Chapter 14: Bogged Down

Cloud blinked in surprise when he heard the familiar beeps coming from his headset, indicating that his radio batteries had only a few hours of life left. He had changed them less then 12 hours earlier, which should have gave him at least 2 days worth of battery life.

"Three-Niner, 25% through the objective now, out!" His radio buzzed. The tall OC stood crouched next to Cloud, as the two of them observed the battle taking place in front of them. In the early morning air, sound traveled with ease, allowing them to hear every gunshot. A and C company were in the process of assaulting Steel village, which to there surprise was well defended. Even more to their surprise was that the Wutaians had managed to procure firearms, likely from those that had been abandoned the week before by the Shinra guardsmen during their first failed approach to the village. The defenders of the village were pouring indiscriminate fire from their positions in the village onto the attackers as they crossed an open field.

Major Wells raised his binoculars and watched as A company became pinned down from fierce rifle fire as they approached the first few buildings. He grunted in frustration and shifted his gaze to C company, who had penetrated only far enough into the village to secure one hut, and were engaged in a firefight in the streets. Even more worrying was Y company's 1st platoon that he had tasked with destroying a counter-attack force spotted before the initial attack. Just west of the village a small force was observed hiding in the rocky outcropping of a hill feature, covered in large jagged boulders. Major Wells had dispatched 1st platoon to destroy this force to prevent a counter-attack but it was appearing that the men were pinned down and taking heavy casualties during their uphill assault.

"Four-Niner, this is Niner.." The officer said into the handset as he snatched it off Cloud's bag. He paused a moment while he composed himself, "..from my position I can see your assault and it appears to have turned into a complete jug-fuck, send sitrep." He swore over the net, having exhausted his patience.

"Four-Niner!" A voice responded, loud and out of breath, gunfire easily heard in the background. "We've been pinned down and caught in a killzone. We've taken heavy casualties and are in danger of being overrun!"

"For fuck sakes!" The OC yelled angrily, furious that his attack was falling apart. He grabbed the headset again once he'd taken a moment to calm down. "One-niner, this is niner, are you able to peel off a platoon to assist callsign 4 over?" He asked the A company OC.

"...One niner, negative, we're involved in a pretty good fight ourselves here. Over."

Wells turned red in the face before tossing the handset at Cloud."You're all fucking infantrymen! This is your fucking job!" The OC screamed at the men surrounding him, obviously having lost faith in his task force. "Close with and destroy the fucking enemy! Its in the job description and you're fucking failing me!" He continued swearing and grumbling as he stomped around. Cloud looked at sergeant Hutz, the OC's tech, who looked back with the same expression of 'Oh shit'. After several uncomfortable seconds of insulting his men, Wells stopped and looked around at the battlespace. "Alright...on your feet niner's tac..." He said aloud, referring to his personal party of troops. "Looks like we have to bail out Y company, and show them how you conduct a frontal..." The 15 troops all looked at each other, shocked at what they had just heard. After a few seconds of nobody moving, a very unsure sergeant Hutz stood up.

"...On your feet! You heard the major!" He yelled. Cloud jumped up and stared in the direction of the hill they would be attacking, half a kilometer away. It was a scene of a vicious firefight and hand to hand fighting, none of which Cloud wanted any part of.

The group began their hurried dash across open ground to the hill, all the while Hutz organized them into two assault teams. The entire group comprised of Cloud, the OC, the sergeant major, Hutz, another signaller, a medic, the 2/IC, and eight rifleman. Not enough to mount an assault.

"Fix bayonets." The OC called back to the men following him, his words sending a chill up everyone's spine. Cloud pulled out his bayonet and with shaky hands, clipped the cold steel blade onto the muzzle of his rifle. He quickly uttered a prayer to whatever god was listening that he wouldn't have to use it.

The crack of a bullet alerted everyone that they had been seen as the bullet sped past them and dug itself into the ground, spraying dirt all over Hutz.

"We've been spotted! Pick up the pace!" Major Wells shouted as he began sprinting. Cloud was right behind him, struggling to keep up with his heavy radio. They reached the base of the hill unscathed and began weaving around the massive boulders up to 1st platoon. Upon reaching the shattered positions of their comrades, it became apparent that the situation was dire. What remained of 1st platoon was pinned down behind three boulders and were in the process of being outflanked from the left. They were unable to fall back or advance in any way as the Wutaians had intervening fields of fire on them. There were many bodies strewn about the hillside, both Shinra and Wutaian.

Rather then join 1st platoon in getting shot up in the crossfire, Wells decided to push around to the right where the Wutaian position was the least defended. He led his men up the hill, maneuvering and navigating around the large boulders and rocky terrain. The enemy was aware of their movement but Wells managed to stay relatively hidden during the advance. 20 meters away from a Wutaian machine gun position, the group was forced to halt under heavy fire.

