Operation Termite Hill

Bloodshed

"Heh, rumor has spread about you guys." Dragonmoriv played with his toothpick in his mouth. "Now I know it's true!" Dragonmoriv laughed, "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." He smiled, winking and looked away.

Bruce and I sat down, checking our guns and testing our radios. One by one, each man hopped inside the helicopter. Malaika stood behind the M134 which was mounted to the floor, holding it out the open chopper door. I put on my headphones, resting my head against Bruce as he draped his arm over my shoulders. The helicopter blades whirred faintly, my music mostly drowned everything out. I tapped my foot, humming slightly. I almost fell asleep from staring out into the vast beyond, looking at that starry sky. Even in the dark sky, you could see the rivers of smoke brushing it's fingers against the starry sky.

"What the-" I spoke, taking off my headphones. "Why are they burning things...?"

"The Tajiks," Niel replied, "they are burning dead soldier's bodies to make us fear them. They sometimes even burn piles of them. I'd prepare for anything to happen. Anything. Last time they burned soldiers, everyone went all out. We had orders to not shoot women or children, almost everyone that was shooting at us were women and children. Everyone thinks we're the bad guys, anyone will do anything to protect themselves."

"Wow..." Bruce looked around, pulling me closer. I looked up at him, but he was facing the open door where Malaika stood. I put back on my headphones, laying against Bruce again.

We flew for about an hour before we got to the real city, and it was insane. Huge skyscrapers reached into the sky, Duskana was terrifying really at heart. The tall buildings that were falling apart, the dirty streets, the darkness eating up everything in its way. It didn't help that the floor was blanketed with thick, thick fog. You could even see from the helicopter. Malaika got off the M134, tying ropes on the helicopters landing skids. This was the scary part, sliding down the rope. Last time we tried this in boot camp I fell down the wooden wall, dislocating three of my fingers. The Navy Corpsman rearranged them, then said I was good to go. But this fall, I would definitely die.

"Let's go boys!! Goodluck!! I'll be out here waiting!!" Niel yelled over the chopper blades. We all walked over to the open choppr door, standing there. Malaika grabbed the M134, strapping it to his back and sliding down first. Dragonmoriv followed his actions, then it went Soto, Lazaro, and Maxwell. McLoughlin stayed in the seat next to Neil, directing him on what to do. Bruce shuddered as he saw the rope, then jumped down, gripping the rope tightly. He grabbed the side of the door, and swung himself outwards, then let go and grabbed the rope. No way, I don't have the guts to do that. But, if Bruce did, why can't I? Oh god, what am I doing?

There I went, following Bruce's actions a little differently. I stood backwards on the edge of the chopper and hopped backwards slightly. I grabbed the rope, slowly skidding myself to a stop, lowering myself slightly. Once I finally got comfortable the rope shook aggressively. I gritted my teeth together, using all my strength to stay on that rope. Bullets whizzed past, and Niel screamed words that were quite... colorful. Someone was shooting at us, and I was still at the top of the rope. I lowered myself quicker, hearing everyone call out my name and holding out their arms.

"Malachi! Hurry!!!!" Bruce screamed, standing at the end of the rope. The helicopter began moving, and I gripped lightly on the rope, sliding down very quickly. Bruce grabbed me right before my feet hit the ground, and if they did, I'd have two broken legs. The helicopter flew right over the city, and black smoke puffed out of the cockpit. The helicopter flew downwards fast, and Niel screamed over the radio.

"Helo thirty-three going down!! We can't get the buckles loose!! Crap!!" A large explosion came from the middle of the city, and the radio went static. The black smoke filled the air with the smell of metal, then gas. The bullets resumed firing, and Malaika stood in front of all of us, firing rapidly at all the buildings in front of us. Dragonmoriv lifted up his M1903A4 Springfield, and stood for about thirty seconds. I raised my gun, but Bruce shook his head. Malaika stopped firing as he saw Dragonmoriv, and gave him some space. Dragonmoriv breathed in and out slowly, then once he froze, pulled the trigger. The noise that bullet made once it left the gun was earsplitting, but Dragonmoriv smiled.