Romantic Cavalier: Warfare

Chapter 2

In Z Province, there was a clash between rebels and government troops that took place for about fifteen minutes. They defeated the rebels but the leader managed to escape. The government side had casualties but not fatal.

"Men, secure the area! Take all our wounded comrades to the rescue helicopters. Don't let anyone get left behind, even the rebels who are wounded. Take them out of this area." The captain of the military, who leads the team, commanded.

"Roger that, captain!" the troops responded.

They all left the area with everyone on the helicopters and went back to the headquarters. All the injured were immediately sent off to be treated at a nearby hospital.

"Captain Gu, how's the operation?" A fellow soldier asked upon their arrival. He was Major Peter Lin, his Commanding Officer.

"We have five injured comrades, Sir. And we failed to cease the leader of the rebels." The army officer patted his shoulder as he saw the younger official's expression.

"Not all operations will succeed. Just be glad that we didn't lose another comrade in this fight." The older official said while they were heading to his office.

"Is there anything we need to discuss privately?" Capt. Gu asked with a curious expression.

"Remember our request for some medical staff to help the community here with the dengue outbreak? They responded and they will send out some volunteers, led by a young but trusted doctor in our military hospital in Dunearn City." Major Peter Lin responded as he sat down on his office chair.

"Young? You think he won't run away if he is in the middle of treating the patients and gunfire?"

"We can't underestimate him because he is young. According to my source, he is the brother of our deceased comrade, so I assume he understands what life awaits him here and his team. Aside from that, they will have a briefing before coming here."

"Hmmm..." Capt. Gu just nodded, skeptically.

"What I want you to do is that I will assign you to meet them at the landing area. They will be sent here in one of our C130 planes alongside the new graduate soldiers."

"When will their arrival be?" he asked, flatly.

"In two days."

After their short talk, Captain Gu went out to go to his room to change his wrinkled and untidy uniform with the blood of his comrades.

"Bro, how is it?" Lt. Ryan Cheng asked when he met him on his way.

"The leader fled and we have five wounded." He responded in disappointment.

"Don't get disappointed, luck is always not on our side. At least you ceased the rest of them lifeless. You're still the best."

"How about you escorting the volunteers?"

Lt. Ryan Cheng tasked us with volunteers who helped the residents who are infected with dengue.

"The fatalities are increasing due to the lack of doctors and medicine. The good thing is that some social workers can convince some residents about a cleanup drive that might help not to get rid of those mosquitos, but at least we can reduce them if the environment is clean."

"There are volunteers, arriving in two days to help attend to the needs of the victims."

"That's good news, and you might find a girlfriend from them so we can always see you smiling." Capt. Gu glared at Lt. Cheng. Both of them came from the same class during their military training and were always assigned to the same place. They also went on the same operation most of the time. Only today Lt. Cheng didn't go with them, because he escorted the volunteers.

"Silly! I need to go now." Then he started walking away.

"Captain Hunter Gu, you will gonna have someone to love soon." Lt. Ryan Cheng shouted to tease him. He just ignored him, because he always did that because, teasing him whoever he thought matched him, but always ignored by him, he was so used to it. Some of those women would show some motives but he always turned them down. He didn't understand, but he had no feelings for those women.

-

Two days later, Capt. Hunter Gu, Sgt. Jessie Li (one of his best friends aside from Lt. Cheng), Sgt. Wu Allen, PFC Alex Yu who served as a driver, and three other private rank soldiers went to welcome the arrival of the medical volunteers.

The C130 plane which was boarded by the volunteers arrived a few minutes ahead of them at the small military airport. The ramp door has been put down for the passengers to get off of the aircraft. The new soldiers came out first and the volunteers next. While Capt. Hunter Gu stood not far from the ramp door. He could see the people coming out of the aircraft.

With their heavy luggage, the volunteers got out of the military aircraft.

"Doc Xiao, gosh you see that? A handsome officer is waiting for us." Irene Tay, who was trying to control her giggle when she saw the army captain with his impassive expression waiting a few steps from the aircraft ramp door.

"That face? He didn't seem to know how to smile, how can he be handsome?" Lawrence Xiao smirked.

"Hey Irene Tay, we are here to volunteer and not to find a handsome man. And for you to know, soldiers used to have girlfriends in every place they were assigned." Dexter Zhuo butted in.

"Hmph. You're all such a killjoy." Irene Tay acted, frowning.

"Welcome Doctor Lawrence Xiao and your team." Capt. Hunter Gu said when they were already in front of them.

"I'm Capt. Hunter Gu." He offered his hand to welcome them.

"Doctor Lawrence Xiao and he is Doc Dexter Zhuo, Doc Irene Tay..." Lawrence stopped introducing the rest when he was interrupted by Irene Tay, who gently pushed him to take Hunter Gu's hand. Lawrence Xiao nudged her to let her realize what she was doing. Dexter Zhuo pulled his shirt gently to stay away from Hunter Gu, who still had his impassive expression.

