High School Soldier
39. Awards and promotion

April 29, 2321, at 10:12 WIB.

**

The soldier who was supposed to graduate was not in the barracks, he had already been taken to the hospital due to his deteriorating health. The position of the soldier was already filled Nio, and the soldier received it with a spacious chest and took the time to congratulate Nio.

The entire person inside the male soldier barracks looked busy. All of them were wearing ordinary combat uniforms as today they were going back to the early Unity.

Everyone put more equipment and luggage into the backpack. Do not forget to make the bed before leaving this place. Maintaining neatness must still be maintained, although in the battlefield the soldiers can sleep stone-based.

But today the atmosphere is different. Feeling awkward started happening like the first day of training. There were no voices of people talking to each other, everyone focused on each other's affairs.

Except for Nio, Sima and Rio who were seen were holding back a laugh. The reason they held back laughter was because the thing that made Nio barely pass, which was not doing math problems that amounted to 15 pieces. Nio will get a perfect score on the general knowledge test if working on math problems.

Nio's perfect score was also obtained on the examination of psychology and military knowledge. But on the physical test Nio only get an average score.

Being a special force requires not only a tough physique, but a diluted brain so that the mission can be completed smoothly.

There is one more thing that makes today's atmosphere feel different. The people who felt differently on this day were also only members of Squad 3, including Nio.

Actually, the entire squad in this training has been disbanded because of the training period that has been completed. However, the Squad division system still exists, but will be formed again during the upcoming training period.

It can be said today is special for all members of Team 3, including Nio as ‘mantan’ Squad Commander.

Some people were also waiting for this day in addition to the members of Squad 3. Herlina and Arunika are among those who are looking forward to this slightly overcast day.

Especially Arunika who is a Nio family was invited to the awarding ceremony by the Central Command of the Student Army.

Only the families and superiors of the 3rd Squad members were invited to the event, as well as the sections that initiated the formation of the Special Student Forces.

That means all TNI officials in all units will attend this event.

The Central Command of Student Soldiers is located at the Headquarters of TNI AD, where it is still within the territory of the provisional government of Jakarta.

**

4 Personnel-carrying trucks have arrived to take the soldiers back to their respective Unities. The truck belonged to Company 302 of the underground city of Semarang City, and the other two belonged to Company 406 of the underground city of Karanganyar City.

Nio and the other members of Team 3 did not board the truck because of their different objectives. After all the second soldiers of the Company boarded the transport truck, they then left the training ground while singing excitedly yells.

Outside the fence the atmosphere is more crowded with residents. Some residents stood by the roadside with happy faces, such as releasing the return of the trainees. It makes participants who pass and do not pass equally happy and proud.

A few moments later, when the original yard was empty there were now 4 pieces of armored cars with machine guns on top. In addition there are 2 pieces of ordinary armored cars without weapons. All vehicles will be used by all members of Team 3 and their respective families to the place where the promotion ceremony is held.

Security is number one, it should be in each vehicle provided weapons such as grenades and spare rifles. In addition, each of the soldiers of Squad 3 also brought a rifle that adds security during the trip.

All the people who were about to leave were waiting for their families to arrive at the training ground. They wait while playing around or sitting while daydreaming.

Moments later there was an ordinary armored car owned by Company 406 that transported the family of Team 3 members who came from the Unit.

A moment later, the same type of vehicle also arrived at this place and transported the families of the 3rd Squad members who came from that Unit.

But not all soldiers have families, other than distant families who are representatives to attend this ceremony. Essentially the person who is considered family by the members of Team 3 will be invited to attend this event.

Arunika who wears a work uniform that can be worn at official events in the form of a white shirt and black suit and knee-high skirt.

Arunika approached Nio who was sitting down while bowing his head and covered him with her combat helmet.

“On important events do not sleep, wake up.!” arunika said while shaking her sister's shoulders violently.

“I need to prepare energy for a long trip later.” replied Nio in a tone that seemed flat.

“Stand...!” Arunika actually pulled Nio's arm to force him to stand despite seeming objection to Nio who did bring a lot of equipment.

“Iya-iya...,” Nio obeyed her brother's orders and after that made Arunika surprised.

Arunika was really surprised by what Nio did despite having done this several times.

