Redamancy ✷ Simon Riley

Chap 5)

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𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞
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Poppy had made a calculated number of meticulous steps towards the crashed helo. The horizontal blades that once spun on top of the bird were now stationary. Coming to a dying motionless stop. The familiar and vexing spinning blades no longer reverberated.

When the helicopter came in contact with the ground, it had slumped forward. It was now sitting prone on an enormous patch of moist mud. It had buried its metallic body within the grained dirt that was now its unfortunate coffin.

A stream of smoke fumes rose from the lacerated blades. It was leisurely drifting towards the cloudless early morning sky. It was not a minacious pale grey that you would normally think to see. No, it was a thick ebony that seemed to garrotte the premature atmosphere.

The puny fires that wrapped around the collision site were like campfires while slow spreading flames charred crisp fronds from robust bushes and grass.

Conflagrations were not a disquietude that lingered in the worrying minds of the marines. The flames were minuscule compared to the combustion of burning metal on the helo that produced visible steam from the heat and damage.

The sky had been draped with a blanket of darkness that had splattered specks of gold dazzling brilliantly overhead. They were winking at the earth. There was a windless and pacific weather that didn't grow the sparks and cause an extensive inferno.

Lieutenant Riley had urged multiple marines to stay by the second building they had successfully cleared as Soap, Ghost and Sergeant Dargie made their way to the helo to help Alpha Team.

Dank mire was squished under the soles of her boots by her weight as Poppy picked up her pace and sprinted across the open field between the helo and the second secured building.

Alpha Team had the disadvantage of crashing in the middle of the field out in the open. There were no towering trees or green foliage providing them with a shield of protection.

Humus hugged the ground, clinging onto loose roots while leaves crunched satisfyingly like soft snow under the trio's pounding feet.

"Expect contact," Ghost kept in front of Dargie and Soap as they reached the lowered ramp of the helo. "A.Q.'s waitin' for us."

Traipsing over exposed gravel and rocks in her path, Poppy stepped through the entrance of the helo without a problem. She made sure to watch her foot placement so she didn't end up stumbling or trapping her foot under rubble while hurrying over the outcrop.