High School Soldier
Inner war: Suspicion

“I'm here to get your opinion..”.

After hanging a long white lab coat, Dini took out a teapot containing hot coffee and two paper cups. While responding to Nio's remarks with “Hmmm..”, he filled both cups of heat-resistant paper. He gave one to Nio.

As the hot coffee flowed down his throat, Nio could feel a feeling in his heart. He told Early everything, about the suburban boy being shot, the rights of the suburban residents, the war against the Alliance, the seemingly limitless enemy force, and all that made his mind filled with burden.

But, what happened between the two of them was just silence. Early, with his right hand propping his chin put on a serious expression. Suddenly Nio spoke up, “Doctor Early?”

“Hmm? Oh, sorry, I'm thinking about dinner tonight.”

“What? Come on, wasn't my word just so important?”

“I listened to you halfway because the worries you had were perfectly normal. I thought you were meeting me to consult about Shell Shock.” syndrome

“Hah?!”

Seeing Nio who was shocked after hearing the mental illness, Dini spoke in response to Nio's words;

“Hey, Nio, human destruction is a sure thing to happen. Whether it happens in the distant future due to a natural disaster, the sun is turned into a Red Giant. Or the massive launch of weapons of mass destruction that started and ended World War 3. Because of that, many wonder what man was created for, but in the end it remains extinct as well.”

Hearing Early's words, Nio was unable to respond to it. He did not want to be influenced by the woman's confused understanding.

“Hey, Nio, why should enemies from other worlds be defeated, anyway?” ask Dini.

Nio was speechless, seemed unresponsive to Dini's question, and was startled for a moment.

“You can't answer it?”

“No, wait,” says Nio. Finding the answer to the question Early, he said, “Because the enemy from another world is the doer of this nation's destruction.”

Early then connect Nio's answer that he feels incomplete, “Easy, it's because the enemy from another world is an existence that threatens Indonesia, right? But, is not at this time Indonesian people too spoiled? They rely on economic, military and other fields that began to develop over the past 100 years. They are convinced that all enemies are very easily defeated by the current strength of Indonesia, but it is only because they only want ‘comfort themselves’ to be recognized by the world that Indonesia is very strong regardless of the myriad of shortcomings that this country has and does not recognize all the weaknesses of Indonesia. If realized, 24th century Indonesia is not much different from the 21st century United States, but many claim that Indonesia has become a developed country beyond America and Europe. Only awareness to accept the circumstances needed to change the position of Indonesia from a country ‘half forward’. If at all times there was always such a group of people, a war against an enemy from another world would find no way out

Continue on;

“How is the civilization of other world nations? They have a natural element called ‘magical’ energy that allows them to have fictional powers like magic and do things that our technology cannot. Before the war, we thought magic was just a supernatural and fictional phenomenon in novels and movies. Can't we say the other world is beyond the way this world thinks? After several other world countries declared war with Indonesia, there are a number of organizations and religions that associate this war with ‘Late War Zaman’. They assume the Alliance is the messenger of God to punish this world, especially Indonesia.”

Nio was surprised and asked, “So, why?”

Early in response to Nio's question, “Humans use all resources that hasten Earth's destruction, and enemies from other worlds come to prevent that from happening. If the enemy manages to take over this world, they might be able to restore this world for the better. Some say the world is just a place to go. But, the Earth man left his sojourn full of trash and damage. Doesn't it make sense if we fix the house first before it is passed down to the next generation?”

Nio sank into his thoughts, then drank his coffee.

“In other words, that's the reason there is the expression ‘human is not needed at all’? Or, perhaps humans are still confused as to their purpose of being relegated to this world. But, somehow I still do not like the country that calls for Indonesia to stop the war with the Alliance. By the way, how will the fate of suburban children if the war does not stop?” ask Nio.

Early respond, “They are the most suitable to be future fighters in the time of ‘Late War Zaman’.”

“But, they are a group of people that almost forgotten the country! With the country treating them like that, is there any reason to fight for the nation that got rid of them unless the country lures for the return of rights, food, and protecting the life of their precious little family?” Nio said with an annoyed tone and facial expression.

Looking at Nio's serious face, and the slight visible wound from the buff mask that did not cover it perfectly made Dini smile, “That's the reason. You're starting to understand, right why most fringe people want to be soldiers, one of them you?”

“Eh?” Nio was confused, and finally realized that what he said was justified by Dini. He sat quietly with a feeling of embarrassment. Early answers to his questions about suburban children forced him to say all the words on his mind. The woman had really made him fall silent and went back to thinking hard.

