Anatomy of a Final Offensive
Work of science fiction
Addendum: Omens Foretold Chapter Twelve Part Five Echo/Foxtrot
Aneurysmics--Act Of Egression/What A Blast
Primary Event Narrative Date: April 11th, 1994
Evidence Archive Date: TBD
File Discovery Date: March 2, 2026
Archive File: OFC12EE/F-1987199404092026/PI15-ANEUR
Just as he said it, Benedictus knew it was not completely true. He had merely become accustomed to withholding most of his emotions particularly when dealing with any kind of warfare where lives depended upon not allowing one's emotional state to interfere with what they had to do. However, he cracked a little and a somewhat despondent look washed over his face causing him to pause. Monroe noticed immediately.
"You're thinking about the men who were lost aren't you?"
"Not just that, but...umm...mostly that."
"It was not anybody's fault much less your's, Benedictus. We were attacked prior to you even contacting us to meet and join forces."
"I know that on an intellectual level, Monroe. Doesn't make the loss any less devastating because they are kindred in spirit even if I did not know them personally. They were fighting for the same reasons I was fighting and why we are still fighting to the end whatever that end be. There is something we can do and it will not put us at risk or dip into time we don't have."
"What?"
"I want you to find a small group of fellow soldiers that knew those fifteen the closest. Even though we do not have the bodies and may never be able to retrieve them, ask them to take thirty with as many in the camp that wish to attend and offer a eulogy with whatever information they feel appropriate to honor the fallen but to record it if possible on video or audio for posterity naming each and every one them. If we survive the final counter-offensive we'll do the same for any who fall then and seek to retrieve any fallen but we have the opportunity to at least ensure these fifteen are remembered. We, however, will continue with the planning, but your men need this. They need to remember why they are fighting. I still have high confidence but I know we will lose more people. Media reports of high intense warfare in years past reporting zero or low casualties for several years? Well, we both know that is a lie to the public and I don't want any to die in a lie and I know you don't want that either. This is way more than a physical war and you know that also. I would not normally request this of anybody during any conflict much less one as high-stakes as this, but it is due to the rapid increase in intensity that changes my mind on this. This is not to make you or I or any of the leadership look good--it is simply necessary because thus far and for the next several hours your men will only be preparing for battle--soon enough, they WILL be fighting for their souls because I have a feeling that we will all be staring pure evil and abject horror in the eyes once we get inside that complex and even in the underground system. I know you and the others know it as well and we have to prepare the entire camp prior to go time. We will have to drive it home."
Monroe and the other three nodded and kept their heads down a bit whether from grim acknowledgement, grief or mere exhaustion due to the sorrow imposed by the hidden knowledge and full gravity of what Benedictus was saying. Monroe spoke grudgingly, "Yep. Got it. To be honest, I have been thinking about all of it as well but didn't quite know how or when to broach these subjects. I'll have Collins break a few minutes to get that rolling. Collins?"
"On it, Captain."
"Return as soon as you pass that along. Remember, thirty minutes and then back to normal duties and mission prep. If we make it to see tomorrow we can have a longer, more formal ceremony to honor the fallen. Until then, we cannot allow the loss to break our resolve."