A Moment to Breathe

"It's strange that the enemy is right in the open and we're given a ceasefire order." Tristan mumbled as he rested his head on his arms.

"Well, it will only be temporary. After they finish transporting their wounded, it'll immediately be back to the fighting." Edward added.

"Hey! We got orders to lend a medical transport and help the enemies transport their wounded!" A soldier shouted in the distance.

"What's Jacques thinking? If high command finds out, we might get charged with treason." Tristan grumbled and ruffled his hair.

"It's actually not treason since momentary cease-fire agreements between opposite factions happens a lot. We've committed a war crime by creating Hilbert and the other supersoldiers so the least we can do is help them transport their wounded." Jacques replied just as he arrived.

"Jacques?" Edward exclaimed in a shocked tone.

"I'm sorry about what I said. It won't happen again, major." Tristan apologized.

"It's fine, there's nothing wrong about questioning your superiors. At least I get to hear your honest opinion." Jacques replied before smiling.

"I'll drive, everyone else get in the back and help load the wounded." Richard ordered.

"Should I still bring a gun with me?" Eugene asked as he hopped in the passenger seat.

"I brought mine just in case. Why?" Richard asked in response.

"Nothing really, I was just wondering." Eugene added before placing his gun on his lap and closing the door.

Richard and his squad took the medical transport and drove into the center of the city, past the enemy lines. Once they arrived at the enemy garrison, it was really crowded and there were wounded soldiers all over the courtyard. Richard pulled the truck over by the side and called over one of his men.

"You know Russian, right?" Richard asked.

"I studied a little before I drafted. I'm a little rusty so I might not get most of it right" Aaron replied.

"Well, I only need you to tell them that we'll be helping transport their wounded." Richard explained before walking ahead.

Eugene stayed inside the truck and watched as Richard approached the Russian medics. Despite the cease-fire order, Eugene kept vigilant and had his hand on his gun at all times. It's not rare for an opposing side to breach the agreement, so everyone was on the edge.

"Помогаем перевезти раненых. Да?" Aaron explained and gestured with his hands.

"Да, вот так." The Russian medic replied.

"I'll get the truck running. Call the others over." Richard ordered as he ran back to the truck.

"I kept it running for you." Eugene stated.

"Thanks, let's speed this up and get back. I take it that you've already memorized every position we've drove by." Richard stated as he slowly stepped on the gas.

"I'll mark it all on the map once we get back." Eugene replied then flashed a smiled.

Richard stepped on the gas and steered the truck to where Aaron went. Eugene looked out of the passenger side window and watched the wounded soldiers by the side of the road. He felt uneasy about helping the enemy but it was his obligation as a medic to save a life no matter which side they're on. He refused the idea of carrying a gun, it goes against their job but to be able to perform his job, he needed to not just help the wounded but protect them too. Richard was against it at first but as long as Eugene stayed close, he could protect him.

"Загрузите их." The medic ordered.

"I'll help the others." Eugene stated before hopping off and heading to the back.

"How long till the cease-fire ends, captain?" Aaron asked Richard as he approached the front of the truck.

"Six more hours. We're only required to help with one batch then we'll be heading back to our side of the city." Richard replied before pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.

"Следуйте другим грузовым автомобилям." The medic stated before pointing to the other trucks that are departing.

Eugene got back in the passenger seat and closed the door, telling Richard that they're done loading up the wounded now. Since their medical staff were also pretty stretched out, they were only provided with a small truck so they were only able to help transport a handful of injured soldiers. Aaron tapped the back and Richard began driving, following the other trucks.

"Actually, I've been wondering about something for a while now." Eugene stated.

"What is it?" Richard asked.

"Why didn't we just surround the city and force them to surrender?" Eugene asked in response.

"Then our asses would be open. Plus, these are Russians we're talking about. They'll keep fighting as long as there's life in their lungs." Richard added.

"You have a point. They did the same during Stalingrad." Eugene mumbled.

The Trucks in front of them began slowing down then halted to a stop. A soldier approached the truck in front and began shouting. Richard called Aaron over and asked him to translate what they were saying.

"They're asking why there's a Lastonian transport within their convoy. They're suspecting their comrades of treason." Aaron explained as he listened to the conversation.

"Can we do anything to clear this up?" Eugene asked.

"Corporal, do you think you can go clarify to them that we're offering assistance to transport their wounded.?" Richard asked Aaron.

Aaron nodded and ran over to the front truck with his hands up. He spoke in Russian and began explaining that they were only assisting with transporting the wounded out of the city.

"Товарищ, он правду говорит." The truck driver stated.

"Позвольте мне сначала это проверить." The soldier replied before heading back to his post.

"Извините, если мы мешаем." Aaron told the driver.

"Все нормально спасибо за помощь." The driver replied before looking back at the approaching soldier.

"Давай, можешь пройти!" The soldier exclaimed before waving his hand.

Aaron ran back towards their truck and hopped in the back. The convoy once again moved down the road and they got farther away from the city. The enemy garrison line was near the outskirts of Warsaw and they were only a few minutes away.

"Is the shooting going to continue the moment we get back to our side of the city?" Eugene asked as he looked out the window.

"There might be a few minutes, up to an hour, of silence before the shooting continues. By then, I'm sure Jacques already has a plan to break the enemy defenses and capture the city hall." Richard replied.

"This war is dragging on longer than I expected. I miss my room back home." Eugene added as he blankly stared at the scenery outside.

"They promised we'll be back before the first snow even falls. Just look forward to that and this will all be over before you even know it." Richard explained as he continued driving.

"Why are we even fighting a war we didn't start?" Eugene asked before looking over to Richard.

"I don't know. I'm only certain that we'll be the ones to end it." Richard said in response before glancing at Eugene.