"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." - Thomas Paine
FLASHBACK CHAPTER 5: RAINING FIRE
August 25, 2016 19:49 EDT
SEAL Team 4 & Philadelphia Wolverines, a.k.a. "Green Jackets"
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Twice over the past week the SEALs called in more airstrikes, one on a long range SAM site and the other on a rail yard that was doubling as a munitions cache. And yesterday, Shinji and four other Wolverines went out on a short patrol of the neighborhood and ended up ambushing a squad of Ukrainian Marines on foot patrol. The 'Cranes' were caught completely off-guard and cut down in the opening bursts.
During that time, Shinji continued to provide excellent support to the SEALs. So much so that they took him along whenever they could and even started calling him 'little brother'. Shinji liked the moniker and the respect.
Currently, Shinji, Newman, Killian and Ski were in a back alley on their way to the docks. A Predator UAV had picked up significant Russian activity at the docks before it was shot down by a SAM. It was now up to the four of them to investigate and if necessary call in a strike package. "It's not much further," Shinji said as they came to a wrecked BTR. "There," he pointed at the cranes. Ski looked around and saw the remains of a low rise apartment building.
"Let's move over there," he said. "We should be able to move closer and find a good perch." The team then moved across the street and into the complex. They ducked and crawled through the ruins, pausing every now and then to listen for any Russians.
When they came to the other side they hopped down into a drainage ditch and continued on, hunched over. "Movement up ahead," Killian called out.
"Cover," Ski ordered as the group ducked, dashed and dove to hide. Shinji crouched down behind a Prius that had crashed into the ditch. Looking through its shattered door windows he watched as a group of Russian soldiers marched past on the road ahead of them, a fully functional BTR rolling along with them.
"Looks like they're resurrecting their vehicles at the docks," Shinji said touching his throat mic.
"Makes sense," Newman agreed. "We'll have to find out where exactly they're doing that. Maybe call in a strike on it."
"Sounds good to me," Ski replied as he checked the area up ahead. The Russians were gone. "Let's go. Stay low," And with that the group was on the move again. They moved up to the road and scanned in all directions.
"We got another group a hundred meters down," Killian said. "Looks like they're just sitting there, though."
"Let's get across before they come this way. Shinji, Newman, go." And with that Shinji and the Guardsman clambered onto the road and dashed across before dropping back down into the ditch.
They then scanned the area ahead of them and Shinji moved down to where the ditch branched off. "Ski," he got on the radio. "I think I found a back door into the docks."
"Got it," Ski said as he and Killian darted across. "Take the point." And with that Shinji led the team down the branch and up to an old sewage drain.
"Won't be able to smell any Russians down here," Newman said.
"True," Shinji said looking inside with a red lens covered flashlight. "But the docks' sewer system hasn't been used in years. Second Impact screwed it up and the city had to build a new system. So the Russians may not know about it." And with that he and Killian began to pull the grate open. "It's open, get in."
About a hundred meters into the sewer the group came to an area where the roof had caved in. Killian crawled up to take a look. "We're inside the perimeter, I'll be damned," he said as they climbed out. "This hole looks fresh."
"Then let's not sit around and wait for the Ruskies to find it," Ski said. "Let's move over to that crane." They then moved over to a crane that had its arm blown away by a rocket or missile, rendering it useless. They climbed on top and found that they had a decent view of the docks.
"There," Newman pointed up a ways. "See that batch of vehicles?" Ski pulled out a pair of binoculars and looked at the area.
"Yup, they're repairing all the damaged vehicles from the damage the EMP did; tedious but necessary if they want to hold onto the city."
"Check it out," Newman pointed out another area. This one looked like a motor pool. "They're also retrofitting technicals. Desperate times, eh?"
"I guess so," Ski agreed. He then got on the radio and called up to the powers that be as another BTR roared back to life. "Overlord, this is Achilles 4-5 Bravo, we're inside the docks."
"Hey, Killian," Shinji nudged the other SEAL. He then pointed towards the docks themselves. "You seeing what I'm seeing?" Killian looked and saw what Shinji was talking about. A crane was currently cradling what appeared to be an Mi-24 Hind from the deck of a container ship and over to the docks. Beneath, Russians were rolling trailers loaded with SA-13 Gopher mobile SAMs out of the hold. About a mile down river, another container ship was approaching the docks.
