Chapter 19

*BZZT* "HEAVY RESISTANCE AT UNION DRIVE, REQUESTING IMMEDIATE AIR SUPPORT"

*BZZT* "Confirming your last, i've got two Typhoons on CAS, danger close"

*BZZT* "Affirm, roger"

Kay sighed softly, watching the radio set's lights flicker, "I hope theyre ok Arisa..." she murmured between nervous finger taps.

"I'm sure theyre fine, Why dont you request an update?" Arisa placed a hand on Kay's shoulder.

"Hmm", Kay grabbed the small microphone and pressed turned on the transmitter. "This is... *Sigh* Zulu... Latvia... to Charlie England, Provide status update, over"

"Charlie England recieved, we're making good progress into Hitachiomiy, Oarai is completely secure and lead elements are taking the country club to use as a staging ground" Darjeeling chirpily replied. "The 118 Highway is heavily damaged so we've had to divert, over"

"Copy that Charlie England, Zulu Latvia out", Kay smiled, turning off the transmitter. "You were right for once Arisa"

"HEY! WHATS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN!?" Arisa scowled.

*Pravda Palace of the People*

"No... No... No..." Rosehip fumbled with her gun trying to reload. "Button... Drop... Fresh... Rack..." She repeated to herself loading a magazine into her gun.

The sound of AK automatic fire roared at her.

She carefully peaked over a the small air conditioning unit, shivering as the snow fell around her, it was dark and a small string of bulbs lit the roof. A bullet struck the metal infront of her with a terrifying metallic ping, startling her. She saw a Pravda officer approaching, raising her gun, firing two shots sending him diving to cover.

"ROSEHIP! SURRENDER NOW!" A high pich voice pierced the gun fire.

"NO! I KNOW WHAT YOU DO TO PEOPLE" Rosehip called back, mustering the little voice she could.

"IF YOU SURRENDER, YOU CAN HAVE A FAIR TRIAL" Katyusha called back, followed by a burst of rifle fire.

"Damn... Damn... 3 bullets left" She aimed and fired, hitting the barricade Katyusha was crouched behind. "Two Left"

"You leave us no choice..." Katyusha put down her megaphone, turning to the soldier next to her, "Finish this"

"Yes Ma'am" she answered, standing up, she raised her rifle.

*Bang*

Katyusha jumped, the officer fell to the floor next to her.

"one shot..." Rosehip felt for a new magazine. "Huh... no... NO..." her belt was empty.

Katyusha grabbed the officers rifle. "Gotta do it myself..."

She stood to aim, ducking down as Rosehip shot, hitting the wooden stock of the AK.

"NO..." Rosehip clutched the gun close. "What do i do... What do I do"

Katyusha noticed the silence from Rosehips location, "Hmmm, Out of ammo are we?"

She signalled to the soldiers by her to stand. "Looks like your done Rosehip"

*Thump Thump Thump*

Rosehip looked around confused.

Katyusha slowly approached Rosehip with her rifle aimed infront of her, a soft crunch of the snow pierced the now nearly silent roof.

*THUMP THUMP THUMP*

Rosehip stood slowly with her hands raised.

Katyusha racked the bolt of her rifle, "Wise choice, now for your Trial by fire"

A blinding light appeared behind rosehip, two Lynx helicopters appearing, One circled overhead, blinding Katyusha and the pravda forces. The second hovering behind rosehip in line with the roof.

Above them, the first Lynx swung sideways, Two machine guns began firing from it, causing the Pravda forces to scatter.

Behind Rosehip, the second Lynx's side door flung open, as two Soldiers sprinted out, grabbing Rosehip and dragging her back.

"Ma'am, I'm Vanilla, STS, we're here to bring you home" one spoke through her gas mask, closing the door behind them. "Cranberry, radio HQ, tell them "London Bridge is secure"".

"Yes Ma'am".

Katyusha grunted, watching the two helicopters swing and turn away, "GOD DAMNIT". She grabbed an officer next to her, gribbing his collar tightly, "I WANT HER BOUGHT BEFORE ME". Shoving him away, she descended from the roof.

*Gloriana Combined Command HQ Tokyo*

"Affirmitive, I'll pass it on" Arisa placed the microphone back on its hook. "Little Latvia to Charlie England, London Bridge is secure, say again, London Bridge is secure"

Kay rolled into the room behind her followed by Assam, a small blanket with a Union Jack drapped over her legs and a box of Donuts on top. "What was that Arisa?" Kay mumbled through a full mouth.

"Rosehip is safe, STS are backing up to our territory, and Dolphin Team 5 are withdrawing now". Arisa said turning to face them. A beaming smile was across Assams face. "Uhhh. Kay...?"

Kay nodded, spilling crumbs on her.

"I thought you were getting another radio...?"

"I was, but the only one they had was pink... and had 'My little panzer' written on it" Kay smiled.

Assam blushed... it was mine from when i was a kid... we needed every radio we could find"

"Ah.. well... why do you have a blanket?"

"My legs were cold..." Kay pulled the blanket close.

"And the donuts?"

"Well, i was hungry... and I saw them" Carefully moving her hand to cover the 'Property of Naomi' stencil on the side of the box.

*BZZT* "Charlie England to Bravo Austria, Panther Right side. Hit it"

"Affirm" Earl Greys voice replied.

Through the radio, a loud explosion roared.

"Theyre in a full retreat. Dig in and hold positions". Darjeeling cheered through the radio.

"Alpha America to Zulu Latvia, We're arranging to have you moved to the FOB here, ensure you bring the Tea for Charlie England, and my donuts"

"Oh no..." Kay gulped, looking at the now empty box.