The Lair 20 years later
"Chris, get up! its time to train!" Leonardo said as he walked into Chris's room.
"Ok ok im comming" Chris moaned as he got out of bed. As he made his way down to the kitchen he noticed that his other brothers were already there eating breakfast along with his father Master Splinter.
"Morning" Chris said to everyone as he walked in and go himself soemthing to eat.
"Morning dude" Mikey said
"Good morning my son, what time is your class going to start today?" Splinter asked.
"Well, I have 2 classes today and then I an errand to run" Chris said.
"What kind or errand?" Donny asked, looking up from newspaper.
"O, just something I have to do that is personal" Chris stated.
"Just make sure that you are back in time for afternoon training" Splinter said.
"I will try" Chris said as started eating. After eating everyone was in the living area looking at the news when a stroy came on about the war in Iraq.
"Today, 4 soldiers were killed in a fire fight outside Bagdad, they were running convoy security when they were ambushed." the news reporter stated.
"That sucks, when are people going to understand that Americans should stay out of other country's affairs" Raph said.
"Well, the people over there needed help, I mean we help people here and its none of our business but we help them anyway" Chris said
"Yes, but we do not beleive in using firearms because they are dishonorable weapons and there is no true skill, anyone can pull a trigger" Leo replied.
"Those soldiers over there are fighting because they have to, they do what they do so that others dont have to fight. they have real honor" Chris said getting a little upset.
"My son, the army kills many innocent lives, even if it is an accident, innocent people still die, we do not harm the innocent, ninjas are trained to only attack the evil and protect the innocent." Splinter said
"The Army does protect and save innocent lives that is why they are over there" Chris shot back, " I have to go, I'll be back later" as he walked towards the door.
As Chris walked down the street, he couldn't help but keep thinking about what the others said about the soldiers in the military, I mean they didn't want to be there, they were there because they were following orders and they were helping people. Just as Chris was walking up to his college he saw a US soldier walking to the school. He decided to ask a question that was bugging him and wanted to get an answer from someone who would know the answer, so Chris walked up to the soldier.
"Excuse me, can I ask you something?" Chris asked.
"Sure, go ahead" the soldier said.
"Why do you do it, I mean why are you a soldier, knowing that you could go to a war zone and get killed" Chris said.
"I do it because there is no greater honor than serving your country, I mean we live here, we have all of these freedoms, and we all have families and friends, soldiers fight to protect them all. Being a soldier means that you care less about yourself and more about others and would be willing to give your life to protect everyone, even people you don't even know" the soldier replied.
"But arent you afraid, I mean you could die?" Chris asked
"No, I am right with God, I know that if it is my time then I will have no say in it and am perpared, beisdes dieing for your country means that I did my job and gave everything I had to protect my family and friends and country, it is an honor to die for your country because it the most selfless act you do" the soldier answered.
"Thank you, you told me everything I needed to know" Chris said before shaking the soldier's hand and walking away.
"Hey, aren't you going to school here?" the soldier asked
"Not today, I have an errand to run, thanks again" Chris said as he waved goodbye and walked down the street. As he made his way to the door of the building he took a deep breath and walked inside, this was the biggest decsision of his life.
