Extraction was never the easiest part. Helicopters are fast and agile, but they are easily seen. And Wherever they are going the enemy is sure to follow in a big hurry. Just before dawn we left the safe house and moved south along the cliff about a mile. There was a clearing just big enough to land a single helicopter. Jack and I sunk our zodiac only the day before on the cliff on the opposite side of the beach. The vertical distance offered great cover from any soldiers housed down near the beach. The house we used for cover offered decent sight-lines and was really our best choice.
The first rays of sunlight just began peeking over the city down into the water bringing the clear bright water back from the day before. The horizon was still dark but 2 dark figures stood our in the sky. Slowly growing larger our rides were on there way. In a few minutes we would all be on our toward the Generals yacht and his waiting helipad.
The lead bird swung high over the city and I could see the gunners lean out to get a better look at the city and find any potential targets. It was only a few seconds until I could hear the helicopter exchanging fire with the fighters below. The second helicopter came in low and landed quickly.
My rifle was cold through my gloves. Gripping tightly I toggled my thumb on the selector switch. First from safe to semi-automatic, them to fully automatic. Signalling for Preston, Liz, and Macey to go I leaned around the house.
"Covering!"
They were everywhere. As soon as I moved shots were ringing out, whistling and popping past me. Firing back at as many enemies as I could only seemed to make their accuracy get better and better. Dirt was flying at my feet. Bullets ripped holes in the stucco exterior of the house right next to me. Flinching, my weapon now empty I retreated back into cover.
Holding on the houses corner I started reloading. The helicopters port gunner unloaded with his M134 minigun. Firing past us anyone in his sights never made it around the corner. Having successfully loaded Preston, Liz and Macey, the pilot lifted off.
The lead helicopter swung around and was on its approach. This port gunner let out a huge volley of fire before they even landed. Loading a fresh magazine I released the bolt and signaled Bex and Cammie. Working together Jack and I provided as much protection as we could with the little remaining ammunition we had.
"Covering!"
Jack stood and reloaded. Backing away from the house he made his run for the helicopter. When my magazine emptied I pulled back and threw in my last one. Jack firing from the helicopter provided my opening. Pushing off from the house I backed toward the helicopter, rifle ready to return fire. The warlords fighters were using cars and trees as cover. Twitching right I squeeze the trigger as an enemy wielding a Belgian FN FAL jumps out from behind a tree.
POP!
Click.
Malfunction.
Just what I needed. Not having time I drop my left arm from the trigger on my rifle as my right arm lowers the rifle to my side. With a single motion I grip my pistol and draw.
Firing again. Time stretched out further as I near the helicopter.
POP! POP!
Squeezing the trigger again and again, I refuse to give anyone the chance to stop me. My leg touches metal and I take a final step. The slide locks back on my pistol, and we lift off out to sea.
With a few full pistol mags left I load, put the weapon on safe, and holster it back on my leg. With the Generals yacht coming into view I look down at my rifle to check the malfunction. There isn't a round in the chamber.
Failure to Feed.
I drop the magazine and find a bullet hole straight through.
"It's good your vest took the brunt of that."
I looked confused at the door gunner until Bex, who was sat next to me pointed to the hole in the fabric covering my vest.
The General was waiting on deck as each chopper dropped off those on board. Everyone headed inside. Jack and I were the last to disembark. The General greeted both of us offering his praise and his utmost gratitude. Grabbing Jack around the shoulder he walked inside. I heard something about heading back to Italy and something about a particular Baroness. I stood on the Helipad watching the inky black sky swallow the helicopters.
The door opened behind me and wordlessly Zack joined me. After a few minutes we shook hands.
"Nice work." He turned to go back inside and stopped to hold the door open for me.
Inside the General was waiting. Everyone else seemingly gone to their own business.
"This group is pretty special. As you no doubt have noticed. They are from different government branches yet they work as a team. Since most agencies barely even acknowledge each others existence this is a very unique situation. They have a great deal of autonomy and strictly work special cases. Even through all this, even knowing their skill level they still have parents that worry about them. Powerful parents. We do what we can to help them and feel you and Jack are the next 2 puzzle pieces. I know they are slow to open up, but we will help with that as best we can. You are effective in the field with them, and even Zack seems to get along with you. I want both you and Jack to take as much time as you need."
With that the General headed down stairs. I stripped my armor off and got the first good look at where I was shot. If the plate didn't stop the round I would be missing a good chunk of a lung. Even with a heavy ballistic plate it still felt like several ribs were bruised, some might have even been broken.
"That must have been a pretty good hit." Zack eyed the hole left in the broken magazine and the torn plate carrier.
Thinking back there wasn't any jarring stand out moment. It didn't hurt until I was made aware on the flight back. Only then did the pain set in.
"I always thought I would remember being shot."
Zack smiled.