A War Against Furries

Base Under Siege

The heart monitor beeped as Sandra lay in an induced coma. After that fucking sniper shot Sandra I've felt defeated. I missed a sniper. A teammate was shot and injured. I felt, lost. I sighed as I rubbed her cheek. The doctors had complimented me and Libby on getting Sandra's kidney out.

"Sandra. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I didn't see the sniper and I'm sorry that you got hurt. Please Sandra. Please pull through this."

I leaned over her and gave her forehead a kiss. I wiped my tears just as one of the doctors came in.

"Commandante. Your team is worried about you. Please, go comfort them. I promise you'll be the first to know when she's awake" the doctor said.

I nodded and thanked the doctor. I gave Sandra one last look before I left the room. I walked the halls of the base not really sure what to do now. After about a half hour I decided to go to the dorm. I opened the door and entered closing the door behind me.

"How is she?" I heard Yazim ask.

I looked at her and went into the kitchen for a beer.

"She's stable. Heart beat is normal. I just want her to wake up" I finally said.

I felt her wrap her arms around me.

"Tyla had noticed you upset when she was airlifted. Care to share?"

I sighed and took a sip of my drink.

"Where are the others?"

"In the living room. They are very curious too."

I nodded as we talked to the living room. I found them waiting for us.

"I guess you all want to know why I had a breakdown"

"Yeah. I actually saw the last bit of it" Erica said.

I sighed.

"Well back when there was a few more snipers with me we made a pact. 'Don't let the enemy get the jump on you. Always be aware of the unseen sniper. If you miss the unseen you are a liability'. When that sniper shot Sandra that made me start thinking. I let a sniper shoot a teammate. I'm a liability. I failed."

I could feel tears start welling up again. I was suddenly pulled into a hug by Misti.

"You didn't fail ??? you didn't know the sniper was aiming for Sandra. The main thing is that she's alive. Hell, she'd be ready to kick ass when she's back on her feet."

I smiled softly.

"What about that scar on your cheek?" Libby asked.

I rubbed my cheek. And chuckled a bit.

"Now that was an interesting day."

I leaned back remembering that day like it was yesterday.

"Now I was actually trying to kill another sniper. That day I wasn't expecting anything really. Maybe the occasional short patrol or small convoy but nothing too exciting. I had noticed his scope glint and next thing I know I'm on my back holding my cheek. He grazed me alright. But the moment I sighted him again he was dead. I gave him a burial and wrote a worthy opponent on his gravestone. Even though the engagement didn't last thirty seconds he still managed to get me. So I wear it as a trophy and a reminder."

"Amazing. I guess war trains and makes you better. But don't bottle up your emotions. It makes it hard to tell how you feel" Misti said.

I thought for a moment. All throughout the war I was getting better at sniping. I smiled. But it quickly went away.