The days moved on, little happening but the sounds of marching boots and hot sun. The group would talk amongst themselves, laughing and joking, finding solace in each other's company. The commander even surprised Jimmie by suddenly talking about his younger days. But Jimmie remained quiet, he didn’t want to know these people; they were dead for all he cared.

The groups formation remained the same, and during the days Piernov and Chris had talked a lot, which both amused and annoyed Jimmie. It remained amusing because of Piernov’s weird and honest nature, it almost seemed like he was doing it on purpose, but knowing that he wasn’t, made it so much more fun. Chris on the other hand, seemed to apologise way too much, even towards Jimmie, the few times he tried talking to him, which annoyed Jimmie even more.

Chris and Piernov had found common ground on the third day, as Chris suddenly started asking more instead of talking, which seemed to spur Piernov on, as he dutifully answered every question, glee clear on his face. And after the fourth day, Jimmie stopped paying attention to their talks, as it was almost only Piernov talking, and Jimmie didn’t care about Piernov’s past life.

Rick was the least interesting, which was perfect in Jimmie’s book. The only times they met were during camp, and then Rick would just bolt it to Chris, talking about, who knows what. Although Jimmie noticed that Rick would glare at Jimmie occasionally. Jimmie waited patiently for the day that Rick would confront him, he even wished for it. But each time Rick seemed to gather the courage, Chris would stop him with a light hand, which was just another reason for Jimmie to dislike Chris.

The commander was, the commander. Jimmie didn’t really know anything about him; it was hard to put a finger on how Jimmie should feel and act around him. He did his best to obey orders and to not get on his bad side, but ever since the tank incident, the commander seemed to monitor Jimmie. And Jimmie found that infuriating, but he knew better than to voice that opinion.

Strangely, Bill was the only person in the group that didn’t seem bothered by Jimmie’s quiet nature, the only other one was Piernov, but Piernov was Piernov, so that didn’t surprise Jimmie. Bill would often go up to Jimmie and ask him stupid questions such as “You ever fuck a woman?”, or that time he asked about “Do you know about the god Baldur? You remind me of him, I once went to a muse-“ and on and on. Jimmie answered none of Bill’s questions, letting the group answer for him. But somehow it wasn’t enough to chase him away. He would continuedly bombard Jimmie with questions and then answer them himself, sometimes Jimmie’s facial expressions would be enough of an answer for Bill, which annoyed Jimmie.

Weirdly, Jimmie didn’t dislike Bill. He found him oddly funny, keeping Jimmie’s thoughts occupied before sleep would take its place, a blessing in disguise, Jimmie pondered. And Bill also seemed very dependent, as he would often go head to head with Dick as they either argued, wrestled or had a staring contest, something that impressed Jimmie, he knew firsthand how strong Dick was.

And Dick.

Ever since the incident on that night, they didn’t really talk. Jimmie would often glance in his direction, but would never meet his eyes. The only times Jimmie noticed Dick looking at him was when either Bill or the commander was talking to Jimmie, otherwise Dick kept his distance. This, didn’t feel good.

Jimmie couldn’t put a finger on it, but somehow, it felt as if Jimmie wanted Dick’s approval. No, not approval, his respect. Yes, yes. Dick had doubted him since day one, and was a thorn in Jimmie’s side. Yes, he wanted nothing but prove Dick that he was beyond a good soldier, he was the best. He would gain Dick’s respect and show him who’s the stronger man.

But even so, Dick avoiding him felt highly disturbing to Jimmie. Although he wouldn’t admit it, neither to himself nor anyone else.

And another day passed by.

It was now the seventh day, little had happened, but Jimmie knew they were close now. The commander got a call; he answered, and the group gathered, silence reigning.

“I’ve got words that the fortification we’re heading too, Northfang outpost, is under attack. Their is no reinforcement’s available due to most being sent to Warden depot”

He bent down to the ground, drawing a crude map that showed six dots, then a straight line to a big circle that Jimmie guessed was Northfang outpost, and beyond that another straight line that led to another big circle that Jimmie assumed was Warden depot.

“No orders have been issued, but from what I can gather, Nortfang outpost is in deep shit.”

The commander said, taking his eyes away from the crude map and looked at the group, each sporting a separate expression. From stone cold nothing, too worried and fearful. Jimmie’s was stone cold, but underneath it, he felt hope, hope for a fight. The commander spoke again.

