My Soldier - You're My Home

Breach

29th June, 2019

~~Day 7, Nigeria~~

No POV

All that echoed around the room was the screams in pain through the speaker of the phone, Harley's voice is all that can be heard. No one can look at each other as they are forced to listen to the pain Harley is clearly in as she is dragged along the floor and then beaten over and over again. Other voices can be heard above the agonising sounds, unfamiliar voices taunting and screaming awful and demeaning threats. Charlie, above everyone, is finding it almost impossible to listen to what is happening through the small device on the table. His chest tightening, fists clenched as all he wants to do is take the pain away from Harley. But he knows he needs that location before anything else. If not just for Harley, but for Kai, Tyler and Natalia who need their help. "What was that noise?" Jake questions, bringing everyone's attention back to the phone and screens spread out across the table between them all. "Shit!" Ash, the head of the small Special Forces team that arrived in Nigeria not two days ago. "What is it?" Miles adds, looking between the higher in commands stood around the table. "The connection cut off." Charlie explains defeatedly, not knowing how it has happened, but all he hopes is that they did not find it with Harley. If they did, it's not worth thinking about. All the worried and fearful faces search between each other and the screens, holding onto the hope a location was found from the phone signal. Dex, another Special Forces Soldier, begins typing codes into the laptop in front of him to bring something good from what has just happened. All eyes fall to him as he does, but with every second that passes, hope begins to fade. Until...

Beep. Beep. Beep...

"Is that?" Jake asks into the room, looking towards Charlie for any sign of anything. But Charlie's eyes are fixed on the screen as it is turned to show everyone the small, bright red dot in the middle of the screen flashing against a map. The room falls silent, apart from the beeping of the laptop, no one knowing what to say until Ash speaks up for everyone. "She did it. We got a location." The tension in the room disappears, knowing what Harley is suffering through maybe even still was not for nothing. All hope resurfacing as Charlie nods and stands taller, regaining all professionalism as he knows he needs to work quickly and efficiently. "We need to move out as soon as possible. Get in and get them out. Ash, do you and SF want to move in first?" He moves everyone's attention towards Special Forces, Ash nodding confidently as if he already has a plan in mind. After all, this is what Special Forces do best. "Yes of course, Captain Summer's. We will move in, locate Harley and her team, then with the support of 7 Section we can execute a rescue mission to get them all out without a fight." Everyone is completely focused as Special Forces and Charlie put together a plan. All of 7 Section stand patiently waiting, all they can think about is getting to the rest of their team. There is nothing they want more than to get them back to Base safely. Miles and Jake worrying more and more about Harley, someone they owe their lives to, and who they see as one of their best friends.

"Okay guys listen in. We don't know what we are walking into at this location. All we know is that they are not above using heavy force if they deem it necessary. So we need to move efficiently and without causing a fire-fight." Charlie begins before giving lead to Ash to carry on the plan. "Special Forces and I will move in first, scout out the area and locate our Soldiers. Once we have a visual, Phase 1 will begin. This will involve Jake causing a distraction with some pre-planted explosives, placed by Dex and Red. When the explosives go off and cause a distraction, Miles and Bones will find my location and we will get Harley and her team out as quickly as we can. Charlie, Spanner, Sparky and Jake will be waiting by the truck, covering all movement and protecting the evacuation." Everyone is on board, wanting to move as soon as possible. "Okay 7 Section, gear up. We will be traveling by truck whilst SF get a head start by helicopter." Charlie announces. "Yes Sir!" The rest of 7 Section move out to get ready as Special Forces move to do the same, leaving Charlie alone with his thoughts as he gets ready himself. His mind rushing with worry and fear, not knowing what has happened to Harley after the call was cut off. A growing fear that they found the phone with her, and the punishment she was receiving became a lot worse. He just needs to know she is safe and alive. Once he is ready, he makes a quick call to the Brigadier before joining 7 Section outside beside the truck as Special Forces make their way to the awaiting helicopter. "Stay on comms Captain, we will get your team out of there. I'll make sure of it." Ash comes to Charlie, gear in hand as he gives him some comfort to the situation. "I hope so, I don't know what we will do if we don't." Charlie admits. "We will Charlie. We'll get them out of there." Ash grips Charlie's shoulder in comfort before they go their separate ways, the helicopter taking to the skies as Charlie stands before his smaller team. "Let's get our team out of there."

7 Section make their way towards the location, Charlie driving to keep his mind occupied the closer they get. The truck is quiet, eerily quiet as the team all begin to worry about what is about to happen. The fear that their team, their family, is hurt in anyway. All eyes are on the surrounding area, no houses or villages nearby, just a large-scale base like area with numerous buildings and vehicles. Once the truck reaches as close as possible, 7 Section begin to get ready for Phase 1. Meanwhile, Ash and Special Forces are moving through the trees near the location, making their way towards Harley's last known location. Once they reach the first building, they split. Ash moving towards the direct location as Dex and Red move to the opposite side to plant some explosives. Spanner covers Ash's movements with a scope, watching his back as he moves within a dangerously close space of the building. Needing a visual before moving, he needs to approach with caution. "Clear." Spanner calls through the radio, letting Ash begin to move over the wall and into the main Base. Once he is out of sight, Spanner begins to move towards where 7 Section have stopped the truck until it is safer to move. Dex and Red find a group of vehicles which would make a perfect distraction if they were to be blown by explosives, so they crouch down and make sure they are hidden enough from anyone walking by but in view for when Phase 1 is called. The explosives not enough to cause any harm unless anyone is too close, but enough to make a noise that will get enough attention so that no one will be nearby when Ash and the rest of 7 Section rescue Harley and her team.

