The Courage to Bear Arms (roll call)

Posted on Fri Jan 3rd, 2025 @ 1:33pm by Teevs Dosivi

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Niea IV, Pomei
Timeline: Federation Year 2367
1081 words - 2.2 OF Standard Post Measure

The walk to the Royal Courtyard was uncomfortable. There was a chill to the air, despite the late morning summer breeze. Teevs fought the urge to tug at the armor that clung to his body as he walked with his parents. They insisted on seeing him off, though he would have preferred they stayed home. Next to him was Ailova, the only other sibling that was within the age range for the draft, and she wore similar armor. It somewhat resembled standard guard attire: a grey-blue suit, with some armor woven into the design and some worn on the outside, a holster for a hand weapon, and a helmet that framed the face. What made it different from the standard uniform was that it was heavy duty. Stuffy.

Ailova spared a sideways glance to Teevs. Despite their disagreements, she couldn’t help but worry about him. She at least had some training, but he was an engineer and a rock nerd-slash-loser. Teevs lacked the mental fortitude to do something like this. He was going to get himself killed, and that worried her.

The Royal Courtyard in Pomei was full of similar groups of people. Young Lonians in armor that the Royal Guard had sent to their houses, hugging their parents and siblings before reluctantly making their way toward the other nervous and uncertain group of recruits. They were talking in hushed tones amongst themselves, as if any one voice would escalate the war they were about to enter. They were waiting for Lady Kiva of the Fourth House to make her statement.

When the Dosivi family stopped short of the crowd, Haspov reached out and put a hand on Teevs and Ailova's shoulders. His expression was grim, and fearful for the lives of his children, but he was trying to keep it together. Seeing his own son and daughter, prepared for war, forced tears to blur his vision. "If I could take your places, I would," he said, his voice slightly wavering.

"Just do what you can to come back home," Jelmia added, giving each of them a hug.

Ailova got the hug first and held their mother close. "We will do everything possible to return home," she assured. Even if their futures were uncertain, any assurance she could offer to her parents would be worth it if it meant they could sleep at night.

Nodding, Jelmia sniffled and wiped her eyes, then turned to Teevs, holding him tightly as if it were the last time she'd be able to. "Please stay safe, Teevs," she said to him.

What could Teevs say to assure his parents of something even he couldn't guarantee? "I will do everything I can to make sure both of us see you again," he said, his voice carrying a sort of detached shock. This felt like a bad dream, like it couldn't possibly be real.

The warm embrace of his mother lingered as Jelmia stepped back, her trembling hands gripping Teevs' arms as if reluctant to let him go. He forced himself to meet her tearful gaze, his own emotions threatening to bubble to the surface. He clenched his jaw, not trusting himself to speak further. Beside him, Ailova adjusted her helmet, her expression steeled with the determination she was trying to project for their parents' sake.

No amount of murmuring in the courtyard could dissolve the tension that thickened the air. Haspov cleared his throat and took a half-step back, his hand still resting on Teevs’ shoulder. "You're strong, both of you," he said, his voice firmer now, almost a command. "Lean on each other out there. No matter what happens, you face it together."

Teevs nodded numbly, his mind spinning and his heart practically beating in his ears. Together. Would that be enough?

A general hush began to sweep over the courtyard, and attention shifted to the Defense building, from which the Lady of the Fourth House and strode toward the crowd, a guard on either side of her and the rest of her court following closely behind. Lady Kiva, a muscular woman who was a strange fit in the royal attire, was seen in a uniform similar to those in the courtyard, and instead of the poised and elegant stride that all four Ladies demonstrated, Kiva walked with purpose, her head held high. Stepping up onto a raised platform, she approached a podium, taking her time to collect her thoughts as she looked out over the people gathered. Her expression was serious, but also held a peek of emotion that simmered beneath the surface.

"My people," Kiva spoke, her voice carrying across the courtyard. "We stand on the edge of history. Each of you have bravely answered the call to defend our territory, and your actions today will be remembered for generations." She paused for a few seconds, her shoulders slightly rising as if taking a breath. "This decision was not easy, for any of us. I don't think any of us want war, but I think all of us want our homes, and our world, safe. Each of us has something, or someone, worth fighting for."

Looking briefly to the side, Kiva gestured to one of her guards, who obediently brought something to her, a helmet. The same kind that everyone else was wearing. She accepted it from the guard and looked at it for a few seconds, then turned to the crowd. "You all know that your presence here today was my decision, one that sits heavily in my heart. I will not be the leader who sends you to war while staying comfortable within these walls." Holding the helmet in one hand, Kiva raised it high so the courtyard could see. "My people are worth fighting for! Today, I am not just the Lady of the Fourth House; I am your neighbor, your sibling, and your friend! If we must go to war, we go together!"

A roar of cheer erupted from the crowd that continued even as Kiva donned the helmet. It created a sense of unity and hope for the drafted soldiers knowing that their leader would fight beside them. Teevs glanced down when he felt a hand in his, seeing that it was Ailova's. Her expression, while resolute, showed that she dreaded what was to come, a sight that he had never seen before. Their father's words rang in his ears, and he gave his sister's hand a squeeze.

Come what may, they'd face it, together.