( The current year is 2100, somewhere on Korean Peninsula. )
Explosions erupted everywhere, gunfire exchanged with bullets flying overhead, lasers responding in different directions, signifying the battle between allied nations and the unknown. Various bodies and wreckage scattered across the field.
The trenches defended by the humans are exchanging fire with the unknown assailants.
Suddenly, a ranked soldier exclaimed, 'Come on, let's go! WE ARE FALLING BACK, GENTLEMEN!'
In this dream, Drek was just ranked as a First Lieutenant with a squadron of anti-air units.
Drek looked confused and scared at that time and couldn't snap out of it.
A person is walking toward Drek and knelt in front of him, and he holds Drek's shoulder.
"Move it, Drek! We are leaving! Get yourself together, or you might get left behind..."
The one who said that is our Captain, Cpt. Haymond. He is an Army Officer. My father and he are truly best friends until the end. When my father and mother died in the first wave of the strike while protecting my mother, he became my father because I didn't have anyone in my life. But now I have the courage to do that, so I need to survive and fight until I can.
Drek suddenly snaps out of it and then stood up and moved faster. "YES SIR!" he shouted.
He picks up his equipment and runs as fast as he can to regroup at the second defense.
He is running while bullets and lasers are flying over his head. He suddenly arrived at the second defense point safely, and before he takes a rest from running, he searches for Cpt. Haymond.
He starts to walk around the base to search Cpt. Haymond.
"The second defense is the last and final defense of the line. If this continues, the nation will fall" said Drek in his mind.
In the chaotic surroundings, Drek hears people screaming in pain amidst the shouts of officers and the fire of rapid cannons. The battlefield lies not far away from their positions.
He started to move faster to search for his Cpt. to regroup with his squad, and start their plans.
Drek approaches a military policeman just outside of the head quarters tent.
"Salute! Good day, sir. Have you seen Captain Haymond?" Drek said.
"Yes, He is inside." Said by the Military Police
"Thank you, Sir!" Drek said and saluted, then went inside the HQ.
Drek went inside and looked around the headquarters to find Cpt. Haymond.
He spotted him close to the table talking with the higher-ups.
"I don't think I need to go closer to that side.. I'll wait for their dismissal" Drek said it to his mind.
He moved to the corner so that he was not blocking the path and could wait for the captain.
Minutes later, they finished their meeting, and Capt. Haymond saw me and approached me.
While he was walking faster towards me, he suddenly hugged me and grabbed my shoulders.
"Glad you are alive and have survived from the front, I am proud of you" said the captain.
"Thank you, Sir!" Drek replied.
Captain Haymond released his hands from my shoulders and tapped my back.
"Let's go outside, we have a lot of talking to do" said the captain.
"Yes, Sir" Drek replied.
They both go outside of the HQ tent. Drek stops and sees the sky getting dark.
"It's getting dark..." Drek says in his head.
then Drek continues walking and following Captain Haymond.
"Sir, I'm glad that you survived that wave" Drek said to the captain.
"yeah... well, I have lost some of my officers, and we lost the post.."Captain replied
The captain stopped walking, and as Drek looked at him, he observed the captain gazing at the stars.
"Drek.. did you know... in our squad only two of you survived the wave.." Captain said to Drek.
Drek Shocked and didnt blink about a second.
"Wait, sir... do you mean me... and who?" Drek asked, his face showing a shocked expression.
Captain Haymond placed his hand on Drek's shoulder and said, "You need to take a rest, son. Go to the stadium and get some rest for now."
Drek nodded in understanding and followed the captain's orders. "Yes, sir," he replied. Stepping back slightly, Drek then saluted the captain, who returned the salute.
A humvee pulled up beside Drek, and he was escorted by the vehicle to the stadium, where the base for civilians and other military needs were located.
As Drek entered the stadium, he was surprised to find it filled with civilians, survivors, and military personnel. The air was filled with the sounds of pain, with medical personnel rushing wounded patients into portable tents for surgery. Civilians looked traumatized and miserable, their fear palpable as they clung to their loved ones, seeking safety and solace amidst the chaos.
Seeing the pain and suffering of the survivors, Drek's heart ached. He felt the weight of their struggles as they searched for food, sought their missing loved ones, and mourned those lost in the war. The sight of their hardship stirred deep emotions within him, driving him to do whatever he could to help alleviate their suffering.
Feeling powerless and mourning the loss of reliable personnel, comrades, and friends, Drek found himself overwhelmed by despair. He couldn't find the strength to think of anything except giving up. Nevertheless, he continued walking until he reached the staff-only zone. A military police officer assisted him in entering and encouraged him to take a much-needed rest.
Drek noticed a towel on the table and decided to take it. He then walked over to the water dispenser, filled a cup with water, and took a sip. After finishing the water, he placed the cup back on the table and grabbed the towel. Making his way to the sink, he washed the towel with cold water. Returning to the sofa, he sat down and closed his eyes. Placing the cold, wet towel over his eyes, he allowed himself to rest and recuperate.
Suddenly, the bathroom door opened. "Ehh..? Wah.. Drek?" a woman's voice called out. "Drek, is that you?"
"Wait, this voice... is this..." Drek muttered to himself, a sense of recognition stirring within him.
Drek quickly removed the towel from his eyes and opened them, peering at the person before him. It took a moment for his vision to adjust, as the towel had covered the light and made his sight somewhat unstable.
"!.. (shocked) Is it you?" came the shocked voice of the woman.
Drek's vision slowly cleared, and he was shocked to realize that the woman before him was his "Nicole..." he exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief and emotion.
He rushed towards her, wrapping her in a tight embrace. Nicole was his girlfriend and one of the fighter pilots in Echo Squadron.
"I thought I lost you," Drek cried out to her, his words filled with emotion.
"No, I will never leave—" Nicole's voice trailed off as Drek woke up from the dream, abruptly ending the encounter.
Drek looked around, finding himself still sitting under the tree. Glancing down, he noticed Ushu sleeping on his lap. He gently patted Ushu's head. "Good job, little one. You did a great job saving the village," he murmured.
Drek then looked up and saw the stars twinkling in the sky above. "Nicole... lies, you always crazy, huh..." he muttered softly, his thoughts drifting to the dream he had just experienced.