Here is Chapter 4.
If ya want the disclaimer go to the prelude
Is it me or have my Chapters been getting longer and longer. Well I am still in the process of refining my writing technique. I strongly advise my readers to read the technical notes so I don't have to conduct some kind of school lesson when I mention things like assault rifles or helicopters that people have no idea about. I believe it is important for my readers to know what is going on in the story (it's supposed to be enjoyable….not a challenge).
I have been playing Joint Operations: Typhoon Rising. This Game is the reason I may never play Battlefield 1942 and Battlefield Vietnam ever again. My fav weapon at the moment is the M240 Machinegun. This gun kicks ass, just find a nice spot and spray the enemy.
I know my grammar hasn't been the best but I am working on it. Does anyone want to be my pre-reader?
IMPORTANT TECHNICAL NOTES:
The TS-90 Mk3 Marauder is a cheaper, reverse engineered version of the Russian T90 which features a 2A46 125mm main gun an AA mounted and co-axial mounted Kord 12.7mm machineguns. The Tank's construction is very modular which allow the easy replacement of damaged or dysfunctional parts or the attachment of newer components. It is this type of construction which allows almost seamless customization, like replacement or attachment of additional weapons and support systems. In the hands of the GLA it is virtually impossible for any one tank to be the same. Examples of this can be seen in the active replacement of the main armament with a larger and more powerful Bagira 140mm main gun or the chobham armor scavenged from the British made Challenger III that have been welded on. The Tank was originally produced in Kazakhstan in 2008 but was eventually licensed for production in other lower-tech counties like Pakistan, Iran and various African nations in 2009.
The AN-94 was chosen as the new standard assault rifle for the Russian military in 1994. Due to budget constraints, the AN-94 had not been delivered to all military units by 2002. The AN-94 features higher accuracy, a mount for standard optical equipment (with a 4x sight being standard), and reduced felt recoil. The AN-94 is built using advanced polymers for parts normally made of wood, making the weapon lighter than the AK series. The AN-94 is capable of firing semiautomatic, 2-round burst, and on full automatic. The AN-94 can be equipped with a bipod or the BG-15 grenade launcher, and the stock folds to the right for close-quarters fighting.
The Russian OTs-14 Groza was developed as a close-combat weapon for Spetsnaz, Alpha teams, airborne units, and combat engineers. It comes in two calibers: 7.62mm Kalashnikov and 9mm SP5/SP6. The Groza has a 75 parts commonality with the AK-74. When mounted with the GP-25 grenade launcher, a single trigger fires both the assault rifle and the launcher, with the selector lever switching between the weapons. The Groza can mount the PSO-1 sight used on the SVD and SVU sniper rifles, and the end of the barrel is threaded for a suppressor. Although the Groza has been produced since late 1992, it was a very rare weapon, normally only used by special operations personnel or Airborne Pathfinders. It wasn't until a revamped version (the OTs-14 4A-06 featuring polymer parts and a longer barrel) came into production and became more wide spread in Russian law enforcement and Russian military support & security units around 2008.
The MOAB (GBU-43/B) is large, powerful and accurately delivered GPS guided bomb. This 21,700-pound bomb contains 18,700 pounds of high explosive. Being 30 feet long with a diameter of 40.5 inches it is the largest bomb in the USAF inventory. The warhead is a blast-type warhead which was developed in 2003 as a successor to the Daisy Cutter (BLU-82) used in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Unlike the Daisy Cutter it doesn't require a parachute for deployment and can be delivered at very high altitudes, which ensures the safety of USAF personal responsible for the MOAB's delivery. The acronym, MOAB is often referred to as the "Mother Of All Bombs" (which isn't far from the truth) but it really stands for "Massive Ordinance Air Blast" bomb.
