Well, seeing how I got good reviews for my last C&C fic,
I figured I'd keep the proverbial juices flowing. The last story centered on
the good ol' Mirage Tank. This one is just about a regular old infantry,
separated from his squad.
Stand in Defiance
Written by SSJ_Bardock
It was a cold
night. The moon was in the sky, stars sparkled, and the Communist forces
marched through town after town after town. There wasn't an Allied base for at
least thirty-forty miles from Joshua's current position. Now why is that
important? Because the Commies are moving in on his location.
Joshua had
tried to contact the base, but the Commies had knocked out the phone lines and
he had no radio on him. He had no way to contact the base now and any form of
an escape and he'd eventually be caught. So now the only question was, what
would he do? Stay and die, or run and die.
"So many
choices," he said to himself.
The town he
was in had been completely evacuated. He now sat at a table on the outside of a
café. Various tables and chairs had been tossed aside in their vain attempts at
escape. Joshua was now sitting at the table and sipping on a cappuccino. When
you know you're going to, you're not exactly in a hurry.
Yep, Joshua
was all alone. His squad that he was with had met the Commies, up close and personal,
in an ambush. They were heading to the Allied base for reinforcements. He was
riding in an APC with five GI's. They were going through a forest when shells
were dropping all around them. The APCs were immediately unloaded and it was
everyone for themselves. They were just ground units; they didn't have an
officer or sergeant with them so they didn't know what to do. Everyone
panicked, just like Joshua.
Joshua ran
for his life. All around, bombs were dropping and people were screaming. It was
insanity and chaos. Fire was rising into the air, looming over him like
infernos of hell. Smoke clouds rose into the sky spiraling like cyclones.
Terror and chaos ran ramped throughout the forest. Joshua ran like he had never
run before.
It was dark
out and he could barely see five feet in front of him. It didn't even bother
him that he hadn't run into a tree. All he knew now was survival. Survival was
the only thing existent in his mind. He ran at incredible speeds, by far faster
than a normal man. It was all a blur.
Joshua
hadn't stopped running until he had reached the city. Immediately he had gone
looking for help, but the town must have heard it all and evacuated. Now Joshua
was all alone again. He had walked until he had come to the café and decided to
get himself a drink. A bar would've been better but he didn't feel like looking
for one.
So here he
sat. Joshua took another sip of his drink before standing up. He slowly looked
around and just started walking aimlessly. The city was too quiet for his tastes
but you couldn't really be picky.
The city
was a complete mess. Windows were smashed, cars turned over, and of course,
buildings were looted. After everyone had evacuated, the looters hit this town
hard, stealing what they could. It was a mess that would rival the leftovers of
a soccer riot. "At least no one's dead," Joshua mumbled.
Strolling
through the street, Joshua stopped. He took in a big breath and sighed. Looking
around he decided to go sight seeing, or just look around. Finally he decided to
walk down the street to his left.
As he was walking down the street with his eyes downcast,
his eyes spotted an emblem of a gun on one of the buildings. "A gun store. You
really got to love American cities," he said. Walking up to it he noticed the
windows had bars behind them and most likely the door was locked. He walked up
to the door and loosely turned the handle,
"Yep. Locked."
Joshua
would have to find another way inside if he wanted the ammo and guns. So he
walked around to the side and found a ladder to the roof. Climbing up the
ladder, he reached the top of the building. The roof was paved and only a
single ventilation shaft looked to be any way in. This left Joshua with only
one thing to do. Joshua grabbed a hold of the grating and tore open the shaft
with much effort.
He looked
down the shaft and it appeared to be safe for the most part. Joshua took in a
deep breath and jumped into the air. The shaft was large enough that he fit
through. From the jump, all his weight came crashing down on the small shaft
and it tore open and Joshua fell through.
With a loud
crash, Joshua fell through the shaft and landed on his back, hitting his head.
Debris lay strewn everywhere from his little jump and now his head hurt like
hell.
"At least I
didn't break my leg," he mumbled.
