Vehicles moved back and forth between Hood Hill and the village. In the days after the probing attack, Eric had spent more time in meetings with Mia and Kamer. Lieutenant Colonel Milano had given Eric permission to arrange vehicles in a manner he deemed best. Eric and Kamer sat together on a bench as they discussed the next steps in the village strengthening process. "I have to hand it to you, young man. Your ability to learn our language is quite amazing. " Kamer says with a chuckle. Eric nods back, looking up as soldiers set up what would now be the front gate. Some things still got lost in translation, but for the most part, he could get by in conversation. In order to ensure the outpost was staffed 24/7, Eric, his platoon, and one platoon each of mech and armor had now made the village their home.
Mia decided to stay in the village while things settled. The attack had rattled her for days when she realized that she might lose the only family she had left in the world. Every day, she headed to the church in order to pray at the altar for Goddess Triamal. Eric had joined her one day. Ever since the day of his death, he had become more religious. He spent time between setting up barricades, relaying orders, and praying at the church. He sat there watching the altar from a pew while thinking about the death of his LT, rubbing his face. "All the kid wanted to do was grow sheep, Goddess. I hope that if there is a heaven you let him have some. He was a good man, too good to be a soldier…" His words were cut off as silent sobs followed. He then heard silent footsteps behind him, and a gentle female voice filled the still atmosphere of the church. "You did the best you could." Mia said softly, her eyes distant as if she knew the exact feeling Eric had. "People die in war, and I think they are the lucky ones." Mia nods before meeting Eric's eyes. She joined him on the pew he sat on. "What was his name?" Eric sighs as he looked up, memories of the LT flashing through his mind. "Daniel Jonas." He says quietly, one tear falling down his weathered face. "He wanted to raise sheep, and thought the Army would help him get there."
The next day, a memorial for the soldiers and villagers who fell in the attack was being held. Soldiers stood in formation, ready for their final salute. A small speech was given by the village priest, then he stepped aside. A large "crack" echoed out, finality settling over the valley. Eric stood off to the side, looking at the tombstone where Daniel was. "Rest easy, kid. I have it from here." He thought before looking up at the small crowd standing around the tombstones. His eyes found Mia, they shared a small nod of understanding before he walked back to the village.
A week after the memorial, life at the village had become somewhat normalized. A trade system of sorts had begun between the villagers and the soldiers, and some soldiers had tried their luck with the village girls. Eric had given up trying to stop the young men, letting nature take its course as one soldier came back to his tent, obviously dejected from being turned down by one of the villagers. "Sometimes, I wonder if these idiots are capable of thinking with anything other than their second heads." Eric thought while shaking his head. It was then that a sergeant from Echo company approached him. The man chuckled as he noticed Eric shaking his head at the private. "Kamer and Mia asked if you could meet them at Kamer's house in an hour Sarn't." The man said while Eric finishes writing on the document he had turned his attention to. "Sure." Eric responded while looking up. "Tell them that works for me." Eric, Mia, and Kramer had decided to meet up once a day after coexistence had proven difficult. By now, the meetings were routine.
At Kamer's house, Eric noticed the atmosphere was tense as he walked through the door. Their meetings were typically casual in nature, but today it seemed like there was something wrong. Mia and Kamer were standing at the table instead of sitting with tea in front of them. "What happened?" Eric said as he joined them at the table. He looked at the map while making eye contact with Mia, her usual flirtatious attitude not present. She takes a deep breath while holding eye contact with him. "I have been hiding something from you."
Eric crossed his arms as he looked at Mia, a grim expression on his face."I'm listening," he said, preparing for information he might not like. Getting to know her had been easy, but professionalism came before pleasure. He would hear what she had to say before forming conclusions. Mia sighed as she sat down. She crossed her legs and told him about what she did for work. When she finished, Eric sat down as well. He laughed and looked at her with an amused grin. "From the get-go, I expected you to work in such a manner," he said. "Your movements have always been too polished for me to believe you were a regular villager."
Mia let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding while laughing shakily. "I guess I should have expected as much, nothing escapes your eyes." She said gently while looking up at him. "That isn't the only thing we called you here for." She says while rubbing her face. "Some of the people that know me are coming."
Eric pinched the edge of his nose at the knowledge. He sighs before looking up at the sky. "If it's not one thing, its another." He grumbles while looking out to the village. Noticing a soldier trying to flirt with another cat girl he sighed and turned back to Mia.
"Are they a threat?"