At the base following day
0500-0700 hour
Henry wakes up before the rise of the sun and his soldiers, checks his radio and phone for overnight message and incident reports.
He goes for a quick wash and uniform check, confirms accountability reports with his soldier coming off night duty.
Examining the situation, he leads physical training for his soldier as there was no mission at the time and heads for breakfast after completing physical training.
0730-0830 hour
He attends platoon briefing for intelligence updates, weather, enemy activity and clarification of the day's task.
Getting the clear view of the day, he heads back to his squad and briefs the mission clearly and simple terms, routine, timing, responsibilities and safety point.
0930-1200 hour
Their duties begin with him leading his squad and supervising the execution, monitoring the radio, observing the environment and his soldiers.
He eats his lunch quickly after he ensuring all his soldier ate and are dehydrated.
1300-1800 hour
After the reporting to his officer and all the personal matters are handled, his afternoon becomes hectic with the heavy paperwork and overseeing the drills, weapon inspection, equipment maintenance and readiness check of his soldiers
1900-2300 hour
After the short break of the dinner, he receives update from his officer in-charge, adjust the plan accordingly and assigns night duty.
Completing all the necessary follow up- perimeter walk, check post, and ensuring the standard are maintained, he lies down on his bed with boot nearby and radio within reach as he's on call, ready to respond if an incident occurs.
The radio crackles after midnight
No sooner did he hear his call sign through the radio, he sits up on his bed, fast awake, already putting his boot on. For he all knew was that the night call never meant anything good- either something has already gone wrong or something was about to.
"Sergeant, you are on call. patrol hasn't checked in. last reported location was sector four., heading east. Confirm status and investigate."
"Copy," he says, without a hesitation in his word.
He reaches for his vest, checking straps and attachment. He felt the familiar weight across his shoulder- not just the gear he's carrying but the responsibility of returning alive with every man in that patrol and everyone he was about to lead.
He moves among the bunks, waking his squad quietly. One by one, they rose, no panic, no question- just readiness.
He checks the weapon and radio as they assemble. A loose strap here, canteen not full secured there, small things but the details matter. He glances over the familiar face of his squad, nothing fatigues lines, expression of alertness and a small sign showing their trust on his leadership.
"Everything good?" he asks quietly.
"Yes, sarge." His squad replies.
They gather in circles under the low dim lighting. The Non-Commissioned Officer repeats the report from the radio, "Eastern patrol has not checked in for over fifteen minutes past their last expected check, No contact ever since."
No further instruction was required, as they were fully aware what their mission was.
He looks at the squad. They were tense, ready and waiting. Keeping his cool, "Alright, we move ready, not rushed. stay close, stay alert. Keep eyes and ear open."
They nod in silent, no question. He's feeling comforted by their trust yet terrified. He knew his squad will follow his every order and a single mistake of his will cost their life.
He moves among his squad one last time, checking straps, helmets, radios and weapons. He couldn't risk going with even smallest and slightest flaw in their gears.
The radio crackles: -
"Sergeant, proceed with caution. Avoid unnecessary exposure."
"Copy that," he replies, his word simple but deliberate.
"we proceed carefully," he repeats his instruction to his squad. "Stay alert, stay close, lookout for each other and keep the radio tight."
They step out into the night, the air was cold, sharp as their skin, carrying faint smell of dust and fuel from nearby vehicles.
He moves at the front of the formation, not to show authority but because that's where he can see and react fastest. He glances back to check on his squad and their formation.
The night was silent, the kind that makes you want to hear anything. He scans the area, making mental note on everything.
They continue along the patrol route stretched ahead, dimly illuminated by the moonlight. His squad follow close behind him, alert and ready to engage.
In his mind, he was consistently running the scenarios- if patrol was compromised, they rescue first, engage and extract. If it's a false alarm, they maintain position until morning.
As they move forward, they confirm their movement and report their position on regular interval. Everything depended on the communication, a single misstep in either can create confusion and confusion in night can be fatal.
Every single step they take, night became tense and his chest heavier. The only glimpse of light for them was the silence- silence meant safety.
He thinks about the lives that depends on him- not just the lives of the patrol but the lives of his squad. He doesn't show the hesitation moving forward, for the fact that he was their leader and the trust that had for squad to have his back if thing goes south.
He signals for the halt, the squad stops immediately, weapon raised. He crouches low, scanning every shadow and listening. They move again with caution but steady.
Hours- or what felt like hour passed. The route was clear but their mind couldn't relax. He reminds himself and his squad to stay clam but alert, whatever lies ahead, they'll face together.
Finally, he allows a small pause for reassessment, radio check, position verification and bearing confirmation. His squad crouches beside him, scanning, breathing controlled.
They continue forward, step by step, shadows stretching long in the pale moonlight. The night held them, heavy, tense and endless. Every decision and every movement mattered.
The night was far from over, patrol hasn't not made contact yet and the mission has just begun.