Finally he
regained his senses and looked around. He was in the main room of the gun
store. Next to him was a large magazine-like rack holding various weapons. The
walls were laced with guns. It was a soldier's paradise indeed. Just about
everything from pistols to full automatics, he noticed.
Regaining
his senses he stood up and looked around. There was a desk at the far side of
the room so he walked that way. Suddenly he stopped and strained to hear. "I
thought I heard something…" he trailed off.
"Who's
there?! Come to finish me off huh?!" came the voice.
What the
hell… "Allied infantry. Identify yourself at once."
"Oh! Thank
god you're here!" came the voice.
Joshua walked
around the desk and saw a man leaning on the far wall. He looked old, about 54
with a small gray beard and a bald spot on his forehead. In his hands the man
was clutching a shotgun, and his hands were covered in blood. Upon a second
look, Joshua noticed a bullet hole in the man's chest.
"You all
right?" Joshua asked.
"Does it
look it?!" the man yelled.
"What
happened here?"
"Those
fucking punks looted my store. I tried to fight'em off, but as you can see," he
said, gesturing toward the bullet wound, "they were ready for it."
"Why'd
everyone leave?" he asked, fully aware of the Soviet force coming their way.
"You aren't
the brightest are you? In case you didn't know there is a whole fucking army of
Commies heading this way!"
"All right
then. So can you move?" Joshua asked.
"Nah. I'm
done kid. Just get your ass out of here or you'll die. No need to add to the
body count, even if you are a moron."
Joshua
blinked in confusion, "Anyway, I think I'll stick around. The nearest Allied
base is about thirty miles from here and the Soviets would catch me before I
made it."
"So what do
you want and why'd you come crashing through my fucking roof?"
"And you
said I wasn't bright," Joshua mumbled.
"What?"
"Nothing.
Anyway, I'd like some guns if it isn't too much trouble."
"Ha! You're
going to try and stop them yourself?" the man taunted.
"No, I'm
not stupid. I could never take out the tanks they have with them. I just want
to cut down the numbers of infantry if you get what I mean."
"I get ya.
You're going to try and play Rambo. Well guess what? This isn't the movies
sunny and you're not a fucking hero!"
"Yeah,
yeah. I'd rather die fighting then die running. I guess I'm just a noble guy."
"What a
load of crap. Anyway, go ahead. Take what you can find. Lord knows I won't need
it. I managed to preserve most of the artillery so it shouldn't be too hard to
find something to your liking. Just hurry up and get out of my face."
"Sure,"
Joshua told him.
Joshua
began walking around and scanning the walls. Taking a gun off the wall he
checked it.
"It's not
loaded," he told the man.
"Of course
it isn't you dumbass. You think I'd keep the guns loaded? You are an idiot."
"All right
then, where's the ammo?"
"In the
back storage room to the left of me."
Joshua
nodded and walked back over. Opening the door he peered in. Inside were small
crates and boxes with various labels on them. He looked at the gun in his
hands; a Heckler and Koch VP70 and began searching for the 9mm rounds. It
wasn't hard because it was the biggest box in there, no surprise considering
the 9mm in the most common caliber.
He opened
the box and found it filled with smaller boxes. Now all he needed were clips to
put them in. Looking around, he spotted them in a box to the far side of the
small room. He grabbed about seven and returned to the bullets. After he had
filled all the clips, he slammed on into his gun and pulled the slide back,
chambering the first bullet.
After he
put the clips in his vest pockets he needed something else. He couldn't take on
the Soviets with just his small 9mm. So he walked back out and grabbed another
H&K VP70 and loaded that with a clip.
"You'll
need something more than that to stop the Commies," came the man's voice.
"Yeah I know.
Got any rifles?" Joshua asked.
"Far wall."
Joshua
nodded and walked over there. Without much thought he grabbed a M95 Nomad
sniper rifle. Once he did he returned to the storage room and got approximately
twenty rounds for it. He loaded the gun and put the excess ammunition in his
pockets. Once again he returned to the main room and looked around again.
Finally he spotted what he was looking for; a 590A1 shotgun. Then, once again
he got the ammunition for it.
