Major General Calhoun was speechless upon hearing his words. He couldn't understand why he wanted to be announced dead when he was talking with him right this moment.

"Gabriel, what exactly happened?" Major General Calhoun asked in calm manner. He wouldn't just agree to what he wants without knowing the facts.

"Out of thirty-five, I'm the sole survivor. Though I'm able to keep my life, I lost a leg. You don't need a disable person in the military, right? Aside from that, the union who wanted to make peace with us wasn't the same group who ambushed us."

Major General Calhoun sat on his chair once again and rubbed his face. "Why can't you just go back here?"

"I'll help you recover the bodies of the fallen but you have to announce me dead." Gabriel insisted, not giving him the answer that he wanted.

Holding on to the last straw of hope, Major General Calhoun spoke. "Winter remembered you. She's been waiting for you."

Gabriel smiled sadly at his words. "It's better if she won't see me ever again. I will only bring misery to her. It would be best that she'd know I'm dead."

"Are you really sure about this?"

"More than a hundred percent sure. I'll talk to you again later. Don't let anyone know that I called you." Gabriel ended the call when the doctor and Annie came back. "Thank you doc." Gabriel handed him the phone back.

"No problem. If you feel any pain or discomfort, let me know as soon as possible."

The doctor left them and Gabriel looked at the little girl who was preparing his food. "Did you study before you were taken?"

"Nope. I stopped when I reached freshman. The school that I went to was attacked and many of the students and teachers died. I stopped coming to school after that but I read books at home. Sadly, it was burned down."

"Where will you stay after going out from this hospital?" Gabriel asked her again.

"Some of the elders from my village came to rescue us. They will be speaking to you later. If things go well, I'll be staying in the other village."

Gabriel nodded his head in understanding. He receives the bowl of chicken broth that Annie handed him.

Later in the afternoon, the people that Annie talked about came. They told him that they were the anti-government union who wanted to seek peace. The people who oppose to their objective were the same group who ambushed Gabriel and his friends.

In short, they have a mutual enemy.

Gabriel told him about his plan in retrieving the bodies and to rescue the other hostages as well. They didn't hesitate at all and agreed with him.

Just like that, Gabriel got the consensus he needed before he called Calhoun once again. This time, he used Mattias' phone, the person who rescued them.

Major General Calhoun's hands were tied together in this hopeless and regretful situation. He didn't want to announce him dead but if he would refuse, Gabriel won't help him recover the bodies.

In the end, he gave in to the most beneficial option for him.

He called for his men immediately and assembled a new troop. This time, their mission was to get the dead bodies.

"I want to take part in this." Winter spoke with resolute determination. She wanted to confirm herself that Gabriel was dead or alive.

"You can't. You haven't had any rest these days. I don't want to put you in trouble." Major General Calhoun refused. It would be troublesome if she saw Gabriel there.

"But Uncle.."

"When I said no, it is a no! Don't disobey me!"

The room sank into a dead silence after his loud shout. It was the very first time that he raised his voice against Winter.

Winter sat on her seat with a sullen expression. "Then tell me, how did you get the information as to where we can get the bodies and the location for the rescue mission."

Major General Calhoun wanted to throw his niece out this time. He was already in a tight situation and yet she was asking him difficult questions. Well, he didn't expect her to give up right away. He knew that Winter would find ways on her own.

"Gabriel saved a little girl from the enemy. He helped her escape with a letter and his dog tag. Sad to say, the little girl saw Gabriel being shot multiple times before he fell on the cliff with a surging water beneath it. I didn't want to believe it either but I received the letter and had it examined. It was indeed Gabriel's penmanship. The little girl called my personal phone to ask for help in locating her saviour because her uncle can't find him. With the on going trifle, they didn't have much time to find him either."

Major General Calhoun presented the letter through projection. It was clear to everyone what the letter said as well as the dog tag of their Brigadier General.

Winter cried in disbelief. She can't accept it. She won't accept it. Just like what Travis said, he won't believe unless he sees his dead body in front of him.

"I don't understand why Lieutenant Colonel cries. Doesn't she hate Brigadier General Colton?"

"I know. Maybe they have a love-hate relationship."

"What I know is that they were really friends. Her cousin Travis, was a very close friend to sir Colton."

"That must be the reason of her grief."

Amidst this whispers and murmurs, only Calhoun knew the truth and it hurts him to see her in pain once again.

"I'm sorry Winter." Calhoun mumbled while watching the woman cried.

Winter was in pain of losing him while Gabriel was in pain knowing that she remembered him. As much as possible, he'd avoid himself in becoming a burden.

"I'm sorry Winter but I'd have to give up this time. I hope you'll find happiness in the future once again."