Lt. Henderson yawned. It had already been a long day for him and the other 13 Chalks. They all woke up at 0400 that morning and did their daily exercise routine of push-ups, sit-ups, and the dreadful 5 mile run around not only Ft. Monmouth II but all of US-Iraqi Headquarters. After the run they went to the mess hall and had breakfast consisting of the usual pancakes, eggs, toast, hash browns, grits, OJ, and milk. Then they all went to the north of US-Iraqi HQ and headed for the shooting range. There they practiced their marksmanship and tested their accuracy skills. At 1100 they all went to General DiGiovanni's Special Forces Class. DiGiovanni is the Commander of the US Marine Recon in the Middle East. Class ended at 1300 and everyone went back to the mess hall for some ham, turkey, and roast beef sandwiches with a can of soda. After lunch the 13 Chalks split and went all over HQ to do whatever they wanted for the rest of the day until they all met again at the mess hall for dinner. Every soldier Lance Cpl. and under in the 13 Chalks went back to the bunks to go watch TV, play games, pretty much R & R. The Chalk Leaders and their Sgts. went to the Main Complex Building and did jobs for extra points so they could spend more time with their families in the US. Major Eversman went to the Main Complex Building with Lt. Kurth. Kurth went and helped the other Lts. while Eversman went to the 3rd floor (Communications Office) and helped General McKnight guide Streuker's Column to transport men at Baakala Plaza at the intersection of Nebu and Durgha Street. At 1635, The Lts. and Sgts. went back to the bunks and joined the others.

Chalk 8 was playing Halo 7 on an Xbox 900. SSgt. Accera and SSgt. Janelli were playing Guitar Hero X on PS8. Others were reading, playing cards, and writing letters. Some people were also trying to take a nap like Lt. Henderson. He was about to get some shut-eye when a ringing sound came from I.N.T.E.L.L.I.G.E.N.C.E., the main intercom/computer for the Communications Office. Major Eversman walked up to it from the other side of the room.

"Ev, you there?" McKnight asked.

"Here, sir."

"Ev, Starkaines wants you, Henderson, and Marron to report to the HIGHCOM Meeting Room in the Main Complex Building. He needs you to get in your dress uniforms."

"Understood, sir. We'll be there in 10 minutes."

The three of them quickly dressed in their dress uniforms and headed out the bunk doors. They crossed the street and headed in to the Main Complex building. They took off their berets and saluted the passing superior officers while they walked to the nearest elevator. Marron pressed a button inside the elevator that brought them to the 5th Floor, HIGHCOM Offices. They walked down the hallway and into a door labeled Meeting Room. They walked in and saw 6 men standing there. One half of the room was lit up and the other half was in complete darkness. Henderson thought he saw something move in the darkness, but he let it sit in the back of his mind. 5 of the men standing in front of Henderson, Eversman, and Marron were Generals, representing each rank of General. There was 5 Star Starkaines, who was the 2nd highest ranking officer in the world (Brent "IronBreadCrumb" Dean was Commander in Chief). The others were 4 Star DiGiovanni, 3 Star Berkley, 2 Star Nichols, and 1 Star (or Brigadier General) McKnight. Colonel Jenkins (CO of Delta Force) was also there. Starkaines stepped forward.

"Gentlemen, today is a very special day for you. I asked you three to come here for special reasons." Starkaines turned to Eversman.

"Major Matthew Eversman," Starkaines said as he walked and stopped right in front of him, "today you get these." He was holding a pair of shiny Lt. Colonel pins. "Starting next week you will be helping General McKnight in the Communications Office. He will be your commanding officer now. Jenkins is no longer your leader. He's now your comrade." Jenkins gave Eversman a smile.

Starkaines now walked up to Marron.

"Private First Class Kevin Marron. You are getting promoted today for your acts of bravery in the line of duty while successful starting and ending Tactical Maneuver Zero." He took off Marron's old rusty Pfc. pins and replaced them with shiny new SSgt. pins.

Starkaines finally got to Henderson.

"1st Lt. Michael Henderson. You have been a great leader to the men of Chalk 13. Unfortunately, tomorrow is the probably the last day you will ever see your men. But aside that, I'm promoting you to Captain for successfully attacking, defending, and securing Baakala Plaza and getting your men to a safe position while in the middle of battle."

Starkaines went back into the line of Generals. He turned around and looked into the darkness.

"Now you can come out Captain." Starkaines said.

Henderson knew there was someone there. He saw the rather short man step into the light of the room.

"Y-You're..." Henderson stuttered.

"Congrats Mike and glad to see you again."

Chew Cher Yang gave Henderson a smile that he would never forget.