Chapter 12
Lest We Forget
A pouring rain seemed to extinguish the burning confidence of the Flamin' Angels. Their once vigorous sense of poise and assurance was replaced by feelings of sadness, anger, and frustration. Wings had been clipped and the men of the 77th began to doubt whether they would see Osea ever again.
One by one, drops of water fell from the brims of their boonie hats. These paratroopers were thoroughly soaked. But considering the mood of the occasion, they really didn't care.
The 77th began to pay respects to the fallen. Without a proper way to preserve the bodies, the paratroopers resorted to burying their dead. In the ways of common military tradition, rifles were wedged, muzzle first into the dirt, battered helmets gracing the ends of the stocks. These tangible symbols reiterated the fact that death was just around the corner. Not a day, hour, minute, or second was promised to these soldiers.
Standing rigid and still the paratroopers tried to quell any hints of emotion. But the task proved harder than fighting a war itself. For those that survived the crash an overwhelming feeling of sadness over came them. As the chaplain read over biblical verses, some could not help but let tears stream down their cheeks. These paratroopers were all close friends some of them claiming to be long lost brothers. Losing one of their own was as painful as losing a part of their family. After all, the Osean 77th was a group that prided itself on fraternity. These men were truly brothers.
Even though Athos and his squad did not know the departed souls, there existed a feeling of grief within them as well. Yet, for them, anger was more prevalent. Watching their comrades die, without a chance to fight back, was enraging. Standing at attention, they clinched their fists. They wanted to shout, they wanted to scream, and they wanted to kill. But Athos had to keep reminding himself that he was a professional soldier. Fighting with emotion clouded your judgment and for Athos to have clouded judgment was out of the question.
Upon hearing the depressing resonance of taps played on a bugle, the paratroopers saluted. Slowly, the noise gave way to the drowning monotony of the rain. With the ceremony finished, the soldiers dispersed to begin anew.
"So, guess this means we're at war huh?" Addison asked
"We always were." Athos replied solemnly.
"Well, looks like we got something to do." Andersen beckoned to Captain Dunnigan.
"TEN HUA!" A soldier yelled out.
Every soldier snapped to attention.
"At ease gentlemen." Dunnigan said quietly.
The soldiers relaxed and looked at their superior with blank, depressing stares.
"I'm not going to deny the solemnity of this occasion gentlemen. Those of you from Lima Company that survived, we're glad to have you here. But I'm gonna have to cut short the introductions. Only a couple of minutes after the horrific crashes yesterday, a few Osean soldiers, who were believed to have survived the ordeal, are missing in action. Now from what we learned from a few of you, a Corporal Jacob Samuels was captured by elements of the Yuke Fifteenth Marines. Ordinarily we would have gone to look for him immediately. But the problem is that we don't know where exactly the Yuke Fifteenth has taken him."
"According to our intelligence, Samuels was likely taken to the town of Ardovka, but they don't know for sure. I don't want to risk lives here gentlemen on information I'm unsure of."
About time, Athos didn't say.
"We did expect to begin further operations today, but because our reinforcements were killed that is not possible. But let me mind you gentlemen that help is on the way. We've received word from our fly boys that they'll begin suppressing the SAM systems here to allow more C-17 flights to come through."
"The Air Force has agreed to send a deep strike to allow for reinforcements. They just have one request. I tried to convince them otherwise but I couldn't."
Get to the point, Athos said to himself.
"They will send in a SEAD strike but they need someone to designate the targets. This means that we will have to get dangerously close to the Yukes. Since they know where exactly we are, they'll probably be all over the place. The reason the Air Force wants us to designate targets this is because the brass is very particular about civilian casualties. They simply don't want to hit a civilian target, to save face."
Don't they always, Athos wanted to reply.
"In order to make this easier we will use a few squads for recon. We don't expect to engage the enemy. But in the event you are engaged, our Apache gunships can give you guys some close air support."
"Three squads have been chosen for this mission. Those squads are as followed. First, Twelfth, and Fifteenth."
Athos took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. Unlike before his men would really be put in harms way. He noticed his men exchanging looks and quiet dialogue. They were scared.
"In the event, gentlemen, that you find out where Corporal Samuels is, you are not, I repeat, not authorized to rescue him."
Those from Lima Company started to raise their voices.
"Gentlemen! These are not my orders. This is what my superiors ordered me to do and they are emphasizing strict rules of engagement. We cannot deviate from them for reasons that I honestly don't understand. I am sorry it has to be this way gentlemen but this is the sad reality of war. Briefing starts a seven thirty this evening. That is all."
Dunnigan walked away followed by an entourage of other lieutenants and other officers. As they disappeared the surprised soldiers began to talk amongst themselves.
"I can't believe this. We just gonna let this Samuels guy rot in there?" Jenkins complained.
"Yeah, sir. He could be right under those damn air defenses for all we know." Wilkes added.
"I hear you, gentlemen. But the fact of the matter is that we just simply cannot disobey rules of engagement." Athos replied.
"We never leave are men behind, Sarge. You know that." James reminded Athos.
"Yes, I know, but the brass has a dilemma on its hands. They know that we need more reinforcements and the only way to see to that is the destruction of those air defenses. But they also realize that a man left behind is unacceptable. Now do they decide to let one man die and save a couple of hundred Osean troops, or do they sanction a rescue mission that could end up in disaster with massive casualties. These are the things that are on the minds of our superiors." Athos reasoned.
"Seems like you're defending them." Myers said angrily.
Athos shot Myers a look.
"Watch your mouth soldier." Athos growled.
"I am, sir!" Myers challenged.
Athos grabbed Myers by the collar. Both men stared each other in the eyes. No one intervened.
"You listen to me carefully, soldier!" Athos hissed.
"You will not question me on what I say! You understand me! I am not defending the Captain, I am trying to tell explain to you, how f#ked up our situation is! Now if you don't like it you, tough. You just have to suck it up! But God damn, if you ever talk to me like that again, I'll shoot you myself!" Athos said slightly louder.
"Is that understood!" Athos nearly yelled, catching the attention of several other paratroopers.
"Yes sir." Myers said a bit quietly.
"Now for the rest of you. You will meet me right here at seven thirty."
"Yes sir!" They replied in unison.
"That is all! You are dismissed!" Athos said angrily.
The rest of the squad didn't budge. Instead they gave their commander disapproving stares.
"I said you are dismissed gentlemen! Move it!"
Athos' men finally dispersed with a totally different look at their commander. Alone, Athos breathed out heavily and started cursing himself for taking his frustration out on his men. He knew that the outburst was completely acceptable. Athos did not consider himself a screamer and wished there was some way to take back what he said. But he figured the damage was already done. Now he thought of the things he had to do to win back their respect, because he was more than certain they just lost respect for him.
He hoped, that despite the unnecessary display of anger, his men would follow his orders for the mission ahead. Something told him, that they wouldn't. Athos had to remind himself however, that his men were professional soldiers who were trained to put their personal baggage aside. But doubts sufficed as to if that would actually be the case this time around. Men trusted and respected their commanders with knowledge that their commanders would dutifully return such values. Athos knew that he did model himself after those qualities, just not today.
If his men died today, it would be because of the respect they lost for him. Their blood would be on his hands. For the first time, Athos felt like he had made a horrible mistake. He hoped he was wrong about his men dying because of that reason. Deep down inside though, he thought otherwise.