"We only lost three, but seven are in bad condition," Isaacs tells me.
"Not including you?" I say with a smirk.
"I can walk, they can't,"
"How many fighting soldiers do we have?"
"We started with thirty-one, when we got here we had seventeen, and they had thirty, minus ten wounded or dead equals thirty-seven able bodied soldiers,"
"I'm gonna check on everyone, you coming?"
"Sure,"
Several soldiers pulling Wretches off of the spears on the front of the Junkers. Two medics holding a writhing soldier, trying to give him painkillers.
"Isaacs,"
"Yeah?"
"Tell everyone that we need the wounded in the Junkers and that we need to get going ASAP,"
"Yes sir,"
"Oh god," I say after Isaacs leaves. All I can think of is my last big mission. "We are gonna die," I whisper collapsing. I get up quickly and find a medic. I make an excuse to get some painkillers and pop way too many in my mouth. The world swirls.
"Sarge, what's the job?" Avarius asks.
"We are negotiating a deal with a large group of Stranded that have taken some of our COG soldiers hostage," I answer to my squad.
"Why?"
"They've lost it. They are convinced that our COG's are working with the Locust army,"
"How many of our soldiers have they got?"
"Four,"
"How many hostiles?"
"Fifteen"
"Damn, Sarge,"
"We'll do it easy,"
"I don't doubt out squad sir. What is the setup of their position?"
"It is a standard Stranded settlement. Two large makeshift gates, seventeen buildings,"
"Why so many buildings?"
"The population was triple a month ago. They were attacked by the kryll during a Blackout,"
"Shit,"
"At each gate they got one troika, along with a makeshift sniper tower,"
"How did they get such great fortifications?"
"Before the Stranded were attacked by the kryll a group of soldiers came across them and helped, but after the attack the remaining Stranded convinced themselves that the soldiers had shut off the lights,"
"Why did they blame the soldiers?"
"The soldiers were gone during the Blackout,"
"Oh,"
"When the soldiers returned the Stranded took them prisoner. Alright, Jones, Fitz, you two will take the kid with you,"
"Ah, come on, Sarge," Whines the kid. "You don't gotta call me that,"
"Alright, boy,"
"Okay, 'kid' it is,"
"Damn right, now you two take him by the East gate, there is fencing next to it that you'll cut,"
"Avarius and I'll go through the fence from the south. We'll meet at this building in the center,"
"The only skyscraper?" Jones chimes.
"Exactly, 'cause that's were they got our Gears, alright, get yer shit together,"
The squad disperses, all but Avarius. "God Avarius, it's not 'cause you're a dame, it's 'cause I want us to get to the center building before the young-ins, you're my best," Satisfied, Avarius walks away without a word.
"Jones?"
"Longshot, snub," He responds.
"Fitz?"
"Hammerburst, boltok,"
"Kid?"
"Lancer,"
"Avarius?"
"Longshot, Avariushot,"
"What the hell is the Avariushot?" Kid asks.
"It is Avarius' special weapon, a grenade launcher. It fires poison gas grenades, frag 'nades, and smoke 'nades," I respond.
"Pump action, holds three grenades at once," Avarius adds.
"SARGE!"
I snap up and see Isaacs and Fin standing over me.
Yes, there is an end to the flashback. Our Sergeant just needs to go to sleep, or take some more drugs .If you're reading this please leave a review of the story so far. Don't worry there is more action next chapter.
- DAINARD FARR