At 3:20 a.m., the Iliko Government Army's Tenth Division station was torn by a piercing alarm through the sleeping night sky.
"The entire division is to enter level one battle readiness! Repeat, the entire division is to enter level one battle readiness! All personnel are to assemble in full gear immediately! This is not a drill! Repeat, this is not a drill!"
The broadcast echoed in the cold air of the camp, like the war drums of the Grim Reaper beating early.
In an instant, the sleeping military camp turned into a boiling anthill.
The lights in the dormitory building exploded one after another, like beacons ignited instantly, illuminating countless hurried and swaying figures.
Soldiers sprang from their bunks, fumbling with their equipment amid the coarse shouts and curses of the squad leaders, the heavy combat boots pounding on the floor, merging into a rolling thunderous sound.
Ninety seconds, ready, grab the gun, assemble complete.
