CodeName:Hawk[[My book, Military.]]

[Rennasan]

Chapter 1


The fading light of the sun finally disappeared behind the mountain, my deployment was coming soon. I slowly grabbed my pillow and pulled my blanket up to my neck. My life as I know it is going to change...soon..... I closed my eyes and was asleep almost instantly, but my dreams were anything but peaceful.
I was running, machine gun held tightly in my sweating, blood-covered hands. I was screaming a name I had never heard before. My shoulder was gushing my red, hot, sticky blood, leaving a reeking trail behind. I ran until I could run no more, only to realize, my partner, the man’s name I had been shouting, was nowhere to be seen or heard. I screamed his name again and again, not caring if it gave my position away.
Suddenly I heard my own name, being yelled back to me; the voice was full of fear and agony. A shot rang out and a scream echoed through the trees, I heard my name once more, then silence. My heart was racing, and I could hear the blood pounding in my ears. I screamed for it to stop, for this nightmare to end.
I sat straight up in my bed, panting and covered in an ice cold sweat. It was just a horrible dream... I got up, unable to fall back into sleep’s embrace. I pulled on a gray sports bra, and a black tank-top. I sighed and walked over to my dresser, I opened up the bottom left drawer and pulled out a pair of blue jeans. I looked in my mirror, and my golden brown hair was in tangles. I grabbed my hair brush and yanked it through the mass of knots until it lay flat and smooth.
I looked up and down, not really caring what I saw. My dark brown eyes reflected myself back. War is hell...Like someone getting up in the morning......a disaster until you fix it... I pulled my hair back into a tight ponytail, and left my room, grabbing my keys and cell phone as I shut my door.
I got into my white Ford F. 350 and put the keys in the ignition. The engine roared to life, then settled into a steady purr. I pulled out of my apartment driveway, and onto the street. I was going to the gym to hang out with my friend Gunnery Sergeant Jerry Brown.
I pulled into the parking lot of the gym, looking for Jerry’s black camero with yellow racing stripes. I saw it and pulled in next to it. He was sleeping in the driver's seat, so I hit the gas making the engine jump. His eyes flew open and he pulled out an army knife. I laughed, and he smiled as he saw me in my truck.
I unbuckled my seat belt and opened my door. I jumped out, still laughing. He was shaking his head at me.
“You know, you need to be quiet in a battle field.” He said in a deep, low voice.
“Yeah” I poked his shoulder hard, “And you can’t fall asleep either!”
We both laughed until our stomachs hurt. Once he and I had stopped laughing, we walked to the door. He took out his membership card, and I pulled out mine. We gave our cards to the men at the desk, and they swiped them, and checked out our pictures.
“I’m going to do some laps.” I said, walking towards the women’s locker room.
“Okay, I’ll come with you.” He grabbed his bag off the counter, and followed me as far as the men’s locker, which was in the front of the hallway.
I went into the women’s locker room. It was uniform for a gym, brown lockers in rows, Sona and bathrooms behind a glass door leading into the pool and showers. I took my gym bag into a restroom stall, and stripped of my jeans and tank-top, I pulled off my undergarments and slid into my black bikini top, I pulled on the bottoms, hurrying to beat Jerry. I finished and stuffed my clothes into my bag.
I opened the stall door in a rush and speedily walked back to the locker room. I slid my gym bag into locker number 53 and locked it, slipping the key into my top. I slipped back through the door and into the laps pool. Jerry walked out at the same time as I did.
“Tie!” I shouted and slipped into the water.
Jerry laughed and slid in after me, his green camouflage swim trunks bubbling with air. I was swimming lazily to the other side. Jerry plunged under, his massive shoulder and leg muscles pumping as he swam under the surface after me. I laughed as he rocketed himself out of the water next to me spitting water. He laughed at me as I splashed him back.
“Well Jenn, want to race?” He raised his dripping, dark brown, eyebrows.
“You count.” I challenged as I placed my feet against the wall of the pool, as he did the same.
“Three, two, one GO!”
We pushed off the wall so hard the wake lapped over on both sides of the pool. I paddled as hard as possible, staying neck and neck with him. My left arm flung out and pushed back the water, at the same time as his right arm. I kicked with all the might of my long legs. Jerry’s head broke the surface, and I heard him suck air into his lungs before plunging back under. I held in my breath, my lungs burning for air.
I could see the edge of the pool. I kicked with all my might possible and propelled myself ahead of him. My lungs screaming for the precious air that I denied them. Stretching my hands above my head, my fingers collided with the wall, and I curved my spine. Still kicking I propelled my head to the surface, and sucked in the cool air.
Panting, I opened my eyes, Jerry was sitting on the wall next to me.
“Jenn, you okay?”
I nodded, panting, smiling as his shoulders rapidly went up and down with his labored breathing. Pulling myself up backwards onto the wall, sitting next to him. He put his arm around me, his warmth calming me. I lay my head on his shoulder. Both of us seemed to realize it was wrong at the same moment. We pulled away, and he moved his arm to his lap. I coughed uncomfortably.
