Within the Town Hall.
Adrian was hunched over the maps, one showing the world with a whole lot of blue and other colors, the blue being America and the other showing Alaska and the current Russian positions outside of Anchorage. How did they get that intel, only god knew, but the boy was more interested in why Canada, Australia, most of the Oceania islands and such were all painted the american pale blue... Much more, why was the Reich currently so fucking ginormous... He'd have to ask those questions, especially the US-related ones, after the fight...
Jack walked beside him, then opened up another map of Anchorage, this one with crosses and circles painted across different areas of the city, then looked to him and said "Listen up. See these markings?" And he pointed at the crosses and circles. Adrian nodded, to which the American boy murmured "Good, good..." before continuing "These are spots we've set up traps in. Trip mines, AT mines, TNT, so on and so forth." Then he pointed at the bridge and said "This is the bridge we just defended... I've had Baird line it up full of TNT, with a detonator wired here." And he finished off, pointing at their end of the bridge.
"Gotcha." Adrian said, looking about. "I'm guessing the bridge goes down when the Russians try to cross it... Speaking of, what kind of troops should we expect?"
"Some 1500 Infantrymen, running in waves at us, as well as a dozen tanks as support." Lara answered calmly, walking beside Jack. Adrian raised his brow, then asked "Tanks... And that many men... And we're, what, 13? Why aren't we falling back?" To which Jack answered promptly "Because if we do fall back, we don't only lose Anchorage... We lose Alaska and probably the entire damn war... The reds have us engaged on many fronts, but Alaska is the most important one. It's an entry into mainland US and, from there, to the rest of the states and the Capital in itself. They'd be rampaging through the entire western seaboard by the time we manage to get a proper response in. By then, it'd be too bloody late."
Adrian sighed, then looked to Lara and Jack and said "So, in short, we let the commies through, we're fucked. But we have to hold ground against an enemy on a near 100 to 1 ratio... Either way you look at it, someone's gonna bite the dust. I ain't planning on it being us and I think neither are you..." And he looked over the map Anchorage one more time, each key point highlighted, each defensive line properly set... He looked to Jack, then asked "Just food for thought... Did you go to West Point?"
Jack, eyes wide, nodded and said "Yeah... And finished it. I was accepted thanks to my dad... Why'd you ask?"
Adrian pointed at the map and said "The planting of bombs at those key locations, the planning of the ambushes and the defensive lines and all that I see there could only be done by a West Point graduate or some high-ranking general." quite proudly, then he continued with a smile and said "I study my military history... At least I studied that of my world... I could put everything that you would require for an operation against the German forces into a simple five-page essay in Romanian and English and give it to Eisenhower. We'd be in Berlin by Christmas if war broke out between you and them."
"Wow..." Lara said, arms crossed. "Alright then..." And Adrian smirked, then said "But this is Jack's command. I ain't jumping in for it." to which Jack merely nodded. "Alright... Onward, gather round, everyone!" He called, making the 'form up' sign. The soldiers walked around the table, their weapons by their hips and helmets off their heads. Jack looked to everyone and said "We're going straight to the point here. Korra, I need you in the Church's bell tower. You and your sniper as well. We need your marksmanship here."
Korra nodded, then raised her rifle and said "Copy that. One shot, one kill!" with a smirk. Jack nodded to her, then looked to Baird and Cole and said "Baird, Asami, I'm gonna need you two running the MG Nest. Did you set up the .30 cal in the square?" a question to which the two immediately answered with nods. Baird added "Yeah. Just as asked." And Jack nodded, then completed "Alright, always be ready to move from one line to the next... We're gonna need mobility and smarts if we're to beat the Reds, since numbers ain't on our side here." And his eyes glanced over to Asami, MacTavish and Cole, then said "You guys. I'm gonna need you doing Hit and Run. Use frags and Bazooka rounds to take out enemy tanks if they happen to take a path we couldn't mine."
