The Tragedic Miracle

Prologue

Dang. A rustle of leaves to my immediate left. I shouldn't have gone tonight.

I tried my best to remain blended, but it was hopeless. I was wearing purple, near impossible to camouflage. To try and compensate for my fashion absurdity, I crept lower and stayed still as much as I could.

The footsteps came closer and closer, just as my heart, getting closer and closer to explosion. Although, to be optimistic, the footsteps don't seem hurried. Maybe they haven't seen me yet. I hope so.

"..would be their meeting place tonight," said a deep, baritone voice.

"That place is surrounded by bandit camps!" exclaimed another voice, this one shriller and feminine. "What are they thinking?!"

They speak negatively of bandits, maybe they're our men.

"That's the thing," the man countered coolly. "No one would expect it to be held there."

"But still," the woman replied. "It's risky, even for the colonel."

They know about the meeting, these truly are our men.

"Whatever, Red," the man irritably said.

"Oh come o-," the woman, Red, tried to complain.

"Shut it," the man interrupted. "We're on a recon mission for fuck's sake."

This was followed by a long silence.

"You don't have to be so rude," Red said, her tone suggesting sadness.

"You're a soldier," the man coldly stated. "Toughen up."

With that, I found my cue. "As much as I'd hate to interrupt.." I was quickly met with the barrels of two M16s. Well, shit, they're armed.

"Identify yourself," the man commanded.

"Can you take those away?" I complained, referring to the weapons. "If I wanted to kill you, I would've done so ages ago."

"Oh really now?" the man challenged.

"Yep," I said, as I pointed to my weapons by the bush: a SCAR-L and a Glock 18, both personally customized.

"Blue, those kinds of weapons.." Red began.

"..are only carried by the regiment's highest officers," I continued.

The man, Blue, had a confused, desperate look, but both of them withdrew their weapons.

"We're sorry, sir." Red apologized as she saluted.

I nodded at Red and saluted back. "At ease." I noticed that Blue didn't share Red's salutations. "Please identify yourselves, soldiers."

"Private Mildred Parker, sir," she said as she jutted her hand out.

I shook her hand then went to look at Blue who had no reaction whatsoever.

I looked at Red, "And from which squad are you?"

"Charlie squad sir, 3rd rifle platoon, Company B," she quickly replied.

"Where's the rest of the fireteam?" I inquired.

"Back at camp, sir," she answered. "We were sent out to scourge our path for tomorrow."

"Mhmm.. and does your CO teach you to disrespect superiors?" I said, as I glanced at Blue.

Red grinned, "He's probably in shock sir, we've never met a Council member before. He idolizes you guys."

This brought Blue back to life as he stuttered, "I-I'm Private Lewis Parker, sir."