It was extraordinary to believe that the Plasma Fire company had been stationed in Afghanistan for eight months already, the time seemed to fly by. In all these months that had passed; Hunter and Treyden both turned twenty-years-old in February 2020 and hit their one year anniversary of dating on May 17th, 2020. The Hooligan Platoon pulled off something incredibly sneaky too with making it so the boys could be alone that night. Of course, Hunter and Trey didn't do anything sexual, but they got to have a romantic, fake candle lit dinner. Then watch a movie on Hunter's laptop and end up making out for a while and each getting off once while the rest of the company was eating dinner in the chow/entertainment hall to give them some privacy. It was hard to accept that their tour would be over in four months come January 2021.

Currently, the month was September 2020, and things had been more than hectic. Treyden and Hunter both got their leave granted for the same two weeks back in August and spent equal time with both Trey's dad plus the Haddock family and Hunter's friends. It was a good leave, and they got to make love about eight times to make up for being unable to do so while in Afghanistan. Hunter finally gave his mother that starting over chance she'd asked him for the day of the almost arrest. However, Hunter did remind her about the warning from that day too, and she swore on her marriage and life she wouldn't hurt him again. Hunter believed her and since, things have been fine between them.

Caitlyn was now eighteen years old and dating Andrew long distance; he'd asked her in June on her birthday when he was home on leave. It was something Hunter had expected because shockingly, Andrew pulled Hunter aside the night before he left for leave and asked for his blessing to start dating Caitlyn now that she was eighteen. Hunter said he would give his approval as long as Andrew promised not to try and sleep with her until they had been together at least eight months. Andrew gave his word by the Soldier's Honor and thanked Hunter for the opportunity to be with Caitlyn. How could Hunter tell him now? He much preferred Andrew with his little sister instead of Eddie. Plus, Andrew had been considerate enough to wait for Caitlyn to become an adult.

For Army related things; from one hundred and fifty in the start in January 2020, Plasma Fire Company has one hundred and twenty left. Thirty people had died or have been medically discharged due to injuries that disabled them from serving active duty anymore in the last five months alone. Only six from Hooligan were gone; four dead and two unable to serve any longer. Hunter didn't quite remember the others from the remaining five platoons that made up Plasma Fire. However, today marked a significant change because Theo made the seventh person to be killed in action two weeks ago after a hard mission and he gave his life to save the squad; Hunter was not taking it well at all. Andrew, Treyden, and Hunter were taking it awful in fact.

/Flashback; Two Week Ago/

A mission built for Striker One, Harry's A-Team. It was a level eight and would be a task for sure. All they had to do was infiltrate an enemy base to gather information for another mission to be planned out later. Thus far, everything was going great. Striker One had slipped in undetected and close to their target spot by listening in to what guard soldiers were saying. When they arrived at the room, a watch formation was put in place for Hunter to get what he was supposed. Twenty minutes into it, they were spotted by enemies, ensuring instantly into a firefight.

An hour later, they were trying to get out and return to the base to at least report what they had for information so far. "Hunter, we need to get out of here!" Theo insisted.

"We need a distraction!" Andrew suggested.

"We're pinned down and in a confined space. The only way we're getting out of this alive to call for help is if someone steers them in another direction and gives us a chance to escape, and then we all meet outside and fight back without the space limit," Nikolas called to them.

"I'll go. Throw a flasher and break off. I'll let them chase me, you get out, and I'll meet you there in ten minutes," Theo offered.

"I don't like this. It's dangerous," Hunter stated quickly.

"We don't have a choice, Hunt. Someone has to go, or we all die in here. I'll be okay, I promise," Theo informed. He and Hunter connected hands with a firm nod of mutual understanding. Hunter grabbed a flasher grenade, and everyone shielded their eyes and took cover as Hunter threw it and then hid. As the flash faded, Theo grabbed his gun and started firing at enemies while also running and the group of fifteen broke away to chase him.

"Let's move!" Hunter motioned with his hand as they quickly made their way through the base and outside to where their ride was waiting as Hunter called for it while they were running. Ten minutes passed, and Theo was supposed to be out by now. Hunter was getting worried and about to radio him, but thankfully, Theo was seen sprinting his way out of the base and towards them. "There he-" Hunter paused as he saw and enemy with an RPG launcher. "Theo! Watch out!" Hunter yelled. Theo looked back only a moment, and fear filled his eyes.

"Take cover!" Andrew yelled. Hunter froze with worry as the RPG launched, Theo ran but tore off his tags and whirled them towards the group as the RPG hit and Theo disappeared in the explosion and all Hunter saw was Theo's fear filled, apologetic eyes.

"THEO!" Hunter screeched out in fear and shock. Hunter ran forward but the smoke was too much, and Hunter started coughing hard.

"HUNTER! COME BACK! It's too late to save him!" Treyden called with worry. Hunter turned around to run out when he stepped on something and stopped a minute. Hunter bent over and picked it up to find a cold metal chain with two tags dangling from it that read:

VOLLAN, THEODORE
702/411/3819
AAF-A
A POS
NEOPAGAN

Hunter grasped them tightly in his hand then ran out of the smoke coughing hard as he stumbled a few times and tripped reaching the squad as Conner and Treyden worked together to get him into the chopper then it took off back to base.

