Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Food insecurity had been a big problem in the state and the government had taken actions to put things in place. Bandits in the states had caused a lot of trouble to farmers and transportation of goods. The government sent in the military to put the area under safety and control. Valor was sent in the troop and was courageous. He vowed in his heart not to shoot or kill anyone. They were caught in an exchange of gunfire for hours with the bandits. A fellow soldier had observed him not firing and rolled over to his position and asked him, “what is the problem why are you not firing?” He replied, “my rifle is jammed.” Valor pulled the trigger, while the rifle pointed to the other soldier and said, “nothing is working.” His colleague tried to collect the rifle, but Valor struggled with him before later releasing it. He checked the rifle and realized it was on safety. He returned the safety, then pulled the trigger and it was working. Then said to valor, “it’s fine now. Let’s fire.” valor thanked him to make his pretense look real. He knew his trick had been discovered and took his form to start shooting. An enemy bullet hits his helmet, sending him back to the ground. He raised his head and fired without having a target.

The battle was over, the wounded and the front-line soldiers were returned to the base. There were a lot of injured soldiers and Valor knew his calling was to treat people, he wanted to help but the paramedics were already in control. He thought about himself in his heart and said, “I never thought in my life that I will find myself in this situation. I never wanted to be a soldier, but my certificate has fooled me to this place but it’s not my fault. I almost stayed a whole year without a job, even if Mboutidem was not complaining but I had to do something because my savings were consumed.” while he was still in his thought, he felt a tap on the shoulder and he turned to see who it was. A sergeant was behind him and said to him, “the commander wants to see you in his office immediately.” Valor stood up gently and followed him. On the way he asked the sergeant, “why did he call for me alone?” “I can’t answer, you will ask him in the office.” he already knew it was nothing else but about him not firing on the frontline.

At the entrance, he was disarmed before entering the office. Valor greeted, “morning sir. The Valor you requested for.” the commander dropped his pen, cleared his throat, and asked, “do you know why I called you here.” Valor takes a seat, then replied, “yes sir. It is about my promotion.” “on your feet!” the commander shouted with a tremendous voice. Immediately Valor stood up to attention. The commander was annoyed with him not knowing that Valor did it on purpose to distract the commander on what he had in mind to do to him because he knew human psychology. The commander with a gentle voice said “whenever you come to my office stand except you are told to sit. Is that clear?” “Sir, yes sir.” “Good, I have been told that you refuse to use your weapon at the frontline.” “No sir.” “shut up, don’t talk while I’m talking.” Valor tightened his face to make it look as if it was an accusation. “who do you think you are? Do you want to die? If you do not want to die, how can you live if you do not fight? What if your enemy succeeded in killing you when you already had the chance to put him down? Will you count it as a fair battle? Now answer me, if four people are to carry an engine or something heavy and the three lift their sides and the fourth refuses to lift his side, what do you think will be the outcome.” Valor answered, “it will tilt to the side that is not putting effort.” “You got it right. It will not only tilt but fall to his side, maybe injuring him. Do you want the same to happen to you?” “No sir.” “soldier, you know that anyone that crosses my line does not go free. You are lucky that I am in good mode today, else, I would have punished you severely. Understood!” “yes sir.” “if you want a promotion, you must earn it. Dismiss.”

Valor strolled out of the office and armed himself as he went. On his way, he learned that several soldiers had known what he did. They made a jest of him. When he passed by, they kept quiet. He wished he had a better rank. The soldier that discovered his trick walked straight to him and began to throw punches on him. Valor’s friend at the division ran towards them and separated the other soldier away from valor. He asks, “What's going on with you two?” the soldier replied, “the next time he tests a gun on my face, I will not hesitate to use mine.” Everyone there burst into laughter including valor. The soldier turned and walked away, valor followed after and pleaded. “Sir yellow please don’t be angry, it was a mistake.” Valor is a kind-hearted individual; he knows how to handle problems and solve them. He never takes things too far.

***

When night had come, a lot of activities were going on, some were playing music, smoking, reading. Valor was too decent to misbehave, he was busy looking at a war magazine. A roommate came over, nicknamed squadron. He always had a squadron with him. He said to him, “what are you doing with this magazine?” “I am counting the pages; can’t you see that I am reading.” “Fine. I know you have fears in you which is giving birth to big fear. Let me tell you the truth, you don’t need any war magazine or technique to survive. Death is pandemic and life is also pandemic. You should realize that some things will never help you until you try other things. Those that are always affected are those that stay one place because they are not exposed. They are stagnant and still waiting for people like me to push them.” “Go straight to the point, I don’t joke with my night sleep.” “that’s beautiful. I don’t want you to be afraid of the front line anymore. See this bangle,” pulls his sleeves. “Every bead has its importance that gives me confidence when I am on duty, I shake my hand and I disappear immediately, that’s why I don’t joke with it. Even Night-vision has his own.” He called Night-vision over and said, “show him your stuff.” Night-vision opened his waist and showed him. There was a rope with cowries attached and he said to Valor, “This is my natural bulletproof and knife proof.” Squadron also mentioned other soldiers involved and also mentioned a popular warrant officer named Mathew, “Mathew stuff is very expensive and just only a ring but can do a lot of things like vanishing, bulletproof, knife proof, anti-venom, and even super strength. Only in just one tiny ring. So, must bring N5,000 and you’ll get your self-defense that is independent at any instance.” Valor answered, “that is a huge amount of money. Where would I get it from?” “you will surely get it back when you go on an illegal duty.” Valor said to him, “but I don’t have the money.” Squadron replied, “I can lend some money. If you will pay in under two months.” Valor knew it was not right to seek protection from sorcery practice and tried to annoy him to leave. He said, “what if I don’t repay you within the two months, maybe in eight months.” They were angry and began to leave him. Squadron said to him, “you don’t sound serious or interested, but am giving you a second chance in case you make up your mind.” Valor closed the magazine and climbed his bed. He was about to close his eyes, he heard them saying. “I wonder if he wants to become a priest.” Valor smiled and tried to remember all he experienced with the commander that day.