Morgan and I went separate ways to Major Collins' office, not wanting to be spotted coming in together from being out all night. I made it to her office first and took a seat. Major Collins and I didn't say anything to each other while we waited, I just pulled out my notebook and flipped to a fresh page in case I needed to take notes. A few minutes later a knock was heard on the door and Morgan walked in with three cups of coffee in hand. She kicked the door closed behind herself and held out a coffee for me and then one for Major Collins.

"I didn't know how you take it Major so it's just black." Morgan said and took the seat next to me. I gave the cup a swirl and took a sip to find the coffee perfect.

"Hell, at this point I'll take anything with caffeine in it. I only got back on base a grand total of a half hour ago and came straight here. But enough about that. You two ready?" Major Collins asked as she took the lid of the to-go cup of coffee.

"As ready as we can be Major." I said and took another sip of coffee, starting to feel my body really start to wake up.

"Good, here are the latest maps of everything we know of, they were updated last night and also include a route that will hopefully lead you guys right to the steel mill. Here are also one satellite phone, it is for regular check ins. Regular means every few days so we can track your progress and for you to report anything and everything that's going on. The phones are encrypted but I also don't want you speak openly about your location. On the map I gave you, there are different checkpoints with names. Use that when you call to update us. If a team member is down and needs a medical evac, the code word is going to be trauma, really simple and easy to remember. If things start to go sideways and you need a priority evacuation, your kink word is albatross. Call the number pre-programed into the phone and say it three times to whoever answers with the team name and then we'll come in or assist in whatever you need. Any questions?" Major Collins asked.

"If I have additional info on the enemy, how would you like me to report it?" Morgan asked.

"Your CO gave you a laptop right?" Major Collins asked.

"Yes, back in the states." Morgan answered.

"Use it. Everything on that laptop is linked to a cloud we have access to see. So save anything and whenever Donovan calls to check in we can look into it from there." Major Collins.

"Are there copies of the maps on there too?" Morgan asked.

"There should be, if not I'll have a team link them into the cloud now so it's ready for you when you need it. If anything goes wrong and you think the intel is compromised the code word is going to be ghost. Go dark and burn all the paper. We can scrub the laptop from here but it also doesn't hurt to put a bullet through the hard drive." Major Collins said and took the first sip from her coffee. She grimaced and reached into a desk draw and came away with a few sugar packets. After she stirred them into her coffee and took another sip, it seemed like it was better.

"Anything questions?" Major Collins asked.

"I'm good if you're good." I said and looked over to Morgan. She only nodded and I turned my attention back to Major Collins.

"You're both dismissed then, I'll see you in a little bit in the hanger to see you guys off." Major Collins said and flashed us both a sad smile.

"Go, I'll catch up to you in a few." I said to Morgan when she stood from her seat. She gave me a look and I only gave her a small nod before she took her leave and shut the door behind her.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the key card and held it out to Annabelle. Annabelle put her coffee down and took the card from me. When she tried to take it from my hand I held it firm and her eyes flashed up to mine in question.

"I don't think you truly know how much last night meant to me, so I just wanted to say thank you." I said and let go of the card.

"You and I are a lot a like Daniella. Something was up and needed to be addressed before leaving. I'm happy I just gave you both a pocket of time to express that." Annabelle said with a genuine smile on her face.

"I know I'm not supposed to do this but I'm going to do it anyway. Just, thank you for constantly having my back through everything. For always being the mentor and guiding hand I needed when I took over the team and even before that. I don't know if I would be the women I am without your guidance and I just wanted you to know that." I said and felt my eyes start to water.

"You're right, you shouldn't be doing this Daniella, but I'll allow it because it has been the upmost pleasure to have you in my command and to watch you grow into the leader you are today. I know your dad was so proud of that and so am I." Annabelle said and stood from her seat and saluted me.

I clenched my jaw and stood from my seat to return the gesture. When I broke it Annabelle came around the desk and I met her for a hug. The thing about going into a warzone, you don't know if you'll ever make it out alive. These last moments with some people could be the last time you'll ever see them alive, so you have to make the most of it.

The hug didn't last to long, enough to get the point across. When I pulled away from Annabella I grabbed the maps and the SAT phone from her desk along with my notebook and put them into my backpack before taking my leave. I walked over to the mess hall on my way back to the barracks and bought some breakfast, then also bought a jar of instant coffee, a travel bottle of hot sauce and basically bought them out of most of there protein bars. MREs get old quick, you need something to spice them up with otherwise you'll go crazy. After I finished off my breakfast, I made my way to the barracks to finish off my packing.

