Continuation

Months pass by; Ahmad’s class underwent the national exams in April, after that, with so much free time on their hands they underwent the advanced training camp in Soreang.

It was midday; cloudless sky and hot temperature dominate most of the days during the advanced training camp.
Today is I Company seventh jump.

Ahmad is standing before the jumpmaster.
“Get ready!” he shouted.
“Stand up!” his men stands “hook up!” his men hook the parachute hook to the rail “equipment check!” he told his men to check their equipments.

As soon as he got their confirmation that they’re good and the green light lit up he takes a jump through the jump bay of the C-130.
His canopy quickly deployed, slowing down his descend rate.
‘I love the feeling when jumping through that gate… two more jumps and we’re qualified as Paratroopers’ he thought as he float to the ground.

………………………………………………………………………………

One year and six months have passed since Lieutenant Colonel Dobby enlisted their names as recruits for the 7th Airborne. Now they all stand proudly on the field in front of the city administrative building, preparing to take their oath as soldiers of Republic of Indonesia.

The men and women said their oath platoon by platoon.
There are lots of kids, bystanders and parents of the soldiers watching around the field.

“Eagle Company 2nd platoon say your oath!” Colonel Dobby ordered.

“We men and women of 2nd Platoon, being of sane mind and good health, vow to give our service and should it be needed, our life, to the Republic of Indonesia. We vow to never shirk our duty and would be ready to defend Indonesia, her allies, and her interests anywhere around the world. We vow to never back down from challenge in any form, be it in combat or in civil duty…Pantang mundur, mati sudah ukur. We will stand by these words be it in peacetime or in wartime, till the day that we die” the men and women of 2nd platoon said their vow.
The soldiers have looks of pride on their faces; they have passed rigorous training for almost two years and now are being made the fighting men and women of Indonesia.

Meanwhile, in Washington, a coup was proceeding. Allowing a group of political figures and senators to kick peace loving Barrack Obama from his office and replace him with the war mongering McCain.
Soon after, United States of America joined with Mexico, Columbia, Cuba, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Argentina form the Federation of United America. McCain quickly re occupy Iraq and crush Iran, and then he backed Mossad uprising in Israel before neutralizing Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon, new generation of Jewish refugees flock to Egypt with what is left of their military.

Then the forces quickly creep up from Middle East, conquering Ossetia, Georgia, Armenia, and Greece before adding Turkey as their occupied ally.
The news of atrocities done by United American elites, the Black Skull guard from Columbia and Peru spread around the world.

British Government immediately evacuate all military and political assets from Cyprus, American Tomahawk sunk one of the ships carrying British personnel, resulting in almost 200 British killed.
By the morning of December 21st the Prime Minister of Britain declare war against United states, followed by France, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Germany, and Poland.
Soon after, China split between the communist North and those who are tired of the communist rule on the south. The south re joined with Republic of China (Taiwan) and start sending soldiers against the North, the North signed treaties with United America to help them.
By January 3rd the Allied army suffers defeat at Sicily and had to fall back to Mainland Europe, Spain join the allies and mobilize her troops in an attempt to stop the coalition in Corsica, the major defeat cost Spain some 200.000 soldiers and thousands of equipments.

Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore simultaneously declared war on United America and their coalition. However, Chilean and Brazilian Marines and their army group South sweep into New Guinea, Maluku, Sulawesi, and Java.
Indonesian Army establishes defensive pockets like Makassar in Sulawesi or Surabaya and D.I. Yogyakarta in Java.

Five months since the start of the war Indonesian Government in Jakarta are ready for counterattack.
The plan would consist of 7th and 14th Airborne and Raider 215th to be dropped in area around Cilacap, where there is a port that could be used and Kebumen – Purworejo area as a gateway to Yogyakarta.
Naval bombardment would commence that evening from KRI Sudirman, KRI Yos Sudarso, and KRI Teuku Umar.

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.