"We have the finest food, the finest equipment, the best spirit, and the best men in the world...Why, by God, I actually pity those poor sons-of-bitches we're going up against. By God, I do." - Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.
FLASHBACK CHAPTER 6: DON'T TREAD ON ME
August 28, 2016 17:21 EDT
SEAL Team 4 & Philadelphia Wolverines, a.k.a. "Green Jackets"
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
The day had finally come; the day when the Russians would be forced out of Philadelphia, Lieutenant Feliciano had explained after they got back from hitting the docks. "This is Operation Gadsden," he said to the assembled mixed unit. Shinji was just finishing cleaning his new rifle. He had also taken a knife and carved 'Live Free or Die' into right side of the stock.
HM1 'Doc' Ballinger had stitched up the cut on Shinji's temple and Shinji's jacket was patched up. And with the weather getting colder he also changed out his lightweight DCU pants for a pair of Sitka Optifade-Forest insulated pants, Realtree Xtra Under Armor balaclava, a set of thermal underwear, a black and red flannel shirt, and black skateboarding helmet with an infrared reflective US flag patch.
"The assault will take place on two primary axis of advance. The first, coming from Norristown in the northwest, will be the combined remnants of the 56th SBCT and 2nd IBCT of the 2nd Infantry Division."
"That's us," Fesperman said. "I was with the 2nd Brigade when the invasion hit. Ivan really thrashed us."
"Well, both are being reinforced by 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines. The second axis, coming from the northeast, down along the Delaware River, will be the 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment with support from the 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines. Close Air Support for the offensive will be in the form of A-10s courtesy of the 163rd Fighter Squadron of the Indiana Air National Guard, call sign 'Valkyrie'. Our part of the mission, however, entails securing a landing zone for Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in proximity to Citizen's Bank Park. They're the guys who retook the White House and helped secure D.C. We'll also have some support from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade and 506th Infantry Regiment from the 101st Airborne."
"Damn," Shinji whistled. "Define: overkill."
"It only gets better," El-Tee grinned.
"What's their objective, sir?" Ski asked.
"The Russians will be holding a brain trust meeting of their unit commanders soon. If we can capture and/or neutralize their HQ we'll cut the head off the snake. Ivan's pretty much done for from the Washington-Baltimore area south. All of New York and Connecticut is secure. The Virginia National Guard and 1st Infantry are busy mopping up in Virginia and Maryland. But, Ivan still has a firm hold here and in New Jersey and Delaware. The entire 10th Mountain Division, reinforced by units from the New York National Guard will be mounting a diversionary assault into New Jersey starting tomorrow. Fourth Fleet will also be moving up to cut off the Russian fleet with the 24th MEU launching an amphibious and air assault across Chesapeake Bay and into eastern Maryland, driving towards the Russian Command and Control in Dover." He paused to catch his breath as he changed the screen on the laptop to show their particular AO. "But Ivan's been funneling whatever forces he can up this way to shore up their flank. The Russians seem either intent to reinforce their position here in hopes of going back on the offensive or holding out until they can evac the bulk of their units. Either way, we intend to stop them before they start." The scanned the faces of the assembled group. "The occupation of our country ends here."
"Gonna be hard for them to reinforce with a ship down in the river," Shinji observed.
"Precisely," El-Tee nodded. "And they're dug in like a tick into what's left of the ball park."
"Ivan's bound to outnumber us by two or three to one," Killian asked next.
"Probably closer to four to one," Ski added. "Can we take it with just us and one battle weary Ranger company, El-Tee?"
"We better. To even the odds we'll be the sole recipients of air support via VFA-103 flying out of BWI," El-tee explained. "We'll be calling out targets for them to hit. Plan is we'll set up an LZ here," he pointed to the map, "at Murphy Recreation Center. The secondary LZ will be here at Mifflin Square. That evening F22s will destroy the primary SAM site at the Hawthorne Cultural Center. This will open up a small corridor in their SAM envelope for the choppers. We'll form up, call in the strikes and then assault the HQ to make room for the 506th to make an air assault at FDR Park. They'll attack from the south-west while we've got Ivan's attention on us." He paused and looked at the group with a glum expression. "Now, FYI, if we can't capture Ivan's HQ the air force will deploy MOABs to wipe it off the map, and the stadium along with it."
"Fuck me," Fesperman swore.
