Soldiers of misfortune

Never Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth pt.4

The day dragged on, each hour feeling like an eternity as we scoured the Fort. Our next target was the other hangars, and from the vantage point atop observation point Dragoon, Thompson and his team meticulously documented the visible buildings and marked areas of interest. Little did we know that within those structures lay an unimaginable amount of equipment.

As we delved deeper, we stumbled upon massive caches of gear, from aircraft and ground vehicle parts to stacks upon stacks of MREs - we had hit the jackpot.

But there was more to explore on the west side of the fort - five other colossal hangars and a motor pool housing ground vehicles. We approached the second hangar cautiously, but it seemed safe enough for entry.

Using the same breach techniques, we entered the hangar, and our jaws dropped in awe. Two C-17 Globemaster IIIs, three MC-130J transports, and one AC-130J gunship were parked inside. These aircraft alone made the entire mission worthwhile. With them, we could go anywhere, and if what the "intel" suggested was true, then civilization thrived somewhere in this desolate world.

As we took in the significance of our discovery, we quickly cleared the building to move on to the next hangar. This time, we found even more aircraft, larger and more formidable. F14B Tomcats, F15E Strike Eagles, and EA18G Growlers filled the space.

Next, we proceeded to the third hangar, where Fatal looked around the massive building, marveling at an impressive fleet of F16s and numerous UH-60s, the variants of which he couldn't determine, along with two massive CH-53K helicopters. The second-to-last hangar contained two KC-46A Pegasus and an E-3 Sentry. Finally, the last hangar held a C-5 Galaxy and a B-1B bomber.

The heavy aircraft would be useful in the future, but currently, they are just another item to document and move on.

As we continued our exploration of the mysterious Fort, each new discovery left us more astonished than the last. The next destination was the motor pool.

As we reached the motor pool, we couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sight before us. The vast space was filled with an impressive array of vehicles, each more imposing than the last. There they were—the JLTV and its different variants, standing tall with their rugged build and versatility. These beasts would surely prove invaluable in our future endeavors.

"Goddamn, these JLTVs are a thing of beauty," Brick remarked with admiration. "Built tough as nails, just the way I like 'em."

Frenchie nodded in agreement, eyeing the vehicles. "No doubt, Brick. These babies are gonna take us places in style."

Grouch chimed in with his own thoughts, always the practical one. "I'm already thinking of the pain in the ass it's going to be to get anywhere since there aren't any paths or roads to follow, ughh great we have a bunch of vehicles that we can't use..."

Grease Monkey, having a soft spot for anything mechanical, couldn't resist running his hand along the side of one of the JLTVs. "You know, we're gonna have a hell of a time keeping up with maintenance on all these vehicles."

"Well, that's a good problem to have, ain't it?" Fatal replied, his excitement seeping through. "I'd rather have too much equipment to take care of than not enough."

As we moved through the motor pool, we encountered several Stryker APCs and their different variants. Their imposing presence sent a shiver down my spine, knowing the sheer power they wielded on the battlefield.

"Look at them Strykers," Brick said in a hushed tone, his awe apparent. "They mean business, no doubt 'bout it."

"Indeed, they are quite the force to be reckoned with," I agreed. "But let's not forget, we're not just getting powerful vehicles; we're gaining a tactical advantage."