very nicely done....

V.

Thanks. Also just noticed one of the apostrophes didn't convert properly. Sorry, fixed it.

No answer! It feels so unresolved. ;)

The story actually isn't about why the kid is fighting but why the older agent is. And that is hinted at, though very briefly. Bet you can guess if you think some.

Picked up on it as soon as you said that.

A delightful vignette. I like the thought process of the elder agent.

Actually adapted it from something I read in a book where a politician was asking a commander what he was fighting for. Kind of stuck with me. Loved the message so much I tried to distill it down to the very core.

I got a really clear image of both of these guys. Nicely done.

We are all loyal to something

I love the idea behind this, and would love to see the answer to the question you posed

Personally I think the kid is doing it because of some girl back home, thus why that one was mentioned last. Wanted to leave it open though.

The simplest form of an idea is what draws us into its vast depths.
Nicely written.

I remember reading a similar scene but set in a boot camp, still a very good point. Well done!

As I said in another comment I got this from a book, but tried to distill it down. I expect it is something that has been floating around for awhile. I found it very moving. It really explains a lot, from why people fight to why they think what they think in politics. Everyone throws around grand terms, but when it gets right down to it they care about something close and personal.