Chapter III: That Lucky Old Tower

"So you want to join the army, Cole? How about taking this nearly bankrupt favorite café that we always go in?" In a café in Molodin, Cole and Theodore are discussing while playing a card game. "Not enough adventure is the reason, Theo. After receiving this heart, I feel more alive than ever. I just want to put it into a good use. Thanks to Captain Zee, this thing's now exist. I guess Humans and Lunicans are indeed the same after all."

Theodore puffed his cigarette. "please do not in front of me, please." responded Cole. "I'm sorry, I will finish this thing outside I'll also gotta go, army called." said Theodore as he left Cole alone inside the silent café. After he gave the tab to the barista, Cole also left. That day was a rainy day, and Cole's dark red coat and fedora are becoming wet as he walked, back to the police station. "Evening Cole. Thing's been busy today, but even without you, we are doing just fine." Greeted the receptionist at the station. "Yes. Have you heard about the incoming war?" asked Cole to the receptionist. "Yes sir, I heard you planned to join the army. Is that true?" answered and asked the receptionist. "Yes. I will. Soon I will file my resign papers."

The time changed back to the war.

2 months since the start of the war, it changed Lunica's appearance. Lush forests and swamps were all turned to a blasted wasteland, filled with rotting bodies and stained with blood. Captain Cole, after received the new orders from the HQ, addressed Ralph. "Ralph son. I think you should go back to the front. I can feel your fighting heart rotten inside you because you haven't yet joined the fun alongside the others after that bone-shattering experience, right?" Asked Captain Cole.

"Well yes I should, sir. How about yours?" Asked Ralph back.

"Like I have an organic heart to begin with, son." Said Cole jokingly to Ralph.

Then Cole explained the mission to Ralph. "This mission will be thrilling son, I'll tell ya. An assault on a military radio tower not far from here. We need to take back what's ours, son."

Ralph asked, "What's the importance of that tower, Cap Cole?"

"That tower is a message transmitter for the navy. Yes, I've been there when I was still an officer. Some blockheads decided that it'll awesome to include C-4 explosives alongside firecrackers when that thing just opened to public. This pistol on my hip was the witness." said Cole, explaining the bombing during the opening ceremony. "I watched that on the news back then. I was still like 15. Hey, I did saw police officers dressed in red." said Ralph.

"That was me. I'm no longer a normal officer during the bombing. A secret police. Our job is to kill, interrogate, and generally crack every baddie's head open, both psychologically and quite literally with bullets. We are loyal to the crown sole, answering only to the monarch." Cole explained. Then he continues while getting up and picking up his army coat, "I'll tell the men. Ralph, grab your rifle. I'll make sure that you won't missed this one."

Lunican Navy Communications Tower. It was built during the short reign of Otto II, shortly before he died of illness and replaced with Emilia I. During the start of Operation Starfell, it fell to the Junta Army, cutting direct communications between the Lunican Army HQ and Lunican Navy. Tasked by Zee, Captain Cole, Captain Theodore, and several other companies had to re-capture the tower, and activate it under Lunican control. Because of his experience on a plane, Ralph alongside Captain Cole were tasked in a reconnaissance mission to survey the enemy strength inside a high flying power aircraft. Now dressed in Lunican Air Service uniforms, Ralph and Cole were escorted by a kettenkrad into the hangar. Inside, there's one of a kind plane. "It's beautiful." commented Ralph on the recon plane."

"It's a Romano DA-71-C, son. Our most sophisticated atmospheric aircraft yet, made for long range recon. It has no guns, but the camera is state of the art. During my time in the secret police corps, they actually included flying this plane in my training. I'm glad I can fly inside this beauty again." As he walked inside the cockpit. Then he continues, "It was a joyous and glorious day ever in my life. Never again I got the chance to fly inside after I quitted the police corps entirely."