MH-60W Super Hawk and UH60X Lighting Hawk are the latest versions of the H-60 series Black Hawk helicopters which have been the work horse of the US Army since 1979. The primary mission of the MH-60W is to conduct overt or covert infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces across a wide range of environmental conditions and operated by the AFSOCOM (Air Force Special Operations Command), and the US Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). The primary mission of the UH60X is the provision of division-level, helicopter based transport, whilst operating across a wide range of environmental conditions. Both the Super Hawk and the Lightening Hawk are equipped with an advanced version of the Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System (IHADSS), which was originally developed for the AH-64 Apache. It supplies the Super Hawk/Lightening Hawk pilots with pilotage and flight symbology, infrared and Night Vision via visor/goggles mounted on the helmet. Powered by two General Electric T1600-GE-822C turbo shaft engines, both helicopters are capable of a maximum speed of 306kph and also makes use of the NOTAR rotor system. The NOTAR (NO TAil Rotor) is a system makes use of a variable-pitch axial fan which is located at the front of the tail boom to drive air through the boom out a series of air vents at the end. This system replaces the need for a conventional tail rotor. NOTAR was pioneered by McDonnell Douglas for the MH-90 Enforcer for the Coast Guard in 1999 and was licensed to Sikorsky for use in the MH-60W and UH60X. Both choppers entered service in 2010 as part of the modernisation process to bring existing rotary aircraft up to performance levels that are compatible with Force XXI standards.
1ST OPERATION PT4 – H: HOUR MINUS 3 SECONDS
March 14th 2016
KAZAKHSTAN
Baikonur Cosmodrome In an elevator heading to sublevel3 of the launch and tracking station
0551 Kazakhstan local time.
The elevator finally creaked to a stop and the doors grinded open. Mardukas and Fitzwilliam moved out of the elevator into a small, dimly lit room which looked like it had been rotting for nearly half a century. Both Delta Operators swept the dilapidated room and found no one. The room featured a simple all concrete construction with a few wires running across the walls, an air vent on the ceiling and a door on the across the room. The room was by no means empty due to some boxes and fuel canisters which had been stacked against the left and right walls. Suddenly the Mardukas' comms crackled to life.
"Paul……..me and Baxter are at the power relays about to shut things down over here" (Sanchez)
The sound of heavy gunfire could be heard during the transmission.
"Me and Fritz just got down to sub-level3 and we are about to hit the backup generator…….what's your situation? I thought I heard gunfire" (Mardukas)
"Baxter is negotiating with extreme prejudice with some tangos who seem to have something against us being here. I'm about cut the mains" (Sanchez)
"Rodger that, commence shut down" (Mardukas)
About 2 seconds later there was a muffled boom, and then the room went dark. This was followed closely red emergency lights which barely lit the room. Mardukas and Fitzwilliam pulled out their N.O.Ds (Night Observation Devices), slipped them on to their heads and flipped on the laser aiming devices on their carbines.
Both Delta Operators stalked forward opening the door on the far end of the room and came out on to a corridor that lead both left and right. The 2 sergeants were in uncharted territory now and began searching for something that would lead them in the direction of the backup generator. Fitzwilliam noticed a sign a few meters left on one of the corridor walls. Seeing it was in Russian he tapped Mardukas and pointed to the sign. Mardukas went up to the sign for another translation session while Fitzwilliam watched his back. Fitzwilliam would have attempted to translate if he had to, but his Russian was even more limited than Mardukas'.
After some deliberation without the use of a Russian Dictionary Mardukas figured out that they needed to go right in order to find the generator. The 2 Delta Sergeants only got a few meters down the corridor when a disjoined and almost monotone voice echoed through building PA system. It was announcement in Russian. When Mardukas heard it he felt his blood run cold when he translated the announcement.
PA system: "ATTENSION ALL PERSONNEL……….LAUNCH ON SOYUZ LAUNCH PLATORM 02 WILL COMMENCE IN T MINUS 3 MINUTES." (in Russian)
Mardukas swore under his breath and he looked back at Fitzwilliam who gave him a nod that he understood what had to be done. With that they continued down the corridor and moved up to a steel door at the very end. When Mardukas moved to the door he heard voices coming from the other side, with some light peaking through the edges of the door.
'We got no time for this shit' Mardukas thought. He tapped Fitzwilliam who was watching the rear and signaled for a shaped demo charge on the door.
