The Soldier

In the feild

The bright light of the afternoon sun shined onto our suit lenses. When the blast doors of the base opened there was sand and dust that shook off.

The entire planet surface looked dormant, destroyed and forgotten. There was debris and abandoned apartment complexes.

"Welcome to the capital city ladies." The pilot said back at us.

There was a sudden shift in the mood. Like...as if we came in prepared to face whatever and then you see what you're going to be thrown into.

"The captain wants me to set you guys down near the old Washington monument. There will be a map interface inside of your suit helmets that will give you a layout of the land if you need to."

He set the chopper low enough for us to jump out. First Ellis, then Zoe, Brian and then me.

"Stick together and watch eachothers backs out here. And... if you see our boys out there don't be alarmed." The pilot pulled up and out.

"There are others out here. Maybe if we need help we can find them." Brian said

"Well we're out here for scouting so let's get to it." Zoe started to walk

"Wait. Did they give us weapons in these things?" I asked

We all started checking our suits for any guns.

"Are you telling me that they sent us out here nearly blind and helpless with toothpicks?" Brian complained as he looked at his bowie knife

"Maybe we'll see some weapons out here from some of the others out here. They're bound to have something with them that would help out." Said Ellis

I walked forward towards the monument and looked at the front tourist entrance that was blocked off by rubble and debris.

"Might as well get moving." I walked forward and walked past the giant monument and into what I'm hoping will be another scouting team out there.

An hour passes

We were walking and still nothing happened yet.

Then while we were on an abandoned highway there was movement.

"You see that?" Zoe froze

"See what?" Brian asked

"I saw something move over there!" She pointed ahead of us at a pile of debris

"Ah don't worry its just your mind fuckin' with ya." Brian brushed it off and walked ahead

When he walked ahead a few steps in front of me I saw something move to cover behind a distant building.

"Whoa whoa! Brian wait." I said in a hushed tone

He turned around in disbelief

"Guys its just your nerves messing with you. Everything is..."

I saw the glare of a sniper scope on top of the building about 50 ft away from us.

"BRIAN GET TO COVER!!" I shout

He quickly turns and then runs to cover nearby, we all do. There was a loud bang and then the thud sound of the bullet hitting right next to Ellis.

"Shit!" Ellis then dives to cover

"Don't move." I say

There was another bullet that flew past our cover and into the road.

"We're officially pinned." Brian says

"Zoe use the comms to ask for help."

She puts her hand to her helmet.

"This is Zoe of the scouts in...quadrant 43. We're pinned by sniper fire and..."