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Joe had seen more wars than he liked to think about and he knew like the rest, that this war that started in 1914 was different from the other wars. Most of all, it seemed that in this war, mankind had found a new way to slaughter young people with weapons they hadn't seen before.
At this point in 1916, they were trying to save as many lives as they could on the battlefield outside Somme in France. They didn't care if it was Germans, Englishmen, Americans, or whatever nationalities the soldiers had. All that mattered was the young men and saving as many as they could.
Joe threw himself behind a bomb-out wagon when a grenade exploded next to him. He quickly checked himself over and when he didn't find any new wounds, he took a moment to look up at the sky. It was the fourth day with rain and he wondered for a moment when the sun would shine again before he got up again. Then he resumed he searched for soldiers, that needed to be rescued. When he placed his hand on a young soldier's neck, he felt a weak pulse and started to assess the injuries.
"Get off me, German," The soldier shouted and tried to push Joe away.
"Not German," Joe replied. "We need to get you out of here."
The young soldier looked down himself and screamed when he saw his right leg was missing. Joe hated it, but he placed a hand over the soldier's mouth.
"I need you to stay quiet," Joe said and the soldier nodded as the tears ran down his cheeks. "Is ok," Joe said as he ran his fingers through the soldier's hair. "I'll get you home. Tell me of home."
Joe started to wrap a clean bandage around the thigh that was missing a leg to prevent further blood loss.
"My parents got this big apple tree. I used to climb it with my brother who they killed last week. Looks like neither of us will be doing it again," The soldier said. "May I ask you something?"
"Of course," Joe replied. "If I can answer your question, you'll get one."
"You seem like you have seen wars before," The soldier said. "Have you ever gotten anything good out of a war?"
Joe looked over at Nicky to his right, who was helping another soldier. Joe would always recognize Nicky no matter where.
"Believe me, when I say that love can grow out of animosity and hate. You might not see it now, but one day you'll if you allow yourself to see it," Joe replied. "What's your name?"
"Charlie," Charlie replied. "And tomorrow I'll turn 19."
"Ok, Charlie," Joe said. "What do you say that we get out of here, so you can celebrate your birthday and get home to your parents?"
"Just leave me," Charlie said as he tried to crawl away. "They won't ever let me go home."
Joe lifted Charlie over his shoulder and saw Nicky doing the same with his soldier.
"Leave it to me, Charlie," Joe said. "In a week, you'll be back home with your parents again."
3 hours later, Charlie together with the soldiers the other had saved that day were on the way to Paris with papers Booker had made. Papers that would send the soldiers home without any questions asked and with money to help them in the future.
Joe sat down next to Nicky in the mud ignoring the rain. Nicky laid his head on Joe's shoulder while Joe placed his head over Nicky's head. They held hands not carrying that they were wet, tired, and hungry. All they cared about was that they still were alive and together.
"Book," Andy said. "Not because I want to tell you how to do your work."
"Which you're doing right now," Booker replied. It had been a long while since he had to forge that many papers and it didn't make things easier, that everything was constantly wet.
"Just remember that our latest intel says..." Andy said.
"That the German is changing stationery paper next week for discharging soldiers," Booker cut in. "I know that and I also know that I need to get the papers. Just let me finish these papers."
"We can go," Nicky offered.
"No way, Nicky," Andy replied. "You two haven't slept in over four days now. The only things you two are doing are: take a shower, eat something, and sleep. And it isn't up for debate."
"We'll move in a moment, boss," Joe said. "We just want to sit here."
"If you haven't moved when I'm back again," Andy warned. "Then I'll lock you two up and forget where I left the key for a week."
Joe and Nicky nodded.
"I'm getting some wine," Andy said. "And some food."
When Andy returned, she saw that Joe and Nicky were missing together with their swords.
"Booker, you bloody idiot," Andy said. "Why didn't you stop them from going back?"
"Because we both know that they would rather die while doing something good than not doing anything at all," Booker replied. "They'll do what you told them to do once this war is over."
Andy knew Booker was right.
"Instead of complaining," Booker said. "The last thing Nicky said before they left was that we need more medical supplies. Could you not help them with getting that before we also go back?"
Andy handed Booker the wine and food, promising herself that once Joe and Nicky were back again, she would lock them in a room as the first thing.