"I'll be damned," he said before tapping Ski as he was relaying the information to Overlord.
"Overlord, be aware we've also got Russian ships offloading fresh helicopter gunships and SAM missiles."
"Copy, Achilles 4-5 Bravo," Overlord replied. "Please standby…Achilles 4-5 Bravo we have patched you into a flight of two Marine Corps F35 Bravos coming in from the north. Call sign Stone 1-4."
"Roger. Stone 1-4, this is Achilles 4-5 Bravo, do you read?"
"We hear ya, Achilles," the flight responded.
"How are you loaded and what's your ETA?"
"We've each got four JAGMs, a pair of sidewinders and gun pods with 220 rounds. ETA five to six minutes, depending on traffic."
"Be advised, Stone, the Russians are offloading SAMs from the docks. Don't know if they have any set up or if they have MANPADS but take precautions."
"Roger that, Achilles. Where do you want the delivery?"
"There's a container ship at the third dock from the north and a smaller cargo vessel just south of it heading up river. We've also got a muster area where the Russians are refurbishing damaged vehicles due east of the target ship at the docks."
"Copy. We're inbound for the targets, four minutes."
"Uh, oh. Ski," Shinji tapped the SEAL's legs. "I've got movement to the south." Ski looked and saw a platoon sized group of Russians looking over the hole the team had crawled out of.
"Shit," Ski swore. They then saw the Russians look at the ground and pointing along the path they had used. "They found tracks, double shit." He then got on the radio as they heard shouting coming from the Russians. "Stone 1-4, come in!"
"Go ahead, Achilles, we're two minutes out."
"We've got trouble down here, the Russians are onto us," he said as a siren went up all over the docks. "Our exfil has been compromised and we may require close air support."
"Roger, Achilles, once we've fired on our primary target's we will provide CAS."
"Achilles 4-5, this Overlord," HQ came over the line. "We're watching VIA Global Hawk and see a mass of foot mobiles converging on your position from the south. Recommend you clear out of there."
"Roger, Overlord," Ski said packing up the radio. "Let's get down from here. We're exposed." The four of them began to climb down. They soon heard frantic shouts in Russians followed by small arms fire.
"They spotted us!" Killian shouted. "Go loud! Go loud!" Shinji darted down between a pair of containers as a pair of Russian soldiers appeared in front of him. They raised their rifles but Shinji was faster and dropped them with a long burst from his AK.
"This way!" Shinji shouted. The rest of the team followed as explosions ripped the ships and vehicle repair area apart. Two missiles each hit the ships and a trio of missiles hit the motor pool, one of which caught a couple of fuel trucks in the blast, adding to the cauldron of fire.
"There's Stone!" Newman announced as a pair of flames flew overhead, the Marine strike fighters in full afterburner.
"Achilles, this is Stone, we show good hits on the targets," the Marine fighter pilot announced. "Standing by for CAS."
"Ski," Newman spoke up. "I've got another group dead ahead. Near a small gate."
"RPG!" Shinji shouted as a rocket raced towards them from the roof of a warehouse to the right. The group hit the deck as the rocket hit the containers behind them. A piece of shrapnel cut Shinji's left shoulder. "Ah!" Killian dropped the source of the rocket with a pair of bursts from his MK-43.
"BMP!" Newman screamed as a BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle appeared at the gate ahead of them. "COVER!" The team dove into a bomb crater as the BMP's 30mm auto-cannon began firing in their direction. The rounds impacted the pavement behind them as they hit the bottom of the crater, sending chunks of dirt and asphalt into the air.
"Take up positions! Stone," Ski got on the radio as Shinji blind fired at the soldiers that had followed after them. "Stone we've got a group of Russians and light armor at a small gate, forty meters from our position. We need you to clear them out, target the armored vehicle!"
"Copy that, Achilles," Stone replied as the IFV fired its 100mm cannon, taking out a container just behind the group. "Be advised that's danger clo-"
"Just do it!"
"That's a rog. Bringing it in danger close. We're inbound hot."
"Watch your heads!" Ski shouted as the F35s turned back towards the docks.
"Missile away!" The team ducked seconds before the JAGM struck the BMP dead center. The blast washed over the team and made Shinji's ears ring.