I glanced at him, he was staring at our reflection in the water. I scooted off the edge and into the water. He sighed and followed me.
“I hate that damn rule.” He mumbled.
I nodded, agreeing that the rule that ranking officers in the armed services were not allowed to have a relationship beyond friendship with another member of the military. Jerry wasn't a ranking officer yet, but I was a Second Lieutenant.
I went under, hoping to block out all of my troubles, even if just for a minute. I have to tell him my deployment is in two days.... I came up, and looked at Jerry.
“Jerry, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, my deployment is next week.” I trailed off hoping it wouldn’t hurt him.
Jerry’s eyes clouded for a moment. His eyes were almost black with sorrow or hatred, I couldn't tell. His voice was so low, and quiet I could barely hear him when he said, “I’m coming with you.”
“How? I don’t want you to! One of us possibly getting killed is hard enough for the other but I won’t allow you to come!” My voice was flustered with fear and anger.
“My deployment is Tuesday. I’m in your platoon, I looked.” He said in determination, knowing I could not change it.
“Mine is Monday.” I sighed.
I dove under the water and swam away from him, wishing we had never met. It had all been a problem, since we had met, our personal feelings for eachother getting in the way of our jobs, and duties. The disturbance in the water told me that he had followed me, but he was hanging back. I silently thanked him for that, I needed time to think, and clear my head. I needed to start thinking like a Second Lieutenant, and not like a wayward housewife.
My head broke the surface, and I filled my lungs with cool air. I pulled my head back under. Jerry’s face was shimmering on the surface above me, a drop of water rolling off his handsome face like a tear. I looked up through the water at him, and he looked back. He looked away before I did, I stared at the spot where his eyes had been, the water pulling the tear from my eye before I could shed it. I shook my head to clear it, sending up a mass of bubbles. I put my lips into the air to drink it in, but I could not because Jerry pressed his lips to mine. For a second, I returned the kiss, but the rational part of my brain, won over and I pulled my head under, breaking the kiss. He opened his eyes, blazing green with the wetness with tears, of which type I didn’t know.
I swam away from him, and towards the stairs. I stepped up the first one, and a strong hand grabbed my arm. I looked a Jerry, staring into his sharp green eyes. He looked back into mine.
“Let me go.” I whispered it like the wind rustling some leaves.
For a moment we kept looking into each others eyes. He nodded and let go. I jumped up the stairs, and grabbed my towel. I pulled my key from my top. I calmly walked through the fogged glass hallway and into the locker room. I ran to locker 53 and slammed my key into the lock, tears brimming my vision. I blinked them away saying stupid aloud, the woman standing at locker 65 looked at me, but I got my things and pulled on my jeans and tank top over my wet swimsuit. I jammed my feet into my shoes and ran out into the main gym. I calmly walked to the door. The man at the counter told me to have a good night, not wanting to be rude I returned the gesture. I stepped outside and ran to my truck, water flying from my wet hair. I unlocked it from my remote and opened the back door. I flung my bag into the back. I slammed the door with all my might, hoping to drive the anger from myself. Turning to get into the driver’s seat, I stopped cold. Jerry was standing there dripping wet.
“I’m sorry, for doing that to you.”
“Well, you know that it shouldn’t of happened, and in my mind as of now it never did.” I snarled, trying to sound fierce. But I will never forget it.....
Jerry nodded as I turned to get into my truck. I pulled myself into the front seat. I looked back at him, and closed the door. I rolled down the window, and called to him.
“See you Tuesday."
He flinched at my hard tone, but I didn’t care. I turned the key, and the engine came to life. Pulling out and went home, trying to focus on my deployment. Monday was less than two days away, Saturday was almost over.
When I returned to my apartment, I parked in spot number 125. I got out and grabbed my gym bag, went inside and locked the door. I tossed my gym bag onto my couch. I called my mother to tell her about my deployment. She cried, and told me to be careful, I cried with her, and told her not to worry. I asked her to tell dad and my brother, because I didn’t have the heart to do it. I prayed and stripped from my wet clothes and swimsuit. I crawled into bed and fell into a deep, thankfully, dreamless sleep.

[Rennasan]

Chapter 2

I grabbed my bag, and looked around. I may never see this place again... I walked over to the phone and called my mother. I told her I loved her, and wanted to let her know that I may not come back, but I will fight by the skin of my teeth to make it. I told her I was leaving, and that I couldn't make or receive calls at the base. It took 20 minutes, but finally I said my goodbyes, and that I would be back in no time.
I hung up and walked to the door.
“Good bye.” I whispered to my old life, everything was going to change and I knew it.
I picked up my bag again, and headed to the door. I made sure I had my passport. I climbed into my truck and turned the key. I drove out of my parking spot, and drove to the airport. I parked in the farthest spot possible from the door, and slowly walked to the doors.
At the doors, I stood there in my dress uniform. A man walked by and thumped me on the back.
“God bless you.” He smiled at me and continued walking.
