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Chapter 42
Good god its hot today. I guess I can't really complain, I mean it is a desert out here after all. The only difference is that it's literally like a desert out here. At least back at the pit we had some foliage to go with the scenery, but this place is nothing but sand, more sand, and lots of rocks and mountain ranges. I think the forecast for today was supposed to be nice and clear with a brisk temperature of 110 degrees.
Once again, I'm out on a mission here in the fine country of Saudi Arabia. And once again its not just me and few Joe's. Nope it's a pretty big operation here. Our task is pretty simple just defend the oil fields and pipe lines from Cobra.
Unlike that last mission, in Central America which we where there for a day or so. This mission is for the long haul. I've already been here for a month or so, with small skirmishes here and there. So, it was no brainer that I chose to take my most reliable rifles of the AS50 and the M110. As for my battle uniform, that changed as well. I was given a more desert camo looking uniform. Which was great since it looks that I could easily blend into the back ground.
It was the same for everyone else. Speaking of which practically everyone I know was on this mission as well. The only thing that I was doing differently today was that I was on tank driving duty. Cover girl decided that it was high time that I should get in some driving practice in. So obviously she chose me to drive, while she and a few crew members rode along. Basically, I was in the front leading a column of tanks and other vehicles through the desert. Our mission for today was to secure an oil field at some place that I couldn't even pronounce.
The only comfort I got from this tank, was that it at least had air conditioning. Yet I was in the driver seat going about forty to miles per hour. As always when I'm driving I always have my coms clear and my perimeter sensors on. I did have the option of opening my hatch to take a look outside. Yet the dry heat and beating sun kept me from doing so.
Yet it still was pretty dame awesome that I was driving a M.B.T. Mauler. Driving this thing was much like driving a car. I had to concentrate on the terrain ahead and keep an eye on my gauges. The only thing that sucked was that I couldn't play any music. Which I really wanted too by the way.
My Kickass meditation teacher Jinx got me this sweet mp3 player with ear phones. She thought it would help me relax and meditate while on missions when I have down time. Yet it also had a feature that I could use to hook up to the radio in the tank. Much like Strike, Jinx is a really nice lady. So, I made an extra effort in her sessions, while I also try to figure out a nice thank you gift for her.
I've been driving for a few hours now with no incidents so far. Yet when we made it over a large hill, Cover girl order me to stop and keep the engine idle. I guess she got some communications from Duke to hold for a few minutes while they get their bearings straight. I was ok to say the least for it.
I took this time to pop open my top hatch to get a breath of fresh air. After all being cooped up in a tank for hours, while breathing cool ac air with the slight smell of diesel would drive anyone crazy. Of course, my cover was on at all times, which was my helmet.
At least I didn't have to squint my eyes since the sun was on our backside. I over look the area noticing the barren look of red dirt, with a few mountains in the distance. There were some plants as well, but mostly dried up brush with no leaves that I could see. I just had about enough of this unforgiving heat and was about to duck my head in and close my hatch, till I saw a small flash in the distance.
From the looks of it, it seemed that the sun was reflecting itself on a small piece of crystal or a can for all I know. Yet my curiosity got the best of me. I was now drawn to this small flash of light. I pulled out my tactical binoculars and started to focus on the object in the distance. I switched the lens to a light tint so I wouldn't go blind looking at it.
From what I could tell, it was not rock or crystal, or a can. Nope it looked like a small peg sticking out of the dirt. I sat there looking at it wondering what it was. When I got bored with it I just chose to look at somewhere else. Yet oddly enough I found another one just like it. In total I saw about twenty of these things scatter around at maybe five to seven feet apart. For all I know they could've been part of some plant or maybe someone was littering. And I don't joke about the littering part. I've seen some VIP locals drive out here in the desert in their Custom-built luxury jeeps. I mean it's their country I guess they could do what they want. Well I guess the rich kind could.
Yet in the back of my mind, something was telling me that I should be cautious. That is until I get call. "Reaper come in. Reaper do you copy?"
"Uh I'm sorry Cover girl yes, I copy."
"Breaks over Reaper lets move on out and keep at 40."
"Roger that Cover girl," I said back to her. I was about to close my hatch and start driving, until that feeling of being cautious dug into me even more. I quickly make a request to Cover-girl who is the commander in the very M.B.T that I'm in. "Cover-girl can you run a quick scan over the terrain for me please."
