Lilya: They wanted to send rookies into the war zone to get some hands-on experience. I signed up and proved myself better than most, so they let me go.
Lilya: I was part of the third group.
Lilya: When? Saturday, probably. I don't remember. Anyway, it was around noon when we got off the plane.
Lilya: The sun, the sizzling sand, and a bunch of rookies. Ah, Juhalerat sure knew how to give us a warm welcome.
Lilya: Before we took off, some of the recruits saw black coffins being unloaded off a plane. They started to panic.
Lilya: When they found out that the coffins held the remains of the previous group of rookies, even more chickened out.
Lilya: In the end, I was the only one who flew to Juhalerat, carrying the experimental equipment that the others were supposed to handle.
Lilya: I guess the instructor wanted to use me to test their new toys out in the field.
Lilya: Those fist-sized boom bombs, packed with volatile Efreetine, could turn a giant boulder into a pile of confetti.
Lilya: It was probably because I can fly that they dared to trust me with those things.
Lilya: And then there was this tiny radar, modified from the Type 76 experimental bug, which picked up preset channels. It was Zeno's latest masterpiece.
Lilya: I was excited at first, thinking I was gonna do something big there.
Lilya: Maybe snag a few shiny medals to show off to the wimps back at the academy.
Lilya: You know, because only the toughest soldiers deserve to be sent to the front lines.
Lilya: Juhalerat was a dump of a city. I got off the plane and then onto a truck.
Lilya: I thought it'd be all dirt and grime, like the mud caked on their truck tires.
Lilya: Turned out, there were more trees than I'd thought.
Lilya: The mountains outside the city shone with a pale white glow, like shrapnel glinting in the sun.
Lilya: "The mighty Hindu Kush, where even eagles dare not fly." So exclaimed the instructor before we left.
Lilya: I still remember the silence in the truck, everyone keeping their mouths shut. I figured it was 'cause of the dust on the road.
Lilya: Soon enough, the truck stopped, the driver cursing and honking at us to get off.
Lilya: And then there we stood, like a bunch of imbeciles, dazed and confused under the scorching sun of Juhalerat.
Lilya: Seriously? Is no one coming to pick us up? Did they just throw us off the truck and leave us here?
Lilya: Hello? Comrade? Shouldn't someone be coming to take us to the base?
Lilya: Hey, comrade. Do you know the way? Here, the way to here.
Lilya: I chatted with a few people and showed them the map in my pocket, but nobody seemed to care.
Lilya: They looked at me as if I were a rabbit, but when's the last time you saw a rabbit with the talons of a hawk?
Lilya: Well, I guess our local comrades must've been busy. How could they spare someone to pick us up when they were at war?
Lilya: Or maybe they just forgot about us. Anyway, I kept waiting and waiting, for the longest, longest time ...
Lilya: For ten freaking minutes! When the blistering sun finally got to me, I decided I wasn't going to stand around like an idiot any longer!
Lilya: Alright, guess this is where we part ways, comrades. Good luck! Всего хорошего!
Lilya: I had a letter and a map in my pocket, though all soaked from my leaky bottle. But that was okay, they were still readable.
Lilya: I followed the map aimlessly around the city, feeling like I was going in circles.
Lilya: Until a kind local recognized my uniform and stopped me in the street.
Kind Local: You are from Zeno, yes? Welcome, friend!
Kind Local: Are you going to the base? It's not far ahead. Just go straight for 120 steps, turn into the alley with the red wall, and continue for another 210 steps.
Kind Local: Then turn right and come to an intersection with two sacred figs. Turn right again and you will find Farouk's tea shop. Go down the steps next to the shop, then turn left and walk fifty steps ...
Lilya: He was like an enthusiastic tour guide, giving me all the details.
Kind Local: Be careful in the narrow alley and don't trip over the melons on the ground stall, or you'll be an easy target for the old man who'll try to swindle you of everything you have!
Kind Local: When you smell fried chickpeas, follow the aroma. Oh, and maybe buy some while you're there, help out her business? They're tasty!
Kind Local: And finally, when you see a couple of guys crouching by a courtyard wall, that's the base!
Lilya: But it's nothing like that on the map.
