After four weeks of conscription,
The four weeks did not pass like consecutive days, but like constant pressure that could not be measured by time.
There was not a single explosion, no visible enemy only a slow suffocation.
Contradictory orders were thrown at them without explanation.
One officer ordered them to run until exhaustion, while another punished them for being one minute late to formation.
Harsh training repeated every day, without anyone telling them why or for how long.
Food was barely enough, and sleep became a rare luxury.
Sometimes Mark would wake up unsure whether he had actually slept, or if his body had simply stopped resisting for an hour or two.
Among the soldiers, rumors began to creep in as whispers:
They say we'll be sent to the northern front…
No, I heard there's a withdrawal…
No betrayal… someone sold our positions.
Names were mentioned for the first time, then disappeared the next day.
A recruit who laughed in the evening would not appear at morning training.
No one asked. No one answered.
At that stage, Mark was not a hero not even a soldier in the true sense of the word.
He was a number on a list.
A body being tested to its absolute limits.
A soul being pressed in silence, without being allowed to break.
Then, on a morning that felt far too calm,
Mark and the rest of the recruits were summoned to the yard.
There… the colonel stood before everyone, his face pale and stern, and said:
"I am Colonel Andres. I will explain the situation our country has reached, so listen carefully, because the time has come for you to defend it and give everything you have."
Then he added:
"A year ago, the war began immediately after we failed to join the great powers. We were attacked by State B, so we concentrated our military forces on the northern border to stop its army's advance. But at the same time, we were attacked by States C and E, which weakened our forces despite their strength.
"We entered diplomatic talks to understand the reasons for the attacks and to try to stop the war, but to no avail. All attempts failed. And so, we found ourselves in an unequal war three against one.
"Even so, our army managed to endure for a full year, and we are still standing. We have not fallen yet.
"Yes, we lost many brave men and heroes. We lost many civilians. We even lost major cities in the north, east, and south. But the capital is still standing. Our soldiers are still standing. Our citizens are still standing.
"Despite the hunger and destruction caused by this war, we continue to resist. We have not lost yet, and we will not lose. We have not fallen yet, and we will never fall. We will win this war.
"And that is why we need you, new recruits. Fight to protect your homeland, your birthplace, your families, and the people dear to you. Sacrifice your lives and fight with everything you have to bring glory and immortality to our nation. I trust you… the citizens place their hopes in you."
As soon as the colonel finished speaking, an officer stepped forward carrying several documents and handed them to him.
The colonel took the papers, swallowed hard, then said:
"From this moment on, this camp is considered a military battalion under my command. Due to shortages, we will soon head to the battlefront."
At that moment, the recruits began whispering among themselves, and fear and panic started to spread.
"Yes, you will be sent to the battlefield soon. Are you afraid?" Colonel Andres said angrily.
"Fine. I'll give you a choice. Anyone who wishes to withdraw step forward now."
Silence fell.
Then suddenly, dozens of recruits stepped forward, saying they wanted to withdraw and that they were afraid of war.
Colonel Andres said, "Is that all? Is there any other coward here?"
He then gestured to the soldiers standing beside him.
They moved toward the deserters with their rifles and began beating them until they lost consciousness perhaps until death before the eyes of Mark and the other recruits, who did nothing but watch. Deep inside, they realized that withdrawal had never been an option, and that they had no choice but war and death on the battlefield.
Andres continued:
"As I was saying, this camp is now a battalion in the army under my command. I do not want weak, broken men like them in my battalion. Of course, I will not allow them to return to their homes. These pieces of trash will remain in the battalion perhaps they'll be useful for something. And if they try to withdraw again, I will kill them with my own hands, whether in the camp or on the battlefield."
Then he added:
"Now I will divide the battalion into platoons based on training results. The battalion consists of 600 soldiers. I will divide you into 30 platoons, each consisting of 20 soldiers, led by a lieutenant. I will now call out the platoon numbers, the members' numbers, and the lieutenant who will lead them."
The colonel continued calling out numbers, moving from one platoon to another. Minutes passed like hours.
Only Mark and a few others remained in the yard.
Then Colonel Andres said, "You are the last ones left. You will form Platoon 30 under the command of Lieutenant Joseph."
A soldier with a slender build and a cheerful face stepped forward toward Mark and the others and said calmly,
"Hello. I'm Lieutenant Joseph. Nice to meet you. I will be responsible for this team. I expect a lot from you."
Five more days of training passed under Lieutenant Joseph's supervision. The training was harsh, but the lieutenant was truly a good person. He treated us like friends, always joking with us and encouraging us. He also helped me a lot in learning how to use a weapon, teaching me how to shoot. Although the problem of my trembling hands was not solved, I finally began to understand some things.
The five days passed quickly. On a quiet night, Lieutenant Joseph gathered us and said:
"Tomorrow, we head to the battlefield. I know you're afraid. I know you don't want to die, and that you have dreams and families. So let's win and come back together. I trust you."
Despite our intense fear, the lieutenant's words brought comfort to our hearts and filled us with a desire to win.
Meanwhile, inside a tent in the camp, Colonel Andres appeared with the lieutenants, explaining the plan to them.
As soon as he finished explaining, everyone remained shocked for a moment.
No one said a word.
They all agreed to the plan.