Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Mind of the Soldier ❯ Into the breach ( Chapter 12 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Body





Ivdel day 2
Into the breach

Norman stood outside surveying the landscape. He looked around at the emptiness of the city. The emptiness game him an eerie feeling, a feeling of death and disparity. He shuddered and switched his thinking. It was almost time for their ambush. Norman took a look at the men moving about the camp, picking up equipment and following instructions from Curtis. Roger "Mars" Kent was over by the school, talking to a man. Norman noticed that it was Stadler. Norman walked toward the building, and heard that Mars was yelling at him. Stadler just stood there with his head to the ground, not saying anything.

"What the fuck are you doing Private?" He yelled. "You can't drop this fucking stuff, it's probably worth more than you are."

"That's enough." Norman spoke in a stern voice. Mars turned his head and looked right into Norman's face, with those cold and questioning eyes.

"This man of yours dropped a HK-69 grenade launcher."

"So what? We all make mistakes."

"My point is sir, that this shit is expensive, and we can't afford-"

"I said we all make mistakes." Norman stood face to face with him, not turning away from his stare. The stare he gave Norman was almost unbearable. It was the stare of a man who had lost his compassion.

"Listen to me well, Mars. These are my men, and when they are here, you or anyone else will not speak to them in that manner. Now are we clear?" Kent just kept on staring.

"I said are we clear, Lieutenant?" Mars then lowered his head to the ground and shook it. Then answered in a low voice.

"Yes, sir." He then walked off. Norman was very disturbed at the way this man handled himself. The way that he looked at Norman was very menacing. The language he used was not much better. However, one would be surprised how much profanity went on in the military. It seemed to be a "natural" thing.

"You okay, Private?" He asked Stadler. The young man turned his face up towards him and looked into his eyes. His eyes looked afraid and hurt.

"I-I didn't-"

"It's okay son." Norman said, patting him on the shoulder. "You don't worry about that. Just get ready. We're moving out soon." The young man nodded his head and walked back into the school.

Norman walked over to the group of his soldiers assembling arms around a table. The table was loaded with grenades, and other firearms. The soldiers looked up at him as he game close. Armstrong picked up a M-249 SAW, and examined it closely. He seemed to be impressed by it.

"This is one badass gun, Captain." Armstrong said to Norman.

"That's right, it is. Just keep the business end of that away from your face, Private." Norman said, chuckling.

"Rodriguez, you're going to take one of the SAW's. You can stay about twenty meters behind us, and set it up." Rodriguez looked at Norman as if he was unsure of himself.

"Understood, sir." He said quietly as he fastened the plastic box of 7.62 millimeter ammunition to the weapon. Johnston and the rest of them loaded extra clips for the FAMAS rifles. There was a small contraption that Oz used to make this task easier. About two-hundred and fifty 5.56 millimeter rounds would be stored in these special plastic cases. There was a tube on top of the case that the clip fit on top of. Once this was done, the special spring mechanism in the case and the clip allowed it to fill full with ammunition. One of the better inventions of Oz, definitely.

"When to we move out, sir?" Johnston asked.

"About fifteen minutes."

"Do you know what time it is?" Norman had not been keeping track of the time, but looked at the watch on his wrist he seemed to have forgotten about.

"It's 0842 hours, Private."

"Thank you, sir." Johnston replied. They continued readying themselves. Norman took a FAMAS rifle, as well as fasten fragmentation grenades to his vest. The rest did the same, preparing themselves for the attack. When they were ready, the soldiers that were going out for the attack met in the center of the camp, in full combat gear. Captain Curtis was there, and so was Mars, who was also carrying a M-249. Curtis nodded his head to Norman, who started to explain what they would be doing.

"We'll be splitting into two groups. I'll have the smaller one with my men, the rest will go with Lieutenant Kent and Captain Curtis." Norman swallowed and glanced over at Kent, who had that same look on his face. Norman felt a small chill go through his body. He then turned back to the rest of the soldiers and continued.
"About one and a half clicks North we should run into a UCO camp. They supposedly have two bunkers. Both my team and Captain Curtis' will each get close enough to put throw grenades in. You should deploy strategic use of covering fire. After, take any prisoners. Is that understood?" Norman heard the "Yes sir!" From the audience. To Norman this seemed extremely easy. How hard would it be to toss some grenades into bunkers? Still, he felt uneasy. Norman walked to his squad of troops and spoke to them.

