Gazing up at the drooping ceiling, I sighed, I knew it was today, and that had devastated any chances to even sleep last night.

"General Thomas to General Matthew's office," the intercom boomed, making me cringe. This was the moment I had been dreading.

STaggering out of the bed, I place my feet into the moist dirt, cringing at the squishing sound of the feeling of the mud swallowing my feet.

I carefully stepped out of it, placing my feet instead on the rug in front of the door.

My hand reached up to the handle, turning it carefully and stepping into the small hallways that were already crowded with people,

Trying to squeeze my way through, I stumbled upon the large door of my friend's office.

Well, if I could even call him a friend anymore.

Honestly, I missed the old Matt, even though he had been as smart as an elephant on drugs.

The years of bloodshed and loss had slowly changed him, and I was still deciding if that was okay with me or not.

But I don't know how long I have to decide.

SIghing, I finally decided to push open the door. I coughed as the entrance erupted with dust, wiping it from my face as I stepped into the room.

Matt watched me enter closely, as if I was some kind of spy and he was deciding to interigate me or not.

"You know we're taking that trip today."

"I know." I sat in the chair in front of him, staring at him as intently as he stared at me.

"Are you ready>"

"Of couse not. This is a horrible plan, going straight through Red Army territory."

"What other choice do we have? We have to meet with them to create an alliance in two. Days. It would take five days to go around, and we don't have that kind of time."

I growled. "So we're risking our lives and the rebellion by going through Red Army to save time? Can't you just find another time with them?!"

"Too late. Really, if you're just going to argue with me instead of getting rwady, then there's no point in keeping you here."

I stood, nodding and exiting the room. He was right. There reallt wasn't a point in arguing.

But maybe I should have stayed. Because we may be marching to our deaths.

"Alright, we'll rest here."

I slumped against the trunk of a tree, exhausted. I gazed up as Matt walked up to me.

"We need firewood." He told me. His feet sank into the thick snow that covered the earth as he came closer.

"Why? Didn't you pack any?"

"Tom, you're shivering like you're being shaken. And, no. Come on, get up."

I refused, and instead he heaved me onto my feet. I wobbled for balance, gripping onto his arm.

"I've picked a few to go with you. All you have to go is find firewood and come right back. Can you handle that?"

Tom groaned. "Mhm... I believe I can handle that simple of a task."

The task was not as simple as Tom would have hoped.

"Alright, alright. We're not going anywhere being together. We need to split up."

They all nodded, instantly going all in different directions.

"We meet back here in an hour!" I called, sighing. As I started walking aimlessly, I started to feel uneasy. I started to walk faster.

Then I was running, like something was chasing me.

And, I supposed my instincts were right.

An explosion went off to my left, making my steps stagger. No, no no, I have to get back to the camp.

I ran every which way, losing myself in the endless forest that surrounded me.

My foot pressed against something hard and metal. I felt it vibrate, but I wasn't fast enough to get away from it.

The device exploded from under me, shattering my body and boosting it up just to throw it back down to the cold earth.

Fire crackled around me as I gave no effort to get back up . I was sure I would never be able to walk again.

That is, if someone came to save me.

My visor flickered in and out. Some things passed by, and another explosion went off to my right, but I hardly noticed.

A tall man finally stepped into my point of view. I guessed it was Matt, so maybe I wasn't going to die after all.

Then my visor flickered out completely out, leaving me in total darkness.

"Hello, old friend~"