{"sf1_id":127103,"sf2_id":"RnodOYA1","title":"The Academy - On The Mountain","author":"SrA havenofimage","words":2007,"posted_at":"2010-02-20T15:28:00.000Z","tags":["Bear","Bird","Fox","Military","Mission","Snow Leopard","marten","spy"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/127103-the-academy-on-the-mountain","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/RnodOYA1","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/97/1d/971dc34c-a92f-49a6-9ba8-3826330daca7","description":"#8 of The Academy\n\n ","content":"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I pulled out the map we had been handed and flattened it out on a large boulder.\u0026nbsp; The two points were highlighted, but there were no trails marked.\u0026nbsp; The only indicated path was a small access road which I immediately ruled out.\u0026nbsp; The weather station was an extremely defensible position.\u0026nbsp; It sat above tree line, and was built into the mountain side.\u0026nbsp; The only approach I saw, other than a two hundred foot dash across an open field of fire, was from the opposite side of the peak, and attack from behind and above.\u0026nbsp; Unfortunately, that side of the mountain was guarded by sheer cliffs.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey Trestan, how much do you think you can lift?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He looked down to see where my finger was tracing a line on the map and got my point.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I might be able to carry someone like Curry or Lewis, but probably not you or Simmons, and defiantly not Tank.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well then, who's up for a climb?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I laid out my plan for the others.\u0026nbsp; I still wasn't sure what we would do once we got there.\u0026nbsp; But, we had a few days to plan that.\u0026nbsp; They agreed.\u0026nbsp; We would inspect the cliff face and if it looked too impassable, we would take the short hike around front and rethink the assault.\u0026nbsp; I drew in what I thought to be the best rout up the mountain, we shouldered our packs, slung our rifles and headed out in a ranger file.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We didn't know what was in the woods around us, or if we would run into any enemy patrols, but we didn't take any chances.\u0026nbsp; Trestan, who had the best eyes, took point.\u0026nbsp; I walked behind him watching the left.\u0026nbsp; Jessica followed me guarding the right, then Tank who also watched left.\u0026nbsp; Teague brought up the rear, covering our six.\u0026nbsp; In this way, we moved silently through the trees for five hours.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We reached a small clearing by a spring and decided to stop for lunch.\u0026nbsp; Rather than breaking into our limited quantity of MREs, I brought out the apples I had taken this morning.\u0026nbsp; We sat there eating, the sun now high above our heads, surrounded by the smell of pine trees and hot granite.\u0026nbsp; We talked quietly as we ate.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Tank spoke up, \"I've been thinking.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Sounds difficult.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Oh ha ha.\u0026nbsp; Why don't we take the bunker at night, when it's dark, and most of the inhabitants will be asleep.\u0026nbsp; I know it's hard for you to travel at night Harper, but since we're already coming in from their blind spot, why not take every advantage possible?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I was thinking the same thing.\" This from Jessica. \"Why don't we find a good base of operations today?\u0026nbsp; Spend all day tomorrow scouting, and then...\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We all fell silent.\u0026nbsp; The others must have heard it too.\u0026nbsp; I had distinctly heard the sound of a careless foot breaking a branch.\u0026nbsp; I pulled out my rifle.\u0026nbsp; I motioned Teague and Jessica to the left and right.\u0026nbsp; Trestan walked with me straight towards the sound. Tank stayed behind, rifle in one hand, pistol in the other, guarding the gear. \u0026nbsp;I kept my gun leveled, eyes sweeping left and right.\u0026nbsp; Trestan held up a hand in the stopping gesture.\u0026nbsp; Then I saw it.\u0026nbsp; An ACU clad coyote was creeping towards the location of our camp, unaware of our presence.\u0026nbsp; I was about to aim my rifle and say something when Jessica burst from cover and tackled the usurper.\u0026nbsp; I ran forward and covered him as Teague retrieved his weapon.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"He's from one of the junior squads.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I slid his sidearm from its holster, laughing inwardly at the expression of fear on his face.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What are you doing?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Please, my commander told me to find you guys and find out your plan.\u0026nbsp; Let me go, I won't tell them anything.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; That wasn't a risk I was willing to take.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What should we do with him?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, we can't let him go back.\u0026nbsp; And I'm not dragging him off this mountain so...\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I leveled my rifle and shot him once in the neck.\u0026nbsp; The puff of compressed air barely audible over the forest noises.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Teague bent down to collect his radio and canteen.\u0026nbsp; Other than that, he had been traveling light and had no more useful equipment.\u0026nbsp; Teague called in his location to the chopper for pickup.\u0026nbsp; Trestan striped his ammunition and we left him to go check on Tank.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We walked back to our gear to find Tank still standing there.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What was it?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"An upper classman spy.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"There you go,\" called Jessica as she tossed Tank the spare rifle.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; After that, we decided to move on.\u0026nbsp; I collected my gear, fell back into line, and we resumed our trek.\u0026nbsp; Before sundown, Trestan spotted a small grotto of boulders.\u0026nbsp; I joined him to examine the place.\u0026nbsp; The rocks were the remnants of some ancient slide and all of them were easily over ten feet tall.\u0026nbsp; They rested against each other so there was one way in and out.\u0026nbsp; I figured a better spot to work out of couldn't be found.\u0026nbsp; I went back to get the rest of the squad and we set up camp.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We rotated watch that night.\u0026nbsp; I had second watch and soon Teague was waking me up.\u0026nbsp; I climbed atop the largest boulder and stat there watching the surrounding forest.\u0026nbsp; There were no more disturbances though and I woke up Tank three.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The next day, I stayed at camp with Teague and Jessica.\u0026nbsp; Trestan had left while it was still dark so he could get high above the compound without being spotted.\u0026nbsp; Tank had also gone to scout.\u0026nbsp; He was going to sit below the tree line and look for anything that Trestan couldn't see from the sky.\u0026nbsp; More importantly, he was there to watch out for any of the other squads trying to make a quick go and beat the rest of us.\u0026nbsp; For being so large, Tank could hide himself extremely well.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I spent the day practicing with the new gun.