Mardukas moved away while Fitzwilliam placed the customized explosive on the door. In a few short seconds he had placed the shaped demo charge and moved back a few meters with a radio detonator in hand.
PA system: "ATTENSION ALL PERSONNEL……….LAUNCH ON SOYUZ LAUNCH PLATORM 02 WILL COMMENCE IN T MINUS 2 MINUTES 30 SECONDS." (in Russian)
After the hearing the announcement Mardukas gave Fitzwilliam the signal, to blow the door. Both Delta operators looked away as the clicking sounds of Fitzwilliam's detonator was accompanied by a bright flash and a loud thump. The door was blown to pieces with shards of metal still hanging in the door. This was no time for stealthy room clearing, time was against them and the 2 Delta sergeants had to double time it to the back up generator.
Mardukas moved through the shattered doorway into an even wider corridor (which was 10m wide) with Fitzwilliam following closely. They paused momentarily to note the corpses around the door way, before they turned their attention to the sounds of massed footsteps and light peeking down the 200m hall way.
There were a series of solid concrete support columns which lined the both walls every 20m with a number of doors on each side of the corridor. There were also a number of wooden crates and steel supply cases that were stacked against parts of the walls in no particular order or pattern. The Delta operators had only moved a short distance down the corridor when Mardukas turned to Fitzwilliam and signaled to take cover before moving into cover himself. They both took position behind the concrete columns on either side of the hallway (with Mardukas on the right and Fitzwilliam on the left), as they quietly observed the path of the approaching tangos. Looking through the green hue of his NOD (Night Observation Device) Mardukas watched as 9 GLA troopers moved slowly with flash lights, assault rifles and submachine guns. They were speaking in panicked, yet hushed voices and almost seemed to be arguing amongst themselves.
Mardukas gave the signaled to Fitzwilliam to wait in cover and get ready to open fire. While Fitzwilliam readied himself, Mardukas let his carbine hang by the carrying sling and pulled out a claymore mine from one of his hip pouches, along with its corresponding radio detonator. The voices and the foot steps were getting closer and closer. Mardukas armed the directional mine and held it in his left hand with the detonator in his right.
PA system: "ATTENSION ALL PERSONNEL……….LAUNCH ON SOYUZ LAUNCH PLATORM 02 WILL COMMENCE IN T MINUS 2 MINUTES." (in Russian)
Mardukas crouched down ready to place the mine in the corridor so it faced the direction of the oncoming adversaries. Just when the foot steps and the voices sounded close enough Mardukas placed the claymore out in the hall way. The GLA troopers reacted to the movement that came from behind concrete column as their heated conversations and foot steps ceased. Mardukas could only imagine the looks of disbelief on the terrorists' faces as they lit up the claymore with their torches.
"Take a good look, mother fuckers" Mardukas whispered before looking away and setting off the detonator. The claymore exploded in the direction of the terrorists in a brief flash of light. They were thrown by the force of the explosion as hundreds of ball bearings tore through their bodies. However the some of them weren't killed by the explosion.
3 of the tangos had the good sense and quick reaction time to grab some cover behind some of the steel boxes or concrete columns before Mardukas set off the mine. As soon as the explosion subsided Fitzwilliam leaned out from his hiding place and placed 2 shots into the head of one of the terrorists who was peering around the corner of a pile of boxes. The other 2 began firing on full auto from their positions screaming, which forced Fitzwilliam to duck away cursing. Mardukas popped out of his hiding place and fired off the shotgun part of his carbine at a second terrorist (near the left wall) whose full attention was locked on Fitzwilliam. The 12 gauge shot gouged out a piece of the terrorist's head, causing his now dead body slum against a nearby wall leaving a trail of blood down the wall, as the corpse finally came to rest on the concrete floor. The nerve of the remaining terrorist broke and tried to run down the corridor, but he barely made 10 paces before getting a shot in the head by Fitzwilliam. The GLA trooper collapsed in mid step onto the floor like a puppet that got its strings cut.
