Behind Intentions

Third Battle of the Somme

World War III
Somme, France
12:45:11
DEVGRU Rogue Squadron
Lieutenant Saintfall 'FROST' Lestrange

A Platoon of men encircle the Commandant as he briefs us on what seems to be a bloody battle. The Area is desolate. The air smells of Chlorine. The men are beaten and bloody, but vigor in their hearts. And I stand in the front, ready to lead my squad into hell.

"We expect the Chinese and Indians to target here, Somme, so we'll defend here. If need be, we'll fall back to Ecoust. If our defenses fall at Ecoust, we'll take cover under The Bridge's Ruins. Should we lose this, we'll fall back to the Ravine and reunite with our defenses. Who is the Commander of the Rogue Squadron?" The Commandant asks

"Lieutenant Lestrange, sir. Callsign, Frost."

I raise my arm.

"A Delta Operator? Okay. Lieutenant Lestrange, your men are to hold the line, since you will be at the forefront. The NSA's Agent Sanet Smeraldi has some intel for you all."

A short, Blonde-Streaked with Hazel Eyes in battle-casual clothes comes to the middle to speak. She looks white but....not?

"Men, first and foremost, you are all the bravest men I've had the privilege of working with. By God's grace, may this war end today."

Everyone nods solemnly.

"Alright, The Commander for this Operation is Commander Xiangping, who is said to have two-brigades of support.

"Two brigades? That's about 8 thousand men! We're a fucking Battalion and and a half! Our 1500 soldiers won't dent that at ALL."

She nods. "You'll have an armored division of Tanks to assist, as well as an Aircraft Carrier.

"That's not reassuring." I point out.

"Xiangping is hellbent on conquering this land for his troops, as this is the last real line from the Marne to Paris. Make no mistake, this is it. We fall here, France falls. Everyone back home are civilians."

Everyone stays quiet

"If I'm not mistaken, there's only one person here who has experience with this guy. Frost?"

I nod and walk to the middle, moving the maps to the whiteboard.

"Listen up, Pussies. She said it herself. This is it. We fail, France falls. Plain and simple. So let me be fucking crystal. THEY SHALL NOT FUCKING PASS."

"Damn right."

"Dipaolo, Garrick, your Alpha and Charlie teams will hold the left and right flanks respectively, while My team holds the middle. Bravo, we'll be the first to push the counter offensive. Now, about this device. Xiangping has the power of a god. It would be a joke, except I'm the only survivor of the Battle of Rupture. He used it there. So listen. Shoot to kill. The fate of all of it falls onto us. We cannot lose here. And if it's a one-on-one, pray you make it to heaven. Do not let one another fight alone. We're brothers. All of us. Fuck Rank, Fuck this war. Let's end this shit for our kids, and each other. Rogue Squadron, GOD DAMN, LETS GO!"

"GOD DAMN, LETS GO!"

"Lieutenant Lestrange, I must talk to you alone."

"Alright, sure."

We walk a bit from the group.

"Your men are walking into a massacre."

"I know."

"And you're okay with that?"

"Only because I'm walking in with them."

"I highly recommend you don't-"

"I need to. My men need me. I don't get to sit one out."

"Lieutenant, I want you for a task force."

"Come find me if I live."

"I urge you to-"

"I go in with my men, Agent Smeraldi." I walk over to my tent with my weapons.

"You're going to needlessly die today, when you could literally end this conflict!"

"Needless? My men are going out there. Men that may die. Get the fuck out of my face, Spook." I roll my eyes

My second in command, Senior Chief Josh Marek, walks to me with a smile.

"I saw the roll of your eyes. She say some bullshit?"

"When do they not? Selfish fucks."

"How long do you reckon we have?"

"Mere hours. Make peace with your own. I actually think we're gonna die today."

"Shit, you're the survivor, dude. That's concerning, coming from you."

"The numbers are absurd. The only thing not against us about this on our side, is that Xingpiang himself is here. Which means we can kill him."

"Why do you think he's here?"

"We're the last force in France. It's a mixture of SAS, DEVGRU, Delta and Rangers. He wants to see us fall himself."

"He's gonna have to earn that shit then."