“Hey, aren't you ashamed of being seen by people!?” said Arunika while trying to escape from the arms of Nio who had not bathed this morning and only wear perfume as an antidote to her body odor.

“I won brother, I managed to exceed my limit.”, said Nio in a moved tone as he tightened his embrace on Arunika.

“Iya, I know you'll make it through it all even with a little surprise.”

Nio immediately released a hug on Arunika and was seen sweat began to pour from his forehead which was protected by a combat helmet.

“Why don't you do the math stuff huh?” arunika said while showing a cruel smile that made Nio goosebumps.

Rio and Sima who were about to get close to Nio and Arunika paused their intentions due to seeing Arunika's smile signifying something. Precisely Rio stopped Sima from getting any closer with that pair of brothers.

“Why, isn't that Nio's smiling brother?” asked Sima with her innocent face.

But Rio who was already familiar with the math teacher said, “I feel Nio threatened.”

After that Arunika clamped Nio's neck with her elbow until Nio thrashed to ask to be released. Although Nio looks stronger than Arunika, still his brother cannot be underestimated.

**

After a grueling 12-hour journey without stopping, everyone got off the armored car that stopped in the parking lot of the TNI AD Central Headquarters.

The whole person does various poses to relax their stiff body as it continues to sit during the trip.

It is guarded by one air defense artillery piece, an anti-aircraft missile launcher, 2 assault tanks, 5 assault armored vehicles.

Because the Central Headquarters of the TNI AD is still in the temporary government complex which includes the State Palace, so the security of this place must be excessive.

Several hours once the helicopter and fighter aircraft also passed over this place.

The entire squad keeps equipment in supplied lockers and rifle storage boxes.

“Do we have to wear these clothes?” said Nio who was holding a suit that was distributed to all members of Team 3 who were still wearing combat uniforms.

“Iya, because the Minister of Defense also attended this ceremony,” said the woman who distributed after-dress to all members of Team 3.

The entire eyes of the members of Team 3 were wide-eyed after hearing those words.

“Ja-so we're facing an important person?” muttered some people.

Male and female members change clothes in separate places but close together and guarded by 5 soldiers.

Neat suits were already worn all over the young soldier, they looked elegant with white shirts and black suits worn.

Arunika also wears the same type of clothes as them, but what she wears is her work uniform while still a teacher and happens to be a nice outfit that was left after ‘langgatan’ explosion occurred.

While Ika who has the highest body in this place looks not wearing a skirt like other soldiers. Ika actually wears long black pants like those worn by male members.

In addition, the hair that has been cut short will make the person who first saw Ika will think he is a man.

“Who is that beautiful man?” asked Arunika innocently.

“She's a big sister, her name is Ika,” replied Nio Ketus.

“Hah...!?”

Ika walked out of the dressing room with the other female members with her ‘gagah’.

But Ika did not seem to like the clothes she was wearing now, because it was different alone compared to all the women in this place who almost wore similar clothes.

“Sorry, we don't have skirts with miss sizes. Once again sorry,” said the woman in charge of giving change of clothes to all members of Team 3.

**

Ceremonies were held in the hall of this place and attended by dozens of important TNI AD. Including the Main Commander of the Student Army who is also a General of the TNI AD named Nugroho.

Beside him sat another top military officer and a very important person, the Minister of Defense named Sutomo Rustoni.

In front of the pulpit was a table containing various objects, including badges and rank marks.

The families of the members of Team 3 were seated at the prepared place and were at the forefront.

All members of Team 3 lined up neatly in front of the ranks of important people in the TNI and the Ministry of Defense.

But they did not hide any nervousness at all. Including Nio who had been trembling all over his body and gulped his saliva until his jakun moved up and down.

The host stood up from his place and said hello to all religions in Indonesia. Then continue the next sequence of events, namely singing the Indonesian national anthem Raya.

After that, the event continued the speech of the TNI General who was also the Central Commander of the Student Army.

Nugroho's speech was to build the spirit of the struggle to win this war.

Especially in front of him there is a group of young people who can be said ‘ achieves’. It would probably spread the spirit to the entire youth in this country.

What else is the award ceremony broadcast on the radio and many journalists in this place.

