Five hours later, McCord woke up. Gunfire had been growing louder as the Russians viciously pushed past American units. It was two in the morning. He stood up and quickly got into his flight suit and rushed out to the tarmac. Soon, the rest of his crew joined him. He began powering his helicopter up. Soon, the whole air base was active. He lowered his mic to his mouth, "Dagger Two report in!"

"Two-Two standing by."

"Two-Three standing by."

"Two-Four standing by."

"Dagger Two-One, this is Overlord. How copy over?"

"Dagger Two-One standing by." McCord watched as his instruments began signaling he was ready to take off.

"Dagger Two-One, provide CAS for Wolverine Five-One, operating east of the White House about twelve clicks. How copy over."

"Understood Overlord, provide CAS for Wolverine Five-One. Orders afterwards?"

"Orders are to return to Evacuation Site Echo. Armored units have been tasked to covering that location and will assist you in your next objective. Overlord out."

The helicopter began to lift, and McCord scanned the horizon. Four light flashes lit up illuminating the city. Radio chatter soon began to pick up. "Wolverine Actual, this is Wolverine Two-Two! Russians have punched a hole in my sector! Requesting immediate close air support! We cannot hold out much longer!"

"I'll see what I can do Two-Two. Delay the advance as much as possible."

"Roger that, Two-Two out!"

About thirty seconds passed. "Wolverine Two-Two, this is Wolverine Actual, all fixed winged aircraft are tasked with CAS along Line Alpha. Do what you can over."

"Negative, we cannot hold out any longer. We are forty percent combat effective and dropping fast over."

"Understood Two-Two. Can you pull out or do you need evac?"

"We need evac, Russians have forty T-90s with infantry advancing ten clicks east of my location over!"

"Calling it in. Standby."

"Roger, standing by!"

"Dagger Two-One, this is Wolverine Actual. How copy over."

McCord looked at Davis who nodded, "Dagger Two-One here. Go ahead Wolverine Actual."

"I need the evacuation of Wolverine Two-Two, operating a click east of the city. Be advised, Russian forces are closing in fast."

"Copy on all, Dagger-Two moving to evac Wolverine Two-Two. Two mikes." McCord finished speaking and pushed his stick down to pick up the helicopter's speed. "Dagger Two, form up."

"Understood." A mere reply came back.

Silvers looked around. "We are really fighting on our home soil."

Davis spoke coldly, "And we'll burn Moscow for what they do here."

Everyone nodded including the replacement, Sergeant Luna. She was twenty seven, a bit younger than the crew, but she still got along with everyone. Silvers looked at McCord, "Vanessa's here right?"

"She's over at Airfield Bravo, unfortunately that's in Javelin range. Hopefully she's airborne."

"She'll be okay. She's survived worse, am I right?"

"I believe she has." Silvers joked. "Her crashes with McCord haven't been smooth."

Luna smiled while McCord turned around quickly and shot a glare at Silvers. He turned back around shaking his head grinning until the radio crackled again.

"Dagger Two-One be advised, Russians have closed in to a click of our location! The LZ is hot!"

Davis nodded to McCord who replied, "Understood. Be prepared."

"Negative, that is not possible! T-90s are firing on us! Wolverine Two-Two is combat ineffective!"

"Is there any way to get men out?"

"No sir, I doubt there is!"

"We're fifteen seconds out."

"Abort evac!"

"Not possible Two-Two, be ready." McCord spoke as he began to loop around to the new LZ. He looked to his left and saw their issue. Wolverine Two-Two was being massacred. Soldiers stood up, and several of them would fall back down dead. As he began to lower and descend someone yelled over the radio, "Dagger Two-One, RPG at your 3 oclock! Pull up!"

McCord saw this and yanked the stick back, avoiding the rocket. He pushed the stick forward to make another pass. Silvers and Luna both opened fire, suppressing many, but it wasn't enough to stop their push. "Coming around Two-Two."

"Wolverine Actual, this is Wolverine Two-Two, we could not get evacuated. Requesting Broken Arr-Arghhh" The transmission ended. McCord looked back and he saw Russian troops, in the hundreds, rush Two-Two's position. He watched as the helpless wounded, trying to hold their ground or to surrender, were executed on site as the Russians fired leaving no survivors at first sight.

McCord's blood froze as he spoke over the radio. "Wolverine Actual, this is Dagger Two-One."

"Wolverine Actual here."

"Wolverine Actual, Wolverine Two-Two was completely wiped out. Was unable to evacuate anyone."

"Dagger Two-One, confirm wiped out. Do you mean fully combat ineffective?"

"Negative. Every last one is dead."

There was a pause. "Understood. Continue on with Overlord's mission. Wolverine Actual out."

McCord raised his microphone and switched back over to the intercom. He pushed the stick lower to gain more speed as Dagger Two soon followed behind. "Dagger Two-One, this is Wolverine Five-One, hostile forces have been repulsed, however we are under heavy fire. Can you provide CAS over?"

Davis replied, "Wolverine Five-One, we'll do what we can. ETA, six mikes."

"Understood, we can hold for that long. Broadside Three and Warpig Two are covering us, but we're slowly being overrun. How copy, over."

"Solid copy. Dagger Two on the way."

"Roger that! Wolverine Five-One out."

The flight went dead silent. "If the LZ is losing ground, what'll happen?" Davis asked.

"There are three left. If LZ Echo falls, we fight more desperately." Luna spoke grimly. "We aren't going to give up like many think we'll do. As the word is with most of the enlisted, this will decide the fate of the war."

"Luna is right. We gotta get everyone out of this city before the real fight begins." Davis nodded to Luna. McCord switched his channel over to the channel all units were using.

"Dagger Two, this is Wolverine Five-One, hostiles are closing in. Armored units are slowing their advance down. Reaper Two has yet to respond to the civilian evacuations. We also have wounded that is needed to be evacuated. Warpig Two and Broadside Two are taking heavy fire as well from fortified strong posts. It seems to be a rallying spot for the next stage of the operation."

Wolverine Five-One, understood. Dagger is closing in fast."