"Lieutenant Commander, what is your status?" she asked in the radio.
"We'd appreciate that air support," she heard Eric say amidst the gunshots. "Davis, siege protocol is confirmed."
She took the other radio. "Strife, Zion, this is TOC, what is your ETA?"
"TOC this is Zion, we are 3 mikes out."
"Copy that Zion."
She took again the other radio. "Havoc this is TOC, please be advised that air support is 3 mikes out."
"TOC this is Havoc, copy."
"General, I would like to give the 'go' to Super Stallion and Medevac. We have a breach situation. Even if our men get control of the situation, the base is comprised, Sir."
Goodwin looked at her and nodded. "Initiate Exfil, Captain."
She in turn nodded. "Yes, Sir."
The Blackhawks finally reached their target and started to shoot at the hostiles that were outside of the base as well as destructing the jeeps and the heavy artillery and MDWs.
The men inside the base continued to engage. Their offensive line had been pushed back dramatically but with the air support, the teams that had been on the South wall of the base, were able to come and assist and finally they got the upper hand after another twenty minutes of close combat.
"TOC, this is Havoc. Situation is under control. I repeat situation is under control."
Everyone at Command Ops gave a sigh of relief. Goodwin and Lindell turned towards Emily.
"Good job Captain. Now let's bring out men home."
Emily nodded and took the radio.
"Havoc, this is TOC. Exfil and Medevac are on route. ETA is one hour. Do we have any casualties within our own or ally militants?"
She was desperately in the need of an answer. She still didn't know what Sonny's status was.
"There are casualties and injured. I'll send a status report shortly."
"Copy that Havoc. We are bringing you home."
"Copy that TOC," replied Eric as he looked around, "over and out."
Emily sat down in a chair and put her head in her hands. The adrenaline dying down, she was tired and wiped out.
She felt a hand on her shoulder, and she looked up, it was Lindell. "I wish I could have done more, Captain."
"Captain, you did everything you could. It couldn't have played out different given the situation. Don't be too hard on yourself. Sometimes it's a win even when it doesn't appear to be."
"Thank you, Sir," she said as she gave a nod.
Inevitably, the drone was called back, and they no longer had eyes. As Exfil and Medevac arrived on site, Shawn walked into Command Ops. He headed to where Emily was sitting near the radio.
"You know the entire base is talking about how you've handled this situation with excellence."
Zack walked over to them and handed a document to Emily.
She took it and scanned it as she flipped the pages. It was two pages long. She looked at the list of names of the injured and the KIA. She clenched her jaws as she put the pages on the desk.
"I doubt their families will agree," she answered Shawn as she headed towards the door.
Shawn looked at the documents then back at Emily who was walking out. There hadn't been many KIA, but it was nevertheless too many.