Wasting no time both delta sergeants took one look at each other started jogging down the corridor with their weapons raised. Both soldiers stopped as Mardukas looked at the signs on each door along the corridor. He knew it had to be one of these doors but each one turned out to be anything but the backup generator room.
PA system: "ATTENSION ALL PERSONNEL……….LAUNCH ON SOYUZ LAUNCH PLATORM 02 WILL COMMENCE IN T MINUS 1 MINUTE 30 SECONDS." (in Russian)
It was starting to get to the point where Mardukas began to think that he had made a mistake with his Russian translation, when he noticed a sign on a door on his left which had its electronic card lock shot out. Despite the dilapidated appearance of the lower sub-levels the Russian Army's Space Division still went to the trouble of installing the latest security devices. This was something that Mardukas found very surprising but he didn't have much time to muse about the issue as he signaled a halt. Following standard operating procedures Fitzwilliam began looking up and down the corridor for any sign of hostiles, while Mardukas began his inspection of the sign on the door.
"Bingo!" Mardukas whispered after he translated the words on the door.
The sign read: ROOM S3-105 BACKUP DIESEL GENERATOR (translated from Russian)
Mardukas tapped Fitzwilliam and signaled that they had found their objective. Mardukas moved up to the right hand side of the door and began to open it while Fitzwilliam kept him covered. As soon as Mardukas opened the door a vicious torrent of gun fire erupted from inside the room causing the Master Sergeant to duck back. Mardukas leaned out into the door way and began to return fire when Fitzwilliam gave out a yell.
"Contact rear!" Fitzwilliam called out above the gun fire as he moved into position behind one of the concrete columns to engage another group of tangos who got behind the Delta position. Fitzwilliam quickly opened fire in the long corridor, which was lit up like a night club dance floor with the all the muzzle flashes.
Mardukas managed nail a terrorist in the generator room with 3 rounds to the chest but there were at least 7 more targets in there with assault rifles and light machine guns. Mardukas ducked back again to avoid the return fire and ejected the spent magazine.
"Reloading" Mardukas called as he slammed in a fresh Magazine and prepared to return fire.
"Frag out!" Fitzwilliam yelled. About 3 seconds later Mardukas hear the loud explosion of a fragmentation grenade accompanied by screams which was followed up a second later by more shooting.
PA system: "ATTENSION ALL PERSONNEL……….LAUNCH ON SOYUZ LAUNCH PLATORM 02 WILL COMMENCE IN T MINUS 1 MINUTE." (in Russian)
"God Damn it!" Mardukas said to no one in particular as he leaned out into the door way and fired off 2 rounds at a GLA trooper, with an MG3 machine gun which was propped up on a horizontally running pipe. The terrorist was hit in the throat and fell backwards with his finger still depressing the trigger, causing his weapon to go off as he went down.
About a quarter of a second later Mardukas felt like his left shoulder was hit by a base ball bat. Grunting in pain he ducked away and began a quick cursory examination of his shoulder with his fingers. Even with an N.O.D. it was still hard to see but a quick assessment with his fingers revealed it was a clean gun shot wound through the left shoulder. Grunting in frustration he pulled out a fragmentation grenade and pulled the pin.
"Frag out!" Mardukas called as he threw the grenade into the generator room. There was panicked movement and voices before the grenade went off. Mardukas peeked around the corner only to be forced back by massed weapons fire.
'Shit, I didn't get enough of them' Mardukas thought.
PA system: "ATTENSION ALL PERSONNEL……….LAUNCH ON SOYUZ LAUNCH PLATORM 02 WILL COMMENCE IN T MINUS 30 SECONDS." (in Russian)
At that moment Fitzwilliam ceased fire.
"Clear" Fitzwilliam yelled above the noise, as turned to face Mardukas. "Holy shit Paul, you ok?"
"Never mind that…………. You got any demo left?"
"Yeah"
"Pass it here!"
Fitzwilliam was on the other side of the door way so after he pulled one out from his rear carrying pouch he had to throw it across.