"El-Tee," Killian spoke up. "What about the enemy QRF at Bok Technical? They've got light armor and there's a small FARP for gunships nearby, too."
"The FARP's been hit by sub-launched Tomahawks twice in the past week, any choppers still there are likely to be down for repairs," Chief Jones replied. "As for the QRF, that's where our Wolverines will have to play defensive end." Chief leaned forward and circled a checkpoint at Snyder and 6th, "The QRF is likely to move down from Snyder and pass this strongpoint at Ford Rec-Center. You'll have to hold them for as long as you can."
"Fesperman," El-Tee added, "you'll be in charge of the holding force. Towley will be your number two man for the assault and Shinji can lead over watch."
"Yes, sir," the guardsman nodded.
"Against light armor?" Shinji asked. "We'll be Chihuahuas and Pomeranians trying to fight Dobermans."
"That's where the A-10's come in, little brother," Ski replied, patting the Wolverine on the back. "Some pissed off birds of prey to help with those Dobermans."
XXXXX
September 01, 2016 23:47 EDT
SEAL Team 4 & Philadelphia Wolverines, a.k.a. "Green Jackets"
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Just before dusk, as if signaling the impending maelstrom, the first snow fall of the year began to come down. It was early this year by a couple weeks and coming down heavy enough to begin collecting on the ground. The overcast also helped set the tone for the upcoming battle.
True enough, F22s had blasted the SAM site just before dusk, creating the corridor the choppers needed but not enough that it would alert the Russians to the impending assault on the city. But there were still smaller, yet no less lethal, AA guns at the LZ that the SEALs would need to eliminate. There was little room for error. If the Russians managed to delay the HQ-assault it could throw the whole operation into chaos.
It was now two minutes to midnight and the Rangers were now close enough for their helicopters to be heard. That was the SEAL team's cue. The Naval Special Warfare operators fired grenades and LAW rockets into the pair of AA batteries, and proceeded to shoot up the Russian soldiers who ran about trying to counterattack. Half the enemy soldiers were cut down before they could realize what was happening.
The Russians managed to become organized only to be hit from above and behind by MH-6 Little Birds from the 160th SOAR. The small attack choppers and the SEALs made quick work of the Russian forces at the LZ in time for the Stealth Hawk MH-60s to either land or hover in the park and offload the seventy-three US Army Rangers.
About a half-mile away, Fesperman, Towley and Shinji led the Green Jacket Wolverines in hitting the checkpoint to prevent the QRF from contesting the landing. They fired as soon as the SEALs began destroying the defenses at the park. Shinji fired an RPG at a makeshift guard house, killing a trio of Russian paratroopers. Two other Wolverines fired RPGs as well, killing more Russians and sewing additional confusion.
In the street below, Fesperman and Towley broke cover along with more than a dozen other Philly Police and National Guardsmen and assaulted the checkpoint. Shinji's team opened up from above to cover their advance. Shinji reloaded once the last Russian fell. "Take up positions," Fesperman ordered. "They'll be sending reinforcements and we'll have to hold them off long enough for the Rangers to complete their insertion."
At that moment, more explosions began to ring out across the city as artillery and missiles rained down on Russian positions. Anti-aircraft fire and SAM missiles began to race skyward to counter the approaching American air power. Operation Gadsden had commenced.
"Contact!" A Guardsman announced as a BTR with a supporting squad rounded a corner. The BTR opened up on the buildings across from where Shinji was as the troopers advanced, leap frog formation towards the checkpoint.
"Damn Ruskies would have to be Johnny on the spot today of all days," a Wolverine next to Shinji griped as they opened up on Russians firing from a diner.
"Hold fast!" Fesperman said as the Wolverines began to return fire. Rounds from the BTR began to hit the checkpoint as the Russians fired grenades on the Wolverines. Towley was blown in two from a 30mm explosive round. "Someone take out that fucking BTR!" A pair of RPGs shot out from across the street, one impacted in front of the BTR but the second struck home and disabled the armored vehicle.
"They're falling back!" Shinji called out over the radio as he resumed firing on the Russian squad. Having lost their armor support the Russians couldn't retake the checkpoint.
"Advance!" Fesperman ordered and he and several guardsmen assaulted forward with the remaining Wolverines providing cover fire.