Kind Local: Juhalerat changes every day, my friend. It's better to trust me than to trust your map.
Lilya: So I took a leap of faith. I trusted the guy.
Lilya: Truth be told, the place was pretty shabby. They were houses taken over from civilians, mostly.
Lilya: A perimeter wall, two courtyards, a few rows of converted barracks, and one "office."
Lilya: Several men squatted outside the wall, killing time and eyeing me as I walked in.
Lilya: The guard on duty was dozing off in the shade, rifle on his lap.
Lilya: Wake up. You're on watch.
Lilya: I nudged the slacker with my boot. He gave me a stink eye in return and went right back to sleep.
Soldier: Don't start any trouble, little girl. Go play somewhere else.
Lilya: I'm here for Bertolt.
Lilya: Hearing Bertolt's name, he squinted and stretched out a finger, pointing into the courtyard.
Soldier: Third house from the left, he's in there. Go ahead.
Lilya: But before I could find Bertolt, he found me first.
A uniformed gentleman emerges from the house and catches sight of the young recruit.
The unfamiliar recruit runs up to the officer, handing over a letter. The piece of yellow paper is now dried out by the heat of Juhalerat's sun.
Bertolt: You new here?
Bertolt: A Zeno Air Force Reserve cadet. Hmm, good. A little falcon chick.
Bertolt: Think you can fly over the Hindu Kush? We've had many great pilots take on the mountains, but not all have made it back.
Bertolt: Be very careful. The mountain folk here have been hunting fierce beasts and birds for thousands of years, including eagles and falcons alike.
Lilya: Compared to the careless, unreliable nature of this place, Bertolt seemed to be the most dependable soldier around.
Bertolt: It's too bad you came at a bad time. I'm about to go on a mission, no time to take you under my wing, I'm afraid.
Bertolt: No one can guarantee their own safe return from the next mission, rookie. You should prepare yourself for any outcome.
The girl's interest ignites.
Lilya: A mission? Then I've come at the right time. Sir, I'm here to fight, so take me with you!
Bertolt: You want to come along?
Lilya: Why else would I be here? To kick rocks, shoot targets, and shuffle files all day?
Bertolt: Hah. For the menial tasks, you can leave them to the others. Just holler at the gate and you'll have more help than you know what to do with.
Bertolt: If you want to come, come. By the way, tell me, little falcon, what does loyalty mean to you?
Lilya: Not afraid of dying for a cause.
Bertolt: Right you are, but on the battlefield, "loyalty" is much more complicated than that.
Bertolt: As for sacrifice ... Sacrifice is loyalty, and loyalty is sacrifice. Let's go with that. Come, little friend, I've gathered everyone. Let's go meet them.
A dozen soldiers are waiting in another part of the courtyard. Bertolt walks up to them with Lilya.
He starts a head count, only to find that one person is missing.
Bertolt: Where's Hassan?!
Young Man: He said he was heading out to buy tea half an hour ago.
Bertolt: Did he seriously expect us to tolerate his frequent tea breaks that waste our time?
Just as the words leave his mouth, a robed man hurries over from the opposite side of the courtyard.
Hassan: I'm here, boss! Hassan's here!
Lilya: The tardy soldier, Hassan, turned out to be the same guy who showed me the way to the base.
Young Man: It was your turn to stand guard today, Comrade Hassan.
Hassan: Me? Yes, it was my turn, but Abu said he'd cover for me. And isn't he doing a wonderful job standing guard over there? No need to worry, brother Aleksei!
Aleksei: When it's your turn, it's your turn! Those are the rules!
Bertolt: Enough. Time is ticking. Aleksei, get the first aid kit ready. The rest of you, grab your gear. The truck will be here in five minutes.
Lilya: Time had its own rhythm in Juhalerat. Waiting for five minutes there was more like waiting for fifteen.
Lilya: Fifteen minutes minimum.
Hassan: And what should I do, boss?
Bertolt: Get acquainted with our new friend and keep her safe until the mission is over.
Lilya: Scram. I don't need no babysitter.
Hassan: Wow, boss, look at her! She's a fierce little thing. Ha!
Hassan: When my sister was her age, she didn't even dare to talk to people while herding sheep up in the mountains. Hahaha!
