“Esteemed guests, kindly follow the soldiers out of the stadium. We have an emergency underway and require everyone to temporarily exit the stadium until it is safe to return to your seats!”

  Anastasia could feel her heart beating faster as she held the microphone unsteadily. For the past thirty minutes, she repeated the public service announcement when her recruit informed her that a possible “accident” might occur due.

  The graduation ceremony was well underway, with only sixty batches joining the marching contingent. She knew time was running out, as sweat trickled down her temple, for the incident Kairos informed her carried heavy repercussions if it was true. Nonetheless, he trusted her and that was all that mattered. Also, she had only received permission moments ago to execute the evacuation from the highest-ranking officer available, Brigadier General Alexander Temporean. The sheer pressure of determining the livelihoods of those believing in her should have caused her to stumble and fall. However, she found it within herself to hold on tightly to her resolve.

  “No, I can’t. He needs me to be strong. I need to be strong for everyone.” Silently observing the evacuation process, she muttered. “Come on, quickly. We don’t have that much time left.”

  “Master Sergeant, may I–”

  “Kindly refrain from stepping too close.”

  The big, burly, intense gaze from a battle-hardened veteran caused Anastasia to shudder at her feet. Instead of stepping forward, she found herself stumbling backwards. The Master Sergeant, who stood at least a head taller than her, curled his lips, carrying an indignant expression symbolising his disdain for inexperienced junior officers.

  “Please maintain a distance from–”

  Before the Master Sergeant could complete his sentence, a calm voice quelled the tension.

  “Allow her to pass through.”

  “Sir.” The Master Sergeant swiftly stepped aside and placed his hands behind his back, permitting the junior officer to approach the General.

  She still could not believe she had broken the chain of command by entering the private box above the stands. She recalled the conversation with Kairos minutes ago, where he seemed agitated, not because he had to share a roof with other graduating recruits in the lower halls but because he had the omniscient ability to predict sequential probabilities before they happened.

  Just like that, today, which was supposed to be a celebratory occasion for her recruits, had the vibes and innings of an unfolding nightmare.

  *

  “Come here with me.”

  With a firm grasp on her wrist guiding her toward somewhere they could have some much-needed privacy, she whispered into his ear after they were alone. “Kairos, what’s the matter?”

  His sapphire eyes sparkled with intent. “Something is about to go down.”

  There was more to it. Anastasia felt Kairos holding back his words. “Just speak whatever’s on your mind”

  Kairos blinked rapidly, bearing his vulnerability for Anastasia to see. “I have a weird feeling. Don’t bother–”

  “Tell me about it.”

  Anastasia watched Kairos attempt to find the words to say, knowing he often placed her well-being above everyone else. Instinctively, she touched his hands and the soft touch made him feel at ease. She had to remind him of the promise they made to one another.

  “Don’t forget about it.”

  “With my life.” Kairos’s blank expression was still impossible for anyone to get a read on. “I got a question for you.”

  Anastasia slumped her shoulders. “I don’t know what’s on your mind most of the time.”

  …All she got in response was Kairos staring blankly at her. His unblinking face made things feel…awkward at times.

  “Fine. Shoot.”

  “Have you received any messages as of late?”

  “Let me check, hold on.”

  Anastasia took out her phone, noticing it had no signal. She then took out the walkie-talkie and saw no connection established–an ominous sign since this device had a separate network from the mainline.

  “I don’t think this is a big deal–”

  “No, ma’am, this is a big deal. Who controls our infrastructure?”

  She knew Kairos would never lie about anything, given his serious tonality.

  “Recruit Black, explain yourself.”

  “Ma’am, you don’t have to call me by that awful surname.”

  “Oh?” Anastasia defaulted to her naturally playful demeanour and stepped forward, whispering into Kairos’s ears. Her scented perfume and the smell of her silky hair reached deep into his heightened sense of smell, causing his ascended-like primal senses to stir at attention. “I thought when you called me ‘ma’am’, you weren’t playing around anymore.” She began purring, teasing him like a cat.

  There it was. Finally a chink in his impenetrable mental barrier.

  “...Can you stop with that? There are people around here, you know.”

  “Ha, I thought you liked it when I did this in the cabin.”

