Trick Track

“Sir, they have arrived.”

The Major gulped. He knew he had only two choices left.

“How many of them are there?”

“Many, sir. But if I had to guess, around 10,000.”

The Major looked at the map behind him, staring at it, pondering the consequences.

“Your command, sir.”

“Would it be right to play God with my platoon’s lives?”

“We will follow your command, sir.”

“If I survive, I’d have to live with it.”

The Major had two options: surrender and become prisoners of war, or ensure mutually assured destruction.

He had enough explosives to blow up the entire area.

Surrendering meant his soldiers would survive, but the mission would fail—and the battle would be lost.

Blowing up the area meant everyone would die—the enemy, the soldiers, and him. But the mission would succeed, and the battle would be won.

All his soldiers would receive posthumous medals, and he’d be remembered as the man who sacrificed everything for the country.

But he would also be the man who sacrificed everything for the country.

He was in a dilemma.

What should he do?

Suddenly, he heard gunfire. It had begun. He knew he had to decide quickly. His soldiers wouldn't be able to hold the enemy at bay for long.

He asked the soldier to return in five minutes, he would have his answer by then.

He closed his eyes.

What to choose: life or death, victory or defeat?

He turned on the comms and declared,
“Fall back, soldiers, and take cover.”