Four weeks before Operation Cauterize

“Move! Move! Move!“ I shouted as machine gun fire riddled the windows.

“RPG!” One shouted as a blast hit our building. I was knocked to the ground as a hail of machine Gun fire unloaded into our position.

“We got contacts! Left building! Right side! Second floor!” Screamed Wilson as he unloaded into the building with his 249. I quickly got to the window and raised my rifle, looking through my ACOG I saw an enemy squad. I saw what looked to be an enemy NCO. I lined my sight towards him and fired! His lifeless corpse dropped as his squad began opening fire against my position. I quickly yelled to Jasper “Get enemy forces north side! Take them out!”

“Understood! Fink! Get your fireteam! And get on that fucking window! Now!” He shouts over the hail of machine Gun fire as his second fire team starts unloading into the enemy forces.”

As the firefight ensued I continued to fire round after round down the street. Attempting to pin down the enemy forces encroaching our position. That’s when I see the enemy forces set up a Linx sniper rifle.

Just as I’m about to fire on the enemy sniper, I heard a click. “Fuck! Swapping mags!” I drop my head as a 12.7mm round slams into the windowsill In front of me. It was so powerful it slammed through the cinder blocks and knocked me down. That’s when I heard it.

“Shit! Lieutenant Thane is down!” I hear one of my guys scream

“Sniper!” I scream, my body still recoiling from the shock of the round. I quickly feel over my body making sure I’m not hit.

Just then Ow rushes over to me. “Lieutenant, yoh okey! Come on noh! We cint leave yo heyre!” His creole accent is still stiff in his voice. He grabbed the back of my plate carrier and dragged me over towards second squad. As I began to get back up I reached for my radio.

“Saber Two Six this is Saber One Six. How copy over?” I shouted over the radio.

“Solid copy One six send it, over.” I heard in response.

“We are heavily pinned down here! We need immediate support! They are all over us! These fucking bastards are coming out of the woodwork to try and dislodge us. We are running low on ammo. Over!”

Just as I said this I saw Fink raise his head. “Hey guys! I think I see the sniper! Second flo-“ Bang! the entire world seemed to slow down. A tracer round slammed into his left cheekbone, ripping through his head and making a softball-sized hole out the back of his helmet. A wave of blood flew out behind the compressed lead round leaving his head. His lifeless body dropped to the ground. The entire squad seemingly stopped as I screamed “Man down!” I rushed over to his body, and began pulling him back.

“Doc! We have a man down!” Jasper shouted

“I’m on my way!” Doc shouted from down the hall.

Doc came sprinting around the corner, his rifle in one hand, his medical bag in another. He slid over to me, as I held fink’s lifeless body. He took one look at him and back to me. “He’s gone! I can’t save him!” I looked to Jasper as he stared into my eyes with a look of hatred.

“Patterson, I swear to fuck! Get feathers on that Goddamn sniper now! Fuck! That son of a bitch just killed Fink.” Jasper grinded his teeth as he spoke.

“Solid! Feathers is moving now!” Jaspers radio lit up.

Just then, Whistling is heard, my eyes widen as I look at Jasper, Jasper begins to become sporadic “Incoming!” He shouts.

Boom! A mortar lands just outside of our building peppering the walls with shrapnel. “Stay down!” I shout as more whistling is heard. A volley of mortars drop around us as Jackson rushes through the door and slams his body down near me.

“Where the hell is -Boom- korwitz!” Jackson screams over the explosions.

“His squad is across the street in the deli!” I shout back.

“What the hell is he doing over there?” Jackson yells back!

“His squad was meant to provide a base of fire for us as we advanced! The issue is, the entire Iranian 65th airborne decided to slam Into us! Even worse they are being Supplemented by elements of the Chinese third motorized! I’m currently trying to get us some kind of support out here but everyone’s pinned or fucked!” I responded.

“Where the hell is second armored? I thought they were supposed to link up with us an hour ago?” Jackson retorted.

“They took heavy casualties in their offensive to take fat’h square! And are now pinned south of Azadi Tower! They can’t make it to us in time! Second platoon is pinned down the road at Shahr Bank! And Third was pushed back to 13th street! At the moment we are the farthest forward force! We have to hold this hospital at all costs!” I said in response.

“Well that’s just fucking great!” Jackson screamed. Just then a huge explosion and crashing was heard.

I quickly looked up to find the building that fourth squad was in had completely collapsed.

Jackson then grabbed my plate carrier and ripped me back down. “Lieutenant!”

“Hey Thane, Lieutenant Thane! Wake up!” I hear as Jackson hits my shoulder. I am shocked awake. “Wakey wakey! We are almost landed, take a look around! We are back over American soil! It’s a gotdayum good feelin.” He exhales as he leans his head back. I looked around inside of the C-17 we were in. I see the dim lit area with dozens of guys sleeping, chatting, or even just relaxing. Even though everyone seems cheerful, there are far more vacant seats on this plane than when we first deployed two years ago.

“Lieutenant! So What’s your plan?” Jackson says as he lays his head back.

“My plan?” I ask inquisitively.

“Yeah! What’s your plan? You gonna go clubbing? Maybe find a girl near base? Sit in your room and chill maybe?” Jackson said with a smile.

“Oh right, I’m gonna drive home, it’s a two day drive from base, but with a month of leave it’s only a fraction of time. How about you?”

“Well my plan is simple! I’m gonna take the first flight I can home, and see my baby momma, gonna give her somethin two years in waiting, Ha! and then I’m gonna spend time with my little girl!”

“Now just hang on a second, you’re a dad? The fuck? How haven’t I heard about that?”

“Oh! Ha! Yeah I guess I don’t bring it up much!”

“Wait, how old is she?” I asked.

“She’s almost two! She was born a few months after we shipped out. I haven’t even seen her yet, but take a look at this.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket to show me a plethora of pictures.

“Damn, she’s a real cute one. You better be ready for her to be a real heartbreaker!” Jasper says from my right.

“Damnit Jasper, how long have you been listenin to us?” Jackson says with a scowl.

“How long has lieutenant Thane been awake?” Jasper says with a smile.

“Jasper, come on.” I said.

“Fine! I'm sorry Jackson, but seriously. I remember when I was heading home and I saw my twins for the first time. Trust me that feeling is the greatest feeling in the world!” Jasper said with a smile, hitting Jackson on the knee.

“What in the fuck?” Jackson nudges my shoulder, “Is Jasper being sentimental? On god I didn’t think that was possible!” We both chuckled at the response.

“Ouch, Jackson, why must you be so-“

The plane landed as he was about to speak, we got off and began processing. Filling out debrief papers and all the other formalities. As Jackson and I are walking back a young Private rushes over to us and salutes me. I salute back.

“First Lieutenant Thane! Staff Sergeant Jackson! You both are requested to see Colonel Strand immediately! Please follow me!”

Jackson and I look at each other and motion to the Private to lead the way.