"Let's go!" Ski shouted and the team jumped out of the crater and dashed for the gate. The remaining Russians were still dazed and were easily cut down as the team fought its way through.
"Ski, we've got foot mobiles down the road and at our nine o'clock!"
"Into the ditch!" The group dove into the ditch they had used earlier. "Move!" They raced down and into a shot up Burger Town restaurant. Inside they ran into a trio of Russians and cut them down.
"Foot mobiles to the north and east!" Newman shouted.
"Take cover!" Ski ordered as the Russians opened fire. "Stone, we're pinned down in a restaurant outside the docks! We're surrounded by foot mobiles. Can you clear them out?"
"No problem, Achilles," Stone replied. "Inbound for gun run, stand by."
"I've got a platoon closing in over here!" Shinji called out as he fired at the approaching Russians. Ski and Killian moved over to his position and opened up as Shinji reloaded. The Russians fell back under the overhang of a gas station as a few of their number dropped. At that moment the F35s descended and began to hover over the restaurant.
"Guns, guns, guns," the F35s opened up with their 25mm gun pods on the Russians and cut down most before their guns were empty. The Russian's in front of Shinji ducked to avoid getting lit up by the F35s. "Achilles our guns are dry and we're close to bingo fuel," Stone alerted them. "We are out of here."
"Roger that, Stone," Ski replied as the Lightning II's pitched up and took off into the night sky. "Thanks for the support."
"Oorah, Achilles."
"Those Russians in the gas station still have us pinned, Ski," Killian said. Shinji glanced over and spotted an RPG next to a dead Russian. He rolled past the open doorway, grabbed the RPG, slid into a side booth and hefted the weapon.
"Fire in the hole!" He shouted as he took aim at the fuel pumps. The rocket shot forth and when it hit the pumps it set off the fuel tanks, turning the gas station into a blazing inferno.
"Hooyah, motherfuckers!" Killian shouted triumphantly.
"Russian barbeque!" Ski cheered as he reloaded his EBR. "Nice shot, kid."
"Coast looks clear over here," Newman said as Shinji dropped the discarded launcher.
"Let's get moving before any more Ruskies decide to show up." And with that they bugged out of there and over to a ruined overpass.
After about thirty minutes of good running they took shelter in the remains of a Wally-Shoppe store to catch their breaths. There, Newman patched up Shinji's arm and Killian reloaded his MK-43. "Don't worry, buddy," Newman said. "The ladies love a scar."
"Whatever you say," Shinji said. "Strange," he said looking at the wound, "doesn't hurt as bad as I thought it would. Sure, it hurt at first but now…" he shrugged, "meh."
"Guess you're just one tough bastard," Newman said as he finished tying off the bandage.
"Anyone else hit?" Ski asked, no one replied in the affirmative. "Alright," he said as he checked his ammo. "Let's get back to-OH SHIT!" He swore as a group of Russians wearing brown uniforms instead of the usual red camo appeared from behind the women's coat racks. The firefight erupted as a confused cluster-fuck as two Russians and Newman dropped dead in the first few bursts. Newman's rifle fell on top of a grenade he had been priming and was blown in two.
"Cover!" Killian shouted as the trio dove behind the jewelry counter, bullets and grenade shrapnel whizzing over their heads.
"Newman's down!" Shinji announced as he pulled a grenade from his vest. He pulled the pin and shouted "frag out!" He tossed the grenade next to a mannequin wearing a halter top that had its head blown off. The explosion killed another Russian. "Cover me!" Ski and Killian opened fire as Shinji dashed over to the perfume counter. He popped over the counter and dropped another Russian before gunfire forced him to take cover.
"Killian! Flank to the left! Shinji hold down the right flank!"
"Got it!" Shinji fired a burst blind over the counter. As he reloaded a Russian appeared at his side. Shinji kicked out the Russian's knees and kicked him across the face as a second hopped the counter. Shinji drew out his Buck Knife and slashed the back of the second soldier's legs and the soldier howled in pain and collapsed. Shinji immediately drove his knife into the soft spot at the base of the Russian's skull.