I now felt a little more confident that I was doing the right thing, and walked into the airport. I walked into the line, and stood tall, my cap held under my arm, my insignia, a single yellow bar, on my shoulder. I walked slowly nodding to the men and women who placed a hand on my shoulder, and holding the gaze of the scornful eyes glaring at me.
A little girl, no older than six ran up to me. She yanked on my hand, her little pigtails bouncing, and her little pink dress swaying in result to her excitement.
“I want to show you something! Come on!” her little squeaky voice was pleading.
“Okay, I’m coming.” smiling, I grabbed my bags and followed her. She led me to her family, still holding my hand.
When her mother saw her she dropped to her knees crying, and held her daughters face in her hands.
“Don’t ever run off like that again! I thought I lost you.” She said as the tears ran down her face.
“Thank you.” A tall man told me, holding out his hand.
“She found me and told me she wanted to show me something, Sir, so I followed her.” I said not realizing that I didn’t even think about the little girl as missing.
“Hey! Daddy! It’s a Marine lady like in the stories Grandpa told me!” The little girl squeaked, grabbing her father's sleeve.
“Yes, yes she is.” He looked me over.
I glanced at my watch, and then looked back at the little girl’s father.
“Thank you, again, we couldn't live without her. God bless you, for this and everything else you do.” He smiled warmly at me.
“Where is Ty?” Shouted the little girl.
“Right here.” A young man walked out of a crowd.
He was about 16 and well muscled. He looked at me and recognized my uniform. His eyes got wide, and his jaw dropped slightly. He pushed out his hand in a jerky fashion.
“My name is Tyler.” He choked out.
I took his hand in one smooth motion and shook it gently.
“Nice to meet you, mine is Jennifer Hawkins.”
He nodded with a blank expression on his face, but it slowly sharpened with an idea.
“Where are you going? I mean, why are you here at an airport?”
I thought for a moment.
“I’m going overseas, to a country whose name I can not say, to the front lines of a war. I’m commander of a unit, with a name I can not tell you, and I have strict orders to complete an objective which I will not speak of.” I smiled at him as his jaw dropped again.
His dad whistled and his little sister squealed with excitement. I glanced at my watch again, I was to report to the General’s quarters at 1700 hours, it was 0900, the plane ride was five hours. I needed to get going.
“Not to be rude, Sir, Ma’am, but I need to get going.” I smiled and shook each of their hands.
I turned and grabbed my bags, heading for the line. I went to the back, but a man called out.
“Marine!” I looked up and he shouted again, “Come on up here, you look like you are running out of time.” I nodded to him, because my plane would be leaving in 20 minutes and he was in the front of the line.
“Thank you, Sir.” I breathed as I reached him.
“No problem, the men and women in service of this great country need some help too, once in awhile.” He smiled.
“Thank you, Sir.” I shook his hand.
I waited in line for a few minutes, waiting in silence for my baggage to be checked. The man called out “Next!” and I stepped forward.
The man looked at me and smiled. I returned it, and hauled my bags up onto the counter. He looked through them and zipped them back up.
“Passport please.”
I pulled my passport out of my back pocket. He took it from me and checked it with my ID. I smiled as he waved me through, telling me to have a nice flight. I pulled my bags off the counter and hauled them down the terminal. The wheels clacked along on the hard floor, my life was heading behind me, and it would never be the same.
I boarded the airplane, and my bags were slid into the in flight compartment by the the attendant. I thanked her and she nodded politely. I pulled a faded photograph from my dress uniforms chest pocket. I looked at it and a tear slowly rolled down my face. It was my mother, brother, father, and me sitting at the park 24 years after 9/11/2001. I folded it along the seam that had been refolded so many times, and gently pushed it into my pocket again, close to my heart, where it would always be.
The light at the front of the cabin started to flash. BUCKLE YOUR SEAT-BELTS. I grabbed the belt and clicked it in, a five hour flight, and a pillow was all I needed, but all I had was the flight and my thoughts.
I thought about the gym, and what had happened there, and I even tried to figure out why. No matter what I came up with, it didn’t fit with Jerry’s usual behavior. Eventually I dozed off into a world of strange dreams and I had that dream again.
I was running, gun held tightly in my sweating, blood-covered hands. I was calling out a name I had never heard before, but it sounds strangely familiar. My shoulder was gushing red, hot, sticky blood, leaving a stinking trail behind. I ran until I could run no more, only to realize, my partner, the name I had been screaming, was nowhere to be seen or heard. I called his name again and again, not caring if it game my location away.
Suddenly I heard my own name, being shouted back to me, the voice was full of fear and agony. A shot rang out and a scream echoed through the trees, I heard my name once more, then nothing. My heart was pounding, and I could hear the blood roaring in my ears. I screamed for it to stop, for this nightmare to end.
I woke up sweating, and I slammed my hand to my hip, where my pocket knife would of been. I slowly started to remember, I was on an airplane and I did not have my knife with me. It was being specially shipped to South Afghanistan for me by my commanding officer. I started to calm down, and I looked around, glancing at my watch it was 1500 hours. I had woken up from the plane touching down on the runway in South Afghanistan. I yawned and stretched in my seat, spine popping.