Suddenly the Russians stopped retreating. Shinji and the others soon saw why. A 2S25 Sprut light tank crashed through the remains of a thrift shop and turned its 125mm gun towards the guardsmen and fired. The guardsmen fell to the street as three of their number were killed outright. The light tank then began to fire its coaxial machine gun. "It's the QRF! Fall back! Fall back!" The guardsmen retreated back past the checkpoint as more Russians arrived along with two more BTRs and, as if it weren't bad enough, an Mi-28 Havoc attack helicopter.
"I thought they weren't to supposed to have any fucking gunships!" Shinji cried out as the gunship took station above the Russian armor.
"We need air support!" A guardsman shouted as Fesperman got on the radio.
"Overlord this is Iron 2-6! We've got Russian armor and a gunship at our pos! We need air support!"
"Copy, Iron 2-6, A-10s are en-route. Hold on."
"Copy. Air support inbound!" Fesperman shouted as the gunship fired a salvo of rockets into the building Shinji was in. He was thrown to the floor and knocked out as the Wolverine next to him was vaporized in the blast.
"We can't stay here!" A police officer carrying an UMP-45 shouted. "We've got to get out of here!" An RPG shot out and hit a BTR in the front right wheels. It didn't destroy the vehicle but it did immobilized it. Unfortunately it also brought the wrath of the Havoc gunship down on the source who was turned into red mist when the attack helicopter opened up on the balcony the Wolverine was on with its 30mm cannon. "That chopper's killing us!"
"Alright!" Fesperman shouted. "Fall back to the McGrub's!" The group then fell back as the other BTR and the light tank closed in and rolled over the checkpoint. The tank fired another shell which raced over the heads of the Guardsmen and Wolverines and took out a Chevy Avalanche directly ahead of them. The group took cover inside as the chopper opened back up with its cannon. "Overlord! We've taken heavy losses and have fallen back into a restaurant adjacent to the checkpoint! That armor and gunship are killing us! Where's our air support!?"
"Two minutes out, Iron 2-6. Just hold on."
"We may not be here in two minutes!" At that moment a pair of rockets from the gunship tore a hole in the roof of the McGrub's.
"Iron 2-6," a new, female voice came on the line. "This is Valkyrie 2-6, I understand you've got some unfriendly company down there."
"That's a 'rog', Valkyrie," Fesperman replied. "We've got Russian armor at our pos and it's kicking our ass!"
"Just hold on boys, we've got your position and the targets. We're in-bound hot."
At that moment Shinji regained consciousness. He picked himself up as the Havoc fired its rockets. He saw that the others had fallen back into the fast food restaurant and knew it wouldn't be long before they were blown to smithereens by either the chopper or the tank and BTR. He picked up and reloaded his RPG and moved into the next room where he had a better shot at the Havoc. He took a knee, lined up his sights on the main rotor and fired.
Fesperman watched as a rocket streaked out from a blown out window in the upper floors of a low rise apartment building and hit the chopper just aft of the rotor. Immediately the chopper began to belch black smoke and careened out of control into an office building down an adjacent street. "That chopper's history!" He cried out as the gunship erupted into a volcano of flames and debris. He then saw Shinji standing where the RPG had come from. That's when he saw the BTR swivel its cannon in Shinji's direction. "Shinji! Get out of there!"
Shinji took off into the building as 30mm rounds began to pour into the building. A Wolverine fired an RPG at the BTR but missed. The light tank fired a round into the McGrub's that blew out one side of the building. The tank then turned its attention to the building Shinji was in. The shell detonated ahead of Shinji and knocked him back off his feet and exposed the hall he was in to both the tank and BTR.
But, before either vehicle could fire, a rain of depleted uranium poured onto and down the street and the BTR and light tank went up in flames as the Russians scattered. The first A-10 shot overhead as a Russian fired a SA-18 missile at the warplane which missed. The second A-10 ran its cannon further down the street taking out the last BTR and wiping out most of the Russian infantry. The rest retreated for good as the Wolverines opened fire from the burger restaurant and the rooftops. "Iron 2-6, this is Valkyrie 2-6," the A-10 pilot called out, "gun run complete. They won't be bothering you again."
"I owe you a beer, ma'am," Fesperman replied as he spotted Shinji jumping down to the first floor and then street level through the hole the tank had blown in the façade of the building.