Ash makes his way through the back of one building, finding it empty and almost abandoned if it weren't for the fresh water droplets near the sinks and fresh foot prints nearby. He uses them as a guide, leading him to another building as small voices start to find his ears. He makes sure the place is clear before moving forward, hearing voices getting louder the closer he gets. He reaches a long corridor, finding caged rooms filled with rags and discarded clothing. Following the voices more and more, holding onto the hope those voices are not tricking his ears and are in fact coming from the rest of 7 Section. It doesn't take him long before he hears a female voice, panicked as she calls out a name, he is both worried and relived to hear. "HARLEY! Come on Lane, stay with me!" Instantly his chest tightens as she rushes further into the building towards the voices, soon finding 4 bodies locked in a caged room. Taking one last check around him before making his presence known. "7 Section." He calls out quietly, looking through the bars seeing three healthy Soldiers and one laying across the floor. "Ash?" Kai answers, recognising the Special Forces Soldier instantly. "Good to see you, Kai. I wish it was under better circumstances." Ash quickly nods in Kai's direction, needing to make this quick but he also knows he needs all the information he can get. "Are you three alright?" He checks, looking between the three bodies staring back at him with tired eyes. "This is Tyler and Jones. Both fine, just a few cuts and bruises. Captain Lane is, not in a good way." Kai explains, looking down at the body on the floor. Ash's eyes following, seeing so much damage to the Soldier. "We're here to get you all out. Is she breathing?" Ash asks as he continues to check around him. "Heart rate is slow but still strong for now. Breathing shallow. She needs medical attention, urgently Sir." The other medic, Jones informs Ash making him smile slightly and nod at how calm she is forcing herself to be. "Keep her as stable as possible and stay away from that back wall. We're getting you all out of here."

Ash gives the small team as much instruction as possible before moving back the way he came. Once he is out of view from the building, he begins to radio Charlie and his team. "Targets located. Everyone in position?" He calls out, breathing heavily as his mind can't forget the sight he just saw. Harley laying there, black and blue. "We're all in position. Ready when you are." Charlie quickly replies as he looks between his small team around him. Spanner giving him a small nod in agreement. "Phase 1 ready to go on you, Ash." Dex adds. Everyone is ready. It is now or never. "Okay. Launch Phase 1." Ash calls out. And with that, Jake gets into position with his Sniper Rifle whilst Miles and Bones move to link up with Ash. Charlie, Sparky and Spanner cover them both as they move as Dex and Red move to be near Jake and away from the explosion. "In position." Jake calls out, followed by the same call being made by each small team one by one. Once they are all heard, Ash begins to mission. "Phase 1, Jake, on your mark." He orders after he places the last small explosive that Miles brought to him from the truck against the wall backing onto the Caged room. "3... 2..." An explosion echoes throughout the area from Jake's single shot from his Sniper. The cars going up in smoke as people start to scream and shout as their feet carry them towards the explosion. Jake, Dex and Red begin to move back towards the truck as Ash sets off the second smaller explosion. Blowing a small hole into the back of the caged wall. "Move in, get them out!" He shouts over the crumbling of the wall before he leads Miles and Bones into the small room, where 4 bodies are now laying on the floor sheltering their ears from the sound of the explosion and awaiting their escape.


~~The Cage, Nigeria~~

Normal POV

What was that?

An explosion? I can feel the ground trembling beneath me from the aftermath, confirming what I heard was real. Dust quickly causing my already dry throat to feel like razor blades as I force my body to cough. The pain agonising as I do. I try and force my eyes open, but between the dust and pain, I can barely make anything out other than a metal wall. Reminding me that I am still in this hell hole. But then, without any warning, I feel hands gently taking a hold of my body. I try and fight it, but something about the muffled voices I can hear around me give my body an unconscious comfort, as if I know the hands that are holding me. My body feels safe, so I try and relax as I feel my body being lifted gently from the concrete. The muffled voices becoming slightly more clear as a bright light causes my vision to almost burn. I slam my eyes shut, pain shooting through my head as I hear shuffling feet and those familiar muffled voices. I begin to think that it is my mind playing tricks on me, and I am just being lead towards my final round of beatings. But before my body can settle into its fate, a loud roar of an engine catches my attention. That noise I know very well. A truck? I question silently, not believing myself at all but the pain radiating through my body reminds me I am in fact awake again. The small amount of air in my lungs almost being knocked back out of me as I feel my back against a cold metal. Another forced and painful cough following before I feel different hands pull my body as best they can before more muffled voices become a little clearer. One voice in particular above the rest making forcing my eyes open a little easier, wanting to see if it is really him.