The attendant came over once we had touched down, and pulled my bags out of the in flight compartment. I thanked her, and walked out of the plane and down the stairs, waiting on the runway, looking around.
A man was running toward me, and I turned to face him. He got closer and was shouting my name. The closer he got I recognized his uniform, he was in a Marines dress uniform as well, accept he had no insignia, he was a Private.
He reached me and I was surprised at his height. His short cropped brown hair was well groomed. His brown eyes gleaming in the evening light. His muscles were visible through his sleeves, but not as massive as Jerry’s. The physical attraction level was high.
“Second Lieutenant Hawkins?” His voice was deep and smooth in a peaceful way.
“That’s me and you are?” I asked, putting an assertive tone into my voice.
He pulled his legs in tight and snapped his right hand to his forehead.

“I am Private Andrew Malone, of platoon number G-167 I was sent by General Thomas Booth to wait for someone of your description, and by the name of Jennifer Hawkins. That is you correct?”
I returned his salute.
“I am leader of platoon G-167, my name is Jennifer Hawkins, and I am to report to the General's quarters at 1700 hours.”
“Yes Ma’am, I’ll take you to him, after I show you to your quarters.”
He turned on his heel and briskly marched to a black car. I followed him, chin parallel to the ground. I kept up his brisk pace, and asked him a few questions about what was going on. Once I had gathered enough information, I asked the question I was not sure I wanted to know the answer to.
“Is Platoon G-167 going into the field?”
He turned and looked me in the eye.
“Yes, Ma’am, we are.” He turned and kept walking.
I nodded and walked to the other side of the black car. I got in and placed my cap across my lap. He slid in next to me and set his cap on the seat in between us. My mind drifted to my mother, at home possibly crying or maybe trying to get on with life. Home...That’s where I want to be......

[Rennasan]

Chapter 3


The black car stopped at a checkpoint on the base, and we had to show the man in camouflage uniform, the tag read Siminoe and he had the insignia of a Lance Corporal. He asked us for our IDs and we showed them to him. He waved us through, telling us to reach our destination quickly and safely.
Once inside we went through several other checkpoints. We parked in the back lot, behind a bunker building. I unbuckled my seat-belt and opened my door. I glanced over and Private Malone was doing the same. His shirt came slightly untucked and I smirked, that would make a General scream. I shut my door and went for the bunker building door.
“This is it right?”
“Yes Ma’am.”
“Thank you Private. Oh and Private, tuck your shirt in.” I smiled and grabbed my bags from the trunk as he shoved his shirt into his pants and smoothed it out. I hauled my bags to the door of the bunker, I turned to shout to Malone, only to see that he was right behind me.
“I have the keys.” He stuttered like he had been doing something he shouldn’t have.
“Thank you Private. What building is the General's quarters?”
“Building 327 Ma’am, and no problem Ma’am.”
“Building 327” I repeated, “And thank you, I’ll tell the General when I see him.”
“Thank you Ma’am.”
I smiled as he jogged back to the car, obviously giddy about something. I opened the door with the keys Malone had given me. Inside, was a long hallway full of brown wooden doors. I read the the key that Malone gave me. 167 was the number on the side, so I walked down the hall looking for room 167.
I walked down the hallway, when a door opened and nearly hit me in the face. My hand flew to my face before my brain could process it, and pushed the door back.
“I’m sorry, Sir. I mean Ma’am, sorry again Ma’am I’m just used to seeing men in these hallways, not women.” The man spilled as his head poked around the corner.
“No need to apologise, I’m fine, and so are you. No need to worry, and you’d better get used to seeing a woman in these halls, because I’m not going anywhere.” I smiled at him, and walked around the door to shake his hand.
He was very tall and slender. He had short cropped blond hair in a flat top. His eyes sparkled like deep blue pools of cold water. His smile was shining like pearls. He had smaller arms and legs than Malone or Brown but they were still well muscled. He had wide shoulders, and a rounded face. He held out his hand.
“I’m First Sergeant Drake Reading.”
I took his hand, and shook it.
“I’m Second Lieutenant Jennifer Hawkins.” I smiled.
We shook hands and then I went back on the search for my bunker. I found the door labeled 167 and used the key to unlock it. Inside was a small bed with a pillow and blanket. It was small and nothing like home, but it would do, and I would live here for my long deployment.
Soon I was so exhausted that I laid down on that hard bed, and fell asleep. Forgetting about the General, he certainly would understand jet-lag.

[Rennasan]

Chapter 4

Tuesday morning, I had already been to the General he had given me a list of the people in my platoon, came and my cell phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out and looked at the caller ID. Why is Jerry texting me? I opened the message and it read: I love you and all I can think about is you I am hurt when you are hurt I really love you so please don’t be mad at me anymore.
My eyes seemed cold as I typed in I love you too and I’m sorry I yelled at you, I’m just confused... I deleted it and typed: I know, I could tell, but I can’t accurately tell you how
I feel without destroying our jobs and I can’t explain how I feel. I sent the message, hopping I didn’t just hurt his feelings, too badly.
