[right][i]Undisclosed Location in the Fulda Gap of West Germany
5 April 1985[/i][/right]
[h3][b]Captain Sergei Molotov[/b][/h3]

Sitting in his APC, Captain Molotov didn't understand why he was selected by the Colonel to do what he was about to do. It didn't make sense. Sergei Molotov had never been a star in the military. He hadn't even shot anyone in his entire life. But for some reason, Colonel Rybakina thought he had the qualities to pull off this stunt. 

And so he sat in his armored personnel carrier wondering what fate lay before him. Instinctively, he took a swig of his canteen filled with Russian vodka. The familiar liquid drained down his throat and filled him with warmth like a mother's love. It was at this moment that he realized that he really needed it.

He was well aware that other officers in his APC saw their captain's hands shake. He didn't care.

Instead, he opened his uniform's breast pocket and pulled out a thin white paper. On it, he read what he had written a day earlier:

"Dear my most beloved Elena,

I am not sure if this is the last letter I will ever write to you. My love for you has never been stronger. I remember the day we met 10 years ago. You were the prettiest thing I ever saw in my life, and you still are. I remember the snow that day on our first kiss and the passion we had for each other as we walked through this snow to consummate our love.

Now, I am tasked by the Colonel to commence this attack on the enemy's northern flank. I do not know how I will accomplish this beachhead but I will try my best. It is God's will that I will lay my blood on this Earth to fulfill the motherland's wishes.

Even if I die, I want you to know the children we made may never know their true father but they will know he died for a reason -- a good reason. Tell them about me, Elena! Tell Nik and his sister Ana that their father was a good man, a proud man. They may never have my name, all because of [i]him[/i], but they will always have my blood. Tell them I gave my life for the motherland!

For the motherland!

Yours in life and in death, 
Sergei"

Sergei's tears fell down onto the piece of paper. He quickly folded the paper together and put them back in his pocket. He wiped the tears with his fingers. Now, his eyes filled with sheer determination. No... he will not die. He will live. And he will see his son and daughter, again!