"Why, what's wrong Reap."
"It's just that I want to make sure we don't run into anything out here."
"Copy that Reap, we'll run a quick scan."
The scanner on this tank was pretty awesome, at least in my opinion. It could pick any boogies within a span of twenty miles.
Cover girl who was sitting in the command chair was waiting on her radar/radio tech to finish up on the quick scan so they could get moving. "It's all clear ma'am, nothing but clear sailing."
"Copy that, thanks Peterson. All right Reap radar hasn't pick up anything, so we are clear to go," Cover girl stated.
"You sure about that Cover girl?"
"Yes, I am sure about that Reap, now let's move it we got a schedule to keep."
"Copy that."
Again, I was about to close my hatch and start up the tank, yet that feeling that something's not right kept getting at me. So, I just ask again knowing that I was going get scolded at. "Cover girl come in."
"Yes, Reap what is it."
"Are you sure the scanners didn't pick up anything."
"Yes, I'm sure. Now let's get going," cover girl said annoyingly.
"Can you check just one more time?"
"NO, we can't check again. Look Reap we are on a tight schedule, now move your ass."
"I just don't understand how the scanners didn't pick up those things outside. "
"What things Reaper, I'm looking outside myself and I don't see a god dame thing!"
"Ma'am Duke is on the com asking what the holdup is."
Cover girl sighs out loud yet still answers on. "Tell him I'm working on it."
"Roger that ma'am."
On her private link to her driver she is about to blow her stack. "Look Reaper we got get to coordinates before sun down, so start it up and get moving."
"But I'm telling you Cover girl something is out there, I just don't understand how you don't see those stems outside. It's clear as daylight if you ask me."
"Look Reap I'm looking outside just like you and I don't see anything but dirt, dried bushes, and rocks. What the hell are you looking at!?"
"Ma'am," Peterson ask again, only to be rebuffed by Cover girl yelling to him.
"WHAT!?"
"It's Duke ma'am."
Cover girl regains her composer only to respond on the com. "This is Cover girl."
"Cover girl what's the hold up, why aren't we moving?"
"Sorry its just that Reap just has some sort of break down, I don't know."
"What do you mean?"
"Well he keeps telling me that he is seeing something out there, even though I ran a scan through the area finding no bogeys. Don't worry I'm going to get him out of there and I'll drive myself."
"That won't be necessary Cover girl, Low-Light is on his way up to you."
"Copy that Duke." Cover girl then orders the crew to stand fast.
She once again pokes her head out to the top of the hatch. Again, she looks over to Mark only to notice that he fixated that something is out there. She looks into her own binoculars just to see what Mark is looking at, only to nod her head thinking that something is wrong with him.
It wasn't long when Low-Light finally came to her tank in the front of the convoy. Finally, he'll put an end to what's bugging Mark at ease so we can finally get to where we are going. Only to her something was different. Instead they kept talking to each other. Till she finally sees Low-Light holding out his rifle aiming at something.
"Yeah, I see what you're talking about Reap, I see it too. Are there anymore of these things out there."
"As a matter of fact, Low-Light I found around twenty of them scatter about no less than five to seven feet apart." Again, Mark looks over to Low-Light who is just focus on looking on the mysterious object. "What do you think it is Low-Light?"
"I can't say for sure Reap, but I got to radio it in to Duke on your findings. Just sit tight ok." Low-light walks towards the back of the tank only to com in to Duke.
"Duke you copy?"
"I copy Low-Light what's on Reaps mind?"
"I think we have a potential mine field a head of us. I won't know for sure unless we pop off a round to set one off."
"By all means Low-Light do what you must."
"Roger that Duke."
Low-Light headed back unslinging his M40 getting into firing position, while using the M.B.T. as an apparatus to line up his shot. He was about to do it, until he sees Reap just looking out to the target. He sighs a bit inside only to look over to Reaper again. "Hey Reap, why don't you take the shot."
Mark looks over to Low-Light saying, "are you sure it's your rifle sergeant."
"I'm very sure Reap, you found it so I think you should have first crack at it."
"Well only if you want me to then Sergeant."