Shinji regrouped with the others as Fesperman's radio squawked once more. "Iron 2-6, this is Achilles 4-5," the El-tee came over the line. "We've met up with Hunter 2-1 and are proceeding to the rally point."
"Copy that," Fesperman replied as the Wolverine group dusted themselves off and began to file out of the restaurant. "We're Oscar Mike. Be advised, we've suffered about 50% casualties but took out a trio of BTRs, a light tank and a helicopter gunship."
"Copy that. Send your wounded to the Games'R'Us at Whitman Plaza, the Rangers are setting up a small casualty collection point there. We'll see you at Sheridan & Oregon, affirmative?"
"Roger that," Fesperman acknowledged. "Let's move people." He turned to Shinji. "Thanks for saving our asses back there, little buddy. Bought us enough time for the A-10s to arrive."
"Well I thought it'd be rather rude of me not to," Shinji said coolly.The guardsman chuckled. "Just remember this come Christmas time."
"Shit, I'd put you in my will, if you asked, kid."
XXXXX
September 02, 2016 03:03 EDT
Bravo CO/1st Bn/75th Ranger Regt., SEAL Team 4 & Philadelphia Wolverines, a.k.a. "Green Jackets"
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
The Guardsmen and remaining Green Jackets, now numbering less than two dozen, were moving down Sheridan towards Oregon, a main drag on the south side. They had to be careful because the Russians might try to use it to move forces from the docks to flank the advancing US forces. Airstrikes and artillery continued to pound the Russians as ground forces began to push through the northern suburbs and into the city. The snow was beginning to pile up a couple inches.
"Edgar!" Fesperman shouted the code challenge as they moved through the rubble. "Edgar!"
"Raven!" They heard Ski's voice from a Chinese restaurant in a ruined two-story building across the street.
"Shinji, Private Smith, Mac, you three go first. GO!" And with that the trio darted across the street as the others kept watch down the street. The rest followed soon after. When Shinji got inside he took up position next to a Ranger carrying a SCAR-H with a Remington 870 shotgun mounted under-barrel on the opposite side of the store. Shinji also noticed a combat cameraman with the Rangers, armed with a small video camera and an M9A1 pistol. He'd be pretty much useless.
"How was the flight?" Shinji asked the Ranger.
"Turbulence sucked balls and the service was non-existent," the Ranger replied sarcastically. "I didn't even get peanuts."
"Fuckin' airline cutbacks," Shinji said. "I'm Shinji."
"Dunn, Sergeant Dunn," the Ranger introduced himself. "That's Lieutenant Foley," he pointed over at their CO. "He used to have my job but got promoted. Battlefield commission."
"What's with Mr. Associated Press?" Shinji asked, nodding towards the cameraman.
"A necessary evil," Dunn chuckled. "But don't worry. He was with us in Baltimore and he won't get in the way."
"You Iron 2-6?" Lieutenant Foley asked Fesperman once the guardsman and his squad entered the shop.
"Yes, sir," Fesperman replied with a curt nod. "Well, what's left of us anyway. The rest of my group is mostly Philly PD and volunteer Wolverines."
"So I noticed. Well," he gave the guardsman a friendly pat on the shoulder, "starting right now you, son, and your soldiers are now with the 1st Battalion, 75th Rangers. Welcome aboard."
"Hooah, sir," Fesperman nodded.
"Lt. Feliciano," Foley turned to the senior ranking SEAL. "Lead us out so we can kick some ass."
"No problemo," he moved over to Shinji and tapped him on the shoulder. "Okay, little brother, take point."
"You got it, El-tee," Shinji nodded as he finished taking a sip from his camelbak. Pulling his mask back up Shinji took a scan of the route ahead.
"Ramirez," Foley tapped a Ranger, "You and Tex go with him and watch his six."
"My name is Vaughan," 'Tex' grumbled off to the side from behind his M249 SPW-SAW. He hated the nickname they gave him after D.C. Foley and the others ignored him.
"You got it, corporal?"
"No prob, sarge-I mean, sir." He smacked his helmet as he and 'Tex' Vaughan moved over to Shinji. "Dios mio, I'm still getting used to that." And with that Shinji and the Ranger pair broke cover and moved across the street.