"Gotcha." MacTavish said as he shouldered a bag full of M20 Bazooka rounds. He looked to Cole with a wide grin and said "Ready to blow shit up, big guy?" to which the afro-american answered with two nods, grinning, and added "Oh, yeah, boy." quite happily, patting the folded tube of the rocket launcher. Jack gave a calm nod, then looked toward a pair of people Adrian couldn't recognize, a woman with short, dark-blue hair and eyes and a strange shoal made of foam-brown silk, with red accents as well as some odd symbols and a boy with a calm smile, green eyes and black hair. The former was holding an M1 carbine and the other was carrying an M3 Grease Gun. Bolin was sitting right behind them.
"Annabelle, Daniel." Jack said, making the two jump to their feet off their boxes. "You two are gonna be running with Bolin and our Romanian. Resupply, First Aid and combat whenever necessary. Don't forget your Ragnaid bag, Bolin." To which the boy gave Jack a thumbs up and said "Don't worry, boss. I got this." And the girl nodded beside Daniel, then said "True. Don't worry 'bout a thing, mate.", her voice resounding of a thick Australian accent. Annabelle waved Adrian toward them, to which the boy grabbed his rifle and walked up. She nodded to him and said "Keep up and you'll be fine. We're the best damn squad this side of the front." and Daniel patted him on the shoulder, adding his own "True that. You're in the shit with us now."
"Thanks." Adrian nodded, smiling at them. He extended his hand toward Annabell and Daniel, then said "Name's Adrian Marasti. Glad to be working with ya." And Annabelle shook first, then said "Annabelle Marcos, from Australia. The squad's only Darcsen girl for now. And if you're gonna ask for my family name, let's just keep it for after the fight, okay, pal?" To which the boy simply nodded and said "Copy that." and he shook hands with Daniel, to which the man said "Daniel Marks, hailing from Quebec. I'm running scout. Nice to meet ya, Adrian."
"Likewise, Daniel." He answered, then watched Bolin stand up and extend his hand. The boys shook and Bolin said "Guess you already know my name. Bolin." and he smiled "I'll keep you alive on the field, man, so don't worry."
Jack nodded and said "Alright. Acquaintances done..." Jack said, then he looked to Lara and Mako and said "You two are gonna be with me. We're coordinating this and fighting at the same time, so let's stick together... Everyone know their roles?!" He then inquired in a yell, to which they all answered "YESSIR!" And Jack nodded, then said "Good... Get some rest! We've got a long night ahead of us and I don't want to hear complaints of being tired... Mako, be our watchman for the time... I'll have someone switch out with you after 2 hours."
"Gotcha. I'm going now." Mako nodded, shouldered his weapon, a BAR and walked out. Everyone moved slowly and started chatting, eating or going for a silent cot to sleep in, while Lara and Jack walked toward a set of Radios on another table, which Adrian hadn't even noticed. The boy sighed, then walked toward an empty easy chair and planted his but in it, placing his AKM, M1 Garand and pistol on a small coffee table ahead of him. He also removed the ammo harness and rig and placed it on the floor, along with the pistol and he pushed his hood off, breathing raggedly as the heat of the place and the crackling fire finally got to him. He looked up to the tall ceiling and wondered if he could sleep after what he'd just witnessed...
He sighed. Sleep and fatigue would overtake him anyway. After that sudden adrenaline rush from the fight, he'd at least have to get some rest. His eyelids fluttered shut despite some protesting from the boy and, within moments, he found himself snoring, sound asleep... Jack and Lara looked at the boy from afar as the British girl stared on at him, surprised. "He didn't even flinch on pulling the trigger, killed 5 or 7 guys... And now he's sound asleep... Just what has this guy gone through that killing like that doesn't even phase him?" She spoke in a whisper, then looked to Jack, who shrugged and answered "I don't know... And I'm not sure what to think of him yet. He's carrying a Russian weapon after all."
"Yeah... But he did help us." Lara calmly responded. She grabbed her canteen from her rig, opened the cap and downed a swig of water, before setting the thing back. Jack nodded, then said "He did... What reason would the kid have to help us?" he mumbled the final question to himself and looked to Adrian, crossing his arms. He then calmly asked "Were we able to get back in contact with Command?"
