=Hayden's POV=

(Sunday, March 29, 2020-7:35 pm)

[Archian Outpost; Syria-M1 Barrack]

As of March 16th, Alpha Company has been deployed for seven months total here in Aleppo, Syria. In two months; we'll have reached the halfway mark of our eighteen months. As it turns out, the plans changed. Initially, after nine months in Aleppo, we were supposed to transfer to Damascus, but I guess we're staying where we are now. I didn't mind; Aleppo was growing on. I turned twenty-years-old last month on the 29th of February as it actually came this year, and Troy turned twenty on February 8th. Funny that our birthdays are literally twenty days apart; nine if it happens to be a leap year. Troy and I are still in a relationship; eight months all together now, and we're still delighted to be a couple. Once a month we manage a date night, and sometimes we're able to do more, but we're happy getting in the one. Troy and I enjoy being able to just sit down and talk about the things we can't with everyone else around, and we like being able to kiss or make out even if it was just for a little bit. As for other things; I don't speak to my parents, and I rarely talk with Avery, Shane, Fisher, Drew, Hailey, Rylee, and Tyler. I don't have my parents on Skype, and they don't have my cell phone number. Not that it would work anyway, which is why I use Skype when I have the time to call home.

I primarily conversate with Gabriel, Dustin, Rachel, and Cole. My former friends did message me on my birthday, and I thanked them once I saw it. I was giving them a chance to show me they were sorry, and prove they did want to make up for what happened. I hadn't decided if my parents were as deserving yet; I'm sure I'd forgive them at some point, but not right now. I was weird like that, and typically I forgive and let go of things quickly, but this was a different situation. The friends I'd had for years believed I would talk shit about them. Hell, I was upset and mad they abandoned me, but I still don't speak ill of them. My parents were going to throw me out of their house. I had lost my job because I was framed, and I was blamed for the accident, the street thugs, and helping that pregnant woman against her abusive ex. I know Dustin cleared me from everything, and that they are aware of the truth, but that doesn't take away all the hurt felt being betrayed by the people I thought cared. It's been over a year for everything, but I guess I'm having a harder time dealing with the fact everything I had was so easily broken and lost. I suppose that I might always be a little depressed about what happened; it did drive me to try and kill myself to escape the pain. I still wondered what would happen when my parents and former friends learned about that. It still scared me, but I knew now that Troy would be with me.

"Is he sleeping?" I heard Theodore ask. I wondered if they meant me since I was laying down on my cot and my eyes are closed. It's about 7:35 pm, and supposed to be a quiet night for us, so why not take advantage and relax a bit?

"Haddock?" came Harry's voice next. I felt someone move next to me and cracked an eye open to see Troy there.

"Oh, you are awake," Troy blinked.

"Of course, why did you think I wasn't?" I replied.

"Because you just got back from a sixteen-hour guard and patrol shift less than two hours ago?" Andrew remarked. It wasn't untrue; I'd been awake since 1 am. The job had been a guard, but turned patrol halfway through and lasted sixteen hours. On top of all that; I wasn't even with my platoon. I filled in for Staff Sergeant on another platoon while their Lieutenant was in a meeting.

"You're exhausted, Hayden. Why don't you get some sleep?" Troy offered. I guess I should. "We'll stay quiet for you," he smiled as I nodded to him, finally agreeing. I rolled over on my bed and closed my eyes.

=Normal POV=

(Two Hours Later-9:40 pm)

Hayden was fast asleep while the guys just sat around and talked, and some were preparing to go to sleep for the night when Kristopher rushed in. "Where's Staff Sergeant Haddock?" Kristopher inquired.

Troy pointed to Hayden's bed. "Knocked out,"

Kristopher shook Hayden slightly as the twenty-year-old woke up and saw Kristopher. Hayden sat up slowly and then stood. "What can I do for you, sir?" Hayden asked with a salute.

"Two teams from Tidal Platoon need assistance, and we're going with all of Inferno. Suit up," Kristopher informed.

"Aye, Lieutenant Hunters!" Hayden replied. "We'll be ready in two minutes," he assured as everyone took the hint to start getting ready immediately. Kristopher nodded and left. "Inferno girls, get ready, now!" he yelled to the M2 Barrack.

"Hayden, are you up for this?" Troy asked while getting on his jacket and tying his boots.

"It doesn't matter if I am or aren't, Troy. We have a job to do," Hayden responded while clipping his helmet in place, then securing his vest along with getting the pack on, then placing his sword, rifle, and handgun in their rightful places.

"Hayden, you went to bed at 9:30 pm last night, was up at 1 am for a guard that turned patrol for sixteen hours, and have just now only gotten three hours of sleep," Ethan remarked.

"Just tell Hunters-," Andrew started.

