Mike's Palace: A Comforting Oasis in a War Zone

This chapter reflects on a past deployment where the speaker visits a fellow soldier named Mike's living quarters, known as 'Mike's palace', in a blown-out concrete building. They describe the cozy and dark ambiance of the space, complete with tapestries, pillows, and a makeshift TV. The chapter also includes a story about a video filmed by Mike during a firefight, where he apologizes for not being on his gun. The speaker concludes by mentioning their early return from deployment due to expecting another child.