Aleksei: Show a little more respect for our comrade, Hassan.
Aleksei: Hey there, what's your name?
Bertolt: Her name is Lilya. She's from the academy, just like you.
Aleksei: That's fantastic news! I actually just graduated from there. Did you apply for the base yourself?
Lilya: Kind of. I beat a lot of people, so they let me come here.
Aleksei: Uh, I'm not sure what that means. I can't imagine what you've gone through to get here, but you must have some serious skills.
Hassan: Oh, she's a "tough cookie," Aleksei, that's what they say nowadays!
The robed man seems quite friendly to Aleksei. Or perhaps he's just "friendly" to everyone.
Hassan: Some say that brother Aleksei looks scary, but don't worry, he's actually a good man, haha!
Hassan: He hands out candy and plays ball with the kids, smiles at everyone, speaks kindly, and even pays the locals a fair price with real money.
Aleksei: Outsiders have done too many terrible things in this place. The people resent us.
Aleksei: It should not be like this, it should not be ... We were supposed to be here to help them defend their homes, to help them build their city.
Aleksei: War makes good men better and bad men worse. Some of our comrades, and I'm ashamed to call them comrades, are downright criminals.
Hassan: It's always been like that, war. Always like that.
Aleksei: Those thugs all deserve to be shot!
After their brief spat, Aleksei turns his attention back to Lilya with a warm and attentive gaze.
Aleksei: I ... may have said too much. Let's save the rest for later, young comrade, when we're on the road and can get to know each other better. I'll see you soon.
Hassan: If he had lived 500 years ago, he would've been the most devout ascetic of his time. Don't you agree, friend?
Lilya: He totally would have.
Aleksei hurries to the house while the others keep busy at camp, waiting for the borrowed truck from their allies.
The commander pulls the eager little falcon aside for a private word.
Lilya: What's the plan, sir?
Bertolt: Lilya, let's talk about courage. It is a great virtue, and I have no doubt about your own courage.
Bertolt: But there is no need for you to quench the fire with your own blood.
Lilya: Speak plainly, sir.
Bertolt pauses, gathering his thoughts before speaking carefully.
Bertolt: I appreciate your enthusiasm to join us on this mission, but as young blood with so much potential, you and Aleksei are the true future of Zeno.
Bertolt: And we must preserve those sparks.
Bertolt: A wise warrior knows when to attack, just as they know when to decisively retreat.
The commander's words are tactful, but the hint of underestimation infuriates the battle-hungry youth.
Lilya: What, you want me to punk out? Not way, I'm no chicken! I'm tough as nails, just like you guys!
She does not need anyone's protection. Never has, never will.
Bertolt: Chicken? That's not the right word, little falcon. I trust your tactical acumen and your willingness to sacrifice for the cause, but I don't want you to be the one to bear that burden.
Bertolt: If things go south, take your broom and fly away as fast as you can. My people will cover you. Don't throw your life away here. You have to survive.
Lilya: Your people? Sir. I'm one of you.
Bertolt: Alright, your comrades will cover you. But when I give the order to retreat, obey my command, Comrade Lilya.
Lilya: Bertolt left me no room to argue. He was my commander, and I was his soldier.
Lilya: I had to comply.
Lilya: But I still felt he underestimated me.
The truck finally pulls up and the team assembles. Before they leave, Bertolt outlines the mission.
Bertolt: We are on our way to save a team of comrades. They have been trapped in the mountains by unfriendly, armed forces stirring up trouble.
Bertolt: Retrieve our people and the documents they've recovered, and eliminate all obstacles in your way. You know what must be done.
Bertolt: That's all, comrades. Get on the truck and head out. Best of luck to us all.
Lilya: But Bertolt lied.
Interrogator II: Stop. What do you mean by "Bertolt lied"?
Lilya: While our objectives were "search and rescue" and "recovery," he lied to the soldiers.
The interrogator nods and turns to signal the clerk.
Interrogator II: So who or what were you actually trying to save? Important arcanists, or something else?
Lilya: Documents lost during war.
Lilya: Anyway, that's what Bertolt told to me after; they were his real objective.
Lilya: And those unlucky comrades were just regrettable, necessary losses.
