# The Academy - Assault

Author: SrA havenofimage
Tags: Bear, Bird, Fox, Military, Snow Leopard, Story Series, attack, marten, shot

#9 of The Academy

 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The next morning brought overcast skies, and a light misting of rain.&nbsp; I explained my plan to the other squad members.&nbsp; They asked questions, and made suggestions, but soon, they agreed.&nbsp; I reviewed the details and made sure everyone knew their assignment.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We hid our packs in a crevice in one of the rock walls behind us and headed out.&nbsp; The only gear we would need was our weapon, the map, and the radio.&nbsp; We resumed our accent moving silently in the dreary weather.&nbsp; From what I had heard from the enemy coms, they didn't have any patrols, but why take any risks.&nbsp; As we approached the tree line, the mist turned to snow flurries.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The word around us was white, which limited our visibility.&nbsp; We pushed on up the slope, the trees thinning to our left, and passing ever growing cliff faces to our right.&nbsp; We hiked on until we reached the point where we would begin to climb.&nbsp; I examined the sheer rise in front of me.&nbsp; It would be difficult, but not impossible.

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Let's do it."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I leapt onto to rock and began pulling myself up.&nbsp; Trestan flew behind us, ready to catch anyone who fell.&nbsp; Much to my relief, nobody did.&nbsp; I reached one tricky part where I had to pull myself out over a crevasse I had been climbing in.&nbsp; All the rock around me was worn smooth from the wind.&nbsp; I found a hand hold and swung myself up and out.&nbsp; By mid day, my arms were straining with every movement, and my legs shook.&nbsp; I clambered onto a small ledge and sat, waiting for the rest of the squad to join me.&nbsp; I looked down to see nothing but cloud and swirling snow.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After we had all rested, It was back to climbing.&nbsp; But the end was insight.&nbsp; I pushed myself to keep going.&nbsp; Just one more hand hold, just one more.&nbsp; Stretch out your leg, you can reach that crack.&nbsp; Come on, push it.&nbsp; I pulled myself over the top onto a small plateau to find Tank already up there waiting for me.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What took you so long?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The flat we were sitting on was thirty feet below the summit and well shielded from the wind which was starting to pick up.&nbsp; We needed to wait till after nightfall to move, so the squad agreed to spend the rest of the day here.&nbsp; We enjoyed and early dinner of stale MRE crackers, and tube peanut butter.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I listened to the radio.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Bunker to Reese.&nbsp; Go ahead.&nbsp; We had some lizard from Alpha in here, dressed in one of our uniforms.&nbsp; Did you get him?&nbsp; Ya, he's KIA.&nbsp; Alright, that means Alpha is out.&nbsp; So who's left?&nbsp; Just Charlie.&nbsp; Any news on them?&nbsp; No, they called in a dead cadet from Delta on the first day, but other than that, I haven't seen or heard from them.&nbsp; Alright, we'll keep a look out."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "So were the last ones left?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "That's what it sounds like."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We sat high on the mountain, huddled together against the wind and snow.&nbsp; Tank checked his watch.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hey, it's half past eight, time to get moving."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I got up and stretched.&nbsp; The sun was nearly gone now, and the sky was dark grey.&nbsp; We began the much easier climb around the summit and to the decent on the bunker.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I halted the squad as the low, concrete structure came into view.&nbsp; The wind was blocked on this side of the mountain, and the few remaining snowflakes fell in random spirals.&nbsp; I looked down at the bunker for the first time.&nbsp; It seemed the reports had been correct.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It was a small concrete building, partly constructed into the mountain side.&nbsp; There was a large antenna on top.&nbsp; The defenders had rigged an aray of spotlights which illuminated the ground for thirty yards in front of the station.&nbsp; I could just make out two figures lying on the roof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Alright, hand signals from here on out.&nbsp; Let's get into position before the sniper change.&nbsp; Then, I'll eliminate the two on the roof, and that will be your cue to move in.&nbsp; Got it?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I received the okay gesture back.&nbsp; I crept down to a wide snow field, left over from winter.&nbsp; I dropped to my belly and low crawled down to where my targets would be in range.&nbsp; Then it was back to the waiting game.&nbsp; I checked my watch.&nbsp; Nine o-clock, the new guards should be coming out... bingo.&nbsp; I watched as two black clad figures stepped out of a side door.&nbsp; They climbed onto the roof and took their positions.&nbsp; I could hear someone talking, but couldn't make out what was said.&nbsp; It must have been some sort of relief because soon the two who had been up there got up and left.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Alright, game time.&nbsp; It was my job to take out the two on the roof.&nbsp; I would need to shoot them in rapid succession so the alarm wouldn't be raised too soon.&nbsp; I practiced the sweeping motion from target to target a couple times until I thought I had it down.&nbsp; I sighted on the sniper, pulled the trigger, moved to the spotter, and shot again.&nbsp; Two rounds left the muzzle and I saw both guards go limp.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I motioned the squad forward.&nbsp; I then proceeded down the snow sliding most of the way.&nbsp; We regrouped just above the station.&nbsp; Tank took his position above the door, and Teague sat waiting behind a generator.&nbsp; At my signal, Tank slammed the butt of his rifle into the camera above the door.&nbsp; I waited, hoping this would work.&nbsp; The door opened and two of the defenders walked out.&nbsp; In unison Teague shot the first, a collie, and Tank grabbed the second, a squirrel, onto the roof and incapacitated him.&nbsp; Before the door could swing shut, I tossed the grenade I had primed into the room.&nbsp; I heard muffled voices from inside.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What the!?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Then the sound of hissing and whirring as the grenade spun on the ground, spaying its contents into the air.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Teague held up one finger.&nbsp; We waited.&nbsp; He had estimated it would take one minute before it would be safe for us to enter the room.&nbsp; Teague flashed the okay gesture and we moved into position outside of the door.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On the side the door opened on four of us lined up.&nbsp; Teague was in front followed by Jessica, myself and Trestan.&nbsp; Tank stood opposite us, waiting for the signal to open it.&nbsp; I felt Jessica tap my side.&nbsp; I reached back to tap Trestan who returned the motion.&nbsp; I taped Jessica who must have signaled Teague who motioned to Tank.&nbsp; He turned the knob and flung the door open before rolling out of our way.&nbsp; Teague dashed along the wall clearing the room with a sweeping gesture.&nbsp; Jessica ran to the corner opposite the door.&nbsp; I followed the wall to the position across from Teague and Trestan came through the door and sidestepped into the remaining corner.

