Authors Note: Welcome to my newest fic, Shock and Awe. After I played the entire game, I was blown away by the intense story telling. After I finished the Aftermath mission, I realised a huge 'what if...'
What if Paul Jackson hadn't died, but passed out and was revived by the pilot he had rescued? Her absense at the crash site intrigued me, to say the least. Without further ado, I bring you Shock and Awe.
Shock And Awe
The Paul Jackson Story
Day Two: 0739:45 hours
Somewhere in the Middle East
Jackson watched the helicopter spiral down, the tail rudder smoking, and his heart spiralled with it. Seeing another American chopter spiralling out of control…
This mission was far from over, it seemed.
Call sign Deadly was down. Possible survivors.
"Command, this is Eagle. Deadly is down. Multiple hostiles converging on target, permission to assist, over."
"Permission Granted, Eagle. Be advised, Seal team six has discovered a nuclear device, and it may be hot. Rescue the pilot if you can."
Jackson cocked his M4-A1 assault rifle, and his grip tightened. They had to get the pilot out of there before the nuke blew.
"Deadly, this is Eagle. What is your status?" The pilot of the Marine chopper sounded strained.
"Barreth is dead! They're coming! I could use a hand, Eagle!"
"Confirmed, troops inbound."
As soon as the chopper touched down, the marines were sprinting all out. Gun fire spouted from all twelve rifles, and Jackson took point, opening up on some Iraqi soldiers.
"Jackson! Go for it!" The order came through, and he ran towards the downed bird, the pilot trapped inside as the Iraqis charged towards her, eager for a free kill and someone to torment.
The fact that the pilot was female made him run faster, his legs pumping with all he had in him. He drew his sidearm and pumped a round into one tango, two rounds into another.
Thirty meters away, and he saw the pilot's head loll to one side. He glanced to the side, down the main road, and his heart nearly stopped.
The street was crawling with Iraqis.
They shot a few rounds at him, his squad giving him cover fire as he raced to the Pilot.
Her eyes widened as he approached, pistol drawn, helmet long gone, brown hair matted and sweat covered. He fired a few shots, standing in front of her, blocking the line of sight.
"Jackson! Grab the Pilot! Go for it! We'll cover you!"
Not wasting a moment, he grabbed her, lifting her gently out of the pilot's seat, giving her a sympathetic glance as he held her, bridal style.
She clung to him, her arms around his neck. She had just stared death in the face, and he had taken her from it.
"Go!" A soldier yelled, and he started running. She was jostled with the pace of his sprint, her helmeted head whacking off of his shoulder once in a while. She was surprised that he didn't even seem winded as he sprinted hard, gunfire all around.
Her heart almost stopped when he lurched forwards, as a bullet tore through his shoulder. She stared at him, as he didn't lose stride, kept going, determined to get her to safety.
She looked over his shoulder, and almost screamed as she saw the five Marines, firing at will upon the OpFor soldiers. Many Iraqi's were cut down, but more replaced them, all of them intent on one thing;
Death of all Americans.
Next thing she knew, she was being gently lowered into the leather seats of the helicopter. She winced and met his eyes. As she looked up, Flight Sergeant Mary Williams got a good look at Sergeant Paul Jackson.
His shoulder was bleeding from the fresh wound, and his intense green eyes met hers as he strapped her in. Her blue eyes were glossy, and shining with tears. She had almost died. He smiled at her, reassuringly, before pulling out his M4-A1 assault rifle, and covering the Marines as best he could.
There was no rest for soldiers. Not today.
One by one, the Marines clambered on board the helicopter, firing the last few shots at the OpFor soldiers. Jackson stepped on the ramp, opening up.
"Go, Go, Go!" Lt. Vasquez grabbed Jackson and pulled him back into the chopper. He took a seat, still firing.
"Everyone, hold on!" The pilot cried as the chopper took off, making a beeline away from the bomb. From their seats, Williams and Jackson had a clear view of five or six more choppers, all flying as fast as their engines would take them.
"Pilots! Red Alert! The Nuke is hot! Explosion is imminent! Get to the Rendezvous –"
The bomb went off. Jackson and Williams looked out, in horror, as choppers behind them were obliterated by smoke and fire. The explosion rocketed towards them, tearing through buildings, detonating choppers.
"Everybody, Hang on!" Lt. Vasquez shouted. Heat washed over them, and one of the marines flew out the open end of the chopper, Jackson tried to grab him, but lurched and almost fell. "SHIT!" A marine behind him cried, as he lurched past Jackson, scrabbling for a hold on the chopper floor.
Jackson grabbed him with one hand, holding fast to a strap on the seat.
The helicopter started to spiral, smoke billowing from its tail rudder. The marine smiled at Jackson, and let go, flying out of the copter.
Jackson closed his eyes, holding on to the seat with all his strength. He briefly thought of Sergeant Williams before the copter crashed and all went dark.
A/N: Chapter two upcoming