The Warsaw Philharmonic
The sun slowly rose over the Great Desert once more, the heat already rising to blistering temperatures. A convoy of trucks and soldiers snaked through the desert as they headed into enemy territory with none other than Fuhrer Renee in the first humvee. The man, dressed the same as every other soldier in the convoy, sat in the passenger seat, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. This wasn’t something he wanted to do. In fact, he had taken every precaution to avoid this situation, but it had to be done... The enemy was too dangerous to the surrounding civilian encampments, and Trinity refused to risk the lives of civilians for an unjust cause.
“Um... Fuhrer? Sir?” The driver, a lone Lieutenant, looked over at Trinity, worry and cation written on his face. “Is it safe for you to be coming with us during the initial invasion? I mean... There’s possibilities of ambushes and what not... We don’t want you hurt, Sir.”
“I am not going to hide behind my rank like every man before me did...” Trinity murmured, never pulling his eyes from the landscape in front of him. “I am not a coward...”
“I-I didn’t say that you were a coward, Sir! It’s just-“
“During Ishbal, the higher command made the troops go in, knowing fully well that there was no reason to fight, that the enemy was truly our friend and that the only thing that separated us was our religious views.... We attacked a helpless race of people, and exterminated them for an unjust cause...”
“Unjust, Sir? The Ishbalans-“
“Did not attack first. The war started because a soldier killed a child. One of our soldiers... And I refuse to let that happen again!” Trinity growled out, narrowing his eyes when he spotted something in the distance. A village... People standing on the side of the road, watching. He frowned and stood, holding onto the top of the windshield as they got closer. “Lieutenant...
“As much as I don’t want to fight, these people have been threatened with death, and that is uncalled for. No person, wether it be man, woman, or child, should have the threat of death placed before them unless they have done something inconceivable. My job as Fuhrer is to make sure that these people have a chance to live. Even at the cost of my own life.”
“.... There is no reason for you to place yourself in danger, Sir. We’re here to fight for you.”
“And I thank you, Lieutenant. But this military does not belong to me. It belongs to the people of Amestris and it’s territories. We are here to protect our country from all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
“.... We will do whatever you command us to, Sir.”
Trinity looked over at the Lieutenant and gave him a slight smile as they entered the village. It was one of the first villages that Lt. Colonel Armstrong had rebuilt from the sand, and it pained him to know that this was one of the first villages to be killed off. And then something caught his eye...
An older Ishbalan, no older than sixty, stood in the blue Amestris uniform. He was at attention, his right hand up to his forehead in a salute. Not as stiff as it should have been, but the man was trying. Trinity felt something go through him; a mix between self hatred and comfort. This man, though having been discharged from the military and forced to watch his people die in front of him, stood there in his blues to give his loyalty to the Fuhrer.
Trinity gulped and forced on a smile, giving he man a stiff salute as they drove by. He would have to remember to find out who that Ishbalan was and give him full military honors. He knew he couldn’t do enough to give his thanks and apologies to the man, but at least he could do something.
“Lieutenant.”
“Yes Sir?”
Trinity found himself speechless, unsure of what to say. After seeing that man.... “Please.... Tell me why we’re going out here again... Tell me why I’ve forced soldiers from their families to risk their lives out here...”
The Lieutenant looked up at Trinity, noting how even though he was trying to keep a straight face and look like the Fuhrer he was supposed to be, he could not hide the tears that dropped down his cheeks. He smiled then, turning his eyes back to the road. “Because, Fuhrer. There are innocent people that need your help. After all, that’s what we’re here for, right? To protect the people?”
“..... That’s right....” Trinity forced a smile on his face as he slowly sat back down, not bothering to wipe the tears from his face. He crossed his arms over his chest again, gulping for a moment before speaking. “We’re here to protect the people.... Let’s speed up the convoy. Radio back and tell them that we’re driving through the night.”
The Lieutenant looked at Trinity, noting how for just a moment the man looked as though he actually belonged in the position he held. He smiled and nodded, murmuring one phrase before doing as ordered. “Yes Sir.”
