The Soviets go dark the moment our forces make landfall.

A day passes. Nothing.

Finally, the inevitable appears on every screen.

A briefcase of codes is opened. Somewhere, missiles are given wings.

The room is numb.

In one motion, I’ve outdone Hitler, Stalin, and the Devil too.

God forgive me.

Phillip Owens is a rookie EMT, eventual nurse, and aspiring writer​.