The day our hometown burned… That was the day we enlisted. At last, we had something to believe in. something worth fighting for. None of us yet knew-we couldn't foresee-what this war would cost us. It was a battlefield… But it was where we grew up. -Excerpt from the diary of Lieutenant Claude Wallace, Commander of Squad E, Edinburgh Army, Atlantic Federation

The year was 1935 EC, the Second Europa War was in full swing. A lone man stood at the entrance to a Federation base, at first glance, you could be forgiven for thinking there was nothing remarkable about him, he was of average build, average height. When you spoke with him, however, you would find out he was 21 years old, and yet he spoke with such a world-weary tone, suggesting that there was a story to him.

He wasn't waiting for long as Squad E rolled back into base following a successful engagement at Milt. Claude Wallace, the leader of Squad E, noticed him and nodded to Kai Schulen, the leader of Squad E's Snipers, and they both approached. "Lieutenant Wallace, Sergeant Jacob Stewart reporting as ordered, sir!" the man said, identifying himself.

Claude nodded, "At ease Sergeant, you'll find we're a lot more relaxed around here," then he gestured to Jacob's rifle, "As I recall, you are qualified as a Sniper, correct?"

Jacob nodded, "Yes sir, my record for target practice held for some time, at least until the Sergeant-Major here utterly destroyed it."

Kai smirked slightly, but it faded so quickly that Jacob thought that he had imagined it. Regardless, Claude smiled, seeming to not notice, "Perfect, I must report to Lieutenant Victor, but I trust the rest of the squad will welcome you," he said, leaving Jacob with Kai.

Jacob turned to Kai with a smile on his face, "I look forward to working with you ma'am."

Kai nodded and began walking to the rest of the squad. They were milling about the tank when somebody noticed their approach. "Who's the new guy Kai?" one of the Darcsen men asked.

Kai gestured to Jacob and he nodded, "Jacob Stewart, Sergeant of the Federation Army, former Special Infantry Commando and crack shot, you?" he asked.

The Darcsen smirked, "The name's Raz, the best trooper in the Edinburgh Army."

Jacob raised an eyebrow, "I can accomplish in a single bullet that which takes you upwards of thirty…" he challenged.

Before Raz could bite back, a pink blur was seen by all and Jacob felt all the air in his lungs escape while the arms around him didn't allow him to breathe, but also told him who it was. "I'm alright Karen, Imps couldn't keep me down for long." he wheezed.

Karen, the normally unflappable field medic of the squad, didn't hold the tears back as she ran a critical eye over him to assure herself of that fact before burying her head back in his chest. "Command wouldn't tell me what had happened, or even if you were still alive," she finally whispered.

Jacob frowned and wrapped his arms around her, "I'd say that they had the best on it, but you weren't there so that would be a lie."

The squad was stunned that someone would flirt with Karen, she had gained a reputation as a person who didn't care for romance. However, when she smiled, they grew even more surprised. The tank operator, Miles, spoke up, "They know each other?" he asked in a hushed tone.

Kai smirked, "Jacob and Karen Stewart married each other just before her assignment to Squad E and his redeployment to the frontlines."

The rest of the squad looked to her in disbelief. However, she cocked her head and began walking off, giving the couple some space for their reunion in case things got… heated. Thankfully, the rest of the squad followed her and, after walking for a few minutes, she stopped and turned to face the squad's inquisitive looks, "Sergeant Stewart was one of, if not the best snipers in the Federation Army," she remarked, growing slightly introspective before shaking herself out of her reminiscence, "They met after his second mission, as he had taken a shot for his CO and Karen was the operating surgeon. After that, she took to talking to him as that post wasn't the greatest and apparently not very kind to its medics and they grew close, culminating in their marriage a few months later." she finished before smirking, "And as you can see, they are firmly in love."

Aladdin scoffed, "I doubt he's that good, can't be better than you anyways." he remarked.

Kai shook her head, "I'm not that great, just a good rifle in decent hands," she replied before smirked, "Jacob, on the other hand, can pick which eyeball he will send his bullet into at a klick away."

Considering that most of the snipers in the army seemed to struggle to hit the broadside of a barn, from the inside, it wouldn't have taken much to be a good sniper. However, no one could shoot that far and reliably hit something vital. Except for Jacob that is. However, before anyone could say anymore, Claude walked up, "Jacob reuniting with Karen then?" he asked.

Kai nodded and he smiled, "Good, but we've been given our marching orders. Fort Krest lays in our path and it will be the job of Squad E to take it while Squads F and D secure our flanks."

While most of the squad was excited to get out there again, one of the Engineers, Rebecca Longhurst frowned, "Didn't the Imperials put a massive artillery piece there and fortify the dickens out of the fort?"

Kai grimaced, she remembered reading about the fort, "The turrets would fill us with more holes then Gallian Cheese, why is command throwing us at it?" she asked.

Claude sighed, he knew that this would be the shocking bit of news and he really didn't want to give it, but saw no other choice, "Less than a day ago, the Empire formally declared war on Gallia," he said, drawing gasps from the group, "Ghirlandaio has fallen already as have most of the border towns, even getting as far as Bruhl last we heard."

A loud slap was heard and everyone turned to see Jacob and Karen standing behind them, "Don't tell me," Jacob began as his palm remained on his forehead, "General Damon was in charge of the defense of Ghirlandaio."

Claude shrugged, "Probably, but regardless, we have our mission: Take the Fort and open up the path for Operation Northern Cross." he replied.

The rest of the squad cheered, but Jacob shivered, he couldn't help but feel as if this would take a lot out of the squad, and perhaps some of the cheering soldiers wouldn't make it home, a fear shared by his wife and new Commanding Officer. However, they had their orders, and, by hook or by crook, they would see the end of this war.

Or die trying…