Republic Reborn: Against the Stars and Stripes-Chapter 94: Grueling

We had underestimated the tropical sun.

It was sunny the entire Friday. And that same sweltering heat that had made me collapse just the other day had done its wonder. When they checked the soil on Saturday, the flattened rice fields were already dry enough—at least most of them. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Still, only two days were left before the advance training was supposed to commence. The moment I was notified of the soil condition, I rode hard toward the town proper to summon Capitan Sadiwa’s men and to order the local storehouse manager to have the needed resources delivered without delay.

The number of workers from the nearby barrio had been doubled, and along with the soldiers, the labor force now numbered about two hundred men—which Don delos Santos was pleased to inform me was large enough to build just about anything within two days.

Of course, he did not fail to remind me that to fully take advantage of the large number of workers, we needed three things: a clear plan for what I wanted done, a clear division of work, and close supervision. I was willing to provide all three.

Before all the laborers could gather, I had Don delos Santos and his assistants help me mark and lay out where the stations should be. I took my time visualizing everything. The layout couldn’t be done willy-nilly—I had to take into consideration that some stations needed to be in specific spots to be effective, and that the distance and order would affect the rhythm of the training cycle.

In the end, a bit overwhelmed, I decided not to overthink it. I could simply make necessary adjustments after a few rounds of training.

We marked and framed the zones with bamboo stakes and twine.

With the layout done, we returned to the road where a large crowd of workers awaited, and proceeded with the partitioning of the work.

Some stations required more skill than labor. Some required more labor than skill. And some required both.

Perhaps the easiest of the stations was the drill and discipline fields. It only required basic clearing, maybe some tamping of the soil, and drawing lines on the ground. I assigned ten workers to handle it.

A close second was the weapons handling and bayonet dummies. This station needed only an open field, and the dummies could be erected easily using wooden posts, bundled bamboo, or sacks. Another ten workers were assigned here.

The medical and casualty simulation station required some light crafting—the building of stretchers and training mannequins, and the designation of casualty zones—but it still wasn’t labor-intensive. Fifteen workers were assigned to it.

Moderate in difficulty was the squad maneuver training station. The challenge here came mostly from hauling the needed props—barrels, boxes, and logs—and arranging them. I assigned twenty-five workers.

The camp life and logistical zone required carpenters, and fortunately, we had a number in the crowd. They and their aides were tasked with building tents, tables, and latrines. Thirty men were assigned to the station.

The two remaining stations were the most labor-intensive and difficult to build. If anything would delay us, it would be the construction of these two.

The obstacle and assault course required a lot of materials and a lot of men—not just unskilled laborers but also carpenters and those familiar with rope work. Among the complex structures needed to simulate battlefield conditions were crawling spaces, walls, and climbing structures. I assigned forty men to this station.

Finally, the most difficult of all was the trench warfare zone. Not only would it span around five hectares of land, but the digging alone was backbreaking. On top of that was the construction of fortifications and the trench interiors, which also required skilled carpenters and knowledgeable overseers. The rest of the labor force—mostly soldiers and a good number of carpenters—were dedicated to this massive task.

The work did not start smoothly. Due to the vastness of the field, some workers got lost or joined the wrong groups. The supply carts I had arranged from the town proper—bringing the tools and materials—also took time to arrive.

Don delos Santos and I had to ride around the large expanse shouting orders and instructions. Slowly, the cogs started moving—rough at first, and uncoordinated. When work resumed in the afternoon after lunch, we began to hit our stride.

I closely supervised the two most difficult sites, which I had constructed alongside each other. Don delos Santos took care of the rest of the stations, only occasionally coming to ask me clarifying questions.

It was a difficult and grueling effort. At times I had to dismount and demonstrate the work myself.

Fortunately, the workers—especially the recruits—kept their discipline and toiled in the mud and muck to their limits. I had grown fond of Capitan Sadiwa. In his mid-twenties and looking as sheltered as your average principalia, he had shown the initiative of someone significantly older and worked alongside his men like a commoner.

To their credit, the laborers from the nearby barrios also showed ingenuity. Despite close coordination with Sta. Cruz’s storehouse manager, some materials and supplies still failed to arrive, and many of the workers chose to improvise. Some crafted what they needed right on site, while others hauled resources from their own villages.

One thing that helped motivate everyone was the festive spirit that hung in the air. Nearby villagers had gathered around, excitedly murmuring among themselves—both in awe of the structures being built and proud that their sons and fathers were participating in it.

By Saturday, the easier training stations had been completed.

Work continued on Sunday. The freed-up workers joined in on either building the obstacles for the assault course or enduring the hell of trench construction.

By sundown... all of the training stations had been built. I had not felt so excited in a long time—witnessing its completion, and hearing the joyful clapping and cheering of the spectators.

The involved Sta. Cruz recruits would have their pay for the week doubled. The civilian workers would each receive an extra five gantas of rice.