Act 2: Ross’s Battle

During training, the sergeant asked everyone to pick up a rifle for practice, while everyone did as told to do, Ross stood in his position and didn’t do as told. Then the sergeant, asked him to pick up the rifle again, but Ross refused, he expressed his belief as to why didn’t want to pick up the weapon, but they all just made fun of him. The sergeant didn’t like that Ross disobeyed his order, so, he brought hell to him, by making him do excessive training courses, taking him to the psychologist, trying to prove he is mentally ill to kick him off the army, but Ross didn’t give up. So, he threatened him to leave while he has the chance, or be taken to court-martial for disobeying his orders and taken as a war prisoner if the trial doesn’t go his favor.

Ross is taken to the court-martial, and the trial has started. Both sides had presented their points for Ross, but the judge gave him one last chance to think of his actions to save himself. What should Ross do?

a. Plead guilty, ask for forgiveness, and get sent back home from the army, and never to be returned.

b. Stand with his beliefs and do not plead guilty, that he didn’t do anything wrong by not picking up the rifle as he vowed to never to do so.

 

If option (a) is chosen, 

The judge decides to take action upon him pleading guilty, he decides to not make him a war prisoner, but he sends him back home and never to be enlisted in the army.

Then, Ross is sent back home, but word got out about what happened, and why he was back. He was seen as a fool in the town for what he believed, and his dream to save people and work as a medic was shattered. Ross wasn’t himself from all the peer pressures and how he was being treated. And, sooner than later, Ross was gone and took his life by shooting himself in the head.

Option (a) leads to a really bad ending, Ross was sent back, his dream of serving as a medic was shattered, and he was seen as a fool. And, the story ends.

If option (b) is chosen, 

As the judge was about to take action upon him, by making him a war prisoner, Ross’s father comes in by forcing into the room from being blocked from coming in, he came with a note from the Major of the army, that saved Ross from being taken away as a prisoner. 

Option (b) leads to better endings and continues the story longer.

It is the day of the battle, as they all heading towards the battlefield, trucks are returning to camp with dead bodies of the fallen soldiers. While the battle was on top of the ridge, they all climbed and saw, it was hell, bodies, blood, explosion, gunshots, and people dying. During the battle, the enemies were seemed to be stronger, killed, and injured half of their soldiers already. It was not looking good. They were ordered to retreat back to camp, leaving many men behind left to be dead.

What Should Ross do follow as they all were ordered to retreat as the enemies are closing in?

a. Leave with a group of men left in battle and retreat for safety back to the camp.

b. Stay behind and hide to take cover from the enemies to save the injured men that are left to be dead.

 

If option (a) is chosen, 

Ross and the group have lost the battle on the ridge. Ross tried to save as much as he could but it wasn’t enough. They didn’t have enough soldiers to fight anymore as many were left behind and dead. The men who were lucky enough to escape the battle were done, the fight was over and enemies took over the ridge. And, they all returned to camp, followed later, released to go back home.

Option (a) leads to an okay ending, and Ross still being able to serve as a medic.

If  option (b) is chosen, 

Ross used his skills to use the tranches and smoke as a cover to rescue as many men as possible from the battle all alone. He stayed there for more than a day, working through the night just to save the lives of the men left behind. He dragged the bodies one by one and getting them down the ridge using a rope, where there was an outpost guarding the ridge, and they took the bodies to camp for proper medical attention.

His effort and bravery inspired all the soldiers, he had alone done so much and saved over 70 people from the battle. This helps them get back into the battle since many of the injured soldiers were still able to fight after treatment. It made a huge difference, that led to victory on the ridge against the enemies.

GOOD ENDING: Ross earned everyone’s respect and loyalty, and for what he believed and his moral values about saving people and not bearing any weapons. He proved that he was right, did what believed is right. Ross’s real battle was about saving people even though his religious beliefs and moral values were challenged in his journey to this path.