Listening to the Senior Sergeant's speech wasn't exactly inspirational, but it didn't matter. Everyone including Mats knew what they signed up for.

After the briefing and finishing his above average meal in the mess hall, Mats began socializing with the other soldiers currently stationed on the FOB. A lot of the men seemed very optimistic about the whole operation and didn't really show much fear. Most of the men on the base are very friendly and doesn't have a problem with meeting new people, which is a good trait to have when everyone is in this situation and is about to go to war together.

Some time later, he met a fellow Norwegian that were assigned to another team, Oliver Hansen, surprisingly was Hansen also a part of [color=00aeef]Operation Enduring Freedom[/color], but in a different province than Mats.

They began talking about the new operation that was going to commence soon.

[color=00aeef]"Oliver, what do you think of this Westermark guy?"[/color]
[color=f7941d]"I've heard quite a bit about him, but I believe we can take him."[/color]
[color=00aeef]"I hope so, he doesn't really sound like the guy you want to be messing with."[/color]
[color=f7941d]"Don't worry, Mats. We have the 17th Armored and the 9th Gunship with us. They'll protect us."[/color]
[color=00aeef]"Hey, don't be so naive, Oliver. We can't just waltz right in there even with Armored and Gunship Support without any proper plan."[/color]
[color=f7941d]"Hey, I'm just being optimistic. We can't be afraid when we go in there, we got to have our game face on.[/color]
[color=00aeef]"I suppose you are right... but still..."[/color]

After contemplating the operation and sharing war stories with Oliver for an hour or two, they seperated and Mats went to take a stroll around the base. It might be the last safe haven after they depart tomorrow.

The future is in fate's hands now.