High School Soldier
99. New assignment
A few hours later, an aftershock occurred. The earth shook once more, and the building that was about to be destroyed, was now completely collapsed. The entire people who were still collecting the corpses of warriors and monsters trembled in fear.
“Alright, we're back!”
Leaving the sad faces of the citizens of the capital, Nio proudly returned to lead Team 1, where the vehicle he was riding in brought the five Indonesian girls he saved. Nio and some of the officers offered their suits to cover the bodies of these girls half-naked, just a cloth covering their bodies, it was the typical clothing of the slaves in this country.
After a ten-minute drive, Liben stopped his vehicle at the sight of a group of people and a horse-drawn cart. There are also Combat Groups 1 and 4 in this burning wheat field, it looks like they finished evacuating the citizens of the Empire who will ‘membelot’.
“Sial, my hand moves on its own and hits it.”
Liben nodded with a pale face, he could not imagine if he was in the position of the commander-in-chief.
“Commander, I think this is going to be a big deal. The emperor of this country has already declared with Indonesia once again right?”
The blood flow in Nio's brain had subsided, but he could still feel dizzy after listening to Chandra's question. But, the blood flow on Nio's face had still not stopped, it alarmed the medical members. Forced, upon arriving at the headquarters, Nio will undergo a small operation to stitch up his wound.
Even Sucipto began to worry about what reason he would give for the matter of the Luan Empire's declaration of war and Hrabro's Kingdom.
**
31 October 2321, 10:37 WIB/1914 Luan Empire, morning.
**
Refugees, Imperial defectors, or volunteer workers were hundreds of citizens on the outskirts of the Imperial capital who chose to side with the TNI. Because this army has moved quickly to save them from the earthquake disaster. Instead of the Imperial troops who actually ran while urinating when the earthquake struck and left the citizens in danger.
They are willing to work anything for this army, and the TNI is free to reward them or not for their performance later. Indeed, these forces are in need of manpower to build other supporting infrastructure, but there has been no word on the budget to pay workers.
After all, the TNI had previously managed to seize control of the outskirts of the Imperial capital, and gain a frontline defense base there. So, if the battle really broke out, then the region could be used as a medium of siege for the Imperial forces.
It had been one week after the unpleasant incident in the Imperial capital of Luan, and the Bogat declaration of war in front of the TNI officers was the dumbest thing they had ever heard. Moreover, they murmured about the words Bogat with the words, “I just saw the first head of state in this column”.
Some refugees look at the turtle fortress, and say that the world civilization behind the Gate is not much different from the Empire after seeing the fortress of this army. The TNI built the fort here only for protection from emergencies, because without a fortification the troops are still very strong with dozens of turrets surrounding this place.
The roaring sound of armored personnel carriers transporting refugees around the fortress made a cloud of dust on the concrete road.
The citizens of the Demihuman race did not expect to get good treatment from this green army, even they were not treated like slaves even though they used to be treated like that.
Contrary to the old military view of not thinking much about human life, these troops are used to doing disaster relief missions to save people.
In this world, governments are free to treat their citizens, even some countries get the main income from selling slaves taken from their own citizens. Hundreds of residents who displaced this are among the lucky group to meet with the benevolent troops. Although they were worried about how to live the next day in a new environment, they still prayed with gratitude that they had survived this disaster.
Several female slaves of the Demihuman race held the hands of the members of the Cruiser Squad who saved them. Nio was even surrounded by five Indonesian girls who were rescued, although in the shadow of hundreds of other Indonesians who had not been saved.
Given the language of all the nations of the world is the same, so the troops who understand the language of this world have no trouble understanding what these refugees are saying. If the TNI is an army from a country that likes to plunder and slaughter, then there is no life for them today.
Refugees can only be grateful for the sacrifice of this green army, even some people are able to see the bitterness experienced by the troops who saved them. However, the soldiers tried to cover up the bitterness of their lives becoming soldiers by showing smiles to the children of the Demihuman race.
Questions about this green army entered the minds of the refugees, they were thinking even more about the continuation of the lives of these troops than themselves. Since they came from among the slaves, then there was no objection if they returned to being slaves.
“If they keep doing good to us, how do these soldiers get money?”
“Now is not the time to worry about others. We are also in trouble, what will we start from now?”
“Yes you are right, but warriors as great as they should be paid dearly.”
No matter what they say, refugees are really concerned. While in the country of origin of this green troops, the greed of the ‘noble’ can not be extinguished.
But, the refugees prayed to their respective gods that the green troops that had saved them would be more appreciated by their country, and obtain benevolent nobles.
**
Most of the slaves were people of the Demihuman race between the ages of 15-25 years, while most of the human race were 17-48 years old, with the job of selling themselves or becoming thieves.
It could be that the TNI let the citizens of the outskirts of the Imperial capital and said, “We leave it to God.”
Dozens of makeshift tents were set up, and were full of people who were starting to live comfortably. Some of them may have been injured earthquake victims, but military doctors treated them easily.
The task of the 1st and 10th Cruiser Squad is to communicate with the refugees, establish good relations with them, and gather knowledge about the amazing Demihuman race.
Sucipto was on a call with the President regarding the rescue of five Indonesian girls, and talked about one more issue that made Suroso hold his head.
“What is your goal to bring refugees huh, how do you communicate with them!?”
“Ready! About it we have some soldiers who are fluent in this world.”
The plan was to build a refugee camp near the fortress for the refugees, with the funds coming from cutting the salaries of Expeditionary Force soldiers. If they announced this to the soldiers, they would complain and resort to eating instant noodles, as there was no money to make rendang rice rations and chicken opors from the aftermath of budget cuts.
In the meantime, researchers will be able to research refugees from the Demihuman race, and gain an understanding of race as they are.