"Lane! Thank Fuck your conscious. Keep your eyes on me! Can you hear me? Who is talking to you right now?" That voice brings my body a wave of comfort I have wanted for days now. A sign I have a chance of getting home. "Ch.. Charlie?" I force a strained reply, wanting to hear his voice more and more. Needing any small amount of comfort, I can get to keep my body fighting. "That's it Lane! Eyes open and on me." I blink away the pain and tears building in my eyes, wanting something to focus on so my body can make it through this. I need to make it out of here. "Where is-?" I force my voice again, the dryness and agonising pain in my ribs fighting me but I push through as best I can. "Everyone is safe and out of there. Keep breathing and stay awake! You hear me?" Charlie reaches for my shoulder, gripping it tightly. Thankfully, not the one hanging from its socket. "Yeah, alright..." I try and nod, but my body doesn't let me. My eyes focused on his panicked look once his eyes leave mine and look down my body. I know that look. I can feel how bad it is, but the look in Charlie's eyes makes it even more real. I don't get to worry for long before another face comes into view, a face I am more than happy to distract me right now. "Miles?" I question, seeing his smile but then noticing the tears in his eyes. "Hey Cap! How you feeling?" He cheerfully asks, making me want to laugh but my body won't let it out through the pain. "Ha." I all I can reply with, a sarcastic reply for an equally sarcastic question. "Like shit, right?" I can't help but force a smile, seeing the worry behind his eyes as he tries to comfort me the only way we all know how to in situations like this. So, to know he is making me smile brings us both some comfort.

"Yeah. Exactly that." I try and force a deeper breath in, but instead my body trembles in agony. Miles and Charlie quickly panic as they reach for my body as I try and move to get comfortable again, but it's no use so I grit my teeth as the truck rumbles over the uneven roads. "You're an idiot, you know that right?" Miles tries to keep my mind on something else, hoping to get me back to Base still conscious. "I've been, told." I smile up at Miles, his head shaking slightly as he laughs. "Let me guess? Your Girl back home?" Instantly my heart aches at the thought of Lizzie again. My smile fading as I fear not seeing her again. "Yeah." I sigh out painfully, seeing Miles and Charlie share a look before they focus back to me. "You're going home to see her Lane. I promise you." Miles begins to tell me confidently, a forced smile back on his face. "Mhm.." I nod along, letting him carry on as his eyes hold so much hope all of a sudden. "I'll carry you there myself if I have too. You're going to have some crazy Marvel themed wedding, and I'll be by your side dressed as Ironman whilst you marry The Scarlet Witch! We'll all be there, meeting your famous friends, and I might even get a dance with Scarlett Johansson!" I can't help but chuckle through the pain, coughing as I do but it feels good to laugh. "Yeah, Bet." I force out, the thought of Scarlett and Miles dancing giving me a reason to smile again. "No bets. It's a promise!" Miles adds, making my smile grow painfully across my face. My eyes meet Miles' again, and I see him holding something back. Something I am sure is the state my body is in. The pain coming in stronger waves each time. Even I know my heart is slowing again.

"I'm tired." I barely whisper, but the sudden panic on Miles' face lets me know he heard me as I start to struggle to catch my breath. "I know you are, but you have to stay awake Harley." Miles quickly grips my hand in his, squeezing to give me something to focus on as my eyes flutter between open and closed. "I-I can't. I need to sleep." I add, finding it hard to force my eyes open. "Harley. NO! Come on Lane!!" Miles' voice gets louder as I struggle to stay awake. I can feel my lungs filling with something that is not what it should be as my heart is now struggling to keep up with my injuries. Fear taking over as I feel myself shutting down. "Don't you dare shut your eyes on me Lane! SUMMERS! A LITTLE HELP HERE!" Miles screams for help as he squeezes my hand in his again. I feel shuffling around me as hands feel for my pulse in my neck. My eyes closing, barely taking in the faces around me. "LANE! LANE!" I hear Charlie's voice, followed by shaking of my body as they try to keep me awake. My eyes shoot open with the pain shooting through my shoulder from a sharp hand gripping on it. They quickly meet Charlie's worried eyes looking down on me as I cough again and again. "Tell, Lizzie... That I. Th-that I-" I force myself to speak, only for the coughing from my throat and lungs to take over, cutting me off from what I want to say. The need for someone to tell Lizzie that my last thoughts will always be of her, that she has my heart, always. That I love her with every part of me and will always protect her. In this life and the next. I need her to know. But my body is fighting a losing battle. "No Lane! You're telling her yourself! Keep your damn eyes open!" Charlie begins to shake me again as my eyes close again, only this time, I don't fight it. I need the darkness. The pain getting too much for my body to cope with. I don't fight it, I can't. not anymore.

"LANE! LANE!" "STAY AWAKE LANE!" "DON'T DO THIS LANE, NOT NOW!"