(Ormr Base)

Harry was first to rush up when the helicopter landed but noticed all the sad faces. "Mission went had to be aborted?" he asked softly.

"No, sir. I have what we went to retrieve. No injuries but one KIA," Hunter murmured.

"Body status and the name of the fallen soldier, Lieutenant Haddock?" Harry questioned sympathetically.

"No body could be recovered as Sergeant Theodore Vollan was killed in action by an RPG, Major Andersen. I found these on the ground when I tried to run in after him," Hunter explained sadly while holding up the tags and placing them in Harry's hand.

"I'm sorry, Lieutenant. I know how close your group was to Sergeant Vollan. I'll make the arrangements while you and your team take a little time to mourn the loss of a friend," Harry put a hand on Hunter's shoulder then stepped away as everyone got off the helicopter and returned to the barrack. It was going to be a long process to accept that Theo was no longer with them. A long, hard process to say goodbye to him.

/End Flashback/

It hadn't been easy, and the pain was still there. Hunter hadn't called home in two weeks but knew they were trying to ask if everything was okay but he didn't want to talk to them right now. Trey and Andrew were coping, Hunter was too, but he felt responsible. Hunter said it was a bad idea to split the group up, that it was dangerous but Theo promised it would be okay and Hunter let him go. Hunter was taking it the hardest, Trey tried to do what he could but couldn't stop seeing how afraid and sorry that Theo had looked.

"Hunter? Andersen and the rest of us are starting to worry about how hard Theo's death is hitting you. Harry wants you to talk to someone about it because he feels like you're shutting down," Treyden sat down on their bed and put a hand on Hunter's knee.

"I'm...okay, babe. It hurts, I won't lie about that but even against my warning it was dangerous, Theo chose to break off and give us a chance to escape. His...sacrifice is what saved all of us, and that's hard to wrap your head around that information. It's painful to look at this spot and not see Theo reading one of his books or...using my tablet to contact home since it worked better than his cell. It's hard to no longer see a very good friend every day," Hunter admitted.

"It hurts all of us, Striker One especially. But you know all this sadness isn't going to bring him back. Theo is always with us, in here," Treyden motioned to Hunter's heart with a light touch and smile. "Living on in our hearts just like all the others before him we've lost," he added. Hunter looked over at Treyden as a tear slipped from his eyes, Trey wiped it and kissed Hunter gently and of course, Hunter returned it.

"Thank you, baby. I suppose I needed that reminder. Just takes time to get used to it through," Hunter informed.

"I know. We all feel that way, but you can't shut down on us. We need you, Hunt. Especially me. I love you," Treyden smiled.

"I love you too. Don't worry, I'm not leaving anyone. Especially you," Hunter winked as Trey blushed and they kissed again.

(December 2020)

Three months had passed since Theo's death, everyone still missed him and had their moments of showing that but they were all in a better place from when it happened. There was one month left of the tour and they all couldn't wait to go home and resume normal life. Andrew had told Caitlyn about Theo's passing when she asked him if Hunter was alright since they hadn't heard from him, Salvatore was the one to say back off and give Hunter his space. There was losing a comrade, but there was losing one of your best friends and the pain was worse. Hunter ended up contact them a week after Trey and him talked. Hunter and Trey had also been together a year and seven months, it was hard to believe honestly. Almost a year and a half they'd had been a couple and were still as in love as the day it started.

Things had gotten crazy and Hunter worried if their tour might get extended, Harry mentioned it was a possibility but so far it had not yet been confirmed. Hunter hoped it wasn't the case. Currently, everyone in the chow/entertainment hall was relaxing as it was about 7:30 pm and Hunter was on Skype with his family, friends, and even Dustin was over too so Trey could get a few words in with him too. Tonight also, the Echo Eruptor Platoon was on Stryker Battalion baseline patrol so that's why a lot of them were staying up because there had been high activity in one of the places that got covered in the base.

"So you'll be home next month right?" Caitlyn inquired.

"If all goes well, should be," Treyden replied.

"What do you mean by that, son?" Viola questioned not understanding.

"Typically, if the fighting stays as bad as it has been then we can be held here longer if replacements aren't ready. We're avoiding a problem like from the last tour when Harry was left alone with Delta and not the rest of us and seven people were killed due to being under supplied of soldiers. New rule, the groups stay together until a new company comes in," Hunter explained.

"But right now, we're scheduled to leave during the week of January 11th, 2021," Treyden added in to set some fears at ease.

"We hear music, you guys partying in the hall again?" Heather laughed a little.

"We're always partying if not doing a job. These numbskulls are enjoying the karoke of disney songs and failing," Andrew grinned. "Hunter's the only one who can carry the tune to follow,"

"Zip it, Andrew," Hunter glared.

"Oh, come on, Hunter. Please?!" Renee and Audrey tried together.

"No," Hunter grumbled.

"Don't harrass him," Treyden kissed Hunter's cheek now as the smile returned to Hunter's face.

