Prologue

    In all of his years, Paul had never seen a more hellish landscape. 4 years into WWIII, a climactic final battle was brewing. In Jerusalem, where Paul was currently deployed, forces from the newly reformed U.N. and the Soviet Confederation were massing for a final push to eradicate the other. The air was heavy with impending doom.

    Then the order to advance came around 1200 hours for all troops to advance. It was a massacre. 4 years of advanced warfare had left most nations running out of UAV’s and other unmanned technology. All that was left was the age old man killing man.

    Days passed and Paul couldn't keep count of the people he killed. Constant fighting left him numb. Being a part of a special ranger division for the United states, Paul was better geared and trained then 90% of the people out on the battlefield. 

    As the battle started to favor the Reformed Ally Nations, the final push was imminent. Paul felt his heart race as the enemy's base of operations came into sight. It was almost over, he knew it.

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    Just as Paul and his unit came over a ridge leading towards the makeshift fortress, the whole world shook. The entire area before them went up into a blaze of explosions and fire. Later on Paul found out the higher ups of the soviet party had decided to light themselves up to take as many others out with them in a last ditch effort to force the Allies to back off and surrender. Thousands died on both sides.

    The shock of the explosions sent Paul flying and at the same time something slammed into his face, causing him to black out. But not before he heard the screams of his comrades. 

    Some unknown time passed before Paul awoke. He could hear the mixed sound of cheering and pained groans all around him. Then one of the groans involuntarily came out of him as he tried to open his eyes. The pain came crashing down on him as he reached his hands to his face only to feel bandages tightly wrapped around his head.

    “Calm down Paul!” Shouted a familiar voice as hands gripped his shoulders to push him back down. “Your hurt, bad.” It was his best friend and squad mate RJ “ Stay down buddy.” Paul was about to respond when RJ cut him off.

    “Don't talk,” he said, and Paul heard him sit back down. “It's over. We won. I think.” a simple statement, but the trembling in his voice said more. 

    “Everyone that was with us up there is dead. Our unit and both of those French units.” Paul heard but couldn't process it. The burning pain flared in his face and he tried to open his eyes again. The warmth of blood was flowing down his face despite all of the bandages. “Medic!” was the last thing Paul heard before he lost consciousness again.