Very good. Believable. I was glad to see a new story.

Syl--I am so happy to see this story completed. You did your usual excellent job. Bravo! I could smell those roses and totally understand Jacks' decision to remain a sergeant. I have still not seen the episode with Gabrielle (darn-I wish they'd get Season 2 out on DVD), but feel like I know her already. You've painted some wonderful pictures here and I look forward to more.
Claudia

A well written and easily readable tale of one man's emotions, and his struggles to come to grips with them, as he returns from the Hell that is war. I look forward to reading more of this author's works.

What a nice surprise to find a new Rat Patrol story of yours here! I always enjoy your tales, and especially your characterization of Moffit. You did a nice wrap-around of the storyline with him realizing he wasn't making his decision based on childish defiance of his parents, but on his own adult decision.

I'm not fond of layered flashbacks as a story pattern, however. It takes away an immediacy to events to shift everything into the past--none of the critical events are really happening *now*, they're all just being remembered. Also, in the case of flashbacks within flashbacks, it creates some confusion as to the sequence of events. Part of a side-effect of this flashback story style was many of your scenes were rather expository telling rather than having us live the story with Moffit. Particularly, I never *felt* the scene with the tank burning.

Still, though, a very pleasant read and nice view of how the character came to his decisions and down his path. I hope you'll do more!