The fusillade of bullets coming from the door continued as Mardukas slung his carbine and armed the demolition charge for timed detonation. He punched in the time sequence for 10 seconds as the LED display read: TIME- RDY 00:10 PRESS ENTER TO START
PA system: "ATTENSION ALL PERSONNEL……….LAUNCH ON SOYUZ LAUNCH PLATORM 02 WILL COMMENCE IN T MINUS 20 SECONDS." (in Russian)
"Give me covering fire when I give the signal" Mardukas yelled
Fitzwilliam nodded as he reloaded a fresh magazine into his M8a1 carbine.
PA system: "ATTENSION ALL PERSONNEL……….LAUNCH ON SOYUZ LAUNCH PLATORM 02 WILL COMMENCE IN T MINUS 15 SECONDS." (in Russian)
PA system: "14"
PA system: "13"
"NOW" Mardukas yelled as hit the 'Enter' on the demo keypad. Fitzwilliam leaned out into the door way and opened fire on full auto.
PA system: "12"
This surprised the terrorists inside the room as their weapons fire ceased.
PA system: "11"
Mardukas leaned out into the door way and threw the demo charge as far as he could into the room.
PA system: "10"
"C'mon" Mardukas yelled as he tapped Fitzwilliam on the shoulder. Both Operators broke into a run down the corridor.
PA system: "9"
Both Delta Sergeants had abandoned standard infantry movement techniques as they made their break for 'safety'. The definition of 'safety' at this point was get as far away from ground zero as possible, because when the demo charge went off it would ignite the large amount of diesel fuel needed for the generator.
PA system: "8"
PA system: "7"
Both Mardukas and Fitzwilliam were half way down the hall but they needed to grab cover fast.
PA system: "6"
PA system: "5"
Seeing no other option Mardukas, using his good arm pulled on Fitzwilliam's shoulder "COVER" he yelled
PA system: "4"
The 2 soldiers ducked behind the solid concrete support columns and shut their eyes
PA system: "3"
Suddenly there was a small explosion followed by an even louder secondary explosion. The whole place shook and shrapnel, pieces of concrete, dust and smoke flew down the corridor. The emergency lights also went out. After tremors subsided there was nothing but darkness and silence.
After what seemed like an eternity Mardukas broke the silence as he stood up grunting as he nursed his shoulder wound. The place was as quiet as a tomb and darker than the time his younger brother locked him in the basement at home when he was a kid. With his right hand he began feeling the top of his head where the N.O.D. should be. After a little confusion he realized it was spun backwards on his head, which was fixed quickly by virtue of a 180 degree twist.
After pulling the N.O.D. back into place, Mardukas heard movement accompanied by the sound of coughing. Looking through the wonderful gift of night vision technology the Delta master sergeant spotted his comrade picking himself up off the floor.
"cough cough Paul cough you there dude?" Fitzwilliam spluttered
"Yeah I'm here" Mardukas replied, while helping his friend to his feet with his good arm.
Once on his feet Fitzwilliam managed to readjust his N.O.D. after it was knocked half way down his face.
Mardukas switched on his comms
"Miguel…….Jacob you guys haven't died on me yet have you?" (Mardukas)
"Not quite bud" (Baxter)
"How you doin' muchacho?" (Sanchez)
"Could be better but we did it…….Where are you?" (Mardukas)
"We've moved out on to the roof to cover the Rangers…………….we could use your help mano" (Sanchez)
"Rodger that we're moving to you now, I'll see ya there" (Mardukas)
Mardukas concluded the transmission and began to test his arm movement.
"How's the shoulder?" Fitzwilliam asked, while checking his carbine.
"Its alright Fritz don't worry. I mean I can still move my left arm it just hurts when I touch my shoulder………..C'mon let's get the fuck outta here"
Both soldiers wandered off into the darkness of the launch and control station's 3rd sub-level, retracing their steps. Mardukas was still able to hold and use his carbine, so long as he was able to keep shoulder from knocking against something.
"Foxhound 02 this is 04………….are you receiving over" (Wiles)
Both Mardukas and Fitzwilliam paused in their movement.
