[Raellus]

For the remainder of the day, the mood around camp is somber. The only bright spot for the Diamonds comes when Honeybear regains consciousness late in the afternoon. The machine gunner is extremely weak, and in a lot of pain.

The Lisi return to the village just before sunset. Disappointingly, the Turek garrison did not conform to Boduch’s expectations. For whatever reason, the Soviet detachment did not send a force to assist the ambushed convoy. Perhaps the latter wasn’t able to get a distress call off in time before its comms were knocked out of action. Whatever the reason, without the added strength of the American squad and its AFV, Boduch didn’t risk moving on the city. Before returning to base, however, the Lisi stopped to loot the convoy, the survivors of which had fled the area (presumably returning to Kolo). After counting 19 dead Soviet soldiers, the partisans recovered as much weaponry, ammunition, and food as they could carry, leaving some behind by necessity.

With PR and Topper translating, Walker and Boduch have a conference that nearly devolves into a shouting match. Walker is upset that the supply convoy was much stronger than she was led to expect; Boduch is angry that Walker aborted phase two of the operational plan, leaving the Soviets still in control of Turek. Fortunately, Father Marcin is able to diffuse the situation, having visited the makeshift infirmary and seeing the results of the ambush on the American allies first-hand.

That evening, the Diamonds have a meeting of their own. All of the Americans are present, save Honeybear.

Sarge is the first to speak. With his gashed, swollen, thickly-swathed nose, he sounds like he’s fighting a bad cold.

“Elephant in the room: we got a boat to catch, and a man [Honeybear] who’s in no shape to travel.”

“Deacon?” Walker asks.

“Can we move him? I suppose. Should we, though? No, absolutely not. I mean… I’m not 100% sure he’s even gonna make it through the night. He’s for sure not gonna be able to handle a road trip anytime soon.”

“How long ‘til he can- best guess?” Walker prompts.

“A week, at the very least.”

Walker’s quiet for a few seconds.

“Well, I’m not going to stand in the way of what could be y’all’s last best chance of going home. If anyone here wants to leave, you’ve got my blessing, but I’m staying put.”

“Me too,” Deacon says, almost without thought.

“Leave no man behind,” Sarge adds.

One by one, the remaining Diamonds state their respective intentions. It’s unanimous. They’re all going to stick together.

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