Fifteen minutes later the mixed unit was moving through the remains of a food distribution warehouse within sight of the ball park. But there was a labyrinth of containers, RV trailers, wrecked vehicles, and temporary structures in a large parking lot between them. And every foot of it was patrolled by heavily armed bad guys. Half of the remaining Wolverines went up to the roof, armed with RPGs, the other half, including Shinji, were on the ground floor, ready to assault the Russian HQ with the Rangers. "Alright," Feliciano said. "We've got to make a good show for the Russians so the 506th can pound them in the back door."
"Giggity," Shinji chuckled as did Dunn and Ramirez.
"Just shut up and get ready," El-tee snapped. "Call it in, Foley." The Ranger CO nodded and got on the radio.
"Victory 201, this Hunter 2-1," he called out to the Super Hornets. "We are in position. Start the music."
"Copy that, Hunter 2-1," the Jolly Rogers' flight leader replied. "Flight One is inbound hot. Flight Two stand-by."
"This is Victory 204," a woman's voice replied. "Flight Two standing by."
"Get ready, people," El-tee said. "As soon as the ordnance hits we move. RPGs and AT4s at the gate and towers first." Thirty seconds later two Super Hornets raced over head as half-a-dozen targets surrounding the ball park turned into columns of fire. "Fire!" A salvo of RPGs shot out at the gate blowing up the guardhouse and a UAZ jeep as a pair of AT4s knocked out the overlooking guard towers. "Advance!" The SEALs broke cover first as the Rangers and Wolverines provided cover fire. The first flight of Super Hornets came back around and fired their cannons into a motor pool and munitions dump before racing out of the area as a SAM missile on the roof of the Vacation Inn shot up after them but missed, tracking the flares popped out by the Navy fighters.
"This is Victory 201," the Flight One leader announced. "We have completed our run. Victory 204 you're up. We'll provide over watch."
"Third platoon!" Foley shouted. "Move up!" At that moment Dunn and his platoon advanced into the enemy camp. "Shinji? Back them up!" The acting-leader of the Green Jackets nodded.
"Wolverines!" Shinji shouted to the freedom fighters on his flank and the group raced ahead to catch up with Dunn's platoon.
A squad, with Dunn in the lead, moved right and headed into a smaller warehouse. Shinji slipped slightly in the slick snow as he made the hard turn to keep with the Ranger. The Wolverine fired a burst that dropped a Russian as other paratroopers took cover behind whatever crate or machinery they could. The squad then battled their way through the warehouse to secure the flank as the rest of the Rangers poured into the fight, leaving Fesperman with the remaining Wolverines to cover the gate and watch the assault force's six o'clock.
"Hunter 2-1, this is Overlord," HQ came on the air. "We show a pair of Russian ground attack planes heading your way from across the river. Recommend you take cover."
"Incoming fast movers!" Foley came over the radio. "Get down!" At that moment a series of explosions ripped into the gate area as a pair of Su-25 ground attack planes fired rockets into their positions.
"Victory 201, this is Achilles 4-5," El-tee got on the radio. "We've got fast movers down here. Take 'em out!"
"We copy, Achilles," Victory 201 replied. "We're already on them."
"Victory 203, Fox Two!" Shinji looked out a window to see an Su-25 explode in a ball of flames and its partner turn sharply away.
"Hostiles, up high!" Ramirez shouted as four Russians opened up from an office on the catwalks above them.
"Dunn!" Shinji shouted to Dunn as he ran for the stairs leading up to the office. The Ranger was hot on his heels. They ducked under the side windows and reloaded their rifles. "Ready?"
"Let's do this." Shinji counted down from three with his fingers. When his fist closed he and Dunn popped up and fired into the office. Dunn fired three blasts from the shotgun under his SCAR and Shinji unloaded his rifle into them. The Russians dropped like they were rag dolls. Shinji drew his pistol and kicked the door open. Dunn led the way into the office. Stepping inside, Shinji flanked right and dropped a wounded, but still fighting Russian with a double tap from his 9mm. "All clear," Dunn said.
"More Spetsnaz," Shinji said when he took note of the brown uniforms and their insignia, holstering his sidearm.
"Seriously?" Dunn asked, looking over at him. "Are you sure?"
"Not my first run-in with them." Dunn raised his eyebrows at the revelation. "How do you think I picked up this guy?" He asked nonchalantly as he reloaded his TAR-21.
'This kid must be a badass if he's so casual about taking down fucking Spetsnaz,' he thought to himself.
