Falling Through Time: Basking in Firelight: Book 2

Through the Lens

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Warnings: Death, Violence, explosions, stuff like that.

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Why Jefferson was always handed a sniper, he didn't know. Was it his steady aim? It's not like his eyesight was all that great, he had glasses but he didn't need them all the time. Maybe it was being able to read a battlefield just like he could read which way a vote was going to go. Or maybe Hamilton just trusted him with his life, doubtful.

Jefferson had come through the first time when Hamilton and Laurens had just reached the tank and that soldier popped up out of nowhere. Jefferson took him down without a moment's hesitation.

Madison being a sniper made sense, the guy was too sick to be able to do much else, but he had deadly aim and killer instinct. Jefferson, on the other hand, could probably walk into a gunfight with a knife and still come out on top. Maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration. He didn't really mind being in the sniper position, just curious why he wasn't in a more dangerous one.

His scope traveled along the battlefield, they were waiting for Washington's distraction.

BOOM

A tank round exploded into the forest. That'll do it.

They had spent the first hour or so scouting out the weakest point in the enemy lines. It was a barricade, meant to hold back rebel forces. They couldn't just choose any random spot, it had to be a strong point. The weakest strong point. Trying to sneak out through the forest would just get everyone into an ambush. They had to take out a sizable chunk, break the circle. Kinda like when Jefferson picked up Burr so Hamilton and Jefferson could escape. This was the same concept, except instead of a small man that was just trying to keep Jefferson safe, it was a type of command post where there were dozens of guards set on killing him.

Really livens things up.

Movement. Enemy soldiers scurried for radios, trying to estimate the damage that was done to their ranks on the front lines. Washington struck a point three post down, drawing all the reinforcements there. Jefferson watched as people scrambled, shouting out orders. A small squad of soldiers disappeared into the trees heading to the post under fire.

BOOM

Washington launched another round. Good, keep 'em coming General. Any moment now, Hamilton and the others should be on the move. There. Jefferson saw a streak of camo zip along the fence line. Which group was it? They had split into three groups, Madison and Jefferson, the snipers, Hamilton and Laurens, Peggy and Mulligan, then Lafayette and Burr. Jefferson studied the figures of the two he had spotted, one was tall and the other short, both male. That would be Burr and Lafayette then. They moved stealthily, slipping into the makeshift compound with ease. Their surroundings were clear so Jefferson scanned for the others. There, two short males were sneaking in on the opposite end of the compound, Hamilton and Laurens.  They were also clear. Good. Just one team left to spot. It only took Jefferson a moment before he saw Peggy and Mulligan coming up the middle.

Everyone was accounted for. Jefferson watched the surroundings closely. A soldier approached Hamilton's position. He saw the two shrink into the shadows. Jefferson was only to fire if absolutely necessary. They didn't want to raise any alarms. The soldier stalked right by Hamilton's and Laurens' position, he let out his breath.  Jefferson switched to Mulligan and Peggy, a soldier rounded a corner and practically ran into them. Shit. Mulligan grabbed his face, covering his mouth before he could shout, Peggy kicked him where it would hurt most and then snatched the pistol away as his grip slackened. Mulligan jerk the poor guy's head to the side, slung the limp body over his shoulder and hid him in the bushes. Jefferson quickly moved on, checking on Burr and Lafayette. It took him a moment to spot them, they were so well concealed. Mental note, Burr is a sneaky little fuck.

The three groups quickly and quietly approached the target. Jefferson clicked his vision to thermal as they all broke inside the building, lugging the heavy backpacks with them. Everyone was now red shapes to Jefferson, but at least he could see in the building. This would be so much easier if he had x-ray vision.

The red blobs ran around the compound, hiding in closets Jefferson couldn't see but could guess because a soldier would walk right by them and not notice. This went on until finally, the three groups were climbing back out of the building in various ways. Windows, doors, whatever happened to available. Hamilton's team went for the radio tower while the other two went along the perimeter. Then they were all racing back to the cover of the trees.

Everything was going smoothly.

Jefferson watched the groups until they each crossed the invisible line that they had picked to let Jefferson and Madison know they could pack up their rifles and meet them at the rendezvous. Jefferson stood, stretching his stiff muscles after lying still for so long, slung his sniper over his shoulder, and took off.

***

Hamilton and the others reached the rendezvous safely and were waiting for Jefferson and Madison to make their appearance, Jefferson should get there first since he was stationed closer. Mulligan and Laurens were slouched against a tree, Peggy was whittling a stick in the branches. Burr stood, leaning against a tree, foot propped up on the bark and arms crossed, but he was smiling. Lafayette was lying on the ground, looking at the stars. Hamilton stood in the middle of the clearing, watching for Jefferson and Madison or any intruders. Each of them had a giant grin plastered across their faces. It felt good to have pulled that suicide mission off. He rubbed his face, accidentally smearing his face paint.

A twig snapped and everyone was instantly on their guard, weapons aimed. A figure emerged from the wood, hands raised, "It's me, don't shoot," Madison said. "I'd rather not have to try and walk back to camp with a bullet wound."

"Glad you made it!" Lafayette smile, clapping Madison on the back.

"Wait a minute," Hamilton said, "Where's Jefferson? He should have been here before you."

Madison looked around, "He's not here?"

"Shit," Hamilton swore, running his hand through his hair.

"You just got mud and face paint all in your hair, that's going to be a bitch to clean out," Jefferson said right in his ear.

"Fuck!" Hamilton jumped, spinning and throwing his fist at Jefferson's face.

Jefferson caught it in his hand easily, "You're guys' perimeter sucks."

"Shit, Jefferson, don't do that!" Hamilton cursed, yanking his hand back.

Jefferson raised his hands in defense, "Okay, okay, sorry. Now shall we finish what we started?"

"Hell yeah!" Laurens said enthusiastically. 

Jefferson pulled off his backpack and retrieved a small package and tossed it to Hamilton. "Your plan, you get the honors."

Hamilton grinned and opened the package as they all turned toward the general direction of the compound. He pulled out a remote, "Here's to hope we planted enough C4," and pushed a button.

Nothing happened. Hamilton pushed the button again. Still nothing. He tried again, jamming his thumb down. Silence.

"Well, shit-"

BOOM

The ground rocked beneath their feet and a massive fireball rose above the tree line. A second later, scorching heat blasted their faces, causing them all to step back and try and block it with their arms.

"I think we used enough C4," Burr commented.

"I think we rose the alarm," Jefferson said.

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