The sun begins to rise over Randgriz singling the dawn of a new day. As light slowly filtered through the city and hit the windows it aroused those who are still asleep. Inside one of the many apartment buildings, Brooks groaned as she woke up. She rubbed her eyes and stayed in bed debating whether she should get up or try to go back to sleep. Eventually, her stomach won and she got out of bed.

She entered the kitchen and popped two pieces of bread in the toaster before turning on the radio filling the room with the smooth sound of music. She sat on the couch, closed her eyes, and allowed the music to carry her away. After two minutes, the smell of toasted bread woke her and she popped the two pieces out of the toaster. She put them on a plate, spread butter on them, and sat back down next to the radio.

"And now, on to the news. The Gallian military has confirmed that they have liberated the city of Hasselt. This is good news for the Gallia's industry but the military has stated that while taking Hasselt is a step in the right direction we are still a long way from pushing the Imperials out of our country. Further questions regarding the next step in the campaign have been declined by the military.

"Rationing will become stricter starting tomorrow. Please speak with your local rationing officer for further details. New conscription laws have come out. All men aged seventeen to fifty must sign up. Women are encouraged to but it is not mandatory. Now there have been rumors circling about the Imperials using aircraft to attack the defenders of Hasselt. The military has said that these rumors are false. There is no evidence to suggest the Imperials have used aircraft in their invasion of the Federation or the invasion of our country."

Brooks shook her head. "False. Sure." She took another bite of her toast.

"Now, the latest news from the Federation-Imperial front. The latest Imperial offensive in the South has been halted and the one in the center slowed. The Imperial offensive in the North has not been slowed and the latest reports state it has pushed as far to the city of Lodz. If they are not stopped there the Federation's center army would be endanger of being encircled. We will update you on that situation as soon as we have more info. Now, back to the music."

Brooks stood up, placed her plate and glass in the sink, and exited the apartment room. She locked the door behind her and got on the elevator. She stepped out into the lobby and exited the building. She is heading to a small café to meet up with some members of her company and shoot the breeze with them for however long they are there.

The streets of Randgrize are just as busy as they were yesterday. After ten minutes of walking, she reached the café and saw Richard from squad eighteen enjoying a cup of tea and reading a book. She sat down across from her, "Good morning Brooks."

"Morning? It's almost noon. We're not on duty so you can call me Chole."

"Alright, Chole. That will take some getting used to."

"Yeah, and by the time you get used you do you'll have to call me Brooks again." She smiled and Ana shook her head.

"Well, since I'm calling you B-Chole, call me Ana."

"Alright, Ana. So, when are the others suppose to arrive?"

"Ten to twenty minutes."

Chole nodded and a waitress walked over to their table. "What can I get you?"

"Coffee please." She nodded and walked off.

"Didn't think you were a coffee person Bro-Chole."

"I drink coffee on occasion. What about you?"

"Tried coffee once hated it ever since. I'm a tea girl now."

"To each their own. What made you hate coffee?"

"Honestly, I don't really know. I just remember that when I first tasted it I spit it out. Unfortunately, it hit my mom. She was not happy."

"Yeah, I can see why."

Ana shook her head, "You ever get into trouble with your parents?"

Chole shook her head. "My mom has told me a few stories about me getting into trouble but I don't remember any of them."

The waitress came back carrying a small cup of steaming coffee. She placed it in front of Chole, "Here you go ma'am."

"Thank you."

Ana and Chole sat at their table for another five minutes. Chole was enjoying her coffee while Ana was enjoying her tea and reading her book. The traffic around the café didn't change. "Chole, Ana I see you've been enjoying the café."

"Of course we are Jess. Did you think we wouldn't?"

"No, I knew you wouldn't be able to wait for me."

"So, is anyone else coming?"

"I think Chase is somewhere behind me."

A few seconds later, a very irate Chase appeared, "Dammit Jess, it isn't a race you know."

"I wasn't racing. You were just too slow to keep up."

"Smartass," Chase mumbled.

"So, is this everyone?"

"I think, unless someone shows up within the next ten minutes."

"Chase, I'm surprised you allowed yourself to be dragged away from the motor pool."

"Not like I had a choice. I was practically ordered to take the R&R given to us."

