Lost Ranger

Her sweat flows from her forehead down to her chin, some of it would irritate her eyes when it flows on it. But she didn't care, running is more important than wiping her sweat away from her blue, gleaming eyes. She can hear the sound of panting of the other girl that she's been together with. "Are you okay?" she asks the girl to confirm whether she can still keep running. Because who wouldn't? They have been doing this for three days without resting. It would be crucial to their schedule if they spend just a second to catch their breath. The moment she asked the girl, she saw a purple eye intently looking at her. The girl nodded as a response. "If we stop now, our heads will be separated from our necks" the purple-eyed girl joked to keep the atmosphere a little more positive. It made the blue-eyed girl chuckle at the thought of their heads being chopped off, because first of all, it's impossible to happen. Second, those fuckers who are chasing them would be the ones who will face the consequences. "Let's hurry, we will be late." She replied. The purple-eyed girl again nodded as a response. The reason why they are running is not because of the fact that they are being chased, but because they need to be on time returning to their base. (Base: An area where military operations happen. E.g. deployment, training, installing, and positioning of soldiers.) At exactly 2200, they arrived in a camp near their base. The camp serves as a security entrance to ensure the base is safe from outsiders. As they scan their wrist on a scanner located on the left side of a massively ironed gate, they hear loud screams behind their backs. A confirmation that those fuckers were dead. On duty cadets must have taken them off. Normally it's specialists who do the job, but since cadets need to be trained as well as to provide experience, they are being placed instead. (2200: military time, its civilian time is 10:00 pm) The sound of the gate being opened would bring blood to a normal person's ear, but because they are not normal, it would not be a problem. They raised their hands as a sign of surrender as they walked inside, and even though it was far away, they could sense hostility from other soldiers with their guns pointed at them. The reason is that all people inside the camp are anonymous, soldiers, cooks, and even janitors included. Their only identification is through their wrist. It has native Elerian numbers, specially designed for each one of the people inside the camp. Meanwhile the hostility and guns were slowly dispersing as they reached inside. A platoon commander immediately made his way to both girls and saluted as a way of respect and greeting. "Welcome Ranger Z and Ranger X" he announced with respect and hostility. Respect, because rangers hold the utmost position above all soldiers. And hostility, because a ranger is one of the most vicious soldiers, they don't need a reason to kill, it only takes instinct that if they feel the need to kill you they will not hesitate to do so. But they are continuously trained to be rational most of the time, which helps them to judge someone logically and to hold value to any of their comrade's life. The two rangers then gave a salute to this brave man in front of them. "Thank you, platoon leader." They greeted synchronously, "We will be entering the base when the sun rises. Please take care of us in the meantime." It was Ranger Z with the blue eyes, who politely stated they're future business here in the camp. The platoon leader then seemed shocked at what he had heard. His hostility vanished as he heard the politeness of this ranger. It was the first time for him. All other rangers he had encountered are either too proud or don't care at all and would not give a second to talk to him like this. A second later, when he saw the two girls face each other as if they're talking with their eyes, he then realized that he was being muted for a second which made him nervous. He took all his courage to reply to her request. "I understand Ranger Z, would you mind if I accompany you to your temporary quarters?" he asked. He was really nervous knowing he made a mistake by being occupied for a second, however as soon as the two rangers nodded their heads he felt as if he was being spared of his life. (Quarters: a place is given to rangers as their temporary resting space) The platoon leader started walking followed by the two rangers. The two felt relieved knowing they can rest for a while before continuing their way to the base. As they are walking, they can sense the stares of the people surrounding them. Some looks are fear, envy, and surprise. Maybe because it has been a while since they last saw a ranger. A ranger can only be deployed if it concerns a crucial diplomatic issue or assassination. It can also be a sign of an upcoming war. It was almost like seeing a ranger is a bad omen. (Diplomatic issue: involves the relationship between the governments of various countries) (Assassination: an act of killing, murdering or discreetly slaughtering a person) (Bad omen: a sign of destruction or catastrophe in the future) When they reached the quarters, the platoon leader announced his leave to let the rangers rest. The two then closed and locked the door then took their mask off to breathe eagerly. It has been three days since they breathe this freely, but it was suddenly disturbed by a foul smell. They looked at each other and realized where this smell came from, and they can only laugh at the thought. They actually don't mind the smell since it was usual for them, besides the more important thing to do now is to rest than taking a bath. "This is the longest assignment that we've done Z," her purple eyes look concerned as she tells this statement to her comrade. Z stayed quiet for a moment to organize her thoughts. It was indeed their longest assignment. Normally, it would only take them a day or half to finish an assignment like this one. But there will always be variables that need to be considered, and these variables are the reason why they spent three days for this assignment. After finishing her thoughts, she looked at X who is now sitting on the left side bed. She went to the other side of the bed and sitted. "Yes, I'm actually looking forward to seeing the lieutenant general's reaction about our performance." She then displayed an amusing look on her face, which made X feel more concerned.  "Do you...do you think we will be safe after this?" X asked with a fearful expression. She doesn't know if everything will go as planned because anything could happen. "Do you trust me?" Z answered with a questioning tone. She knows that her comrade hates it when the plan isn't a hundred percent success. But they don't have a choice. They had thought every possible plan they could think of. And this plan is the most possible and safer route for both of them. "You know that I always do." X replied with a sincere smile. Z is the only person she trusts, even more than herself. That is how dependendable and amazing her comrade is. She hates it when things are not going as planned, but not with Z.  "Let's rest. Because tomorrow will be a new journey for us, ranger X." She smiled at her comrade. Tomorrow will be the start of their dangerous journey. She only hopes that they will succeed until the end. The sun rises and the two girls are now being accompanied by a platoon leader from yesterday. They are walking on a corridor that is only used by higher positioned soldiers. This corridor is directly connected to the base's headquarters, as requested by the lieutenant general. At the end of the camp's corridor is an iron gate that is operated by a colonel. They both scanned their wrist on a scanner provided by the colonel, "Welcome, Ranger Z and Ranger X." A voice came from the scanner announced. They were now permitted to enter the headquarters ' vicinity. Ranger X can’t help herself but feel nervous, not because the whole room has the smell of rotten blood and rust. But because of the plan that she and Ranger Z had created. This plan would certainly change their lives from now on. “Ranger X and Ranger Z reporting to the lieutenant-general” their voices echoed within the room, making it feel like it was a room for the dead. Their salute would look like a soldier with the highest respect of status anyone can ever have. A muscular-toned man rose from his seat, looking intently at both rangers, checking the physical status of the two. "Report." The lieutenant's deep and husky voice echoed through the room, which made the platoon leader shiver for a second. Both rangers positioned themselves by standing straight while putting both of their hands at the back.  "We discovered that the deputy of the Republic of Rona has been exchanging firearms with the Monarch of Fessera. The number of firearms can be accumulated enough to be used for 10 years," the monotone voice of Ranger Z was loud enough for the people inside the room to hear.  "And the deputy of the Monarch of Fessera has been employing a total of 300 summoners from the Ronan. According to the information, these summoners were bred for almost 15 years and were trained exclusively by Ronan elite soldiers." Continued by Ranger X, the pitch of her voice depicted the hostility and irritation she felt while reporting to the lieutenant.  Based on their report, only one conclusion can be assumed, "They are preparing for war," the calmness of the voice of the lieutenant had added tension towards the atmosphere as if he is not worried or concerned about the news. While panic and shock can be seen from the face of the platoon leader. How is it possible? Ronan and Fessera have been our allies. The relationship between our country and theirs has been strong and united. These thoughts can be easily seen from the platoon leader's face. "That was what we see on the outside, but we can't always guess and control other's greed and irrationality," the lieutenant's response made the platoon leader nervous, he can now see why everyone is afraid of him. No secrets can be kept hidden from him. Even his thoughts were read and now, the biggest secret was revealed, what should they do next? As if the lieutenant once again read his thoughts, "We will proceed to the next plan. Rangers, be ready for your next assignment." His voice now holds authority, as if no one has the right to defy him at the moment. The two rangers saluted as a sign of acknowledgment. And when everyone thought everything was now settled, the lieutenant spoke, "You know what to do." It was a sudden command that made everyone inside confused. Just then, a minute later, the platoon leader felt cold steel on his temple. It was so sudden that he didn't have the chance to be shocked, then he heard a bang! Everyone started to scream and panicked, the room filled with the sound of guns being fired at them one by one, missing no single person. The blood flowed around and the smell of powder scattered as Ranger Z shot the last soldier. The news is now exclusively known only for the two rangers and lieutenant.  "I have prepared everything you will need. You know what happens if you fail, right? Zelia and Xeron?" An unfamiliar yet gentle voice of the lieutenant made the atmosphere more bearable now. "We do, Lieutenant," Xenon answered. This will change their lives, starting today. "What should we do with the platoon leader's disappearance?" Zelia asked, it would be a hassle if this will be discovered. "You mean Ronan's deputy?" He asked as if he just killed a bug. "I will handle it. You will focus on your assignment, I will do the covering".  It is starting. After today, they will live differently. Hoping this will be a door for their freedom. ☆☆ Hi Guys! This is my first and original story, I hope you guys support and enjoy reading it!