"Infantry never sleep, boys. Saving lives is more important, so let's stop worrying about how much sleep I've had and get out there to help our comrades. I'll not hear another word about it, understand?" Hayden said firmly.

"Yes, Sergeant Haddock!" the males answered.

. . .

[Undisclosed Area]

(An Hour Later-10:43 pm)

The Inferno Platoon arrived at their location and split off. Half would save their comrades, the rest would push back enemies that had their friends pinned down.

"Haddock, take twelve and get the others out. We'll cover you!" Kristopher yelled.

"Understood, Lieutenant!" Hayden replied with a nod. "Strike, Sword, and Shield Teams, with me!"

"Fang, Wing, and Claw Teams, over here!" Kristopher commanded. Instantly, Troy, Maria, Harry, Ethan, Theodore, Andrew, Harry, Amber, Eira, and Jannike made their way towards Hayden. The remaining members of Inferno Platoon remained with Kristopher. "We'll lead," Hayden nodded as Kristopher led the others into the fray to offer cover and push the enemies back enough to allow Hayden and his three teams in to rescue the two pinned groups.

. . .

If it was one thing Hayden couldn't stand; it was when things went from bad to worse, and that's precisely what happened in a matter of thirty minutes since they had arrived. At the moment, the two groups of Inferno were scattered, but Hayden's three teams were together and taking shelter with the two packs of rescued Warriors. The four girls were ensuring that all injuries were tended to until the platoon returned Archian Base. Hayden was trying to get Lieutenant Hunters on the radio, but he wasn't answering and that made him worry.

"Still nothing?" Troy asked as Hayden shook his head, but lifted the radio again.

[Dragon. Dragon. This is Viking. I repeat; this is Viking. Do you read? Over.]

A minute passed as Hayden was preparing to call into the base saying they lost contact, but the radio began to static up.

[Viking, this is Dragon. I read three out of five.] Hayden gave a sigh of relief closing his eyes. [Update, Viking. Over.]

[Viking is with Spear and Axe. Minor injuries, all treated. Taking shelter and awaiting further orders. Over.] Hayden replied.

[Well done, Viking Squad. Dragon is scattered; need cover to move re-group. Can you assist? Over.]

Hayden rubbed his eyes. [We can. Standy by, Dragon. Over.]

[Dragon copies that. Standing by. Over.]

"What's the plan?" Andrew inquired.

"We need to get Spear and Axe out of here. Shield Team; take them to our exit point. Sword and Strike, let's get Dragon out," Hayden ordered.

"Aye, sir!" the teams replied.

"Let me know as soon as you reach the extraction, or if you run into problems," Hayden instructed his Shield Team, which consisted of Harry, Andrew, Jannike, and Eira.

"Understood, Sergeant Haddock!" Andrew nodded as Harry checked around.

"We're clear," Harry informed.

"Go!" Hayden pointed as Shield and then Spear and Axe vanished out heading towards the extraction. Hayden lifted the radio. [Dragon, Viking is on their way. Can you give me where you are? Over.]

[Sending coordinates now, Viking. Over.]

Moments later, Hayden heard a beep and checked his GPS Tracker. There were three red dots with the letter labels of F, C, and W came up four streets away but they were a little apart from one another. [Location acquired, Dragon. Stay put; we're coming to you. Viking over and out.] "Let's move," Hayden motioned as the eight of them carefully made their way to where they needed to be.

. . .

Reaching the place where the Dragon Squad was, Hayden had everyone take cover when shots were getting fired. "Damn it," Hayden hit his head on the wall he was leaning against.

"How close are we to them?" Troy inquired.

"Right across the street, but they are spread out over ten buildings apart in opposite directions," Hayden glanced around the corner to see enemies on the streets and on rooftops. "Shooters high and ground level," he informed. [Dragon, this is Viking. Do you copy? Over.]

[Viking; we copy four outta five. Where are you? Over.]

[Close but enemies above and street level. Don't leave your shelter. Over.]

[Shield to Strike; we're pinned! Over.]

"Do not move and hold them off the best you can! Over.] Hayden said to Andrew, who is the Shield Team leader. "I so don't need this,"

"Haddock; deep breaths," Troy tried.

[Dragon Leader is hit, level three! Over.] Hayden's eyes widened a bit; that meant Kristopher was injured, unconscious, and needed medical treatment beyond what the field medics were equipped with. Hayden grabbed his rifle and loaded it.

"What are you doing?!" Ethan demanded.

"Strike, let's move. Sword, cover us!" Hayden ordered. Without arguing, everyone armed themselves. Hayden led Troy, Amber, and Maria across the street and into where the Claw Team should be. "No time to talk. If no one is injured, grab your gear and move it," the four from Claw nodded and they exited the shelter while taking shots if needed. Next, Strike ended up where Fang was and Hayden gave the same orders. Finally, running to opposite way, Hayden dropped Fang and Claw off with Sword before he took Strike to Wing where Lieutenant Hunters was injured.

