McCoy continued to blast away as McCord began to pull out. As he began moving forward, he watched as an RPG struck the rooftop where the Rangers he just dis-embarked were standing. There were a few survivors, and one was unharmed and ran off into cover. "Shit! McCoy full cover, going around to pick up the wounded." McCord shouted as he began to pull the helicopter into a loop. He watched as Dagger Two-Two, and Two-Three touched down on separate sides deploying their troops as the Apaches broke off to cover the Rangers defenses. Only one followed back as the others were soon overcame with requests of CAS all along the line. The helicopter began to hover as Silvers jumped out under fire and dragged the wounded into the helicopter. McCord watched as he heard the bullets hit the fuselage. Finally McCoy had enough and let loose and lit up the whole forest filled with Russians. McCord glupped and continued, "Dagger units, Dagger Two-One, pulling out with wounded. Head back without us. Helix Eight-Two, you are free from escort duty."
"Negative Dagger Two-One, Overlord tasked us with your escort for a reason." The pilot barked fiercely. Another reason McCord thought it was Vanessa even though she originally told him she was with Fox Eight. McCord opened his mouth to let out a breath while the wounded were silent while Silvers tried to have a conversation with them to get their minds off their wounds. Turns out, all three were going to survive. They were on the outskirts of the radius when the rocket struck the rooftop. The three were talking with Silvers as Silvers applied basic care to the men's wounds.
Twenty minutes later, the helicopter landed as the wounded were evacuated and more men took their place. As he watched the men load up, he listened to the radio as Rangers were losing ground after their desperate attempts. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back as the conversations on the radio were getting worse.
"A Sea knight just went down! It crashed by our CP!"
"Wolverine 5-6, this is Overlord. Check for any survivors and continue to hold the line. The main convoy will arrive within thirty to forty mikes. Dagger squadron is trying their best to drop off troops to strengthen your lines."
"Affirmative, however most get killed before they can even get into the fight. We are slowly losing ground."
"Confirmed. Dagger is making another fight. ETA ten to twenty mikes. Hunter 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 have been dispatched to your location. ETA ten to fifteen mikes."
"Roger that!"
"Overlord, this is Stalker 2, requesting immediate CAS north of the town observing the fight. Russians have divided the town. We control everything west of the main highway. The Russians are rolling up armor as we speak. The most we can hold out for is at least seventeen mikes if the Russians are reckless."
"Roger that Stalker 2. Patching you in with Vulture."
"Copy, standing bye."
"Stalker 2, this is Vulture, come in."
"Stalker 2 receiving."
"Regroup with Wolverine 5-6 and help out with the defense of the town. Cujo 2-1 is on the way, ETA two mikes."
"Roger that, regrouping with Wolverine 5-6."
"Wolverine 5-6, this is Stalker 2. We're approaching from the North."
"Roger that, laying down surpressive fire on approaching tangos."
"Vulture, Cujo 2-1 Checking in a flight of two F-35s, orbiting west, 20 miles, at Angels 12. Ordnance to follow: ah, four laser Mavericks, two HARMs, six-five GBU 12s, 600 rounds a piece. 0+40 Time on Station. Ready for tasking."
"Cujo 2-1, this is Vulture, solid copy on all, break. We are in contact with Stalker-2; a Marine Recon Platoon north of the MSR. I need you to push sixteen clicks north of MSR Nine to map grid: 257798, how copy over?"
"Vulture, Cujo 2-1 Solid copy. Errr... Pushing north of MSR Nine to map grid: 257798... err... I understand we are operating under restricted ROE? Over."
"Uhh, negative on that restricted ROE Cujo 2-1. You are cleared to prosecute any other targets of opportunity in that grid square. Over."
"Cujo 2-1 copies."
"Stalker-2, this is Vulture. You have Cujo 2-1: flight of two F-35s at angels 12 pushing north of the MSR."
"Stalker 2 copies, Cujo 2-1 this is Stalker 2. Stand-by for Nine Line, how copy over?
"Stalker 2, Cujo 2-1. Solid copy, standing by."
"Cujo 2-1, Stalker-2. Nine Line follows: IP Hammer. Heading: 225 magnetic. Distance: 5 nautical miles. Target elevation: 215 MSL. Three BTR-80's near a small red one story restaurant building. Grid: 257788. Marked with laser. Friendlies west; three hundred yards. Danger Close. Egress north-west . End nine line. Over."
"Roger, solid copy. Continue over."
"IP inbound."
"Laser armed, call contact?"
"Contact, Cujo 2-1 inbound. Wings level."
"Cleared hot, give them hell."
"Roger. Maverick away, maverick away.
"Dash 2 wings level."
"Roger. Dash 2 cleared hot."
"Maverick away."
"Cujo 2-1, egressing north-west standing by for BDA, over."
Davis gently slapped McCord's shoulder giving him a thumbs up. McCord nodded and began to take off flying fast for the CP. "Wolverine Five-Six, Stalker Two, this is Dagger Two-One. Coming in hot for LZ drop off with Hunter Two-Four. ETA is less than ten mikes."
"Stalker Two received, good luck Dagger Two-One."
"Wolverine Five-Six copies. We have wounded to the south section of our CP. Request CASEVAC, over."
"We'll see what we can do Five-Six, the Hunter convoy should be there shortly." McCord spoke as he looked at his watch. He looked up and focused on the rising smoke, a signal of fierce fighting.
"Hostile fast-movers have entered your AO" A voice squawked over the radio.
McCord eyes widened. Hostile jets were in the air, and they were fighting for control of the skies. Davis was frantically searching the skies and checking the radar system for the jets as well. McCord cleared his throat and looked forward seeing the Nate's restaurant which was currently the Ranger's CP. He began to bank and saw more troops. Hunter Convoy arrived, but it wasn't enough to hold the defense as the Russians continued to hammer away. McCord began to descend as the Rangers were getting their gear ready. "Touching down. Three. Two. One. Clear!" McCord shouted and began to signal the troops off. As they were off, wounded began to load up. Finally every space was crammed as the UH-60 began to take off. He watched as a squad of Rangers went onto the offensive of the recently bombed restaurant, thanks to Cujo Two-One and Helix Eight.
As they began to gain altitude, McCord heard a voice on the radio, "Enemy fast movers! Take cover!" He snapped to the left and saw two MIG 29's fly by dropping bombs on the CP, and watched as they flew right next to the UH-60. As the thundering engines flew past the cockpit of the UH-60, McCord began struggling with the controls. They were dead because of the un-even air the engines were receiving due to the MIG fly-by. After gritting and putting all his muscles into trying to gain control, the helicopter began to spin and start going down.
"This is Dagger Two-One, I've lost controls." McCord spoke while wrestling for control as the helicopter passed one hundred feet. Finally, at fifty feet, McCord regained control and began to elevate quickly trying to evacuate the wounded on board so he could return again. "Dagger Two-One, regained flight controls. Heading back to the FOB to drop off wounded and pick up more troops."
He heard coughing on the radio when an older man, probably a Sergeant of some type responded on the radio. "Dagger Two-One. This is Hunter Two-One Actual, Nate's restaurant is no longer functioning. New CP is moved to that Burger Town to the north."
"Roger that Hunter Two-One Actual, next wave will be within... twenty mikes." McCord had to look at his watch to be sure.
"Copy that. Russians have struck a blow to our defense. More hostiles are incoming unfortunately. They've secured the eastern side. The southern and western side will soon fall. We are holding on until the main convoy arrives."
"We'll try to make at least one more flight in before the convoy arrives."
"Roger that. Hunter Two-One Actual out."
