The following day moved as quickly as the first, as did the third. But, at last, the squad met up with the rest of the Company. They were met with admiration and respect. The rest of the Company was overjoyed to see them. However, Zecora was met with the same hostilities she had been by Mac and the rest of the squad when they had first met her. She was used to it, but Macintosh found it unfair.

On the day the entire Company was reunited, they spent all their time and efforts arriving at the capital. The walk was long, and breaks were very limited. The only time they were allowed to stop was at lunch, and the rest of the meals were eaten on the go. Macintosh was relieved to allow someone else to take command. There was a Sergeant who had dropped in with them and had taken his place as Company commander. Since he no longer had to be fully responsible, Macintosh took his place along side Marktime and Zecora. Reelin and Splintstitch followed close behind him. The four of them, Mac, Marktime, Reelin and Splintstitch, passed the time by making light conversation. Zecora spent the walk mostly in silence, only responding to a few questions.

Their day ended when they could see the outskirts of the capital. The Sergeant told them that they would wait until the following night to make any move. They were told that they would camp there for the night to regain their strength. The following night, under cover of darkness, they would move into the capital. The entire Company gathered around the Sergeant to hear the entire plan.

“Tomorrow night.” The Sergeant stated. “That's when it all goes down. We'll move into the capital, one building in particular. The building that once housed parliament in the Zebra Republic. We'll go in there, and wait until Koren comes in. Then we take him prisoner and we make him order his troops off of the border. Then we can bang out a peace treaty or some other Bullshit.”

“Sergeant.” A Private asked. “What if he refuses to take his troops off?”

“Then we kill the two-toned rat and ask whoever takes his place.” The Sergeant shouted.

The Company erupted in cheers, but Mac and Zecora remained silent. Macintosh could tell that she felt uncomfortable, and to be honest, so did he. These were not the same men he remembered from basic. They wanted to see violence, they did not care who they hurt, so long as it was in the name of justice. As long as they were told it was in the name of justice. Zecora was scared of the soldiers, and with good reason. The soldiers were no better than hired guns now. All they had to do was be pointed in the right direction, and they would shoot whoever they were told to.

Macintosh waited through the rest of the meeting, feeling uncomfortable and worried. The others, save Zecora and Marktime, seemed just fine with the idea of having to kill until they got what they wanted. True, killing the few commanders would be better than all out war, but Mac did not feel good about it. Any killing was bad in Mac's eyes, Zecora had shown him that. But he would do as he was told, he would kill if it was completely necessary to do so. This war needed to end before it left a permanent scar on the planet and its inhabitants.

Macintosh made sure that Marktime was safely and comfortably in bed, and gave his sleeping bag to Zecora again. Macintosh asked Marktime if he could borrow his playing cards, and Marktime said that it was fine with him. After he knew that they both had everything, Macintosh walked over to where he knew that Reelin and Splintstitch were. He had a seat with his two friends and dealt a hand of President to each of them.

“So, what happened to everyone?” Macintosh asked, concerned. “No offence, but you guys have changed since I last saw you.”

“Oh.” Splintstitch nodded. “I see what the problem is. You're not comfortable with the way we reacted before, is that it?” Splintstitch understood how Mac was feeling, he was not being sarcastic. “No, I get it. You may have seen the best that the war has had to offer, but we saw the opposite while you were in the city.”

“How do you mean?” Macintosh asked, laying his cards on the ground.

“We saw those guys who took the prisoners.” Reelin explained, referring to the Zebras who had ambushed Macintosh. “They were prepared to do anything to keep them as prisoners. We learned that really quick. We attempted to use our superior numbers to get them to give it up. They didn't take kindly to that. They opened fire first. We shot most of them.” Reelin shook his head, as if to clear it. “The last couple did something I'll never forget. When there were two left, and it was clear that they'd lost, one of them tried to surrender. We were ready to take him, he was a new guy, the rest had been hardened vets. His comrade shot him in the back and used him as a meat shield while he tried to kill the rest of us. Needless to say, it didn't work out for him.”

“We were shocked by it, and that became our lasting impression of the Zebras.” Splintstitch said. “Cold blooded killers.”

“But they ain't all like that.” Mac reasoned.

“We know, but the soldiers are, Mac.” Splintstitch countered. “They want this war over too, but they want us all dead in the process, and they'll die trying. I know your lady friend is different. But she may just be the exception to the rule. You have to accept that killing might be the only way to get this war over with. It's not nice, but it's a necessary evil.”

Mac sort of understood. They hadn't all cheered because they wanted to kill, though some had. His friends at least only wanted to kill to finish the war, and they were prepared to kill whoever needed to be.

“Let's not talk any more about this.” Splintstitch shook his head. “This'll only lead to an argument we don't need before going into battle.”

Macintosh and Reelin concurred and they went back to playing cards. It was a while before anyone spoke again, but it was Reelin who broke the silence.

“Do you remember Topnotch?” Reelin looked at Mac.

“Yeah, of course I do.” Mac nodded.

“I think he's been hit pretty hard with this whole thing.” Reelin replied

“How so? Is he going shell-shocked?” Mac put his cards down again.

“No. He likes it.” Splintstitch shook his head.

“What?” Mac almost shouted.

“He likes the killing, and so do his friends.” Splintstitch responded. “I would stay far away from them if I were you. And I would keep a close eye on your zebra friend.”

“Her name is Zecora.” Mac sternly stated.

“I'm just saying that you shouldn't leave her anywhere near them.” Splintstitch shook his head. “They've gone nuts. They're liable to kill anything black and white.” He looked down at the cards. “I think tonight we should sleep close to her and Marktime. Just to be sure that they don't try anything stupid the day before battle.”

Macintosh nodded quickly and collected the cards. The three of them collected their gear and headed back to where Marktime and Zecora were sleeping. The other two laid out their sleeping bags and slid into them after pulling off their battle dress. Reelin looked over at Macintosh after realizing he wasn't getting into a bag.

“Where's your sleeping bag?” Reelin asked.

“Gave it to Zecora.” Mac replied, laying out the tarp.

“You, sir, are a true gentleman.” Splintstitch laughed.

“She's lucky to have a guy like you.” Reelin chuckled, making Mac blush slightly.

“What? No. I mean-” Mac struggled to think of something to say.

“It's okay.” Splinstitch shook his head. “I'm just teasing.”

Mac nodded in response.

“But I mean what I say now.” Splinstitch looked at him seriously. “She is lucky to have you looking out for her. Keep her safe.”

Mac smiled at his friend, and then promised he would keep Zecora safe. Little did he know, Zecora had been woken up when they started talking. She had heard the entire conversation. When she heard Mac's promise, she smiled and fell back asleep.

Author's Note

Tomorrow, they storm the capital. Exciting! Right?
-Cog out