Jessica and Justin froze. Their weapons were still at their feet, and their gear was in the truck. Eric sat down on the hood of their truck. "Look. I know you are tired and ready to be home, but this is not the time for complacency. Do you remember what I said before we left Hood Hill for Dresken?"

They both nodded, but Eric continued. "In the field or in garrison, you get yelled at. Maybe a truck collides with another in the motorpool, maybe we lose a tank in the desert, and some LT has to spend an entire week trying to find it. Out here?" He waved his right arm around, pointing to the various terrain features. "Those Cartharic soldiers could have been a scout party, or the forward advance of a larger force. You never know who or what is laying behind a corner in war. You two are capable and talented soldiers. Do not let that get to your head. No one is safe outside the wire. Ever."

Jessica looked down at her weapon before reaching down to pick it up. "You're right. I'm sorry. I won't let it happen again."

Justin did the same.

An hour later, the convoy from 4-1 arrived. Eric met with the Captain and NCOIC of the convoy as the soldiers moved the captured soldiers into the back of a covered LMTV.

"We move out after the vehicles are refilled." Eric said as he watched one of the Cartharic soldiers tried to put up a fight. One of 4-1's soldiers had to wrap tighter bindings around the man in order to get him into the LMTV.

The captain turned to Eric. "I heard it was rough out there, Master Sergeant. Has the world really changed that much?"

Eric looked up at the sky, noticing that the two suns were beginning their descent for sunset. He thought for a moment before nodding. "A lot of things have changed, but Brishan and Earth were never really all that different, were they? What we do with electricity, they do with mana. We have dangerous beasts, they have monsters. We have crime, so do they."

It was a dreary day for Eric. The unit had gotten back from a second deployment in Iraq in four years. Most of the soldiers had made it back. One didn't. As he stood at attention, he looked over at the casket. "Private Rist." He thought. "You were a good man, bud." A woman cried as she laid across a casket. She kept calling for the soldier, her sobs filling the room as a toddler stood by the folded flag. The little girl looked up at her Grandfather. "Papa, why is momma calling for Daddy?"

"We have war, and so do they." Eric finished his thought as a Staff Sergeant came running up. Unsure who to report to, he stood in front of Eric. "Master Sergeant, the vehicles are loaded and restocked."

Eric clapped his hands. "Good. Let's go back home."

As they got closer, the sense of wrongness Eric had felt when 6-8 first arrived in Brishan returned. Instead of Freedom town being directly north of Hood Hill, a large barbed wire fence now stretched as far as he could see. A collection of metal buiildings stood in front of him, their large red roofs having electronic signs that say whether the gate was open or not. To the left, Eric saw a sign that said "Welcome to the Great Place."

His eyes darkened as he saw that sign.

The convoy went through the gate, and dejavu hit Eric hard. Driving down the road, he saw children heading back to school, with cars on the road driving from street to street. "Do they not realize we are still at war?" Eric murmured. "This place could become a target."

Justin could only shake his head. "Will I go back to my old unit now?"

"No. Since Fort Hood and III Corps falls under General Milano, you will still fall under me."

"I see."

Where the III corps headquarters used to be, an empty slab of grass remained, and Eric shook his head as they made their way past it on Tank Destroyer Boulevard. They passed a shoppette. "I used to go to that shoppette all the time before heading to the office." Eric said as they passed it.

Jessica stared at the store like it was otherworldly.

After waiting at a red light near the motorpool at Clear Creek, Eric finally saw Hood Hill. His eyes softened as he noticed it hadn't changed. It now had an electronic sign labelling it, and "6-8 Task Force" Was now displayed with a large red banner on the front door of the building.

Eric felt like all the weight that had been pushing his shoulders down was lifted. He leaned back in the drivers seat and closed his eyes.

"We're home, guys."

As Eric hopped out of the vehicle, he addressed the element for one last time. "Tomorrow, you will all be going back to your companies in terms of command. Because of what has gone on over the last two weeks, I am authorizing each of you to take a three day pass. As of now, we are on recall status, so don't go past the two hundred and fifty mile range, but for now enjoy your extended weekends. If any of your command teams give you grief, they can come talk to myself or General Milano. Any questions?"

None of the soldiers spoke up, so Eric dismissed them.

After dismissing the soldiers, Eric walked through the familiar hallways of HQ. He passed the Staff Duty desk, and ran his fingers along the cement walls. "It's good to be back." He murmured before walking into the command room. Milano and Miher were waiting for him. Michael walked in a few seconds later, and everyone sat down.

Milano looked up from his notes. "Your field reports are quite hard to understand, but we will delve into them in the coming weeks and months. For now, you two get some rest. I don't want to see you back here or in uniform until Monday at 0900."

Eric and Michael looked at the general and nodded. "Yes sir."

"Dismissed."

As they walked out of the building, Eric looked at Michael. "Are you gonna have children any time soon? Liara will need friends growing up."

Michael rolled his eyes. "Go enjoy some family time, Eric. I'll see you monday."