Chapter 10

"Sarge look! There is a new movie out in the theater."

"Hey slow down we still have the whole day ahead of us."

Currently both me and Rio are on an outing. After the Valkyries incident our platoon was given about 2 months of rest day. Both me and Javier were injured while the rest of our platoon were killed. The Second Lieutenant managed to fight for our off day from that Major, so here I am enjoying my day off.

I was planning to just stay in the barracks and play games but Rio suggested that both of us go for an outing to the city. It really has been a while since I saw a city that has not been reduced to rubble. To be honest it feels weird.

"What do you want to do Sarge?"

"Well how about we go to the cafe first? I still have not had any breakfast."

"Very well let's go to that cafe. The food there looks good."

Costa Nuevo, the largest port city on Artak V. One of the backbone for Federation's defenses on the planet. Most of the military supplies come through this city making this place a vital supply line. Since the city is far from any frontlines, the people in this city live a normal life with most of the people who live in this city are logistics workers and soldiers from the frontline.

"Mmmm~ this is quite good."

Rio ordered strawberry pancakes with whip cream and strawberry syrup while I ordered aglio olio spaghetti.

"It's always fun to see you eat, Rio."

"Don't stare too much, it's a bit embarrassing."

Since Rio is a combat android, she was given something similar to the digestive system that can process biological matters. In case of being cut off the androids can consume whatever bio mass they can find to charge their energy cells to continue operation.

"By the way Sarge, I always wondered why you joined the army?"

"Hmmm... Well it's not really a story that I am really proud of."

***

I still remember the day that I got sent into this world, I was waiting for the results on my entrance exams. I have been studying for days and nights, I even go to the cram school. Years of hard work finally pays off after I received an acceptance letter from the college that I want.

As I head to the bar to celebrate my admission, suddenly bright light covers my eyes and I am in the middle of an unknown city with foreigners. Not the usual Seoul that is filled with koreans but foreign people such as white, blacks, south east asians, middle eastern people. That is when I finally realized I've been sent into another world.

At first it was hard for me, someone who does not have any identification to find any decent jobs. This new world is far more advanced than the modern world, so most of the menial labour jobs are already being filled with androids. So for someone like me with no qualifications or even identity finally turn to the life of crime.

I only do white collar crime. Scams, forgery and all that stuff. I managed to live a decent life thanks to this crime. I'm not proud of what I have done but I need to do it or else I might have been begging on the streets living off scraps. After a while I was finally caught by the authority. As I waited to be sent to prison someone visited me.

"Mr Kim Hyun-woo, is it? I am Sergeant Ian McColin nice to meet you."

The man in formal military uniform, held out his hand. I grab his hand and give him a firm handshake. I can feel sweat dripping from my forehead as this soldier began to take a seat in front of me.

"Hey relax this is not an interrogation. I'm not here to throw you in jail, I'm here to bail you out of your problems. Based on your answer of course."

"You want to help me?"

Sergeant Ian then took out a file from his bags as he opened it and began to read its contents.

"So... You were arrested for running a small scale scams and forgery. No history of violent crime, in fact we have no record of you anywhere in our database. So I can assume you are not a Federation citizen, illegally entering the Federation's borders, now desperate, unable to find any jobs and to survive resort to the life of crime. Am I correct?"

Since I don't want to tell him that I came from another world, I just nod to the soldier's assumption. Well about 90% of his story is true.

"Listen, I can help you clear your criminal records, I can also help you get your citizenship if you joined the military."

I look at this Sergeant McColin

As someone who was desperate at that time I quickly took the deal... Well that was a wrong decision.

***

"And now, here I am fighting on the Imperial front for my citizenship and a clear record."

"Wow I never expect that you live such a life Sarge."

I feel a bit better after telling my stories to Rio. Well I skipped the part where I came from another world but at least most of it is true. We then just continue our meals while the calm music playing in the background.

After filling my stomach with food both me and Rio head to the cinema for our movie.

[As a large Imperial army built up has been observed in Rostov Valley, thousands of refugees in Imran's Landing are nervous. The Federal army spokesperson in Artak V says that the Imperial army may be planning a large offensive in the area to cut off the Federation's supply lines from Costa Nuevo to Imran's Landing. He also stated that the citizens should remain calm as the Federal army had prepared for possible offensive.

On another note, the concerning development on the Eater Fronts has caused the Federations to redouble its efforts in containing the Swarms' menace. The President has reminded citizens near the Eaters Fronts to prepare for possible evacuations.

On the Galactic South rampant terrorists and separatists attacks have reached at an all time high. The Federal army spokesperson has said that they are planning to send a large relief force to support its colonies and various of its southern allies.]

We walk past an electronic shop and I inadvertently stop as the news comes in. I watched the news and once again it reminds me why the Immortal Empire still managed to survive even when they are smaller in terms of size and resources. The Federation multiple fronts war bogged down its resources making it hard to focus its full might on one enemy.

"Sarge!"

"Ah sorry I was just distracted for a moment."

I just realized that I have been standing in front of the shop a bit too long that I did not realize that Rio has been walking quite far from me. Rio then quickly closes our distance and grabs my hands. She then slowly pulled me along with her as she smiled brightly towards me.

"Come on let us continue our outing."

You know what, I better just enjoy this day instead of thinking hard about complicated geopolitics. It's not like I can solve anything. I'm just one of billions of soldiers fighting this war, my contributions are just a drop in the ocean. I better just focus on survival and finally safely retire from military service.

For the rest of the day I just spent it with Rio. We went to the cinema as planned and watched this war movie which is blatantly a propaganda movie, not the best but not that awful either.

We then go to the zoo located at the city center. Multiple animals that are definitely only native to this planet can be seen inside their own enclosure. Right now I am sitting on one of the benches as I watch children running around with their parents. Their innocent laughter makes you forget that there is war going on. Looking at them makes me miss my parents back home. Will I be able to see them again?

"Sarge~"

I turned my head and saw Rio running toward me with a cone of ice cream in her hand.

"I found an ice cream stall, let's eat them before we continue our tour."

Rio's bright smile brings life back into me. Sometimes when I look at Rio I always forget that she is not a human.

"Is there something on my face Sir?"

"Nope nothing."

Rio then proceed to moves the ice cream closer to my mouth.

"Here take a bite it's delicious."

Whenever I see Rio's bright smile, I always can feel that there still hope on the hopeless ba

ttlefield. I smile back toward her and take a bite on the cold ice cream. Ah, I have a brain freeze, shit.