I quickly unstrap myself from my driver's seat and started to get up a bit out of the tank. So, I could get in a comfortable spot. And as always, my instinct took over as it lines up the shot at hand. I know for sure it was aiming dead center on the stem at hand. And without moments too soon, I pop off the first round to it.
Of course, when it hit dead on, I wasn't expecting anything like this. It was an explosion all right, but this one was a really powerful and a really hot. From the looks of it the explosion it went straight up. And second it had to have some kind of gasoline or something that gave it those fiery orange flames that came out of it. I mean we are at least a 100 if not 200 yards away from it and I can really feel the heat of this thing on my face. Not enough to cause a burn, but none the less it's pretty dame hot. "God dame, I wasn't expecting that," I said out loud. My tank commander Cover girl was even ducking for cover after that explosion since she was cursing out loud. Then I look over to Low-Light expecting a grin of approval that I was right about this mystery bomb, instead he had a look of seriousness on his face. I was about to say what's up when instead he started to sound off to Duke on his com.
"It's just as I expected it Duke, Cobra laid out some infernos for us as a trap."
"Reap's got a good eye then. If that's the case then Cobra will most likely hit the northern oil fields, we have to get there quick."
"Well Duke we could go around the mine field."
"Negative Low-Light we're on a tight schedule as is. Is there any possibility that we could navigate right through it?"
"That's a negative Duke, they are spaced close together in five to seven feet increments."
"I see, well then you, Reaper, and along with Tripwire are going to clear a path for us is that clear."
"Understood Duke. All right Reap I need you to get out of your tank, and before you ask me and you are going to clear path for everyone."
I just nodded my head and got out of the driver seat, while at the same time Cover girl came in to take over.
I was about to go ahead and reach for my M110, till Low-Light instead instructed me to get my ACR instead. As far as I'm concern, I think its just me and Low-Light that are charged with cleaning out these bomb traps. Yet I was told by Low-Light that we are waiting for one more.
And sure, enough it was another Joe. His name is Tripwire. He greeted me with a little bit of nervousness and jitteriness. I'm sort of looking at this guy if something was wrong with him. I mean he's a Joe he shouldn't even be like this. None the less we started to work on the task at hand.
For the most part Tripwire wanted me to come along with him to identify the existing mines, as he put it. I would rather just have pointed it out to him, yet he very insisting that I should go with him. He did reassure me that nothing will happen to me.
As we started to walk out to our first mine setup, Tripwire instructed me follow behind him and step exactly where he steps. Once we got close enough, he started to lightly dig around near the land mind. Almost instantly I started to make it out. After all it was bury a bit shallowly.
"Yup its and inferno mine all right, these are pretty nasty suckers."
"Come again Mr. Wire." Tripwire gives a nervous laugh.
"You know it's just Tripwire Reaper. As I was saying these are inferno land mines are pretty nasty things to deal with."
"How so Tripwire."
As Tripwire was working on disarming it, he was saying," well to put it in a nutshell they give off a very high impact heat explosion." They are so effective that they could go off next to an APC or a tank and you will still die."" Yeah, the heat alone would cook you inside, like a lobster being boiled inside and out."
"OK…OK. I get it they are dangerous. You don't have to describe it that much too me."
"Sorry about that, I sort of get a bit carried away with my work. The good news is, I just got done. I would really like to disarm them all, but we are really pressed for time. So, I'm going to get out my land rover and paint each one for you and Low-Light to wipeout."
Now when Tripwire said land rover, I thought he was going to get in a VAMP. Only to me it looks like a small radio control portable car device. Only it had that science fiction feel to it. He basically told me that he's going to paint the trigger part of the land mine so we know where to aim.
Its was actually a cool piece of machinery as it went about over the mine field spray painting the targets in a bright yellow color. All in all, it only took him about ten minutes to paint them. As for me and Low-Light, Low-Light pretty much wanted me to hit as many as I can very quickly. Hence why he had me using my ACR. As always, my ACR is set on semi-automatic. I have close to thirty targets at the ready.
All man it was the 4th of July during the day time as these things went off one after another. All I know is that I was sweating quite a bit due to the heat. Once it was done I made it back to my tank and continue to drive on to our objective.
Once we got there, base camp was pretty much set up. This place was literally a sea of pipes all about. It did have its permeant buildings and all. Again, I couldn't really say the name of the place since I really couldn't pronounce it. Our basic mission was to secure and watch the northern oil fields from Cobra. All in all, I thought we were done for the day, but not at all.
