Chapter 5

Long Night

Work went into the early evening. Crickets chirped reminding everyone of the impending night ahead. Rest was not on the day planner. Everyone was told be on their toes. Those who were fatigued resorted to chewing grinded coffee straight from the bag. As nasty as the taste was, it helped some of them keep awake for the long night up ahead. No one wanted to be the one responsible for having a Yuktobanian patrol with rocket launchers sneak up on them. Early evening was the perfect time for a sneak attack to happen. Sleeping on the job just wasn't an option.

A beautiful orange and purple sky was offset by a complement of ominous dark black clouds. The men of Echo weren't superstitious but the tension in the air just couldn't be ignored. Around the clock flights of C-17s carrying Apache helicopters, their crews, ammunition and maintenance were due to arrive at any moment. They would be making a risky landing on a flat plain near the hilltop. The massive cargo planes were made to land just about anywhere but things could still go wrong.

Even though the sun was still out the landscape was quite dark. Soldiers donned their night vision goggles and waited patiently for their comrades to arrive.

Echo Company fanned out in a wide circle covering the landing area. No Yuktobanian soldier would be getting through this time. Strobes visible only with night vision goggles designated the grassy runway. It would be unbelievable to see a cargo aircraft land in such a small space, but the Osean 77th was confident in the flying abilities of their Air Force.

The interim allowed for some conversation. This day was far from over and the boys of Echo would pass the time as best they could.

"Half hour from now and we'll have some serious firepower." Andersen said.

"Yeah. I'd sure like to see the look on the Yukes faces when they see cargo planes landing on the grass." Wilkes added.

"Well don't look forward to seeing the Yukes. Our little slumber party may attract the attention of some patrols." Athos warned.

"What can patrols do sir?" Blake asked.

Athos sighed, considering Blake's request for information quite stupid, "They can report to their battalions. And battalions have a lot more troops and firepower. And if you're smart enough you can figure out how bad that is for us." Athos said angrily.

"He just asked a question, Sarge." James reasoned.

"Sorry. I just think doing this is pretty stupid." Athos shook his head.

"Why?" Addison asked.

"For one thing, we're out in the open. Pretty decent targets for a sniper."

"'Could one be out here?" Blake asked nervously.

"You saw those patrols. You wouldn't be an idiot to think so."

"Well, I, for one, am not looking forward to my head getting blown off." Wilkes said.

"Hey, I'd be grateful. At least snipers have the common decency to kill ya instantly." Addison said.

Blake looked at Addison nervously.

"What?" Addison asked him.

"It's the truth. I'd take it or leave it."

"At least no one's gotten shot yet." Athos quipped.

"Guess that means we're pretty blessed." Jenkins chuckled.

"I'd rather say lucky." Andersen said.

"And you'd be the atheist to say that wouldn't you?" James said.

"Religion doesn't work for me. You know that." Andersen said.

Silence. Athos' squad took time to listen to the crickets and feel the cool air. These were the only two things keeping these young paratroopers from going crazy. The suspense was almost unbearable.

"Sarge? Why didn't we engage those patrols again?" Wilkes asked.

"Didn't you listen to what he said this morning?" Jenkins grumbled.

"Yeah... I just couldn't hear him too well."

"Lay off him Jenkins. He's just hard of hearing." Athos said with a smirk.

"Even the Sarge talks about me. I'm hopeless." Wilkes sighed.

Athos laughed, "Didn't mean to upset you Private. To answer your question, we didn't engage those guys because compromising our position was just too risky."

"You gotta understand that the Sarge here didn't plan on a battalion tracking us down." Myers said.

"Exactly." Athos added.

"So, were we the only ones to see a Yuke patrol?" Blake asked.

"Nope, others encountered and avoided them too." Athos explained.

"Well what's next up on the menu, after these planes do their thing?" James asked.

"Dunno." Athos sighed.

"Depends on what the chef has in mind."

"Who, Captain Dunnigan?"

"Yeah." Athos groaned.

"Sounds like you're a big fan of his sir." Andersen said.

"Am I?" Athos replied sarcastically.

"Why sir?" James asked.

Athos contemplated whether or not if should have told his squad why he didn't like the Captain.

"Don't get me started. You know I don't talk about this." Athos returned.

"Aw hell. Fire away Sarge. It ain't like you'll get court marshaled for it."

Looking at his men, Athos reluctantly agreed to spill the beans.

"Okay, okay. But as long as boys keep your mouths shut."

"We won't tell anyone sir."

"Because if you do, I'll have all of you cleaning every latrine between here and Osea with your bare hands." Athos threatened.

"Read ya loud and clear, Sarge." Jenkins smiled.

"Here's why I don't like him. First off the guy thinks he's God's gift to the Army. You boys think I'm Captain Osea get a load of this. Graduated ROTC top of his class, enters as a lieutenant at 25. Now I had the pleasure of serving under him for a good couple of years. Just because he has about ten years over us he thinks he can yank the good ole chain of command anytime he pleases."

"So he's a one of them good ole boys then." Jenkins said.

"That's not it Private. While me and the enlisted were fighting our a$$es off in Belka, the Captain, our beloved CO, was probably curled up in a nice cozy bed with a book about military history. I mean guys died because of his indecisiveness in combat. He's gotten better at it but it sure hasn't raised the dead. Now, what pissed me off and still pisses me off to this day is the fact that he came to command us with absolutely no combat experience and he has the nerve to not listen to our suggestions. We knew what combat was, he didn't. Excuse me for being an a$$hole but a good commander does not ignore the suggestions of his subordinates." Athos vented.

"So we're really screwed then?" Addison guessed.

"With Captain Dunnigan running the show. I'd say, yeah." Athos answered sarcastically.

"Sh!t." Andersen snorted.

"But remember this gentlemen. I'm your commander. The captain over there may be your superior, but I lead you into combat. I give you guys hell, I know that. But my mission above everything else, to get you guys home in one piece." Athos explained.

"I'd guess it be safe to say that you aren't too fond of officers." Myers believed.

Athos looked at the distant C-17 coming in for landing.

"Oh, don't get me wrong guys. I don't hate the officers. In fact some of them are good friends of mine. I just prefer to work for a living."