2 Days Ago…

  'Prelude to War'

  3rd Lt. Sevilay ''Shahrbanu'' Harrison

  Confederation of Yollka Allied Sky Force

  Inside a bustling military airbase, human officers walked and talked in the corridors, their footsteps echoing off the sterile, white walls. Sitting on a waiting bench in the corridor was a 22-year-old female pilot, her nerves evident in every movement. She repeatedly bounced her leg, the restless motion betraying her stress. Her fingers drummed lightly against the bench, a silent cadence to her mounting anxiety.

  Her brown eyes flicked to the clock on the wall, watching as the seconds ticked away, each one dragging her closer to 18 o'clock. She sighed, looking away, trying to distract herself from the impending moment. The walls bore cheerful decorations, with a banner proclaiming 'Welcome 100,000!' and another stating 'Happy New Year!'

  The seconds slipped by, and finally, the clock showed exactly 18 o'clock. At that precise moment, the door of the briefing room swung open, and a junior officer stepped out, his expression neutral yet professional.

  "Shahrbanu."

  She didn't hear him, as she was rubbing her left eye.

  ''Shahrbanu!'' The officer said again.

  She straightened up immediately, her heart racing. "Yes."

  "Please come in."

  Stepping into the briefing room, the young pilot found herself facing a long black rectangular table. Chairs were arranged along both lengths of the table, with another chair placed at one end, opposite a large screen. The room was filled with the quiet hum of conversation, which ceased as she entered.

  She glanced at the officers seated at the table, her eyes tracing the insignia on their shoulder epaulettes. Each one bore higher ranks than hers—two captains, a major, and even a second brigadier general standing by the screen. The junior officer who had called her inside, left by the order of the general officer. Now the young pilot was left with four people in the briefing room. There wasn't a single lieutenant among them, let alone a third lieutenant like herself. She felt a mix of awe and anxiety as she realized the weight of the company she was keeping.

  Her gaze drifted around the room, taking in the details—the stern faces, the crisp uniforms, the air of authority that filled the space. She was momentarily distracted by the magnitude of the situation, her mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.

  "Third Lieutenant..." the general officer called.

  She didn't reply. She was still looking around, unaware that he was calling her.

  "Third Lieutenant Shahrbanu!" he called again, this time with more emphasis.

  Shahrbanu quickly turned to face the general and snapped to attention, saluting crisply. "Yes, sir!"

  He nodded slightly. "Take a seat."

  She moved to the end of the table and began to pull out the chair. Just as she was about to sit down, the commander's voice cut through the room.

  "No. That's the lieutenant colonel's place."

  "Oh... Sorry, sir. I just thought... Okay, where's my place?" she stammered, feeling a flush of embarrassment.

  The brigadier sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. A female pilot, the major, gestured to an empty seat. "Over there."

  Shahrbanu nodded, quickly moving to the indicated chair and sitting down next to a male pilot with glasses, a captain. He greeted her with saying a warm welcome. She thanked. The brigadier looked around the room.

  "Alright?"

  "Yeah," everyone responded in unison.

  "Where is Adder?" the general officer asked, his tone slightly impatient.

  The major replied, "Sir, he said he's coming."

  Shahrbanu rubbed her left eye again.

  Suddenly, the door opened, and a male pilot in his mid-30s strolled into the briefing room, casually munching on a chocolate wafer.

  "Evening, sir," he said nonchalantly, heading straight for his seat. The commander, however, stopped him in his tracks.

  "Evening, sir? Who do I look like, Adder? Your teacher?!"

  "I'm sorry, sir, okay? There..."

  Adder slowly snapped to attention and saluted. The general stepped closer, peering into Adder's eyes.

  "Have you been drinking?"

  "No, sir."

  The commander's gaze shifted to the wafer in Adder's hand.

  "Give me that."

  "No. I paid for this."

  "I said give me that!"

  Adder shrugged and bit the last remaining piece of the wafer, then handed the empty wrapper to the general officer. The brigadier's face reddened with anger as he whispered furiously,

  "Go sit down!"

  "Sir," Adder replied sarcastically before sauntering to his seat.

  Shahrbanu asked the captain:

  ‘’Who’s that?’’

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  The captain whispered:

  ‘’He’s our squadron leader. Call sign, Adder.’’

  ‘’Oh.’’

  Adder took a look at the room. A new face caught his eye. He looked at Shahrbanu’s shoulder epaulette and smirked.