Lara shook her head "No. I think the Russians severed our radio lines." And Jack sighed, taking his M1 Helmet off and placing it on the table. "That's just great..." He murmured, leaning onto his hands and rubbing his eyes. Lara sighed, then continued "I wouldn't worry though... I'm sure they heard we and Baker took the hit." and she smiled at Jack, to which the boy looked at her and nodded, then said "Yeah... We wouldn't be fighting if it wasn't the case... Thanks, Lara." And he gave her a light smile. He stood up, then sighed, dusted off his thighs and said "I'm gonna head out for a few... Hold the fort down for me."
"Will do." Lara said. She watched Jack walk away into one of the outer rooms of the building and sighed, then leaned on her hand and turned back to the Radios, to try and establish contact again, even though she knew it was futile... She just had to find something to keep herself busy until the Russians committed the first wave. The girl sighed as she got only static, then leaned her head on the table, on her hands to be exact, and sighed. They could all hear the blizzard that had now started outside. The sounds of the rushing wind, the snow hitting the walls and laying onto the ground, compacting... God knew, things were gonna get cold in Alaska, since it was bloody February. Damn Romanian would best not die out of cold...
She looked back. To hell with that thought. He was laying right next to the crackling fire. She leaned against the table and crossed her arms, then cringed, seeing him twitch. Croft looked to the left, to see Bolin and Korra chatting, with Asami joining in, then stood up and walked toward them, grabbing her M1 helmet and holding it by the edge, revealing her short brown hair, which was caught in a bun. The group looked to see her coming and she extended her hands, then asked "What's going on?"
"Talking about Lawrence's plan." Korra said, cradling her rifle. "Am I the only one who agrees with the Romanian on this? We should be pulling back. Let Eisenhower's army deal with retaking Anchorage. We're kids." To which Lara looked to Korra and said "I don' think you wanna go there, Korra. Jack's been doing a lot to keep us alive. If anything, it's thanks to him we're still around."
"She does have a point there." Bolin said, crossing his arms. "He did have a makeshift plan for getting us out... But who can tell if the next one does save us?"
Lara sighed, then shook her head and said "Can we cut the subject? I came here to ask about your supplies, Bolin. Not to debate if our leader is worth the trouble or not. You got everything you need?"
"Morphine, bandages, Ragnaid, syringes for the morphine... Yeah. I've got all the gear I need." Bolin nodded to the British girl. She nodded, then looked to everyone else and asked "How about Ammo? We good on that department?" and everyone nodded. Korra patted her ammo pouches and said "Got plenty of clips to go for the old Springfield." Asami examined her rifle and said "Yeah. Plenty on me as well." And everyone finished the roll call. She nodded, then said "Alright." and left back for her seat. She shot a short glance toward Adrian, who was fast asleep, then walked without saying a word.
He heard it... The thundering blare of the parade music, the sounds of the boots clashing against the concrete... And he saw them... The sight of his country's infantry, rifles in hand as they slowly marched, the tracks rumbling and crackling against the concrete as the tanks rolled in front of him, pride swelling in his chest, patriotism... Something long gone in today's terms. He felt warmth around his hand and looked beside him, to see the girl. Their families were chatting and not looking... She chose to hold his hand...
The two merely smiled at each-other, then continued looking at the parade... The girl's face was a blur... He could only remember faint details... And the snow around them, pure, white. The thousands of people cheering as the Army made headway under the Triumphal Arch... The thunder of aircraft's jet engines as they flew overhead, rotor blades of choppers and the trundle of engines, a cacophony of military noises and pride. Beside pride of being one of them, he felt his heart skip a beat as the girl leaned her head on his shoulder.
Through the drumbeats of the military orchestra, he spoke softly to her, sometimes he made jokes, others he hinted. She smiled, laughed at times... God knew why he felt the way he felt about her. They were friends still, kept in contact through the internet... They were in different high schools however. One could not know what the other was doing... And yet here they were. Friends, talking, close enough to be considered a couple... His feelings must well have been very one-sided... He sighed and said to himself and her "I might be in one of these parades soon..." quite sure of himself
She merely chuckled, unbelieving or unsure, then said, her voice smooth, pleasant "How come?"