When I made it back into the bunk room a few member of the team were making there final preparations as well. I changed into the new camos and then packed the new food items I bought. The map is going to sit in the pocket I have on the inside of the chest plate in my vest while the SAT phone went into my bag.

With everything packed up that I was taking with me, I took off my camo hat and left it on my bed before pulling on a black hat with the patch of pirate Blackbeard's flag. All of the gear I'm not bringing with me is packed in my duffle bag just in case I don't return here. With one final look at my stuff I pulled my backpack over my shoulders and turned to face the room.

"We move out in an hour, please be at the hanger in a half hour." I told to the teammates who were lingering while finishing there packing. They all nodded and I took my leave.

When I got to the gear room, I found the other half of my team getting dressed and ready to go. I put my bag down and started to gear up with the rest of them. Once I had everything on, I left the team with the same message about what time to meet at the hanger and took my leave. On my walk over to the hanger I gave my mom a call. Since it was still the middle of the night, she didn't answer and I was kind of grateful. I couldn't handle hearing her voice right now so I left her a voicemail.

The hanger was busy when I got there. Most of Bravo team was already here and they were gearing up there trucks. I picked out the truck I'll be riding in and put my pack in the bed before walking over to Ryan who was sitting on the tailgate of his own truck watching Bravo team work. I jumped up onto the tailgate and sat next to him. It took a second to get comfortable with my rifle around my chest but once I moved it over to my side I was able to turn to face him.

"Why didn't they do this yesterday?" I asked watching Bravo team continue to struggle to load there gear while yelling at each other.

"Between you and I, they all had fire watch in the woods behind the barracks with a lot of booze for most of the day. They barely made it back into there bunks to sleep yesterday. Packing their trucks was the last thing on there mind." Ryan said and I couldn't help but chuckle as Bravo Four put his sunglasses over his eyes as he joined his team to help.

"I'm guessing you're ready to go then?" I asked.

"Of course, just how I know you are." Ryan said and nudged my shoulder.

"Damn straight, hey, give me your number, just in case you need some backup and I can split my team." I said.

Ryan nodded and gave me the number to his SAT phone along with Raymond's. I gave him mine in return so they'll have it and we went back to watching Bravo team finally finish getting there gear in their trucks. Most of my team was already here and I knew I needed to get up and go over to them. But before I could get up, Raymond came over to us and put his bag down.

"I should have done this yesterday." He said and rubbed the back of neck.

"Yea probably." I said as Ryan and I chuckled.

"Guys turn around, let me get a picture of our fearless leaders." Rob said standing not far behind Raymond.

Raymond grumbled a little bit but turned around and hopped onto the tailgate with us. Rob snapped a few photos and I knew that was my cue to get over to my own team. I stood from the tailgate and so did Ryan. I gave him a hug along with one for Raymond.

"May we meet again, either in this world or the next." I said to both of them gravely.

"Hoorah" Both Ryan and Raymond said and I left them.

I walked over to my team and found everyone was already here, just standing around, waiting for the final order to move out. I gathered up the team along with Morgan and Major Collins for a picture of everyone in their gear. All 14 of us were gathered in front of one of our trucks while Ryan actually got the photo's on my cellphone.

After we were done with the pictures, I sent a secure email to Peyton's secured email address so she has current headshots of all of us and asked her to keep these photo's safe and off the web. Once I got confirmation that the email sent I deleted all of the photos and turned to look at my team. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood and that helped me settle down a bit. I was able to gather everyone around and we got down on a knee and linked arms. Since I didn't get a chance for one final pep talk in the locker room, it looks like we are going to have it here.

"We are going into unknow territory, to do a job so dangerous and risky this op is barely on paper. I'm pretty sure the only people who know about it are standing here inside this room and few other higher officers." I said and took a breath looking around at my team.

"This will not be an easy mission. It will be long, hard and stressful. We will learn a lot about each other over the course of this op as we are pushed to the limit. But I know that I wouldn't be able to make it through without each and every one of you. So now we pray, to any God that is listening to watch over us as we mount up and move out." I could feel the eyes of everyone on us in the hanger but I didn't care. This is how we prepare for a mission. If anybody else doesn't like it, they can just stand and watch.

"Lord, make me fast and accurate. Let my aim be true and my hand faster than those who wish to harm me and mine. Let not my last thought be "If only I had my gun". and Lord, if today is truly the day you are to call me home, let me die in a pile of brass." My team and I recited like second nature. Once the pray was said we all took an extra second to reflect personally before I broke first and pulled my arms from my teammates and stood up.

