Having faced so much indignity, truth be told, they would much prefer the former option.

That woman truly deserved a thrashing. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The woman was like a puppet being effortlessly manipulated by Flossie Wright. Whichever direction Flossie moved her hand, the woman would be pulled in the same direction, causing her such distress that she was on the brink of tears.

After struggling for a while, the woman seemed to finally realize her efforts were futile. She switched tactics, crying to the others, "Help! Someone is assaulting me! It’s the soldiers!"

There were still many family members around, many of whom she recognized. But, they were all busy explaining the situation to Bard Walker and pleading with the soldiers to bring their loved ones home. They hardly noticed that a woman was on the verge of a meltdown on their side, whilst two other women were lying on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, staring at the sea without uttering a complete sentence.

More and more people turned their attention to the situation. The family members also began to gather, sensing the commotion. Bard Walker glanced over and spotted Flossie Wright, raising an eyebrow instinctively while whispering a curse under his breath.

This Flossie Wright...

She’s certainly a handful!

Meanwhile, as they watched several disgruntled civilians approach, Bard Walker hadn’t even caught up yet when he saw the other recruits form a line in front of Flossie, creating a human shield around her and blocking the townsfolk from intervening.

"What’s the meaning of this? Are you ganging up on us?"

"Bullying the public in broad daylight, and now you’re stopping us?"

"You soldiers have no shame! Step aside! Don’t force us to fight back!"

...

The noises intertwined with the sound of rain, cries of protest from men and women merged together. It seemed as though these soldiers had committed an atrocious crime.

The soldiers huddled instinctively, some of them new recruits, stood tightening their lips, their faces pale but resolute, immobilized like statues. Even when people shoved them, they didn’t move, but they didn’t fight back either.

For their comrades, they wanted to do something.

Off duty, they were just ordinary people with human emotions and families. They didn’t know the people in front of them. Why should they have to endure these criticisms?

Before serving, some were top students, some academically accomplished, and some were the apple of their families’ eyes... Who among them had ever suffered such injustice?

They wouldn’t stand for it. Hence, they collectively rebelled.

However, as soldiers, they couldn’t initiate violence against the crowd.

Flossie Wright, encircled within the crowd, took a moment to process. She had initially intended to teach the woman a single lesson and could sympathize with the other soldiers’ grievances. But she hadn’t expected so many unyielding new soldiers to step forward, firmly blocking off the path of the protesting crowd.

What surprised her even more was the gradual accumulation of other soldiers, forming larger circles in the mist, their silhouettes small and inconspicuous. But the imposing barricade they formed gradually became an unassailable presence.

Lastly, a few Frogmen took their places up front.

Their expressions were grave, their minds resolute.

Behind them stood their comrades, whom they were there to protect!

Once everyone had settled into their places, the formerly noisy crowd gradually fell into a silent hush.