Chapter VI
Master Chief and Red Squad have successfully integrated Caboose into their ranks. Enraged over the death of Tex, Church sends a team of mercenaries to kill everyone at Red Base and avenge his girlfriend's murder . . .
A shell from an M808B Main Battle Tank flew past Grif, missing his head by inches. The shell detonated against the canyon wall, throwing chunks of rock and clouds of dust in all directions.
"Damnit! Why are we getting shot at? Caboose is on the front line with a tank and everyone decides to shoot at us," Grif shouted over the sounds of explosions and gunfire.
"They're obviously shooting at you because you pose the greatest threat," Donut suggested.
"Oh please," Grif said in a mockingly sarcastic tone. "This thing is just for show. I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn!"
Grif fired a round to prove his point, but the bullet struck the tire of one of the modified warthogs, causing it to spin out of control. The gunner bailed just before it crashed into a rock, exploded and killed the driver.
"Wow, Grif, you do suck," Simmons said. "That was the worst shot I've ever seen. Maybe you can agree with me, and then get a lucky shot on that damn tank that has been shooting at us FOR THE LAST HALF HOUR!"
"Simmons, bite me. Donut, stop screwing up my aim," Grif said.
"Screwing up your aim? I improved your aim!" Donut shouted.
"No, my aim was good when I couldn't hit anything. Now that I can hit stuff, my aim is bad," Grif explained. "Now, when Sarge comes back, he's going to make me do more stuff because I'm actually a good shot."
"You were pretending to suck the whole time we've been stationed here?" Simmons asked confused.
"Hey, a man can keep his secrets from other men, can't he?" Grif asked.
"I don't believe in keeping secrets," Donut proclaimed.
"For the love of God, Donut, we know," said Grif. He shook his head to clear his mind of all the disgusting things Donut had told him over the years. "Look, I'll make you guys a deal; I make a bunch of good shots and you two take all the credit. That way, this gets done faster, I don't have to do any more work, and nobody gets hurt. Are we cool?"
"Sounds good to me," said Simmons.
Grif brought up the sniper rifle and peered down the scope.
"Grif, you know our visors automatically zoom in for us, right?" Donut asked concerned.
"Yes, Donut, I know," Grif said agitated. "I like doing it this way more, now please, be quiet. I need to concentrate."
Grif lined up the target reticule with the head of the mercenary that had escaped from the warthog explosion he caused. Then he decided to make it more interesting. The mercenary had just pulled out a grenade and was about to pull the pin. Grif shot the grenade dead-center. It exploded and the smoldering corpse of the mercenary flew back several hundred feet and crashed into a hill. Grif lined up his next target; the gunner of the remaining warthog. Rather than shooting his head, Grif aimed for the rocket launcher turret. He fired a round into the barrel of one of the rocket launchers. The explosion ripped the top half of the gunner off from his legs and sent him tumbling away. The legs fell out of what remained of the turret position and also tumbled away. Grif saw that the rear half of the warthog had caught fire and that the fire would eventually reach the fuel lines. It wasn't fast enough for Grif, who grudgingly decided to headshot the driver. The shot rang out and the driver slumped over in his seat. The warthog began driving around in erratic circles until it was blown into the air by a tank shell courtesy of Caboose and Sheila. Grif then sighted the mercenary who didn't ride in a warthog. He was trudging up over one of the steepest hills carrying two rocket launchers and sixteen rockets. Grif was about to shoot one of the rockets when he saw Master Chief sneak up behind the mercenary. The Chief put his hand across the man's visor and slit his throat with his combat knife. He then began to casually walk back to the Red Base.
"What is he doing?" Simmons said. "With that tank out there, he could get killed!"
Donut looked over at Caboose and Sheila and started laughing. "I don't think the Chief is in any danger, guys, check it out!"
Simmons and Grif both looked over at Caboose and Sheila and also started laughing. Caboose had managed to flip the enemy tank over with Sheila and had gotten Sheila on top of the flipped tank. Smoke and fire was billowing out from underneath as the enemy tank caught on fire and the mercenary piloting it was burnt alive. Caboose was standing on top of Sheila and was waving his arms for help. Sheila was contributing by rotating her turret in circles. Master Chief jumped up on top of the tank, grabbed Caboose and jumped off. He then instructed Sheila to drive off of the other tank. Minutes later, all five of them were gathered around in the main room talking about the battle.
"I think it went exceptionally well, men. Congratulations. Intel says the remaining two blue bastards packed up and left, so we're in the clear." We can now move on to Phase Two of Operation: Red Rage." The Master Chief announced.
"Great. What's phase two?" Simmons asked.
"Phase Two is a recovery phase from phase one," the Chief said. "We've all seen enough action these past few days; I think we deserve a little R and R."
"Amen to that. How long does Phase Two last?" Grif asked eagerly.
"It lasts a week, Grif. I suggest everyone packs their gear during our break. We're headed out to that place with the creek for some reconnaissance when Phase Three begins." The Chief announced.
"Oh, I liked that place. The water was very pretty there," Caboose said.
"Well, pack your swim suit, Caboose, we'll be there for a few weeks before I initiate Phase Four." The Chief said.
"You have the first four phases of this operation planned out already?" Grif asked.
"Of course, I always have my plans set up before I put them into motion." The Chief replied.
"Just like any good leader, Grif," Simmons added.
"Thank you Private Kiss Ass. If any of you need me, I'll be watching TV." Grif said. He left the briefing room.
"Donut, before you go, I need you and Caboose to head over to Blue Base and see if they left any info there. If there is something, we may need it." Master Chief ordered.
"Yes sir, Faster Beef, sir," Caboose replied.
"Its Master Chief, Caboose, Master Chief!" he called after them as the two soldiers made for the warthog.
"Simmons, you and I are going to salvage what we can from the damaged vehicles. We need Sheila to be at her strongest while we're gone."
Master Chief and Simmons had just hauled the wreckage from the damaged mercenary tank into the hangar when Donut called over the radio.
"Master Chief? We have a problem," he said.
"What is it, Donut? What's going on?" the Chief asked.
"Well, it's about Tucker's alien baby."
"What about it, Private?"
"They left him behind, sir! They left him, Andy and Doc behind!"
To Be Continued