It's been 5 months now at the camp since we started training and we're almost rounding up. Ike was becoming a fierce fighter. He and Bush were in the same unit, both men were getting closer as the days roll by. Someone who does not know them might think they were related, I on my part was assigned to trained with the intelligence and technical unit due to my past experience I'm warfare and also because if my age. Each passing day comes with news from across the ocean and each batch of soldiers that completes their 6 months were shipped to the Frontline to continue there. The three points of departure were New York, New Jersey and Virginia.
Things were going fine not till an outbreak of flu which was proving uncontrollable but some of us fought and pulled through.
* * *
"So how prepared are you son?", I asked Ike who I saw sorted quitely on his bunk staring at nothing in particular.
"Our time here is almost up", Ike replied as he adjusted his position looking at me.
"I Know,I feel you miss home. You miss Impi and your son", I smiled at Ike who shook his head slowly.
"Not just miss them, but I feel I am doing to my son what my father did to me and hope my son won't repay me in same coin I did to my father when he returned back home after years at sea", Ike spoke soberly while I looked at him for sometime without saying a word to him.
"I understand you Ike, but unlike your dad...you have always been in constant communication with them. Asking how they are faring and also getting response from them, so you are doing well son", i comforted Ike who nodded seeing I made some points.
"That makes me feel better, atleast for now", Ike responded while I smiled.
We were still discussing when Bush came in with some packs of food, he was putting on khaki over white polo with boot. He look agile in his outfit which suited him perfectly well.
"Looks like someone was busy", I teased Bush who smiled and handed me a pack of food and gave Ike the second pack before settling down to consume his pack of food.
"Things seems to be tough for the French in the trenches, the Germans are really dealing with them", Bush began while Ike nodded as if aware.
"The British aren't spares either, although both sides are suffering huge casualties...France and Britain seems to be on the higher side of it", Ike interjected Bush who nodded in agreement.
"But let's not forget that before the war started that both countries had a large standing army unlike the United States", i chirped in while Bush and Ike stared at me as though egging me on.
"Germany, France, Russia and Austria-Hungary had a large standing army and reserve formation in 1914, except Britain which maintained naval strength as a result of it's position; of being surrounded by water ", I explained more while both lads nodded simultaneously.
"I guess that was the same thing with the United States also", Bush noted while I nodded in agreement.
"We are almost done with our 6 months training here, I heard that before we are sent to the Frontline, we'll be given a week off to spend with our family", Ike began.
"Yeah...I heard that also, but I don't know how true it is", Bush cuted in.
"It's true, except it's the soldiers that wished to remain in camp till the week is over", I cleared their curiosity while Ike's eyes lighted up in delight.
"That's good, atleast I'll spend some time with my boy before I go to the death zone", Ike announced.
"That's the dream of everyone in this fucking camp, to visit their love ones before going to the death zone", A strong baritone voice interrupted us. simultaneously, we all turned towards the direction of the vibe only to see a young staff sergeant which I recognize. He was the sergeant we met in our first day in the camp at the gate while looking for directions.
I haven't seen him since then, though my he got transferred to the Frontline or probably to another camp and he has been promoted up the rank.
"Good day sir!", we all saluted while he nodded in acknowledgement.
"I believe you're all doing well and training hard to survive the trenches which you're about to be sent to", The staff Sergeant laughed dryly.
"Yes of course, and possibly play with ghost or be ghosts ourselves", Ike answered the staff sergeant who appeared stunned and surprised at the same time.
"You really got some balls there...that's good by the way, the name is Jackson... staff sergeant Jackson", The Young staff sergeant introduced himself.
I opened my my mouth to introduce ourselves but Jackson held up his hand indicating me not to bother myself.
"I know you all well...Mr. Morris, Ike and Bush...legends hardly die, do they?", Jackson smiled While the three of us exchanged glances.
"No, they don't", Ike answered Jackson who nodded.
"What keeps us alive is the thought of our love ones. That is why I'm some situations, you'll be asked if you have anyone one at home, who you will be returning back to. That is because, someone who have love ones at home and longed to return back to them have higher chance of returning back than someone who does not have someone they love to return back to. I had this friend who was among the first to be killed in action last month, he didn't die because he wasn't well trained, he dies because he was reckless and thoughtless. He was recently heartbroken when he got the news that his mother died and his wife? Well, the bitch eloped with a bastard to an unknown destination while he was at the Frontline. When their unit was ambushed by the Germans, they fought but this young man...got hold of explosives and ran right into the enemies' formation blowing himself up into piece of flesh and bones. Although his action paved way for his unit's victory, he did that because he was broken and had no one at home to return back to. The best solution he figured out, was to end it all", Jackson concluded his take looking at Ike.
"That was very horrible", Bush shook his head.
"Some times, life does not treat us how we should be treated, to some...it is fair, and to some, it is harsh. We all don't get same dosage of life", Jackson walked over to the opposite side of my bunk, stood for a while before continuing his speech.
"I'm the next two weeks, you'll all be leaving camp for good. A week to see you love ones and afterwards... you'll be shipped across the water, then the decision of dying over there or returning back to your family would be your sole responsibility. For the time being, I wish to Inform you all to be prepared, for the journey ahead isn't smooth. That's said, God speed your way", Staff sergeant Jackson strode out leaving all of us lost in our individual thoughts.