Chole smirked, "Well look on the bright side. You get to hang out with three lovely ladies."

Chase stopped what he was doing. For about five seconds her just looked at her like he was processing what she said. When he did he stared down at his feet, "Not funny."

Chole laughed while Jess and Ana watched in amusement. "So, where are we going?"

"Well, I heard that a new movie just came out. Want to go see it?"

"Sure. Jess, Chase you want to join us?"

"Sure, I like to see a movie."

"I guess I can see one."

"Alright. Follow me."

Ana stood up and started to lead them to the movie theater.

On the other side of the city, Justin, Thomson, Earl, and Sharp are walking around with no real destination. "So, do you think Caleb is going to actually teach his brother everything he knows?"

"I hope not. It's bad enough dealing with him."

"Wait, Caleb is teaching his brother how to cheat at cards?"

"Yeah. He dragged him off yesterday. Now, Ellis didn't look too happy about it."

"It looked like he was dreading it, honestly."

"Yeah, I noticed that. I don't think he's much of a card player."

"Good! That way we only have to deal with one cheating bastard."

"I'd rather we didn't have to deal with a cheating bastard in the first place."

"Everyone would, sadly, our luck isn't that good."

"Uhm, have any of you stopped and considered that maybe he's just that good at cards?"

The three of them stopped and looked at Earl in disbelief. "I take that as a no."

"There is no way in hell he is that good at cards. No way!"

"Yeah! That son of a bitch cheats! I don't know how, but he does!"

"Okay okay! It's just a possibility."

"It is not possible for Caleb to be that good at cards. End of discussion."

Grant placed his hand on Earl's shoulder and they dropped back from Justin and Thomson. "Don't mention Caleb and cards together around anyone unless you beat him, or you lost to him."

"Yeah. I know that now. I've heard a lot about Caleb's exploits in cards; is any of that true?"

"I don't know. I do know that playing against him is a good way to lose anything and everything."

"Good to know. I'll make sure to never challenge him to cards."

"I think everyone in the company has figured that out by now."

"Hey! Catch up you two!"

"Come on, we don't want to get left behind."

"Where are we going anyway?"

"Good question. Hey Thomson! Where we going!?"

"No clue!"

"Well, there's your answer."

Earl sighed and shook his head. "I know a restaurant we can eat at. Want to get launch?"

"Hell yeah."

The two of them split off without Justin or Thomson noticing. "Hey, you two still back there?"

After a few seconds, he turned around. "Hey- Where did they go?"

"What? They left us."

"Yeah. Yeah they did."

"Now what?"

"I know where we can go. Those two are going to miss out!"

As the day rounded down and darkness started to set many of the residents of Randgrize were either heading home or heading to one of the local bars to relax after the day. Chole and Jess are on their way to a bar that Chase, of all people, had pointed them to. Apparently, he does have a social life and often hangs out at that bar. Sadly, neither he nor Ana joined them.

"I didn't think Chase was the kind of guy to go out drinking."

"I didn't either. Just proves that people aren't all that they seem on the surface."

As they approached the bar, someone was thrown out! "And stay out asshole!"

The guy slowly stood up and stumbled down the sidewalk. They ignored him and entered the bar. The smell of smoke assaulted their noses and music filled the bar. There are about a dozen people inside the bar enjoying their drinks. Someone towards the back of the bar waved them over. "Hey, is that..."

"That's Ellis. What's he doing here?"

"Maybe he got tired of his brother trying to teach him how to cheat at cards."

They got their drinks before walking over to him. "Brooks, Jessica."

"We're off duty right now. You can call me Chole."

"Just call me Jess."

Ellis nodded and took a sip of his beer. "So, why are you here?"

"After everything I had to deal with my brother for the past two days, I needed to get away from him and have a drink."

"It was that bad?"

"Probably worse than what you're thinking. No matter what I tell him he refuses to not teach me the 'trade' as he calls it. I think I fell asleep at one point and he woke me up before continuing to talk, what was to me, nonsense."

"Damn. Why is he so adamant in teaching you when you clearly don't give a shit?"

"I've been asking that question for three months."

Chole stood up, "Let's not worry about that or anything else. Today is coming to an end so let's end it on a high note."

Jess stood up and then Ellis stood up. They clicked their beers together and took a drink.