A War Away

Chapter 14: In the Mountains

"FIRE NOW!!!" I shout over the radio. Our high caliber machine guns tear through enemy lines like shreds of paper. Soldier after soldier falls to the ground as we spray bullets on the small, narrow road. They seek cover on rocks and shrubs, firing back blindly at anything and everything they can see. The roar of our guns drowns out the sound of painful groaning from the enemy. Hissing bullets fly by our small pillbox, it has become incredibly hot close to the machine gun. Following several minutes of ceaseless firing the ammunition of the other machine gun runs out. "Get behind the bridge, we will cover your retreat"

We continue firing laying down more and more gunfire as the 3 retreat behind the bridge to look for our jeep to escape. They get onthe jeep right in time for us to retreat, we had killed about half of the enemy force in our ambush. All of their forces retreat for some time to regroup and regain strength leaving a single person walking towards us without fear. His slow trot towards us becomes a mad dash to our pillbox. "Damnit our ammunition ran out early. Looks like I'll fight it hand to hand"

 "Go! Get out of here I'll take care of it!" He shouts, taking out a small Kris sword from his bag.

I had just enough time to reach the middle of the bridge. The Akuma tries to follow me, but is stopped by Lieutenant Bermejo with his Kris blade. A hand to hand fight ensues, the Akuma moves at super human speeds though it cannot match the strength of the lieutenant. Their blades clang and whistle in the wind, it is a spectacle very few have the chance witness. Each move is calculated and planned to perfection, both are skilled users of the blade. They trade small slashes and cuts unable to inflict any significant damage to eachother. The lieutenant is able to overpower the Akuma for a short time and is able to kick it to the ground, finally he shoots a single bullet into its face. The Akuma struggles for some time after being shot, eventually it stops moving and appears dead.

I rush to help the lieutenant who appears to have sustained some light injuries to his torso in the fight. Corporal De La Cruz also rushes to help him up, a cut to his neck is bleeding and needs first aid. Specialist Basilio Libertad gives the lieutenant an injection and places gauze and bandages on his wounds, then he is carried to the car. Before fainting due to exhaustion the lieutenant gives me a vile of blood taken from the Akuma and some personal documents which were also taken from the Akuma.

"Push the gas Basilio! Lets get out of here before the mice catch us slacking off!" Corporal De La Cruz yells.

"Got it!" The jeep out of sight of the incoming troops. We barely managed to make it out, sadly we were unable to destroy the bridge. "Get us to the nearest camp, use the backroads if we have to" I say to Basilio as Lieutenant Bermejo's skin close to his neck starts to turn a color close to fine wine. The jeep goes full speed winding through the mountains, from this view we can see planes making passes to where the city would be. It seems the city has started to fall against these invaders. 

After 2 and a half hours of driving at full speed we reach Babag. All out chaos has broken out at the camp, injured soldiers are taken to makeshift tents where local nurses tend to them without much success. Lieutenant Bermejo is given priority as he has the highest rank among the men being treated. He is given another injection to his thigh and another to his neck. His skin turns back to a normal color and he regains consciousness, tired, injured and dazed, thankfully still alive.

The squadron surrounds him and he says with a smile on his face "Thanks for saving me all of you" He asks for the vile of blood he gave to me and hands it to one of the senior doctors at the camp who dashes to safely store it. "It would have been better if we could catch an Akuma alive, for now a blood sample is enough"

My father comes into the hospital tent and hugs me, then congratulates me on a successful first deployment. "We will celebrate later, we have to evacuate the camp immediately the invasion force is practically at our doorstep" True from Babag Ridge I can see that many ships disembark soldiers and armored vehicles. Half of the city is burning or already in ruins, billowing smoke rises from the harbor and surrounding districts. I use my binoculars to make out familiar sights in the city. The cathedral roof has collapsed and part of it is burning, also burning is most of Magallanes street. The subtle crack of gunfire and artillery can be heard from the city.