blood. We'll all become primates as we use our broken rifles to fight in the mountainous region against the enemy Battle Mechas and fighter aircraft. Can't you feel how terrifying this is? The people who are weak at heart can leave first, but before this movie concludes, you have to understand that out there in the world, there are abysses so deep that we cannot walk past. Since we can't tear apart the tickets to the movie and have to watch it, you can always decide to end yourself first by shooting yourself with your own rifle. Before you even feel pain, you'll have died. The good thing about doing this is that you will never have to experience life as a prisoner-of-war ever again.”
A moment of silence.
”If there isn't anyone leaving, then we'll all be partic.i.p.ating in this game together. We are standing at the cliff right now with no one to depend on. The only ones you can look for help will be the people around you, and you yourself. This is a game called the race for life or death. In this game, those who are weak willed… will eventually be eliminated. Those who do not follow orders… will be eliminated. Those who had given up on themselves… will be eliminated. And if even your luck is bad… you'll be eliminated. Honestly, I don't know how many among us will win this game, but what I am certain of is that it is definitely not all of us. Opportunity is fair. Everyone has a chance at survival, but it is distributed equally amongst us. Thus, in order to escape, we have to be together and treat the people beside us as parts of our body. Who knows? Maybe after saving a group of people from the cliff and pulling them up from their fall would they block the bullet aiming for your head later in the journey.”
Not a single sound could be heard in the carriage. Only Tian Xing Jian's voice continued to echo within.
”As I've said earlier on, I'm just a coward. This is a fact. I rarely have the chance to spill out my inner heart in front of so many people. I hate wars — because I truly love my life. Of course, all of you can certainly understand the fear of death. Ever since I was six, I've lost my parents. They died in a flying s.h.i.+p accident. I have been living by myself ever since then. Fortunately, the inheritance from my parents prevented me from performing out in the streets for money. I've been afraid of death ever since I've lost my parents. Every single night, I would turn on all the lights at home. Only with the lights on could it chase away my fears. This sort of terror has accompanied me for 16 years all the way until now. It isn't that I'm brave, but rather I'm just like all of you — we can't escape from this. I am not willing to become a deserter, only to be executed shamefully. That's why I'm here today. I'm not willing to abandon my friends, so I stayed. I'm not willing to give my life to my opponents, so I'm here right now speaking with all of you. We only have one chance at living, and this one chance isn't something anyone can take from us. Your life belongs to you eternally, but some things might be even more precious than life. Things like family, love, and friends.h.i.+p. I often think to myself... what if my parents can reincarnate? For things like that, I'm definitely willing to exchange my life for it.”
”I have never dared to think of scenes like trampling on life until the moment when I first entered the concentration camp. That was when I was stunned and angered. This anger could not be explained with words. I almost spat out my bitter courage, and as I spat, I would think about how I would never ever pile up corpses. Whoever wants to kill me will have to pay the highest price in doing so. I could truly empathize with how you all felt in that kind of environment, with how tormented and humiliated you were. In all of your hearts, there would be a scar left behind. Peace had long been left behind by this nation of over 300 years. Right now, we have nowhere to go.”
”Since we have nowhere to go, then we will not escape. Since the enemies want war, then we will give them war and kill them all. If we die, then we will die in battle and not be slaughtered like sitting ducks.”
”Thus, this time as I begin my 22nd escape, it shall no longer be called as an escape. It shall have a better name: fighting for survival!”
Several people started laughing.
”If I could not avoid death in the end, then please write this on my tombstone: 'A coward who braves desperate times for survival. He has been battling his entire life in order to live. This man is the paragon of cowardice.'”
Everyone laughed. Once they reached the stage of disregard for living or dying, everyone started laughing as if a load had been lifted off their back; they were extremely carefree. This inscription carved on the tombstone was not just for Tian Xing Jian alone but for the rest of them as well.