"Ah hehehe, Capt. Gu, I'm so sorry about that. Can I continue?"

"No need, we still need to meet at the headquarters and find out the rest."

"Oh okay."

"Shall we go now?"

"Yes! Yes!" Lawrence Xiao quickly held his luggage and didn't notice that his shoelace was lost and his other foot was stepping on it. It made him stumble and fell on the ground when he took a step to follow the army Captain.

"Clumsy!" Hunter Gu said as he turned slightly to Lawrence Xiao who was kneeling on the ground, touching his bruised knee. He was just wearing his casual shorts. That's why he hurt his knee. What he said didn't go unheard with Lawrence's sensitive ears.

Lawrence gritted, showing his bunny teeth. "What did you say, Capt. Hunter Gu?" He emphasized his name, telling him he didn't like what he said. "Instead of helping me is that what you're going to say? It's an accident, okay?" Everyone was shocked by how Lawrence talked to the army captain.

"Doc Xiao, calm down. We haven't reached our exact destination yet." Nurse Yu came to help him and told him.

Lawrence got up abruptly and pulled his luggage flouncing, showing he was greatly annoyed.

But for Hunter Gu's men, Jessie Li, Alex Yu, Wu Allen, and the rest who knew him. It's a good indication for them that there was someone who dared to act like that to their upper-classman.

"This must be fun!" Jessie Li said, pretending that it was not about what had happened a while ago, but then he stopped immediately when Hunter Gu threw daggers of glare at him.

"Pfft!" Alex Yu and Wu Allen snort as they restrain themselves from laughter.

They then all go together to the army vehicle park nearby with Lawrence Xiao pouting and glaring at the back of Hunter Gu.

Helicopters, different types of tankers, cars, and trucks met the eyes of the medical volunteers as they arrived at the army headquarters. Soldiers who were roaming around turned their gazes to the newly arrived.

"We're here." Jessie Li, who was sitting next to Lawrence, spoke.

Dexter Zhuo, who sat on the other side of Lawrence, nudged him.

"What?!" Lawrence hissed. He is still annoyed by Hunter Gu.

"Stop pouting like a kid who doesn't get what he wants. Remember, you're a doctor, not a kid. Stop being so childish." Dexter rolled his eyes as he scolded him.

"It's that arrogant Captain's fault."

"Stop blaming him. He is telling the truth anyway. You're clumsy!" Dexter said as they got down from the car with their luggage.

Lawrence's eyes widened and was about to slap Dexter on his head, but his hand stopped mid-air as he heard the voice of the soldier coming. He lifted his head to see and he saw a soldier who smiled widely as he saw him. If he is not mistaken, he is a high-ranking official based on the stars on his uniform.

"Doctor Xiao, right?" He said as he approached Lawrence Xiao and offered his hand. "Major Peter Lin."

Lawrence accepted it. "Yes, I'm Doctor Lawrence Xiao."

"How's all your flight Doc?" Maj. Lin asked as he looked at all of them.

"We have a smooth flight, Sir, only until we arrive at the landing area." Lawrence Xiao didn't restrain himself from showing how annoyed he was.

"Is there anything that happens after your arrival?" The army official asked him with furrowed brows.

"I tripped off and your subordinate, instead of helping me to get up, called me clumsy instead," Lawrence complains as a son complains to his father while throwing a death glare at Hunter Gu who is silently walking with them beside Maj. Lin.

Major Lin then looked at Hunter but no expression from him at all. He knows how cold it is and impassive at times.

"I'm so sorry about that, Doctor Xiao. Anyways, Capt. Gu will send you all to your billet. You'll gonna stay there as long as you're all here for the medical mission."

"Thank you, Major Lin," they said in unison.

"No worries. Later I will send someone to call Doctor Xiao for us to discuss some things we need to sort out before we send you off to start the medical mission."

They followed Hunter Gu to their temporary shelter. Lawrence then turned his gaze to Hunter, whose expression is nothing new. He just ignored him and led their way to their temporary shelter.

"Thank you, Capt. Gu!" Irene Tay said while showing what she thinks of her cuteness side. Hunter Gu just gave her a thin smile. Lawrence was still annoyed, so he just sat on the bench outside the billet, took his first aid kit, and treated his bruised knee.

Hunter Gu then bids goodbye as soon as they are settled down.

There are two billets for them, one for ladies and one for men. There are bunk beds inside with a complete set of bedding.

"Where are we gonna eat then?" Li Han asked.

"Hey cutie brat, settle yourself first before thinking of foods. Didn't you hear Major Lin say he would discuss everything with Doctor Xiao?" Dexter responds to Li Han.

Li Han pouted and did what Dexter asked him to do.

"Doctor Xiao, can I share with you the same bunk bed?" Li Han asked Lawrence, who was busy taking out his clothes and some stuff from his luggage.

