Part 12 – Helicopters, Trains & Explosions – Part 1
"This is being called Operation Triple Seven," Major Guy said to the assembled squad, "After the Denzel Washington and Chris Pine movie," the group chuckled as Guy clicked the slide-show remote, to show the picture of the train "This is KMR 4999, the big bastard is an ES40DC diesel locomotive that runs on the tracks between the towns of Masene and Silulu. For those of you that don't know, that's almost half the country. If they unleash this, it could bring any advance we make to a halt, or worse, if we take a town from the KMR, they could destroy any force we send to occupy the town. Our next mission is to destroy this thing," Guy turned toward Sasuke, "Captain Hyūga if you would."
"Thank you, Major," Neji said before stepping up to the front of the room, "This operation is a three-pronged assault. Each stage of the assault will be split amongst our three units," he pointed at Guy, "The Major will be in charge of Red Team," he pointed at himself, "I will be in charge of Blue Team," he then pointed at Sasuke, "And Lieutenant Uchiha will be in charge of Green Team."
"Get a greenhorn to manage Green Team," one of Neji's subordinates said, making a side comment.
"I heard that," Neji said, "And I'm already planning disciplinary action."
"Sorry, sir," the subordinate said.
"As I was saying before I was interrupted," Neji said, "Our operation is going to take place between the three teams, "We will be dropped at three different infiltration points," Neji clicked his own remote which showed the operating area, "Red Team will be dropped in from the west, Blue Team, the east, and Green Team, the south. Once we arrive at the yard, our objective will be extraction. Unfortunately, there's only one way to do that," Neji pointed at the train, "On that train."
There was commotion in the room as the soldiers were wondering how that was going to work before Guy got their attention back, "This mission is high risk," he said, "But they chose our three teams based on a few variables: one, our three teams have high mission success rates, have similar training, and we all three participated in the invasion," he turned toward Sasuke, "Lieutenant Uchiha, your turn."
"Major," Sasuke said as he nodded, and turned toward the group, "When we get inside the yard, we have three objectives. One: neutralize the guards. Two: secure the train. And three: Secure any intelligence we can find. After that, we climb onto the train with whatever we find, and proceed to our extraction zone," he clicked on his own clicker and showed the route they had to take, through two occupied towns, before arriving at an open area about a two hour journey from the station.
"Good shit," one of Guy's men said.
"Exactly," Sasuke said, "I know it's not ideal, but it's what we have to work with. The two towns we're traveling through have robust anti-air defenses, so there's no way we'd be able to exfil anywhere near the station. And before you ask if we can exfil in the opposite direction, I'd like to remind you all that we'll be almost in the very center of a country we're invading, and if we go any further, any extraction they send would be in danger of being shot down. Me, the Major, and the Captain have weighed all options, and we believe that this area may be our only way out."
"Forgive me for saying so," one of the soldiers said, "But while passing through those towns, you didn't think they'll notice us?"
"They'll notice us alright," Sasuke said, "And that's the point," everyone looked at each other like he was crazy, "We want to show these little green bastards that everything is vulnerable. Even their 'super weapons'. We pull this off, it'll be a tactical and psychological victory. This train has enough armaments to make sure anyone they send after us won't be for long," Sasuke turned toward Guy, "Major."
"Thank you, Lieutenant," Guy said, "Responsibilities will be split evenly among the three groups. Once Green Team neutralizes the tower guards and those on the south side, Blue Team will neutralize the guards on the east side, then Red Team will neutralize the guards on the west side. We will then advance on the trainyard, eliminate any interior guards we can find, and signal the other teams to move in. After the other teams move in, Blue Team will secure any munitions while Red Team will wire the train yard with explosives, and Green Team will get the train ready to move. From there the objective is simple, Green Team will keep the train moving while Blue Team and Red Team defend against any attacks they send at us. Any questions?"
"We know anything about the number of hostiles will be on sight," one of Guy's soldiers asked.
"Intel suggests anywhere from thirty to forty," Guy said, "They'll likely be armed with compact rifles, SMGs, and shotguns."
"Fortifications," another asked.
"The perimeter wall is manned by a machinegun team on each corner," Guy said, "Plus one in the center which makes the area a kill zone unless Blue Team can eliminate them first."
"What do we do with the intel we find on sight," another asked.
"We take it with us," Guy said, "Anything important that we find on target we take with us. Anything else?"
"There is one more thing," the one that raised the 'greenhorn' comment said, "I'm going to ask what we're all wanting to ask. Why is it that Green Team gets the job of piloting the train, while the other two teams are defending them?"
"Same reason they're taking care of the towers," Guy said as he gestured for the team to stand up, "The Lieutenant and these four men are the total sum of all members of their unit that are on base. If there were any more, we'd bring them along, and maybe the roles would be reversed, but because their unit is scattered among the multiple other bases we have all over the world, they're all we have. Within a few months, we'll have a few more teams on base, and the roles perhaps will be reversed. Plus we need two men manning the engine, one man keeping track of our location, and one in constant contact with command."
