Dear mother, it has been far too long since I last wrote, and I apologize. I know you're worried sick about me but I am fine. I would love to tell you where I am, but security concerns prevent me from doing so. But enough about the war, how are you doing mom? I know the war has made life hard for everybody.

I know I just said I would stop talking about the war but, I know how dad felt when he was away fighting. Even though I can't remember him I know he would be proud of me. I will try to write you soon. I love you.

Your dearest daughter,

Chole.

Brooks's eyes slowly fluttered open. She groaned and slowly started to get up. "Well well. Look who's awake." She looked up and Sara is standing at her bed with a cup in her hand. She handed her the cup, "Here. It's army coffee but it'll help wake you up." She sat up and took it. "Thanks. What time is it?"

"It's just past noon. You haven't missed anything. We're still taking stock of what supplies we have and what our strength is." Brooks nodded and took a sip of her coffee. "How's Cox doing?"

"Recovering. He's been taken to one of the bases behind the line for treatment." She nodded, "That's good." She sat her coffee aside and stood up. She stretched a bit, "Come on. I want to show you something." Curious, Brooks followed her. She opened the tent flap and Brooks stepped out behind her. The base is relatively quiet which is surprising to Brooks. "I thought the base would be bustling with activity."

"Yeah, I did too. Most of the squads are resting up for when we launch our attack on the Fouzen Pocket."

"Any news on that operation?"

"No. The brass are trying to keep any mentioned of it airtight." They headed to one of the exits. They passed by a few soldiers who nodded or waved as they passed. They left the base and Sara quickly took them off the beaten path. "Sara, where are you taking us?"

"It's a surprise."

"A surprise? Should I be worried?" Sara rolled her eyes, "No. Now come on, we're almost there."

"Almost there she says," Brooks muttered but picked up the pace. The terrain started to slope upward and they came across a small path. A few minutes later, they reached the top. "Now close your eyes." Brooks gave her a look. "Please. You'll love it. I promise." Brooks sighed but closed her eyes. "You better not let me fall." Sara laughed, "Well, now that you mention it."

"Sara..."

"Fine fine. I'll hold your hand." Brooks can hear the smile in her voice and can't help but smile herself. "Just a little bit longer. Now. Open your eyes." She opened her eyes. In front of her is the never-ending expanse of the ocean. Light from the sun reflects off the waves and far below she can see the sandy beach. "Oh wow. When did you find this?"

"I was on a scouting mission when I came across it. I remembered its location in case I wanted to show it to someone. Come on, take a seat."

"Um, shouldn't we be heading back?"

"Come on. We can stay for a bit." Brooks thought about it, "Alright. But only for a few minutes." Brooks sat down next to her and enjoyed the view. The wind kicked up and the cool air felt great. They stayed there for a few more minutes before they headed back.

When they got back to the base, it's more active. A few trucks rolled out of the base carrying troops and two of them are towing artillery with their crews riding on the guns. "I better not have messed a briefing because of you."

"Relax Chole. They're just taking reinforcements to the front. The Imperials have been trying to break out all day. They're just making it easier for us when we move in." Brooks nodded but didn't say anything. "Let's get something to eat. I'm frigging starving."

Activity in the base continued to rise so Brooks and Sara ate fairly quickly. Once done, they stepped out and two light tanks rolled past with infantry riding on them. "Okay, something is going down."

"Sergeant Brooks!" A private stopped in front of them, "There's a company meeting at the first planning tent in five minutes." She nodded, "Thank you private." He saluted and she returned it. She turned to Sara "Thanks for showing me that spot you found. It was beautiful." Sara smiled, "You're welcome. Now go." Brooks turned and jogged away from Sara. She quickly arrived at the tent and entered. Jackson is already there along with Lane, Grant, and Newman. They greeted her and she stood beside Jackson and examined the battle map. Jess, Sharp, and Dalton arrived soon after.

"Now that everyone is here, let's get into the brief. As you would expect, the Imperials want to break out of the pocket before we close the noose on them. They've been pressing hard but haven't broken out. Now that their latest attack is slowing down General Everhart wants to go on the offensive. The plane is to push to the cities of Ostende and Hilwarsen. They should be liberated by the time we reach them. Any questions?" No one spoke up. "Outstanding. Get your squads ready, we're rolling in fifteen minutes."