The event then continued with a speech from the Minister of Defense who often called Tomo. The theme of his speech is almost the same as that recited by Nugroho, but more constructive than igniting the fighting spirit.

After that, then, the event had arrived in the main part which made Nio even more nervous and the reporters focused the camera on the General and the Minister of Defense who would give awards and promotions to all members of Squad 3.

The one who received the first award was the Commander of the Squad, Nio who was still standing before the host mentioned his name three times.

Nio received a letter of appreciation for the services he did from Secretary of Defense Tomo. Then continued to give a new power mark to Nio done by Nugroho.

Nio's rank rose from the original rank of First Sergeant to First Lieutenant Assistant (Peltu), two levels below Herlina as Captain of Company 406.

After that awarding to the members of Team 3 and giving a new rank mark.

The members of Squad 3, who were originally the rank of Parajurit One and Sergeant One, each rose to one rank and became Sergeant Two and Chief Sergeant.

In addition to awards and promotions, they also earn money and each receive a sum of Rp 10,000,000.00.

**

Nio faces Arunika who looks touched and smiles proudly to Nio who has become the ranks of Bintara Tinggi.

If Nio makes another achievement, he will be promised to be a First Lieutenant to the Captain. Of course, it depends on the mission and achievements made by Nio while doing the mission.

“Ayo taking pictures together,” says Nio.

“But, do we have a smartphone or camera,” replied Arunika who made Nio instantly silent.

His smartphone does not have a camera feature, and only smartphones sold in general only have a camera feature. While Nio's smartphone is a facility that he received when he rose to the rank of First Sergeant first.

In this place some people take the time to take pictures with family or invitation this event.

Nio also accepted the invitation from the person present at this ceremony and he accepted happily.

A few photo sessions later, Nio returns to Arunika who is seen only eating the food provided with an annoyed face.

Nio realizes the thing that makes her brother look upset and looks for a way to get her brother back to normal.

He saw ‘photo’ people who paid to record important moments of this event and said, “Sorry, can you take a picture of us?”

“Oh, of course,” replied the photographer happily when he asked for someone important.

Nio and the photographer were heading to the place where Arunika still looks pouted.

“Kakak, let's take a picture together,” said Nio.

Arunika glanced at the person that Nio was carrying and she realized that the person was the photographer of this event.

“OK,” replied Arunika flat even though in her heart feel happy.

Nio and Arunika then stand side by side and show the pose ‘formal’.

Then after doing a formal pose, Nio invited her brother to do a free pose.

Arunika then embraced Nio's right hand and smiled widely, as did Nio.

“Please wait a minute, I will print the photo first,” said the photographer.

“Ya, please,” replied Nio.

Nio and Arunika then sat in a chair in front of which provided various foods.

A few moments later the photographer returned with 4 photos.

Nio receives the photo prints and the photographer leaves Nio and Arunika to photograph another moment.

Nio shared with his brother two photo prints that each showed two different poses that they did earlier.

Nio only held back a laugh as Arunika and she smiled widely.

“Why laugh, do I look ugly?” asked Arunika with annoyance.

“No, no, I think big brother is very cute in this photo.”

Next to Nio looks like Ika who wants to say something while holding a camera.

"Co-Commander, can I take a picture with you?" said Ika nervously which made Arunika surprised.

"Come," replied Nio casually even though he was upset in his heart.

Ika and Nio stood next to each other and made the one who saw him hold back a laugh.

Meanwhile, Nio tried to hold back the embarrassment and annoyance until the shooting session was over.

The height ratio of Nio and Ika was almost 20 cm, and Nio looked like his sister Ika if she stood beside him.

"Thank you Commander" Ika said after the shooting session was over.

"Sama-sama, but don't call me Commander again. Because after this we will return to the initial Union and be under the leadership of their respective Commanders," explained Nio who made Ika a little relieved.

"Alright, thank you Peltu Nio,"

"Yes, you're welcome."

Nio found it quite strange if someone mentioned his name with his new rank.

Meanwhile, Arunika was still seen sitting quietly in her place.

"What the fuck, why is there a woman so much taller than you?" arunika said while laughing.

"Hey brother, isn't he taller than you?" nio replied which made Arunika stop laughing.

"Yes, but I was surprised. Why is there such a tall woman like her?"