Friendly Fire

Colonel Hitchen's POV - (4) The Regret

I assist the hostages into transport trucks and provide them directions to drive as far and as fast as possible to the next nearest village where I am sure they will thrive there just fine. I also help Private Riley, Lieutenants Davis, and Willow, followed by Sergeant Collins into the chopper and give the order.

"Follow after them. We will provide cover in case The Resistance chases them down."

Lieutenant Willow is the first among the group to speak.

"Wh-What about Private Bane? She's still down there.. you can't just leave without her- y-you weren't serious about abandoning your men w-were you?"

I glanced down at the factory and all I could see was smoke followed by ringing gunshots.

"If we go back down there, you might as well consider yourselves dead. Private Bane is most likely dead herself by now. I can't afford to send you down there to fetch her."

Lieutenant Willow's eyes began to tear up and she hung her head low, allowing her ponytail to flow over her head to hide how devastated she is. Lieutenant Davis also watched the battlegrounds and became colder than what he normally is.

"Colonel Hitchen is right... we can't risk our lives for some... Private... they're expendable and easy to replace... not to mention those hostages aren't exactly out of the woods yet... it's best we leave..."

Private Riley was the next person to speak up, his anxiety is running through the roof. The kid has confidence in his friend.

"What?! No! Can't we wait at least 10 more minutes?! I know Private Bane better than anyone! She's tough! She's alive and will walk through those doors any minute now!"

My eyes then glanced over to Sergeant Collins and he too looked conflicted but he acted on rationality.

"Colonel Hitchen and Lieutenant Davis are right. It's best we leave her behind. If by some miracle she is alive. I will put a plan in place to extract her. But judging by the gunshots and smoke coming from the factory. I say she's dead. We are moving. Now."

Lieutenant Willow continues to sob quietly to herself and Private Riley is beside her, trying to comfort her. He falls silent as the helicopter begins to move, his eyes fixed on Private Bane's empty seat. There is nothing we can do. We are sitting ducks if we stay up here waiting for her. If we go down there to extract her it might be pointless knowing her chances of survival are low. My hands are tied. There is nothing any of us could do.

As we were leaving the area I decided to make one last radio call to find out if Private Bane truly is alive. I clear my throat and then begin to speak.

"This is Colonel Hitchen. Do you copy Private Bane?"

"Colonel Hitchen? Yes.. yes, I copy"

My eyes widen. I was surprised to hear her voice. We all were. I suck in a breath and inform her of the new plan. Well. It isn't a plan. It is pure abandonment. But what other choice do I have? She sounds badly hurt anyway, it isn't worth it in my eyes. I've lost many people under my command. Losing someone like Private Bane doesn't phase me. I've seen and been through worse with my 27 years serving in the military.

"Alright kid, listen. I have some tough news." I pause for a moment, doubting myself now if this is the right call to make. "We can't come back. It's too dangerous."

"Are you fucking kidding me?! After all that I have done for you, for the team?!" she yelled back.

"Private-" I tried to interrupt, but she wouldn't let me.

"Don't fucking 'Private' me! You lost every right to command me the moment you left me here to die!"

She yelled in a very mocking tone. I stayed silent for a moment.