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Half filled journal, together with some photographs and assorted papers found at the crash site of an ICA aircraft who's emergency beacon had been activated in occupied Cork, Bulgaria.
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Cork, Bulgaria
Day 4110 07:00 ERT

My dearest Kelly

Has it really been only 5 days since I saw your sweet face, heard your sweet voice and held you tight at the train station as I headed back to base. It feels like a life time ago.

By now you would have had my captain and the commander showing up at your door to inform you that I was shot down over Cork and my status unknown. I will be activating the emergency beacon before I leave so this last letter to you will be found. I will not be here as there is something I must do and it hurts me greatly to have to wait longer to see you again.

8 days ago I was standing nervously in your father's study asking him for his consent to marry you. "wondered when you were going to pluck up the courage to ask welcome to the family my boy" he had answered with a big grin on his face. I gave Mick a big thumbs up from the window as I followed your father out to the dining room and dinner.

Next day I took you to the fanciest restaurant in town to propose. Mick, Murphy and Sean almost gave it away with the big grins on their faces where they sat holding the roses I chose to give you. Had the whole place cheering when you said yes.

And that last day with all of them at the beach, including Sarah and the kids before we all headed back to our regiments.

Thought nothing could break the happiness I was feeling.

Now I sit here against my broken aircraft feeling like my heart has been torn to shreds and will never heal again. If I even survive what I'm setting out to do.

4 days ago my aircraft came down on the other side of a ridge from a small town where I had spotted a regiment of ours setting up camp.

By the time I got myself out of the aircraft and over the ridge I saw they were under attack. Through my binoculars I watched as they bravely fought and then were slaughtered after they surrenderd.

My love it was my twin brother Mich's regiment. I saw him pulling Murph down on the ridge where they had been sniping at the enemy and eventually they picked up their gear and move out.

I stayed hidden until the enemy moved off after them and then followed. They took a while as they had to stitch up their leaders face where Sean had managed to stab him destroying his left eye before they killed him.

2 nights ago I talked to Mick he sounded so tired and broken. Said he had been shot and was spending the night in a remote farmhouse for the night, but the enemy was not far behind but he needed to get some rest and food before he pushed on. Gave me his coordinates but asked me to go back to my aircraft and activate the beacon. Said he was trying to lead them away from Murph tso that he could get to the relatives with the news of Sean's death.

I pushed on to get there in time to here his screams as they tortured him for Murph's location. It ended when he named that village we and Murph used to go hunting by.

Once they moved off I buried him and the old woman they killed for helping him.

Soon I'll be moving as fast as I can to that village to warn them to leave. And to wait for these monsters to come so I can kill them. I have what I need in the rucksack at my feet explosives and plenty of ammo for the guns I carry. I found it all at the cache our regiment was trying to reach.

I love you dearly and hope to see you soon.

Your loving fiance
Andrew Hughes
Airman first class
ICA Regiment 1