Once base camp was set up we pretty much started to line up for some supply. Other than carrying mass loads of ordinance and ammunition, we were given our M.R.E. packs for the day, if not night. I mean these packs were really a good size and weight. From what I was told these were practically a full course meal. Once I got mine, I pretty much just stowed it away with my gear.
But anyone who had some minor downtime was sitting about chowing down, since it could be at any minute to be put on high alert. I myself was about to get started on mine, till Cover girl was calling to me.
"Hey Reap, I need to see you for a sec."
"Sure, thing specialist I'm on my way." I made sure I was very prompt with whatever she needed. Again, she's with the other MBT's near the center of the base.
When I got there, they were refueling. After all the gas mileage on these things were terrible. I think they get ten miles per the gallon. Even though these things have a forty-gallon tank, with a twenty-gallon reserve.
Once I got to her tank she was already near the rear of it on top hooking in the refueling hose. "I'm here Cover girl what's the problem."
No problem really Reap, other than I really wanted to thank you for saving my ass today. And I'm pretty sure everyone would be saying the same thing."
"It was really nothing Cover girl just doing my job."
"Yeah but, I really feel guilty for scolding at you like that."
"Trust me its ok, you're just doing your job too."
"Ok, well I could really use your help if you don't mind."
"Sure, what's the problem."
"I need your help on greasing up the tread track wheels and internal crank shaft."
"Sure thing, let me just stow away my gear ok and we'll get started."
"Oh, one more thing Reap, um did by any chance had anything time to get in your chow time."
I was about to say no, but I really wanted to help her and get this out of the way so I could enjoy my meal sooner than later. So, I pretty much just lied to her. "Yeah, I got it in."
"You sure," Cover girl asked with a little bit of serious look on her face.
"Yeah I did why."
"Because you're not a really good liar Reap. Now tell me the truth ok."
"Well I was going to until you asked me to come meet you here."
"I see well then, why don't you go on ahead and start eating." I sighed to myself inside and was about to, until we both got interrupted by Beach Head.
"Good the both of you are here, that really saves time on me tracking you two down. Listen up you two are being send out on a patrol."
"Just us Beach Head," I asked him.
"For now, yes we can only spare a tank for now. Radio in as usual for any enemy contacts."
"Will do Beach," Cover girl added.
I looked over to her and asked, "uh you want me to drive."
"What do you think, of course I want you to, I could really use a good pair eyes. However, when we get back you will eat is that understood."
"Yes, Cover girl," I said with my shoulders slumped over.
Once again, I'm here driving about the area doing a patrol, while the crew in the tank was mapping out the area using the radar and scanner. It really was just only us out here. I mean they really could've have send more than just one tank. But then again, an MBT Mauler was more than enough of a match for just about any ground troops that cobra could dish out.
Other than the big gun, this tank did fashion some really nasty machine guns in the .50 and .30 caliber sort. It was also modified with some surface to air missiles in case anyone come from above. And this tank had some really thick armor. But all matters aside we kept up our patrol and mapping the perimeter for the next ten miles out.
Every so often we would place a special ground marker, that doubled as a detection device in case we get any unsuspected company. The west side was the easiest since it really was nothing but flat earth for miles on end. However, the north side was basically flat in the middle, with loads of mountains and jagged rocks to the right and left of us. Yet my tank commander Cover girl made sure to scan the area really well incase anyone was hiding in the mountain edges.
We laid out more markers and decided to take a small break near the center of the ridge. As for the these breaks we took, it was really so that Cover girl could radio in her coordinates and gather more data of the area at hand, while some of the crew just relax for a short moment.
As for me I was getting a little bit of a rumble in my tummy. But for the most part I was really thinking about Strike, wondering what she was doing back at base camp. Since we are out on mission I really couldn't pack any comforts from back at the pit like my V.R. set or my satellite radio. All I had was this mp3 player loaded with all the Edm it could hold from progressive, to trance, to deep house. As for the time span on this mission, Hawk couldn't really give out a time span. For all I know we could be here for a few weeks to a few months. He really did stress the importance of keeping Cobra from gaining control of the oil fields. Even though we are really doing our best to protect them, it still could cause a worldwide effect on the price. Mostly to surge up.
