I looked at the data on the screen before me and decided to run the numbers again, although this was my fifth time.
As I sat back in my chair, I quickly glanced at the clock on the dresser by my bed and saw it was 0300 hours.
This intel came in early this morning and its information was .... concerning.
It was a request for evacuation as one of the rescue squadrons was pinned down by omnics and was now holed up in a mall at Underground City, downtown Montreal.
The part that made it so difficult was that in their report, they had an estimated 100 civilians to extract.
My mind thinks back to just a couple of weeks ago when my squad would joke about how they could be home by Christmas with how successful our mission was.
At first, I would only lose men if they were careless or by collapsing buildings.
Then, came the war machines. They were identified as Bastion Siege Automan E54 units.
Built to protect but now used to slaughter.
We were vastly unprepared to face such an enemy as their attacks were relentless and ferocious.
Where once we were defending Toronto, we were now pushed back to Montreal.
Any engagement with omnics required careful planning and constant maneuvering as you could easily get pinned down.
The computer dinged, bringing me out of my thoughts as I looked at the information that showed that it was once again correct.
The area that the request came from showed that there was no omnic presence in that area for the past three months.
With the information that there haven't been any omnics to come near them at the mall, the assumption could be made that they didn't know that area existed.
Using this information, I finalize my plan before presenting it to the top brass in a meeting.
Three hours later, I'm in uniform standing at a podium before four others of high rank.
"Their report states that they're holed up in a mall in downtown Montreal with at least 100 civilians ready for extraction.
My idea is to quickly get in and evacuate the group and get out before we encounter any omnic resistance."
From beside me, another uniformed officer with a rank higher than mine speaks out.
"As terrible as this will sound but, I fear that this is a situation where our hands are tied.
Their numbers are too great to be extracted by anything that's not a stratoscopter.
Securing the area around that mall will require too many resources and the civilian's lives along with our own squads won't be guaranteed." Major Campbell rejects it.
Commanding Officer Fournier also adds his input.
"Having the stratoscopter sit to wait on the civilians would have them just like sitting ducks.
I advise that we wait until more information comes in."
I can see from the looks on each of the general's faces that they are having the same thoughts as the other two explaining how impossible it is to extract that many survivors.
I think about the impact this war has had on all of our lives.
The only thing people used to have to worry about was what was for dinner that night.
I could see their terrified expressions as they huddle against each other, unsure of whether help is coming or not.
No one should deserve to experience that level of fear.
Bonnie didn't deserve it.
On the screen to the left, a graph showing a blueprint for the building comes up.
"That's why we don't evacuate them straight from the mall.
Due to a string of earthquakes decades ago, the mall constructed a series of tunnels that would evacuate any inside to a safer location."
I click on the next graph.
"This shows that there have been no reports of any omnics being in the area.
My team could be in and out without engaging any omnics."
They remain quiet as they start to consider my plan.
"These aren't guarantees. I don't see any reason why we should take the risk." Major Campbell says.
They turn to me for a rebuttal and I just speak from the heart.
"No plan in war is a guarantee. Im just presenting the best possible outcome based on the information available.
As for the reason, decisions made in war are all going to be difficult.
When this is over and our actions come to light, are you going to be able to stand and look somebody's family member in the face and tell them there was nothing we could do?
It might seem like an obvious decision to make right now, but what if it was someone you know stuck in that mall?
Could you still make that decision to not do anything about it?"
There is complete silence amongst everyone present.
Each general looks at one another before the one in the middle looks at me and says, "Godspeed Captain Chase."
Walking towards the armory, I'm caught by Major Campbell.
"Congratulations Captain Chase on the go-ahead with the mission." He says.
I turn to address my superior officer knowing his clear issue with me.
He was the man who rescued me from the scanners in the med bay who confused me for an omnic.
We've been on plenty of missions together and his rank is deserving of his skills.
The problem was his mistrust of my cybernetics.
I've long noticed how he would initiate conversations with me, but keep his distance.
His eyes would dart to my legs and arms for a brief second before looking back at me.
There's a time and place for everything, I don't address it as long as he doesn't make a problem out of it either.
"Thanks, sir." I reply hoping that he'll leave it at that.
"I always knew you were stubborn, but this is just madness.
You know this mission is near impossible and you still pushed for it.
I can understand your trying to save as many as possible, but you have to remember that you take good men with you on these missions as well.
If anything happens, the blood is on your hands."
Having said that he walks away as I look at my cybernetic hands.
A picture of Bonnie in a hospital bed attached to a respirator is on my mind as I continue to walk to the armory.
'No one deserves to feel like Bonnie.'
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Well guys, my trip is officially over but my flights home keep getting cancelled due to the weather.
I'll resume posting Monday but because I'm stuck here, I decided to post a chapter for you guys.