  Kairos struggled to maintain his blank expression when the steamy memories of their scandalous affair started flushing in. “There are people around us.”

  She blew a small puff into Kairos’s ear before backing off.

  “I’m just having fun with you.”

  “Now is not the time for this, Ana.”

  “Fine, alright,” Anastasia stepped back, switching her persona to represent herself appropriately as her recruit’s commander. “What is this ‘feeling’ you have?”

  “In history,” Kairos steadied himself, for he knew history didn’t repeat, but it sure did rhyme, “When communication lines get cut off, bad things happen.”

  “...What? That’s it?”

  Anastasia’s clear-blue eyes, from her Tundraland lineage, widened in shock. She looked into Kairos’s sapphire-blue eyes to form an unbreakable connection. A part of her did not know if his analysis based on a historical trend carried weight. She then recalled a tactical lesson taught by her father on disrupting communications and how warfare has evolved.

  “...Wait a minute, do you think?”

  “Whatever you think might happen, may happen. This is merely a hypothesis.”

  “It’s your gut feeling, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then…”

  Anastasia touched Kairos on his right shoulder, giving him the green light to share his thoughts.

  “...Say it.”

  “There might be a possible terrorist attack. I don’t have any further evidence apart from knowing the majority of senior officials have suddenly pulled out of attending this graduation ceremony.“

  “How did you know about that?” Anastasia asked softly. This information was supposed to be classified.

  “But that’s the thing…”

  Kairos paused for a second.

  “...Sounds impossible, right?”

  “...A terrorist attack? Here? Of all places? When there are civilians here, too?!”

  Anastasia found it hard to believe this thought process, but considering it came from Kairos, she had to trust him.

  “I think,” Kairos knew his words had a treasonous vibe that leaned toward fantasy, but he trusted Anastasia–both as a person and a commander–enough to tell her. “I’m not going to say it. You know it. However, I don’t know why they would do such a thing.”

  Anastasia closed her eyes to think. She desperately wanted to ridicule him, but deep within her heart, she trusted this man. No matter how ridiculous or full of derision his analysis sounded, every inch of her soul believed in the pureness of his heart. She trusted. No, she absolutely believed in him.

  “This is no laughing matter. You’re telling me the mastermind has ordered this terrorist attack, specifically picking this location where civilians and graduating soldiers are involved?!”

  Kairos slowly turned to face the holding room’s exit. Closing his eyes, he made a silent prayer to the heavens. If only the gods had eyes. If only they could put a stop to this madness. If only–

  “We’re too late but we can try.”

  Anastasia could not control herself as she instinctively held his hands together. Even with her touch, she could not understand the burden he carried. No matter what she tried, she could not reach him beyond the mental shields he put up. All his silent thoughts. The anguish he harboured. And the burden of being this strong. It seemed like he always had a sword of Damocles hanging over his head. At any moment, that thing could fall and eradicate his existence. She remembered a tale from her youth about a cursed blade only meant to exist on the battlefield. Coincidentally, his existence reminded her of it.

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  “You believe this with every fibre of your soul?”

  “Yes–”

  “Say nothing more.”

  Before Kairos could finish his sentence, Anastasia released their interlocking hands and returned to Batch 77. She squatted down and whispered into the ears of her recruit, who immediately passed the message down the line.

  “What are you doing?”

  Kairos watched as his batchmates readied to move out within seconds after putting on their ILBVs and helmets.

  “What–where are we going?!”

  “Yo, Kairos. Ma’am said we gonn’ draw some weapons now.”

  “Hold on–”

  Anastasia took out her light-green beret, dusting it off as she made a scowl, disliking having her long blonde hair stuffed inside whenever she wore it.

  “Batch 77, we are going to draw arms!”

  “““Yes, ma’am!”””

  Kairos watched in astonishment as his batchmates began to move out while the other soldiers turned to look in awe at them, with some thinking they had gone loco, based on their expressions.

  “Hey, bro, get your stuff on!”

  Without wasting another moment, Kairos grabbed his ILBV and put it on, running forward to catch up with Batch 77.

  “I was right.”

  Kairos looked at the list handed over by the Armskote IC and immediately pulled Anastasia closer to him.

  “I don’t like the feeling of this. If people find out, it’ll be bad news.”