I shoved my feet into a pair of black combat boots. I did my hair up in a neat bun and walked outside the bunker, shutting the door behind me. Walking down the hall, I ran into First Sergeant Reading and we walked down the long hallway in silence.
“So what platoon are you in?” I asked as we walked.
“Platoon G-167, everyone in this building is in that platoon, and Jennifer Hawkins, you, are the platoon leader.” He smiled sideways at me.
We kept walking not saying anymore we reached the door and he opened it. I stopped dead in my tracks, Jerry was standing in the doorway with all of his bags.
“Gunnery Sergeant Brown, how nice of you to join us.” I said forcing a mocking tone.
He nodded to me in a slow sullen way. His eyes widened when he saw First Sergeant Reading. He walked out from behind the door, standing tall next to me.
“Who are you?” Jerry asked in a harsh tone.
“He’s a higher ranking officer than you, and I will not allow you to talk to him like that.” I snapped at him.
Jerry backed down a little but glared from myself to Reading.
“I’m First Sergeant Drake Reading.” He pushed out his hand politely.
Jerry shook it with a hostile stare at me.
“I’m Gunnery Sergeant Brown, and I need to drop my things off in room 166.”
That is right next door to mine.....
“Okay, it’s down there, just count down the numbers.” Reading was just trying to be helpful.
“I can find it.” Jerry snapped.
I shook my head at him as he walked away. Well if he is going to be a rotten brat, two can play at the game.... I walked out the door with First Sergeant Reading and into the courtyard.
“Where to?” I asked him.
“Well... We should probably get some breakfast before the deployment. Shouldn't we?”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” I laughed and we headed to the mess hall.
Once inside Reading and I headed to the line and waited. Once we were at the counter the man on the other side piled our plates high with good food.
“I checked your name, you’re being deployed at 1000 hours. It’s the least I could do.” He smiled at us as we took our food and walked away.
We sat at a table not too far from the door. I saw Jerry walk in a little ways away, he looked at us and glared at me. I felt bad so I scooted a little away from Reading. I took a forkful of food and put it into my mouth. Slowly I chewed and the flavor melted into my mouth.
“This is good.” I mumbled.
Reading put some into his mouth, and chewed it.
“Yeah it is!” He shoved another forkful into his mouth.
That’s when Jerry sat down, he was across from us, his plate piled high with food. He was glaring at us looking back and forth, then finally resting on my face. I coughed uncomfortably and looked at my food.
“So you’re in our platoon?” Reading asked.
“Yes. I am.” Jerry’s answer was cold.
I glanced up at him, he was looking at me. I pulled out my phone, and sent him a text: If you need to say something say it...I might love you, but I don’t know how I feel....If you hate me tell me don’t glare........ I sent the message and grabbed my fork; even though technically phones weren't allowed, but I wasn’t texting someone off base.
“We had better hurry up, our deployment is in four hours. It’s 0600, we leave at 1000.”
Reading and Jerry nodded and finished their food. Once we had finished I stood and headed to the door.
“I’m going to the Generals office, you coming?”
Reading stood up and so did Jerry. I nodded and lead the way to the building 327. Once in the Generals building, we went to room 224. I knocked on the door.
“Second Lieutenant Jennifer Hawkins. Reporting as ordered.”
“Enter.” Was the gruff reply.
I pushed the door open and the General was standing there in his marine dress uniform. His cap was on his desk. He turned to look at us, his brown eyes looking us over. He was very tall and heavily muscled, even more so than Jerry. His almost black hair short cropped to his skull, with a light frosting of gray hair, from his many years of stress.
“Glad to see you Lieutenant, but the circumstances aren’t the greatest. I never told you, but you are going into a critical battle zone. Gentlemen please step out, this if for the platoon leader only.”
“Yes, Sir.” They saluted and left.
“How serious is this mission you’re putting me and my men into?”
“Have a seat, I’ll tell you.” He motioned to a chair in front of his desk.
I took a seat, across from him. He looked me in the eyes, his lips in a firm frown.
“You are going into a deep jungle, the works, and just you and your platoon, no radio, no transport, nothing. You need to infiltrate a South Afghanistan military base, and rescue Colonel Leroy Thompson. He has secret information, that they can not get! It is vital to the success of this war. Can you complete this mission?” he stared at me with the intensity of the sun.
“Yes, Sir I can, but I fear it can not be done without loss of life. I know all of the men and women in the platoon will gladly give theirs for the success of the mission.” I stared back at him with the same intensity.
“I believe you Second Lieutenant.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“Dismissed, you can tell your platoon if you deem it fit.”
“Yes Sir, will do Sir.”
I walked out of his office to find Reading and Brown waiting patiently outside. They said nothing, but their eyes portrayed their desire to know. I said nothing, and kept a calm face, the type of mission we had scared me, I had never been in a situation where I might lose a life in my platoon. I walked out the door of building 327 and back to my building 452. I walked down the hall to my room, at the door I turned.
