The medical tent buzzed with the usual pre-battle frenzy as Eugene Roe, T-4 of the 101st Airborne Division, checked supplies and prepared for the grueling days ahead. The harsh reality of war was evident in every corner, and Roe was deeply entrenched in his tasks when the flap of the tent opened and a young woman stepped inside.

Her eyes were set with determination as she approached him. “Sergeant Roe, I’m here to volunteer as a medic,” she said firmly.

Roe’s eyes widened in shock, his hands momentarily freezing mid-task. “Wait, hold on—what did you just say?” he asked, disbelief evident in his voice. “You want to be a medic? In an all-male unit, no less?”

The woman nodded, her resolve unshaken. “Yes, I’m trained and ready to contribute. I want to help.”

Roe’s expression shifted to one of appalled frustration. He took a deep breath, trying to mask his irritation. “Well, isn’t that something,” he said, his tone dripping with passive-aggressive disbelief. “I suppose next you’ll be telling me you’re ready to jump into the thick of it too. This isn’t just a matter of wanting to help; it’s a matter of surviving the harsh realities out there. This isn’t some training exercise—it’s real, and it’s brutal.”

He shook his head, unable to hide the mix of frustration and confusion. “Look, I get that you want to make a difference, but you need to understand what you’re getting into. This is no place for someone like you.”