The Soldiering

Prologue

Prologue

"Hunter 2-5, this is Deadly. We'll take out the big targets, mop up any troublemakers with the mark19." I said as I press the button of the bomb of the machine operator causing the tanks suddenly explode. "Ka-boom!" Venice said. 

My co-pilot. 

We, the platoon of USMC, are here to surround and dispatch the remaining forces of Mikhail Vladimir here in Afghanistan. I was assigned as a main pilot instead of battling with the enemies on the ground because we have a lot casualties pilots and somehow I have the knowledge on how to aviate an aircraft so I will be the one to temporary put to flight with this helo. It is a priviledge and an honor after all, but this girl behind me is a legit pilot. 

For the first time, I fought with enemies in the sky with the used of this ravishing aircraft. 

We flew away when I noticed a group of tanks heading to the south where my comrades staying at and fighting with the enemies. I immediately unleashed the bombs directly to the tanks and it instantly burst into fire.

"Marines, listen up! One of our force recon team has gotten pinned down and needs our help!" Lt. Sanchez said on the radio. I looked down to search my other comrades and there they are, locked and surrounded by the enemies. They're popping green smoke to indicate their position. I flew right away to their position and unleashed the bombs once again. "Good hit, deadly." Lt. Sanchez uttered. I just smiled to myself by the complement I got from him. As I was busy firing with the big targets and the hostiles with an RPG, the machine denotes that we're close to bingo fuel.

"Hunter, this is Deadly. Returning to base to refit and refuel. You're on your own for now 2-5." I said and flew away from the chaos. "Know what? I want this to be done already considering that this war takes 2 months fighting with those damn-ass terrorists." Sabi ni Venice at nagpakawala ng mabigat na buntong hininga. Well, I feel the same way but I'm still fighting to bring peace in this country. That's really how people are, no one's perfect. Everyone has their own belief in everything. Hindi pwede na lahat sasang-ayon, meron talagang tututol. Gaya ng mga teroristang nakakasagupaan namin ngayon na may baluktot na paniniwala. Every country deserves peace. Even though this isn't my country to fight, still, we're sent here to help the Russian loyalist.

We're about to fall back to the south with full tank of fuel. The situation here is outrageous. Many dead bodies and the building I was looking at is about to collapse. Sure, I was immune with what was happening as of now but this was too different. Before, I only got an assignment because there was a hostage that we need to rescue and save but now. Tsk. I know this was what soldiers' duty, to bring peace in their countries. Napailing na lamang ako sa aking nakikita at ipinagdasal na sana matapos na ito.

"Hunter, this is deadly. Refuelled and fully loaded. You guys miss me?" napahawas ako sa likod ng ulo ko sa malakas na pagbatok sa 'kin ni Venice. Inilayo ko muna yung David Clark Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey Headset para hindi ako marinig ng mga kasama namin. "What?" I asked with brow arched but she just rolled her eyes inwardly. Damn. It was as if she was possessed by an evil spirit.

"Why don't you just asked that question directly to Sgt. James Dunn Holmberg?" napailing nalang ako sa sinabi niya. That's so embarrassing. It's better to ask everybody than to a certain person anyway. It'll make me feel nice. I went back to shooting and dropping bombs at the opponents until I could see nothing more.

"Let's go back to the LZ! Let's get the hell outta here! Move!" Lt. Sanchez said and they fall back to their assigned helicopter and chopper and began to take off. We followed them to get back to our base and call it a day but the radar denotes a warning that there is an incoming missile. I looked around and saw it with my naked eyes and it is coming onto my way. I try to dodge the missile but it's too late. Freaking hot!

"We're hit! We're hit! I've lost the tail rotor!" nagpaikot-ikot ang sinasakyan namin at humampas pa ito sa pader ng mga natirang nakatayong building. "Mayday mayday, this is deadly, going in hard!" tiningnan ko si Venice but she's unconscious. Damn it! "We're going down!" bumagsak ang aming sinasakyang aircraft at tuluyang nanlabo ang paningin ko. Masakit ang aking ulo na para itong minamartilyo ng paulit-ulit. Hindi pa ako tuluyang nawawalan ng malay dahil malinaw pa sa'kin ang palitan nang putukan ng baril sa labas. Tiningnan ko ang gilid ng salamin at may crack na ito kaya siniko ko ito upang tuluyan ng mabasag.

"Deadly, this is Hunter 2-5, come in, over." Hinawakan ko ang gilid ng noo o at nakita ang napakaraming dugo. Oh! Not now. Sinubukan kong igalaw ang mga paa ko pero parang namamanhid ito. I glanced at Venice who was now bathing in her own blood, I slowly approached her seat and touched her wrist but I could no longer feel her pulse beating.

"Deadly, do you copy? What's your status, over?" I get back to my senses and saw some hostiles running to where I am in right now. Kinuha ko ang nakita kong M1911 na baril at kinasa ito. "I'm here! Venice is KIA! Hostiles moving in fast! I could sure use some help down here!" inumpisahan ko ang pagpapaputok sa mga kalaban na patungo sa direksyon ko at sa kasamaang palad ay natamaan ako sa balikat. The nerve! Ginagalit ako ng mga ito! Binaril ko ang bumaril sa'kin at tumama ito sa kanyang noo. Serves you right, jerk! "Hold on, we're coming to ya!" I tried to shoot but I ran out of ammunition. Ugh.

I saw Sgt. James Foley running his way to where I am staying. Come on! Save me, my James! "We got 90 seconds Dunn! Get the pilot! No one gets left behind!" tuluyan ng nakalapit sa'kin si James at dahan-dahan akong binuhat papunta sa kanyang bisig. "It'll hold for now. Come on." He murmured. And just like that, I felt safe and secured in his warm arms. I heave a sighed and looked at his gorgeous gray eyes down to his pointed nose and to his tightening jaw. What a perfect view!

Marami pa akong nakikita na mga terorista na pinapaputukan kami pero hindi iyon umaabot sa amin dahil nauunahan sila ng aming kaanib. "Lt. Sanchez, this is Hunter 2-5, now would be a good time to get the hell outta here." We already reach the chopper and Sgt. James carefully sat me down. Gradually I began to feel the pain in my body again. Hinawakan ko ang aking noo at 'di parin tumitigil ang pag-agos ng dugo.

Naramdaman ko na papangat na ang aming sinasakyan at unti-unti na rin kaming lumalayo sa lugar na 'yon. Lumapit sa'kin si Pvt. Kieth Wallcroft. She is an army surgeon. "I'll mend your wounds, Maam." She smiled at me and I just nodded at her. I am physically and emotionally exhausted to the point I can't utter a single word. Unti-unti na din na bumibigat ang talikip ng aking mata at tuluyan ng kinain ng dilim. But the last thing I saw Sgt. James intently gazing at me with those worried eyes.