"Got all your gear?" Asked Gan from the driver's seat as he made last minute checks on all the tank systems.
I crawled out of the tank hatch, grabbing the last item being handed to me by Gan, my short sword. Can't believe I almost forgot that. "Do now. Armor, sword, helmet, and canteen."
"Water?" asked Gi Gu from behind me as he closed the rear tank hatch, crawling on top of the tank to sit down in the cool breeze of the morning. "You really expecting us to live long enough to get thirsty?"
"Who said it's for drinking. I may have to piss mid-battle."
"Oh. You're funny."
"I try my best." I had had my seat lowered and Gan crawled out of the top hatch, also positioning himself on the top of the tank with Gi Gu where I promptly joined then, placing my helmet next to my seat, not needing it at the moment. On top of the tank, at the front of the vanguard, well, we were able to see everything. We were at the very front of the tank, overlooking the field of desolation in front of us. The grass was green for another mile until it wasn't, about 100 yards away from the wall. There, the craters began. Misfires and shots too low. The ground was black with upturned dirt going as far as the horizon to the north and south, obviously a result of the extended artillery lines. As you looked up, going up the height of the wall, you could see the ashes, the craters, the shoddy repair jobs by the Earth benders who risked it all to make small patches for the wall while artillery still rained down. Obvious to say, none of them would live to long to make any real repairs to the wall. From where I was, you could even see some of the dried blood on the walls coupled with more grotesque bits of the human body, jammed into the wall by the pure force of the artillery. Nasty stuff. Then even higher than that, you could see the ruins of the top of the wall, completely abandoned by all life, and then, finally above that, replacing what was supposed to be a clear grey sky was just gray. Not a light gray of early morning storm clouds, but a dark gray that told tales of war and might continue to for years to come if this war didn't end today.
"Commander on Deck!" I heard Gan's voice yell to my left and turned to see Zand pull his command tank next to ours, emerging from the hatch and stepping down, motioning for us to follow suit. We did, and were now face to face with him, or rather, as face to face as we could be given our deficiency in height that came with the younger age. We all saluted, and he saluted us in return until he bid us be "at ease." We lowered our salutes and stood in position as he circled our tank, going around the entire machine before coming back to where we stood.
"So I assume you're well aware of your position in the battle?"
"We're leading the Vanguard, sir!" Gan answered.
"Yes. A great honor if there's actually a vanguard to accompany you. It's only you though. Isn't it."
"It is." I answered, interested to see what exactly he was getting at. I didn't really know any of my commanders, but I knew enough about Zand to know he was a better alternative to Zahckrael.
"Then you know it's suicide."
"We got that impression." Said Gi Gu, as unaware of formality as always.
"Then maybe you'll listen to what I have to say with interest."
"That being?" I asked.
"See that hill in the distance. It blocks the view of the 15th division as we ride towards the wall. We'd be completely obscured from view. Now, the battle will get hectic and you could always fall behind with the rest of the 15th armored, but don't doubt Zahckrael will be keeping his eyes on your unit in particular, waiting for you to get crushed by Earth Bender rocks. That can be avoided."
"You talked with him, then?" asked Gi Gu. "Convinced him not to completely screw us over?"
I saw Gan nudge him with his elbow before Gi Gu could continue, sparing not just Gi Gu, but his entire Unit from the embarrassment that would have ensued should he have continued.
"Not quite. But I talked with the crew of the Iron Gauntlet and we agree you are completely unfit to lead anything. Much less the vanguard."
"Gee. Thanks." I said.
"So. We've decided that you'll take the place of the Iron Gauntlet. I'll take your place at the front, and the Iron Gauntlet will take my old place."
"We'll still be at the front of the main force though." Complained Gi Gu.
"Better than where we were before." Gan replied.
"It is" verified Zand. Don't think you're out of the woods yet though. We still have a hell of a battle in front of us. When we get to that hill, we'll switch places and you'll position yourself with the rest of the main force. All the same, you'll be in the thick of the fighting. Keep your hatches closed and locked. Reduce your viewports to only slits. Nothing large enough to let even an arrow slip through and go through on of your throats. Be ready to do your jobs and don't take any stupid risks. Dismissed."
"Sir yes sir!" we all replied in unison before returning to our original spots atop the tank. "Wait." I called, getting Zand's attention for one final question. "What time is it?"
"We leave in 30 minutes. Take a nap. You'll need it."
"Aye aye, sir." Replied Gi Gu, sliding down the hull of the tank into a lying position, shutting his eyes, unbothered by the lack of a sun to hamper his sleeping efforts.
"Why don't you say anything?" Gan asked.
"About what?"
"About the ambush. You saved this entire siege from being set back by months."
"You were there too. Why don't you say something?"
"Because I was considering desertion that same night, remember? You practically had to drag me and Gu out into the fight before we did anything."
"Practically?" I questioned. "I quite literally had to pull you asshats out from that tent."
"All the same. You deserve credit for what you did."
"Look. The end of the war begins today. That's good enough for me."
"Good enough for you? I didn't realize you were anticipating the end. You were practically born in war, being in the slums and all."
"I was. But I only fight well if I'm fighting to meet a goal. Right now, that's the end of the war. I can worry about what to do after once the war's over."
"Fair enough. How about you, Gi Gu? Any plans once the war's over."
"Me? Well. I plan on using my riches from the siege to built a town so large I-"
Then the horn blew. Nobody moved. Then it blew again, and I realized the break was over. It was coming.
"I thought Zand said thirty minutes." Said Gi Gu, rubbing his eyes, rising from his lying position.
"No. No." said Gan. "That can't be for the attack."
And as though on cue, The Lieutenant General Zahckrael himself pulled up next to the formation of tanks yelling "The wall is clear! Now's our chance! Attack!"
Zand, having just entered his own tank, was the only one to object saying "Sir. We have orders from the Dragon. We're not to attack until-"
"Until I say so, Major. Now Attack!"
And at that point, there was no more objection to be had. We entered the tank, got into our seats, and waited for the third and final horn. The horn that would tell us to put our feet to the pedals and ride to the war that awaited us. And that horn finally came after what felt like hours and at this point, the jolt of the tank no longer affected me. We advanced. Advanced towards the end. Towards victory. And for some reason, there was an enduring knot in my stomach that had me convinced that my life was nearing its end.