"Hey Li Han, I'll be the one sharing the bunk bed with Doc Xiao, not you!" Johnny Chen, who just came in, intervened.

"No! I said it first." Li Han responded.

"Oh my! Why do we have this kind of medical team? A childish doctor and childish nurse. I can't!" Dexter gently slaps his forehead, watching the two bickering nurses.

"You two stay on that bunk bed. And I will choose that single bed at the end. And stop pestering me, you two." Lawrence, who was just listening, spoke and dragged his luggage to the single bed, he said.

"See it's your fault." Li Han blamed Johnny Chen.

Johnny Chen stuck his tongue out towards Li Han. "Bleeeehhh!"

Li Han then picked up the pillow and threw it to him.

Dexter Zhuo just shakes his head watching the two young nurses.

Knock! Knock!

All of them stopped what they were doing when they heard a knocking on the door. Dexter Zhuo goes and opens

it as he is the one closer to the door.

"Hi! Major Lin asked me to call you all for lunch." A young soldier said.

"You're one of those soldiers that were with us on the plane, right?"

The young soldier smiled. "Yes, Doctor. I'm Leo Zhao, by the way."

"I'm Doctor Dexter Zhuo and he is Doctor Lawrence Xiao, my cousin, and those two, Johnny Chen and Li Han.

"Glad to meet you all. Let's go have some lunch."

They then left their billet and planned to continue to settle their stuff after lunch. They went next door to call Doctor Irene Tay and nurse Yu.

The lunch went well though Lawrence still couldn't move on from his annoyance towards Hunter Gu.

"Doctor Xiao, would you mind coming to my office now? I think it's better if we discuss everything now so you can rest after tonight," Major Peter Lin said.

"Sure Major, no problem."

"Good. Come follow me please."

Lawrence then nodded to his fellow doctors and nurses for them to understand that they needed to go back to their first place.

"Have a seat Doctor."

"Thank you!" And he sat down on the chair opposite to the army officer's working desk.

"What I need to discuss with you is about the things that we need for this mission, how many people we need to assist six of you."

"Ahm about that Major, I think we have enough medicines and materials needed. We brought everything that we think we need for this mission. If ever we need more, we can request the head office to send us here. And I know from the directors that you have enough facilities here if, in case, there is a need for surgery or any greater treatment. And for assistance, I think we still need more volunteers to assist us, but if there's already from this province that would be better." Lawrence said to Major Lin. He is prepared for this mission though he just only has two days to prepare everything.

"Good! There are nurses and doctors from the city too, but only three of them left, as recently there was another clash between our troops and the rebels at the neighboring village that made them scared and go back to the city."

"I heard that there are some social workers too who are trying to educate the residents about how to eliminate mosquitos that cause dengue."

"Yes there is and I think it's a big help also for the residents."

"May I ask, Major? When did exactly this dengue outbreak start? Why do you call for help only when it's already worse?"

The army major heaved a sigh. "We're very confident that it's just dengue and we are just looking for help from the government of Z Province and they sent us doctors and nurses, but then, because of the disturbance caused by the rebels, they slowly left. It started almost two months ago. Some of our soldiers had also been infected but were treated quickly. Our problem is some of the residents don't cooperate. They're supposed to be in the evacuation centers as the village was not that clear when they went back, but they insisted that they were thinking of their livelihoods. The war occurred in that village and took many lives, including civilians."

Lawrence listened intently with eyes fluttering as he could imagine the life of his brother when he was still alive.

"Are you okay, Doctor Xiao?"

"Yes, I'm okay, Major. Just go on." Major Lin then continues and they end up talking about the briefing that is to be given the next day in the morning.

"See you tomorrow morning Doctor Xiao." Maj. Lin sent Lawrence to the entrance of his working room.

"See you tomorrow, Major."

Lawrence Xiao started to walk back to their shelter when he suddenly stopped as he saw Hunter Gu outside his shelter playing with a young boy. If he is not mistaken, he is around eight years old.

"He is his adopted son. I mean, yes. Yuan is an orphan, his parents died during the war between our troops and the rebels." Lawrence turned to his back and he saw a soldier who is smiling at him. "Hi Doctor Xiao, right?. I'm Lt. Ryan Cheng."

"Hello!" Then he looked back at Hunter Gu and the boy. "Lucky you found the boy."

"Captain Hunter Gu is helping to check the area when the crossfire stopped. He found Yuan bathing in his parents' blood crying. Capt. Gu then took him. He was in shock for a few months but I think now he is fully recovered." Ryan Cheng continued as they walked towards Lawrence's shelter. They didn't notice Hunter Gu's gaze following them. "And only Yuan made our best Captain smile or laugh." Ryan chuckled.

Lawrence's brows furrowed.

"Why?

"Capt. Gu is so popular among the troops for having a cold personality. Even me, his best friend, not able to make him laugh even at my jokes." Ryan laughed.

"Aaaaahh..."