Squad 9 and 3 made their way to the armory, their heavy footsteps marking the end of a grueling day. As they neared the the secured doors of the armory Aisling pulled up beside Gilbert tossing him a sly grin
"Good job today. You peasants did quite well," she said, removing her helmet and loosening her hair.
Gilbert shrugged as he removed his helmet. "You guys were passable," he replied stepping past her with his helmet underarm.
"Please pardon our squad leader's modesty, m'lady. I must say, you performed exceptionally well today- your skill attributed to a dragon's share of our success today," said William, shoving Gilbert along before he opened his mouth further. They went to their assigned locker room, where they began disarming. A network of robotic arms assisted the process as Anastasia stood by a terminal recording all the damage done and what needed to be fixed. Now only in their undersuits, they made their to their quarters where they relaxed until it was time to report to field three.
Arriving at the field, their reality was laid bare before them. Platoons still in their armor, stood at rigid attention, their High Knight squads stationed at the forefront like sentinels of authority. Gilbert and his squad file in behind 3A1. Their platoon the only one clad in uniform, joined the somber choir of silence with an undertone from the occasional groans of pain from the injured.
As Gilbert glanced around, the weight of what they went through pressed heavily on him. Many platoons were missing members. At the forefront of each lieutenant, the price was laid for display, dead bodies laid out in solemn rows, some incomplete, others reduced to single body parts. It is then that he saw even in front of his platoon fallen squires, something he didn't realize while on the battlefield. They stood there for an hour soaking in the atmosphere. Then there came a boom and a large cloud of smoke. As the smoke cleared they saw Captain Cade standing there, still covered in blood his shield attached to his back rifle in hand. Walking slowly amongst the rows of squires he inspected all platoons adding tension to the silence. He then returned to the forefront of the formation.
"Today. You have experienced your first official battles as Knights of the Dragon legion. You did what needed to be done. But it doesn't take away from the loss we suffered today. Mourn your fallen comrades, but do so with haste, for we are knights and we wage wars. War is an insatiable beast; it can never be hunted, only satiated for a period." he said walking slowly along the front of the platoon. His words put a sinking feeling in their stomachs.
'It can't be hunted, but the chunks we take out of surely feed the wealthy' Gilbert thought sourly, memories of the day's scenes playing in his mind.
"Their files shall have a badge of honor attached to them, and each of you will receive one as well, accompanied by a ribbon to be affixed to your uniform." Captain Cade's voice rang clear across the field in a solemn tone.
"Next, Platoon 5, attention!" he shouted, instantly causing the entire platoon to snap to alert standing a little taller despite their injuries.
"For your outstanding battle against an unexpected enemy, you will receive an order of merit," the Captain continued. "Squire 359, Aisling O'Neill of Squad 3!"
"Here!" Aisling replied promptly, her voice steady
"Now, Squire 141 Gilbert Kruger of Squad 9!"
"Here!" Gilbert answered resolutely
"Both of you to the front," Captain Cade commanded and the two stepped out of formation to stand before him. With a slight pause, he declared, "For your outstanding work in leading your squads in facing a Tier III Styx, you are each awarded a single gold aiguillet. This honor can be worn on your armor and your uniform."
After a crisp salute, Aisling and Gilbert rejoined their platoon.
"Good job today. Dismissed!" Captain Cade said before turning around and leaving. As he left High Knight 3A1 turned to them
"It was nice meeting you all. You guys did good, goodbye" He said before taking off his helmet for the first time showing a European face with blond buzz-cut hair and dark eyes. Turning around he walked away.
"Thank you for looking after us today," Gilbert replied as he led his squad to salute his retreating figure. They all then got a notification on their Halo watches
'Squire 141, you have been awarded a badge of honor, order of merit, and a golden aiguillet. The ribbons and medals will be delivered the next day
Squad 9 returned to their dorm as they were walking they saw the other Tier I squads even though they were bruised there weren't any serious injuries among them.
"It is such a disgrace to give such an honor to you people," said Alexander brushing past them.
"Unlike others, we gained our honors," Kean replied as they all went to their dorms.