  The name that signed off that list. The fulfilment of the extra ammunition and logistics for this ceremony. Everything had an ominous vibe to it.

  “Yes, I know how you feel, don’t say it,” Kairos placed his hand on her lower back to soothe her after checking to see his sworn brothers were preoccupied with drawing their weapons first, “Don’t say anything. Just trust me, ok?”

  Anastasia lowered her gaze as she felt an odd sensation that her man would meet a tragic fate today.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing–’

  “Nothing will happen to me. That’s a promise.”

  “However…”

  Anastasia looked endearingly at him when she noticed him struggling to find the words.

  “...Before we execute this mission, we need to seek permission from my uncle.”

  “...Your u-uncle?!?!” The thought of approaching the Air Force’s top officer made her shudder in terror.

  “Yes, he’s here to watch me graduate. I can’t meet him publicly, as that’s part of the agreement. A lowly recruit like myself would never pass through his security. However, it’ll be different when it’s you.” Kairos pointed at Anastasia’s rank insignia. “I trust you will seek permission.”

  “But that means…”

  “Only you can do it.”

  “...That means I’m breaking the chain of command if I do that. Am I not supposed to find the Security Officer–”

  “Whoever planned this probably has their people stationed to ensure it happens.”

  There was no denying his accurate analysis. Anastasia lifted her head and breathed slowly.

  “You know it.”

  Anastasia slapped her face for a much-needed boost of confidence. “I’ll go find him. Batch 77 will wait for me outside the private box after we ascend the staircase. I’ll meet your uncle alone after drawing arms.”

  “It’s you.”

  “Huh–” Anastasia saw Kairos shiver as he stared at the wall. She knew something else was bothering him. It was an invisible force that could elicit such a response from him.

  “Hold on, before we go.” Kairos pulled her in close as his batchmates were preoccupied inspecting their rifles.

  After their brief intimate moment, Anastasia touched her lips where she could still feel his gentle imprint. She smiled adoringly at Kairos, internalising her man’s trust in her to lead.

  *

  “Young officer of Ravens Camp, take a seat.” Alexander gestured for the junior officer to take a seat beside him.

  Anastasia blinked rapidly as she couldn’t believe she was standing before the Air Force’s highest-ranking officer. His thick, immense aura exuded authority, something Kairos faintly had, which paled to the General’s much more complex one.

  “Sir, I am Second Lieutenant Anastasia Nicola, Platoon Commander of Raven’s Camp Batch 77.”

  Alexander waved his hand at the armed entourage to leave him, giving him and his guest privacy in their conversation. After the last soldier left the room, he smiled faintly before speaking. “Noted, what brings you here?”

  The immense pressure from his gaze petrified Anastasia where she stood. The intensity of the gaze reminded her of Kairos’s when they first met at Ravens Camp.

  “...Is something the matter?”

  She wasn’t sure if the General was laughing at her flustered face or something else.

  “...S-sir?”

  Alexander shook his head, glad he told his entourage to leave them alone. He couldn’t imagine the young Nicola embarrassing herself in front of his subordinates.

  “Let’s get to business. Lieutenant Nicola. Don’t just stand there, take a seat.”

  “Yes, sir!”

  After the junior officer sat uncomfortably beside him, Alexander resumed his inquiry. “What brings you here?”

  “Sir, I would like permission to evacuate the civilians from the venue.”

  A long silent pause ensued, where the sounds from the stands started to penetrate the box’s semi-soundproof walls. Alexander raised his eyebrows at the pale-skinned female officer sitting beside him, for he thought he had heard her say something ridiculous.

  “...Can you repeat yourself?”

  “Sir, I would like permission to evacuate the civilians from the venue.”

  “I guess age is catching up with me for I thought I heard wrongly,” Alexander crossed his legs, “Under what grounds, if you would indulge me with the details?”

  “Yes, sir. I was advised by–”

  “You can easily find the Security Officer for this matter. I believe this request is a little beneath my pay grade.” Alexander interrupted. “Back to it, who advised you?

  “I have a recruit that goes by Recruit Kairos Black–” At the mention of Kairos, she noticed the General giving her his fullest attention. “–Has advised me to seek your guidance.”

  Alexander stared deep into the young Nicola’s soul, leading her to continue.