"And what of the fifth," the same soldier asked.
"The fifth will be here on base," Guy said, "Four men in the field, and the fifth working intelligence. Anything else."
"We taking the same plane," Naruto asked.
"Thankfully, no," Guy said, "Anyone else," no one answered, "Alright, get some chow, get some rest, wheels up, tonight 2350. Dismissed."
As the soldiers left the briefing area and walked toward the mess hall, one of the soldiers from Neji's platoon walked next to Sasuke, "Why do they have to be like that," he asked.
"Come again," Sasuke asked.
"Many of the men from the Major's squad don't seem to trust you," the soldier said.
"I'm a Tiefling," Sasuke said, "Many of my people are either in organized crime or other nefarious activities."
"Dumb thing to pay attention to," the soldier said, "I saw what you did with this base, and I'm impressed."
Sasuke looked over, "Thanks," he said as he held out his hand, "Sasuke Uchiha."
The soldier looked over at Sasuke and shook his hand, "Kiba," he said, "Kiba Inuzuka."
"What position do you fill on the unit," Sasuke asked.
"Dog handler," Kiba said, "Akamaru helps our team sniff out explosives, narcotics, weapons, you name it."
"We've never had a dog handler," Sasuke said, "We have a few members of our unit that have dogs, but not our team."
"I think you'd enjoy it," Kiba said as they entered the mess tent.
Subsistence in the military hasn't changed all that much, chipped beef on toast, chicken, powdered mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, and no alcohol. You've gotta love General Order Number 1 right?
As they were eating, Naruto posed a question, "You think we'll be able to pull this off with the general distrust they have for us," he asked.
"We're working with two officers who know us," Sasuke said, "Not only that, you're married to the cousin of one of their units' leaders," he then pointed to Rock, "And this one was taught by the overall commander of the operation."
"It's not the soldiers I'm concerned about," Naruto said, "It's the way they'll react to the plan. We're responsible for clearing the way for Blue Team's snipers, which in turn clears the way for Red Team. Then we're responsible for actually getting all three teams to safety. We get one of them that doubts us even a small bit, it'll be our fault if one of them gets killed because they don't trust us."
"That's why we have to do our best during our phase of the operation," Sasuke said, "The plan was created by me, Neji, and Guy. If we pull this off, they'll trust us more, and that in turn can save us from problems like that in the future."
"I still don't know about this one," Naruto said, "We'll have to be on top of our game for this one."
"I know," Sasuke said, "It'll also be an opportunity to show them what we can do."
"Then let's make sure we get good results," Naruto said.
That night…
As the teams were preparing their weapons, Guy walked up to Sasuke, "Lieutenant," he said.
"Major, sir," Sasuke said.
"Can I sit here," he asked as he pointed to the spot next to Sasuke.
"Please," Sasuke said.
Guy was carrying a suppressed MK48 with an EOTech sight HHS Green hybrid sight, "The men seem to be ready to go," Guy said as he laid his LMG across his lap.
"Some of them at least," Sasuke said, "Your boys bring along enough explosives to disable the yard?"
"My friend, we'll be bringing more than enough," Guy said, "The question is whether or not we can keep the explosives from damaging the tracks or the train as we're setting off."
"I have faith in you and your men," Sasuke said as he tightened the screws keeping his rifle sights to the rail.
"Which is more than I can say about them and you," Guy said.
"It's a given," Sasuke said, "I did have a nice conversation with one of the men from Neji's squad."
"I still find it a little weird, you calling Captain Hyūga Neji," Guy said.
"A lot of people do," Sasuke said, "How are things with your boys?"
"Alright," Guy said, "They should do their job well."
"That's not what I meant," Sasuke said.
"I know," Guy said, "You don't have to worry about them. Assignments like these usually have a way of playing themselves out. I know what command has had you boys doing since you joined. With General White as Base Commander, I think you guys will finally have the chance you need."
"I'm just glad you're helping us with that chance," Sasuke said as he gave Guy a gentle nudge on the shoulder.
"Same," Guy said before he looked down at his watch, "Time's up," he held out his hand, "Good luck."
"See you at the yard," Sasuke said as he stood up.
"Alright kids, mount up," Guy exclaimed as he started walking toward the plane.
As the units climbed into the back of the C-130 they would be taking, it was clear Guy's team had planned for this because there were designated areas for each team marked out in the seating area.
Guy's team had the majority of the seating (to be fair, they did have the most soldiers), Neji's team had the far right section of seating while Sasuke's team was relegated to the area above the main sitting area where there were no seats.
"You have to love squadron superiority," Naruto said as he began climbing the ladder to their section.
"Drop it," Sasuke said, "Complaining won't do anything about it."
"You're right," Naruto said as he turned around to give Sasuke a hand up, "Let's hope this mission does."
"Amen, brother," Sasuke said.
To be continued…