High School Soldier
Nothing more than a spectacle

Two weeks later, the 12th Team gathered with the 002 Relief Company at the east gate of the turtle fortress. The team captain leading the twenty members including himself, First Lieutenant (Student Army) Nio stood up and saluted the commander of the company who held the rank of major. His entire subordinates followed him, saluting and voicing their greetings.

“I, Major Kim Baek-Ki, commander of the 002 Peacekeeping Forces Relief Company. Nice to work with you, Lieutenant Nio.”

One of the North Korean contingent officers, Kim Baek-Ki, who is often called Baek-Ki smiles to make Nio and his subordinates feel comfortable. The thirty-four-year-old man was slightly shorter than Nio, and nodded in satisfaction after glancing at Nio and the rest of the members, with the addition of two unofficial personnel, namely two local girls.

Baek-Ki leads an army of 220 soldiers, including himself. He led a contingent of soldiers from North Korea, Russia, and Indonesia, and being an infantry company is not purely because it is facilitated by heavy-duty weapons such as the 40mm turret which is usually mounted on tank vehicles or installed around the fort as a remote control defense system.

“Siap, so do I. Hopefully you've heard of it, because we get a dispatch order as an extra troop to Girinhi Fortress.”

In fact, Nio had a dozen complaints over him who had to be with his team to be sent outside the Indonesian Special Region in the New World, again. Although he had obtained enough rest before the transfer order, and communicated with Arunika even once in a day, but Nio considered the orders of his superiors to be an injustice. Right now, he was hiding his annoyance with his speaking tone and relaxed facial expression so that his negative emotions would be illegible.

Currently, Nio cursed the middle officers who too often involved himself and Team 12 in battle missions. Indeed, the Reconnaissance and Battle Corps was set up for guerrilla and open specialist combat on this world battlefield, but there were still nineteen teams to be given jobs rather than relying too often on Team 12. It was at least one of the complaints from the many grievances that Nio could keep, as he knew what happened if he shouted his entire grievance in front of the officer in question.

Nio has a special complaint against General Angga about how many troops sent Nio and his team. Unbalanced breaks, drills and missions make Team 12 look like the flagship forces of the Guild and Peace Forces. Some of the teams were indeed only given reconnaissance missions on the border with the Luan Empire, as well as being sent to the Yekirnovo Kingdom as an additional force in one of the country's strongholds.

However, there were not many teams involved in battles where the enemy always relied on large numbers when fighting, but the 12th Team only had twenty personnel including Nio himself. Nio felt he deserved to send a letter of request that Team 12 be given a break after the mission of at least two weeks and a maximum of one month.

Even so, it was no surprise that the young First Lieutenant-led 12th Team was declared a unit filled with trained members in its field, and ready to be sent and placed anywhere after going through various small and big battles.

That made Nio feel like he was almost hit by a mental attack if the Guild did not facilitate a war psychiatrist. In one week, she can visit a psychiatrist four times to ask about her mental health.

“Of course, the officers expect us to be able to deter the rebels and defeat the rumored enemy in cooperation with the rebels. I really did not expect there were still some people in Arevelk Kingdom who did not agree to cooperate with us,” Baek-Ki's face showed a complaint that was not at all hidden.

Although Arevelk is a strong country in the Andzrev Continent, no army always wins. Even America, which has always boasted of being able to return a country back to the stone age, has suffered trauma with the nightmare of guerrilla warfare. They have fought many wars in the Middle East, but because they are overconfident, the result is in Afghanistan and Iraq. Even in the war with other nations before, nearly 40 percent of America's territory was overrun by their enemies who kept coming out of the Gate.

Although all Arevelk military commanders felt confident that their large army was able to withstand the Alliance's attack, it was something worth anticipating before Arevelk fared the same as the US. The task of the Peacekeeping Forces here is to assist their allies in the world, namely Yekirnovo and Arevelk. That includes preventing them from doing anything stupid because of the confidence of those who take the Alliance lightly because of Indonesia, North Korea, and Russia on their side.

“But, even though it's still a rumor, it feels like a rebellion I think will happen. However, Arevelk itself does not know the rebel leader,” said Baek-Ki.

“They feel the leader of the rebellion will show themselves during the attack. And they expected the rebels to attack the weakest point on the border of the country, namely Fort Girinhi,” in Nio's face showed a sense of ignorance of the way the military leaders of the world think. What he concluded during his assignment in this world was that as long as a problem had no satisfactory solution, then war was the last option to determine the right side.

