Chapter 98: Already Soldiers
"Incoming barrage fire!" I shouted without warning, standing above ground and overlooking the recruits as they went about their routine in the trenches.
Just like the night drill a few evenings prior, the enemy attack was once again simulated using noise. This time, we hired spectators to bang on metal pots and pans, while Eduardo fired his swivel cannons on cue.
The cadets who had been briefed beforehand immediately shouted orders for the recruits to either drop to the trench floor or duck behind the parapets. Knowing the drill by now, the recruits obeyed without question, following their cadets’ and NCOs’ instructions to the letter.
At the other end of the trench, Colonel Abad shouted, "Enemy fire! Some of our soldiers are hit!"
Vicente and Dimalanta sprang into action, pointing at random recruits and tagging them as either dead or wounded, instructing them to stay put. The more alert cadets quickly ordered their men to drag the tagged recruits to the rear trenches to simulate casualty management.
Then it was the captains’ turn.
"The enemy has breached the left flank!" Pedro shouted after blowing his whistle. "Enemy soldiers are inside our trenches!"
Cristobal Madrigal and his platoon were closest to the leftmost section of the trench. In stark contrast to his slow response during the night drill, the young cadet immediately sprang to action.
"Fix bayonets!" he bellowed. "To the left flank, charge!"