“But, how are the enemy forces? Did they make any gun contact with you?”
Suroso discussed the declaration of war announced by Emperor Bogat, because it was a very important thing even though the TNI can ensure their victory.
“Ready! The Imperial Army has not yet shown any signs of an attack. So we still have time to prepare ourselves.”
Suroso furrowed his brows, then agreed to accept the refugees, and expected that the Expeditionary Force could guard themselves in another world.
If the Expeditionary Force were to take in refugees, it might cause all sorts of problems. The enemy may have infiltrated among the refugees and committed acts of sabotage.
The general of this force must report to the Ministry of Defense on how to deal with refugees who cannot afford to be cared for on their own.
**
Nio stopped on the spot after hearing his name being called.
While he had to be in the middle of refugees for several hours, before Nio finally fled as more and more refugees approached him.
“Congratulations for his new post.”
The corner of Nio's eyes twitched as Gio said so. After all, Nio did not have to pay everything to take care of the refugees from his own money. But Nio will be in charge of organizing the protection of the refugees, that is Nio's new position now in addition to being the Commander of the 1st Cruiser Squad.
Nio thought the first problem was about food, because for the matter of shelter, the refugees could stay in the makeshift tent for a while. Because the barracks are still limited and only specifically for the soldiers. If Nio made a request with the ration team, he could solve the refugee's food problem. Granted, they could eat combat food rations, but the refugees could not choose.
Peltu Gio invites Nio to the watchtower on the north side of the fort. Gio's index and middle fingers flank a cigarette with small fumes. He had offered Nio a pack of his stored cigarettes, but Nio only took one and enjoyed the cigarette given by his senior. This was enough to ease the burden of Nio's mind about taking care of the refugees.
Nio judged that Gio is a senior who is quite reliable, although for some things only Nio can do it. Even though their rank was the same, seniority still took precedence. On the other hand, Gio was quite fond of Nio acting beyond the duties of the Student Army, and was too often involved in very important affairs. Nio's current appearance, was enough to make some people shudder, as Nio's face was too much adorned with sharp object incision wounds.
“What is taking care of the refugees so troublesome? My advice is, don't act stupid when dealing with refugees. If you need something for the needs of the refugees, you just tell me.”
Nio took one puff of a cigarette, then threw the smoke out of his mouth and prepared an answer to Gio's words.
“Ah, yes, that is. After all what is most needed to take care of the refugees is language, and I have no problem with that. For some things, I might trouble you, bang Gio.”
Nio scratched his head with a cigarette smoking interlude. Nio's feelings are bad, and Gio is seen trying to help reduce the burden on Nio's mind.
“That's it, senior duty. Poor communication between juniors and seniors can be bad, so often trouble me.”
Gio smoked his cigarette and smiled towards this vast land called the Holy Land. Gio looked at his watch, now was the time to communicate with his wife.
“We'll talk about it another time.”
“Ya.”
**
Although Nio could not see what the future would bring, he had to handle the refugees carefully. At least this work is not done alone, all members of the Team and 2 Cruiser Squad are servants owned by Nio in carrying out the task of taking care of the refugees.
After all, Nio had to give them something to eat.
After all, Nio had to bring the injured to the medical team.
After all, Nio had to hand out clothes.
All of that is a tiring task and takes a long time if done alone.
Parents or teenagers can take care of children, it can ease the duties of their supervisory team.
A two square kilometer plot of land is provided for the establishment of the shelter of the refugees. Some of the male refugee-assisted soldiers were building camps and temporary shelters for the refugees.
Chandra was a civil engineering student before deciding to join the Student Army, so for this matter he was very reliable. People with such experiences are much needed in this kind of situation. Even so, he was quite frustrated with Nio who was too demanding, starting the area of every building and so on. He judged that Nio was a perfectionist, but in the end he learned a secret if Nio was a lazy soldier from the seniors.
Nio is grateful to never go to college, let alone enter civil engineering.
Well, Nio is indeed a servant of society now.
**
The task was exhausting, but once the order to build a home for the refugees began, hundreds of Expeditionary Force soldiers worked quickly.
In an instant, they cut down trees with chainsaws, then dredged the ground with escavators, then transported the land in large trucks, after which they easily built a house with semi-permanent building materials.
According to the data containing the identities of the refugees, some of the Demihuman race slaves were able to use magic. However, in front of the technology that has come in this world, after this maybe their magic should be replaced with these heavy equipment.
Two attack helicopters passed over the refugees watching the construction in a terrible voice.
All the refugees were shocked in silence, they were grateful for the kindness they received.
Nio saw a teenager from the cat-eared Demihuman race who was standing too close to the path of the passing transport truck.
“Nona, please get a little away from here. Soon the place of residence for you will be finished.”
The girl's body was white, and wore the clothes given to her and other female refugees. For this cat girl, she wore a long skirt and a tee shirt. He looked at Nio with teary eyes.
Inwardly, Nio was shocked half-dead when he saw this girl almost crying, “This is not my fault right? I didn't even touch it.”
“Master, will you charge us after all we got?”
“Sorry ladies, we are not entitled to any payment from you. You better use all the possessions you have for your future.”
Nio felt that if he had just said something cool in the eyes of this girl, he was bragging inwardly. Nio felt that if he had not registered the identity of this girl, then he prepared a paper containing the identity data of the refugees.
“Nona, what's your name?, how old are you?”
“My name is Edera sir, my age is now 17 years.”
Nio could not see Edera's face as a whole, as her hair bangs covered her right face. However, Nio could not ask her to show her face, as it could be that this girl would feel uncomfortable.
Nio then invited Edera to stay away from where heavy vehicles passed by, some workers began to warn, “This is a danger!”
**
(Nio Illustration, ndak edition can draw...*_*)