Ultima Ratio

Chapter 36: Voluntourism

The others immediately agreed to extend their stay, even after Akira gave Danya credit for the idea. As expected, the locals were happy to accommodate the Aegis Squad, but they initially refused any support in return. Only when Akira insisted their freeloading would make them uncomfortable did the townspeople decide to cooperate, and they unsuccessfully masked their eagerness as they led their volunteers to their first mission the next morning.

It wasn't much different from other humanitarian missions. Most of them did basic tasks, helping to transport supplies, repair infrastructures, and work farmlands; additionally, Elodie tended to injuries, and Quyen maintained their machines. Danya initially played along in downplaying her strength, but after half an hour of pleading pouts, Akira eventually let her have free rein.

"You're just like the lady from the legend!" a child said after Danya righted an overturned truck. "Danya, the god-lady from Accordion!"

Another shook their head. "It's not 'Accordion,' you idiot. It's 'Concornea.' That's the science name for your eyes, because they see everything."

Danya sighed dramatically. "Unfortunately, I'm not the legendary Danya. But I do know her. And I only wish that I, United Nations Navy Lieutenant Makana Li, could be just as cool as she is."

As the sun set, Akira was surprised at how quickly the time flew by. While the work wasn't "fun," it was admittedly entertaining, especially when the locals would ramble about old stories as they sorted supplies and sliced squash for supper. Even though it wasn't an official mission, it somehow seemed more rewarding. Maybe because there was no senior oversight with underlying goals, nor any PR crews grabbing footage for propaganda. Their work was different; it felt genuine.

Dinner that night was an actual party. The children had spent the day stringing together paper cut-outs, and Danya helped them hang the decorations across the light posts in town square. Some locals supplied music, and one brought out a stash of grzaniec galicyjski mulled wine. Of their team, only Quyen refused the beverage, but she gratefully accepted a glass of homemade apple kompot instead.

It was late into the night by the time the festivities wound down to quiet conversations. Akira was still listening to the stories of her older dinner companion from the night before; some of the children had been too, but they quickly dozed off, their heads resting on the woman and Akira's laps. At some point, Danya joined in on the relaxation, extending her legs across the bench and leaning her back against Akira's left arm.

The woman sighed with a soft smile. "It's a blessing you found us. We never would've thought the military would show up here; not to assist us, at least. We can't thank you enough."

"It's our pleasure," Akira said, trying her best not to jostle Danya or the napping child. "Besides, it's the least we could do after all the hospitality you've shown us."

Thankfully, the woman didn't deflect Akira's appreciation this time. However, her slight smile slowly fell into a frown, and her gaze drifted between Akira and Danya.

"To think..." The woman shook her head. "You children are fighting this war out here all by yourselves. Our young are sacrificing themselves over the feuds of my generation, and there's nothing we can do about it."

Her eyes drifted to the child resting on her lap, and she gently stroked their hair. "Many of the children here want to enlist too. Not because they want to fight for what the UN stands for, but for us, this town, this family. Their sacrifice would help us live in the city. Their lives for our safety? That's not how this world should be. That's not how any world should be."

There was nothing Akira could say that would change that harsh reality. She knew older generations had thought their society evolved out of wars, that they were now civilized enough to talk out their problems like ideal intelligent beings. Evidently, the United Nations were no better than the animal kingdom.