We are moving to the exit of the com station, when the helmet com chimes. [Gunny, we have two tangos in custody.] The Gunny turns to me; I think for a second then I give the gunny the hand signal for everybody upstairs, or in other words to the Helios.
[Zip tie 'em we're taking 'em for a ride!] The Gunny orders. We open the inner door and we go to open the outer door, but it won't because the inner one isn't closed, so the light is red. The gunny gets pissed and aims his plas rifle at the control panel!
"Wait!" I shout, He pauses. "If you force the door we'll have an explosive decompression! We might all get killed!" I push in and close the inner door and the light goes green. The outer door opens. "You know you can't blast everything into submission gunny." He looks at me and chuckles nodding his understanding. As we step outside I here that crack of gunfire that I'm so familiar with and the dirt that's being kicked up by the impact of the bullets, that are headed in our direction! The first shuttle has already touched down, and the Gunny is waving me and Mandy into it! "No way Gunny! We're all getting out of here!"
[Yes Sir, however you and the Major are the priority!] He looks at me and I think he understands what I'm thinking. [Alright Captain, we'll get the Major in first!] he taps the shoulder of one of the Marines and he gives him instructions and I watch him as he peels off the line, ushering Mandy into the shuttle. A round hits the Com station at little to close for Comfort, and I drop to one knee returning fire with my plas pistol! I'm not within range since it's not powerful enough, but it makes me feel good! [I see you're a crack shot Captain! You've hit nothing but air!]
"Yeah." I respond. "This little thing just ain't cutting it!" The Gunny laughs and I couldn't help but snicker as well. "Let's get those two in there, and have shuttle two lay down some good cover fire, let them know who owns this ground!" One rebel stands up shooting like some cowboy and is quickly cut down by the Marines. He lays on the ground smoldering from the plasma hits; he never stood a chance, which shows me one thing. These guys are not trained combat troops! I switch to the shuttle channel. "This is Hotel six actual to Sierra two do you read me?"
[Roger Hotel six actual I copy.] Responds the pilot.
"I want you to lay it hot and heavy on these jerkoffs! Don't let up for two mikes!" I command.
[Roger that Hotel six actual.] He answers.
I watch as the shuttle moves in closer to where the insurgents are taking cover, and it opens fire lighting those idiots up. They begin to fall back under the onslaught of the shuttles fire power; the Marines get up and start to walk in behind the shuttles fire, taking out those who dare to pop up their head. I get up and move in with the gunny; he glances at me and smiles nodding his approval. As we move up one of the Marines jerks back and falls; The Gunny and I move up faster and check him. He took a hit in the visor of his EVA helmet! The Gunny calls a couple of Marines back, and they grab their fallen Marine hauling him back to shuttle three.
The Gunny turns to me and I can read his face. [Sir, this time I'm afraid I have to insist that you board the shuttle now.] I look at the situation, and my brain says go, but my gut says stay. I don't want to leave until all these boys are in shuttle two.
"Alright Gunny, everybody is out. Recall the shuttle and your men; shuttle three will provide cover." The Gunny nods in agreement and he begins to order the Marines back; this is not a retreat, but a tactical withdraw. We have a man down and two prisoners, so we need to reassess our situation and plan accordingly. I get up and head to the shuttle with the Gunny right behind me; We head up the ramp and as soon as we clear the ramp the pilot lifts off and turn the craft on its axis, facing what's left of the insurgents. I move into the cockpit standing right in the hatch, since there is no room for me to step in, and looking out of the window I see that shuttle two is already on the deck with the Marines boarding. Our shuttles co pilot is firing away at the insurgents keeping them back, when shuttle two takes off and both ships peel out of the zone.
I step back and let out a short breath. I turn and walk over to the lifeless body of the Marine who was hit, and I kneel down undoing his helmet. As I pull it and see his face my heart sinks; the bullet went clear through his eye. It's painfully obvious that he died instantly. The other Marines are all looking at the prisoners, with murder in their eyes. The anger for their fallen comrade is all they are thinking about, and they want blood for blood. I stand up and move to where they are siting. "Who are you? Why did you surrender to us?" I ask.
"I am Basha Ahmadi." He States flatly. I feel my ears get hot that this son of a bitch has the nerve, to even give me his name! I pull out my pistol and aim it at his head!
"Ant!" I hear Mandy's voice. "You can't! He is in our custody!" I keep the pistol leveled at basha's head and he sits there unflinching waiting for what will happen next. "Ant, he's unarmed." Mandy speaks softly to me. "It would be murder if you pull that trigger."
"It is alright my dear lady, he is no stranger to such an act." Basha says. I stare at him for a few minutes deciding what to do. Trying to figure out what he means.
"I don't know you; we've never met before, so how do you know anything about me!" I move closer as do a couple of Marines. "Choose your next words carefully Mr. Ahmadi." I want him to understand just how close he is to meeting Allah.
He looks at me and nods. "I fought in Africa; in Morocco to be exact. So did my older brother; he was killed along with his wife, by a certain pilot for the UEA, who had been shot down behind enemy lines." His words struck me in a way that no other words had; I slowly, reluctantly lower my pistol. "I know who you are Captain. For many years I lusted for revenge, but as time went on I realized that it was simply the fortunes of war."
I stare at this man, who was obviously older than I was and far wiser than I was at this moment. "I'm sorry. For the loss of your brother." These are the only words that come out of my mouth.
He smiles at me. "I knew you would not pull that trigger, for you are not a murderer. You've led an exemplary life during and after the war." Curiosity filled me at this mans statement, and I guess it was on my face as well. "I followed all the news reports and that's how I realized that were not the person I let myself believe. You see the desire of vengeance had blinded me for many years. In fact, it cost me my marriage."
I looked around at the Marines and they seemed to have cooled down some, so I signal them to sit down. "Well, I suppose we have a lot to talk about." I say.
"Yes, we do Captain." I sit down next to Mr. Ahmadi and Mandy sits on the other side of him. This is going to be a long night.