He nodded and continued pridefully "I always wanted to be a soldier. It'd be a cool experience, I figure. Alas... Killing's the scary part here."
"That and being killed..." The girl mused, moving a bit closer. Adrian sighed deeply and nodded, sheepish "Yeah... That too."
"Job Hazards... What was that saying a Marine spat out in one of the books you showed me? 'Let's earn some Hazard Pay'..." And the two of them laughed for a bit. He sighed, then said "Well, there's also the rearguard jobs and the ones in your country. Supply Lines, ammo, gear for the Battalion..."
"But you're in it for the adrenaline rush..." She completed, then sighed deeply, then looked to him, weary and scared "You're nearing the age. You'll be 17 soon. Military Stage is just one year away after that... Don't get yourself killed..."
"I don't plan on it. If anything, I'm gonna follow that saying 'Don't die for your country, make them die for theirs'." He responded, and he gave her a reassuring smile as the Humvees of the army passed ahead of him, bearing the tricolor, the Red, Yellow and Blue, as well as machineguns without ammo mounted and pointing upward. The girl chuckled meekly, then said "Alright, Patton. Wake up from your dream and let's keep watching..." And she handed him a pendant "For luck whenever you may need it." to which he nodded and gripped it tightly, then placed it in his Jacket's pocket and said "I'll wear it whenever I'll need it."
"Aww... I wanted to see it on... Ah, Wakeup time..."
Wake up...
WAKE UP!
Adrian's eyes blasted open and he gasped, snapping his head back. He looked ahead, to see Jack sitting in front of him, rifle slung on his back, then said "Good. You're up... Take Mako's place at the guard post. He's gotta rest too." And Adrian nodded, wiping the sweat off his forehead. He stood up, grabbed his gear, strapped it to himself and walked out. He saw Mako sitting behind some Sandbags over which snow had fallen, binoculars in hand, then walked toward him and called "Thunder" to which Mako swiveled about and said "Flash... You my replacement for tonight?"
Adrian nodded and said "Yeah... Go on inside and take a nap. I'll keep us safe." then took Mako's spot and binoculars as the Detroit boy stood up. He patted Adrian on the shoulder, then started walking and said "Take care." As he slung his BAR over his shoulder. Adrian sighed, sat down and placed the weapon by the box he sat on, grabbed the binoculars and looked out at the horizon as snow continued to fall, a bit more dull than when he fell asleep. The boy sighed, then started tapping his foot involuntarily and murmuring to himself "Drum bun, drum bun, Toba bate, drum bun brav român, cu sacul în spate și armele-n mâini... Fie ploi, ninsoare, noi mergem voios..." And he continued singing as he checked his pockets, then found it... Right where he'd left it. Removing the pendant and chain from its pocket, he examined it... It was a locket of the Order of Mihai Viteazul strapped to a chain, as well as a pair of hearts below it, with writing reading in translation 'Apart, but together'. He smiled, then said to it "Acum s-ar putea să am nevoie de noroc... Dumnezeule mare, de-ar fi și ea aici... E mai bine că nu e..." And he sighed, wrapping it around his neck. He tucked it under his shirt, grabbed his rifle, put it on his lap, then continued his watch...
It'd be a long night, indeed...
AN:Up-next, comes the siege of Anchorage to its fullest extent... I guess here we go lads! Hope Heink enjoys seeing his OC and friends suffer through hell here... Well, onward.
Romanian-English translations.
Drum bun, drum bun, Toba bate, drum bun brav român... cu sacul în spate și armele-n mâini. Fie ploi, ninsoare, noi mergem voios...-Godspeed, Godspeed, brave Romanian, Godspeed, with your bag on back and weapons in your hands. In either rain or snow, we happily march on...
Acum s-ar putea să am nevoie de noroc... Dumnezeule mare, de-ar fi și ea aici... E mai bine că nu e...-I may need luck now... Good Lord, if she was here... It's better of she ain't...
