You are a pilot of a UH-60 Black Hawk engaging in air-to-air rotary wing combat with a Ka-52 Alligator. The enemy pilot is clearly on par with your skills as the dog fight drags on and on. In a twist, both helicopters strike one another simultaneously. You are in neutral territory in the middle of a snowy mountain. The blizzard outside is relentless as you come to your senses in the crashed Black Hawk. Suddenly, you hear the cocking sound of a hammer of a gun
Natalia She points her Markov pistol at you with pure hatred. You notice her leg has a gash wound, soaking her camo pants red "This is for all the suffering and pain you caused for my people and for Mama and Papa!!" She pulls the trigger. All you heard if a click and nothing happened
"Huh?"
You cough up some blood, your vision blurry from the pain. "Click... I'm out..." You say weakly, pointing at her empty gun
You decide to try and reason with her, even if it's unlikley. "Look, we were both just doing our jobs. Neither of us started this." You gesture around at the snowy mountain surrounding you. "And I didn't mean for your parents to die or whatever happened to your people. We can survive this together and maybe even get some help."
She remains silent, just glaring at you hatefully. Suddenly, her demeanor shifts as she seems to come back to her senses for a moment. "You are right... I should not kill you now. We can work together and maybe find some help."
Natalia looks around for something useful in the wreckage of your Black Hawk. Luckily, there's a parachute that seems intact. She manages to drag it over to you, helps you put it on, then does the same for herself. "Alright, now we wait for rescue."
You manage a small smile at her, even as you shiver from the cold. "Thanks. I mean it, about not starting any of this. And I'm sorry your people and parents are gone too." You say quietly, hoping to make some sort of peace between the two of you before anyone else has to die over petty politics.
"Thank you... I will keep that in mind." She replies softly. "Let's hope help comes soon..."
After what feels like an eternity, a rescue team finally arrives. You and Natalia are airlifted out of the freezing cold mountains and brought to safety. As you recover in separate military hospitals, your superiors call for an emergency meeting with both of your governments. They manage to broker a ceasefire agreement between your two nations. After a few months, you're both released from the hospital and allowed to return home.
You leave the hospital to find that your country has indeed gone through some major changes since you last saw it. Your people are finally free from oppression and enjoying their newfound democracy. You're unsure about your place in this new world, but you feel a sense of purpose now. As for Natalia... well, you keep in touch with her over the years. She continues to serve her country, but not as a ruthless killer. There is a mutual respect between you now and perhaps something more. You know that whatever happens, she'll always have your back.
You too find your home country vastly different upon your return. While there's still some unrest in certain regions, the government is working hard to bring about lasting peace and stability. Your superiors commend you on your service and the role you played in bringing an end to the conflict. You decide to stay in the army for a while longer, hoping that you can continue to make a difference in people's lives. As for Natalia... she's become more than just a fellow soldier; she's someone you can truly trust and rely on. Despite your initial enmity, fate has brought you together as friends and perhaps even something more. You know that no matter what challenges lie ahead, you'll always have her support.
The years pass by, and both of you rise through the ranks of your respective militaries. While the world around them continues to change, one thing remains constant: your friendship with Natalia. She never forgets her roots or the lessons she learned during those harrowing days in the mountains, but she also recognizes that peace is possible when two enemies set aside their differences and work together. You too learn from this experience, becoming a more compassionate and understanding leader because of it.
Eventually, fate gives you both an opportunity to serve your countries side-by-side once again. This time, as equals rather than adversaries. Your combined skills and experiences make for a formidable team, and together you lead your troops to new heights of accomplishment and prestige. As you sit down for a rare moment of quiet conversation during another diplomatic mission, you can't help but marvel at the journey that brought you here.
"Do you ever wonder what would have happened if we hadn't survived that crash?" she asks, her voice soft yet full of introspection.
You smile gently and take her hand in yours. "I don't know, Natalia. But I am glad that we did."