Somewhere in a rain forest.
The mission's objective: Escort Bravo-One and his squad to the Outpost where Charlie's team is being overrun by enemy militia.
Mission was a success and thankfully, there were no casualties.
As Bravo-One and Charlie team were getting on board of the rescue helicopter in the LZ, my squad leader called me over the local radio.
(LZ=Landing Zone)
"You will be picked up at the LZ at 0600 tomorrow. Coordinates for extraction point are 1.46° S, 73.21° W. So be on the lookout, Bravo-Six…Bravo-One out!"
(Rendezvous at 06:00 AM)
I set an alarm on my handy watch. The alarm will set off at 03:00 AM sharp.
"Copy that. Ten-four, Bravo-Six out! Moving to the LZ" I replied immediately.
I had my orders. Evacuation proceeded the next day, so for now I needed to gain as much ground as possible before nightfall.
As I'm walking towards the LZ, a sudden thunderstorm struck in and I had to find a cave to reside in for the night.
"Ah, what a shit-show. This is the worst weather possible…though we are in a rain forest."
I opened my pack, fortunately I had some food left.
"Thankfully, I still have some MRE. I wouldn't want to trek on an empty stomach after all."
(MRE=Meal Ready-to-Eat)
*Sigh!*
I sighed desperately. MRE was not the best of food after all…it was the bare minimum…but it was still practical for packing.
As I'm finishing my handful of food, my eyes were starting to close as that was such a tiring mission.
'Yawn!' a tapped my mouth. "It'll be good if i can sleep a lit- "
*Snore, snore!*
After that busy day, I fell asleep quickly in the cave like a newborn chick that couldn't be bothered by anything. . .
Morning had shown its face by the time I woke up from my sleep. My watch's alarm rang and I was able to wake up at its sound. I took my gear, packed my stuff and prepared to head out. I had to meet the rescue heli after all.
I looked again at my watch. It displayed 03:00AM. I wasn't late, perfect.
"Well, my mission will be officially over once I get to the LZ"
Is what I thought would happen as I got up to my feet and headed towards the exit of the cave. But as soon as I stepped out of it… it was no longer familiar. I was in a different place then I was yesterday.
I scouted my surroundings once again. The forest I saw and walked through earlier that day was no longer before me. The trees disappeared. The bushes disappeared. There was no moist and damp soil either.
I was in an area that looked to be more like the ruins of a castle? I think…
That was my theory according to my first observation.
"Hahaha…no way! A ruined castle out of nowhere? There should be nothing but trees in this forest."
I traced back my steps to the inside. I had to make sure I didn't exit through another passage. Perhaps I went through a different one and ended up where I was. I'm sure that the exit to the forest was somewhere nearby…
Nope. There was only this exit.
"I mean the map couldn't be wrong, right?" I took out my radio immediately. "What the fuck!"
I panicked. I was trying to contact my squad leader ASAP. If I didn't find my way to the LZ then I would be left stranded in this place.
(ASAP=As Soon As Possible)
"Bravo-One, Bravo-One! This is Bravo-Six. Do you copy? Over!"
No response.
*Bzzzzzzzzz. . .*
"Bravo-One, Bravo-One! This is Bravo-Six. Do you copy? Over!"
Same result unfortunately.
The sound of static was all that came out of it. There was probably no signal, even though yesterday I could contact my squad leader. I tried to be as much optimistic as possible. Perhaps the storm knocked a signal tower during the night. If that was so then…
"Maybe if I went to higher ground then I could look for a new signal field. If it works out fine, then I could get in contact with someone. Right??!?"
They were all speculations. But this is what I said to myself to avoid panicking and losing composure. Emotions could cloud my judgment in this unforeseen circumstance.
So I made up my mind and decided to move through the ruins. The purpose was, to search for an area with good signal so that I could contact the main base's radio or even one of the HQ's signal corps. Any rescue team was welcomed to answer my goddamn calls.
I prepared myself to anything. My original location was a forest as far as I knew. So I got my guard up in case anything, from animals to indigenous natives or enemy units, showed up to face me.
"Fuck this shit. I ain't dying here!"
I buckled up, handled my sniper to the ready, my handgun closely strapped for quick access. With my ghillie suit, it would be harder for people to usually spot me in a forest's background. But in this new setting, I had nowhere to perch from and snipe. Which meant I was at a complete disadvantage should I run into trouble.
"Bravo-One, this is Bravo-Six. Requesting emergency Evac, over!"
(Evac=Evacuation)
*Bssssttt*
The radio made the same static sound. There was still no signal.
"Well I guess Imma try to settle down to one of those mountain in the back. They're high enough I suppose" I raised my rifle's scope and zoomed in on them. They were quite far, but looking back at my watch, I still had time to make a roundabout.
For now, that was my current destination until I found my way back to the LZ. The last thing I want is to miss the evacuation.
Here I go, unto the mountains first.
Gear Equipped :
Sniper Rifles: M1-24A3AJ.
Pistol: M9 9mm.
Bulletproof Vest.
Ghillie suit: Forest camo.
Hunting Knife.