"So what's with all the gear, that's not normal for a fun night?" Salvatore pondered now.

"We're on call tonight. Echo is out on baseline duty but there's been reports of heavy activity so they want us ready until it's been cleared," Hunter informed.

"Ah, Echo was one of the new additions, right?" Shane wondered curiously.

"You got it, never had a deployment before so we're bei-" Trey started and then the horn sounded as everything fell silent. "Was that ours?" Hunter got up quick and hurried outside as Andrew followed with the laptop. Hunter looked up and saw the beacon flashing red, that meant severe ambush.

"Plasma Fire, suit up and get ready!" Hunter ordered.

"Hey, Andersen gives the orders, Haddock," Brady remarked as Hunter glared.

"Listen asshole. Harry is WITH Echo, he didn't want them going alone. When Andersen isn't around, I do give the orders because he appointed me to do such. In case you have forgotten, you got demoted to Second Lieutenant because you have a problem with authority. I'm one rank above you and two below Harry. That puts ME in charge in his absence. Now do you have a problem following commands when one of our own is out there and needs help?!" Hunter scolded firmly.

"N-No, sir!" Brady replied with a salute.

"Then suit the fuck up and wait for my order," Hunter demanded. Brady did as asked and no sooner than that happened, Lieutenant Colonel Henderson rushed in panting.

"Haddock. The radios are down but we know the soldiers are taking cover from enemy fire. Take Plasma Fire and pull Echo out. Do not engage if you don't have to. It's an extraction, get our soldiers back," Matthew ordered.

"Understood. Transportation ready?" Hunter asked.

"Choppers and jeeps on the pads. Go, quickly!" Matthew insisted. Hunter nodded as he shut the laptop without saying goodbye and hurried his troops to their departure point.

(Ambush Location)

After getting as close as they were able, the platoons split up to offer cover and get to where Echo was pinned down. An hour into this already between the flight and searching but they reached it quickly and took up positions to hold back the enemies while they got Echo out.

"Are we clear to move?!" Harry yelled out.

"Yes, Major!" a few replied back back.

"Good, everyone to the choppers and jeeps! On the double now!" Harry called to the six platoons. Without wasting a moment, they all ran for it and took shots or cover where needed. They were almost to their extraction point, just another few miles to go and everything would be fine. Or so Hunter thought that was how it would be. Suddenly two RPG's scattered them to take cover but away from each other with no radios communication either. As if things couldn't get any worse, Harry was about to start giving commands when a bullet shot through his chest on the left side.

"No..." Hunter whispered in fear as Harry dropped to the ground, bleeding profusely. "NO! HARRY! Shit...Hayes, Kingston, Manning, cover me. Harry's down!"

"We got your back! Fury, go with him!" Andrew nodded as Treyden and Hunter hurried out to get to Harry and drag him into the safety of the building they were taking cover in. Hunter quickly grabbed things to keep pressure on the wound while also attempting to stay calm.

"It's alright, Andersen. It's...going to be fine. Stay with me now, we're just a mile from extraction," Hunter urged as Harry was panting, breathing heavily and coughing up blood. It sent waves of pain through Hunter to watch his CO and good friend dying right in front of him.

"Hu-Hu...nt..er...S-st..op. It's...no...go-go...od," Harry forced out.

"Ssh, stop talking. It's okay, sir. The...bullet exited and we've got it...covered," Hunter argued.

Harry managed a weak smile and put his hand on Hunter's where it held the bloody rag in place as Hunter looked up and saw more platoon making their way to them and taking cover inside, but now able to see that Harry was very injured and might not make it. "Hun...ter. There's...no...po-po...int. You can't...hold...pres...sure a-and carr...y me. I'll just...slow you...do-down,"

"Don't talk like that, Major. You're going to make it, hear me? I'm not...losing you too. I know you're stronger than this, you've...told me all the stories," Hunter countered.

"N-Now...you lis...ten here. Th-This...is it for me. Y-Yo..ur...ord...ers are...t-to le-lea...ve m-me a-and get the com-comp...any back...t-to the ba...se safely. Un...dersta...nd?" Harry forced and coughed out which only hurt Hunter more. Now what was he supposed to do? Harry ordered Hunter to leave him behind. Hunter couldn't do it. Gods, he couldn't! "G-Go...now,"

"No, sir. I'm not leaving you behind. Even if...you die, I'm bringing you back with me. No...soldier left behind," Hunter reminded.

"This...is not...negotiable. Everyone is pinned down...and won't survive...this...me-mess. You have...to worry about them. Th-They need you...far more than...I-I do. Y-You're...in charge. Take...them to base. I-It's been...a plea...sure to...serve with you, Hunter and I know...you will continue...to go great things. You're a...leader, kid," Harry's breathing picked up as Hunter held his hand tightly while trying not to let the tears spill over from his eyes. "It's...up to...y-you. Lead your men ho-ho...me, soldier," the man managed another smile before he just...faltered and everything stopped. Harry's heart, pulse, breathing and the male's eyes remained opened but there was no life left to them. Harry was dead and the company was in danger, all of this fell on him to get them out safely and back to Camp Ormr. It was up to him now.