Disclaimer: I don't own any of the planes or anything in the game.
Rated M for language and violence.
This story is for every paratrooper or soldier in general who ever served, or currently serve in any army anywhere in the world at any given time. I salute and thank you. This is my first fic posted here but not the first one I've written, so critique away!
Diary of an Osean Paratrooper
Part I: Augustine
"There are a crazy breed. Even crazier than me. They volunteered for this...I guess there is such a thing as positive masochism. When and where can I join?" - Pvt. Johnny Allen of the 4th Infantry Division on the 79th Airborne. He and his sister joined the paratroops in December.
The Osean 1st Airborne Corps are amonst the great military groups of all time. Inside the corps are the 13th Airborne Division, the 79th Airborne Division and 34th Air Expeditionary Division. The 79th Airborne Division, the All Angels, is the largest parachute infantry division in the world and have been involved in every major and minor conflict since 1950. The most famous of its ranks During the war of 2010, they too would play a role in the vast drama. It would produce 7 of the 16 eventual winners of Osea's highest military honor, the Seraphim Cross.
Sergeant 1st Class Damien Peter Klein, was one of them. He was one of the many storied figures during the war in 2010. He is married to kind, understanding woman named Jen Klein and a dedicated father. He was, and still is, a member of Bravo Company, 1st of the 117th PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment), of the 79th Airborne Division; he was the most decorated ground soldier in the Osean-Yuktobanian-Belkan Conflict, and one of the most decorated of all time with 7 medals, 3 citations, and 5 purple hearts. For two months, his company as well as the rest of the division would earn fame...being called the "The Razgriz of the Ground" by the famous Yuke Commander of the 10th Airborne Corps Jabon Mizzirym, the youngest one star general in history at the age of 31. They would face hardship, heat, bitter cold, and death. He would participate in the longest, bloodiest engagement of modern times, the Rydling Front. Sgt. 1st Class Klein's diary is a keen insight in the mind of the common soldier during the war. It is here, he documents his extraordinary tour of duty. We see his selflessness, his dedication, his response to life and death, and his meetings with the most famous figures of the whole conflict. He was one of the many who believed that the "Ghosts of Razgriz" were in fact the Sand Island pilots. That is because he is one of the very few to have actually met them in person...
In one particular incident, Klein recalls meeting the famous female ace of the Sand Island Squadron behind enemy lines. He managed to find an abandoned farmhouse to hole up for the night. Later, he was asked:
"Do you think we'll be safe here?" asked Captain Nagase.
"Yeah...just get behind me, because one's getting through this goddamn door!" Klein replied.
September 22, 2010- I've finished jump school. I swear those were the best four weeks of my life. I managed to make all 5 jumps and earn my wings. I started writing this as the first day of the rest of my life as a member of B Company in the 117th PIR. I've been assigned under my former platoon sergeant SSgt Price as my squad leader. He's a good leader and an excellent person to be around. There have been new officers coming in, Lt. Jones runs the platoon. Most of my friends from BCT have been sent to other companies leaving only my best friends the M60 gunners Dave Gordon and Haley Christenson, Andrew Lally on bazooka, and Charlie Seville. Jen, my wife of 8 months, strangely didn't think this whole thing was crazy. Of course, my in-laws thought I was insane. They almost didn't accept me; but they didn't stop Jen. They just act all snooty towards me. I love her...I hate her family. She works the end user support in a computer shop; now that is a job that takes some patience! Regardless, I made the paratroops anyway and she couldn't be more happy for me. I wear these jump wings and the angel patch on my sholder with pride. Life is good right now, there's nothing going on in the world. My home is 10 blocks from the base and I have good friends to make the day interesting. Life can't get much better than this.
September 27, 2010- I watched it all on TV; a war had begun. We saw the bombing of St. Hewlett, the burning waves and ships with people spilling off the decks. It was so sudden. As we watched the gulf burn, I thought about how many people will wake up in homes that won't be full again. Eventually, the attackers were routed, but the damage was already done. The time for complacency has ended. The time for combat training had begun. It was all but obvious at that point. Everyone in the country realizes that our sense of security has been broken. I am at a lack of words.