Meanwhile, the soldiers from the 002 Aid Company were conversing with each other before their transport plane arrived. Transport vehicles require preparation before use, although aircraft and fighter jets are not often used against the enemy, and that takes a long time. Six of Russia's proud fighter jets are being prepared as the bodyguards of four large Indonesian contingent transport aircraft.

“It is dizzying, what the great Warring Period that the witches of Arevelk and Yekirnovo say really happened. Didn't that happen in the war that ended two years ago? What war involving almost the entire country of our world cannot yet be called the Great Warring Period?”

“If we continue to fight in this world, it will not make the United Nations condemn our actions. Should the enemy also be aware of the comparison of forces between us and those who are so unreasonable.”

“I hope Lieutenant Nio has a strategy capable of defeating the enemy without sacrificing many more lives.”

“Or will more widows?”

“True too, I thought the women I met in Arevelk and Yekirnovo were pretty and seductive.”

On the other hand, Nio was worried that the modern combat capabilities of the troops would slowly wear off because they too often faced enemies who fought with tactics such as medieval European empires.

He glanced at the troops from his place and Baek-Ki spoke, alongside a turret-mounted attack aid vehicle with a 40mm automatic cannon mounted on a tank vehicle. He felt they might be a disciplined and confident army, but their opponents were completely incomparable even though the enemy had magic that was said to be able to keep up with the strength of the tank railgun.

Even Nio himself admitted his team still had flaws, as rarely would they be willing to fight the traditional – way required when fighting on the battlefield of this world. Although Nio did not want to admit it, the 12th Team still had some problems that made Nio dizzy as their captain.

Because they had believed that fighting against enemies who fought using swords would be much easier by showering them with bullets, especially the way of fighting enemies who still rely on cooperation with each other in a meeting line. Nio thought he should find a way to treat the enemy as humanly as possible, rather than continue to rely on heavy weapons such as machine guns and 20mm – light automatic cannons that can indeed provide instant death for the enemy.

“Perhaps with the equipment we carry, the battle will last less than one week.”

“Lettan Nio, why can you say that? Well, we do want a fast battle, although we have to do the way you call the tactics ‘ala America’.”

“Sorry, Major Baek-Ki, I only learned from experience. A weapon like this would defeat the enemy and tear down their morale instantly. What I fear is that they will rely too much on this weapon, and forget their purpose and end up slaughtering many enemy soldiers.”

“Why are you suddenly worried about the enemy? Isn't that our purpose here? Obviously the enemy sacrificed many young men to harm us, so we gave them what they wanted, which is war.”

“Mayor, all I said was my view of this war,” Nio spoke with a calm face in anticipation, but was more impressed forced. He then continued his words, “There are so many examples from history, the fierce and disciplined hunting dogs that had just tasted victory suddenly turned into spoiled house dogs and finally felt one upsetting defeat. I, I mean the Expeditionary Force was once in the position of a house dog, and almost suffered defeat if only the relief force did not come.”

Nio realized that although Indonesia is a large country, one of the world's leading powers under Russia, has not achieved military power equivalent to the dominance of the US and European countries and some Asian countries. So that Nio felt really wanted to help his subordinates in order to survive the difficulties in his way instead of feeling the need to train them to be strong.

Nio did not want the occurrence of losing a subordinate to repeat itself in his 12th Team now, so a small mistake from him meant death for his subordinates. Although ‘world troops like them will never lose against the Balista or giant catapults belonging to the Alliance, they are still a fragile army.

Even with the help of the magic power of the magicians Arevelk and Yekirnovo and the sophisticated equipment of the pride of their respective countries, it does not mean that the troops seem to be magically possessed with the will to fight.

In essence, all Nio could do right now was to control and command the nineteen subordinates he had handpicked himself as best he could. Thus, Nio would work as hard and as much as the salary he received. He has received a basic salary increase even though only twenty thousand rupiah.

“For me, the enemy fights only to make their poor soldiers a real target for our soldiers, so there is no harm in calling them stupid and retarded. Even though they have guns, the tactics they use remain the same, and that adds to their stupidity.

“You're wrong, Major Baek-Ki. They were trained troops, I was once wounded by their riflemen. That is enough to prove the enemy continues to grow by utilizing the power they refer to as ‘hero’.”

The best part of this war was the scent of war fever that emerged from most of Baek-Ki and Nio's subordinates, and the enemy was slowly trying to compensate for their strength. Under normal circumstances, it was not good at all, but when the soldiers had to go to war, it made them feel war was much better than a party.