\u0026nbsp; Soon I could arc the round to pick off a pinecone a hundred yards away.\u0026nbsp; Hopefully we would be in close quarters and I wouldn't have to rely in that shot, but it was good to know that I could if we needed it.\u0026nbsp; I returned to the ring of boulders the find Jessica on one side, tampering with the captured radio.\u0026nbsp; I relieved Teague who was on lookout.\u0026nbsp; He dropped to the ground and began doing something with a cartridge for his pistol.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I pulled out my radio.\u0026nbsp; \"Tank what's your status?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No movement from the other squads, wait...\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"A sophomore was sneaking by, but I think they have a sniper, cause he went down pretty fast.\u0026nbsp; There are more coming, I have to go.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Trestan, do you have eyes on Tank?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No, but I see the disturbance.\u0026nbsp; There's a group of cadets moving up the slope in V formation.\u0026nbsp; They've stopped.\u0026nbsp; They're going back, I think they know what happened.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Alright, let me know if you see anything else.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Roger.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I put down the handheld and went to my pack.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Got it!\" exclaimed Jessica.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I looked at her curiously.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I've boosted this radio so we can pick up the communications from the weather station.\u0026nbsp; Hold up\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"So it's confirmed?\u0026nbsp; Yes, two squads have been eliminated.\u0026nbsp; Alright, any other news. No, anything on your end? \u0026nbsp;We had one guy run by but Ramon got him.\u0026nbsp; Alright, keep us informed, Reese out.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I sat on top of the rock ring, listening to the radio for the rest of the day.\u0026nbsp; I didn't learn much but we could keep track of guard rotations.\u0026nbsp; Two of the four squads had already been eliminated and the fourth down a man.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; In the afternoon, Jessica relieved me and I slid off the rock to join Teague.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey Kirian, check this out.\" He said after a while.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I walked over to him.\u0026nbsp; He held out a mass of duct tape wrapped around a strange contraption containing the air cartridge.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What the hell is this supposed to be?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"It's a grenade.\u0026nbsp; The narcotic from the darts requires large doses when injected, but is extremely potent when inhaled.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"So.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"So, using an air cartridge, and the tranquilizer from three darts, it will effectively work as a smoke grenade that sprays a fine mist of the knockout juice into the air.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Brilliant.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I was only able to make two because it requires the spring from a ball point pen, but it should help when the time comes to infiltrate.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Stand to, I've got movement.\" Jessica whispered from above my head.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I grabbed my rifle and looked out from a small opening under the rocks.\u0026nbsp; Teague took the entrance.\u0026nbsp; I waited for a minute and then saw a large from coming straight for our encampment.\u0026nbsp; I switched off the safety.\u0026nbsp; It stepped out of the woods and I recognized Tank.\u0026nbsp; I still didn't relax my grip on the rifle.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey,\" he whispered, \"any one got a toothbrush?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I let out my breath.\u0026nbsp; To some that statement might sound like gibberish, but to us, it meant all clear.\u0026nbsp; If he hadn't used the word toothbrush, it would mean that he was under enemy control and that we should stay on guard.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No but we have a coke.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Tank lowered his weapon and came up to the camp as I extricated myself.\u0026nbsp; I pulled out my radio.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Trestan, what's your six?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; There was a short pause.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Coming in fast with a stolen toothbrush.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Roger that, there's cold coke waiting for you.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I turned my rifle to the sky and searched for him.\u0026nbsp; A small dot appeared above us.\u0026nbsp; It rapidly grew into Trestan's diving form, wings locked to his sides.\u0026nbsp; Just when I though he was sure to smash into the ground, he flared his wings and landed softly in the middle of our holdout.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Show off.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What do you guys got?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The two scouts told us everything they had found.\u0026nbsp; From what they had seen, and I had heard, the structure had one main room, a kitchen, bathroom, small bunk, and a second back room where the captive was supposedly being held.\u0026nbsp; There were seven, possibly eight defenders in the bunker, and a sniper and spotter on the roof.\u0026nbsp; The doors were covered by cameras.\u0026nbsp; The only time anyone ever left the building was when the snipers rotated themselves out.\u0026nbsp; Trestan said that the rear approach was a difficult climb, but worth it.\u0026nbsp; There was still snow on the upper slopes which would give me cover.\u0026nbsp; Also, both of the teams who had been eliminated had attacked from the front.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Where do the defenders usually stay?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Tank answered.\u0026nbsp; \"From what I saw, there is never fewer than six in the main room watching monitors and out the windows.\u0026nbsp; Their weapons are all more powerful than ours though.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hopefully this will be a close quarters fight and that won't be an issue.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I was beginning to form a plan.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Teague, show the other's what you made.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Teague explained his knockout grenades.\u0026nbsp; Trestan and Tank were intrigued.\u0026nbsp; I sat, listening to radio chatter.\u0026nbsp; I occasionally picked up stuff from the remaining squad, it sounded like they were having troubles though.\u0026nbsp; They shouldn't be too much of a threat.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Let's get some sleep guys.\u0026nbsp; We have a long journey ahead of us.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I took first watch that night so I could keep thinking about my plan.\u0026nbsp; Yes.\u0026nbsp; That might just work.\u0026nbsp; If the information and my assumptions were correct, we might just be able to pull this off.\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"The Academy","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/126964-the-academy-a-new-challenge.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/127198-the-academy-assault.json"}}