Mom, this will be my last letter for a while. I know that sounds bad, but command is being unusually tight with communication. I don't know where we're moving to, but I have an idea. I can't tell you of course. I'd tell you not to worry, but I know it would be a waste. Trust me when I say I'll be careful. As careful as I can be anyway. I'll write to you again as soon as I can.

Your loving daughter,

Chole.

Slowly moving down a deteriorating road is a Gallian military convoy. Fireflies, light tanks, M1PCs, and trucks are lined up as far as the eye can see. This convoy is the last of the First army which is moving into position on the Imperials left flank. They're moving at night to avoid Imperial air power which has slowly grown in strength.

"Fucking hell. At this rate, it'll take another day to reach the front."

The M1PC hit a pothole and the whole vehicle rocked. Everyone grabbed ahold of something to steady themselves. "You want to go faster on this road?"

"It's not a road. It's just some random dirt path."

"At this point, I think getting out and walking would be quicker."

The M1PC hit another rough bump. "Not to mention more comfortable."

"Suck it up you sissies. If you can survive combat, you can handle a few bumps."

"Sergeant, you have any idea where we're going?"

"I don't know private. We'll know when we get there."

"Not exactly the answer I was looking for sarge."

"Well, it's the answer you got private."

Towards the front of the convoy, Jackson's tank is rumbling along with some of his squad riding on the tank. "How come we aren't riding in one of the M1PCs or trucks?"

"Because we don't have enough. This operation is stretching us to our limit."

"This is going to be the largest battle of the war."

"Yes it will. And we're going to be right in the middle of it."

Jackson turned out, "You guys enjoying the ride?"

"Not really. It looks more conformable than riding in the M1PCs or the trucks."

"There is nothing conformable about this ride. Hell, we're not even on a dirt path anymore. We're just driving through a field."

"Lieutenant, do you know where we're going? Cause we are just driving through a field."

He thought for a second. "Alright. Keep this a secret alright. You're only supposed to be told once we arrive."

"You have our word sir."

He nodded, "Naggiar. We're heading to the Naggiar Plains."

"Naggiar? It still bears the scars from the First Europan War."

"Well, now it's about to suffer the scars from a second."

It wasn't until the early hours of the morning that the convoy arrived at their base. The vehicles halted and the infantry disembarked before they headed for the motor pool. The unit is exhausted after the rough trip and quickly heads for their assigned barracks. They catch some much-needed rest before they're woken up by the camp's wake-up call.

"Ah, hell. Morning already?"

"I feel like I didn't sleep at all."

"Fuck, I feel like I was run over by a damn tank."

"Quit your whining. You're soldiers, act like it."

"Yes sir! Sorry sir!"

"That's more like it. Now go get your whinny asses some food."

The mess tent is packed full of soldiers from the First Army. "The cooks went all out didn't they."

"That they did. That means we're going to have a really busy day. Better enjoy this while you can."

"Don't worry Brooks, I'll use this to its full advantage."

"Hey, guess who's back."

"Cox! Good to see you back man."

"I thought you would stay in the comfrey hospital bed till the war was over. You must have missed us."

"Ha! If it were up to me, I'd still be in that hospital bed letting the nurses take care of me. Sadly, the medical corps disagreed."

"Lucky bastard. Laying in a hospital bed while we got shot at liberating Hilwarsen."

"I heard about that. Hell, that was all anyone was talking about in the hospital."

"Good to hear our exploits are spreading like wildfire."

The distant sound of artillery fire caused everyone to quiet down for a second before the conversations picked back up. "Is that ours or the Imperials?"

"The Imperials. Ours will return fire shortly."

"Does that mean the battle has already started?"

"No. There have only been small skirmishes along the front and sporadic artillery fire." More artillery fire caused the tent to go quiet. For two minutes, their artillery fired away before it fell silent. "The exchanges have been getting more intense. Also, Brooks, once you're done eating, you're needed in the war room."

"Got it."

She finished eating a few minutes later and headed for the war room. It's hard to miss as it's the largest tent on the base, larger than the command tent even. She stepped inside; the tent is empty save for a war map which shows all of the Naggiar Plains. Blue represents Gallian forces while red represents Imperial forces.

