Embracing the cool February air, Jamal stared over the gates and towards the direction of the Port-O-Bea airport. A few Ariocasters were taking off, as the latest supply of goods laid beside the runway. Looking toward the one-way road, he could see the formidable roadblock made of destroyed rubble from the weeks-long battle in the city and reinforced concrete hold strong, with a large presence of around one hundred of the city militia armed adequately with rifles or their powers if so chosen. The roadblock was fit just after the intersection as well as blocking the road leading to the airport. Nothing was getting in or out of the city without authorization.
Which unfortunately for them, had been a major problem since pushing Youden's army to defend the city outside. After the battle, it came to fruition when the freed citizens came under their control, that the food the army was providing for them would disappear with it. So alongside the ongoing famine, did things get worse for everyone in the city. The navy blockade did not move despite the complete control of the city, resulting in more risky night raids and planning on the coast to get food to the people.
To deal with many of the citizen's problems and to alleviate control, Jamal announced the formation of a council that would be run by the people of the city. Ever since that decision, more of the local problems were dealt with depending on the severity, but the issue still didn't account for everything, including the rations taken in order to save on limited food.
Jamal himself was responsible for the city's military, as he and other city members that took up command were plotting their next move once their preparation was completed. It would only be a matter of time before everything was aligned in their favor. It would only be up to those involved to give them that chance.
"Jamal, there's a call for you." A city solider rushed up the stairs to report to him.
"Is it important?" Jamal turned briefly, as the wind flapped the winter cloak he had set for the day.
"I'm not sure, sir. What would you like me to do?"
"Keep watch, I'll be back or have someone take my spot if needed to be." Jamal marched downward, as the soldier shot up a quick salute.
Exiting the gate, Jamal looked towards the gate's outpost within the city only a few hundred yards away. Yawning due to a lack of sleep, he knocked on the door once he was close enough and stared down the street. With the way the elevation worked in the city, one could see the descent of height with the buildings leading towards the shoreline, as the dark blue water moved through the winter's furious wind.
He lost thought as the door opened and had the outpost secretary direct him upstairs. Moving alongside her, Jamal was led into one final room, before having it to himself. Inside on the table, was a calling machine, or a caller as it was more commonly known. Without sitting down, he grabbed the handle and set it to his ear.
"Jamal Wrint." he spoke before anyone could say anything.
"One moment, sir. Directing your call." another voice entered, a local calling operator responsible for the operation of calls within the city.
It took a short moment, as the silence was broken with a quick click.
"Hello?" a female voice spoke through.
"Who's this?" Jamal was confused as to how such an insignificant person could be bothering him right now, or he was really exhausted.
"Jamal, stop playing around." he could hear the woman chuckle for a minute before a barely audible wailing could be heard in the background.
"I really don't know who this is?" Jamal took another yawn, holding himself up with a hand on the table to not collapse.
"What's the last time you've gotten sleep?" the woman asked him in a more serious tone, as the wailing got a bit more frequent.
"Wait-, no way, Ula?" Jamal straightened himself up.
"Finally, I was so worried about you." she sighed with relief before there was some yelling happening in the background, "Hold on."
Rubbing his head, Jamal kept the speaker to his ear as he leaned against the wall. What was the last time he had even heard from her, he couldn't even recall, as he heard breathing return to the phone.
"So sorry about that, Jackie's wanting to be fed again. You know how babies are." Ula chuckled, as Jamal could hear a bit of shuffling near the caller.
"Who are you talking about?" Jamal took another long yawn, before deciding he needed to take a seat.
"It hasn't been that long, Jamal. Our other child," she muttered in embarrassment. "The baby we had two months ago."
"Another child?" Jamal spoke up a bit in confusion, "We only have Laken."
"Jamal, what's the last time you had any hours of sleep?"
"Uh," Jamal said before taking some time to think, "Maybe four to five days? I've been busy."
"I hope you get some sleep soon." Ula sighed with a hint of worry, "Anyway, I'm just calling you since it's Laken's birthday and I know you're busy with the whole military thing."
"Yeah, go ahead and put him on real quick." Jamal grinned, as Ula went to get him.
A few seconds later, he heard some shuffling as a young boy's voice could be heard in the background.
"Hello?" it sounded confused once the boy made it.
"Hey buddy, how you feeling today? Four's a big number, you know that?" Jamal congratulated.
"Pa, I wish you were here with us. It's so boring without you!" Laken laughed at his own words.
"I wish I could, but I'm very busy today. I probably won't be back until this weekend."
"Okay, well I love you Pa!" Laken started to celebrate in the background.
"Love you too son, and I will get you something for your birthday." Jamal ensured him, as Laken returned the phone to Ula.
"I keep forgetting how it feels to breastfeed, especially with how Laken was with it." Ula calmly returned.
"At least you're indoors. Here I am planning to make sure we take as little casualties as possible. We got to make a move soon or else everything we've done this last year would have been for nothing. Everything since the Academy would be going to waste if I don't do things the right way." Jamal stated with intent.
"I know," Ula replied back after a brief pause, "These months have been going by as slowly as anyone could have predicted. It's insan-, ow!"
"You alright?" Jamal was alerted by the sound.
"I'm fine, Jackie accidentally bit me."
"Wow, thank powers is that not me." Jamal couldn't help but laugh.
"Anyway, since it's so funny to you, I'm going to have you get back to work now." Ula laughed back, causing Jamal to groan.
"That'll be fine with me."
"And you promised that you're coming back this weekend, right? It's been two weeks." she questioned the man.
"Yeah, as long as nothing comes up, then I can be there for the weekend."
"Oh finally. I miss you so much."
"I miss you too, and the kids."
"I'll see you soon then, I love you." Ula snuck in a kiss through the machine.
"I love you and the kids too. I'll be back." Jamal promised as he was slow to hang up the caller.
For a few minutes, he stood in silence and processed everything from the phone call he just had. It really had been a good minute since he returned home, and yet he felt the tides would start turning soon. Or that they would have to, as winter was turning to spring. All this preparation wasn't going to be for nothing.
Just deep in thought, Jamal was lost in concentration, until a door knocking broke the silence. Moving towards the door, he opened it to see the secretary waiting to escort him back out of the premise. As quiet as these last months had been on the population, it wouldn't be long before one side made a move. And it would only be then would things pick back up again.