“Well, you probably should have said all those things to our high-ranking officers, rather than saying your views that I would never understand. You're really something, Lieutenant Nio. Now it's time to face our troops and give them one or him said the spiritist.”

Although their faces had already shown a sense of readiness to be moved to a new battlefield, Nio thought why he still had to give a few words just to give them some spirit.

However, before Nio and Baek-Ki faced their soldiers, one of the Guilds double agents suddenly appeared and knelt in front of Nio.

“Letnan Nio, who is this Alliance guy?”

It was no wonder why Kim Baek-Ki looked surprised and almost fired one projectile on his assault rifle that had been in single-round mode. Tam wears the Alliance emblem on his right arm, which makes Baek-Ki want to punch a hole in the man's head.

“Hold, Major Kim Baek-Ki, he is our double agent. I can guarantee if he can be trusted.”

“Thank you for your trust in me even though I work for the Guild and Alliance, Mr. Nio,” Tam said in a humble tone and moved gaze.

Unfortunately, Nio had not trusted Tam completely, given that the man also worked for the Alliance, even though Tam's organization was still a Guild.

“What do you want to say, Mr Tam?”

“The leader of the rebels is a man named Ofra, all the soldiers of Arevelk in Girinhi Fortress must know the man.”

“From your words, it looks like a rebellion has really happened huh, Mr Tam?”

“This is no longer ‘it looks like’ Mr. Nio, but rebellion and coups are really going to happen.”

“Coup?”

“Thanks for the information from you, Mr. Tam.”

“Alright, then I will resign, may you carry out the mission successfully, Mr. Nio.”

Tam disappears in one blink of an eye, and surprises Baek-Ki who has just seen the magic that is able to make someone disappear in an instant.

Then, Nio and Kim Baek-Ki walked towards the troops who had lined up neatly, with weapons that had been polished so that they looked luxurious and expensive, they looked like elite troops. Nio could have told them that the mission they would face after arriving at Girinhi Fortress would take a long time, but it was not a good choice unless he wanted the soldiers to continue complaining.

The entire 002nd Aid Company and 12th Team of the Reconnaissance and Battle Corps seemed to have been at their best, and looked like a highly trained force in modern combat.

“Soldiers, enemies are nothing more than real firing targets. Give our allies the best help and honor for your homeland. Never forget your duties here.”

“”””Siap, yes Sir!”””

Baek-Ki stares at his soldier who answers his words that make him satisfied for now.

Nio feels Kim Baek-Ki's words are pretty cool, though of course there is a hidden intent that the man keeps secret. He stared at the far fewer – members of the 002 Aid Company looking much more prepared than the hundreds of members of the unit.

Nio thought it might be very necessary to remind his subordinates that their tasks were worth how they were trained. But, looking at their faces at the moment, Nio felt like they needed a commensurate opponent. Of course Nio would not let them disappoint him.

On the other hand, although he said the struggle here was also for the sake of the honor of the country, Baek-Ki felt that his subordinates were so attached only to him. He would have his subordinates fight against the enemy for the sake of the country which seemed to be such a beautiful and honorable struggle. Fortunately, the 002 Assistance Company he led was quite powerful, so in the worst case scenario Baek-Ki could make them a shield, it included the 12th Team led by a commander with a rank lower than him.

Nio shook his head to clear his mind, and saw that the entire plane was ready and the relief troops could be dispatched immediately. The aircraft used is a type of military aircraft that can take off and land vertically, so it only requires shorter runways than old commercial and military aircraft. Similarly, the fighter jets that the Peace Forces use. That made Nio think “Why the Expeditionary Force was not given such new weapons?”, so the Expeditionary Force should not lose fighter jets that can only fly using long runways.

“As you know, we will be a relief force for the Arevelk Kingdom forces in Girinhi Fortress. The distance of the fort to this place is only one hour drive, so it is safe for you who suffer from airsickness. The Strategic Staff members, including me, have been working hard on strategizing to deal with the possibility of a siege that is still a prediction. They should have prepared a decent bed and food for people ‘other world’ like us.”

Nio did not know what kind of perks the Indonesian, North Korean, and Russian contingent soldiers would receive when they were assigned to this world. But, Nio had predicted that the Special Staff handling the military forces in this world would do all they could in terms of salary increases and opportunities for promotion.

Whether all the perks and all that his subordinates received during their stint in this world would be sufficient for their future lives was another question that did not fall into Nio's responsibility.

“Hahahahahahah!”