"04 this is 02 I'm reading you go ahead over" (Mardukas)
"The count down for the launch has stopped. That means the power was cut. Can you verify 02?" (Wiles)
"That's a Rodger 04 we cut the power" (Mardukas)
"Good job 02…….what's your SITREP?" (Wiles)
"Currently moving to the freight elevator with Fritz, to link up with Miguel and Jacob on the roof." (Mardukas)
"Rodger that. We have hit the radio station and reinforcements are inbound. Colonel Burton has things covered on his end. My units are moving to your position. You guys sit tight. This is foxhound 04 out"
They finally made it to the freight elevator without incident. Even though there was no power in the whole building complex the freight elevator still had an internal battery which was good for a whole hour.
March 14th 2016
KAZAKHSTAN
Baikonur Cosmodrome In an elevator heading to the roof of the launch and tracking station
0556 Kazakhstan local time.
The clanking old elevator grinded its way up the elevator shaft with 2 delta operators who were watching floor indicator lights from within the cage like compartment. With Fitzwilliam's help Mardukas managed to dress his shoulder wound to stop the bleeding, but it would require the attention of a medic later.
Suddenly the elevator shuddered to a halt with the cage doors opening first followed by the external doors letting in the natural light of the early morning and the staccato roar of massed gunfire accompanied by the thunder claps of explosions . Both Mardukas and Fitzwilliam pulled off their NODs as their eyes adjusted to the exposure of natural light.
Both Delta operators stepped out of the elevator performing a standard sweep of the roof area which was covered in a whole series of communication towers, antennae and a large satellite dish. After a few seconds of searching, Mardukas and Fitzwilliam finally linked up with Sanchez and Baxter, who were firing at targets below from the south west corner of the building.
Mardukas moved up to Sanchez who took a break from shooting to confer with his team leader.
"How Bad?" Mardukas asked trying to make himself heard above the sound of gunfire.
"Real bad mano," Sanchez replied replacing the grenade magazine for his M29 OICW. "The Rangers on the other side of the building are receiving a lotta shit on their end. They need your help now."
"Rodger that. Just hang on here," Mardukas turned to Fitzwilliam and tapped him on the shoulder then gave the signal for 'lets go'.
With that 2 Delta operators split away from their comrades and began moving to another part of the roof top. They worked their way to the opposite corner and spotted the Ranger unit they had left behind.
"Get'em on the horn now," Mardukas ordered quickly.
Fitzwilliam reached for the radio handset.
"Echo 13 this is Foxhound 02 do you copy over" Fitzwilliam waited for the response then handed then hand set to Mardukas.
"Echo 13 we are here to reinforce your position your position from the roof. What's your SITREP over?" (Mardukas)
"This is Echo 13 I got 3 men down in need of a CASEVAC and we lost one of the Humvees to volley fire from RPGs. We need support now…over" (Jordan)
"Rodger that we'll do what we can from here, this is foxhound 02….out." (Mardukas)
Mardukas and Fitzwilliam both looked at one another nodded knowingly and moved up from their hiding place on the roof. Taking aim the 'dreaded D men' opened fire picking off their targets, while snapping off single shots. Mardukas went through the process of finding a target, identifying it, opening fire, confirming the target was incapacitated or dead then moving on to the next target. It was a fighting doctrine that came from years of experience.
Mardukas had just ventilated the skull of an RPG wielding Terrorist, when he spotted a GLA version of the FV101 Scorpion. The light tank rumbled up from behind a fork lift near a warehouse, just 100m left of the Ranger position (which was just below the Delta position).
"Oh shit," Mardukas said out loud. Mardukas immediately grabbed the hand set from Fitzwilliam's radio.
"Echo 13 this Foxhound 02, you got a scorpion to your 9 o'clock at 100m" (Mardukas)
"This is Echo 13, say again over" (Jordan)
Mardukas was about to utter a response when the tank's turret turned and fired, with a loud 'boom'. A split second later the remaining Humvee exploded scattering Rangers, debris, dust and smoke, leaving nothing but a smoldering ruin. From his vantage point the Delta Master Sergeant could see that the vast majority of the Rangers survived the blast but there were those who were either wounded or dead. The Ranger who was manning the M307 automatic grenade gun on the humvee was most certainly dead.