Basically, we had to secure them well enough until the Saudi army could muster enough strength to defend them themselves. If not additional help from the UN and other allies in the region. Once again, I decided to pop out my head over my hatch to take a look. Even with the sun about to set for the night, its still pretty dame hot.
Still I decided to take a look outside just to see the mountains. Man, I never seen them this close before. I'm sitting here just admiring the view. I look down for second or two to get one of my protein bars since I'm really getting the munchies. As I looked up again I saw some movement in the rocks. I sort of got excited a bit since, I thought it could have been some rare wild life in the area. I've heard of the rare Arabian Leopard. They have been seen in the area, by the locals. So, I thought that it would have been a nice treat to take a photo of a live one. I get my binoculars out to check it out. And sure, enough I caught one in my sights. Looking at its spots while just sitting there. It really was a beautiful sight to see. Suddenly I see it starting to get into its attack stance, like it going to ponce on it prey. That is until something else spooked it, as it took off into the rocks. "Aww," I said out loud. I was about to put my binoculars up, till I something else coming into view. It was none other than the turret of a HISS tank aiming my way.
"OH SHIT," I yelled out loud. In an instant I get in my MBT moving in reverse. I know I'm going to get yelled at by Cover girl, since I just jerked the controls in reverse. And sure, enough I get the call on the com.
"REAP, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" Before my tank commander could say another word, that's when the shot that was meant for us hit the dirt in front of us.
Cover girl instantly orders her radio/radar tech to scan for movement in area. In an instant he answers back to her. "I'm sorry ma'am but I'm getting nothing on the radar, the mountains must be running some interference."
"Reap where did you see the boogey?"
"It's a HISS tank, and I saw it to the west in rock line near the mountains."
"All right, Peterson set the scanner to the west near the rock line. Reap, I need you to move forward now ok."
"But Cover girl that would put us into a line a fire to enemy."
"I know Reap, but you got to trust me on this one, so we could get in a solid kill shot back. Just move forward at twenty miles. Cover then orders the loader to load up an A.P. shell. Come on Peterson I'm waiting."
"Almost got it ma'am." Ok got it target reference, thirty degree up., range 500 yards."
Then the gunner then lines up the shot. However, for Mark its somewhat nerve racking and exciting that this is happening. Even though shots are being fired in all directions to hit them. In an instant Mark was order to stop moving. Once he did that's when the big gun went off. A large crack came from it, since mark still had his hatch opened. He did his best to duck his head in. But after that crack went off the next thing was a loud boom. And sure, enough they hit the enemy tank with deadly accuracy. In the distance Mark could make out loads of smoke from the burning wreck.
Mark took this time to lock in hatch and be ready to move out on a moments notice. While at the same time Cover girl is radio in the skirmish with base camp. But before that another shot landed to the side within in a few feet to the right of the MBT. Again, Cover girl orders her crew to find where the shot came from. Only to realize that it was coming from the front. The radar picked up multiple contacts closing in on their position. In total it was ten HISS tanks coming in from the front.
Cover then orders Reap to move forward at a steady pace, while telling the rest of the crew to load and fire more AP rounds to knock out as many Hiss tanks as they can. Not to mention to radio into base camp for assistance.
The battle alone only lasted ten to fifteen minutes. As most of the HISS tanks were taken out by us. We got in six kills, while our air support of X-30's mopped up the rest. Once our work was done, we headed in for the night, while some of the green shirt troops came in to keep an eye on the area at hand.
It wasn't long till we reached back to base. When I disembarked, I got a lot of thank you's from the crew and Cover girl. But I wasn't done yet. I asked her, if she still needed help with some tune ups to the MBT. I kind of knew that in some aspect that she wanted me to take a load off, but then she also wanted to get this task out of the way. So, we started out on re greasing the components that she wanted. Again, it took another hour to do this. By the time I was done, I really wanted to take a load off. So, I got my gear and head out to take a seat somewhere.
Cover girl on the other hand, started to put up her tools, as she was about to remind Reap to go ahead and get in his chow for today, if not night. But before she could say anything to him, he was already out of her sights. She just sighs to herself for letting him slip away like that. Until an opportunity came by. She sees Strike just walking around base, if not maybe patrolling. So, she calls her over for the next best thing.
