Like every military member, Fields had a dog tag. He also had another pendant, hanging on the chain. It was a group photo. You'd have a hard time figuring each face, but he'd recognize one face immediately – his mother.

His father left before he was born. His mother raised him by herself, juggling jobs here and there. Oddly, her favorite job was caretaking. She'd get little wage from it, often having to work overtime. She'd come home late at night or leave early, but she'd always pack him meals and kissed him goodnight. When he entered fifth grade, he wondered, what is this thing his mom kept coming back to, even when her eyes were droopy and tired?

So, he tried coming with her. Tending the sick. Cheering up kids that wouldn't stop crying. Taking the elderly for a walk. He kept coming back, sometimes sneaking around so his mother wouldn't find out and get worried. There was something about the radiant faces of the sick, the laughs after the cry, and the pulsing energy from the elders.

He told his mom he'd be a medic. College was expensive, so he entered the military. The day he graduated as a combat medic, his mom cried, patting his shoulder. It was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. Five years later, he stood in front of her tombstone, but he still could feel that warm pat and see her smile.

"Sir, the alarm rang!"

Sergeant Fields poured the soup and ran into the room. He checked the thermometer.

"A slight fever. Does your head throb, Ma'am?"

"Yes."

He checked her breathing again.

"You have caught a flu. Have a lot of rest, ok? It might get worse if you didn't. Oh, try this tea."

"Ah, it's really good!"

"Have some more! It soothes your sore throat and helps with sleep, which you really need now."

"W-will my sister be ok?"

"She will! Call me if you need anything!"

"Sir! My dad's shivering again!"

He ran to another room, bringing warm water.

"Doctor, my knee's bleeding!"

"My shoe broke!"

"My water broke!"

"The baby won't eat!"

Luann sometimes put him in combat, especially when the shelter is under attack, but most of the time he'd tend to the civilians. Cleaning and taping kids who played tag and fell. Helping with births. Caring for diseases. Giving any supplies the civilians need.

"Go away!"

Fields paused and rushed in.

"Sir! He touched me when I slept!"

"Hah, I'd puke if I did."

"What are you doing here then, Sir?"

"Why can't I? I was doing nothing wrong anyway and this girl suddenly yelled at me."

"Haven't I told you to not get to this area, Sir? You should not approach beds that are not yours."

"Are you accusing me? What proof do you have?"

"I'm not accusing you, Sir. I'm just saying that you shouldn't be here."

"Aren't you just a sergeant?"

"Yes, I am Sir, but it's my duty to stepped in a wrongdoing."

"Oh, so you're accusing?"

"Everyone knows that you and your friends love going around harassing girls. I may not have the authority, but it'd be my pleasure to throw you out of the camp."

"Try."

Sergeant Fields yanked his shirt. The man pulled away and punched him. The situation quickly escalated, and shouts rang.

Luann ran down the stairs.

"What's going on?"

"Sergeant Fields got into a fight with a civilian, Ma'am!"

Luann rushed into the hallway. Sergeant Fields and the guy were on the floor, striking each other out.

"HEY, STOP, STOP!! WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?"

The soldiers jumped in, pulling the two away. The man wiped his bleeding lips.

"He beat me out of nowhere, Ma'am."

"Is it true, Sergeant?"

Sergeant Fields stared at the ground. Why did he do that? Even if he did have proof, he should never beat a civilian.

Luann looked at him. Please, please say something. You got him good!

But Fields stayed quiet.

She sighed.

"Then, Sergeant..."

"Wait! The man harassed me! The Sergeant was just stepping in and telling him to go away!"

"She's lying. I was just passing by."

"No, you are not!"

"Yeah? Do you have proof?"

Luann cleared her throat.

"You know Sir, evidence is useful in opening an investigation, but when a conflict happens, evidence can come in various forms. Witnesses, for example. And I'm pretty sure I have heard complaints several times about you."

"B-but-"

"Do you think they are biased? What motive would they have to be? Do you know more than half of the women here before you arrived in the camp? While you Sir, seemed to have a clear motive. If you need more evidence, look around and see the expressions of the people."

The room fell in silence.

"Soldiers, you should never lay a hand on civilians. Our job is to protect, not harm."

"Yes, Ma'am!"

"On another note, I do feel like we need to remember our values and rules in the society, even amidst the apocalypse. Sexual harassment should be dealt with at least months of jailtime. Sir, you would have the honour to be the first convict in the apocalypse!"

"Don't you see what he did to my face? You're sending me to jail instead of treating me?"

"Sergeant Fields have access to the jails too." Luann smiled and walked away.

She walked back into her office. Her line beeped.

"Commander Luann, speaking."

"Major General Kim, speaking."

"Aye, Sir."

"How was the condition back in the shelter, Commander?"

"Good, Sir. There are small problems here and there, but they are all solved. I have gotten used to handling the hordes, and we now can even do patrols."

"In those patrols, do you see any signs of Cain's whereabouts?"

Luann choked.

"Sorry Sir, who?"

"Cain. Surely you remember Captain Cain who assisted you in the promotion mission, Commander?"

Luann stayed silent for a while.