The Last Frontier: Joven Q. Hernandez

Lieutenant Hernandez

“Attention!” A man's hoarse yet commanding voice resounded the room, soldiers hurried to line up, even going as far as to push one another off of their feet. The ground bustled with feet as the dust and dirt flew in every step of the trainees.

NCED National HQ:

As they got in line, the voice soon roared again, the same hoarse voice that commanded them to get in line. “Salute before the Lieutenant!” The row of navy green soldiers, in unison, saluted. The sun was blazing hot, yet here they stand, in the soil, no shade nor cold breeze. They stood there, anticipating the Lieutenant.

“Much appreciated, Sergeant.” The man appeared in the back, walking towards the battalion. “Now, let's get this over with... I'm you're Squad Commander for the rest of you're stay in here.” He continued, stopping right beside the two sergeants.

His gloves white as snow, as the time he died on that fateful day. His uniform in a shade of green and his badge displayed pridefully, his holster at his right held the revolver, standing still and calmly at the scorching sun, he slowly waved a salute to the wave of soldiers parallel to him. He held the tip of his hat, displaying his rank as First Lieutenant, he adjusted his hat and turned his attention to the troop of soldiers.

His lips curled up on each end, smiling at the people infront of him, “Welcome to the 1st Division, 219th battalion. Any orders will have to get MY permission first, and let's keep it that way. No?”, “Yes, Lieutenant!” They saluted once more, standing their ground in the hard soil of the military grounds. “Now that we got that pinned down, lemme let you all in on something. Rumour from the Equilibrium division allegedly saw 2 unidentified companies in the northeast, said to be....” He paused for a moment, seemingly recalling the info he supposedly heard from the HQ. “19 miles from here, probably reduced to 18 as we speak.” His composure changed, putting his hands behind his back as he turned away from the platoon. “Don't got a clue what type of firearms they got, let alone how they got across the boarder.. But one thing I do know is that, ” He continued, the tension was suppressing, every soldiers face was etched with gloom, knowing what was to come next. “We're charging those companies guns blazing hot.”

“What if we lose?” A soldier spoke, his face filled with a frown. “What division do you think we're in? Ghosts?” Furrowing his brows, turning to the soldier. Tension spilled the room, a painful silence occurred to the room from the soldiers suggestion, now they stare at him, waiting for a reply. “No, Lieutenant!”, “Then why did you say ‘What if we lose’?” He snappingly remarked, his brows tightening by the second as he stared at the soldier, his eyes sharp. “Lieutenant, let's calm dow—” The Lieutenant pulled out the revolver from his holster, pointing it at the sergeant's head. The sergeant flinched and backed away, putting his hands infront of him as he reasoned with him. “W-W-Wait— Let- Let's calm down! We can think about this!” Frantically pulling himself up the ground, he waved his hands infront of him. His heartbeat skippin—

BANG!

Division Transfer HQ:

“So you're transferring Divisions because of a ‘little’ hiccup?” He looked up at the man infront of him, watching him wearily as he occasionally stealed glances to the documents, then back to him, documents, back to him. “Yes, General” The man spoke, he stared at the General holding the documents with a blank face. “This is you're LAST warning Hernandez. One more and I won't hesitate to strip away you're rank.” He slowly put down the documents, taking out a cigarette, “Got a lighter on ya'?” Joven reached out of his pocket, giving the general a little pocket lighter. “Anyhow, you're transfer to Div. 1 to 2 is to be reviewed within 3 business days.”, “Yes, General.” The man smiled, a hint of pride shown between the two curves at the end of his mouth. “Don't get hyped up on smoke just yet, boy. I ain't sayin' there is a guaranteed chance you'll get in, even if so...” He blew the smoke from his cigar, reaching to the Lieutenants face. “You may start to square one.” Joven gritted his teeth. Provoked, he stared at the man once more, not with a blank expression, but instead.. A face that expressed frustration, anger. “What?”, “You heard me, Lieutenant. S-Q-U-A-R-E. O-N-E.” The room fell silent, the fan was the only thing that made noise, constantly buzzing as it provided cold air for the two gentlemen. As much as Joven wanted to protest, he couldn't. His authority was higher than his.

“Yes, General. I shall take my leave.” Joven tipped his hat to the arrogant General, hiding his anger behind his hat as he turned around to leave. As he stood infront of the door, holding the doorknob.. “Oh, and by the way..” He turned his head, barely seeing him in his peripheral vision. “It's been confirmed. The 2 companies, I mean. The Political figures been complaining 'bout the matter for a while, i'm giving you special permission..." He handed a piece of paper to him. Reluctantly taking it, he opened it's contents as it showed a single signature, he looked up to the General.. “Count this as you're last mission, Lt. Joven Hernandez.”

He stood outside the door, gazing at the old piece of paper.. It's ink was high quality, written with a red color as it displayed the signature ‘Gen. Bardos’. “Better than nothing, I guess...” Sighing tiredly, he started to walk. “Last mission my ass, I barely survived at the frontlines...” He rambled, “Ever since I got to this world, I always get into trouble.. A little discipline and they get mad? Talk about dramatic..”, “Lt. Hernandez! You're back! How was the talk with the General?” A womans voice came up behind him, as he turned to look, “Oh, M—ia...?” He saw a frail girl holding a stack of papers, it towered over the surrounding soldiers, even the ones that were six feet tall. “Where are you taking those?” He kept looking at the papers from time to time. “Oh! Uh.. Lt. Vivith asked me to deliver these to the Lt. Colonel...” She smiled brightly even though she was sweating bullets trying to hold the documents. “Where is that little—”, “No! No! It's okay.. I kind of made a bet that I could get it done easier...” Mia adjusted the papers, holding it close to her chest. “Private...”, “Yes Lt. Hernandez?” He flicked her forehead, she flinched at the sudden violence. “Stop being gullible.. Anyways, keep it going. Finish you're objective first, I have a task myself.” Joven gestured her to move along as she obediently agreed. “I swear that girl is a headache...” He mumbled to himself, pinching his nose.

Governments Cabinet:

“And you think this is efficient? How long are we going to use the NCED as our military? The citizens are losing trust in our own militia, if this goes on a few more months.. They may lose ALL trust.” The room was filled with warm air, as the president sat there, listening to the Minister's complaint. “Can you protect our country?” A frail and well suited man stood beside the president, glaring at the minister. “No, what i'm say—”, “Now, now, Henry. Don't scare the man, he was just sharing his opinion. Although I must admit, his idea requires innovation.” The man bowed down, politely apologizing to him. “Minister of Commerce, I apologize to say this, but you have no say in terms of the militia. You may be a genius in Politics, but it can only take so far in war.” He calmly rejected the Minister, politely declining his idea. “If that's how you define military prowess then I don't want to be a part of it!” He irritatedly ran out the room, slamming the door loudly as it shut, only the president and the man beside him were left. “What of it, sir? You heard the minister.. The citizens are losing trust in the militia.. It won't be long until people lose trust in you as well...” The well suited man asked the president, whom was comfortably sitting in his chair as he spoke. “Then we just need to prove that we can do it ourselves..” He reached for a file in the cabinet. As he opened it, it displayed a name.. “Ever heard of a rebellious Lieutenant?”