  “Sir, Recruit Black has told me not to look for the Security Officer. His worst fears…” Noticing the General’s expression changing upon hearing his nephew’s alias earlier, she saw it as a green light to tread on. “...The Security Officer might be compromised.”

  Alexander folded his arms, intrigued by his nephew’s spectacular foresight.

  “Interesting hypothesis. For a recruit to make such an analysis at such a young age, is truly interesting and intriguing.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Indeed, he is. I suppose he told you to seek permission from me? And only…me?”

  Anastasia nodded slowly.

  Alexander knew his nephew had his reasons for something this outlandish. There must be a reason for this call–he knew he couldn’t allow the stadium to have their civilians evacuate for no apparent reason. Unless…

  …His nephew had sensed something else.

  “I have a question to ask before I approve anything. Regarding this thing Recruit Black wants to execute. What is his rationale?”

  “Sir, he suspects there is a potential terrorist attack. He cited historical analysis…”

  Unbeknownst to his guest, what she deemed a conversation was an entirely different perspective for him.

  Alexander observed the junior officer’s speech patterns by slowing down her movements. Since she began talking, he had rendered her movements to half their speed, allowing him to read every micro action she made–body twitch and facial expressions–to make his final judgment. So far, the officer’s words correlated with her body’s movements. He knew she wasn’t lying and was not trying too hard to convince him of his nephew’s judgment.

  “...And that’s all I have to report, sir.”

  “You haven't answered my question…What was Recruit’s Black rationale?”

  “Sir, Recruit Black mentioned the communication lines have stopped working. Also, additional supplies were procured and fulfilled for this ceremony, exceeding the number of active graduating soldiers and commanders accounted for.”

  It clicked with him for their sudden absence and the need for compartmentalisation. “I believe you said ‘additional supplies’? Where? Please indulge me.”

  “In the armskote room. Also on the way toward there.”

  Alexander reached for a phone in his trousers and read through the messages.

  “What’s that, sir?”

  Unlike the phones with massive screens used by most citizens, this cell phone device had buttons instead, puzzling Anastasia about its functionality.

  “A toy for someone on my level.” Suddenly, as swift as a marksman firing at its prey, Alexander gave his acknowledgement. “I approve of your request.”

  “...Ok, sir–what wait?! You approved it?!”

  “Lieutenant Nicola, is there a problem?”

  “...No, sir! It was so sudden!”

  Alexander put down his phone, for the messages he received had changed everything.

  “Also, I have orders for you.”

  “Yes, sir!”

  “I want you to lead the soldiers in escorting the civilians and female recruits out of here as soon as possible.”

  “...Why the female recruits–”

  “The number one lesson as a soldier is to carry out orders from above. Save your questions for later. I believe you were taught this in the officer’s cadet course.”

  “Yes, sir! Thank you for permitting us!”

  “After that, we shall regroup at the field.”

  Anastasia widened her eyes in shock. She thought she had heard something Generals would never do.

  “Sir, you will be joining us on the frontlines?”

  “Why do you sound surprised?”

  “I thought soldiers with your rank do not participate in combat.”

  “That’s usually the case. However, I’m built differently. I have a question for you, will that be a problem?”

  “Erm, no, sir. On the contrary, I respect that a lot!”

  “Do you think because of my age…I’m not fit for combat anymore?”

  Anastasia shook her head. For his age (and maybe because of his genes), the General looked half his age with those bulging muscles and defined forearms.

  “Ok, then carry on.”

  “Yes, sir!”

  Anastasia saluted General Temporean before dashing out of the door. There wasn’t time to waste, for the ceremony’s start time was close to starting in a few moments. As she hastily opened the door, she heard the General call out to her again.

  “Before you go, tell Recruit Black this.”

  Alexander paused for a moment before shaking his head. “Never mind, I’ll tell him in person.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  As the young Nicola rushed out of the door, Alexander shook his glass of ice-cold spring water, eyeing the ice cube with intense scrutiny, wondering if the messages on his blueberry phone, a device only officers his rank possessed, had received a vote vetoing the need for using it.

  “...You know they would strike back, won’t you?”

  Cursing under his breath, he knew there was no turning back. He had to pick a side once the curtain fell, marking the escalation of a conflict that had thousands of years in the making.