"Third platoon!" Foley called out. "We're pinned down by a pill box out here! We need you to take it out."
"You got it, sir," Dunn replied as he and Shinji bounded back downstairs. "Let's move!" Once outside they spotted the pillbox set up across Darien Street in the remains of a Fast-Lube garage with sandbags all around it. The duo and other the Rangers darted across the street towards a pile of wrecked cars to take a flanking position.
"Incoming!" A Ranger shouted as the second Su-25 came back around and fired its cannon into the advancing line of Rangers. Shinji dove to the ground as Dunn screamed out. The Su-25 passed overhead before it was blasted out of the sky by a Super Hornet.
"Dunn's hit!" Tex shouted as Shinji looked back. He grabbed Dunn by the handle of his body armor and dragged him to cover as Tex came over to assist. The snow beneath Dunn was quickly becoming dark red.
"Fuck!" Dunn screamed. "My leg!" Shinji looked and saw that the left leg was a bloody stump from the knee down.
"Foot mobiles! To the south!" More Russians appeared and forced the Rangers to take cover.
"That pillbox is still operational!" Foley shouted. "Will somebody fucking take it out!?" Shinji pulled a thermite grenade off of Dunn's vest and moved to the side, red snow trailing like a carpet.
"Cover me!" He then broke cover and ran like a mad man towards the pillbox.
"Shinji!" Ramirez shouted after him before opening up on the Russians with his SCAR-H, other Rangers joined in as well. One fired a grenade that temporarily stunned the gunner. When he recovered the gunner turned his attention towards the Wolverine charging at him as Shinji primed the grenade. Bullets raced in his direction as he tossed the grenade inside while diving behind a concrete barrier. The grenade scored a perfect entry into the pillbox and detonated cooking off all the ammo inside and shot flame out the firing hole like an angry dragon.
"Move up!" Foley ordered and the Rangers and SEALs took up firing positions to counter the advancing Russians.
"Shinji!" Chief Jones shouted as he ran over, kneeling down next to the still moving Wolverine. "Shinji! You alright, kiddo?"
"Three pointer, Chief!" Shinji cheered sitting up. His ears were ringing from the explosion. He took a look at the burning pillbox. "From downtown, too!" Jones chuckled and handed him his TAR-21 back.
"Movement, to the north!" Ski shouted out. "The Russians are moving up a technical!"
"Let's go," Jones helped Shinji to his feet as they moved to cut off the technical.
They moved to a pair of shipping containers next to a burning BTR and waited. When the technical came around, sporting a DShK heavy machinegun, they popped out and fired their rifles. The driver and passenger's heads disappeared into red mist and the gunner fell off the side as Shinji's bullets tore into his flank. The technical rolled to a stop. "Chief," Shinji said. "Let's get this back to the others."
"I like how you think, kid," Jones smiled as he got behind the wheel. Shinji climbed into the bed of the '88 Jeep Comanche and manned the machinegun. "El-tee, we've taken the technical and bringing it back to your position, Road Warrior style!"
"Bravo Zulu!" El-tee cheered as Chief hit the gas and swerved around the wrecked BTR. They rounded the containers and power slid next to what remained of the pillbox. At first the Russians thought their technical was now in a position to support them. They subsequently shit themselves as it opened up on them instead of the Rangers.
"Fuck 'em up, Shinji!" Chief shouted. "Tex! Hop in!" Tex then ran over to the passenger side to provide additional fire support. Chief fired his SCAR-L from the driver's seat.
"Lt. Foley," El-tee called out. "I think we've got their attention!"
"Yeah, no shit!" He then got on the radio. "Overlord! This is Hunter 2-1! The word is Saratoga! I repeat, Saratoga!"
"Copy that, Hunter 2-1," Overlord replied. "506th is on the way!"
"Hold the line!" El-tee shouted as Shinji continued to fire on the Russians.
"RPG!" Ramirez shouted as an RPG shot over Shinji's head.
"We got to move, Chief!" Shinji shouted as the Ranger in the passenger seat fired on the source of the RPG. Chief backed up the technical and moved it back around the containers.
"Task Force Currahee is five minutes out, Hunter 2-1," Overlord announced.
"Victory 204!" El-tee called out to the second flight of Super Hornets. "We've got light armor advancing on our position from the south!"
