#5, past

Iraq,20--,time 1300(1pm) "Holy shit!!!" Matt shouts as ducks to cover, bullets pass above his head with a supersonic crack. His squad mate replies with a grim expression "sniper" he says. The squad leader orders " suppressive fire", as he points to the building from where the sniper was spotted, at least a block away. The machinegunner lays hate while the others retreats to a house. "More hostiles south side of your position" the comms cracks to life."Call for CAS ¹" orders the squadleader as the radioman complies. "CAS inbound, ETA 6 minutes" said the radioman as snaps of bullets hit the wall. Matt sighs with relief knowing that they are now essentially saved, or so he thought. A marine shouts "frag!!!" as the same marine dives to the grenade, covering it with his body. BOOMM!!!! The brave marine's sacrifice saved most of many, leaving two badly injured. Blood continued to flow as the corpsman does his best to save the injured. Matt stands up visibly shook as he watches the corpsman do his best, but then he's head snaps back and falls on top of the marine he was treating with a hole on his forehead. "Man down" Matt shouts as the sound of blackjacks entensify. (back to the present) "We need to get away from here" said Matt as he scans the the surrounding area, filled with clearings and trees at the distance. "Our horses are dead" replies Aliathra she looks at the front of the carriage. " I could help you! If only you answer my question to the best of your abilities" offers Matt. "A fair deal" said Aliathra as she stands with the help of Irys."But we won't get far" said the dwarf. "We will" Matt replies as he walks back to his pick up. he jumps to the driver seat. The strong v-8 engine roars to life. The three stood still, bewildered as Matt drives his pickup forward. The dwarf starts to jump up and down like a child as the metal construct purrs as it moves forward. Matt stops, as he helps the ladies to the back seat and the twitching dwarf to the front passenger seat. . Noon 1300, miles away from the battle. Forrest's edge

"This construct you call "pickup" rides rather marvelously, may I take it of your hands?"

Aliathra said as she tries to open the door. Instead presses the wrong one lowering the window.

"Search near further you'll find a silver lever that looks like a hook, and NO!! Matt replies with humour.

"Aah, such a shame"said Aliathra as she changes the topic.

"We need to make a shelter" mumbles as he searches the back of the truck.

"I'll handle the fire" the dwarf who's name is still not known as Matt forgot to ask and no thanks to the ladies who call him dwarf.

As Matt nails the last stake to the ground and tying a piece of 5-fifty chord.Finishing a simple A-frame shelter strung between two trees.

The dwarf returns with a big bundle of firewood, bigger than his size which is almost comical.

He walks near the shelter, sets the bundle down and begins to kneel both arms stretched forward palms open then starts to chant.

"What the sh*t hot hocus pocus is he doing" Matt weakly spoke. But then a small pit starts to form then clear water slowly fills it up.

"Aah" said the dwarf as he drank.

"Do any of you know how to hunt" Matt asks the group"

"Do not worry" said the dwarf as he unties a pouch from his belt.

You have one of those" asks Aliathra with a bit of surprise.

"Hehe, got from our last trip to the dwarven kingdom" he said as he pulls out a bottle of wine from the pouch.