It took a few minutes for all the squad leaders and their 2ICs to arrive. "Now that we're all here, let's get down to it. As you can see our forces are closely matched. Our forces have dug in along the trenches here and the Imperials have occupied the trenches here. We have a frontline straight out of EW1. There is nothing but open ground between the trenches. The only cover to be had are the craters left over from the first war. Now, command has scheduled an attack for tomorrow at 8:00 AM. The plan is to hammer the Imperials with artillery, charge across no man's land, and storm their trenches. Once we take the first set, we take the second and then the third until we have broken through their line. Once that is accomplished, we'll swing right and attack their center from the rear. From there we'll be an anvil while the rest of our forces are the hammer driving them towards us. We will crush the Imperials here and force them to the negotiation table. Any questions?"

No one spoke up. "Outstanding. Inform your squads. I suggest you relax for the day. You'll need all the energy you can get for tomorrow. Dismissed."

The motor pool has become a hive of activity as tank crews and mechanics alike work on the many vehicles stored there.

"Double check the suspension. We hit some nasty potholes on the way here."

"Yeah, I noticed."

"Noticed? My back is still feeling it!"

"How do the tires look?"

"They need to be changed. I'm surprised they didn't pop."

"We got lucky with that."

Across the workshop, multiple tanks are currently being looked over or worked on. "What about the roadwheels?"

"They're in good shape! This tank is good to go!"

"Excellent! Driver, get this tank out of here!"

The mechanic jumped down from the tank's engine deck. A few seconds later, the engine started, and the tank rolled out of the shop. "Good, one less we need to fix. Let's get these other tanks looked at!"

"Hey, Sam, how's it look?"

"She's good to go Daan. I told you; we had nothing to worry about."

"I'd rather be safe than sorry. Alright, let's move out of the way."

Sam climbed into the tank and Daan wasn't far behind him. They carefully moved out of the repair shop and took their tank back to the motor pool. "What do you think about the attack planned for tomorrow?"

"It's a good plan. Trapping the Imperial army and crushing them will, finally, bring this war to an end."

"I know. It's hard for me to believe that this could be the final battle of the war. I've also heard the Federation is launching a counterattack against the Imperials. If that's true, then the tide of the war is turning against the Empire."

"Good. Maybe their threat to Europa will be removed for good."

They reached the motor pool and parked their tank. Sam shut down the engine and they dismounted. "We have everything we need for the operation?"

"Ammo and fuel storage is full and the tank is operating at peak performance. We're good to go."

"Good. Well, I'm heading back to the tent to get some more sleep. I still feel exhausted." He yawned just as he finished talking. "What are you going to do?"

"I think I'll help the mechanics with our vehicles. They could use all the help they can get."

"I'm sure they'll be grateful."

"No."

"But- No."

"Come on! You haven't even heard what I'm going to say!"

Ellis looked at his brother and sighed. "What is it brother?"

He smiled, "I need a partner for a card game tonight. Winner gets two hundred Ducats. I'll split it fifty-fifty if you'll be my partner. What do you say?"

Ellis thought for a second. "I'm going to regret this," he whispered. "Fine, I'll be your partner. BUT!" He interrupted his brother before he could speak. "After I do this, you'll stop bugging me about playing cards with you. Deal?"

Caleb grumbled to himself, "You drive a hard bargain. Deal." They shake hands and Caleb leaves the tent. "You know, I thought you would refuse him." Ellis turned to Cole, "I would have but, he would have kept bugging me about it all day. Might as well get something out of it."

Cole nodded, "Well, if I was a betting man, I'd bet on you and your brother."

"I'm sure Caleb would love that."

Thomson walked into the tent. "I just saw Caleb with a huge smile. What did I miss, and should I be worried?"

"If you're participating in the card game tonight yes. If not, no."

"Why?"

"Caleb convinced his brother to be his partner for the game tonight. In return, he'll stop bugging Ellis about learning how to play the game."

"Ah, well I don't care. I do feel a little sorry for your opponents though."

Ellis shrugged, "I don't. They should know what they're getting into."

"True."

Later that night, when the game was over, no one was surprised when the brothers easily won.