Early then said, “Hei Nio, at least you know who you are and where you are from. Your life before the war is still better than the suburban kids are now. You might be able to shout “I'm also from the suburbs, so I understand your feelings!”, but you didn't go through the heavy days of orphaned children that the country almost forgot after the war.”

Nio's left eye narrowed slightly, and Dini assumed she wanted to know the further of his words.

Nio's glance suddenly became sharp, the people of Company 406 considered it as ‘Mode War’. A feeling arose in his heart, and Nio stood up from his seat after finishing the coffee in his paper cup.

“Thanks for your opinion, Doc. I'll do a job..”.

Dini know ‘job’ that Nio said has something to do with the condition of suburban residents. The aura Nio exuded was really like he was going to go fight. Dini looked at him with an amazed expression, no less and more. He had not given up on his feelings to have Nio despite already seeing news on TV and newspapers about the proximity of First Lieutenant 'TRIP' Nio Candranala to a number of important figures of Guild member states, among them are beautiful girls. He decided to just like it without thinking he could get it.

“No matter how hard you work, people will only take advantage and betray you.”

The words of Darsono began to involve Nio in the problems of suburban children. A lot of news spread the protests of the suburban residents who wanted their land returned, and the rights of suburban children who looked only ‘by’ were received by the city children. The hard work of the suburban population was met with riot troops repelling and accompanied by tear gas and water cannon fire although they did not riot, injuring non-demonstrators and heavy damage in public facilities.

Who do you think protects the peace of Indonesia? During the war, the townspeople immediately took refuge in the bunkers of their respective homes or workplaces. As the army tried to prevent enemy forces from doing more damage to the city, the suburban residents helped by building barricades and feeding small supplies to the fighters. While cleaning the city field after the war, suburban residents play a role in collecting bodies without the lives of enemy soldiers and Indonesian soldiers.

Nio was filled with the desire to go back to the prewar time of being done in another world. Seeing the people of the city prioritizing their respective interests, he should not have to sacrifice excessively. Most city people just watch and record when there are suburban residents get into trouble, then stay away from contracting their problems. If the people of the city were properly educated, they should know that they lived peacefully after the war because the fringe people took part as volunteer soldiers or such during the war.

While walking to where his motorcycle was parked, Nio met the members of Companies 406 and 32 and had a small chat with them.

By the time Nio reached the parking lot and sat on the motorcycle seat, Sergeant One Sima was also beside him. The man saluted her, and acted relaxed after Nio replied to her. Sima sees a big change in Nio during his time being sent to another world, but he does not change at all because he is always in charge of traveling around Karanganyar during this peacetime.

“Why do you want to go home, Lettu Nio?”

Nio answered Sima's question, “Certainly continue working. I want to be a really active officer, not an officer who is just me active.”

Sima gave a small laugh, yet she did not know the expression Nio made due to the black buff mask she was wearing. He wondered why Nio never took off his mask, and what was behind it.

“I also don't like being too passive. Better to do another job than idle at headquarters.”

After hearing Sima's words, he wanted to say that working too much outside of duty was not a good thing. Other than not getting a raise, the risk of losing your life is even greater if you go to the battlefield one too many times beyond the time set for an operation.

“Lettu Nio, why did you choose a job as a soldier?” ask Sima.

With a slightly confused expression, Nio answered that question, “Why?... Probably the same as most people work, which is to get money to meet the needs of life. Why are you asking like that, Sima?”

Sima's face showed she needed another answer. According to him, Nio's face does not show that he works only for money, but for a greater purpose.

“I'm actually scared..” Sima said in a hesitant tone.

“If you give up because of it, it will be harder to keep fighting, and you will regret.”

“Sorry..” Sima's words came to a halt, he seemed to be running out of words to respond to Nio's words.

“But, instead of being considered traitors and criminals is worse?” Sima asked.

“Bener anyway. Why are you asking about that?” Nio replied with a hint of suspicion.

Sima lowered her head, her face revealing a grim expression. Nio felt that there was an oddity in Sima during her conversation with him.

“I... don't want to lose all my colleagues and achievements while fighting with you, Lettu Nio..”.

“Sima, you are not going to war anytime soon, so there is no need to say your last words now,” Nio said in a joking tone. He hoped the chatter did not flow into a more serious topic.

"But I'm afraid what I did was wrong."