There were hurried whispers, followed by, "Did you say a medic?"
"We have an injured soldier down here!"
Thom and Marcel looked to Danielle, who nodded at them. They opened the door the rest of the way and Marcel kept watch as Thom helped her through the dark hole. Jumping the last few feet to the ground, she coughed at the dust she kicked up and pulled out her flashlight attached to her belt.
"Over here," A tall brown-feathered duck instructed her. She let him lead her to the far wall, where a duck had been propped against it.
"Bluefoot!" Danielle gasped, her flashlight shining over his pained face.
Danielle raced to the wounded drake, and crouched to his level. "What happened?"
"He got caught in the saurian's line of fire." Someone answered.
The dolly shined her flashlight onto Bluefoot, and could see at least four bullet holes. She felt sick to her stomach, and bile slither up her throat. But she knew she couldn't let it stop her. Shutting out other thoughts, she quickly pulled the First Aid Kit out of her satchel, and proceeded with work.
"Can't you, like get bullets out or something?" One female soldier asked, nervously.
"I'm a nurse, not a doctor." Danielle replied without looking away. Bluefoot moaned in immense pain. "Y-You're gonna be okay Bluefoot."
But his next choice in words left her stunned.
"S-sorry I was a jerk w-when we first met..."
"Stop it," she admonished him with no real threat in her tone. She kept her focus once again on her work.
"What are you going to do?" another small voice asked from within the darkness.
"Stop the bleeding," Danielle answered. "It's all we can do here." An anxious glance down noted that Bluefoot had lost a lot of blood already, with minimal pressure applied to any of the gunshot wounds since they hid out in this basement.
There was some mild mumbling, followed by Thom kneeling down next to Danielle as he approached from outside. "What can I do to help?"
"Here, apply pressure here," Danielle instructed, quickly pulling out more supplies. "We need to get him back to base, Thom."
"Lieutenant," Bluefoot acknowledged painfully.
"Save your energy, Private.' Thom interrupted. 'We'll get you back to the base."
But the injured drake didn't seem to acknowledge what he said. His eyelids were drooping. "M-my pocket...look inside."
The red haired drake reached to Bluefoot's uninjured side, and into the pocket of his vest. He pulled at least three small pieces of paper, folded up twice.
"What is it?"
"Notes, from...th-the Mission. Read them."
Thom then checked Bluefoot's pulse, which was dangerously weak. "Danielle, his pulse is weak. And he's getting colder and colder."
"B-but we can't just give up!" The dolly replied frantically.
"I didn't say we should..."
Bluefoot coughed then he mumbled weakly as his eyes rolled up into his head, "I'm coming, Mom..."
Then his eyes closed, and Bluefoot was no more.
"Bluefoot? Bluefoot, answer me!" Danielle called out, pulling the drake onto his back to better check for breathing and a pulse.
"Danielle-"
"Shh," she whispered forcefully, two fingers on his neck as she bent down to either feel his breath or see the rise and fall of his chest. Precious, quiet seconds ticked by before she lifted her head up and positioned herself over the prone duck, hands on his chest.
"Danielle!"
She didn't respond. She quickly began chest compressions, counting to herself out loud.
More murmuring from the rest of the group filled the room, but it was deathly quiet compared to Danielle's labored speaking.
"H-he has to-... He has to!"
"Angelwing!' Thom then gripped Danielle by her shoulders and turned her to look at him. 'There's nothing you can do for him now. He's gone..."
Danielle's heart stopped and she felt sicker than before. This can't be true...It just can't! "No..." She whispered in disbelief. Thom cleared his throat, and gestured to the remaining soldiers. "A moment of silence. To honor all who fell today."
The soldiers then placed their left hands over their hearts and bowed their heads in prayer; paying their respects to their fallen comrades and friends. A few moments later, the group prepared to leave. "We're just leaving him here?" Danielle asked quietly.
"'Fraid we're gonna have to..." Marcel replied. 'We'll collect the bodies later, for mass cremation."
The hike back to the base was very quiet, between being cautious, and grieving for their fallen comrades. An hour later, when they were back in their territory, Thom opened his comm.
"Captain. We found the missing squad, but-"
There was static on the line before Canard answered, sounding anxious. "You went after the missing squad?!"
Thom grimaced with Marcel. "We were within range, sir, and received their SOS."
"You had not been given orders to retrieve them! They were in enemy territory."
"Area was clear upon approach, Captain," Thom argued with reason. "They had an ... an injured soldier that needed medical attention. But..."
There was a long pause on the other end of the communication. "But what, lieutenant?"
Danielle had been watching Thom with tears in her eyes, but when Thom looked up at her, she quickly glanced to the ground.
"We lost half the squad, Sir. I'll give a full report when we get back." Thom finished quietly.
"...Affirmative McMallard, see you soon." Canard replied.
By the time they reached the base, it was getting late;a lot of soldiers were turning in for the night. The three of the original squad did the same, while one duck stayed behind to make her report. Danielle asked Thom if she could be excused. "I'm sorry...I-I just don't feel too good, Sir." Thom understood. "It happens sometimes, Angelwing."
"Thank you, Sir." but before Danielle could leave the room, a certain tan drake came a runnin'. The dolly froze.
"Oh, C-Captain!"
Thom and Marcel stiffened and saluted out of reflex as the commanding officer approached. Canard nudged past Danielle and straight to the twins. He was very cross.