“Our supplies, if we stretch them, might be enough for another week's journey, at least if we are okay with going hungry”

Jimmie felt a lump in his throat, to him it sounded like the commander was about to tell them to avoid the fight, and that was not okay with Jimmie.

“Sir, if they’re under attack, shouldn’t we go help them?”

The commander narrowed his eyes at Jimmie, taking a second to respond.

“That’s the other option, either we go around, or we ‘help’ them"

Rick spoke up.

“But commander, didn’t you say that the fortification was in deep shit?”

The commander nodded, looking around as he noted everyone’s reaction. Rick spoke up again.

“But, doesn’t that mean they’re screwed?”

“Not for certain, I only got words that Northfang outpost requested for immediate evac. Once they got denied, they instead requested for reinforcement. Once that got denied, apparently, the one who requested for backup had to be dragged away by his fellow soldiers for incoherent screaming.”

He took a second to breathe, tapping a finger against the side of his helmet, then mouthing something silently.

“If I’ve counted it correctly, it would take us a week to walk straight to Warden depot from Northfang outpost, but walking around would add another three days, two if we want to risk it”

He then stood up, crossing his arms while saying in a low voice.

“As we’ve received no orders, I want this to be a vote. I’ll give you a few minutes to decide on either helping Northfang outpost, or walking around it”

And silence emerged.

Jimmie already knew his answer, he would fight, off course. Looking around, he saw that Rick and Chris had started talking amongst themselves, and by their hand gestures, seemed to argue. Piernov looked normal, staring quietly at the commander without really showing any emotions. Bill scratched at his thick beard and seemed to really think about his choice.

And when Jimmie looked at Dick, they locked eyes, but only for a second, as Jimmie quickly looked away. Cursing at himself for being so weak. Then Bill spoke up.

“I vote for going around. I know my body's limits and I’d rather feel hungry and exhausted than getting a plasma bullet to the face”

The commander nodded, and Rick spoke up, glaring at Chris before focusing on the commander.

“I also vote for going around, fighting an unknown amount of enemies feels like a death wish” He said, then looked, pleadingly? At Chris.

The commander nodded, and Jimmie felt sweat slowly forming on his brows. No, this wasn’t good; if this continued, they’d all want to go around. Shit, Jimmie thought.

Chris gently removed Rick’s hand from his shoulder and said, slowly.

“I want to fight. We might be the difference that Northfang needs, we might have the power to save them”

Jimmie felt slight relief, then surprise, as he didn’t peg Chris for the type to choose to fight. The commander nodded, then looked at Piernov, asking.

“Piernov, what do you choose?”

And Piernov stared at the commander, and slowly, very slowly, a small frown appeared, and he said.

“I dont want to die.”

And the group fell silent, all looking at Piernov with wide eyes. The commander smiled weakly, taking a second to gather himself before saying.

“No one does, Piernov” He then paused for a slight moment, and glanced at Dick, then back at Piernov.

“I think, our best chance of survival lies in the group going around.”

Jimmie’s eyes practically popped. What! No. Doesn’t that mean the commander will choose to go around? Jimmie cursed underneath his breath, looking at Piernov with hope, hope that faltered quickly after seeing Piernov’s face. Piernov’s frown had disappeared, and a smile replacing it, saying.

“Then I want to go around”

And the commander nodded, looking at Jimmie for his answer. Jimmie answered simply.

“I want to fight.”

The commander nodded slowly, then moving his head towards Dick, who was looking at Jimmie. Jimmie felt himself grab at the bottom of his shirt in a tight hold, he released it, cursing himself for the show of weakness. Dick looked back at the commander and spoke.

“I think we should fight, with Jimmie I actually think we have a decent chance at surviving, if not even helping the outpost. If worst come’s to worst, we’ll just dig down and fight from a distance” He then looked at Jimmie again.

“I’m sure Jimmie could do that”

The commander looked between Jimmie and Dick, his face an unreadable mask. He slowly, ever so slowly nodded, and spoke.

“Okay. I guess it’s my vote then. And I’m sorry Piernov-“ He paused for a second, looking at Piernov, then suddenly at Dick.

“- But I trust Dick’s judgement. So I’ll vote for fighting.”

Rick immediately protested, with Chris trying to stop him. Piernov looked down at the ground while Bill gave him a hug, whispering something. The commander walked up to Dick, and the two started talking, Dick taking his eyes away from Jimmie to look at the commander.

And Jimmie?

He felt relief.

And hope.

He would finally get to fight.