Battalion Wars I

Chapter 2: Behind Enemy Lines

"In war there is no prize for the runner-up."
-General Omar Bradley

September 13th 2014
0755-7:55 AM
Sgt. Eryk C
10 miles behind Tundran Frontline
7th Army Division; Delta Battalion

"Hey Sarge, there's a message for you from the Captain." said the pilot.

"Put it through, what is it Sir?" I asked.

"Sergeant," sighed the Captain, "we now know who is behind the attacks. It was Tsar Gori, the former leader of the Tundran Territories and he now wants to restore Tundra to its former glory."

"Does his son know about it?" I inquired.

"No, not yet, but he probably will soon, Gorgi is using his own troops that are loyal to him for this attack." Said the Captain.

"Alright, thanks for the update, Sir." I respectfully added. I clapped my hand on the pilot's shoulder in thanks and then turned to the men.

"Okay, boys, we are landing now. Make sure your weapons are locked and loaded." Grabbing my rifle I snatched a magazine off my belt and locked it into position in the gun. Pulling back the pin the first round locked into place.

Inspecting my weapon I saw the safety was still on and left it that way for the time being.

"Here we are, Sergeant." informed the pilot.

"We got a tough one today." I looked around the room, locking eyes with everyone of my men, seeing determination, loyalty, and bravery in every single pair. "We have a mission to destroy the weapons, ammunition, and the building of the Recon Factory Facility."

I heard a light chuckle. I peered up from my laced combat boots to see Miles sniggering. Something was funny and I was gonna interrogate him for it.

"What do you think is so funny, soldier?" I asked with annoyance.

"Well, Sarge, this isn't exactly what you would say," Miles held up both hands and made a quotation gesture, "Tough. I mean, just go in, take their ammo, and blow up a building?" He continued to laugh.

"Hmm, that's funny," I said, chuckling to myself. "Last time, I thought you almost got your ass blown off by a tank shell? And don't you remember not taking that mission seriously, either? If it wasn't for Eric," I pointed at the youngest soldier, "Then your ass would be dead in a ditch, my friend."

There was a definite, challenged silence. Then I smirked at Miles. He smirked back and he had a quick laugh together. Something like that was becoming rarer and rarer these days.

I missed those days when we would hang out and play video games, laugh, and talk back in our days stationed on the base. God, what I would do to have those days back? Days on and off duty. Even going back to the days back home when I had not a care in the world and would spend my nights out on the town or at my house sitting near a warm bonfire.

Sitting around that fire with my friends at my side. A tear began to form and run down my face. Wiping it away quickly I didn't want to let them see. My emotions were my private business.

"Alright, let's go men," I called as the T-Copter touched down making its expected impact with the ground. Deep inside I dreaded that impact but knew it was inevitable.