Kevin was soon hauled into the room I was in. He had a gaping wound in his chest, most likely from a sniper. This sniper, unfortunately for Kevin, was trying to kill him. I examined his wound closer and said “Buddy, you’re lucky. No arteries were severely damaged.” He looked at me and said “See, Sam! This is what I get for wearing my pants today! I get shot by a freaking sniper!!” I laughed and said “I’ll have Maria take a look at you. She’s the only qualified medic we have with us right now.” He nodded a bit and said, with a bit of laughter in his tone, “Don’t leave me, though. I want to know for sure that I’ll be ok.” Maria then yelled “For that remark, I may accidently let you bleed to death!” I knew she was joking. I then looked at Kevin and whispered “I’m always here for you. I do need to go outside and wait for the Division commander, though. As soon as I meet with him, I’ll be back.” He nodded and relaxed a bit so Maria could tend to his wound.

I walked outside and sat down on the front steps. I put my face into my hands and thought “I know Maria is a great medic, but I’m not sure if even she can save Kevin. His wound is pretty serious…” “Blaze, where in Heaven’s name are you hiding this time!?” I looked up and saw the Colonel in the distance. “I’m over here, sir!!” I stood up and waved my rifle in the air. He looked over and said “There you are. Stay there, I’ll meet with you in a moment.” A few minutes later, he walked up to me. I stood up to salute him and he said “I’m sorry about your friends…Must be hard losing one good friend and having another be wounded soon after.” I looked at the ground and muttered “Yeah…” The Colonel then said “Well, I have brought the rest of your Division with me. This city is going to fall within the next week. Tonight, I want you to meet me in my tent and we’ll discuss the plan.” I looked at him and said “Sir, don’t you want to stay inside the Hotel? I’m sure it would be much more comfortable.” He laughed and said “I have stayed in my tent on many battlefields. This one will be no different.” I nodded and said “I’ll be there tonight, then.” The Colonel turned around and before walking too far away said “Tell Kevin to get better soon.”

I went to check on Kevin and Maria. I popped my head in and said “What’s up you two?” Kevin leaned up and said “Well Sam, it appears I’m gonna live. I don’t know whether to celebrate or be pissed.” I laughed and said to Maria “Thanks for saving him…even though he probably didn’t want it.” She laughed and said “Not a problem, sir. I’m just doing my job.” I looked back at Kevin and said “I hope you can move by tonight. We need to be at the Colonel’s tent to discuss the plan to finally take this city.” He nodded and said “I’ll be there no matter what.” I looked at Maria and said “You can join us, if you like.” She smiled and said “Thank you. I’ll be there.”

That night, the three of us meet in the Colonel’s tent. Lt. Desena was already sitting down. “Have a seat lady and gents,” said the Colonel. We all sat down at the table he had set out. On top of it was a map of the city of Karkand with various toy-like pieces all over it. They represented various squads and units. The Colonel began the meeting. “As you know, we are aiming to take the city by next week, even earlier if we can. We ran some recon missions and have the following info.” He began to point to the pieces on the map.

“Our division is spread out along this line.” He drew an imaginary horizontal line going across the bottom on the map. “1st and 2nd Platoons will attack the Suburb that is on the outskirts of the city. We will then drop 3rd, 4th and 5th Platoons into the back to take the Factory and Warehouse and, if possible, the Gatehouse and Cement Factory. Alpha and Omega squads will push from here into the Square and link up with 1st and 2nd Platoons at the Market. Does anyone have any questions?” I asked him “Sir, won’t 3rd, 4th and 5th Platoons be trapped back there?” He nodded a bit. “That’s why your squads, along with 1st and 2nd Platoons, are hitting from this end. We should be able to squeeze the MEC in and be able to wipe them out at the Train Accident by the bridge linking the front and back of the city.” I nodded and he then said “Get some rest. We begin the assault tomorrow morning.” The three of us stood up, saluted the Colonel and walked back to the Hotel.

On our way back, I looked at Kevin and asked “Mind if I poke it?” He glared at me and Maria shrieked “I have more than enough of his blood on me thank you very much!” I laughed and said “I won’t poke it, then.” I stopped and asked “Kevin, are you sure you want to fight tomorrow? I think it would be best if you just relaxed for a while.” He said “Sam, I have wanted to do this since Elementary school! I am not gonna let this opportunity pass me by.” Maria then said “If you get hit again, you better make sure you aren’t spewing blood everywhere. I am not cleaning it up again.” We all laughed while Kevin almost threw a fit. When we got to the Hotel, I said “Well, night all. We have one hell of a day tomorrow.”