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O. K. …... Here we go...…...

Chapter 26

A Hero's Choices

1458 – Unknown Location - Afghanistan

The gunfire died down and it was eerily quiet. Elvis knew it was not over. They were waiting to see what he would do next…..if he were even still alive….that was one thing they did not know for certain. He had himself positioned with a good line of vision to their whereabouts. He estimated at least five of them, that was typical for their patrols and these woods would be crawling with hostiles. Elvis could hear the combat search and rescue helicopter and that meant so could the enemy. He squinted and peered intently through his rifle scope, scanning this way and that to assess the entire perimeter. The helo was getting closer and Elvis caught sight of movement on the left. He sharpened the lens on the scope as he dialed the image in closer.

"Fuck! I knew it!" He hissed. "Ain't 'appenin mate!" He said coldly, slowly wagging his head. An insurgent crept away from the brush and Elvis could sense the others would provide cover for him. If he shot at the guy his position would be pinned. He watched as the man crouched down again and when he stood, was now armed with an RPG. Elvis' jaw clenched tightly…..that bastard was going to attempt to engage the helo. "The fuck ya are!" Elvis seethed. He threw what some would call caution to the wind and fired a grenade in the enemies' direction and in so doing he was able to move out and follow the RPG toter. He advanced backwards, then cut off to the left in pursuit. His opponents showered the bushes and timber with bullets but missed their marks. The SAS commander was lithe and moved easily over the wooded terrain. He fought back the nagging pain from his ribs as he closed the distance between himself and the target. Now, each side alternated between being prey and predator. Elvis had no firm idea how many were injured by his grenade, but he had no time to reckon it. He had to prevent the bastard from bringing down the helo and his men in the process. Elvis would absolutely not allow his team to be captured…..or worse….be killed. Zero options here….. The enemy had to be taken down. He tried to make radio contact with Spanner as he jogged along, but was having difficulty hearing if he was being read or not.

Two insurgents had survived contact with the SAS commander, one now charging with the RPG, the other hell bent on bringing Elvis down.

Xxxxx

1510 - Calamari zero five niner - Afghanistan

"We can't leave him here!" Jackson shouted as the helo began to hover overhead and descend.

"I know! He ordered us out!" Spanner shouted back.

"Fuck the order!"

"If you get killed! He'll kill me and you all over again! Now move!" Spanner shouted vehemently, hating every word that came out of his mouth.

The combat rescue helo hovered as close to the ground as possible. The lads had to literally climb on board. It was far too dangerous to attempt extractions via rope or harness. The rescue had a narrow window of opportunity. The team had to move quickly. Spunky climbed aboard first, no safer than the two on the ground and they all knew it. Jackson followed and desperately tried to make radio contact with his captain.

"Echo one. This is foxtrot three do you read me? Over." He shouted above the din of the whirling blades and engine. Spanner stood back as Spunky reached a hand down.

"I'm goin after him!" He shouted and just as he was about to duck away, he was struck in the shoulder with a bullet and pitched forwards. Spunky and Jackson both lunged for him as a second shot struck his thigh, and just before he went down, his brothers in arms grabbed hold and hoisted him aboard. The transport gunner showered the perimeter with machine gun fire. Spanner was completely disgusted with himself and winced at the red hot pain in his shoulder. The pilot quickly began to elevate.

"No! Ya can't leave! Stop!! Our boss is still down there!" Spanner shouted with authority and desperation.

"Turn this fuckin thing around!" Jackson yelled.

"Sorry. No can do! Extraction time completed. You guys nuts? It's a fucking hot zone down there!" The pilot announced.

"Who the fuck is in charge 'ere?" Spunky yelled.

Spanner's eyes never left the ground. He hoped he would catch sight of Elvis…..

Suddenly the insurgent armed with the RPG made an appearance between the foliage.

"RPG!" Spanner shouted . As the enemy hoisted the weapon onto his shoulder, and as the gunner repositioned to fire….the attacker suddenly dropped to the ground. The pilot tilted the helo and turned away.

"No!" Go back!" Spanner shouted. He never saw Elvis but knew his boss was the one to bring the insurgent down…. He saved their lives…..

The three SAS operatives heard the pilot's call back to base.

"Extraction complete. Need medic support ASAP on arrival. One injured. One MIA. Over."

One MIA! …The three elite soldiers pondered that and how they would get back to their boss….and mate.

Xxxxx

1530 - Unknown Location - Afghanistan

Elvis had no time to relax. He looked up and watched the transport fly away. The only comfort was knowing that his team got out alive. As far as he was concerned, he was in the shit. His hearing was still somewhat dimmed by the blast, but he knew he heard rustling amongst the foliage. "Nah. Today's not my day." He said and gathered his gear, eyes vigilant…it was time for escape and evasion.

Xxxxx

1545 - Bagram Air Base - Afghanistan

The medics had a brief respite in their day. No one had been called out for the last hour. They were enjoying light refreshments, feet propped on desks and a poker game was proving lively.

"Scramble…scramble…..scramble… Incoming combat rescue, one bravo on board. ETA one click. Reported gunshot wound to left shoulder and left posterior thigh. Wheels down in ten."

Combat rescue! Georgie's heart dropped to the pit of her stomach. Was it Elvis finally coming home? She shot up from her seat and clutched her chest, then her hands came together prayerfully as her fingers touched against her lips. Was Elvis the injured one? She all but pushed everyone else out of the way to get through the doorway and head towards the medevac helipad. Sargent Sanders appeared right next to her.

"Let someone else intercept corporal." He said.

"What?!" Georgie was taken off guard.

"Sit this one out."

Georgie's eyes narrowed. They both watched the helo touchdown as Najib and Glynnis made straight away to intercept. Georgie watched as two camo clad soldiers disembarked, their kits striking a chord deep in her heart. Those two soldiers, Glynnis and Najib carried a third person on a stretcher. He was bare chested and covered in a trauma blanket. For a moment Georgie relaxed and told herself she was mistaken. This was not Elvis and his team returning, there were only three men, until they came closer and she recognized Jackson and Spunky….her blood ran cold.

Then her eyes focused on the injured one…the beard!...It was Spanner! She began to tremble inside. Where was Elvis? She ran to them. Sanders could not stop her…

"Where's Elvis?!" Georgie said grabbing Jackson's arm. He looked at her. She had never seen him like this.

"We're going back…." Was all he said. Reserved….quiet…..Jackson….but his eyes gave away his emotion. Georgie froze. Her hand dropped from his arm. Her head swiveled back towards the mountains…her beautiful face utterly stricken.