Moon Dust | Generation Kill

Chapter 28: Stay Frosty

Hanging her upper body out of the humvee window, Katie stared at the mass of Iraqi civilians moving down the road toward them and the roadblock. With hands held high, they were shouting things at the marines stations at the front. Some of them were carrying belongings, others carrying children, and they were all heading in the same direction.

"Quite a party you got going, Damon." Brad approached the humvee group at the front of the roadblock.

"They started showing up at 0 dark 30." Damon eyed the gathering of locals.

Stepping out of the vehicle, Katie left Whiskey behind and stepped forward to get a better look at the situation. Many children of varying ages stood among the adults seeking passage through the roadblock, calling out for help just the same as their parents.

"The plan is for my platoon to escort these folks through our lines to the southern checkpoint," Nate informed his men. "Need you to let them through in blocks of 40."

"Sir, if I may ask, why not send them back to Al Kut?" Brad inquired. "The fighting's over there."

"These people aren't from Al Kut," Damon said. "They say they're from Baghdad."

Nate let out a whistle. "They walked over 100 miles?" Katie couldn't believe what she was hearing. 

"Look, we don't know who anyone is. Could be a suicide bomber among us, so stay frosty," Nate instructed. "Keep your vehicles at a walking pace. And this is important, keep a good distance from these people."

"Roger." Brad acknowledged before turning to Damon. "35, 40 at a clip. Keep the families together."

When the first group was let through the roadblock, Katie stepped to the side and waited for the men, women, and children to pass her by. Many of them held their hands out to her, and because she was the only female, the women and children flocked to her in droves. 

"Keep your fucking distance from them." Brad smacked away the hand of a woman trying to offer Katie some food and ushered her forward. He then ordered Trombley to start handing out bottles of water, which only caused the civilians to group up even more.

Following Brad's lead, Q-Tip and Lilley started handing out MREs as well. In that moment, Katie truly felt proud to be a marine. Sure, the men she served with could be really cruel when they wanted to be, but they stepped up when it mattered.

"Thank you, soldier," one of the civilians spoke in perfect English. Tying her head scarf tighter, she glared up at Brad. "Thank you for letting me pass on my own road in my own country."

"Excuse me, ma'am?" Brad was taken aback. Thus far, they had been shown nothing but appreciation from the Iraqi citizens; however, it did make sense why they would be upset with everything going on.

"Why are you Americans here?" the woman asked.

"We want to help you, ma'am."

She scoffed. "You know, I come from Baghdad. It is a beautiful city and you are bombing it. This is to make my life better?"

"God damn it. Brad, we don't have to take this kind of guff." Jacks grunted. "I mean, we're liberating these ungrateful bitches."

The woman ignored Jacks' comments. "You know, this is a very beautiful country. And our president is very stupid. Maybe you are here for liberation, I don't know. But because of oil, it feels like war of aggression."

As the woman walked away, Jacks called after her and it wasn't hard to noticed when his eyes drifted down to her behind. "Damn, devil dog, for a piece of ass like that I'd sell your sister to Uday and Qusay."