Chapter 49: Re-Designation

Dean gathered the phalanx in the agora that afternoon, the smell of gunpowder and melted snow still clinging to their clothes. From the looks of it, they were all nerve wracked.

And how could they not be? They had just fought another battle. Killed more men, and were now performing basic security operations with little time to process what their lives had become in between.

But more importantly, they were anxious. The worry was written all over their faces. And Dean instantly knew the cause of it.

“Todd is stable for the time being. And Katherine says he is more or less out of the woods. He’s recovering as we speak. It might be some time before he’s fully returned to the fray. So in the meantime, Phalanx-Beta, I want you all to choose a temporary leader among yourselves to be your temporary fireteam lead.”

The recruits all broke out into sighs of relief, all the while Dean continued.

“As for Phalanx-Gamma, step forward.”

Five young men stepped forward. Compared to the others who stood straight, with their heads held high, and their shoulders squared. This particular group couldn’t even match Dean’s line of sight.

Dean obviously knew the answer. Thus far, Phalanx Alpha and Beta had seen the majority of the fighting, while Phalanx Gamma acted as a rear guard. They were the most untested, and even among their peers they seemed to be singled out.

It wasn’t the first time Dean had observed this growing trend, he just hadn’t been able to properly handle it until now.

Luckily for him, he required a single fireteam for this next mission, and they were perfect for the role it required.

“Phalanx-Gamma, as of this moment, you can no longer consider yourselves Hoplites.”

The young men flinched, some curled their fingers into fists, others bit their tongues, but before a riot could breakout Dean cut them off.

“Instead, I am re-designating your team as Peltast-Alpha. Over the next week, you will be following my strict instructions without relent and without reprieve as I spend every waking hour of the day drilling you all through the basics of Reconnaissance, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape.”

Daniel and the others shot a glance over at Dean. And Dean noticed the looks of envy they cast his way, like a bad spell, he deflected them and retained focus on the weakest link of their current outfit.

“I won’t lie to you, the next week will be a living hell for you all, over this last month I have taught you all the basics of marksmanship, combat medical, and infantry tactics. And you will be expected to maintain and advance those standards the same as the hoplites. But your primary objective from now on will be to act as our eyes and ears into the outside world. You won’t just be expected to survive in the cold wilderness beyond our borders, you will be expected to bring back critical intelligence, supplies, and personnel. It is arguably the most dangerous job I can expect from any of you. And if any of you are not up for the task, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

The looks on their’ faces did not waver in the slightest. They were hungry, and not just for food, but to prove themselves like the others had already done repeatedly.

After all, this incident with the raiders had taught this ad hoc militia something important. They weren’t alone in this world. And in a world where there was no law and order to protect them, they would have to protect themselves by any means necessary.

Thus none of the five stepped forward to remove themselves from the role. And Dean treated this as confirmation in and of itself.

“All of you get some rest, tomorrow morning at five sharp we will begin training. Dismissed.”

The young men left the agora one by one. Until only Daniel remained. He stared at Dean who had also remained. But before he could ask the question, Dean had already cut to the chase.

“You’re wondering why your team wasn’t’ selected?”

Daniel’s words caught in his throat. There was so much he wanted to say, but all he could do was nod in silence.

“Out there they’ll learn how to scout. Here, you’ll learn how to command. What we’re building is more than just a neighborhood or survival community. And I can’t ship my best soldiers off to go learn what is happening in the outside world, or to scavenge supplies. You see this as an unjust reward for the least worthy unit. I see this as repurposing an asset that’s going to waste.”

Daniel remained silent, but Dean could tell by the relaxing of his shoulders that he was no longer agitated.

“You and your men will remain here, where you will learn how to maintain internal security and to protect our borders from any threats that may linger outside in the cold. Get some rest Daniel, you have been through more turmoil this last month than any man would normally be expected to endure in his life.”

After saying this, Dean walked by and pat the young man on the shoulder. He then returned to his home, resting atop the Acropolis.

Once inside, he could smell the dinner that Yuki had prepared for him. He entered the kitchen after putting his equipment down upstairs.

There he found Yuki and Katherine were both sitting at the table, a glass of whiskey between Katherine’s fingers, and a beer between Yuki’s.

The two of them looked over and saw Dean enter the room where they smiled and greeted him.

“Welcome home!”

Dean stood there dumbstruck. He wasn’t sure what exactly had overcome the two women who were just yesterday enemies. But he suspected that, at least for the moment, the storm that was raging within his home had passed.

And in the warmth that followed he could finally find some peace. No matter how ephemeral it may seem.

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