The End

Phoenix

We flew between the tall dilapidated buildings of the city, the thud of helicopter blades constant in our ears.

We had been flying for five minutes now leaving the ambush site far behind us and towards the safety of Phoenix outpost. Everyone had been quiet during the flight and now the soldiers that were on this helicopter too, were sleeping, swapping tales or trying to play cards.

They all seemed so...relaxed...about what had just happened and I realised that these men were hardened to the death and loss of this world.

And this was just another disappointing day.

Just then the pilot spoke over the ruffling wind, "Phoenix is just around here guys" and many of the soldiers sighed with relief, at the thought of a hot meal and a soft bunk.

I leant out of the side of the helicopter eager to see the base, and I was not disappointed.

From behind yet another tall building loomed the sight of a large square area about a kilometre in length on each side. At the far end was a small city of large green tents populated by dozens of uniform clad figures walking or jogging between them.

"Holy shit.." I breathed, this was a huge area with so many people! and it was only a outpost!!

Beyond the tents was a cluster of vehicles, including some of the Humvees we had previously been travelling in, and at least two little birds, another Apache and a Pave low all sitting on the Tarmac flight zone.

We had now begun to descend to the empty side of the flight zone now and the helicopter tilted backwards as it slowed to a hover and came down with a soft 'bump' on the Tarmac.

Immediately medics rushed over from the tents, some carrying stretchers, to tend to the wounded in the helicopter and the uninjured leapt out of the way.

The other helicopters had also come into land and the last helicopter had finally landed as the first group of medics carried away the wounded. I leapt off the blackhawk, closely followed by my squad, and we headed off towards the tents.

"Where to now?' I asked Ray and he pointed at a particularly large hexagonal tent near the front. We walked towards the entrance, where the tent flap was tied open under a small plastic sign proclaiming 'Phoenix Forward Operating Base HQ'.

We pushed our way through the small crowd rushing in and out of the tent to find ourselves in a crowded cluttered space filled with desks laden with glowing datapads and small field computers, manned by weary eyed men and women sipping flasks of coffee.

Ray started towards the far end of the tent where there was a more isolated section of desks and a blonde haired man pouring over another datapad. We eventually managed to push our way through and Ray led us up to the man who looked up when we approached.

Ray saluted him relaxedly and the man immitated him smiling, "Ray!' he said "so you're the cause for all this action i take it?". Ray grinned back and said "Hello to you too Nathan", they shook hands and I glanced at Nathan's arm patch to see that he was a Lieutenant Colonel.

"What brings you lot here then?" asked Nathan, smiling wearily at the squad. "Well as I'm sure you've noticed, we have a new addition to the squad!" said Ray indicating myself and Nathan held out his hand saying "how'd you do?", I smiled and shook his hand.

"I also notice an absence!" said Nathan still shaking my hand and the squad stiffened, "where's Tyler?". This time I answered, "he's KIA sir....".

Nathan's face fell, he let go of my hand. "I'm sorry to hear that" he said heavily, "we've all lost too many people....".

There was a long pause for a moment until Nathan spoke again, "so why are you here?". Ray indicated myself and I pulled out Jonas's letter and handed it to Nathan.

"This was given to Jason here by Jonas Dolack of hunter tier 0". at these words Nathan's eyes widened and he carefully opened the letter. "As you know command now gave us top priority and clearance to see the mission through whatever it entails, which includes getting to the Gherkin."

Nathan read the letter carefully and nodded, "okay" he said "we'll get you to the gherkin and then you can meet this Conrad the letter speaks of". "What's this about?" I asked, and as he gave back the letter he looked at me gravely "something I'm not authorised to tell you about".

I frowned 'this must be serious then' I thought as I tucked the letter safely back into my inside jacket pocket.

Then Nathan was talking again, "your welcome to whatever you need from the quartermasters" he said pulling a small card out of his top pocket and handing it to Ray.

Ray looked puzzled as he took the card and Nathan added "I know you don't need it but just in case the quartermaster is skeptical".

Ray's face cleared and he nodded before saluting Nathan. "Dissmissed!" he added turning back to his datapad.

Ray lead us through the crowd and back outside where the sun had begun to set, now staining the sky a bloody crimson, and the clouds a fiery orange.

"Do you know where to go?" I asked Ray and he nodded, "over there" he said lightly, pointing a finger at a longer rectangular tent with the word quartermasters printed down the side.

"Ah" I said awkwardly, Geneis and Kate giggled while Myles snorted. "Whaaat?" I said while Bull started to smile.

I smiled too though, it'd been too long since we've had something to laugh about.