Date: May 25, 2014
Location: Devil's Castle

The last few days, we've been closing in on our objectives, and needless to say, I was happy we were finally going to get through this whole thing. The final few cities were falling one by one. We were supplied with 2 new Abrams tanks, a few new HMMWVs, another AAVMP, another 4 A-10s, and a few new reinforcements. I met a Lieutenent today who was scared about this whole zombie thing, so I talked to him, and I found he was from another part of the states than where we were from. We were from the Northeast, he was from the Southwest. California, to be exact. He had no one here to help him or anything.

"Kid, it's simple, alright?" I asked, "Just let me do the talking, you do the shooting."

"Yes sir." he said, "But, I ain't shot a gun before."

"It's like riding a bike." I told him, "You never forget."

"Alright sir." he said, thanking me, and chuckling as I walked away.

After the next few days, Marines took Olsha, and Nizhnoye, and Khelm. Now, it was just Krasnostav and Berezino. The two cities were surrounded, but this time, they were unprepared, they weren't getting fresh supplies or anything. The first time this would be, generally speaking, easier. Being honest, I wanted to go into both cities, but I couldn't. So, I waited until the siege of Berezino, of course.

One Marine who came back from the battle of Krasnostav was telling us all about it.

"So, it went a bit like this. We were getting ready to get into the town, when a T-90 tank comes at us, along with like, 10 GAZs, and another 3 BMPs. We were at the airfield, so we were kinda at an advantage, because we could land a few Hueys if we wanted to. So, anyways, we were outnumbered, and totally outgunned, because we only had the 2 AAVMPs. So, the firefight was phenomenal. You should've been there. Lasted up until halfway through the night. There was grenades being thrown, and rockets being launched. But, when that T-90 tank went up and over a mine, it was amazing. Because, well, a tank exploded. There's nothing else to really say, except it was fantastic."

"Kid, you're a rookie." I told him.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"I'm the man that's commanding this whole entire regiment when we go into Berezino." I told them, "I was here since the beginning, since the Civil War. I was here since the zombies first started up. I was here when we took over the Western part of this country. I was here when we repaired Devil's Castle. I was here when we took over all these cities and towns. I was at the battle of Elektrozavodsk and Kamyshovo and Berezino. I was the lucky tank at Berezino. The tank that didn't blow up. I was the man who saved the bandit brothers who controlled Stary and Novy Sobors. I was here when I shot my first Chernarussian, and my first zombie." I replied, "Who are you?"

"Private Norris, 12th squadron, Krasnostav." he said.

"Captain Michael Joseph Finn, 1st Marine Corps, 39th Armored Brigade, 1st squadron. Nice to meet you. But this isn't a cocky man's war. This is a careful man's war. This isn't a guerrilla war like Iraq and Afghanistan. This is a war against Spetsnaz-trained Chernarussians, and zombies. At the same time." I replied, "You understand that?"

"Yes sir." he said.

"Good. I've lost too many good men, and women - because they were too cocky. I don't want to think about this squadron when we siege that city. Let me tell you, Berezino, is their capital right now. Like Washington D.C. is ours'. We'll fight to the death, because if our capital falls, we're fucked. That's what these assholes are doing right now. Alright?" I told him.

"Alright sir." he said.

"Good." I told him, as I walked away.

On May 30th, 1,000 Marines, 3 Abrams tanks, 10 A-10s, an AC-130, 2 AAVMPs, and 25 HMMWVs, all together in the battle for Berezino. It'll be rough, but what's the worst that could happen? I mean, besides every man dying.

I finally had time to read my wife's letter. It read:


Dear Michael,

I love you, and good luck with everything you do in anything over there. We are all wishing you could be home. But, you're over there fighting so we can be safer here, which is something I finally understand. Hope you're home soon, because we are all missing you, sadly. Also, just something to know, the whole town wants you home safe and sound.

Love, Kassandra


I wrote her this:


Dear Kassandra,

Although these past few months have been living Hell, I can safely say, I will be home during the first week of June. I'm missing you all too, very badly. I'm very homesick, and being honest, I've been getting used to shooting zombies, and not losing to you in the game where we shoot zombies. The 30th of May we are destined to siege our final city of the whole conflict, then I get to go home. Atleast I'm hoping. Seeing you and the kids would be a luxury right now. Hope all is well, and seriously hoping I get back safe and sound as well.

Forever yours, Michael


Author's Note: Hello everyone, once again, this is the second to last chapter of this series. Be on the lookout for other series' as well, (not set in this universe, because fuck you that's why). Either way, the names will be something along the lines of "Surviving Chernarus" and "A Bandit's Diary". So, without further adieu, goodbye bandits, survivors, and zombies!