"Copy, that Achilles," Victory 204 replied.
"Madre de dios!" Ramirez shouted. "Lieutenant! We've got more Spetsnaz on our flank!" Sure enough, a platoon of Spetsnaz were advancing from one of the entry gates to the park.
"We got it!" Chief said as he slammed on the brakes. Tex got out of the front seat and set up behind a concrete barrier as Shinji fired on the Russians. Chief fired a 40mm grenade into the Russians breaking up their group.
"506th is two minutes out," Overlord announced.
"This is Eagle 4," an Apache Longbow attack helicopter reported in. "Moving in for strafing run." The Rangers, SEALs and Wolverines continued to put up a stubborn fight against the numerically superior Russians. A pair of Sprut tanks blew up as the Super Hornets fired their Mavericks into the advancing armor.
"They're still coming, El-tee!" Killian shouted as he reloaded his rifle.
"Lt. Foley!" Ramirez called out. "Running low on ammo over here!"
"Pick your target's, corporal!" Foley shouted. "Hold the line!" Shinji saw movement over by the SEALs and saw Young collapse to the ground, a hole in his left shoulder.
"Young's hit!" Doc shouted as he dashed over to patch up the wounded SEAL. The Corpsman rushed to pack a coagulate pack into the bullet wound and staunch the bleeding.
"Eagle 4, Hellfire's away!" Explosions ripped up from the south the Apaches began to work over the Russians. More rockets rained down along with 30mm rounds from more gunships as the Blackhawks and Chinooks touched down in three landing zones on the opposite side of the ball park, and two outside the Wells Fargo Center to secure the flank. The Super Hornets came back around and fired more Maverick AGMs and their cannons into the Russian forces as soldiers from the 506th moved east.
With their forces suffering heavy casualties from multiple flanks and from virtually unchallenged American air power the Russians soon ceased firing, threw down their rifles and came out with their hands up.
"Cease fire!" Foley cried out. "Cease fire! They're surrendering!"
"Hunter 2-1, this is Currahee 1-4," the ground commander for the air assault troopers came over the radio. "We've secured the main entrance to the ball park. The Russian commander has ordered his troops here to lay down their weapons."
"Copy that, Currahee 1-4," Foley replied. "East-end secured. Out. Overlord, this is Hunter 2-1, the 'Castle' is secure. Repeat the 'Castle' is secure. What's the status of our relief?"
"Good work, Hunter 2-1. Ground forces are still moving south but are meeting stiff resistance. Russian forces are focused on them at the moment. Secure the area and stand-by for further orders."
"Copy that, Overlord. Be advised we've got casualties on our end. Requesting med-evac."
"You'll get it. Good fighting down there." Foley then turned to the Rangers and began to disperse orders. He also checked on Dunn as Ramirez and Tex oversaw the handling of the prisoners.
"Another day," Ski said as the SEALs regrouped around the technical. "Another dollar-fifty." Doc helped Young into the passenger seat of the technical to get a better look at the gunshot wound.
"Shinji looks like he belongs up there," Killian chuckled as he pointed up to the Wolverine who was still behind the heavy machinegun.
"That he does," the El-Tee agreed. "That he does."
"Hooyah," Shinji smiled.
El-tee then turned to Doc. "How's Young doing?"
"Nothing major," Doc said as he removed Young's body armor to wrap a bandage around the wound. "We'll need to get him out on a med-evac soon, though."
"Achilles 4-5," Overlord called to the SEALs.
"Go ahead, Overlord," Feliciano replied.
"Lieutenant, we've got a special mission for you and your team. Report to the Bakin' Bagels at 18th and Oregon to meet with asset codenamed 'Gator'."
"Copy that, Overlord. Be advised, one of my men is wounded. We're leaving him with the Rangers to be med-evac'd."
"We copy, Achilles. Med-evac is already en route but you need to get to Gator quick."
"Aye, aye, Overlord," Feliciano replied. "Sorry to leave you behind, brother," he said, gently patting Young on the back.
"Don't sweat it, sir," Young shook his head as he got back on his feet. "I'll babysit the Rangers for ya." The team shared a chuckle as they double checked their gear.
"Gator is on location and will be awaiting you," Overlord came back over the air. "Challenge is 'Ball', countersign is 'Dragon'. He'll brief you on your mission. Good luck, Overlord, out."