Rampant

Chapter 8: Alaska

I awoke to Washington gently shaking me.

"Hey we have to get ready for the mission" he smiled down at me as I rubbed my eyes and sat up. A few rays of sunlight peeked over the mountains.

"What time is it?" I asked. It was clearly early.

"5:00 o'clock sharp" he said as he put on his chest piece.

Over hanging on the rack was my armor. He must have brought it for me. I walked over to it and started to slide on my leg plates.

"Thanks Wash" I smiled.

"No problem" Washington was already in full armor and he came over to help me.

After about 5 minutes, we walked out to meet the director and the other Freelancers in the control room. There was a holograph of the base we were raiding. On the top right corner, it said 'Exile Base'. The director looked at me with a stony glare.

"Anyways, I want Alaska and Washington in the left wing. This is where the bulk of them will be, so expect them.
North and South, you will guard the outside of the left wing. Keep them from getting past you.
Maine and York, you two infiltrate the right wing and clear it out. I need you two to grab the hard drive and deliver it safely to me.
Wyoming and Carolina, you guard the right wing and protect York and Maine." This plan seemed like it was going to work, but what could go wrong.
The number of soldiers was unknown.

"Get to the Pelicans. I'll be radioing you throughout the mission." The director walked off.

Carolina slowed to walk with me though she didn't say a word. I hopped on the pelican with Carolina next to me and York on the far left. Washington was across from me.
The engines started and without hesitation, we lifted off. I looked down and my stomach flipped. Oh shit. How was I going to make it there without breaking down?

Washington could tell I was uncomfortable. His eyes were filled with concern. Carolina put her hand on me as I bent over.

After for what seemed like forever, we touched down. Shakily, I stood up and stepped out. The feeling of fear diminished as I touched the ground. They must have already seen us because shots rang out. North, South, Wyoming, and Maine hopped out of the other pelican. Carolina, York, Wyoming, and York sprinted in the other direction to the right wing. We had landed closer to the left.

I grabbed my DMR and ran with Washington and bullets flew by us. That was North and South's job to clear them out. Not ours. Washington stuck behind a wall and I followed. He gestured for me to pull out my Katanas, because it would be close combat. On his lead, I jumped into the hallway and stabbed a guard in the back. Blood sprayed everywhere onto my visor and armor. This Weapon is a messy one. Washington kicked the other guard in the head, knocking him out cold.

After a few twists and turns, we were in the the main control room. About 15 or so guards stood in a line, aiming their pitiful, weak, guns at us. Washington shot one in the head, and a spray of bullets from the guards followed.

I killed three more, but extra guards just kept pouring in. Washington threw a grenade in the middle, but the lost guards were just replaced with double the amount.

"Shit. Hit in the torso". Washington wasn't moving his position yet blood was spilling out of his mid section.

Something red caught my eyes. I had an idea, and it most likely would work, but it could get me killed in the process.

"Washington fall back!" I radioed.

"Are you crazy?! I'm not moving! You can't take all those?!" He yelled. His strength was ebbing fast.

"I know I can't." I ran over to Washington and picked him up. Bullets flew past me as one hit me in the leg. I managed to get Washington behind the door into the hallway.

I set him down and a bullet tore through my shoulder.

"Stay here. I'll get you back I promise" I said. He looked up at me. I could tell he didn't want me to go.

Quickly I shut the door separating him from me and all the soldiers. I heard him shout and bang against the door in pure desperation. I was backed into a corner. Right where I needed to be. Quickly I grabbed a two fuel canisters that were sitting right beside me. Pain rippled through my arm as I threw them above the soldiers. I shot one and it exploded, setting off the other.

A huge fireball tore through the building with a large shockwave that sent shrapnel flying at the speed of bullets. A metal shard shattered my visor and a piece of glass cut my skin, leaving a thin line of blood across my cheek. Smoke was filling my chest, burning the tissue inside.

"Central room, left wing is cleared. Washington has been shot in the" I coughed."...torso. He needs attention right away" I radioed to the whole group.

"I'll get Washington right away into the pelican. And fly back with him to the base. South can take the stragglers" North radioed but soon to be cut off by South.

"You bet I can!" She said. I could hear shots in the background.

I started to cough some more, but with each heave, brought tremendous pain. I could still hear Washington yelling for me through the door. I was relieved to hear Norths footsteps down the hallway through the closed door.

"Washington tells me your hurt. What is your positi-" Norths voice was cutting out.

"I'm fine. Just get Washington back" I said. My battery was running low. I stifled a cough.

"Copy-" Norths voice was cut out and replaced by static. My vision was spinning.

"Just get him home..." I whispered. But the darkness wrapped its arms around me and took me in.