[ IP ] War . What do you know about war ?

Gale opened his eyes again to same sensation he felt as the day before: Despair. Day after day, month after month, the same feeling crept through his sleep to taint his mornings. On a normal day, he would place himself in a trance, able to ignore the void and carry through his duties. But today was worse than the others. With a tired grunt, he kicked his feet off the olive green cot and dragged his uniform from out the chest that sat at the foot of his poor excuse of a bed. 
 
 Rage built up inside him as the crisp symbol of the military sat in his hands, taunting him. This was his reward? A title and a new uniform? Friends, family, innocent lives were the cost of this? He gritted his teeth as he slid on the emblem of death and got ready for his duties. 
 
 Gale trudged down the hallway with as little effort as possible, passing the low lit doorways to different sections of the camp. His feet guided him directly to where he needed to be, for his mind was in the bitter memories of the past. This was what it meant to be a'hero'? He spat at the thought and screamed into the doorway of the barracks. 
 
 `` Everybody up!'' Gale took long strides to stand center of the room. Cots were stacked upon cots surrounded him with drowsy men climbing out with as much speed as a drunk man. Gale tapped his foot impatiently. `` Not fast enough! Back on your cots and do it again'' barked Gale. Back up went then men, knowing better than to groan. `` Everyone up!'' This time, the men came to the front of their beds with speed and attention. Gale nodded, accepting their hustle. 
 
 Gale looked around at the nervous faces of the men, well, barely men that did their best to not look like targets. He took a step toward the boy to his right. He had a fire in his eyes with a full head of bright hold that hung loosely at the ends, a contrast to Gale who's head was dull and short, with eyes to match. 
 
 `` Why did you enlist?'' Gale watched him for any sign of offense. 
 
 `` To defend my love ones, and for the glory and honor that comes from war, sir!'' The boy exclaimed with gusto and pride. 
 
 `` War? What do you know about war? Tell me.'' The boys' words rung a familiar bell in Gale's head, flashing an image of himself. 
 
 The boy's confidence faltered at Gale's sudden hostility. `` I know war is a place for a man. It shows his color, worth, and strength.'' He mumbled out. `` It is my place, my calling.'' 
 
 `` You do n't know anything about war, boy,'' Gale hissed. `` You believe it's honor and pride? You're only body count! A number to stain the paperwork of a frivolous scribe! You think your name will matter?!'' 
 
 The boy searched for help with panicking eyes, confused on what he did to warrant such an attack. `` I'm sorry, sir?'' He said cautiously, not wanting another tongue lashing. 
 
 `` You will be once you step out beyond these walls. You'll be sorry for growing a bond with these men. You'll be sorry for believing that you could make a change.'' Gale's words softened on the final sentence, showing him as more than a man in a uniform. Vulnerable. `` You'll be sorry.'' 
 
 The sentence hung in the air, leaving a hollow feeling to the men that still stood at attention. 
 
 Gale cleared his throat, finally realizing the effect he had. `` You'll receive orders from another officer within the hour. At ease.'' He left and closed the door behind him. 
 
 `` War... I want to forget.''
