The first announcement rang out across the desert.
One after another, members of the scattered battalions who weren't already caught in active skirmishes stopped what they were doing and looked up.
Because somewhere in the distance, a brilliant pillar of light had suddenly shot straight into the sky.
"...?"
Until now, most cadets had assumed the exercise simply wasn't going to provide updates about anyone else's progress.
After all, an entire day had already passed without a single announcement about casualties, remaining members, depleted supply depots, or practically anything else that could've helped them figure out how the other battalions were doing.
Initially, they'd found that rather unfortunate.
Then again, there was something reassuring about knowing nobody else would find out just how disadvantaged some of their battalions had become after only one day. At least this way, they could still bluff about their remaining strength.
If only life could be that nice...
