After Colonel Sten left, I returned to planning the final surge into the last city of the Varlinia's fallen empire — Draven-cross City. A city where businessmen and women once brought life to the streets, where dreams turned into reality, and peace once existed.
Or at least, it used to.
I sighed.
The sound of laughter still echoed outside as soldiers celebrated and rested. I walked to the window and looked at them. This might be the last time many of them would ever experience such peace again.
I stepped out of my room and headed toward the main gate. Two guards stood outside, blocking unauthorized personnel. They immediately saluted as I approached. I returned the salute and said,
"Inform the soldiers who are still enjoying their time to return to rest. It is time to sleep."
"Yes, sir!"
One of the guards quickly went to deliver the order. I returned to my room.
After some time, the laughter faded completely, replaced by an eerie silence. A silence that can torment a man and slowly break the mind.
There is a saying I often recall:
"Defeat is not decided on the battlefield, but in the mind. Long before the first blow is struck, fear rots the heart and breaks the will."
I looked at the time. It was 0100 hours.
A knock came at my door.
"Enter."
It was Miss Sten. Why would she be here at this hour?
"Sir, I have a question," she said.
"What is it?"
"What is the plan for the attack on the city?"
"I will brief you in the morning before the assault begins."
She nodded but did not leave immediately.
"What is it now, Miss Sten?" I asked.
"I have a request, sir."
"Speak."
"If it is within your authority… I would like to spend a few days with my family after the war is over."
"Two weeks."
She looked at me in shock, as if she had not expected such permission. Then her expression softened with relief.
"Miss Sten, I also have a request."
"Sir?"
She looked at me with hope.
"Do not die on the battlefield. Your parents and sister would not be able to endure the news."
Her face turned pale at those words.
"I will try my best, sir."
"Good. You may leave."
She left the room.
I was alone again.
The room was dim, filled with a cold silence I could not explain. I returned to the map of Draven-cross City.
It showed only two viable routes for a large force. One was a bridge in the west. The other was a southern road connecting the suburbs.
The north and east were heavily restricted—impossible to move large units through.
"So the only option is to enter from the south and secure the western bridge," I muttered. "A gamble… a suicide mission."
I sighed.
I changed into lighter clothes to rest as comfortably as possible. Then I lay down and eventually fell asleep.
After a few peaceful hours, I woke up to the sound of someone banging on my door.
"What is it?"
"Sir, it is Colonel Sten. She says there are only 30 minutes left before departure," the guard reported.
"Understood. Tell her I will be there in five minutes."
"Yes, sir."
I got ready and went downstairs, where Colonel Sten and Lieutenant Colonel Marks were already waiting.
"Commander, our paths diverge here," Lieutenant Colonel Marks said.
"Understood, Sir Marks," I replied calmly.
After 15 minutes, Lieutenant Colonel Marks departed with the 001st Medical Battalion.
After another 20 minutes, it was our turn.
From this moment onward, victory or defeat would decide the fate of Draven-cross.
I entered the jeep, followed by Colonel Sten. The 202nd Infantry Division moved out in formation.
The engines roared, and dust filled the air as we advanced.
For three long hours, we traveled toward Draven-cross City.
Finally, I raised my hand.
"Stop the convoy."
All vehicles halted immediately.
"Bring me all higher-ranking officers," I ordered.
Colonel Sten relayed the command.
Within minutes, they stood before me.
Eighty-one officers in total:
1 Major General 2 Brigadier Generals 10 Colonels 18 Lieutenant Colonels 50 Majors
I spoke with a serious tone.
"Major General."
"Yes, sir?"
"How many troops do we have?"
"Fifteen thousand soldiers, awaiting your command."
"Good. I need all of your strength now."
"Yes, sir!"
"Listen carefully," I said. "This battle is a suicide mission. There are only two main routes into the city: the western bridge and the southern road through the suburbs. We will divide our forces accordingly."
A brief silence followed.
"Trust me once more, as you have in every battle before this."
Then the soldiers responded loudly:
"We trust you, Commander!"
"We have never lost faith in you!"
I smirked slightly. The speech was far from perfect—but it worked.
"Major General, select 25 men to accompany me to the front. Also assign 8 Majors for the same task."
He nodded and turned.
The selected Majors stepped forward.
The Major General faced them.
"You are heading into the most dangerous part of this operation. Survival is uncertain."
"We understand, sir. We are willing to sacrifice ourselves for Varlinia's future."
"For Varlinia!"
I shouted.
"For Varlinia!" they echoed.
Then I continued:
"Major General, divide the 15,000 troops in half. One half will advance toward the western bridge with armored support. The other half will move through the southern suburbs."
"Additionally, 1,000 troops will be split into two groups of 500 to secure and hold the northern and eastern flanks of Draven-cross."
Every officer remained focused, showing no fear.
I saluted them.
They returned the salute immediately.
"Get ready. We move at dusk."
"Sir, yes sir!"
They immediately began preparations.
At dusk, everything was ready.
I stood with Colonel Sten and the selected officers. The convoy stretched behind us like a steel river.
I raised the handset.
"Begin Operation Red Cross."