Not One Step Back

Not One Step Back
I write this for my friend Kafi who kept dogging me to put him inside my story
I write this one as the other version of ‘We Will Not Go Down’

Mutiara Bunda Junior high school, Bandung

Its two days before the end of the term, students are chatting, telling each other about their holiday plan and all.

Suddenly the teachers called up all students to the hall for an announcement about some new program that would start the very next term.
Students fill inside the hall on the second floor. Inside they see several men dressed in formal military dress.

One of the boys, Ahmad, quickly scans the uniform for any information regarding their affiliation. He noticed the eagle emblem akin to Deutschland Eagle on the sleeve of their formal uniform jacket.
He taps his friend on the shoulder.

“Hey Abi, d’you reckon any Indonesian regiment with Deutschland Eagle as their emblem?” he asks.

The other boy seems to think for a few moments before shaking his head “nah, no Indonesian unit got that emblem for all I know” he said.
He was about to say more when Mrs. Endah and one of the officers walks forward.

“Students, this is Lieutenant Colonel Dobby, formerly of the British 7th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He’s here as a part of the new UK-INA alliance, his duty is to raise a parachute infantry regiment with the UK’s 7th standard under the West Java Kujang Parachute Infantry Brigade. Now, Lieutenant Colonel Dobby, the floor is yours” Mrs. Endah said.

Lt. Colonel Dobby nods his head and takes his place.
“Now, as Mrs. Endah told you, I’m here to raise an airborne regiment, but she didn’t tell you why I went here specifically didn’t she? Oh well, I came to Mutiara Bunda to look for any who is interested in joining the airborne, as we speak, my fellow officers are looking for those who are interested in several other well known school” he said.

One student raises his hand.
“How will the training be done to not interfere with our school lesson and activity?” he asks.

Lt. Colonel Dobby smiled.
“For the first year, when you’re still a junior high student it would feel rather like an extra activity, the next year if you applied would be the whole deal, but don’t worry, we will provide the high school academic material during the training so you won’t be left behind in your education.” Lt. Col. Dobby said.

Some of the students start whispering among themselves when the Lt. Colonel pulled out a book.
“Anyone that is interested in joining the program sign their name and their birth year in this book here”
He said before putting the book down on the table in front of the students.

Ahmad stand next to Abisha and Kafi on the back of the line, all of them just signed the book and are currently waiting for the fourth member of their little bicycle riding group, Asri Aulia.
Few moments later the girl joins them and they went downstairs for lunch.

…………………………..

The students are sitting around, their report book in hand, chatting during the last day of the term.

“They told us to report to Hussein Airport at seven thirty tomorrow for physical examination, basic marching training and introduction to the life. Lt. Colonel Dobby also said that there would be a two weeks training camp to acclimate us all and some physical training and discipline training” Ahmad told his friends as he finish reading his report book.

“Yep, they’ll divide us into our platoons… and such, start giving ranks based on the tests… I hope I’ll stay with you guys” Abi said.

Asri smiled at her friends “you guys are practically my brothers, you know that right? I know that this would be tough, but I know I will be fine, as long as one of my brothers is there beside me” she said.

The three boys chuckled.
“What ever you say then lil’ sis” Ahmad said.
“We’ll stand by you all the way” Kafi added.
“Yeah, we’ll watch you’re back better than you watch ours” Abi put in his two cents.

Asri blushed and smiled at her ‘brothers’ words and hug them all.
“I love you guys!” she stated.
Ahmad laughs at this and slowly disentangles himself from the mix.

“I would love to stay around, but there’s an army boots with my name on them waiting… I’ll go and check them out” he said as he pick up his report book and start to walk away.
The other just shakes their heads on his antics.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Three weeks later

“Momma, momma can you see?” the drill instructor shouted.
The marching troopers all followed him.

“What the airborne did to me?” he said again, and again the soldiers followed.

The training camp for the whole lot of second battalion from 7th regiment went smoothly.
By the end of the first week the recruits have already been familiar with the army disciplines, hierarchy, rules and have met the standards for physical fitness.
By the time the trainees finished with training camp they’re ready to undertake the more serious side of the life, like obstacle course, parachute folding and maintenance, their equipments maintenance, and their weapon maintenance.

Sergeant Ahmad from Eagle Company second platoon is sitting near his car, playing with his army flashlight when he heard someone sit next to him.
He looks to the side and grinned.

“Hey Cousin, or should I call you Corporal Sacadipura now?” he asks.

The girl grinned widely “there’ll be no need for that, except when we are showing off or when its business” she said.

Ahmad looks up to the sky and sigh.
“I can’t wait for the jump training or the weapon training for the matter of fact” he said.

His cousin smiled “So do I cousin, so do I” she said.
She then glances at her watch.
“We should go back to Bandung you know, tomorrow you and I got new batch of students to guide in mischief making, you in your school and me in mine” she said.

Ahmad laughed and move his head to the jeep parked nearby, “hop in then, we’ll go” he said.

………………

Three days later Mutiara Bunda seniors are taking their parts in the welcoming and orientation week for the new seventh grade students.
Asri got herself saddled with a team of ten, six boys and four girls.

She’s resting while her group performs the challenge under Tiara’s observation nearby when someone suddenly pinched her cheek.
She yelps in surprise and rub her cheek where the assailant had pinched her.

“You must keep on alert private” a familiar voice mock scolded her.

She turned her head and directed her patented scowl at one of her brother.
“I know sergeant, but I was not expecting an attack from my own brother” she said.

Her assailant laughed and plop down next to her.
“You got quite a cheerful and energetic squad there little sister” he said.
Asri beamed, “Yeah, though that Tiara girl and few others are totally mush. I’d rather have this squad though, than Kafi’s”

“I’ve seen his, and I admit yours is much better” he laughed.
Asri nods her head, “yeah, yeah… now that you’re here I think you should meet my guys. Don’t think about running away, I need you to explain about why we are wearing these rank and badges” she said.

Ahmad sighs and nods his head slowly.
“Yes alright, I’ll do it” he said.

So, later that day Asri and Ahmad had to explain about the whole concept of the Airborne Regiment to the seventh graders and explaining about their position as trainees for the Airborne Regiment.

“So you’re going to be like the 101st in Band of Brothers movie?” Fia asks her cousin.
Ahmad grinned and ruffled her hair, “yes Fi, just like in the movies” he said.

Another seventh grader raises her hand.
Ahmad sigh, “okay Karin, but this is the last question for now” he said.

The girl looks up nervously into her senior’s eyes.
“Will you and Ka’ Asri go to war?” she asks.
Ahmad and Asri share a glance and grinned to each other.
“Yes, if we are needed to protect Indonesia and her interests we will go” both said confidently.