He now had
the Nomad strapped to his back, the Heckler & Koch's in hands and the 590A1
shotgun, also strapped to his back. It was now time to kick some Commie ass. As
he started toward the door he could hear the old man again.
"Hey kid…"
"Yeah, what
is it?" Joshua asked.
"You gonna
pay for that?"
Joshua
stood there in shock, "Are you serious?"
"No, just
kidding. Anyway can you do something for me?"
"Sure,
what?"
"Get one
for me, all right?" the man asked.
"Sure old
man, sure."
With that,
Joshua left the store and the old man. He stood outside the shop, wondering
what his next move was.
"Well,
might as well start off with the sniper rifle," he concluded, "but where?"
Joshua
looked around, searching for somewhere to camp. Then he saw the café.
"Aw, what
the hell. I'm thirsty anyway," he mused.
When he
reached the café he walked inside and looked around. Tables were turned over,
chairs lying on their sides, and coffee spilt everywhere. Everyone got out of
there in a hurry. The news of the Soviet invasion must have been on the
television and everyone got out as quickly as possible.
Looking
around he saw an untouched muffin and he realized how hungry he really was.
Quickly he grabbed the muffin and scarfed it down, barely even chewing. He
looked around the inside of the place and saw a small fridge where the drinks
were being cooled. Joshua strolled over and opened it up. He grabbed a bottle
of mineral water and gulped that down.
Now that he
had quenched his thirst, he walked back outside and climbed up to the roof. He
sat down and checked his watch. That's when he realized that he didn't have a
watch.
"Damn, knew
I forget something."
It had to
have at least been three hours since the bombing, so where the hell were the
Soviets? Perhaps they weren't even going to come through this town. Joshua
nabbed his Nomad and peered through the scope. All his uncertainties were gone
when he spotted it. A bright red flag was waving in the air. A bright red flag
with a hammer and sickle on it. That bright red flag belonged to the Soviets.
Joshua took
a deep breath and waited for them. As soon as one little bastard poked his head
out, he was going to lose it. It was now a game of caution and accuracy. Joshua
watched as the first Soviet came into view. The Soviets were walking in two-by-two
formation. Now that first guy was going to lose his head.
"Night-night,"
Joshua said as he pulled the trigger.
The bullet
tore through the air with pinpoint accuracy. The Soviet soldier fell to the
ground dead. Joshua wasted no time and started picking them at random.
"This one
is for all my dead friends," he said.
Another one
dropped.
"This is
for all those who have died because of you Communist bastards."
Another one
dropped.
"This is
for the old man."
Another one
dropped.
"This is for
liberty."
Another
drops.
"For
peace."
Another
drops.
"The
pursuit of happiness."
Another
drops.
The Soviets
were looking around in panic but they couldn't find their assailant. Someone in
the front kept shouting something, but as long as they kept in order, Joshua
didn't care. He'd keep that guy alive just in case he was the only thing
keeping them in their neat little rows.
"This one
is for freedom."
Another one
drops.
"This one
is for life."
Another one
dropped.
"This one
is because I missed the Super Bowl because of you bastards!"
Yet another
dropped.
"And this
is for the whole damn country!"
Another one
dropped.
"And this!
This is for the hell of it!" he yelled.
Another
Commie fell.
He just
kept gunning them down, one after the other. Soon his gun clicked, signifying
he was out of ammunition. Joshua dropped the Nomad and climbed off the roof.
The Soviets were still a good six blocks away. Joshua took out his shotgun and
started walking through the alleys toward their location. He had taken the
strap off the Nomad and now had it on the shotgun, letting him have easier
access to it.
Silently he
walked through the back alleyways and after about three blocks, hid behind one
of the buildings. He had his back on the wall and he was waiting for them to
get close enough. Then at the right moment, he'd pop out and let the bastards
have it.
All was
quiet. All except the occasional orders being yelled and the sounds of
marching. The sounds were getting closer and closer to him. His heart was
pumping and his hands became sweaty with anticipation. This was it.
Finally he
quickly sneaked a peek and saw them marching by. He gripped the shotgun and
jumped out.
