"Okay, plan adjusted." Brutus took a deep breath. "Guess I'll head home, talk to Dr. Caster to let him know I'm not losing my mind. Then maybe do some cardio. Linebackers can't ever have too much of an engine, you know?"
"Enjoy yourself," Morgan said with a gentle smile.
25
LINDA
"Hey Linda, remember what I said about liking this job for the weather?" Orkin said, the truck bucking violently as it crawled down the ruined road, the undercarriage groaning with each bump.
"Sure do." Linda scanned the terrain around them, trying to peer through the mist and rain that was slamming down on them hard and heavy. "Changed your mind?"
"I'd rather be back home," Orkin admitted as he shook his head, trying to clear his vision.
She understood, since landing at the crappy airfield that seemed barely able to handle the C-17 aircraft they'd spent the entire time soaked to the bone in water that was too warm to be called rain. It felt like they were being soaked in tepid tea more than anything else.
Linda gripped her rifle tighter, her senses on high alert. They were exposed, riding in these vehicles like sitting ducks. Every rustle of leaves, every shadow among the hills seemed to hold a threat. A brief image of Brutus flashed in her mind, his concerned face when she'd told him about this deployment, the way he'd held her just a little longer before she left.
The truck, little more than a glorified pickup with chunky tires, was fast and could handle the muddy conditions when heavier vehicles would get bogged down. But one well-placed shot and they'd be in serious trouble.
Still, every person in the convoy was on guard, their weapons at the ready as they scanned the forest and hills that surrounded them for any signs of trouble.
Parker's voice crackled over the comms. "We've got a signal. They're holed up in a village about five kilometers ahead."
"Understood," Orkin replied. "What's the plan?"
"Be prepared to dismount and cover the last two kilometers on foot," Parker answered. "Charlie Six wants?—"
Up ahead shots rang out, and a roaring explosion tore through the air. Linda instinctively ducked, her eyes scanning the hills, but she didn't see anything. Goodman, who was driving, also ducked, but kept control of the vehicle.
"Shit! Where?—"
"Charlie Company!" Major Kirk called out over the company wide network. "First Platoon on me, get the hills on the north. Second Platoon with the XO, secure the south. Third, get your asses in there and get that aircrew! Vehicles authorized!"
Kirk clicked off, and the next instant Lieutenant Parker was on the platoon net. "Third Platoon, follow me!"
Up ahead, Parker's vehicle leapt down the road, accelerating hard as they could. First Squad was right behind him, Hollywood keeping a grim hold on the steering wheel as he pushed his foot down harder.
Linda was terrified. This wasn't the same fright of a normal mission. She'd been under fire enough times. But this time, only one thought ran through her head.
The baby.
Gripping her rifle tighter, Linda drew herself up as much as she could, knowing that her helmet and body armor was scant protection, but still wanting as much as she could as the six vehicles roared towards the small village.
It was a farming village Linda could see, a collection of maybe two dozen shanty houses gathered around a central wooden building that was clearly some sort of community center, or temple or something important as it had what looked like rock walls of some sort. It was near the road, and as they reached the edge of the village trucks started peeling off as squads covered the village.
It was fast, it was violent… it was what they'd trained to do. Years of training kicked in as Linda and Hollywood took the first door, Hollywood taking the lead.
"US Army!" he bellowed, his voice ringing out before he kicked in the door. "Americans!"
Hearing only slight movement and muffled sounds inside, they swept the house, a simple three room building with rough, worn planks laid down as a floor. In the main room there they found three people, a man, a woman, and a small girl. The child was trying to scream, but her mother had her hand clamped over the child's mouth to stifle her screams.
Linda could see why, as the dirty dress the child had on was stained red on her side, and Linda's instincts kicked in again.
"Shit… Hollywood, verify the other rooms," Linda said, covering him while staying in the main room. When Goodman came out, giving her a clearing nod, she got on her radio. "Medic, this is Castellanos. Wounded civilian!"
"Second priority," Lieutenant Parker replied. "Air crew secure, two injured."
Linda wanted to argue, but held her tongue. She knew Parker was right. Their job was to get the American air crew out of danger, not treat the local civilians who were obviously caught in some sort of crossfire. She couldn't even stay, there were more buildings to sweep and secure before they could be assured the village didn't have any rebels waiting for them.
