A dimly lit living room, the soft glow of a flickering television illuminates the faces of two children huddled on a worn couch. The boy, around 10 years old, sits cross-legged beside his younger sister, who clutches a stuffed bear. On the screen, muted news footage plays—tanks rolling across distant fields, columns of smoke rising into the sky. The hum of the television is the only sound that breaks the silence, but outside, the world is changing.
Suddenly, the faint sound of rumbling interrupts the quiet. The boy’s brow furrows. At first, it’s barely perceptible—a deep thud, like distant thunder. He turns to his sister, but she’s lost in the comfort of her toy. His gaze shifts to the window, where the sky is unusually dark, a heavy blanket of clouds hanging low over the city.
Another rumble, louder now. The boy's heart skips a beat. His eyes dart back to the screen just as the news cuts to footage of smoke billowing over a Ukrainian city. The words “SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION” flash across the screen in bold, ominous letters.
The girl looks up, sensing her brother’s unease. “What’s happening?” she whispers, her voice trembling.
Before he can answer, a sharp, deafening explosion rips through the air outside. The ground shudders beneath them. The glass panes of the window rattle violently, and the boy's stomach drops. He rushes to the window, peering through the curtain, his breath catching as the first wave of airstrikes begins in the distance.
Fiery trails streak across the sky like angry red scars, illuminating the horizon. The unmistakable sound of sirens wails from afar, growing louder, more urgent.
"Stay here," the boy whispers, his voice strained. He glances at his sister, whose eyes are wide with fear. She nods, clutching the bear tighter.
The television, now broadcasting chaotic scenes—people fleeing, buildings crumbling. The image flickers, then cuts out entirely, replaced by static.
Outside, the distant rumble of war draws closer. The boy stands frozen, his hands gripping the windowsill as the reality of the invasion sinks in.
Commander Peter Eudy walks into the Pentagon, his face showing the fatigue of a man who has given everything to his country. His phone buzzes with updates, the latest headlines scrolling across his screen: “Russia Invasion Escalates in Ukraine.” He sighs, rubbing his eyes, already knowing this day is going to be different.
Reaching his office desk, he glances down at the photo of his family—his wife, their six kids smiling back at him. For a moment, he allows himself to think of home. Of the birthdays missed. The bedtime stories told over video calls. But before he can linger on the thought, a knock at the door snaps him back to reality.
Eudy looks up, nodding, already knowing what’s coming. He sets down his coffee and rises, straightening his uniform with practiced precision. He strides down the Pentagon's long corridors, his expression steeled, eyes focused. This is a man who’s been through it all—multiple deployments, high-stakes missions—but today, there’s a new weight on his shoulders.
The department is standing up a task force to support Ukraine. They want Pete on the team.
Coming soon on the Voice for Valor podcast!
