“Sir, with all due respect, I don’t care.” Red replied. “Before you called us here, we were already killing. Well, maybe not all of us, but Mick and I certainly did. You paid us, and we have to be responsible for our job, whatever happens. Besides, in combat, the only people we can trust is the ones besides us, sir,” “That is correct,” “And here, we’re merely keeping each other alive, sir.” I joined in, “If we bailed out, it means we broke your trust, sir. We don’t do that,” The Colonel went on to thank us again for our help multiple times. At some point he even insisted that we should go home. But if we were to go home, where would we go? We don’t even know where our families are or how they are doing. We had nowhere to go. Along with that conversation, I proceeded to ask him about where Sergeant Major was. He said that as far as he knew, Weiser was inside all along, trying to send in air support for our comrades on the ground. At least that assured me for a while, but in the end

----- Sergeant Major came in through the door behind us. “Ah, there you are. The Colonel wants you. Quick,” he said. We then followed Sergeant Major to where the Colonel was. It was a CP in the middle of the base. They got everything from radio to coffee. “Mick, Anne, we have a situation,” the Colonel started. “There was a group of Marines who radioed in, asking for help. They said they are in bad condition and needed support. These Marines were sent out on a patrol and is on their way back. However, they were caught in a firefight. They say they are with civilians now, which worsens their condition,” “Where would they be, sir?” Red asked. “The Delta Regency, just—" “A mile North of here,” I jumped in. “Yes. We need you to find these people and bring them in,” the Colonel continued. “Any priorities, sir?” Red replied. “Nothing in particular. Just a rescue mission for stranded Marines,” “So just us or are there gonna be more people?” Red asked “How many of you are still here?”

“Red? Are you okay?” I called as I approached her. Then there it was. She broke down again. I proceeded to grab her by the arm and walked her to a nearest wall she can lean on—right next to Gavin and Q. “Let’s sit down, okay? Come. Sit down,” I told her. “What happened?” said Q as she saw us. She got up and closer towards Red. “I’m so sorry,” Red sighed. “I might not be able bring you back safely. I should’ve had us waiting in the house,” “Hey, it’s oka—” “It’s not okay, Gunny. It’s not okay at all. You all trusted me but what did I do? I couldn’t even see better options when they’re right in front of my fucking eyes. I got guys killed. I even got that guy killed, Gunny. A civilian in my group is now dead because of me,” “Red. Look at me. I could’ve objected back in the house. I didn’t. That’s how much I trust you. That means I’m also ready for the risk that any of your decision brings. We all do,” “But I promised. I fucking promised the rest of you will make it out of this,”

The night was calm, as if there was nothing wrong happening around us. It felt wrong the first time, but with all that has happened today, I think my brain got too tired and decided that a calm night is a pretty normal situation. It would go on like this for four days, I think. Firefights from afar can still be heard, but for a base this size in the middle of nowhere, no one would expect this level of calm during a war. I figured I would sleep outside tonight. Some of the guys too, as we’re accommodating new people. I woke up around 6.30 in the morning. As expected, everybody else already woke up and were getting their breakfast. I wondered why no one had been waking me up until this point. I guess they think I did lots and deserve some sleep. Lucky I never woke up past seven. Otherwise, maybe they would start getting annoyed. I got up and fetched myself some coffee and a piece of bread just to get myself started. I saw the guys laughing over by the mess tent. Mark and Kris seemed to

I went about face and headed towards where my folks were. They were getting ready as they were told. Hal came up to me with a small gun, looks like a short M4 with a suppressor on. “Hey Mick,” he said. “Give this to the little girl,” “Who, Q?” “Yeah, the little one in the gray hoodie,” “Oooh, she might like this,” “Wanna ask her and find out?” “Hey Q!” I called out. “Yeah? What’s up, Mike?” she answered, half running towards me. “Hal here’s got you a new gun. Wanna check it out?” “Sure thing,” she said, holding the rifle in her hands. She looked thoroughly, and the metal tube sticking out the end caught her attention. “What’s this thing up front?” “It’s got a suppressor on. It reduces sound, a silencer if you like. Makes it a bit milder, even indoors,” “Ah, I see,” “Which one do you like?” Hal asked her. “I’m not really familiar with these things, you know,” she answered, “but I do think this one had some advantages,” “I mean it’s got a red dot, you know, easier to aim wi