(It really does sound like a proper hurricane name, doesn't it?
Since the World Cup is happening, I'm gonna do a special release schedule. Everytime the US wins a game, I'm going to release 2 extra chapters the following week!)
Reaper called out over comms. "Helo is in position. Clear to engage."
The man holding the Javelin yelled. "CLEAR BACKBLAST!"
Martinez replied. "CLEAR!"
He then yelled again. "FIRING!"
*PINK* *PSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH* *BCHHHHHH*
The Javelin works via a two stage launch. A short burst of fuel propels the rocket out of the launcher. The rocket has several stabilizing fins on it that it uses to chart a course straight up into the air with a second but more .
It ascends into the air above its target, when that mode is selected, and then strikes it from above. The javelin is traditionally used as an anti-tank weapon. But here…
*CRASH* *BCHHHHH*
A huge explosion reached for the skies as the helicopter hit the ground. This toiling cloud of black smoke pulsed as if it was alive, sending waves of heat radiating outwards.
Even through the windows, the heat was tangible despite a distance of a few hundred feet separating us from it.
I looked out into the field, watching the man that had shot the Javelin along with the woman that accompanied him sprint towards the nearest building.
*PCH* *PCH* *PCHCHCHCH*
The dirt and grass upon which my two allies ran began spraying through the air, surely the result of the gunfire that broke through the silence. The Chinese had opened fire.
"Come on! Just a bit further!"
It was at this moment that someone tapped my shoulder. "Kyle."
*PCHCHCHCHCHCH*
I turned around to see Tucker holding out a rifle strapped to a tactical vest towards me. Nodding with a smile, I grabbed the two items, quickly putting on the vest. "Thanks."
Tucker shrugged. "Don't usually trust civvies but you seem… different."
*PCHCH* *CHSSHHHH*
The window I was standing next to suddenly shattered as a stray bullet smacked the wall adjacent, sending a small plume of drywall flying towards me.
I quickly stepped back and away from the window as I pulled the straps of the vest around me. Then I grabbed the buckles on the sides. "These guys are some shit shots huh?"
*Click* *Click*
Tucker shook his head. "They are gangsters, not soldiers like us."
I nodded, grabbing the M4 with both hands and doing a quick inspection. I pulled the charging handle, finding it ready to be fired. "Reaper, how much further?"
*BNK*
"SOMEONE CLOSE THE DOOR!"
I glanced over and saw that the two man rocket crew had made it back inside. The woman was supporting the man as one of his legs appeared to have gone limp. He must have been shot.
Reaper replied after a few seconds. "200 feet and closing. Contact in 10 seconds."
*BNK* *Chk*
I nodded as I heard the door close. "Tucker, you ready for the sequel?"
Tucker sighed as he leaned against the window frame that had just been shot through. "Man, I'm ready for a drink."
I laughed, walking towards another window. "I hear you, I hear you."
Through the broken window, a voice sounded. "Tāmen zài zhè suǒ fángzi lǐ."
Taking a deep breath, I went down on one knee and pointed my rifle at the door. I then spoke in a soft voice. "Here they come."
*Skrrrrr* *Creaaak*
The knob turned with a squeak, its door quickly following with a creak. Light bled in through the open doorway, casting shadows through the room. The split second in which the opener's body became visible came and went.
*TUK* *TUK*
I squeezed the trigger twice in rapid succession. The first shot was buried in the man's chest while the second sent a splatter of blood flying through the air. His face was covered in a bloody mush.
*TUKUTUKUTUKUTUKUTU* *PCHCHCHCHCHCHCHCHCH*
It seemed that my two shots were a trigger that sent everyone into a trigger happy state. Bullets were flying, people were screaming, debris was floating about.
I quickly pulled back after I had fired my two shots, narrowly avoiding a stream of bullets that poured through the open doorway. Upon a brief moment of silence, I peeked once again.
*TUK* *TUK* *TUK*
I saw a few men but didn't want to get greedy. I took three shots at two of them and then returned to the feeble protection that was this wall. "Reaper, how many?"
About 2 seconds later, he replied. "10. No more inbound vics."
*TUKUTUKUTU*
I leaned around the corner again, letting go a short burst of rounds as I smiled. "YES! That's the first good news I've heard all day!"
Pulling away from the door, I rushed towards the back of the house where I had set my father down next to Mrs. Sands and Caleb. I quickly reached them and knelt down before Mrs. Sands. "Just another minute and we'll be out of here. I promise I will make this right."
*SMACK*
I raised my free left hand, feeling the pertinent sting that radiated through my left cheek. Honestly, I deserved that. Although invading her home may have saved both mine and Tucker's lives, it put her and Caleb's lives at risk.
We could spin it all we wanted that they were already at risk since there were so many violent Russians so close to them, but we were still at fault. They came because of us. The Chinese came because of us. This traumatic bloodshed was entirely avoidable.
As these thoughts ran through my head, everything went quiet. I silently watched as tears ran down the innocent woman's face. With each tear, I inched closer to fully comprehending the gravity of the situation.
This was more than just a brief firefight. This was grander than just a video game. Something dire was going on behind the scenes. It seemed that my uncle and I were in need of a sit down. I needed answers.
"CLEAR ON NORTH AND EAST!"
"CLEAR ON SOUTH AND WEST!"
After those two unfamiliar voices, Tucker yelled. "ALRIGHT, MOVE OUT!"
I shook my head, warding off these thoughts that would just be in the way for now. I looked Mrs. Sands in the eyes and forced a string of words through the knot of guilt that choked me. "I deserve that. No apology will ever be enough. Right now, we just need to leave and get Caleb to safety. Can we at least agree on that?"
Through the windows that were her eyes, I saw flames of rage and fury boiling to a peak. She nodded her head with gritted teeth as she shifted to rise from the ground. At least she knew that now was not the time to play the blame game. Not that it was really a competition anyways.
Just a minute later, I found myself back in the driver seat of V-1. "Clear to move?"
Reaper replied after a few seconds. "Affirmative. Move out."