MIA: A Short Story by Jethro Black

You would think the first thing to kill you would be the lack of food or water, or the wounds you suffered in a recent conflict. Out here though, you'd be lucky if that's how you died, for more than likely you would freeze to death. This was how it was in Drachma during the winter. Snow was always on the ground, never seemed to lessen. Even if there were days where none of it fell from the sky, it didn't go away. A never ending plane of white and grey as far as the eye could see. So meek and depressing, even the bravest men would lose faith in returning home after a while. Yet I kept strong and pushed onward, always fighting to keep going. I know not whether it was courage, a strong will to survive, or my stubborn pride that kept me alive, but I know for certain one thing kept me going. I had a duty to attend to, and promises to keep. If I let those people down, then I could no longer be the man I was, only an empty shell of armor with nothing but a name in this god forsaken wasteland of snow and ice. That name is Jethro William Black, and this is my story.

As I look back, dates are all a blur to me. I can't even remember what day it was when we attacked Moscow. In all essence we had declared war on Drachma that day, and I have a feeling I will live to see that decision made regrettable. We launched a full scale invasion of their capital city, and in the end failed in all we aimed to do. Aurelius and Hild were still alive, RIOTE was still intact and strong, and the new leader of Drachma, the one they called 'Vanity' was still at large. Though one good thing did come of it, the center of the city, the Kremlin, had been destroyed during the fighting. I had lead my army into Moscow through the Southern Gate, paving a road of death and destruction through the city straight towards the Kremlin. Almost half way there I took a vehicle and a squad of men to save my sister, whom I had just discovered was with one of my scout squad and pinned down by unknown assailants. We came just in time, killing the enemies and saving her and my men. Our celebration was short lived however, as we were soon attacked by Drachman soldiers soon afterwards. We were cut off and pinned down far away from the main convoy, not to mention our comms were being blocked. We had almost escaped when a mortar shell hit the building we were holed up in. It crumbled within seconds, all of us still inside.

I was knocked unconscious and was out for several hours. When I awoke, the sun was nearly set and the sounds of battle were distant but sporadic. I tried to move but the rubble had me pinned, and my body was badly damaged. The pain was horrible, screeching through my body like a sonic wave. The comms were still down, and I was still unable to contact anyone. Suddenly more pain hit me and my vision began to blur, my hearing was off, and I could not rid the taste of blood in my mouth. Through the blur a figure appeared and began pulling the rubble off of me. Though I couldn't make out any concrete details, it was definitely a woman, a strong one at that. She even carried me out, a few other people dressed in what looked like black armor coming along as well. My vision and hearing returned soon after, and I discovered the one carrying me was Lillian Mae Black, my baby sister, along with the sergeant of the scout squad assisting her. I'm a little big for one person, even one as strong as Lily. I could not tell where we were going, or what direction we were heading. Every once and a while we had to stop to avoid a patrol, but we eventually escaped the city. Once we were out, we headed to a nearby village and found an abandoned house on the outskirts.

They explained the situation to me as best they could. Most of the men had died in the collapse, they were all that's left. Amestris had lost, and all forces had pulled out. They had been left behind, assumed MIA. There was myself, Lily, the sergeant, and two other men, five in total. One was a medic, thank the heavens, and was able to treat my wounds to the best of his ability. I owe my life to that man, and every day I thank him for his sacrifice and dedication. If only he had survived the journey...

