WIP Work in Progress

Robert Winchester June 23, 2340

The nights were brutal in Ordin. Even though the daytime fog cleared up the humidity remained. But it is nice to finally be able to see my own hand in front of me.

I was told to head out with a few other soldiers after we got word of an ambush somewhere in the forest. We were told this is mostly a recovery mission. But I am hoping for better.

"I think we are close to the site," my squad leader said.

I had hoped so. I hated being out in these forests at night. Not only did we have to be on the lookout for the enemy but the odd creatures that like to roam around as well. The last thing I want to do is come across a saber. We took a few more steps before we noticed an arm laying in the bushes.

Thinking that it might be someone in danger, I went to pull the person out.

What I saw will haunt my dreams forever. It was a man but the entire left side of his face was completely blown off. Pieces of his brain were scattered on the ground next to him. Behind him, there were several more bodies. Each man appeared to face a death worse than the last. I was started to see why this was a recovery mission instead of rescue.

As we started to pick up what was left of the fallen men and women, I heard a moan coming from one of the bushes behind me. I grabbed my particle gun prepared to fire.

"Who's there?," I said, a slight shake in my voice. "Come from back there or I'll shoot." But no one moved. The moaning just continued.

I moved closer to the bush with my gun raised ready to fire. When I looked around I saw a woman. She'd been shot.

"Ma'am can you hear me?," I asked bending down beside her to check her wounds.

"Help....," she responded in a low whisper.

"How badly are you hurt?"

"Shot twice....Side....Leg...Can't move..."

"Ok don't worry. I'm a doctor. We'll get you out of here in no time."

I ran back to tell my squad leader I had found a survivor. I put some gauze on her wounds to try to stop some of the bleeding. She'd lost quite a bit of blood. I'm surprised she made it this long. We loaded her up on a stretcher and started to make our way back to camp.

"What's your name?"

"Corporal Samantha Ward"

"Don't worry Cpl. Ward. We'll get you patched up in no time"

"Thank...you...for...coming...," she whispered.

I grabbed her hand and didn't let go until we made it back to camp.