Location: UNSC Forward Operating Base, Virek
Date and Time: May 19, 2553 – 0800 Hours
The base is already buzzing with activity as I step out of the barracks, my mind still lingering on last night. It's been a while since I've felt this way—like there's something more to hold onto besides the next mission or the next firefight. I replay the moment in my head, that kiss with Emily, the warmth, the sweetness.
But as the sound of boots hitting the ground and the hum of distant drills fills the air, reality starts to creep back in. There's a mission briefing scheduled this morning, and I can't afford to get distracted.
I spot Santiago waiting near the mess hall, his rifle slung over his shoulder as he leans against the wall. He sees me coming and raises an eyebrow, a grin spreading across his face before I even reach him.
"So… how'd it go?" he asks, not bothering with pleasantries.
I try to play it cool, shrugging as I walk up. "It went fine. We had a good time."
Santiago rolls his eyes. "Come on, man. I know you better than that. What happened?"
I sigh, but a smile creeps up despite myself. "Okay, fine. We walked through the park, went to a café, talked a lot… and then we kissed."
His grin widens. "See? I told you! I knew it was gonna happen."
I chuckle, shaking my head. "Yeah, you did. And… you were right. It felt good. Better than I thought it would."
Santiago gives me a playful shove. "That's what I like to hear. So, what's next?"
I pause, considering the question. The truth is, I don't know what's next. Things are moving fast, and with everything else going on—the war, the squad, the constant danger—it feels like I'm juggling two worlds that don't quite fit together.
"I guess we'll see," I say, my voice a little quieter. "I want to see her again, but I can't lose focus on the squad, you know?"
Santiago nods, his tone more serious now. "I get it. Just remember, man—there's gotta be something beyond all this. Something worth fighting for that's not just about orders and missions."
His words hit home, but before I can reply, Lieutenant Kane's voice crackles over the comms.
"All squads, report to the briefing room. We've got a new op."
I feel the shift immediately. The moment of personal reflection disappears as the mission takes precedence. Santiago and I exchange a look, and just like that, we're back in soldier mode.
"Time to work," Santiago mutters, slinging his rifle over his shoulder.
"Yeah," I reply, my mind already switching gears. "Let's get to it."
We head to the briefing room, where the rest of 2nd Platoon is already gathered. The air is thick with anticipation—everyone knows something big is coming. Lieutenant Kane stands at the front, his expression as serious as ever. He waits until the room falls silent before he starts speaking.
"We've got intel on a URF convoy moving through the northern sector," Kane says, his voice firm. "They're moving supplies and possibly weapons to one of their strongholds, and Command wants us to intercept. This is going to be a fast, precise op. We can't let them slip through."
He pulls up a holo-map of the area, marking the convoy's projected route. "We'll be deploying in two teams—one to block the main road, the other to hit the convoy from the rear. Timing is critical. If we hit them too early, they'll scatter. If we're too late, we miss the target."
I glance around the room, seeing the familiar faces of 3rd Squad—the people I've been through hell with over the past few months. We've done operations like this before, but something about this one feels different. There's an urgency in the air, a sense that this mission could shift the balance of the fight.
Kane continues, laying out the details of the mission. I listen carefully, committing every step to memory. This isn't the time to let my thoughts wander. The moment we step off, it's all about the mission.
But as Kane talks, I catch a brief moment where my thoughts drift back to Emily. I wonder how she's doing, if she's thinking about last night the way I am. I push the thought away, forcing myself to focus. There'll be time for that later.
"Kowalski, you're taking point on the rear team," Kane says, pulling me back into the moment. "Your squad will provide cover and ensure the convoy doesn't escape. Got it?"
I nod sharply. "Got it, sir."
As the briefing wraps up, the room begins to clear, and I feel the familiar rush of adrenaline that comes before every mission. This is what I was trained for. This is what I do. But now, there's something else—a part of me that's looking beyond the mission, thinking about what comes after.