The plan was simple enough. We would try to get back to Amestris any way possible. Because of the mountains, we had a few option. Climbing over them wasn't an option, nor was going all the way around through Creta. We could try to steal a plane or something to fly there, but most likely we would be shot down before we could get far. In the end, there was only one option. On the southern border, there is only one way into Amestris through Drachma: Fort Briggs. Domain of the Ice Queen, Lt. General Reila Tsukino, a good friend of mine, and long standing fortress of the Amestrian military. A plan formulated, and my wounds treated well enough to continue, we began our journey. The first few days were not bad by any means. Lots of villages and towns along the way, so almost always a place to stay. There was more than a fair share of Loyalists still around willing to help Amestrians. Sadly there was still more Soviets, and avoiding them was not always easy. Patrols, citizens, aircraft. We were watching our backs almost constantly, it was daunting. I learned the names of all the men quickly, for in such a situation it was beneficial and proper to do so. There was Sergeant Nathaniel Boros, Private First Class Johnathon Ryker, and Doctor Casey Scott. Boros was a good man and great leader, part of why he had been chosen to lead the scouting team. Ryker was new to the Templars, it was his first, and regrettably his last, mission with the Warriors of the West. Scott Jet bonded with the most however, for he was the man that kept him alive even through the bitter cold, constant running, and minimal amounts of sustenance.

The road was tough, that much I can say easily. Losing men on the other hand, that's not as easy. Ryker died from hypothermia about three weeks in, at least I believe it was three weeks. I lost all track of time during those couple of months. In some ways it was worse than when my parents died as a child, but in others it was nowhere in comparison. One thing different from then though was my sister was by my side every step of the way. If I wanted anyone by my side right now, it was her. Only one other person comes to mind, but I don't know if she would ever talk to me again. That person is my beloved Saga Tsukino, Reila's little sister, and heir to the Aerugese throne. I had met her the first week as leader at West HQ, and it had been love at first sight. Maybe not for her, but I fell head over heels faster than I could see it coming. She was an amazing woman, stubborn, head strong, and a little sadistic, but amazing all the same. We were made for each other, and loved each other very much.

As much as I loved her though, I also felt terrible for leaving her there. The last thing she had said to me before I left was "Don't die out there okay?" And I replied "As long as you draw breath, I shall not die." Though I had been right, and I survived, she didn't know that. Most likely they went to her and told her I was MIA. Knowing her, she would either stay for a little while and wait, then leave. Or she would leave straight away, feeling as if I had lied to her and left her alone, just like everyone else in her life. The thought that I may have hurt her like that is unbearable sometimes. Nightmares of her leaving me, of her dying in my arms pop up, kept me awake at nights. On top of the physical pressures our journey was taking, this just made it that much harder. But we pushed ever onward, unmoved by the violent storms that rose against us. During these times however, I gained a new goal, a strong thing to tie me down, keep me going. I would return to Amestris and fight to protect it with all my might, and become the best warrior possible so that this would never happen again. I will also track down my beloved and tell her my story, tell her of what transpired in Drachma. It does not matter if she leaves me forever then, but as long as she knows I am alive and still fully in love with her, that was all that mattered. That IS all that matters. Another goal that kept me strong was to become a better big brother. Call it a new years resolution, as we spent it in the cold hills of southern Drachma.

When we approached the border, a makeshift fort and some basic defenses had been set up by the Soviets in an attempt to keep Amestris from invading once again. It was meager and half-assed in it's construction, but well manned. It was tough to get through, and in the end stealth was unsuccessful. We were forced to steal a vehicle and drive there, Drachman militants on our backs the whole way. When we got the truck, Casey was shot in the back. He held them as best he could while we escaped. I still had my radio, and surprisingly it still worked. We contacted Briggs and let them know what was going on. They sent a party to come and escort us to the base. Shortly after this communication though, Boros was shot straight through the skull, died instantly. A few moments later the Amestrian soldiers arrived and drove the Drachmans off, and Lily killed the man who shot Boros. Starved, thirsty, cold, and exhausted, we returned home. Though we had lost Boros, Scott and Ryker along the way, Lily and I will never forget the sacrifices they made to save our lives. They each received Medals of Honor for their bravery and courage in the line of duty, and they were well earned.

Now that I'm back, I'm on the road to recovery with Lillian. It's not easy, but then again what in life is easy anymore? I've started looking for Saga, so far nothing, but I am hopeful. I was recently offered the job as Second-in-Command at Fort Briggs under Reila, and of course I accepted. As soon as I'm feeling better, I will be starting there. I can't wait until then, for then will be my second chance to do things right. Not many people get those, and I am blessed to say I do. My name is Jethro William Black, and that, is my story.