"Ah Christ" Fitzwilliam swore
Mardukas recognized the frustration of his comrade as neither Delta operator had a single anti-tank weapon on him. To make matters worse the Scorpion began opening up with its coaxial machinegun suppressing the Ranger position. The withering storm of bullets made it virtually impossible for the younger soldiers to get a shot off with an AT4 anti-tank missile. Mardukas put a finger to his comms.
"This is Foxhound 02 to 04 we are getting rolled by tanks out here we need support. Where the hell are you?" (Mardukas)
"02 this is 04 we are nearly there but we are pinned down. We are barely fighting them off even with the Paladin. You'll have to make do till we get there" (Wiles)
"Rodger that" (Mardukas)
Mardukas swore under his breath in frustration. Fitzwilliam had been listening in on the conversation and turned to Mardukas, "The Fuck do we do now?" Fitzwilliam yelled above the gun fire as he shot up 2 GLA troopers who were using the tank as cover. "The only thing we got that goes boom is demo"
And that is when the realization hit them.
Mardukas looked at his comrade already formulating a plan "You got demo?" Mardukas called out.
"My last one," Fitzwilliam replied as he fished out his last explosive.
Mardukas observed the tank while Fitzwilliam began setting up the demolition charge for radio detonation, "I think the tank is about 40m away from the building, so you should be able to throw it and then……." Mardukas saw a GLA trooper come out the commander's hatch, grab the handles of the pintle mounted machinegun and point it right at him, "Aw shit GET DOWN"
Both Delta operators ducked behind the knee high, wall on the roof they were using as cover. As soon as their faces met the cold dusty surface of the roof a vicious hail storm of bullets from the Scorpion's pintle mounted FN-MAG machinegun ripped into the wall. Fitzwilliam finished readying the Demo charge. "It's ready," he yelled, "But I can't throw it if that asshole is blowing the shit out of our position."
"I'll throw a flash bang and take out the gunner, then you throw the charge" Mardukas screamed back as he pulled out the fore mentioned canister shaped item from his load bearing vest, "Wait for my signal."
"Just give the word," Fitzwilliam replied with the demo in his right hand the detonator in his left.
Mardukas pulled the pin on the flash bang and threw over the wall in the general direction of the scorpion. It seemed like forever till he heard the tell tale bang of the harmless grenade. As soon as he heard it arose from his hiding place without taking notice that that the machine gun fire had stopped. At this point in time all that existed as far as the Master Sergeant was concerned was the Terrorist behind the machinegun, who was looking somewhat dazed by the flash bang. Before the gunner could recover his senses, Mardukas aimed his carbine and took the shot. The side of the gunner's neck suddenly erupted with a violent torrent of blood, before collapsing back through the commander's hatch.
"NOW!"
Fitzwilliam jumped out of his hiding place, quickly gauged the distance before heaving the demo charge into the air. The lean Delta operator was right on target as the demo charge landed right on top the scorpion's turret. No sooner did the explosive land on top of the turret Fitzwilliam (with his left hand) set off the radio detonator. The Tank went up in massive ball of flames as parts of tank and dust scattered within a 30m radius.
The 2 Delta operators whooped and exchanged high-fives, but their celebratory moment was cut short by another 2 GLA scorpions that rumbled up from behind their smoking cousin.
'We are sooo fucked,' Mardukas thought as he prepared for the worst. As fate would have it, a miracle happened………one of the scorpions was suddenly reduced to smoking scrap as a thunderous explosion ripped through the turret. Just as Mardukas was about to attribute this marvelous turn of events to the wrath of God, he spotted what is normally a 'sight for sore eyes' for any out gunned infantry man…………friendly tank support.
