# The Academy - On The Mountain

Author: SrA havenofimage
Tags: Bear, Bird, Fox, Military, Mission, Snow Leopard, marten, spy

#8 of The Academy

 

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I pulled out the map we had been handed and flattened it out on a large boulder.&nbsp; The two points were highlighted, but there were no trails marked.&nbsp; The only indicated path was a small access road which I immediately ruled out.&nbsp; The weather station was an extremely defensible position.&nbsp; It sat above tree line, and was built into the mountain side.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; Unfortunately, that side of the mountain was guarded by sheer cliffs.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hey Trestan, how much do you think you can lift?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He looked down to see where my finger was tracing a line on the map and got my point.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I might be able to carry someone like Curry or Lewis, but probably not you or Simmons, and defiantly not Tank."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Well then, who's up for a climb?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I laid out my plan for the others.&nbsp; I still wasn't sure what we would do once we got there.&nbsp; But, we had a few days to plan that.&nbsp; They agreed.&nbsp; We would inspect the cliff face and if it looked too impassable, we would take the short hike around front and rethink the assault.&nbsp; 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.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; Trestan, who had the best eyes, took point.&nbsp; I walked behind him watching the left.&nbsp; Jessica followed me guarding the right, then Tank who also watched left.&nbsp; Teague brought up the rear, covering our six.&nbsp; In this way, we moved silently through the trees for five hours.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We reached a small clearing by a spring and decided to stop for lunch.&nbsp; Rather than breaking into our limited quantity of MREs, I brought out the apples I had taken this morning.&nbsp; We sat there eating, the sun now high above our heads, surrounded by the smell of pine trees and hot granite.&nbsp; We talked quietly as we ate.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tank spoke up, "I've been thinking."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Sounds difficult."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Oh ha ha.&nbsp; Why don't we take the bunker at night, when it's dark, and most of the inhabitants will be asleep.&nbsp; 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?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I was thinking the same thing." This from Jessica. "Why don't we find a good base of operations today?&nbsp; Spend all day tomorrow scouting, and then..."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We all fell silent.&nbsp; The others must have heard it too.&nbsp; I had distinctly heard the sound of a careless foot breaking a branch.&nbsp; I pulled out my rifle.&nbsp; I motioned Teague and Jessica to the left and right.&nbsp; Trestan walked with me straight towards the sound. Tank stayed behind, rifle in one hand, pistol in the other, guarding the gear. &nbsp;I kept my gun leveled, eyes sweeping left and right.&nbsp; Trestan held up a hand in the stopping gesture.&nbsp; Then I saw it.&nbsp; An ACU clad coyote was creeping towards the location of our camp, unaware of our presence.&nbsp; I was about to aim my rifle and say something when Jessica burst from cover and tackled the usurper.&nbsp; I ran forward and covered him as Teague retrieved his weapon.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "He's from one of the junior squads."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I slid his sidearm from its holster, laughing inwardly at the expression of fear on his face.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What are you doing?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Please, my commander told me to find you guys and find out your plan.&nbsp; Let me go, I won't tell them anything."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That wasn't a risk I was willing to take.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What should we do with him?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Well, we can't let him go back.&nbsp; And I'm not dragging him off this mountain so..."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I leveled my rifle and shot him once in the neck.&nbsp; The puff of compressed air barely audible over the forest noises.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Teague bent down to collect his radio and canteen.&nbsp; Other than that, he had been traveling light and had no more useful equipment.&nbsp; Teague called in his location to the chopper for pickup.&nbsp; Trestan striped his ammunition and we left him to go check on Tank.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We walked back to our gear to find Tank still standing there.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What was it?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "An upper classman spy."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "There you go," called Jessica as she tossed Tank the spare rifle.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After that, we decided to move on.&nbsp; I collected my gear, fell back into line, and we resumed our trek.&nbsp; Before sundown, Trestan spotted a small grotto of boulders.&nbsp; I joined him to examine the place.&nbsp; The rocks were the remnants of some ancient slide and all of them were easily over ten feet tall.&nbsp; They rested against each other so there was one way in and out.&nbsp; I figured a better spot to work out of couldn't be found.&nbsp; I went back to get the rest of the squad and we set up camp.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We rotated watch that night.&nbsp; I had second watch and soon Teague was waking me up.&nbsp; I climbed atop the largest boulder and stat there watching the surrounding forest.&nbsp; There were no more disturbances though and I woke up Tank three.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The next day, I stayed at camp with Teague and Jessica.&nbsp; Trestan had left while it was still dark so he could get high above the compound without being spotted.&nbsp; Tank had also gone to scout.&nbsp; He was going to sit below the tree line and look for anything that Trestan couldn't see from the sky.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; For being so large, Tank could hide himself extremely well.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I spent the day practicing with the new gun.&nbsp; Soon I could arc the round to pick off a pinecone a hundred yards away.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; I returned to the ring of boulders the find Jessica on one side, tampering with the captured radio.