BAM! Cachunk
BAM! Cachunk BAM! Cachunk
He had let
loose three blasts which had taken the surprised Soviets by the jugular. They
were caught off guard and didn't know how to react. Joshua took this time to
run for his life. He quickly darted into an alleyway and waited.
Finally he
could hear the sounds of running. Joshua popped out from his hiding spot again
and greeted the Soviets with a friendly hello.
BAM! Cachunk
BAM! Cachunk
Joshua once
again took off running. While running Joshua quickly began reloading the
shotgun. He zigzagged through alleys trying to lose them.
Man,
those guys are going to be pissed, he thought with a smirk.
Finally he
had finished reloading. He wasn't sure what the body count was up to, but he
didn't really care. Strapping the shotgun to his back, he drew his dual H&K
VP70s. He ducked down behind a dumpster and waited for more to come. He could
only hear them off in the distance. Apparently they thought he had took off,
well, he'd just have to change that.
Joshua got up
and ran toward the street they were on, ducking and waiting when he thought
necessary. That's when he came to the main street. He took a quick glance and
noticed they had stopped.
They're
regrouping and reforming their lines. Looks like they're not taking me
seriously enough. Hmm…
Joshua
gripped his dual H&K's and took another deep breath. He only swung his arms
out with both guns pointed at the Soviets. Immediately he began pulled the
triggers rapidly.
BAM!
BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!
The
attack once again caught the Soviets off guard and bodies started dropping. The
Soviets were completely confused and panicking. Joshua stopped firing and took
off running again.
Like
shooting fish in a barrel, he mused.
Joshua was
about three blocks away when he stopped running. Sitting down he looked at his
surroundings while he caught his breath. He was in another alleyway. This one
was small and had a small drain in it. He listened for any kind of noise
intently. None came though. Joshua was now getting paranoid and scared. Finally
he stood up and took put in new clips for the VP70's.
Joshua once
again went back to the main road. He looked out and his eyes widened at what he
saw. The Soviets were at the gun shop with the old man. Joshua waited to see
what was going on. There were no gunshots and no yelling.
Suddenly
some Soviets came walking out, carrying boxes. Joshua recognized what they
were; guns and ammunition.
Please
let the old guy be okay…
Joshua
ran down the alleys toward their location. Quietly he hid as they began to walk
off. He could only hope the old guy was still alive. Slowly the Soviets were
out of hearing range, too busy caught up in what they were doing.
As quickly
as he could, Joshua bolted across the street and into the shop. He ran around
the counter but didn't see anything except several blood stains.
What the
fuck?! Where is he?
Joshua
ran around, searching everywhere. The whole store had been cleaned out by the
Soviets. Boxes and stands were tipped over, the walls were barren, and the
storage was completely empty. Finally Joshua gave up and walked outside.
"Hey kid!"
came that all too-familiar voice.
Joshua spun
around and looked up. There on top of the roof was the old man, leaning on the
small wall.
"I thought
you were dead!" yelled Joshua. The old man simply waved a hand, signifying
Joshua to come up. So Joshua got back up to the roof of the store where the old
man was sitting down.
"What
happened?" Joshua asked.
"Well,
after you left I figured I wasn't safe down there. The big gun sign outside was
a big attention getter so I figured why stick around and wait to be killed,"
said the old man, who Joshua now noticed, had a bottle of vodka.
"How'd you
get up here?"
"The
ladder."
"Oh," was
all Joshua could say.
The man
sipped on the vodka and looked back up at Joshua. "So kid, how'd the hero thing
go?"
"You didn't
see?"
"Nah. I
didn't pay much attention," said the man as he waved the bottle of vodka around
for effect.
"Oh. Well,
there's about thirty less of them now," Joshua said with a smirk.
"Ah, good
work there kid. Wanna sip?" the man asked.
"Eh, no
thanks," said Joshua as he leaned on the small wall. "Oh shit! They're getting
away!"
"Don't
worry about it. I'm sure the base can handle it after you took out all those
guys," said the man, taking another drink.
"I hope
so," Joshua whispered.
I've
done all I can. Now make it through this guys, don't let the Commies win. Make
it through this America.
Draft 4/28/01
Final 5/13/01
