Post by General Julio Rodriguez on Oct 27, 2012 14:19:45 GMT -5
CARFORD SOLDIER MISSING, ALDERRES PLOT SUSPECTED
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Patrick Redding, just 19 years old, has been missing for eight days since he disappeared near the Carderres River. His squad had been in neutral territory, doing training exercises. Other men reported Redding had gone off on his own to wash up in the river after their daily drills. He never returned.
A search team was sent out by the end of the day. They identified signs of a struggle near the riverbank and combat-style boot prints leading toward Jade Forest. Teams searched the forest for three days before formally listing Redding as Missing In Action. The area was thought to be safe for new recruits because of location and a lack of recent battles. He had enlisted just six months before his disappearance.
"He wanted to serve his city," said his mother, Karen, dabbing at her eyes with a well-used handkerchief. She agreed to sit for an interview after a week of heartache and worry. Even though her hands shook with emotion, she still insisted on bringing a tea service for the occasion. Perched anxiously in her chair, Mrs. Redding wrapped a hand knitted shawl around her shoulders. "He loves Carford so much. Patrick's father was in the service before he retired, and ever since he was a little boy, Patrick said he wanted to join, too. Of course I worried, but he was so determined to join the service."
Redding's father, former Brigadier General Oliver Redding, has been working with search and rescue teams night and day and was therefore unavailable for questions. His wife, on his behalf, stated, "We're going to find our boy. If we have to march right into that horrible city, we'll do it." Official reports of his disappearance are uncertain, but military officials have stated that this was likely another kidnapping by the Alderres Army.