"Viktor!" The first soldier shouted as he tackled Shinji. Shinji rolled onto his back, flipped the Russian off of him and drove his elbow into the soldier's face. He rolled on top of the Russian as the enemy soldier drew out a kunai-style knife. They wrestled for control of the knife and at one point the Russian had enough control to cut the side of Shinji's head. Shinji responded by lifting up his right leg and letting gravity bring the knee down and into the Russian's groin. "GAH! GAH! GAH!" Again and again Shinji repeated this until he wrenched the knife free and drove it down into the Russian's neck. Blood spurted onto Shinji's chest as the Russian began to spasm underneath him. The dying soldier tried to claw at Shinji's neck and face but to no avail. After nearly twelve seconds of squirming the Russian finally died.
"Shinji!" He heard Ski's voice. "Shinji!"
"Here!" Shinji shouted as he came back up, reloaded his rifle and resumed firing into the last of the Russians. They scanned for more targets but found none.
"Sound off!" Ski commanded.
"Killian, clear!" Killian shouted.
"Shinji, clear!" Shinji cried out.
"Ski, clear!" Ski then stepped out. "You two alright?"
"Just a scratch," Shinji replied. Ski walked over and took a look at the wound. It was an angry slash, blood flowing rather freely.
"'Just a scratch'? Doc's gonna need to look at that." He then helped Shinji slap a bandage on the wound to keep it clear of dirt and grime.
"Ski," Killian announced as he rolled over the Russian Shinji killed with his Buck Knife. "Check it out," he ripped off the shoulder patch and handed it over to Shinji. "These guys were Spetsnaz."
"Shit," Ski said as he looked down at the two commandos at Shinji's feet. "And Shinji just took out two of them with a knife."
Killian whistled. "Damn glad you're on our side, little brother."
"Alright, check weapons and ammo."
"I'm almost out," Shinji said holding up the last mag for his AK. Ski then bent over and picked up a Russian's rifle, a TAR-21 with an ACOG sight attached.
"Here Shinji," he handed it over as the Wolverine dropped the AK. "It uses the same ammo and mags as our M4s, and MK16s."
"I know," Shinji said switching primary weapons. "30 rounds of 5.56mm, select-fire between semi and full automatic, fully automatic cyclic rate of 900 rounds per minute and a maximum effective range of 550 meters."
"Did-did he just say all that shit in one breath?" Killian asked rhetorically. The answer was 'yes'.
"Like the man said," Ski chuckled, "glad you're on our-"
"Team Bravo, this is Alpha, come in," the El-tee's voice interrupted him over the radio.
"Go ahead, Alpha."
"Bravo, what's your status?"
"We've completed our objective," Ski replied. "Blasted a couple of cargo vessels and a BTR repair yard. We also took out a number of enemy infantry. We're in a store about five klicks from base. Bumped into a squad of Spetsnaz." He took a sigh. "Newman's dead."
"Understood," El-tee said after a short pause. "Good job. Just got new orders from Overlord. They're cooking up something big. Get back here ASAP."
"Roger," he turned to the team. "You heard him, people. Move out." As they filed up he turned to Shinji. "You did real good tonight, little brother. I think I'll keep you around."
"Thanks, Ski," Shinji chuckled. He then bent back down to the dead commando at his feet and ripped the kunai out of the throat, calling it a souvenir.
XXXXX
August 25, 2016 23:56 EDT
51st Guards Airborne Regiment, 106th Guards Airborne Division
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Colonel Vorobiev was not in a good mood. With just a few missiles he lost a number of his APCs already on shore, half of his replacement surface-to-air missiles and tons of munitions in the two cargo ships that were hit. On top of that, the Spetsnaz commander, Captain Tokarev, had taken light shrapnel wounds to his hip and face in the strike. He was now being airlifted out on one of the few remaining helicopters to New Atlantic City and then, most likely, back to Russia. Not to mention that the Regimental second-in-command, Major Misha Petrovich, died only days before, courtesy of what had to be a highly skilled sniper.
The colonel was angry not just over the air strikes but also by the fact that what had to be an American special ops team had called in the strikes from within his base, killed dozens of his men and escaped, leaving the colonel with nothing to show for it. And, as if to add insult to injury, he was just receiving word that one of the Spetsnaz squads that was seconded to his regiment got into a firefight with the spec ops team responsible and the Spetsnaz were killed with possibly one of the Americans either seriously wounded or killed.
The colonel sulked back to his UAZ to return to his HQ, not looking forward to reporting this cluster-fuck to his commander.