October 8, 2010- For the last few days, we've been training, drilling, walking long hours, etc. We've been locked up in this base with almost no contact with the outside world. The Yukes have been blitzing us with constant attacks, but they've been turned back. Several air force pilots have become famous up a Sand Island. We may be getting ready for a counter-offensive. We were constantly practicing our skills on simulated missions. We hardly get any rest. One particular operation, one person from each company in the regiment was chosen at random to lead a squad as it were the company. I got picked. Our objective is to capture this particular target in the woods; in this case, a flag. Most of these guys knew this area very well, and since I was from North Osea, my team was at a disadvantage. But, by some fluke we got there first. Our company got to sit out a 15 mile hike in full combat gear as reward.
October 12, 2010- Dave and I ran into an older cousin of his today, 2nd Lieutenant. Jamie Gagne, an air force supply officer at the nearby Blackcreek Air Base. We were talking our sweethearts at one point. Jamie told us he'd just gotten married to his girlfriend of 8 months, Serena. He said she was getting nominated for the highest medal one can get in any branch of the military, the not-so coveted Seraphim Cross. Of course, I say "not-so coveted" since most winners of that award die in the process. It's the ultimate way to say, "I'm insane." He mentioned those "Four Wings of Sand Island" and how she helped out in that battle…said she single handedly sunk a Yuke destroyer in that huge battle at Sand Island. The leader of the Sand Island squadron had given her the nickname "Lady Kamikaze" and that's her new call sign. Then I thought about what D'Angelis said. He was a chauvinist of sorts; believed women shouldn't fight on the front lines. In fact, it's only been 2 years since women have been allowed to fight in the infantry. I don't care. Anyone who puts their life on the line is worthy of my respect regardless of gender; in fact, to say they shouldn't is sort of….presumptuous. Of course, the air force has it easy; all they have to do is push buttons.
October 14, 2010- I've been trying to keep in contact with Jen, but it's hard with all the relentless training. She's been behind me 100, and that's why I love so much. We were briefed about an invasion into Yuktobania by Captain Thompson, B Company CO. However, I can't say much about it though. The intelligence was incredible; I was surprised how fast they got this. Then again, it's 2010.
October 15, 2010- I could only tell Jen that we're going into combat soon, but I couldn't divulge the invasion info. D-Day for "Operation Footprint" was November 1. What an inane name for an operation. "Operation Blood Scissors" would be a good name or maybe "Operation Midnight"?
We were going in first. 5 hours before four infantry divisions land at Bastok. Now the officers are training us harder than ever. I trust the Captain's judgment. He'd seen combat in the war 15 years ago. I was only 8 then. We were updated with more information about our objective. Lt. Jones told us that we were going to take 2 villages and the city of Vijrundi…in a single day. With that done, the 11th Armored guys can roll up. Dave didn't really like Jones. We privates respect the NCOs more. We're all together in the pits drilling, running miles, and getting dirty. The officers never made much of an attempt to relate to us. They were good leaders though.
Haley is the most foul-mouthed person on the planet. She says the word "fuck" in the form of a noun, adverb, or adjective just about every other sentence. D'Angelis gets on our fucking nerves…great, now I'm doing it. Lally seems to get a kick out of this whole fucking thing. I'm filled with every fucking feeling now….and it's only one and half weeks away. Thank you Haley fucking Christenson for being the best platonic female friend a guy could have. Everyone's so fucking awesome here. I mean, we all did this because we want to be the best, most dedicated, motherfuckers in the whole damn army. The Yukes are going get quite the wake up call.
October 17, 2010- I described the scene of activity here to Jen with these exact words: poetry in motion. All the planes flying over us, the people training, the ships at sea were awe inspiring. Then it occurred to me that I was only a small microscopic part of this thing. I caught a glimpse of that mighty aircraft carrier, Kestrel. That must be one cramped place. Andrew has a friend on that ship, Argyle his name was. He was a WSO(weapon systems operator) on a F-14. The pilot, Snow I think he's called, leads the squadron.