With his training, Cole carefully turn on the engines. Gently, he moved the plane out from the hangar, and into the runway. "Tell me Ralph, is it your first time flying?" Asked Cole. "No. I flew trainer Romano Type T once during the training. Why?" Answered Ralph, then he asked back. "Then this is gonna be your first, and the best flying experience ever in your life. Now allow me." Cole then activated the radio tower communication system and he says, "This is Radiata Prime. I repeat, this is Radiata Prime, requesting takeoff, proceeding the mission."

"Radiata Prime this is air control tower, you're cleared for takeoff. Safe flight, Cole." Said the operator.

"You know him?!" Asked Ralph to Cole.

"Best luck to you, Mike. See you at the usual café I'll treat you when the mission succeeded!" Said Cole to the operator before cutting the connections off. Then Cole answered Ralph's question. "Mike Kertzstein, one of my friend. He's the air control operator now at Bennett Airbase. I can recognize his voice anywhere. Me, Theodore, Mike, and Kurt were like close friends before the war. I first met him even before I joined the police force. I once worked as a barista in Molodin. Met Mike and Kurt. They're regular customers back then. Can't believe they are all joined the army now. Kurt is now a naval officer, from what I heard. Serving inside the largest Lunican warship, commanded by Admiral Solema himself." Said Cole while calmly flying the plane high up in the air. Not long, they've reached Lunica's border between space and land. Ralph was fascinated. He never flew this high before. As they're approaching the tower, Cole said, "Ralph, try to get a good picture of the tower from here."

Ralph shoot, then shoot, then shoot some pictures of the tower. After it all finished, they headed home, back to Bennett Airbase. "Liquorice mint, Ralph?" offered Cole. Ralph then carefully inserted the candy through the gap in his helmet near his neck. "Well, that was quick." Commented Ralph on the mission.

"It's just a photograph mission, what do you really expect Ralph? A dogfight? Then Ralph, maybe I don't have a heart, but I'm still keeping my brain intact, you know? Remember when I said no weapons aboard this plane?" said Cole jokingly mocked Ralph.

Upon the landing, they were waited by General Zee and some of his staff. Exiting the cockpit, they saluted the General. Seeing Cole, Zee said, "You there, yes you. I want to speak with you."

"At once General. How may I be in service?" asked Cole. The general replied, "How's your heart? isn't it great to have one?" while smiled at Cole. "Never been any greater, sir. Thank you. Your sacrifice saved me. You did gave me a new life."

Cole cried. Zee in turn, hugged Cole. "Now, it is your responsibility to use it to your advantage. In fact, I've chosen you. You're a police officer. You are the spearhead of the Lunican society." Zee then cheered Cole up.

Cole reminded himself of that time. After being woken up from the surgery, Cole notices a box besides his bed. When he opened it, he was filled with joy and excitement. It was a special service pistol given to him by an anonymous donor. When Theodore came in into Cole's room and when Cole asks him, "Who sent me this pistol?" Theodore just answered, "No clue. Your donor, probably."

Time flies. It's been almost 5-6 years for Cole. From his humble beginnings as a police officer, and into the military shortly afterwards.

From Lunican Army war room, Zee explained the attack plan to take the communication tower back.

"Gentlemen, the efficiency of this war is now depends on that lucky old tower. Taking back that tower is now a priority, as our navy ships above are now left without orders. We have almost 500.000 men in our disposal. The enemies got 650.000. With such limited amount of grunts, we cannot simply win the battle, but we must limit casualties as their manpower can be used in another upcoming battle. In terms of mechanised, armoured, and motorized divisions, we have plenty. We cannot use our airpower. As their AA gun emplacements are too many. But if we disable them, we can gain air superiority." Zee then opened the hologram file of every available infantry division:

"In terms of manpower, we have the famous 18th Blue Devils Battalion, 4th Lunican Rifles Guard Battalion, 1st Molodin Regimental Combat Group, and 10th Melberc Armoured Column. Captain Theodore Ignis and Captain Cole Norman Phillips will lead the attack on the tower."

"War will be longer than expected. But soon, peace in our time."

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