Friendly Fire

Colonel Hitchen - (41) A Desperate Move

"Why would she disobey you like this and walk off into the routes alone fully aware of what normally happens here?" I asked while we started the trek.

Lieutenant Davis shook his head and shrugged. "Because I hurt her... emotionally... she's probably in a poor headspace, walked off to calm herself down, and just... disappeared.."

Private Riley yawned softly from behind us. "What if she just- ran away- after all, she did have a crush on you for years and you had the audacity to announce to everyone that you don't want her like that. I don't blame her if she just ran off and doesn't want to be found."

"She... she what?"

"Oh... you didn't know? You thought I was constantly teasing you? I was trying to give you a hint and nudge Lieutenant Willow to finally confess... in private ofc and not in an outburst of a tantrum.

"I'm too old to get wrapped into your love life dramas- can we just- look for her- we don't know what the full story is but she could be seriously hurt or worse." I interrupted them.

Lieutenant Davis just sighed and silently followed the footprints Lieutenant Willow left in the mud until we came across the river. "Fuck!" He announced when the tracks stopped dead at the water's edge.

"You don't think she would-" Private Riley started but couldn't get the rest of the words out to finish his sentence.

"No... she wouldn't... she wouldn't... fuck, fuck, fuck-" He fell to his knees and sobbed at the thought that Lieutenant Willow most likely threw herself into the raging waters and drowned.

He punched the water in frustration and guilt once tears rolled down his face.

We all thought that this was the most plausible scenario that could've played out, that is until Private Riley took a closer look at the tracks.

"No... she didn't throw herself in... look..." He kicked a fairly large branch with the front end of his foot and rolled it over to reveal a large splotch of blood. "A fight took place here..."

Lieutenant Davis found the strength to pick himself up and look at the log then dead ahead. "We all know that The Resistance has a habit of making our scouts disappear... maybe they fucking have her too."

Neither myself nor Private Riley had the chance to say anything before a figure emerged from the bushes, blade in hand. "That's because they do. I can help you get her back for a favour in return."

I watched Private Riley put his fists up ready for a fight. "And you are?"

The figure revealed herself fully. Her long brunette hair slithered down her spine in the cool breeze. Ocean blue eyes fixed on us. Her clothing, however, is the clothing of The Resistance. "Name's Dawn"

"Give me one good fucking reason not to kill you on the spot which you stand."

"Killing me would mean you lose the location of The Resistance, what plans we have, and where your little bitch is and what we plan to do to her."

"I swear to god if you laid one finger on her head-!" Lieutenant Davis started but was rudely interrupted.

"I haven't. Buuut, I won't hurt you... I will comply with your every demand... I will help you get her back as long as you help me in return."

"How do we know that this isn't some set-up for another famous trap of yours?"

She shrugged. "I guess you'll just have to trust me. And from where I'm standing," those eyes darted to Lieutenant Davis. "I don't think you have much of a choice."

She's right. We don't.

I released a sigh. "Fine. But I'll be monitoring your every move. I can take you back to our base, there we can further talk about what you want and how we can help in exchange for Lieutenant Willow."

"The bitch is named Lily." She smirked and started to pick the dirt free from beneath her nails. "But I guess that doesn't really matter what her name is, you just want her back in your ranks. I can do that. Now, quit burning moonlight. Let's talk."

⌖ ⌖ ⌖

I shifted my gaze at Dawn once we were all gathered in the briefing room. "Welcome to The Elite Strike Force base."

She chuckled and folded her arms as she sat down in the chair opposite mine. "It's cute..."

Private Riley remained standing on the other side of the room. I don't blame the poor kid after all he's encountered with them.

Lieutenant Davis was glaring Dawn up and down as if debating if he could take her down in a fight. One he would most likely lose. "Let's get straight to the point. Where. Is. She?"

Another chuckle. "You have to be more specific than that."

"You know damn well who I'm talking about. Where. Is. She?"

I cleared my throat. "Enough. I want to hear about these terms first"

"Very well Colonel," She sighed. "We both have the same goal. Rin. Bitch daughter to your old bastard friend Leonard. I want them both dead. If you promise to assist me with their death," Her head cocks to one side as she looks at Lieutenant Davis in his eyes. "I'll be sure your girlfriend makes it into your arms safe and sound along with assisting you in this war. Do we have a deal?"

I hesitated and glanced around the room at Private Riley, then Lieutenant Davis. I was about to give my answer before Sergeant Collins entered the briefing room.

"Colonel Hitchen... it's bad... we've lost another 300 men to the squalor... they've all dispatched themselves due to the lack of resources. We need to urgently come up with a solution before our entire fleet is gone." His eyes went wide at the sight of Dawn and was quick to pin her to the floor. "Rebel scum! What the fuck are you doing here?!"

She struggled beneath him in a poor attempt to free herself.

"Stand down!" I ordered. "She's an ally. You've got yourself a deal, miss." I offered her my hand and gently helped her up to her feet.

"Thank you, Colonel."

I could feel Sergeant Collins' eyes pierce the back of my skull. "Care to join us, Sergeant?"

His eyes then drifted to Dawn. "Thank you for inviting me. Although I thought it was important for me to attend all of these meetings to stay updated."

"Don't be a sour puss, you're busy recruiting and training, we aren't going to bother you with this shit." Lieutenant Davis spoke.

I shook my head and sighed. "Back to the conversation at hand. What is the Resistance planning, tell me everything I need to know to ensure your terms are met?"

Dawn smirked. "Gladly. Buckle up boys"

⌖ ⌖ ⌖

The stage was hers and she took it, she told us the plans and what to expect. The Resistance will hold their grounds while Rin evacuates the civillains further South.

"The nearest place South would be Cam Rahn Bay. I have no doubt that's where they'll be heading. Rin will not return to The Resistance until everyone is sheltered, well-fed, and watered. She could be there for days, maybe a few weeks tops. It will be an easy fight for you. Plus, she's taking your little friend Lily there with her so... win:win."

Sergeant Collins shook his head and turned to us. "You really believe her?! She's leading you to your death here! We can gather more data. Reliable intel. The facts. We can't base our operations based on her words."

"We don't have a choice, Sergeant." I paused. "Lieutenant. Private. Gear up. We are going to Cam Rahn Bay."