THE LAST KEEPER

Chapter 109: 109. FISHY

”Lotaga,” was all sagiri said when he followed his tag number held in the air, only to find the holder was Lotaga.

”It’s senior instructor Lotaga. show some respect, cadet.” Lotaga said, pushing his chest out, and sagiri just stared at him. soon the other nine arrived, and lotaga who had his combat overall zipped to the top for the first time, cleared his throat and faced the others.

”Good to see my squad 25,” Lotaga started, and everyone saluted him. ”I will be taking you to your post, and you will be wise to follow the read of a war-seasoned warrior like me,” he said in all seriousness.

”What are the rules and regulations we are required to follow?” kiuga asked.

”Rules and regulations?” Lotaga asked as if that was foreign to him, and he could not, for his sake, understand what they were talking about. he must have realized he was supposed to take them through the rules and regulations at some point because and awkward laughter left his throat. ”of course of course, the rules and regulations how could I not know about the rules and regulations.” He let out another awkward laugh.

Sagiri knew him well enough, since they had been stuck together on several occasions and even punished together, to know that the man was the worst at keeping rules and regulations, and he probably didn’t listen to a single word when they were being briefed. He did not need to read minds to know that the man did not have one single idea about what the rules and regulations were. The word was indeed foreign to him. Why could Senraki even assign him a squad?

”Don’t worry yourselves with the rules and regulations juts follow what the grand marshal said and follow my lead,” he threw a hand in the air as if the rules and regulations were a hindrance. The team looked at him for a while, but no one asked further.

”Now, all you need to do is go back to your pentagon, then head to the preparation wing, where you will be handed the combat-equipped bag. A combat-equipped bag is a bag with two straps that is carried on the back. It has a flask compartment for water and a place to carry the combat coat, which could withstand rain and retain cold. It was clear that the cadets were going to travel on foot to reach their posts, and so they needed to carry the combat-equipped bag. They would hunt for food or eat at military posts along the way, or Lotaga could bring them food when it was necessary.

The combat-equipped bag is small, almost fitting into the back, and wearing a combat coat overall over it when it is called for, it would completely cover it. Apart from that, each cadet was to carry two dozen daggers in the combat uniform and carry one more weapon they are confident in. Sagiri wished to carry Nokai together with the small blades because it was the weapon he felt more confident about, but it seemed that was not going to happen.

After a few minutes of being instructed by their individual senior instructors, they went to the preparation room and weaponry room to be equipped. They would meet again in two hours. It was better to start the journey early so they would reach civilization before sundown. That is because from the inner nonagon to the outer nonagon wall, it was quite a distance, and still even more distance before they reached the first civilization, because no one was allowed to live near the war academy.

”We meet here again in two hours,” Lotaga said, yawning as if the few sentences he said had tired him to no end. They were definitely going to die under his watch or get maimed. sagiri did not say a word to Squad 25 as he walked ahead, lost in though and neither did they. Even Kaka seemed surprisingly silent, as if he was in deep thought for the first time.

Two hours later, they had each been handed a combat-equipped bag with their names on it and a combat coat with their names on it, too. sagiri’s had been adjusted to his new size, now together with the current combat suit he had been issued a month ago, when the other became too small, that torena almost wept in disgust.

They were back at the assembly grounds in the central pentagon, and sagiri was not surprised that Lotaga was not there. Other teams were already being questioned by their senior instructors in charge and receiving instructions. So after they started pulling out one team after another. Half the teams had already pulled out in under an hour, getting a head start, and Lotaga was still nowhere in sight.

”Where is he. I swear I’ll beat him to a pulp.” Kaka spoke for the first time, pacing, and sagiri could smell the rage oozing off of him in waves. ”Other teams have a head start on us. we should leave and let him catch up,” he seethed, pacing up and down.

”Do you even know the place we have been assigned?” Kiuga asked, and only then did they realize Lotaga had not told them anything.

Five more squads pulled out, and everyone now grew more impatient. Right when two teams remain is when Lotaga finally made an appearance. He looked like he had been asleep and was woken up suddenly. He yawned and stretched with both hands above his head, and if Kaka was angry before, he was now livid.

”How come we were assigned an instructor who doesn’t even know how to keep time as our squad leader?” Kaka snapped. He was so big that he was the same size as lotaga and they both stood nose to nose.

”Don’t be too eager to jump into battle, cadet. Besides, I need my sleep to be able to be a good leader,” she yawned again, unconcerned about Kaka’s outburst. ”Follow me,” he said, stretching again before he turned to walk into the central pentagon. The two remaining teams were also leaving at that moment, and the last one with Kayu Asari was led by Miss Lakiya. The team looked to be in high spirits, and Team 25 reeked of envy. Miss Lakiya might have loved games and had extreme measures, but she was better than having a lazy instructor.

Lotaga led the team into Senraki’s office.

”Why are we here?” Sagiri asked. He had been here several times, and he knew for sure there had to be a reason.

”We are about to find out,” Lotaga said, yawning again, before he pushed the door open. The room was already packed with six other men, apart from senraki who were already seated around the room. Four from squad Salka, and now lotaga making them eight in total. With the addition of team 25, the room, though huge, was now packed.

Squad 25 saluted the men in the room before they held a relaxed position by the door.

”Squad 25,” Senraki started. ”You seem anxious and impatient, so I will not keep you waiting. The reason I have called you here is that I have very important news for you. your squad will not be situated in the north,” Senraki said, and the ten held their breath in uniform, but no one dared interrupt the grand marshal. Even Kaka just ground his teeth but said nothing.

”Your team has been requested to go to the heart of Zandeko’alsi’s military base,” Senraki said, and there was a uniform exhalation of breath. Senraki finally left his seat and walked in front of the boys, who were now beside themselves with joy.

”I’m sure you are all exited but have you wondered why your squad, a mere squad, would be personally requested by the second largest military base in Tagayia in the second largest city in Tagayia? Do you think they are short of warriors?” Senraki asked, and there was silence as the team tried to rack their minds.

”It does seem fishy,” kiuga was the first to speak, and everyone turned to him except for sagiri. He had known it was fishy from the first time Senraki said it out loud.

”Good, you deserve the honour of the Lofekeni tribe and Tinega clan, as your teammate had said. This is extremely fishy. There had been an attempt on your teammate sagiri twice.” All ten pairs of eyes snapped to him. ”I did not tell you about the second one, but sagiri was taken all the way to the outer gate while he was in the central pentagon. I had suspected that something was wrong, so I placed him in the central pentagon to watch him, and sure enough, a little rat had sneaked in.

”To the central pentagon?” Ulekai’s mouth gaped. The central pentagon was the heart of galka war academy, and to think someone was able to infiltrate it was alarming.

”yes. ulekai, it seems someone is hellbent on having sagiri on his side. As you saw yesterday in the arena, your teammate must be someone special even though he doesn’t realize it yet.” Senraki continued, and there were unformed nods even from Kaka.

”You think it is a trap to capture him again?” kiuga said. It was not a question but a statement.