"Hey Strike, can you come over for a sec." Strike comes over decked out in her own gear and uniform of beige, always having her trusty FN-SCAR at the ready.
"You called?"
"Yeah um could you do me a favor."
"Depends on what the favor is Cover girl."
"Oh, it's nothing serious Strike, its just that Reap has been at it all day today. And I haven't seen him eat all day. So, would you do me a solid and be sure that he eats at least something today."
Strike just smiled to Cover girl. "Yeah sure not a problem."
Meanwhile, Mark has found a suitable area to take a load off and away from prying eyes. He chose to sit next to some supply crates near the edge of base camp. Under the canopy while looking at the sun in distance setting for the night. The sky alone started to turn a bit orangey with some hints of purple. Man, he was really bushed today. From driving to sniping to more driving again, Mark was already at the end of his rope. He thought he was going to be hungry as hell once he got back after patrol, but being on high adrenalin from driving and keeping himself and his crew from getting killed subsided what ever hunger he had left. Of course, it didn't last long since he got interrupted by someone else.
Strike found him rather easily, since he often chooses to sit in areas far from the group. Almost in a loner sort of way. Needless to say, she still makes her presence known to Mark. "Admiring the view Reap," as Strike immediately plops herself to the ground next to Mark.
Mark who just glances for a short moment to Strike, then looking back saying "yup."
"Kind of remines you of home, don't you think Reap."
"Sort of I guess, I mean its not that dame hot back at the pit and it's not as sandy."
Strike then changes the subject. "Had a busy day today." Mark then just gives a small grunt to Strike as if talking was becoming a chore to him since he was so exhausted. "No need to tell me Reap, your look says it all. But on a lighter note, what kind of dessert did you get from your M.R.E. pack?"
"Huh," Mark said confusingly.
"Your dessert, did you get a cookie, brownie, or a pudding."
"Uh I don't know Strike."
Strike who has already pulled out her M.R.E. pack, was attempting to find Reap's as well. Yet Reap started to reach to his own pack taking a small look as if he was hiding something. That is until Strike went through it herself, only to pull out Mark's un opened M.R.E. pack. "What the, you haven't eaten Reap?"
"I was going to save it for later Strike, it just that I'm not really hungry."
"Oh no Reap, you're going eat right now. I can't believe you haven't even so much as open yours up."
"Come on Strike I'm not a kid anymore ok, and I'll eat when I need to."
Strike shook her head no to him while saying, "sorry Reap but that's not a good enough of an answer for me. Besides you never know when we might go on high alert. I would rather have you eat now and regain some strength then for you to run on empty."
Mark sighed out loud knowing he wasn't going to win this fight, so he opens his up. Chicken and rice, with some other veggies and a roll was his meal, while Strike had the chili mac and beans. To Strike's dismay her dessert was an oatmeal cookie, while Mark got a double fudge brownie with walnuts.
As he sees Strike sighing in sadness, he just grabs Strikes oatmeal cookie while handing his double fudge brownie with nuts. Strike looked really surprise by all this as she looked to him saying," really." Mark was smiling to her just nodding his head approval. "Thanks, Reap."
By the time we got done the sun has already set for the night. They both remain quiet just enjoying the moment. Strike was about to start a conversation with Mark, till she felt his head settling on to her shoulder. Thinking that he was just trying to snuggle up to her, she was about to playfully bat him off. Yet she realizes that Reap is sound asleep.
Strike holds in her own sigh, as she just smiles to him. After all he had a very hectic day today, with leading the column today, taking care of the mine field, and dealing with some HISS tanks while on patrol. Yeah, I would say all in a day's work. Strike then sees Cover girl rounding the corner, only to get curious to see what Strike was doing.
When she was about to speak up to Strike, Strike just motions with her finger to the universal shh sign to her. As Cover girl starts to take notice and look over only to see Reap resting his head on to her. They both waited for about ten minutes, hoping that Reap was really fast asleep. As they both decided to take him to his cot in the men's tent. At least they had some comforts from home like air conditioning in their respective tents. Of course they really didn't get too many stares from their fellow Joe's or green shirts as they were dragging Reap to hit cot. They lay hem down very gently to his cot so don't disturb him, hoping that Reap could have pleasant and dreamless sleep.