Fire from the ground

Joel double checked his load out and ran down the hall to gather his men and to meet up at the designated point.

"Johnson get your boys out to the division HQ, the attack came from inside the base so we are using that to consolidate our forces"

"understood first sergeant." Joel responded

"Oh and Johnson, if I should fall I've made it known you will be in charge"

Joel nodded and ran to the up armored vehicles and gave the signal to mount up. Joel put on his headset and called on the radio. "All Blue elements head to Division in a staggered column, order of march 2, 3, 1, 6, 4, 5. keep your eyes open, weapon status is free. give me a green 2 when we are ready."

"blue 6 this is blue 1, any word on what's happening, the 6 didnt give me jack"

"blue 1 this is blue 6, let's just say some really fucked up creatures infiltrated the base and now we need to put boot to ass sir."

"This is blue 2 Alpha section is green 2."

"This is blue 4 Bravo section is green 2"

"Alright Raptors let's roll out"

Blue 3 broke the ready silence first "Contact Front left out." These 4 words were followed by the sound of the laser rifle firing rapidly.

"everybody stay alert dont let anything get close unless it is identified as one of our own." Joel said on the radio as he saw the strange hound thing die. He could finally see the division. he pulled out his binos to take a better look and what he saw shook him to his core. The division building was on fire and surrounded by what looked like skeletons and other creatures that looked hellish.

Joel quickly changed to company net

"Any station this net, this is raptor 6 sitrep"

He said this 2 more times before giving up. By that time the sound of his platoon engaging enemies became constant. He knew they would be overrun fast if he didnt do something. He switched back to his platoon radio.

"All stations this is 6, Head for the west gate, we are making a b line for the elfian border, hopefully they held out better, take no chances." Joel hoped he was making the right decision but he knew he couldnt keep his team here. All the trucks reported their acknowledgment. Then Joel heard a familiar voice that he wasnt sure he hear again.

"Any station this net this is Div 5, I have Div 6 and a Liberian from the 12th group. We are headed towards the west gate and need escort." Joel's eyes lit up

"Div 5 this is raptor 6, my platoon and I are already headed that way, we will link up on 5th street and carry on out the mission"

"Raptor 6, Div 5 good to hear your voice hun, I'm glad it will be you, we will see you in 10. Div 5 out" My crew on my truck all looked at me until Joel shook his head. He lost himself in thought worrying about his soldiers and the woman that he had a forbidden love for. He pulled out a maybe and started studying it and decided to call up the lt on the radio.

"1 this is 6 you got your map out?"

"6, 1, yeah I have it out I'm thinking we take the fastest route to the border"

"1 I disagree it would be the first place our guest would block off. Do you see that small side trail that goes by Mountain top 508 and lake terrace?"

"Good point 6 and I see it I think you are right, but we need to discuss a rest work cycle at our first stop. When we come out the gate we will go immediately north and stop in that forest with the old bunkers that is about 8 klicks up the roud."

"Sounds good 1, Raptors when we meet up with Div they will squeeze in between myself and the 1." The platoon acknowledged their leaders and kept fighting their way out. What usually would take 15 mins to do took an hour. Once they got off the base the fighting lessened. Jets and bombers could be heard over head as they bombed the base.

"I guess eastern command chalked the base up as a loss." CSM Cobb said over the radio. No one replied, many of the soldiers lost freinds and lovers this day and were heartbroken or pissed. Even Joel felt the tug of emotions but he knew he had to swallow it and show nothing but strength so as to encourage his men to keep going. Joel had always been a strong believer in leading from the front and his platoons mission success rate showed how well it worked. The upper echelon always chose his team for the hardest missions because they new if anyone could do it it was them. They were never referred to by numbers, no they had earned the right to be called Raptors. Actually an enemy force had given them that nickname because of how fast and deadly they were. By 0200 they had made the designated bunker stop. The men looked exhausted. Joel called over the radio.

"All NCO's pull gaurd and send your men to bed. Section sergeants on me. Remember to keep good noise and light discipline." After saying this he dismounted his truck and had his crew inventory the truck and get some sleep.

CSM Cobb walked up about the same time as everyone else. She gave Joel a concerned look. He paid her mind at the moment. Joel had shoved all his feelings away when it was time to work. He began to speak.

"Alright ladies and gentlemen today was a shit show. But now we need to head to saftey the route there is 500 Kilometers. which non stop will take 2 days." Joel waited for everything to sink in.