MERK: Home War

Hold The Line

The next day
07:00 hours
MSTF1
Las Angeles, California

Merk and his team were in their barracks after the long night in the city
They were drinking beer and resting as Major Reyes came in looking fatigued and covered in dust and blood
"Hard night?" asked Merk as he handed Reyes a beer
"You bet your ass" said Reyes
He took of his helmet and opened the beer
"We heard y'all last night hammering these dudes with artillery. Can't believe you still had to go in after all of it" said Triston
"Yeah, 11 Charlie's didn't let up at all until you got back. Shit sucked" said Major Reyes
"Sorry we couldn't help. We wasted our time going after Messenger" said Merk
"Nah it's fine, it was the most boring thing I've done in years. They all either left the city or were hiding in buildings, the team I led had to clear about three hundred buildings, close to a thousand rooms, and we managed to kill less than one hundred rebels. We just got back, Marines are taking over for us, they didn't have an easy night by either but they weren't walking up an assload of stairs for like nine hours" said Major Reyes
"Well get some rest man you look like shit" said Triston
"I'll try, we're supposed to be heading out to the Golden State Freeway to provide security until we get a checkpoint set up there. We're supposed to have artillery support from the Knollwood Country Club so we shouldn't be totally left out in the shit" said Major Reyes
"Well if you need help give us a call, we got nothing better to do today, Adam is out of action until tomorrow so we're not running out with four people unless it's necessary" said Merk
"Will do if we need it, see you guys later thanks for the beer" said Major Reyes
He got up, picked up his helmet, and left the room
"So plan for today sir?" asked Triston
"Just hope we don't get called out, other than that we're chilling for today" said Merk

2 hours later
09:00 hours
Major Joseph Reyes
75 Ranger Regiment
Golden State Freeway, California

The Golden State Freeway was temporarily blocked off and turned into a makeshift checkpoint with Hesco barriers and sandbags
About a quarter of the regiment was stationed at the checkpoint while about fifty were stationed at the Knollwood Country Club to protect the mortar teams
Despite it being a war zone, people still were frequently traveling in and out of the city using that freeway. Whether that being for wanting to be getting away from the rebels moving out into the rural parts of California or wanting to leave the city in fear of another attack
Major Reyes was patrolling, making sure his men were doing the proper searching of the vehicles and checking for documentation on the people entering or leaving
As he was patrolling he heard yelling a few cars back and was going to go investigate before a soldier ran up to him
"Major Reyes sir?" asked a soldier as he saluted him
"What's happening?" asked Major Reyes
"A guy is causing issues over here he might be a rebel" said the soldier
"On you let's go" said Major Reyes
They got to the car and there was already a soldier aiming his rifle at the people in the car yelling for them to get out
"We got two occupants, man and woman refusing to get out sir" said another soldier
Reyes went up to the window of the driver with his gun at the ready
"Listen sir you need to get out or you'll be treated as a rebel threat, and be arrested and tried as one" said Major Reyes
"My wife is having issues with her heart we need a hospital now" said the man
"We'll call 911, just get out and let us do our procedures" said Major Reyes
"I'M NOT GETTING OUT!" yelled the man
"Pull them out" said Major Reyes
The soldiers on both sides of the car opened the doors
The passenger took the opportunity to stab one of the soldiers in the neck with a makeshift shank
"NO!" yelled Major Reyes
Reyes fired four shots at the woman killing her
As Reyes was firing at her the driver shot the other soldier in the head and aimed the gun towards Reyes
Reyes turned towards the driver and was shot twice
One hit his plate carrier but the other hit him in the side right under where his chest is
He fell to the ground and fired at him once hitting him in the head
"FUCK I'M HIT! I'M HIT!" yelled Reyes
Five Rangers ran over to his assistance and cleared the car
"Command this is Major Reyes calling in from the Golden State Freeway checkpoint, we have two Rangers down and I'm hit. Requesting medevac, over" said Major Reyes
"Roger that Reyes, medevac is enroute, estimated time twenty minutes out" said Command
"Roger that. Get a medic over here they might still be alive" said Major Reyes
"They're dead sir, are you okay?" asked a soldier
"I'm fine, get a medic for me then I'm holding my position here. Get the rest of these cars out of here" said Major Reyes
"Yes sir" said the soldier
As he turned away to go find a medic a mortar came down and blew back Reyes along with killing the soldier and blowing up a few cars
"FUCK! Knollwood team hold fire I repeat hold fire" said Major Reyes
There was no response
Mortars kept falling and gunfire was starting to erupt in the distance
"No no fuck. COMMAND WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!" yelled Major Reyes
"Say again Reyes, you're under attack?" asked Command
"Yes yes, enemies have taken the mortar positions at Knollwood. I hear rebel fighters inbound we're under attack" said Major Reyes
"Roger that Reyes help is on the way" said Command