The Memorial Day Murders

Chapter 16 : Purpose

Years ago

The Chinook flew across the night skies, heading towards the unknown country that we will be deployed. The six of us were finally briefed on the purpose of this team's assembly by General George Duncan. Code named Elite Alpha our team is assembled under his watchful eye but we did not expect that the President is one of the several brains behind this team. The people that assembled the team are some pretty important people from the Department of Defense besides the White House. This is an initiative between the governments involved in the war in Afghanistan which the six of us were informed. We weren't sure that the South Koreans were informed about this team but judging from General Byun's attitude I believed that they have been informed, probably by both the lieutenant general and general. "Isabella, a moment please?" the lieutenant general said.

"Of course sir." I said, standing up from my seat and walked with him to the rear of the transport helicopter. "Is something wrong sir?"

"Duncan and I got a call from the Pentagon just now." he replied. "The Pentagon, including the defense secretary, had a meeting with the president in the White House."

"Something to do with our team?" I asked.

"They decided to send us back to Burqa and head down to the town just north."

"The town? Why?"

"Pentagon got word of a Taliban group camping not far from the town."

"Taliban? How much?" I asked.

"They estimated more than a hundred Taliban fighters would be there."

"How do I factor into this?" I asked.

"The joint chiefs did a complete analysis of the situation. The president ordered our deployment there."

"Sir. You haven't answered my question." I said, folding my arms.

"The president requested that you and Dominic take up leadership in the operation to take out the Taliban fighters."

"Why me?" I asked. "I mean... Dominic can do a better job than me."

"The Pentagon is still in awe about your tale of survival lieutenant." the lieutenant general said, now looking at me sternly. "Your story has reached the White House. The president is very impressed upon your survival skills. He made the decision to put you and Dom in charge."

"Guess that I can't call the president directly." I said, shaking my head. "What about you two?"

"You two will be commanding in the field." he replied. "We on the other hand will provide backup."

"Shouldn't you be telling Dominic as well sir?"

"I'll tell him later." he said. Then we went back as the Chinook begins it's descend. Dawn started to break as the Chinook finally touched down. The ramp dropped and we're shocked to be welcomed back to our own military base. Shouldering our firearms we glanced at the military base which is starting to stir. The South Korean team seemed enthusiastic as per our knowledge they have never been deployed to Afghanistan before. Brian is in charge of his team but sorry for him I and Dom are the ones calling the shots. Dom was a corporal in another base before he was transferred to Burqa and received a promotion due to an unspecified mission during the time the company I'm a part in was taken out by the Taliban fighters who bombed the town with IEDs, trapping me in the town. Now, he is known as Lieutenant Dominic Hayes.

"Home sweet home." Dominic said as we stepped out from the Chinook and onto the airfield of Burqa Military Base. Several commanders drilling their own troops took notice and nodded at us. Every base has their own ace and for us is Lieutenant General Gerald Forest and General George Duncan. But before we can settle down for breakfast or anything we were called for another meeting.

"Patrol duty for you two, lieutenants." the lieutenant general ordered when we arrived at the recently vacated tarmac.

"Yes sir." I replied.

"Of course sir." Dom replied. A few minutes later we have already left the base and is now walking on the grounds. At a distance not far from us several desert foxes paced on their own volition while some fighter jets soared over the skies.

"I thought it's a no fly zone." I said, frowning.

"Dunno." Dom said. "Heard that our team will be partnering with the RAF as well."

"Serious?" I asked.

"Yeah, said that they're sending in SAS troops to fight alongside us."

"Did LGF told you anything about the op we're in?" I asked.

"I was hoping you would tell me." he replied.

"Well, LGF told me the brains behind this whole op. You won't believe who's behind this."

"George Duncan did mention that The Pentagon's involved."

"More than that however, the White House is involved."

"What? Even the White House?" he said.

"Crazy, right?" I asked.

"Kinda. From what I heard, some ops are supervised by the President himself."

"Including this one." I replied.

"So... um... can I ask you a personal question Isa?"

"What?" I asked.

"How many of your family members are in the military?"

"My grandfather was a Korean and Vietnam War vet and I have three uncles in the military." I replied.

"A Vietnam War vet huh?" he said. "He must've been a hardcore soldier. My dad said that South Koreans lent a hand in the battles."

"He's a Marine." I replied.

"My dad's an Air Force pilot." he said. "Shame that they didn't meet." We reached a point not far from the base and took a knee. "Everything seemed fine it seems." he remarked, drinking from his canteen.

"Hey, we're near Taliban territory Dom. Better not let your guard down." I said while checking the ammo of my carbine rifle.

"Oh yeah." he then added. "Your ammo good?"

"Yeah." Then not far from our location we heard a distant rumble, a military jeep driving on the sands. "Dom? Is that-"

"Oh shit!" he said. "That's a stolen jeep."

"What?" I asked. Before I can take a look at the jeep it rushed towards our direction, attempting to ram us into the ground. "Taliban!" I shouted. We hid behind a large sand dune, a common formation due to the local geography as the fighters I assumed to be Taliban fighters, opened fire.