“Tell everyone in my platoon to meet me in hangar 27 at 0950, with all of their gear.”
“Yes Ma’am they saluted and rushed off to every door to spread the order.
I opened my door and started to pack my gear, it was 0924. I fell into my bunk. Kill me.....I don’t want to lose anyone! How could I pick who we could lose and who we couldn't? I stood up and finished packing my things into my knapsack. I placed my photo in the breast pocket of my camouflage jacket. I relaced my boots and walked out. I opened my door and went out into the hallway. A lot of people walked by and saluted me. I saw Malone and Reading. I did not however see Brown, so I went outside and headed for hanger 27.
I reached the hangar and went to the weapons locker. I unlocked it and pulled out a M9 Beretta 9mm Pistol, and an M16A2 Assault Rifle. I strapped the M9 9mm into my hip holster, and slung the M16A2 over my shoulder. I opened the cabinet and grabbed a grenade belt full of Flash-bangs, smoke, and fragmentation grenades. I strapped it in and grabbed two ammo belts for each gun, and wore them crisscrossing over my torso, and the grenade belt around my waist. I closed the cabinet again and went into hangar 27.
Men started showing up at 0940 and I appreciated the early arrival. I walked over to the troop transport jet and walked through the open back. I went up to the front and set down my things and strapped them in. I placed my guns in a slot in the wall above the seat. After securing my guns I went back out into the hangar bay.
“Troops! Into the jet!” I ordered, as I turned on my heel and walked back into the jet. Several men followed me, and set their knapsacks under the seat and strapped in their guns. Reading came in and strapped his things in next to mine. Malone strapped in across from me.
“Here we go.” Reading placed his hand on my shoulder “We are going to make it, whatever the mission is.” He finished.
“We’ll need a miracle First Sergeant Reading, a God given miracle.” I sighed on the last word.
And I know someone is going to die... I turned to face the men and pulled the list from my pocket.
“Role Call!” I shouted and the noise faded to silence.
“Private Andrew Malone!”
“Present!”
“Private Tyler Hecks!’
“Here!”
“Private First Class Jessica Rinks!”
“Here!”
“Lance Corporal Taylor Groding!”
“Present!”
“Corporal John Spartan.”
“Present!”
“Corporal Lexi Mangerson!”
“Here!”
“Sergeant Tom Gratdly!”
“Here!”
“Sergeant Haily Rokinlo!”
“Here!”
“Sergeant Jack Billburg!”
“Here!”
“Staff Sergeant Bill Madison!”
“Here!”
“Gunnery Sergeant Jerry Brown!”
“Ready to kick ass!”
“Master Sergeant Joy Hathcock!”
“Present!”
“Master Sergeant Jim Twanny!”
“Here!”
“First Sergeant Drake Reading!”
“Present!”
“Okay! That’s everyone! Strap in, NOW!”
“Yes Ma’am!” The roaring reply as they sat and strapped in.
After everyone else was in I sat and strapped in. The deafening engine came to life. A red blinking light came on by the door, and the drop door slowly closed.
“Welcome to air Marine, I’ll be your pilot please remain seated until I say it is safe to move about in the cabin, thank you.” The mocking voice of the pilot came through.
“Oh, and HOO-RA!”
“HOO-RA!” Every Marine shouted back.
We flew for a while, myself thinking about how to tell my Marines that they may never see home again. I put my head in my hands, and sighed. I felt a strong arm reach around me. I looked up to see Jerry.
“Get your arm off of me Gunny.”
“Yes Ma’am.”
He pulled his arm away with a frown.
“We are on a mission!” I hissed.
He simply nodded. I no longer cared if he was discharged, all that was happening was trouble. I hope he makes it out alive, so I can slap him....He should know better...
“You may now move around the cabin.” The pilot announced.
All the men laughed, but the laughter ended as I unstrapped and stood.
“Marines! You need to know what we are doing on this mission! We are going into a deep jungle, swaps, the works, and myself and all of our platoon, no radio, no transport, nothing. We need to infiltrate a South Afghanistan military base, and rescue Colonel Leroy Thompson. He has secret information, that they can not get! It is vital to the success of this war. Can you complete this mission?”
“HOO-RA!” they all hollered.
“Good, but I can not promise you a ride home.”
The faces grew dim, as they all thought of their families.
“But remember! We are Marines and we never back down from a challenge. We are going to kick some South Afghanistan Ass. We may not make it home at all, but we will not fail! We will succeed, or die trying! HOO-RA!”
“HOO-RA!” They all shouted it like the last desperate scream of life.
I sat and strapped in and looked straight ahead, not really seeing. My mind drifted to my days at the recruits. I was 19 when I joined. I was now 31. I feel old... Jerry had joined after me, my first deployment, I was 23. Jerry joined at the age of 24 and he is now 32. When he was a Private, first starting out I was a Sergeant Major. I moved up in the ranks faster than he did; he seemed to have a hard time with orders.