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tank followed us in.&nbsp; There were three bodies on the ground.&nbsp; A round was shot into each of them, just to make sure we didn't get any surprises.&nbsp; I snatched the radio from the belt on the leader.&nbsp; We lined up at the next door to repeat the procedure.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The next room we came to was a sort of corridor kitchen.&nbsp; There was a bathroom to the right.&nbsp; The door was open, and the light was off, but this wasn't the time to take chances.&nbsp; I pushed on the small LED mounted on my rifle and swept the room.

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; At the end of the room, there were two doors.&nbsp; I motioned to the one straight ahead.&nbsp; Tank stood at it and we tapped up.&nbsp; He wrenched open the door.&nbsp; Before he could get out of the way someone inside the room shouted.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Don't move, or I kill the hostage!"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tank was standing in the door, gun leveled.&nbsp; I was standing in his immense shadow, and gambled that I couldn't be seen from inside the room.&nbsp; I crept around Tank's side and knelt to see around him.&nbsp; The room was full of computers and right in the middle, tied up, gagged and blind folded, playing hostage was... Lewis.&nbsp; I didn't have time to think about this though.&nbsp; Behind him, a black clad panther was holding a gun to his head.&nbsp; I could see his ear and part of his scalp past where he was taking cover behind Lewis.&nbsp; I slowly raised my rifle, took carful aim, and squeezed off a single round.&nbsp; The Panther collapsed.&nbsp; Tank led the way in as we cleared the rest of the room.&nbsp; There was no one else.&nbsp; Jessica went to Lewis and untied him.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I gave him the okay signal, he returned it.&nbsp; We exited the building, reversing the process from earlier.&nbsp; Rule one in room clearing, once a room is clear, it doesn't necessarily stay that way.&nbsp; Trestan lead the team outside, Lewis right on his tail.&nbsp; We were all out, Teague covering our rear when I heard him yell.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "GET DOWN!"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I dove to the ground.&nbsp; Jessica, who was behind me wasn't so fast.&nbsp; I heard her start to shout, but it was cut off as she fell, a dart in her back.&nbsp; We had left one room un-checked.&nbsp; On our way back out, we hadn't remembered to clear the room we had skipped before we found Lewis.&nbsp; Now we were paying for our mistake.&nbsp; I heard Teague open fire.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Trestan!&nbsp; Get the captive out of here!&nbsp; Tank, grab Jessica, we'll cover you!"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I spun on the ground and turned to the door.&nbsp; Teague slammed a fresh clip into his rifle.&nbsp; In unison we opened fire, spraying twin streams of darts into to open doorway.&nbsp; Just to be safe, I tossed in the final grenade.&nbsp; I heard a loud thud as a body hit the floor.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Trestan had taken off with Lewis to our fallback position.&nbsp; I lead Tank who was carrying Jessica and Teague watched our six.&nbsp; We ran through the forest at an adrenaline induced, break neck speed. &nbsp;We quickly reached the clearing we had decided to make the LZ for extraction.&nbsp; Trestan gave the all clear and entered the ring of trees.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Is she okay?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "She'll be fine."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I radioed the chopper for pickup and lit my flare.&nbsp; The pilot landed in the clearing and we loaded Jessica's limp body into the fuselage.&nbsp; I was the last in, ensuring the rest of my team was safe.&nbsp; They talked excitedly about the success of the mission on the ride back.&nbsp; I couldn't join them.&nbsp; I had messed up, and it had got a member of the squad shot.&nbsp; I had betrayed Jessica's trust in me.&nbsp; I can't remember ever feeling this bad at any point in my life.

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/pnG4QjV1
Part of the series The Academy
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