"Listen up team, here is the breakdown, we are traveling in three small squads. Team leaders on each squad are Rob, Monica and myself. Sitting with Monica is Emmett, Felix and Micah. With Rob we would have Cosima, Dexter and Akito. If you haven't been named then you are with me, which is Warren, Lionel, Beth and Morgan. You guys can pick drivers amongst yourselves but my team is going to be the lead truck. Take a second to load up and then we will meet at the back of my truck to go over the route." I said.

The team went about there business to load up there gear and equipment while I put my rifle down in the passenger seat of the truck. Once my stuff was down, I pulled out the maps and unfolded them to lay them out on the tailgate of my truck. It took another minute for everyone to gather around.

"Okay, so once we cross the boarder, we are on our own. Our allies will get us safe passage into the country from Poland but other then that, they have there own duties to attend too. Right now, the plan is to head south, staying closer to the boarders before we push east. Where we cross the rivers is to be determined as we don't have many reports about what bridge is still operational. The plan is to get off the road before sunset to find a place to rest for the night before continuing on. Any questions?" I asked looking around.

"May I speak freely Staff Sergeant?" PFC Cosima Taylor asked. I turned my head to her and nodded. She pushed her way through the circle to be in front of the maps. She clenched her jaw a few times before finally looking up at me.

"My family is from Ukraine; my parents came to America before I was born. They both have duel citizenship because they love there home country. For as long as I can remember, I have been going there to visit before joining the Army. I have some knowledge of back roads and places off the beaten path that might help hide tracks from the enemy. We have a house there, well it's more like a farm. Our house is just outside a small town called Mykolaiv. As long as we make it there, I know we will have a base we can work out of." Cosima said still pointing to the town writing on the map.

"Alright then, change of plans. We'll reroute and head for Mykolaiv. We are also going to have a team shuffle. Cosima, you are now riding with me, that means I'm shuffling Micah to Robs truck and Beth to ride with Monica. Everyone clear?" I asked.

"Yes ma'am." The team replied.

"Okay, time to mount up then, lets move out." I said and folded up the map so I could be able to see the detailed part of the west side of the country before slipping it into chest plate pocket.

I watched as Annabelle gave out the keys of the trucks to Akito and Monica before I went over to her and held out my own hand. She pressed the key into my hand and put her hand over mine.

"Be safe Daniella." She said, her voice thick.

"I'll try my hardest." I said and gave her a nod before she let go of my hand to give me the key.

Warren was waiting for me in the drivers seat when I handed him the key. He started up the truck and we moved out of the hanger. Both Alpha and Bravo teams were just getting into line next to us as our Allies pulled up in front of our waiting trucks. I flash both Ryan and Raymond one final wave before Warren pulled onto the tarmac to follow our guide.

The truck was quiet as we followed behind our escorts down the tarmac and then off the base. Once we cleared the gates I turned on the radio and was able to find a station that wasn't just pure static. I left the volume low as I took in our surrounds. From the little bit I have seen of Poland, it seems like a beautiful country. I tried to keep track of where we were with different marks on the map as we made our way down the highway.

As we pulled off the highway close to the boarder, our escort slowed down and I pulled up the walkie to get in touch with the rest of my team.

"Our escort is going to drive us across the boarder and then pull over to let us pass then we are on our own. Head on a swivel guys, I know we have safe passage but I don't know what we are about to encounter once we get over there." I said and put the walkie down to make sure my rifle was load.

"Bravo truck copy." Rob's voice came over.

"Charles truck copy." Felix also radioed in.

The landscape started to change as we got to the boarder. There was a shift in the air and I sat up straight in my seat before slinging the strap attached to my rifle around my shoulders. I pulled it into position so my barrel was just under the window as we all took in the scenes of people crowding the roadways. I have seen the news reports of thousands of people making there way to Poland's boarder wanting safe passage out of the country. But seeing it in person, it makes things more real.

The road we were on was a little bit away from the main boarder crossing which meant we could avoid the crowd. Our escort led us through the boarder checkpoint and the guard at the booth just waved us through. The truck in front of us led us over to the main road again before throwing on the breaks to let us pass. The driver of the truck gave me a salute and I gave him one back as we past him. Finally, we were on our own, on our way into the middle of the warzone.

a/n: kind of a boring filler, but it was necessary to move the story forward. Next chapter is a bit more exciting.