Our first deployment together, South Afghanistan didn’t exist yet. We were in Afghanistan, shortly before it changed. We were running and an Afghan soldier shot me in the foot. Massive amounts of blood was pooling out, and I thought he had hit an artery, thank God I was wrong. I limped as far as a low rock, but being in an open battle field I wasn’t very safe. Several Marines didn’t see me and kept running. I was getting desperate, so I risked it. I pushed myself up and limped towards the shelter of a larger rock, where more Marines were standing. None of them came to help, why I don’t know. But an Afghan got my head in his sights. I knew I wouldn’t last very long, but I would of rather died in the heat of battle than die hiding like a coward behind a little rock.
My ankle buckled at just the right moment, and I fell to the ground. The Afghan pulled the trigger and the bullet grazed the top of my head. I tried to get up, I managed to stand, I took a step and fell again. This time I could not get back up. The Afghan aimed at my head, but before he pulled the trigger, a bullet hit him square in the forehead.
I had silently thanked the lord, when a man was running towards me. He came to me and grabbed me under the arms and started to drag me out. It was Corporal Brown.
“Chief Warrant Officer Five! I’ve got you! You’re going to make it!” He kept screaming it into my ears.
My eyelids had started to droop, and the world was getting darker, from loss of blood and exhaustion. I was getting dizzy and I blacked out.
My eyes opened as an anti-tank round hit the ground not that far away. My brain lost it, I blacked out again.
My eyes opened to Corporal Brown looking at me, dirt all over his face, head bandaged, and holding the side of the hospital bed I was laying in.
“Where am I?” I sleepily asked, but I never heard the answer, I blacked out again.
The next time I woke up I was in a standard hospital bed, and a doctor was standing by. He saw me waking up and rushed over.
“Good morning!” He said.
“Stop shouting.”
“I’m not.”
“How long was I out?”
“About a week.”
“A week!”
“Yes, you lost a lot of blood and we almost lost you several times.”
“I was only shot in the foot.”
“At first yes, but then you were hit in the shoulder with a pistol, and hit with shrapnel from and anti-tank missile, not to mention the fragmentation grenade the went off 12 feet away from your head.”
“How the hell am I still alive?”
“I, and all of the doctors here, have no idea.”
“Well I guess I’m lucky then huh?”
“Yes very.”
“How did I get out?”
“Corporal, I mean Sergeant Jerry Brown.”
“Ah, So he got promoted? Well good for him.”
“Yes, for saving you no doubt.”
“Well I’ll thank him, if you’ll excuse me.” I tried to get up.
The doctor pushed me back down.
“What gives doc?”
“You are not to move for at least five weeks! A broken ankle and double twisted knees, you aren’t going anywhere.”
“Well...this sucks then.”
Sudden turbulence ripped me out of my memories. I reached out and grabbed the nearest thing to steady myself. I grabbed Gunnery Sergeant Brown’s shoulder and instantly let go. I looked ahead again, but could not regain my memories this time, only the sinking dread of the thought, who will die?
“GET READY TO JUMP! WE HAVE BOGEYS!” the panicked voice of the pilot came over the radio. The plane jumped and swerved.
“NOW!” I shouted and unstrapped. I pulled my knapsack and strapped on my guns. I grabbed my parachute that was hanging above my seat. I slid it over my shoulders. I looked around.
“GET YOUR ‘CHUTETS!” I ordered and they all grabbed them and pulled them on.
I ran to the back door.
“Stand back!”
I slammed my hand onto the door release button. The red light flashed green as the door slowly opened.
“Get ready to jump! Line up!”
I stood in the front of the horizontal line along the edge. The wind was roaring and I screamed over it.
“Put on your oxygen masks!”
I pulled mine down over my face, and held up three fingers. I put down one finger. Then another. I put my hand in a fist and everyone jumped. The wind tore at my gear like an evil spirit trying to steal me very soul. Everyone pulled their ‘chutes, except me. I waited. Malone pulled his but it didn’t open. He screamed for help, but the wind tore the scream from his lungs before he could say it.
“I’m coming Malone!” I shouted, but like Malone, the wind tore my voice away.
I pulled my arms and legs in close and rocketed past all the others to Malone. I clipped my D ring to his and pulled my shoot. Please work! We jerked to a stop and Malone was safe.
“What a rush. Huh Malone?” now that we had slowed the wind wasn’t as violent.
“Yes, but not one I’d like to experience ever again.”
“I agree. I hate faulty ‘chutes.”
“Me too.”
We both laughed a half hearted laugh. The D rings were rubbing together and making a weird sound, making Malone twitch with worry.
“Stop twitching, if you come lose I promise I’ll catch you.”
“Okay, I believe you.”
We kept drifting down, and his knapsack was sticking into my gut, and his head was right under mine, it was close enough to use as a headrest. I started to twitch, landing would be really hard.
“Do you have anything that can absolutely not get wet?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Good.”
“Why?”
“I’m going to drop you in the lake. The weight is distributed to weird to land safely. I hope you’re a strong swimmer.”
He gulped audibly. I laughed a little.
“I’ll tell you before I drop you, and take your knapsack off and give it to me, it will pull you down.”
“Yes Ma’am.”