  "Oh, great. A lieutenant. Besides, a third one!"

  The major chimed in, her tone light but pointed.

  "Yeah. She even tried to sit at your place."

  Adder raised an eyebrow. "Did she?"

  Shahrbanu wasn't paying attention to the conversation at first. She was busy rubbing her eye again. But upon the realization of her being the center of attention, she quickly spoke up, her voice a mix of embarrassment and defense.

  "No. I just thought the order of the sitting was-"

  The commander's voice cut through the room, sharp and commanding.

  "Enough!"

  A heavy silence settled over the room. Second Brigadier General Sauvage took a deep breath before continuing.

  "Okay. Now since everyone is here, shall we begin?"

  "Yes," Adder replied, his tone almost flippant.

  "First of all, I congratulate your new year. I am Second Brigadier General Sauvage."

  Adder interrupted, his impatience evident. "We know who you are. Just tell us our mission so we can go. I'm out of wafer."

  "Adder!!" The brigadier's tone was one of warning.

  "Okay..." Adder muttered.

  Sauvage pointed at Shahrbanu, his expression serious.

  "Anyways. Today we have a new pilot officer joining the brigade. Third Lieutenant Sevilay Harrison. Her call sign is ''Shahrbanu''. She is the top graduate of her country's Air Force Academy. Now she will serve for the Continent. Shahrbanu, allow me to introduce your new group... Allied Sky Force 707th Strike Coordination and Reconnaissance Squadron. Named, 'Ekrezhdon'. Look carefully at your comrades. Most of them are ex-fighter pilots."

  Shahrbanu scanned the room, her eyes falling on the other pilots. The captain beside her had his elbow on the table, his head resting on his hand as he stared at Shahrbanu with an intense, almost curious look. When Shahrbanu’s gaze met his, he quickly shifted his eyes to another place, avoiding her. The other captain was snoozing. Adder and the female major were winking at each other and speaking in inaudible way.

  The general officer continued, "Don't let their some... specific behaviors fool you. They are the best our brigade has to offer."

  Turning back to Shahrbanu, he said, "From now on, your role in the squadron is 'Ekrezhdon Five'. You will do exactly as you are told by your superiors. Clear?"

  "Yes, sir!" Shahrbanu responded with determination.

  "Good."

  He then addressed the whole room, "Everyone listen up! Upon the request of the locals, The Confederation has ordered Allied Armed Forces to send regiments of Ground, Ocean, and Sky Units to the northern territories, where a new anarchist movement has emerged, spearheaded by a cultist group. Their damaging and divisive ideology is spreading quickly. If not dealt with promptly, they will cause serious problems in the region, blah blah blah..."

  Shahrbanu raised her hand, her voice tentative. "I have a question."

  Commander Sauvage glanced at her, his tone sharp. "Did I ask you if you had one?"

  Shahrbanu’s face fell, and she quickly lowered her hand. The brigadier continued, his voice commanding.

  "The strategic airlifters will depart at 20:30. The end. Dismissed. Move your asses!" he barked, as if shooing a flock of chickens.

  All the pilots stood up. The captain sitting next to Shahrbanu leaned in, his eyes gleaming with interest as he whispered, "See ya outside..."

  Shahrbanu noticed her bootlace was loose. She quickly kneeled to re-tie it while the captain and other pilots walked towards the exit. From the back of the room, Sauvage's authoritative voice rang out,

  "Lieutenant Colonel..."

  Adder stopped and turned around, a slight smirk playing on his lips. The general officer's eyes narrowed as he said, "Meet me in my office in 10 minutes."

  Without a word, Adder's smirk faded, and he left. Shahrbanu hurriedly tied her bootlace, her fingers fumbling with the laces as a sense of FOMO gnawed at her. She didn't want to be left behind, especially in a room with someone she was uncomfortable with. After securing her bootlace, Shahrbanu stood up and started towards the door. Just as she was about to leave, Commander Sauvage's voice stopped her in her tracks.

  "Third Lieutenant..."

  Shahrbanu’s heart raced as she stammered, "Y-yes sir."

  "Come closer," the general ordered, his tone firm but not unkind.

  Shahrbanu panicked internally, but she maintained her composure, anxiously approaching the commander. The general officer gestured for her to come closer, stopping her just a meter away. Shahrbanu stood where Sauvage wanted her to, her nerves on edge. He looked directly into her eyes, his gaze scrutinizing. Her right eye was normal, while her left eye was slightly red.