Thirteen minutes later, their company rolled out of the base and onto the road. "This is going to be a much smoother ride than the others."

"Damn right. We're actually on a paved road this time."

"Hey, why are we attacking the Imps? Why don't we just let them starve out?"

"This pocket is sucking up too many divisions. That, or the good General got tired of sitting around."

"It's probably a combination of both." While everyone talked, Brooks pulled out her diary and started writing. "Hey, what you are writing about?" She looked at Cole who's sitting across from her. "My thoughts. And no, I won't share."

"I wasn't going to ask. What are you going to do when this war is over?" She paused for a moment. "Honestly, I don't know. I don't think I'll stay in the army though."

"Moving on to a different career?"

"Maybe. What about you Cole?"

"Well, since you guys think I'm a genius weather reporter, I thought I would go into weather forecasting." Brooks smiled, "Well, nobody will have to worry about bad weather forecasts when you do." He chuckled, "Thanks for the vote of confidence Brooks."

"Anytime."

The sound of artillery fire caused them to tense. "Relax, that's our artillery." Even with Brooks's word, it took them a few seconds to fully relax. "God, I am going to be so jumpy around loud noises."

"All of us are going to be jumpy around something for a while."

"Hey, what's that?"

"What? I don't see anything?"

"It was something in the air. It was too big to be a bird."

"Too big to-" Suddenly, they hear a sound. It's different from the vehicles, and it's getting louder. "You hear it now?"

"Yeah, but I don't see it." It took Brooks a second, but her eyes widened when it clicked. "Eyes to the sky People!"

"Why would- "THERE!" They watched as two airplanes dive through the clouds and attack their front lines. The planes pull away and black smoke rises into the air. "Son of a bitch! The Imps actually have airpower!" The convoy picked up the pace nearly throwing two people to the floor. "Eyes to the sky people! Call out targets if you see them!"

"The hell is my rifle going to do against a plane?"

"At least you have a rifle. I have a damn sniper rifle." They nervously watched the skies for Imperial aircraft, but none came. When they reached their frontline, they saw the damage those airplanes had done. Two of their Fireflies are burning, and the bodies of eight Gallians lay dead. The convoy spread out and the infantry dismounted. "Get on the line people!" She stopped a corporal, "How many air attacks?"

"This makes three today ma'am. They must be coming from their homeland." She thanked him and let him go. "We need something more effective against those airplanes," she muttered.

"Sergeant, Lieutenant Jackson wants to speak with you."

"Thank you." She headed to the front of the convoy where she found Jackson turned out of his turret. "Lieutenant! You wanted to see me!?"

"I did! I need you to take a team and scout the Imperial positions! Under no circumstances are you to engage them! Clear!?"

"Clear sir!"

"Dismissed!" She quickly found a small team from her Squad, secured a half-track, and moved out.

"Stop here. I don't want to risk getting too close." The half-track stopped and they dismounted. "Stay here, we'll be back when we're done."

"Ma'am."

Brooks and her fireteam moved forward slowly and carefully. They stayed at a constant crouch as they moved. Brooks stopped at a fallen tree and raised her binoculars. She couldn't see anything, so she motioned the team to keep moving. She stayed where she was as her team moved up. After a few more seconds, she lowered them and moved up. With hang signals, she ordered her team to spread out further to the left and right. They do so and form a loose V-formation with Brooks in the lead.

Brooks raised her fist and stopped. She slowly moved forward while her team stayed where they are. She stopped and raised her binoculars. Four Imperial scouts are moving through the forest. She signaled this to her team and ordered them to stay low and stay put. She turned back to the scouts. They're not coming directly at them but they're close enough that they might be a problem. She watched them and singled to her team. They readied themselves to engage on her signal. It never came as the Imps changed direction taking them away from the team. They disappeared from her view and she singled them to move forward.

A few minutes later, the Imperial line came into view. She looked through her binoculars and after a few minutes, she turned to her team. "We have what we need. Move out."