The next day, in the hushed lecture hall of the academy, Gilbert quietly took his seat for history class, sitting down with a golden aiguillette running from his right breast to his right shoulder, on his left chest was a single black ribbon and a red ribbon with a single black vertical line. Professor Eric Bernard recounted the history of past Dragon Legion battles.
"In the year 2170, the Dragon Legion launched a campaign against the Styx, our adversaries whose dark forces had long defied us. This was our first campaign completely out of the Earth's orbit. With an armada numbering a thousand ships, we embarked on a siege of their base on Mars's moon, Phobos. For three solar years, we held our relentless assault, space echoing with drums of battle.
The balance of power shifted in the year 2174 when Major General Freja Alfson of Division Three, commanding her elite unit known as the Wailing Skjoldsmøyer, executed a maneuver of sheer audacity and tactical brilliance. She transferred from the Celestial Dragon Class flagship Ormr's Regret to a Drakkar Class cruiser. While the rest of the divisions held the enemy off, in one decisive moment, they crashed the cruiser into the left wing of the enemy's base. Shattering their defenses, allowing our forces to storm the stronghold and ultimately secure Phobos.
To this day, we continue to hold that moon—our strategic outpost, even as the clashes with the Styx rage on Mars." explained the professor "Any questions?"
"Sir where were the rest of the legions?" asked a squire at the front of the class
"Each legion has its assignments, whether it be guarding Earth or undertaking other critical roles. In this particular case, the Iron Wall Legion was tasked with guarding the Earth, while the Panther Legion was stationed on the Moon. Meanwhile, the Fairy and Asura legion seized the opportunity; with their fleet held at bay, they launched a direct assault on Mars two years after our campaign began." He explained
"Sir I was in the library, but there is hardly any information about the Asura legion?" asked Gilbert
"We lack comprehensive data about each legion," explained Professor Bernard "What we have is a mix of federal government releases and information we have gathered ourselves. The Asura's, in particular, are exceptionally secretive, they hide most of their information Titan V, their headquarters, hence our scant records of them." said Professor Bernard, a chime then rang through the room
"So why wouldn't we share information amongst us?" Asked Gilbert
"It's how each legion protects information in case any of them go rogue but we are required to submit our records for the preview of the magistrate's office and they share what they think all legions must know," He replied as he finished a chime sounded throughout the room
"Okay, that's it for today," With that, he stepped out of the class his cane beating along the floor and thumping their hearts but unlike their first encounter no one vomited blood. As Gilbert made his way toward training class he received a notification
'Squire 141 head towards briefing room three'
"Guys go ahead without me," he said before turning to split away from the group
"What happened?" Chen Mei asked
"I got notified to head towards a briefing room see you guys at the training class," he replied his back turned walking away. As he took a quick pace throughout the citadel. Arriving at briefing room three he saw it utterly empty so he sat down by himself his mind racing as to what this briefing was about. He sat there for the entire day until the late hours of the night falling asleep until three o'clock in the morning he was awoken by a hand slamming on the table. Jumping up in fright he took up his chair to defend himself and then he saw General Beckett standing there, dropping his chair he gave the general a salute.
"At ease squire," The General said "Even when it seems that evil men get punished, their shadows never fade away."Sir," Gilbert asked confused
"You must be wondering why we are here today?" General Beckett asked
"Yes General," he replied with an inquisitive tone
"Well, it is simply really, from now I will be responsible for your training. We will be training at night 12a.m to 5a.m," he replied in a plain tone
"While I am flattered Sir, why would you do that?" asked Gilbert with genuine surprise
"It is simple really because I know who you are?" said General Beckett
"Sir, I that still doesn't explain a thing?" Gilbert replied with his heart skipping a beat.
"No need to play the fool to me young man, I know you are the son of Hell's Storm the Asura Reginald Nune," said Beckett turning around to look at Gilbert.
"Sir I don't know my father but I highly doubt it is a Legion Commander," said Gilbert taking several steps back.
"I said it before young man I know who you are Gilbert De Nune," replied General Beckett
"If that is true why are you would you help me?" Asked Gilbert
"Because I Am An ASURA," replied General Beckett enunciating each word taking off his gloves and showing his naturally black nails.