A Bond By Tragedy

Under Fire

08:15:40
12 February, 2020
Badger Squad, 7th Group (Airborne)
Korengal Valley

Maine and Springer took their steps carefully and kept their heads moving in each direction. The trail led them deeper into the valley, descending into a place where soldiers once called, "Hell." Though the middle of the valley did not look harmless at all. It was what surrounded it that made it so dangerous. The trails surrounding them that were clearly still in use and old fighting positions that the Americans used when they occupied the valley still dot both sides to this day.

"Badger 6, this is Badger 3." Maine stopped and pushed the hand mic up to his mouth, calling out to Campbell.

"Send it, 3."

"We are about half a click from your position. Their trail leads deeper into the valley, please advise."

"Roger 3, wait there for now and we will catch up. We are getting nothing over the net."

"Roger 6, out." Maine stood up from his kneeling position and looked behind to where Springer was laying down next to a bush, watching their six. He switched channels so that only Springer could hear him over the radio. "Hey you hear that?"

"Yea I heard. What do you want to do, boss? Stay here or move somewhere else?"

"Just stay where you are for now unless you're forced to move. Don't want to draw more attention to ourselves than we have to."

"Copy that. I'll let you know when I get eyes on the rest."

"Sounds good. Update me every 5 minutes."

Maine kept still on his stomach facing East, looking further down the valley. The Germans could be anywhere in this so called, "Valley of Death".

He wiped the sweat from his eyebrow and readjusted his helmet. Though it wasn't summer yet, the sun would still make them warm very quickly. Other than the occasional breeze ripping through the valley, it was very quiet. Which worried Maine. If the Germans were moving wounded, why isn't there more gunfire? There weren't any bodies outside the building. Which meant the enemy is still out there waiting. Did the Germans eventually kill the Taliban or did the Islamic Fanatics overrun the small team? There was only one way to find out, which meant driving on deeper into the valley.

Half an hour later there was a loud explosion in the distance. Thoughts began to rush through Maine's head. 'Small crack before explosion, depending on echoes through valley, most likely came from my 12.' The calculations in his head were fuming, smaller pops and snaps rang off. 'Now small arms fire. Standard Taliban ambush, could possibly be engaged with Germans.' The Sergeant was always described as a robot and emotionless through trying times, constantly running scenes in his head, evaluating himself after missions. Labeling his mistakes and correcting them through his personal training.

"What the hell was that?" He heard his comrade call over the radio.

"Taliban Ambush, could be the Germans," He took a quick pause as he switched his radio to the main channel, "6, this is 3. We hear a possible enemy attack on the Germans. Permission to move and support."

"Alright, 3. But only because we are moving now, we will pick up the pace and catch up. Out"

"Springer, we are moving." He called back to his spotter. He stood up quickly and looked behind him, his teammate was about 50 meters behind him, standing up and trotting his towards him. Maine waved his hand and turned to the source of the battle.