13:22:04, just as the assault team boards Helix 3-1 with the recently rescued Goalpost, they receive a distress call from someone surprising.
Rhino 1: All friendly callsigns on this net, this is Rhino 2-1! We're trying to free ourselves from the damaged roads created by a missile barrage, but we're receiving heavy fire from Russian raiding parties! We're low on small arms ammo and our top machine gunner is in critical condition! We need help! I say again, we need help! Send whatever you got!
It turns out Rhino 1 survived the missile barrage on the way to Goalpost's location and is now trying to escape the threat of death or captivity. In the TiltRotor, Frost, without hesitation, dismounts to help the crew.
Sandman: Frost, what are you doing?!
Frost: I'm going back for Rhino 1. We're much closer than any rescue team right now. They won't last a minute without us!
Sandman: All by yourself, are you sure about that?!
Frost: Absolutely, First Sergeant! I'll see you in LZ Neptune later!
Arsia: Then I'm going with you!
Sandman: Arsia!
Frost: It's okay! They'll need her help!
Sandman: Overlord, Metal 0-1, be advised - Metal 0-4 and Sierra 1-6 are inbound to help Rhino 1, over!
Overlord: Did not copy, Metal 0-1. Say again your last?
Sandman: Frost and Arsia left the bird to help Rhino 1!
Overlord: Roger that, 0-1. We're tracking them now. Exfil with Goalpost. We'll maintain ISR for them, over.
Sandman: (off comms) Shit! (on comms) Roger, Overlord.
Arriving at the damaged road, Frost kills a Russian soldier who was about to drop a belt of grenades in Rhino 1's hatch. Once the perimeter is clear of boarding parties, he covers Arsia as she attends to the crew.
Arsia: Where's your wounded?
Rhino 1 Driver: Here. How is he?
Arsia patches the Rhino 1 Top Machine Gunner for 90 seconds.
Arsia: Alright, these will hold, but he'll need proper attention. Can the tank move?
Rhino 1 Driver: Yeah, we can get out of this.
Frost: Can you make it back to the staging area?
Rhino 1 Driver: Yeah, we got enough fuel to get back there.
Frost: You still got ammo for the cannon and MMG?
Rhino 1 Gunner: Yep, we do.
Frost: Good, because we're not out of the woods yet. There may be enemy reinforcements hitting the beach from the city. Arsia, we'll be leading the way. Rhino 1, we're backtracking. Button up the hatches and keep the finger on the trigger. We'll lase targets for you.
Rhino 1 Gunner: Got it. And thanks, guys.
Frost: It's what we do.
Arsia: It's what we do.
Now free from the craters, Rhino 1 backtracks through the parking garage and the mission route with Frost and Arsia covering high and low for barricades, traps and demo teams.
Overlord: Rhino 1, Metal 0-4, Sierra 1-6, your exfil point in the staging area is confirmed. Be advised - ISR shows a Russian offensive hammering the beach. Take some heat off our men there, but getting yourselves out in one piece is your top priority, over.
Frost: Roger that, Overlord. We're Oscar Mike. Rhino 1, you're cleared to advance.
Rhino 1 Driver: Roger, advancing!
Arsia: Enemy troop transports all over the place. Marking them for you now.
Rhino 1 Gunner: INCOMING!!
boom*
Frost: Barricade. Moving to clear!
Arsia: Covering, go!
Frost: Set.
boom*
Frost: Clear! Rhino 1, your clear.
Rhino 1 Gunner: Loaded!
Rhino 1 Driver: Full throttle!
Frost: Hostile mortar pits ahead. Marking now. Aim low.
Rhino 1 Gunner: Got 'em. Cutting them down!
MMG fire*
mortar crates explode*
As predicted, Frost and Arsia clear barricades and direct Rhino 1's fire support on troop transports and mortar pits. The unpredictable part is the Russians' sudden new tactic.
Overlord: Metal 0-4, ISR shows suicide bombers heading toward you. Keep your distance.
Frost: Thanks for the tip, Overlord. AVALANCHE!!
rifle gunfire*
boom boom boom*
Arsia: Got 'em.
Frost: Nice work, but that was too close for comfort. Check for hiding spots.
Some Russians soldiers, probably combat ineffective, out of ammo, or conscripts, rush at the team and the staging area with bombs detonated by dead man switches. The ones responding to Frost's element are hiding in alleys, corners, destroyed vehicles and craters.
Frost: Explosive seppuku. Now that's a tactic I haven't seen in a while.
Arsia: All their missing is a catchphrase.
Frost: I guess it's either that or a gulag.
Arsia: Heh, careful what you wish for.
Along with the suicide bombers, the Russian offensive starts bringing in T-90s and MI-28s. The tanks focus on the beach, while the gunships watch their backs for Frost's element who they think is a flanking team.
Overlord: You're halfway there. Keep moving, team.
Rhino 1 Gunner: Havocs, coming in!
Frost: Rhino 1, on the MMG, tear one appart! I'll snipe his buddies!
Arsia: I'll cover!
Rhino 1 Gunner: Engaging!
Frost and Rhink 1 respond with sniper and MMG fire while Arsia watches out for more suicide bombers and demo teams. With the air support gone, they move on to the enemy assault force.
After destroying every tank and gunning down every infantry and suicide unit they see, the staging area is no longer under attack. It seems they needed to kill all hostile elements to get to the beach.
Staging Area Defender: Hold your fire! Hold your fire!
Staging Area Commander: Friendlies! Weapons down! Overlord notified us. We've been expecting your arrival, but not your flanking support. We can't thank you enough.
Frost: No problem, sir.
Rhino 1: Happy to help, sir.
Arsia: *nods* Colonel, they need—
Staging Area Commander: We know. Get the crew out of there and into the med tent, now!
Medical Team: Yes, sir!
The staging area recovers, the medical team gets the Rhino 1 crew out, and extraction for Frost and Arsia is en route, ETA one minute.
Rhino 1 Top Machine Gunner: Wait! *coughs* Metal 0-4, Sierra 1-6, *coughs* thank you. For taking care *coughs* of my men.
Frost: Of course, man, guys.
Arsia: You're welcome.
Rhino 1 Gunner: Thanks, guys.
Rhino 1 Driver: Thanks, Frost, Arsia.
Frost: It's what we do.
Arsia: It's what we do. Now rest up, you earned it.
Helix 3-1 then arrives with Sandman, Ramirez, Crosby and Rorke.
Sandman: I'm starting to think you work too hard, Frost.
Frost: What can I say, Sandman?
Sandman: "It's what we do."? Heh, yeah, but damn. Especially you, Arsia.
Arsia: *laughs*
Rorke: That was some real above and beyond the call there, Private.
Arsia: Thank you, Staff Sergeant.
Ramirez: Glad to know you pulled it off, Frost.
Crosby: Could have asked the two of us for help, y'know?
Frost: Ah, I felt like you guys did enough already. You know, watching my back while I was killing those executioners.
Ramirez: Wouldn't mind at all.
Crosby: Still hungry for more. *laughs*
Frost and Ramirez laugh*