Jamal sat down by the campfire, as many of his soldiers moved around the camp, antsy for tomorrow. The day they needed to win to get back Saputa supposedly, and for Jamal to find a way to get home. Of course, he didn't know if this army would do. A fifth of their force was here, and he knew some of them were going to die. Jamal couldn't be one of them.
He felt his pocket had something inside, and took out a slip of paper. What was this, he questioned, before actually seeing what it was. It almost made him tear up. Despite everything he's been through, that photo from almost four years had survived. Of course, it wasn't in good condition like the day he got it, but it didn't matter. Don't worry Ula, I'm coming home soon, he promised.
"Uh, sir. We getting a plan tonight, or later?" a rebel asked him, causing him to quickly put the photo up.
"Yeah, I'll just do it now," Jamal responded, before calling everyone to come to the fire.
He watched as they approached the fire, looking at him. Jamal had to be confident if he wanted to lead these people to victory and he would do so. He took a deep breath before he began his speech.
"Alright, I'm not going to lie to you, unlike Beai who's probably been holding information from you and such. Do not be surprised when I say this, but some of you will die," he announced, with no sounds coming out from any of the rebels. "In fact, it may be possible that we lose this battle and all hope is lost. But if you haven't been listening, hear me now and hear me well. You all have sacrificed so much to get this far, and now is your final chance to become victorious. Reclaiming this town would keep this resistance alive by the looks of it, and would show the world of your determination that Saputa has not died yet. I do not want to carry on with this, so let's get into the actual plan."
Jamal crouched down and showed everyone a map of the town, littered with multiple buildings from the final time anyone's been there. He pointed how they would follow the tree line and attack them from behind. A weak ambush no less, while a few better-trained rebels would attack in the front alongside Jamal. Hopefully, this distraction would be good enough, he assumed as the rebels stared at him anxiously.
"Well, I don't want you all just standing here, so everyone except those on watch get some sleep. We'll move at dawn." he told them, as they shuffled to their tents.
Don't worry Ula, I'm coming home, he promised, as he stared into the dark sky, stars illuminating from above.