It was the M6a1 Paladin that was attached to Captain Wiles' group, with its cannon barrel still smoking from the last shot it fired. Sitting a mere 500m from up a road directly to Rangers 11 o'clock, the Paladin's turret changed position to engage the other scorpion. The scorpion moved its turret first to engage the Paladin and fired a Russian made AT-5 SPANDREL missile (that was jury rigged to the side of the turret). Just as the missile quickly closed the distance to the American tank, its laser defense system quickly targeted and destroyed the Russian anti tank weapon in a brilliant flash concentrated of light. The Paladin quickly responded by firing its smooth bore cannon completely obliterating the 2nd light tank in the same fashion as the first one.
The 2 Delta operators were both amazed and relieved that the support they requested finally decided to make a timely appearance. Mardukas observed the tank as it rumbled up to the Ranger position, while shooting up an enemy held building to its right with its coaxial machine gun.
Something else caught his attention, the distant thunder of explosions south of the engagement area.
'Foxhound 01 to all teams, Air force has started their attack run and will be on station to support us in 20 minutes. 187th Infantry (a Regiment from 101st airborne division) are preparing to air assault in 1 hour. Keep the designated LZ clear for the air assault boys till then' (Burton)
Reinforcements were on their way………..
March 14th 2016
KAZAKHSTAN
Baikonur Cosmodrome foyer of the launch and tracking station
0845 Kazakhstan local time.
Mardukas was sitting in amongst the wounded, dying or dead in the foyer of the launch and tracking station, which was designated as the casualty collection point. There were a number of Army and Air force Medics running a triage over by the security/reception desk. They were going over a quickly catalogued list of injured, trying to figure out who needed a priority CASEVAC back to Base Sentinel and who fell into the 'not going to make it' category.
Mardukas watched as the medics hopped from casualty to casualty in almost the same manner as bees deliver pollen to the various parts of a hive. Many of them were rushing in and out of the foyer, carrying the injured on stretchers. The Delta sergeant guessed that those heading out were probably being loaded on to UH-60X Lightening Hawks outside, as he could hear the rhythmic beats of rotor blades every time the main door opened.
Finally a medic came by to treat Mardukas' shoulder. The air force Para-medic began to remove the field dressing on the delta operator. The Mardukas hissed as his shoulder reminded him of the abused it received some hours earlier.
"How you doin' soldier?" blue shirt asked.
"Can I shoot you in the shoulder so you can find out?" Mardukas offered rather candidly, as the PJ threw away the used bandages.
(Authors note: PJ stands for Para-jumper which is another name for an air force para-medic. PJs are members of special tactics teams of the USAF special operations command)
"Nuff' said," The Para-medic responded smiling, not the least bit intimidated. Being a special operative himself he was used to the unusual sense of humor shared by some members of the special operations community. With as much care to the treatment of his patient he pulled off Mardukas' load bearing equipment, body armour and shirt.
"Ha ha ha….. You PJs ain't no fun at all,"
"We aim to please our D-boy customers," the PJ said as he disinfected wound "Even if they are Army."
Mardukas did what he could as the stifle his urge to groan as the pain from his shoulder assaulted his senses, while the para-medic applied a new field dressing.
"I wouldn't worry about it soldier," The PJ said as he finished dressing the wound, "Some rest and recovery for a week or 2 and you'll be back to blowin' shit up."
Just as the PJ wandered off to the next patient, Mardukas began putting on his shirt. As he did so he began to replay the events of what had happened. The process of second guessing himself started when he hauled on his body armour………..what could he have done better or was that the right decision? He then shook his head as clipped on load bearing vest and picked up his weapon. In the end it didn't matter what happened in the past………..What was done was done and there nothing he could do but learn from the experience.
As he sauntered over to the main entrance of the foyer, he noticed a corpse covered by a blanket being carried on a stretcher by 2 very stressed out female army nurses. He had cheated death today but he wondered for how long? 'Aw fuck it,' he thought, 'bring it on…..a guy has gotta die sometime, for now I'll just keep doin my job'
Mardukas pushed through the doors of the foyer and into the morning light to see what fate had in store for him today……………….
And that's the end of 1st Operation…………..next its operation 2
ITS BACK TO "MOG" for the D-boys
Hoped you Enjoyed his chapter :D
