82 Omen 2 (2/2)
”Hmm.. it probably won't be too long until they're transferred.”
Han was currently very lonely, surprisingly. Third years are all busy with their own work so it's hard to build any sort of deep friendship in this place. The only real friend in third year that Han had was with Silence. When Silence was deployed out into military operations, he had to spend time with soldiers who smelled of alcohol and cigarettes. The experienced and seasoned soldiers enjoyed teasing Han. They badgered him with topics on women and lewd subjects of every level, which broke down Han's mental sanity.
'I never knew there were so many different ways one could refer to women.'
The soldiers referred to women in all sorts of ways. Han began to imagine various things by himself and he would feel his face grow red, then he could only look down in shame.
”Bastards, I've returned.”
Clack, clack. Sergeant Red used his well made prosthetic leg to kick the door open. The sound of metal clacked with every step he took. After Sergeant Red recovered enough to take care of daily tasks, he was seen spotted all over Ark.
”Your shoes are amazing.”
Han looked to Sergeant Red's prosthetic leg. His walking wasn't awkward in anyway at all. The current technology has advanced to the point that it was easy to make a perfect prosthetic leg for any individual.
”I heard you succeeded your first military operation. Your proud shoulders will probably fly off past your head.” Sergeant Red said.
Han matter of factly replied, ”That's not so.”
Sergeant Red observed Han's stiff expression. He heard of Herald's death, but didn't mention it.
”I wish I also lost my arm. I can't retire with a lost leg.”
It wasn't possible to make such an intricately moving hand prosthetic as of yet. Ark kept Sergeant Red on a tight leash.
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”Will you be deployed again in military operations?”
”I will temporarily return as a first year instructor. The institution side is short on hands these days, and I haven't recovered enough to be fighting in actual battle.”
Sergeant Red used his knife to cut off one end of his cigar. He lit a flame to the tip of his finger and lit his cigar. Thick smoke suffocated the air.
”It's a no smoking zone here,” Han said.
”Is there a place where people are allowed to smoke in Ark? Shit.”
Sergeant Red complained. Most of Ark was dubbed a no smoking zone and many of Ark's soldiers complained.
”If you will be the first year's instructor, then I won't be seeing you for a long while.”
”Do you remember the Elu mage we captured alive last time?”
”Of course. Nobody has questioned me about it.”
Sergeant Red quickly scanned his surroundings.
”We might have made a mistake. Dragons might not appear in three years.”
Han's expression stiffened.
”What do you mean?”
”It's possible they might arrive earlier than expected. It doesn't match the oracle's prophecy, but it will match if you think of it a different way. The main force will arrive in three years, but their vanguards might arrive much earlier.”
Han wasn't aware of many things, but he could tell this was one of the top secretive information. Sergeant Red had just shared that with Han. He trusted Han would not easily go around spreading this fact.
”…Then what will happen to us?”
”It's our important task to defend. We've already defended against them once.”
Han felt a chill run down his spine. Han's past judgement had been correct. If he couldn't stop them that one time, the dragons would have appeared in a mere ten year gap.
”How many people already know?”
”Only the top higher-ups know. Even if nobody states it explicitly, they will realize how organized the minions are moving. I thought that you should have the right to know since you helped to capture it alive.”
Sergeant Red said a few more words. He shared some more things about future tactics and training drills. Then the topic of Silence came up.
”Silence?”
”I heard that you've become quite acquainted with the fellow. It's hard to befriend Silence.”
”All you need to do is be a little patient.”
Han patiently waited for Silence to finish writing out his thoughts. Silence usually replied to people's questions very shortly, and expressed his intentions through gestures. It was rare for him to ever convey a long paragraph.
”It's easier said than done, in reality it's very hard to be patient. Only three people in Ark can endure a long conversation with him. Everyone is busy here.”
Han was a considerate person. It was a rare character for someone his age.
”I've come to know a lot about Silence. He's more tenderhearted than he appears.”
”That's correct. Silence has trouble developing human relationships. He came to Ark before the age one develops a sense of self, and was injured due to an accident. He communicates through written words, so it's become a habit to reply very shortly. The only people who maintain long conversations with him are the therapists and a few soldiers.”
”But everyone approaches him first for a chat.”
The soldiers were all kind toward Silence. Han realized that Silence wasn't very isolated at all.
”Even if people try to pretend, it's unavoidable to appear a little annoyed and irritated. Silence isn't so stupid not to notice. He gets more frustrated when people force themselves for his sake. That sort of obligatory consideration inflicts more pain than good. Do you like it when people see you in a bad light, but come to converse with you?”
Han shook his head. Han paused for a moment and spoke once again.
”Why does Silence wear a mask?”
”Are you asking because you don't know?”
Sergeant Red looked to Han with a loss for words. Han nodded.
”I don't know at all. It's not for a practical reason at least.”
”That's right. It's all for the sake of appearance.”
Sergeant Red said firmly and laughed in a meaningful way.