Chapter 4

"Hurry up! Pinocchio secure their safety!"

"Ma'am yes ma'am!"

I left and fired a gun at an invisible enemy

The snipers who were with me were slowing down and also shooting at Whoever was firing at me

I am hiding in the pole earlier.

"Got an eye on him. In 1 ... 2 ..."

I heard From our radio intercom transmission.

"Gotcha. You're now safe to go Granger."

It's spade our sharpest sniper.

"Thanks buddy."

I looked at the building in front of me. I saw his hands turned thumbs up at A window above.

I moved quickly and followed those with me earlier

15 hours later at LEBANESE squadron headquarters

"I will take the shift, get some sleep captain."

I looked at Arnie, he was Pinnochio awhile back. in military we use these code names to mask our identities against the sovereign enemies to protect our families and our nation.

"nah its okay, I've done rounds at the barrack, the lebanese are there so I'll just patrol here."

"You're the most accomplished today, well as usual, you need rest."

I smiled and put down my M16 NATO gun and leaned on the sandbags behind me.

"Are you commanding me?"

"No maam" he suddenly became formal.

"chill, just join me."

he sat down next to me

"how's the survivors?" I said not looking at him, I am busy gazing at the dark sky.

"The medical squad attended those wounded, the children are already in the city. Tomorrow a large -scale transport mission will be carried out on more than two thousand survivors"

I nodded, I knew it. I just opened it out so we could talk.

"Captain, may I ask a question?"

"Depends on what errands are in exchange for my answer." I grin

"oh, here we go" he rolled his eyes at me

"how about you pick a fight among those arrogant lebanese soldiers? then pretend that you are drunk"

I let one of my new platoon did it before as a fools errand, that was hilarious!

"Captain!"

"Fine, fine, what's that kid?"

he picked up a rock and playedin his hand

. "I want to be like you, how did you survive the harsh environment, being a woman?"

Arnie is the youngest in my team, I intend to train him to be one of the toughest guy in army.

"well, first you need to rebel against your parents, cut your 3feet long hair into pixie, break every bones in your body, catch flying bullet, disarm time bombs those and the likes."

I looked at him and smiled

"and no, I am no longer a woman. that is the major step in becoming me, I had to forget that I am a woman to fit in this male dominance field."

he stared at me for too long

"I am glad to be in this squad."

"me too."

(Flashback)

"I don't want to pursue medicine dad"

"what are you talking about?" we are at the family dinner

"I am afraid of blood." Gwynette and her arrogant husband laughed

"come on Ulna, my wife will help you"

"sis, you will overcome it I am not used to seeing blood before but ..."

"I want to do fashion designing"

I heard the rattle of daddy and mommy’s cutlery

"enough. Cut the crap Ulna. I will enroll you in one of the ivy school you will just need to pass your requirements, entrance exams and interviews"

"but dad"

"just eat Ulna." I stared at mommy exasperatedly

Seriously?

"Are your papers legit?"

"what?" I watched how the female soldier's eyebrow rose, she was the officer in charge of the female applicants. She is probably in her late 30's, she looks strict but there is a soft touch in her expression

"You know jujitsu, judo, krav maga, tai chi, black belter in taekwondo and you studied in boarding schools."

She eyed me head to toe

"It's not obvious from your looks to be proficient in this."

I suppressed the sarcastic smile "that is why we should not judge a book by its cover. I provided my certificates as proof. You can check it."

But she didn't open my portfolio but threw it on a part of her desk

"why. Why are you entering army? If you're just looking for excitement or challenge in your life this isn't ..."

"I want to prove myself."

"come again?"

I looked at her without hesitation

"I want to prove myself worthy. I want to prove that I can do something on my own and that my decision matters too."

She eyed me, it almost also took a few Seconds before she took a deep breath.

"go home. Settle your problems, not joining the army or running is the answer to your problems."

"maam! Please! I am not running away! I am facing it right now!"

I saw her patience shorten, she stood up and looked me in the eye. Her stance and composure says it all, it screams her high rank and deep trainings.

"Ms. Valentine, it's the last day of application, and you know what? There isn't even one woman except you who tried to enter the army, I am giving you a favor. Because you are alone in this batch you will definitely suffer so go home and ... "

"NO. I am not going home again. Please."

I cant. I need to prove myself worthy.

I want to show them how I can decide for my own.

She sighed

"fine. Fine! I am giving you 3 days to prepare for the exams. I am telling you now Ulna, you are the only female in this batch, this will be a difficult path you are taking."

I salute her "thank you maam!"

I flinch when she motion her hands towards me. She fixed my hand on my forehead

"you don't even know the right salute ... tch I don't think you will last"

I just frowned.

no. I will definitely last and earn a highranking