Some guys were taking lessons in Yuktobanian. I knew the language and the rural dialect perfectly. The officers keep giving us quizzes and stuff on Yuke equipment, customs, etc. It's really annoying. I wish November would hurry up and get here.
October 21, 2010- We got a break from training today, and got a visit from the big man himself, General Howell. The whole regiment was in full uniform out there on that field, all 1,484 of us. I had never been so nervous in my life; however, he had nothing but positive things to say about us. Our regimental commander, Colonel Lavitz also greeted us. It was more of a surprise as we were on the firing ranges demonstrating our talents for the brass. The Colonel selected 8 people from the company to do the target course, me being one of them. No one scored below 30, with 40 being the highest; I scored 38. He told me I was a "damn fine shooter, son." I simply replied, "Thank you, sir."
October 25, 2010- Only 6 more days until the invasion and everyone's getting antsy. It forced me to cope with why I joined. I joined to defend this country. I joined because I felt in debt to the country that's been so good to me. I didn't join to kill the enemy, but I will if I have to. "You do what you're told and you'll live to see another day in combat." said Captain Thompson or something to that effect. Training is mostly over, now it's about reviewing our objectives. We have to memorize every single objective of every platoon in the company. I'm looking at those C-130s right now. I remember Haley saying that they were "The Airborne Limousines". Perhaps they were. However, we're probably going to be under heavy fire. I remember there were some people around Fort Augustine today. They were ordinary people, just looking in from the outside before they were shooed away by base personnel. I can't forget the look of depression on their faces. I wonder who's family that was?
October 26, 2010- The whole regiment participated in a parade today in Sierra City. Most people had tears in their eyes. Some people were like, "Give 'em hell!" Some were singing that ridiculous song "Journey Home", I'm so tired of hearing that song. I think everyone was out there. I know Jen was out there somewhere, but there were just so many people. They all had our backs, just like we troopers had each others'. It was incredible. We marched from Fort Augustine to Black Creek AFB to prepare for the invasion. Our spirits are high and everyone has the full confidence in ourselves, our fellow troopers, our equipment, and our leaders. Not so much faith in the other branchs like the Marin...nevermind.
October 28, 2010- I spent most of today writing out a will and one last letter to my wife "just-in-case". I can't believe it, a will. We started marshaling at Black Creek Air Base and we've been staying in tents outside of the base. Dave ran into his cousin again, and we also met his new wife, Serena. I think she drunk too much coffee that morning. She is probably the most gregarious and bubbly officer I ever met. But she had sort of a flip attitude. One minute she's all cheery, the next she's all business. This is especially true in the plane, at least that's what the Lieutenant said. At least her laugh wasn't annoying. We got to see her plane, an F-16. It was quite a nice piece of hardware. They're going to be flying escort for us on the drop. For some reason the weather changed from really nice to really nasty rain. I hope this isn't a sign of things to come.
October 30, 2010-Well, this is it. The long awaited day has arrived. I only got 2 hours of sleep last night. I've just been lying awake thinking of nothing else but what I was going to do in combat. I share a tent with Dave, Seville and Pvt. Peter van Obierk of second squad. Van Obierk's always humming show tunes and such. These are the people I'll be with in combat; the only people I can trust other than myself. We're the most dedicated soldiers in this whole army. Jen told me she got into a little "discussion" with a Marine wife over who's tougher. It was rather silly, she admitted. They went out for a cup of coffee later. The Marines and the Airborne have the biggest rivalry. However, that is of no consequence now. I have no regrets. Everyone else looked like death's hand was on their shoulders. This may be my last entry. I just hope I can make it to the ground. I just want to jump; if I get killed afterwards, I won't complain. All the people in our town, Moonwater, are having this huge prayer service for us. In three hours, I will be apart of one the largest military operations in modern times. With all this stuff we have to carry, I hope we don't go down in the water. Our main job other than taking Vijrundi is to cause confusion amongst the enemy. This operation has been kept pretty secret. I don't think the Yukes are gonna expect us...
I just want to make it to the ground. Whatever happens after that...just...happens.