"How bad?" Maria asked while checking over Kristopher.

"Hit in the right shoulder, no exit wound, and then he whacked his head while going down. We've got the bleeding under control, but he still needs surgery to remove the bullet and stop the bleeding completely," Kody informed.

"I've already dropped Claw and Fang off with Sword. Kody, Grant; you take Hunters. Stacy, Sonny, stay close. We need to group up with them, then go unpin Shield, Spear, and Axe," Hayden remarked. The four Wing members nodded and did as told, then the eight of them rushed out with cover from Sword, Fang, and Claw.

. . .

Managing to get to where Shield, Spear, and Axe were, finally, everyone was together and hiding out. Unfortunately, their extraction was blocked by more enemies, and all eyes were on Hayden since Kristopher was out still. Hayden was exhausted, and had no idea how to get all of them through without more injuries occurring; he was scared and nervous to mess up. One wrong move could land his comrades hurt or dead.

"I hate to be the one to add problems to the list, but we've got enemies closing in from behind," Chelsea informed.

"What do we do, Sergeant Haddock?" Madison inquired.

"I-I don't…-," Hayden hit his head against the wall with his eyes closed. Troy could see how frustrated his boyfriend was, and this was one of those times that Hayden needed a confidence booster. Troy made his way in front of Hayden and crouched down as he made everyone else be quiet.

Troy put his hand on Hayden's as the twenty-year-old Staff Sergeant looked up quickly. "Listen to me. Hunters is wounded and unconscious, and you know what that means; you're in charge of the platoon,"

"I-I shouldn't be. I do-don't know what to-," Hayden started.

"Yes, you do. You know what to do, but you're psyching yourself out and becoming afraid of everything that could go wrong. Hayden, you were given this position because of your skills to lead, protect, and make split-second decisions. You were picked because they know you can do it, and so do I! I overhead the officers talking about it; you got Staff Sergeant for what you did for me on the mountainside. You knew all the things you were supposed to do, but when my life was in danger if that edge gave out with me on it; what did you do?" Troy asked.

"I came down to get you myself," Hayden replied.

"Exactly. It wasn't protocol, but you did it because there was no other choice, right? It was a quick decision that saved my life. There were a million things that could have gone wrong if you had waited, but you didn't, Hayden. You hooked up that rig and came after me, then we worked together to get back up. I relied on you to save me that day, and you came through for me. We're in the same situation, but it involves our platoon and eight extras. Okay? Thirty-two people are relying on you now. Hunters needs medical attention and we have enemies closing in both in front and behind us. Stop worrying about everything that could go wrong, and focus on the bigger picture of getting us the fuck out of here. Screw protocol, Hayden. What's your last resort idea?" Troy told him firmly.

"Grenade lines. Flash, blast, and run," Hayden said.

Troy smiled. "That's my Hayden," as his boyfriend blushed a bit before Troy pulled Hayden to his feet. "You heard the man! Flash grenades followed by blasters, then we run through to extraction," Hayden watched the Warriors get ready.

"NOW!" Hayden commanded. Moments later; there was nothing but bright lights and explosions followed by clouds of smoke. "Straight through boys and girls!" he yelled as they all ran except for the two carrying Kristopher.

. . .

[Extraction Choppers]

Everyone broke through the smoke and got away from the enemies while reaching the place their way out was parked and awaiting them. Kristopher was placed in the back of medical chopper with a few medics there to work on him, then it took off with anyone else who was injured. The rest loaded up between the remaining helicopters.

"You did it, Hayden!" Troy cheered as the others did too. However, Hayden didn't say anything. In fact; he wasn't even there. Troy stopped and looked around. "Hayden?" No answer. "Hayden!" Troy yelled. For three minutes, there was nothing, but then a figure was seen walking towards them. The Warriors put their weapons up as a defense. "Wait…That's Hayden!" Troy announced when he saw his boyfriend coming forward, but he was holding his side.

"He's hurt!" Theodore called after checking through his binoculars. Fear took over Troy as Hayden reached them; his right arm was bleeding, and so was his left side.

"What happened?!" Troy asked quickly as Hayden panted and staggered a bit as Troy caught him so Hayden wouldn't fall.

"We need to get out of here!" Tucker reminded. Troy saw that Hayden was in a lot of pain, so he took off Hayden's sword, rifle, backpack, and vest, then handed them off to Harry who was closest. Troy picked Hayden up and carried him to the chopper.

"LOAD UP!" Seymour ordered to the remaining who were standing around still. Without much argument, everyone boarded, and soon; they were on their way back to Archian Base with a few people working on Hayden to stop the bleeding. Troy wanted to know what happened, but it seemed he would have to wait for the time being; he didn't mind as long as Hayden would be okay.