"Alright listen up!" Wells screamed over the deafening noise. "Team 1, lay down fire on those gun positions, team 2...we're going to find a way up there." He ordered on the fly as the men crouched behind the rocks for cover. "Wait for my command...Strife...Hutz.." He said turning to the two of them. "Get a grenade ready." Cloud reached into his webbing and pulled out the round explosive and looked back at his officer. "Alright get ready...covering fire!" He yelled at team 1. The 8 men exposed themselves to the withering fire and began returning it. "Now!" Wells yelled at Cloud. He and Hutz pulled the pin of their grenades and tossed them as hard as they could.

"Frag out!" They yelled out in unison.

"Heads down!" Wells screamed as he ducked. The grenades exploded with a thunderous roar, filling the air with smoke and dust. "Lets go!" Wells jumped up and vaulted over the large rock he was hiding behind and charged up the hill into the smoke. Cloud dropped his radio bag as he ran after the man, not wanting to die with the cursed bag on his back. It was inspiring to watch his leader do just that..lead, Cloud thought to himself before turning back to the fact that he was charging a machine gun. Major Wells was the first at the enemy position and he dispatched the crew with a long burst from his rifle. "Come on! Lets keep going!" He called to his men, as the team began bounding. One by one they cleared out the Wutaian murder holes, sometimes resorting to using their bayonets. Cloud's heart was pounding as he followed closely behind Hutz. It was almost unbelievable that they had managed this assault without any casualties yet. Running past several dead enemy, Cloud took note that they all carried Shinra rifles, without a doubt taken from his dead comrades.

"High right!" Hutz called out an enemy contact as the team moved towards the last murder hole. At least a dozen spear wielding Wutaians barreled down upon them from the top of the hill. The Wutaians were running down a narrow path, which funneled directly at the guardsmen. Hutz fire two rounds at the group before his weapon clicked empty. He swore and quickly began a magazine change while the OC raised his weapon and fired into the rushing enemy. The first few fell to the ground as bullets tore through them, but the ones behind had time to throw their spears. Cloud was unable to react in time and one of the spears struck him in the gut. He doubled over at the force of the spear knocked him down. He felt no pain, only terror as the screaming Wutaians sprinted towards him to finish him off. With one hand holding the spear sticking out of his stomach and one had on his pistol grip, he flipped the fire selector to automatic and leaned back on the trigger. The long burst decimated his target, shredding the mans torso and face. He was merely pushed out of the way by the man behind him who proceeded to lunge at Cloud. He intended to grasp the spear and force it farther into Cloud but the guardsmen tilted the wooden stake out of the Wutaian's way. With his magazine empty, Cloud thrust his rifle at the enemy warrior, the bayonet piercing his chest and wedging itself in his ribs. His rifle was torn from his hands as the man collapsed in shock, his rifle still jammed in his chest. He fell directly next to Cloud and immediately grabbed at the boy, managing to grab a handful of his shirt. His eyes were wide with fury and burning hatred, desperate to kill the invader of his land. Cloud used his free hand to search for anything that could be used as a weapon. His fingers touched a large rock which he quickly grabbed. He raised it high and heard a large snap, realizing he had broke the thin spear. With a loud yell he brought it down on the Wutaian's head, causing a large deep cut. The man appeared only dazed but the second, third, and fourth blows caved the man's skull and he lay twitching. Cloud dropped the bloody rock and looked at his grim work. Gray matter and bits of bloody bone were splattered across the ground. He instantly vomited before yanking his rifle free. Reaching down for a fresh magazine, he noticed that the spear tip had pierce his magazine pouch and had become stuck in one of his magazines. Putting in a new magazine, he looked around the violent scene and shot dead a Wutaian wrestling with Hutz. The narrow trail the Wutaians had charged down was now a bloody mess, and the ground the guardsmen occupied was just as unsightly.

"Thanks Strife..." Hutz thanked out of breath as he picked himself up. Cloud nodded to him as they both looked around to make sure all the Wutaians were dead. "Oh shit..." Hutz swore when he noticed the OC. Cloud jumped up and ran over with Hutz to their commander. He was lying on his back with a spear sticking out of his throat. He was barely conscious and there was a massive pool of blood around him. "Sir!" Hutz leaned down next to the dying man and looked on helplessly, knowing he was too far gone. Cloud frowned as he stood looking down at his OC. The man lay there looking up at the sky struggling to breathe, having excepted his fate. He looked more tired then in pain, probably glad that he would no longer have to worry about his cursed task force.

The firing died down on the hill as the last of the enemy positions was destroyed, but the battle for the village still raged on. Cloud turned his attention to the village and thought of Claire and Pete, hoping them both okay. When he looked back at major Wells, the man had ceased breathing and stared blankly upward. Hutz shook his head and stood up and turned to Cloud, who was covered in blood. "He's gone." Cloud nodded slowly, feeling slightly saddened at his death. The man was arrogant and didn't always treat his men with the most respect, but he was a leader nonetheless and showed he had more courage then most in his final moments. "You alright? Thought I saw you take a spear to the gut there..." Hutz asked as he checked his weapon.

"I'm..I'm fine. I never killed anyone before..." He admitted, trailing off. Hutz gave a slight smile and put a hand on his shoulder.

"You did good." He told the younger man. "Now go grab your radio. Let's get off this fucking hill."

Thanks everyone for reading, drop a review if you have the time. Still lots to come