  Commander Sauvage's eyes narrowed slightly. "Hm. Your eye is red."

  Shahrbanu’s voice wavered, trying to sound composed. "Y-yes sir. Maybe I have rubbed it too much, sir."

  The general's expression softened. He extended his hand to Shahrbanu, his voice unexpectedly kind. "Welcome to the 66th Air Brigade, Third Lieutenant."

  Shahrbanu stared at the commander’s hand for a moment, then quickly shook it. "Oh- Yes, yes sir, thank you. I won't let you down."

  The general officer's tone turned stern once more. "Not me. The Confederation."

  Shahrbanu nodded quickly. "Got it."

  She saluted, then left upon Sauvage's permission. Outside the room, the captain was waiting, his posture relaxed.

  Shahrbanu closed the door, then asked, "You were waiting for me?"

  The captain's gaze was steady, and he replied, "Actually, yes."

  "What is it?" Shahrbanu asked, curiosity piqued.

  Then realization dawned on her, and she remembered the hierarchy. "Oh! I completely forgot... Sir."

  The captain chuckled softly, his tone friendly. "Be comfortable, please. I will not play the superior-inferior game with you."

  Shahrbanu nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "I understand."

  The captain looked at Shahrbanu’s eye with concern. "Are you okay? Your eye is red."

  Shahrbanu blinked rapidly. "Oh, don't mind it. It's spring allergens, I think."

  ‘’Okay,’’ the captain nodded. ‘’I’m íntegro. I saw how the others treated you. Maybe we can be friends? I will watch your back on the ground and in the air."

  Shahrbanu smiled slightly. "Thank you, captain."

  As they were talking in the corridor, the female major brushed past Shahrbanu, intentionally bumping to her. "Oh, sorry," she said, then continued on her way. íntegro turned back to Shahrbanu.

  "Don't worry. They already like you."

  Shahrbanu furrowed her brow. "What can you tell me about her? Is she an ex-fighter pilot too?"

  "No," íntegro replied. ‘’Her call sign is Blaze. She used to fly a hypersonic bomber.’’

  "Hypersonic bomber?" Shahrbanu echoed, surprised.

  "Yup. Men of her family lineage had been bomber pilots for six generations. Each generation had only one child. Now it's her turn to follow their path.''

  He leaned forward and said in low tone:

  ''You're no stranger now. Rumor has it that her great grandfather was the one flying the infamous bomber, which dropped the atomic bomb on Aigroya Town decades ago."

  "My town..." Shahrbanu’s voice trailed off, her eyes widening.

  "I'm sorry. I didn't know," íntegro said softly. "But don't let this affect your relationship. Remember, we're all on the same side here, and of course she's a major. Which means—"

  He stopped talking and tapped under his eye twice, signaling to Shahrbanu that something was not normal with her eye.

  Shahrbanu touched her left eye and felt it was wet. She blinked several times and said, "Excuse me. I need to go."

  "Okay. Don't forget. We'll depart soon."

  "Got it."

  Shahrbanu left, walking down the corridor with a hurried pace, her hand harshly rubbing her left eye in frustration. She made her way to the bathroom, glancing around to ensure no one noticed her discomfort.

  Entering the bathroom, she quickly moved to stand in front of the mirror. "Damn it..." she whispered under her breath. She glanced around the bathroom, making sure she was alone —or so she thought— before washing her fingertips thoroughly. With a nervous glance at the door, she approached her index finger to her left eye and carefully removed the brown contact lens, revealing her natural blue eye. Bending over the sink, she rinsed her eye with water.

  Just as she finished, she heard a noise. Shahrbanu immediately straightened up and looked toward the toilet stalls' doors, her heart pounding. Convinced she was still alone, she took out a contact lens case from her pocket and opened it. She carefully took out another brown lens and placed it on her left eye. After ensuring it was securely in place, she closed the case and put it back in her pocket.

  Shahrbanu moved to a small litter bin by the exit door, her back turned to one of the stalls. Unbeknownst to her, the door of the stall opened slightly, and someone observed her discreetly disposing of the old lens in the bin. Without looking back, Shahrbanu left the bathroom.

  As the door swung shut behind her, the person who had been spying on her, stepped out of the stall and walked over to the litter bin. She opened it by pressing her foot on its pedal and looked in it. By seeing what there was inside, she smiled. She was Blaze, the major...