Chapter 4
Foot Patrol
Echo Company expected to encounter some Yuktobanian troop presence soon after their arrival. But after dropping in four hours ago, not a single Yuktobanian patrol was spotted. That was quite surprising to the paratroopers who were expecting a firefight. But as surprising as it was to not encounter an enemy, the Flamin' Angels weren't complaining.
Those patrols that were sent out earlier were just now returning. All of them fortunately returned, reporting nothing out of the ordinary. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing all their comrades return safely. None of them wanted to hear bad news on the first day of the operation. Besides, no one felt like getting involved in a fight just yet.
Yuktobania wasn't known for hot weather, but today was different. The twenty-mile patrol had made these troops tired, thirsty, and hungry. Their MREs could have been filled with bugs, but these troops didn't care. They just wanted something in their stomachs.
Other troops noticed the strain that the heat had taken on their comrades. But whether they liked it or not, patrols had to continue throughout the day. Without complaint, several other squads from Echo readied their rifles and headed out into the endless plains of the Yuktobanian countryside.
Athos' squad was the first group of soldiers to move out. He made sure all of his men carried at least a gallon of water. Passing out on a simple patrol was unacceptable to him and he wouldn't let it happen.
To beat the heat, the First Squadders traded their helmets for boonie hats. They were sweating just standing still and wanted to keep their heads cool for obvious reasons.
They walked much more relaxed than this morning. Still they kept their eyes open and walked slowly just to make sure they weren't in danger. Conversation was kept to a minimum. Athos didn't feel like any nearby enemies shooting one of his men, all because someone couldn't keep their mouth shut. But some of Athos' men whispered to each other.
"Hey?" Blake hissed.
"Think anyone is watching us?"
"I don't know and don't care. Besides the Sarge told us to keep our mouths shut." James quietly replied.
"I don't like this. Too damn quiet out here. Kinda' spooky." Blake said.
"Don't jinx it you idiot!" Andersen retorted.
"Sorry. Just trying to start conversation."
"Well do us a favor and shut the hell up will ya?" Myers said.
"'Cause I don't like this either."
Athos heard a brief noise and immediately ordered his men to get down. On instinct they dropped to their stomachs and began scanning the horizon for an enemy yet to be seen.
"I hate it when he does that." Wilkes complained.
"You hate everything." Jenkins replied.
"What do you think he saw this time?" Wilkes asked.
"Dunno. Story is he saw a rabbit this morning. Almost shot the damned thing."
"Really?"
"Yeah, mistook it for a Yuke soldier."
"That isn't like him."
Jenkins briefly looked behind him, "I wouldn't worry about that. The only reason he stopped was because he saw movement. All of us would've done the same thing in his situation."
"Guess so."
At the rear of the eight-man patrol Andersen was getting cautious.
"Getting a funny feeling here." Andersen said.
"What? A hard on." Addison cracked.
"No, I only get those thinking about your mom." Andersen joked as he looked around the flat fields.
Addison hesitated not expecting that come back, "Well seriously, what are you thinking about?"
"Feel like something's about to happen here."
Addison was a funny guy, but this time he could sense the caution in his friend's voice. Whatever funny feeling Andersen had, it certainly wasn't sexual.
"Like what?" Addison asked nervously.
"Like someone's hunting us." Andersen quietly replied.
"Say, Blake, why'd you join up?" Myers asked quietly.
"Videogames. You know, kinda motivated me to join up. Wanted to be a hero." Blake replied.
"Those videogames teach you to be scared sh!tless? 'Cause I sure as hell am."
Meanwhile, James and Athos were busy observing some movement.
"Sarge? What's up?" James asked.
Athos pointed towards some moving figures, "You see those gentlemen Corporal?"
"Yeah." James said, quietly shifting his aim to their position.
"Think they're farmers."
"I was thinking along the lines of hunters. Besides check out those rifles."
"FN-FALs. Must be going after some buffalo sir."
"Some big a$$ buffalo at that."
"Dispatch 'em sir?" James asked.
"Nope, there's only eight of 'em. A patrol just like us. Don't wanna give away our position. Could be attached to a whole Yuke battalion for all I know. Don't plan on pissing those kinda numbers off." Athos reasoned.
"I hear ya sir."
"Good. Tell the rest of the squad what we saw and tell them to stay down and hold fire. We're gonna hide this one out."
James turned around on his belly.
"Hey!" He whispered loudly to the others.
Getting their attention, James pointed to his eyes and pointed just beyond the horizon and held a circle up to his forehead. He then made a slashing motion across his neck and shook his head left to right.
"What's James saying?" Myers asked.
"That there's a patrol up ahead. Wants us to stay down and hold our fire." Jenkins replied.
"Sh!t. We got Yukes?" Andersen asked excitedly.
"Yes. Now will you shut the hell up? Don't want to start this war off earlier than we need to." Jenkins nearly yelled.
"So the Sarge just wants us to stay put while those boys take their sweet ole time?" Wilkes asked.
"Yeah. So what?" Jenkins asked angrily.
"So what? We can nail those punks from right here." Wilkes confidently replied.
"And your point is?"
"Why aren't we shooting?"
"Because the Sarge probably doesn't want to be the idiot that gets a whole Osean company wiped out all because he wanted to kill somebody."
"Well that's just great. Sitting and waiting."
"Why are you so damn anxious? Got a hot date?"
"No. But it sure wouldn't hurt to be with a hot chick right about now."
Athos and his squad waited in the tall grass for about fifteen minutes. The suspense made it feel more like an hour but Athos wasn't taking any chances, considering he had men to lead. During the wait, some of the First Squadders grew restless, but fortunately, they heeded to their commander's orders. That was all Athos asked for to allow his men to live another day.