With my vacation ended on such a weird note, I went back home to give Goliath its usual round of repairs and maintenance.

One night, I had another one of those dreams about the mysterious shadowy figures.

Again, they made their demands clear:

"The key! We must have the key!"

While their demands were clear, the details were still murky.

Just what kind of key could they want?

Given the many locks in the world, I could search for my entire lifetime and not find this damn key.

I probably shouldn't even be worrying about this.

I may need a break or something.

On second thought, perhaps the stress of going out into a strange land and not knowing what's out there is getting to me.

Maybe I should go back to a place that I've already been to.

While I'm thinking of that, why not go somewhere I've already been that nevertheless still posed a risk to me?

I knew just the place:

Ruinberg.

After all checks were clear, I headed back to Ruinberg, the site of a major event in my career.

I was in luck: There was a battle that was just getting started!

From what I could see, the tanks were about equal to Goliath's level: M4 Shermans, Panzer IVs, T-34s, AMX-13s, etc…

This didn't appear to be a tank company battle, either.

In any case, I decided not to choose a side; I just fired at whoever came into my crosshairs.

At one point, I wrecked an M4A3E8, but the strange thing is, the crew actually got out alive.

I decided to ignore this anomaly and continue fighting.

At one point in the carnage, a T-34-85 struck Goliath, so we cranked the turret around to fire.

Just before we fired, the T-34 struck Goliath's left track, but only damaged it.

We fired at it, and…

BOOM!

However, at that very moment, I caught something out of the corner out of my eye:

Anti-tank infantry with rocket launchers!

Without hesitation, one of my comrades opened fire with the hull-mounted DT machine gun while I tried spraying them with my PPSh-41.

A few guys managed to fire rockets before they were cut down, but none of them hit Goliath.

One of them did, however, hit a Terrible 29 that had just gone over a hill, damaging but not killing it.

It was about this time that Goliath was hit by a Panzer IV, which did no damage.

I was more interested in the Terrible 29, though.

It fired a shot at Goliath and damaged it pretty badly.

In the meantime, the Panzer IV was still firing at Goliath, and since all of these shots were bouncing, it was more annoying than dangerous.

Since I was more interested in that Terrible 29, though, I took aim at that, and…

BOOM!

Now, to work on that Panzer IV.

With rounds still bouncing harmlessly off of Goliath, I approached the Panzer IV and disposed of it with an anti-tank grenade.

Passing by a dead Tiger, I continued doing battle, tearing apart a VK 3001.

Eventually, the fire died down, so I figured that everyone else had been eliminated.

As I was driving away, though, I got the following radio call:

"Ah, there's one I missed! Let's finish this fight!"

Shortly after, I spotted a Tiger!

However, in contrast to typical Tiger tanks, this one was painted in a dull yellow color rather than the typical "German Gray".

I stopped and attempted to sight in my cannon, but this guy was quicker on the draw and managed to hit me first.

Unfortunately, he ducked behind cover before I could sight in again.

I went into cover for a few seconds, too, and then drove back out hoping that the Tiger would, too.

However, after a few minutes, nothing happened.

I smelled a trap, so I turned around and went deeper into the city.

At another intersection, I spotted the Tiger again.

Since his gun was not aimed in my general direction, I took aim and fired…

BOOM!

The Tiger was not killed, but it was certainly damaged heavily.

The Tiger's commander radioed me shortly after:

"That was such a hard hit! I never saw that coming! You may have damaged me badly, but I'm not out yet!"

I then got an idea:

"Listen, whoever you are, you have fought well! Since you have fought so well, I am offering you a truce. If you leave, then I agree to let you live. If not…well, your tank's taken a lot of damage. It's only going to take one more shell for me to destroy you!"

After a few seconds of thought, the Tiger's commander replied: "I accept your truce, Soviet. You too have fought well! I only wish I could meet more people like you!"

"OK then. Enjoy your life, for it is a thing to be cherished!"

"You too! Auf wiedersehen!"

The Tiger limped away from the city.

As it drove away, I noticed the number "217" on its turret.

I reflected on what I had just said to this man.

I really wish I could enjoy life, but it may be too late for me.

Then again, maybe I really should cherish it while I can.

Thinking back on my career, I remembered moments such as the time I went into Norway and witnessed the beautiful landscape there.

The way I figured it, if I can appreciate moments like that, maybe life is worth enjoying even in this carnage-filled world.

Oh, and about that Tiger:

It wasn't until later that I learned that the man I let go was one of Germany's top tankers.

At first, I was pretty angry that I'd let such a prime opportunity slip through my fingers, but on the other hand, maybe I should let a few pass, as long as they're not with "W.G."

Criticism is gold. Negativity and nitpicking are pyrite.