&nbsp; I relieved Teague who was on lookout.&nbsp; He dropped to the ground and began doing something with a cartridge for his pistol.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I pulled out my radio.&nbsp; "Tank what's your status?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "No movement from the other squads, wait..."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "A sophomore was sneaking by, but I think they have a sniper, cause he went down pretty fast.&nbsp; There are more coming, I have to go."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Trestan, do you have eyes on Tank?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "No, but I see the disturbance.&nbsp; There's a group of cadets moving up the slope in V formation.&nbsp; They've stopped.&nbsp; They're going back, I think they know what happened."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Alright, let me know if you see anything else."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Roger."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I put down the handheld and went to my pack.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Got it!" exclaimed Jessica.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I looked at her curiously.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I've boosted this radio so we can pick up the communications from the weather station.&nbsp; Hold up"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "So it's confirmed?&nbsp; Yes, two squads have been eliminated.&nbsp; Alright, any other news. No, anything on your end? &nbsp;We had one guy run by but Ramon got him.&nbsp; Alright, keep us informed, Reese out."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I sat on top of the rock ring, listening to the radio for the rest of the day.&nbsp; I didn't learn much but we could keep track of guard rotations.&nbsp; Two of the four squads had already been eliminated and the fourth down a man.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In the afternoon, Jessica relieved me and I slid off the rock to join Teague.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hey Kirian, check this out." He said after a while.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I walked over to him.&nbsp; He held out a mass of duct tape wrapped around a strange contraption containing the air cartridge.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What the hell is this supposed to be?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "It's a grenade.&nbsp; The narcotic from the darts requires large doses when injected, but is extremely potent when inhaled."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "So."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "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."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Brilliant."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "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."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Stand to, I've got movement." Jessica whispered from above my head.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I grabbed my rifle and looked out from a small opening under the rocks.&nbsp; Teague took the entrance.&nbsp; I waited for a minute and then saw a large from coming straight for our encampment.&nbsp; I switched off the safety.&nbsp; It stepped out of the woods and I recognized Tank.&nbsp; I still didn't relax my grip on the rifle.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hey," he whispered, "any one got a toothbrush?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I let out my breath.&nbsp; To some that statement might sound like gibberish, but to us, it meant all clear.&nbsp; If he hadn't used the word toothbrush, it would mean that he was under enemy control and that we should stay on guard.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "No but we have a coke."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tank lowered his weapon and came up to the camp as I extricated myself.&nbsp; I pulled out my radio.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Trestan, what's your six?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There was a short pause.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Coming in fast with a stolen toothbrush."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Roger that, there's cold coke waiting for you."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I turned my rifle to the sky and searched for him.&nbsp; A small dot appeared above us.&nbsp; It rapidly grew into Trestan's diving form, wings locked to his sides.&nbsp; 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.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Show off."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What do you guys got?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The two scouts told us everything they had found.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; There were seven, possibly eight defenders in the bunker, and a sniper and spotter on the roof.&nbsp; The doors were covered by cameras.&nbsp; The only time anyone ever left the building was when the snipers rotated themselves out.&nbsp; Trestan said that the rear approach was a difficult climb, but worth it.&nbsp; There was still snow on the upper slopes which would give me cover.&nbsp; Also, both of the teams who had been eliminated had attacked from the front.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Where do the defenders usually stay?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tank answered.&nbsp; "From what I saw, there is never fewer than six in the main room watching monitors and out the windows.&nbsp; Their weapons are all more powerful than ours though."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hopefully this will be a close quarters fight and that won't be an issue."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I was beginning to form a plan.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Teague, show the other's what you made."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Teague explained his knockout grenades.&nbsp; Trestan and Tank were intrigued.&nbsp; I sat, listening to radio chatter.&nbsp; I occasionally picked up stuff from the remaining squad, it sounded like they were having troubles though.&nbsp; They shouldn't be too much of a threat.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Let's get some sleep guys.&nbsp; We have a long journey ahead of us."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I took first watch that night so I could keep thinking about my plan.&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; That might just work.&nbsp; If the information and my assumptions were correct, we might just be able to pull this off.

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/RnodOYA1
Part of the series The Academy
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