Well, laughing might make soldiers lighten the burden they will face later. Who is a soldier who is willing to fight only for one or two people? Definitely the soldiers assigned to the battlefield of this world have their own goals for what they are fighting for. The high and medium officers of the Peace Forces may have been assured of being rewarded for their work in this world, but the enlisted until the first officer of the field did not get much special reward – except for the 12th Team who had helped the Kingdom of Arevelk defend their capital from the sudden invasion of the enemy, even then they are still under supervision when they want to use the gifts obtained.

For Nio, just giving them a basic salary and regular allowances but the soldiers had put their lives in danger in this world was not a good idea, either, especially for the 10 percent of Student Soldiers in the Indonesian contingent who have left youth to fight in this world.

However, in the end it all depends on each individual to assess whether the life they receive during their service has been in the category of decent or mediocre.

When the war against other world nations that came out of the Gate occurred, Indonesia began to implement an outrageous system of conscription. Indonesia does not even provide special conditions for adolescents aged sixteen to twenty-nine who want to fight in the unity of TRIP. The Republic may only want a large army to face the enemy's forces regardless of whether the soldier is fighting for the country or the material.

TNI when fighting against enemies from other worlds assume that teenagers without experience will be a little useful because the country does not have enough resources to defend itself from enemy invasion. Nio himself had no choice but to become a TRIP soldier because he thought the military would provide a decent life for the warrior family.

Nio shook his head once more to clear his mind of the bad memories of the past when he was still an amateur soldier, then gestured to Hassan who was looking at him with a puzzled face. He pointed out that there was nothing to worry about and ordered his vice-captain to lead the team.

“Consideration! Tidy up!”

The 002 Relief Company personnel were slightly surprised when the vice-captain of the 12th Team shouted for its members to march. They had their own leader, so Nio handed the company over to Kim Baek-Ki.

At least the members of the 12th Team were disciplined enough to follow the instructions properly. After all, of course the army should be able to do that.

“We will be assigned to Girinhi Fortress and will be a mixed team there with the addition of the 002 Aid Company. The team command remains in my hands, and the company is required to execute the strategy that the Strategy Staff compiled as predicted.”

After all, the 12th Team remained the property of the Reconnaissance and Battle Corps, and no company, battalion, not even regiment could command them to fight on the frontlines directly. Nio could only have his subordinates reconcile themselves with the task and follow the orders to appear on any battlefield.

Sometimes Nio feels his team is like the spectacle material of an idle unit in the castle, and they are forced to perform in every battle for the sake of the idle unit. It was not much different from forcibly hiring someone.

Unfortunately, special forces soldiers are indeed trained to reach the normal limits of ordinary humans, so there is no organization that prohibits over-hiring soldiers, so that there is ‘ will not go home before winning’.

Nio thought working as a soldier who was always on the battlefield was not too bad because what they did was very real, even though the threat of losing lives was very large, rather than the political animals who only talk about promises, but their jobs are no more like kindergarten students who are full of laughter even though they get a serious salary.

“So, we have to show them (enemies and political elites) that we can work very well as a teenage army! We must perform for our comrades who have never been out of the fortress!”

“Lettan, that means we are nothing more than a spectacle,” Sigit said.

“I don't mind at all, as long as we give is a real win!”

“””Siap!”””

Baek-Ki doesn't even expect Nio to be able to easily encourage his subordinates – who does look like a war enthusiast. He was at a loss for words, and undoed the intention of using his power as a major in order to utilize Nio and his subordinates as a shield.

Meanwhile, Hevaz and Edera just smiled at Nio who behaved like a real commander.

After Nio said so, he led the 12th Team walking in a neat row to one of the prepared planes. When entering the cabin, their operational vehicles have been there, and are firmly tied so as not to shift and make the balance of the aircraft disturbed.

Meanwhile, some of the 002 Aid Company personnel also started walking to the plane they were about to board. Units operating heavy weapons are often equipped by personnel wearing exoskeletons, to transport heavy machine guns weighing around 60 kilograms and medium machine guns weighing 15 kilograms with great ease. In addition, the exoskeleton attached to several soldiers made them able to move two-tonne turrets with just five people.

After all the personnel and equipment had been on board, the four large transport vehicles took off vertically with their bodyguards, six Russian contingent fighter jets.

**

The entire contents of this story are just fiction, do not be taken too seriously because this story is only the imagination and expectations of the author.

(transfer aircraft illustration, image source pinterest)

(moderate machine gun illustration, pinterest image source)

(40mm turret paired on tank platform, image source pinterest)

(heavy machine gun illustration, image source pinterest)