He pulled his knapsack off and I took it in my left hand and slung it on my shoulder and over to my other one, over my knapsack. This is going to be impossible...two knapsacks, two guns, two ammo belts, and a grenade belt, not going to end well...
We drifted a little closer to the ground, and we were right above the water.
“Get ready, Malone!” I shouted and grabbed the D ring.
“Okay, I’m ready!” He gulped in air, then held his breath
I unclasped the D rings and he fell away. He fell and I heard him scream but it ended right before he hit the water. I looked down, he hit with a splash and then went under leaving behind a ring of white water and bubbles.
Once I dropped Malone I got ready to land. I bit the strap that attaches my parachute to my harness, it didn’t break. This isn’t going to be good.... I let go of a strap with my left hand and grabbed the army knife that was strapped to my right shoulder. I slid it under the strap, tearing my uniform in the chest area and leaving a slice on my bare skin, and cut the strap. My left hand, slick with sweat, slipped from the handle and I fell to the ground. I hit hard, knocking the wind from my lungs. Slowly, I caught my breath, I pushed myself to my feet and Jerry was at my side, helping me up. I pushed him away.
“I can get up myself Gunny.” I growled in a harsh tone.
“Yes Ma’am.” He let go and stepped back a few paces.
I straightened up and called out orders.
“Make camp in the tree line! We don’t need to be snuck up on!”
“Yes Ma’am!” The thunderous reply.
The Marines started to work and work they did. The tree limbs were bended to make a small shelter, but not an obvious one. We arranged the sleeping bags in a domestic order. Marines on their first field mission tended to stay in the middle of the group. More experienced on the outside. As the sun dropped the air became frigid, and I ordered everyone to bunker down. They obeyed and the camp was soon silent.
I pulled myself into my sleeping bag, and started to shiver, I had taken Malone’s wet bag, and he had my warm dry one. It was so cold I soon lost feeling in my toes. But then I felt a warm body slide in next to me and wrap their arms around me. Jerry... I pushed myself closer to him and fell asleep. My dreams were full of the musty scent of him, and the peaceful warmth.
He moved and I woke up from my sweet dreams. I rolled over to face him and and soon he woke up.
I looked right back at him, and he looked back. He pushed his face closer to mine he smelled like warm spices and he kissed me without thinking but I didn't push away from him, I just kept kissing him back then I backed up a little still wrapped in his arms and fell asleep knowing he was still wasn't asleep; yet he whispered into my ear
“I love you Jenn and I will do anything for you....Anything I love u so much Jenn..Goodnight...”
I fell back asleep not thinking what would happen if we were together like this.
I woke up to Jerry prodding me in the side, whispering urgently. I opened my eyes and looked around. Shit... The entire platoon was looking at us. How the hell am I going to explain this one?
I crawled out of the sleeping bag. I straightened my clothes, dry blood cracked on my chest from my knife. I turned to face my platoon, gathering my thoughts.
“Does anyone have any questions about what they saw?” I asked with a threatening tone.
“I do Ma’am.” A single voice rang out.
“Ask Private.” I shouted to Malone in the back.
“Why?”
“I was in your sleeping bag, and it was wet and cold. Gunnery Sergeant Brown came over to warm it up and we fell asleep, that’s all, nothing more, nothing less. Understood?”
“Yes Ma’am!” They all shouted, including Jerry.
“Good; now pack up!”
“Yes Ma’am!”
We all went to work and cleared up the camp, untying all of the branches until it looked like we had never been there. Soon the slice on my chest reopened and started to bleed again, but it didn’t stop me. I kept working and keeping up with the others.
We finished and I gave Malone his sleeping bag, and pulled my knapsack on. I strapped my guns on and my grenade belt. I looked around, and saw Staff Sergeant Madison struggling with a knot in the trees.
I walked over to him, his slender frame quivering with the effort of disentangling the branches. I reached up and placed my hands on top of his and pulled back with him. He looked at me, his hazel eyes showing a slight amount of shock as I pulled with him. We tugged and pulled and it just wouldn’t budge. Madison’s face was beaded with sweat, I could feel the faintest trickle running down my back, it was sweltering heat here in the day.
“Damn branch!” he shouted in a husky voice.
I tugged with all of my weight behind it, and the branch cracked, but did not break.
“Put all of your weight into it.” I hissed into his ear.
We pulled back together, using all of our combined weight to rip it free. The branch snapped and we went tumbling backwards. He landed on top of me, and I sucked in air, he landed on my grenades. I shoved up with my arms and he went rolling off. I stood and checked each and every grenade to see if the pin was still there. After everything checked out I stood and went for the center of the circle like shape the Marines had formed.
“Marines, we need to go in now! We need to head North towards the base, we need to get moving, so we can see our families again. The longer we are here, the more likely it is that we will never leave. Understood?”
“HOO-RA!”
“Good; Move out!”
We set off in the Northern direction, I was at point, Reading was at my left flank, Malone to my right. Jerry was in the back position, making sure no one could creep up on us. I walked ahead, and looked around as we walked.
“As of now no one makes a sound.”