"Okay, everyone get your helmets on, we're moving out. Stay behind me at all times. When the firing comes, use anything you can use for cover. Rodriguez, deploy that SAW from a distance and lay down heavy covering fire. Stadler, you need to pick up any wounded."

"Are they bringing out stretchers sir?" Stadler asked.

"Yes. Do you have a medical kit?"

"On my back, sir."

"Okay then, thirty-second, let's move. Brooks, stay beside me." They started walking forward, as the men from the forty-fourth started filing out. Brooks took up pace beside Norman as they walked off deep into the city. As they went deeper into the city, Norman observed many odd things. The city seemed to be deserted in a hurry. The shops around were somewhat destroyed, but one could tell all the items remained inside. There was also many vehicles just sitting in the street. The streets of the city were littered with chunks of stone and rubble. There was no noise except the ambient sounds of birds.

Norman glanced to his right and saw Curtis' team moving in single file around a building. Norman moved his squad up closer to them past another small building to his right. Norman suddenly squatted down behind some large loose stones and help up his hand to stop the rest. The young soldiers behind him stopped, tense and anticipating. Norman looked ahead, squinting against the sunlight. Norman saw Curtis and his men move closer to the structure, oblivious to what it really was.

"What the fuck is that?" Brooks said.

"Jesus." Norman said. "We have to get there fast, it's a goddamn bunker!"

"Oh shit!" Brooks yelled. As soon as Brooks finished his final words, a sharp cracking sound filled the air as a machine gun in the bunker opened fire on Curtis' men. Norman already saw one soldier drop to the ground. Norman yelled to his men to run forward. Norman noticed the bunker was on a slight hill. How did they know to place one here? How did they know they were coming. Darlian.

"Goddammit!" Norman yelled as he ran towards the bunker. He already heard the screams of confusion as he saw all of Curtis' soldiers scattered trying to take cover behind the stones. The machine gunner was doing nothing more than scattering bullets. Bullets hit the ground and dust rose up around them. Norman ran forward and hid behind a large stone. The rest of the soldiers dived behind him, taking cover. Norman peered around the stone just as a bullet ricocheted off the rock. Norman pulled his head back and glanced around. He did not see Curtis, but he saw Mars firing a M-249 blindly screaming "Motherfuckers!". Norman paused and looked at his soldiers. They were looking at him with terrified eyes, waiting for him to call the shot. Norman gave some thought to it. The firing continued. What the hell were they doing?

"Rodriguez, do you see that building over there with the smashed window and open wall?" Norman pointed to the right of his position. Rodriguez shook his head yes.

"Go there and set up the SAW."

"Yes sir!" Rodriguez said running among the scattering bullets.

"The rest of you, sit tight for now." As Norman said that, grey uniformed UCO soldiers game pouring out from behind the bunker. Norman yelled to his troops to scatter. Norman saw Johnston and the others run off. Curtis' men started to open fire on the soldiers. Norman saw two UCO troops drop to the ground in a mist of blood. One of them was writhing around screaming. Norman heard more gunfire as he sat there, unsure of what to do. God, the screams. He hated to hear the anguished scream of soldiers. It could drive one mad. Mars was going steady with the M-249 SAW, firing on the infantry. Norman observed the UCO troops from a distance were carrying M-16 carbines.

Norman got up and looked cautiously over the stone. There seemed to be UCO troops everywhere. He looked around in confusion and saw gunfire and heard screams. He saw a couple of Oz soldiers on the ground, dying, which blood all over them. This was it... Norman ran into the fray and dust that scattered the area. That's when he heard the scream for help behind him.

"Captain!" He heard a pained scream. Norman ran in that direction and saw a UCO soldier ahead. Without even thinking, Norman raised his FAMAS rifle and fired a burst into the man's chest. The man fell backward to the ground, blood coming from his chest as he gasped for air. Norman knew this was horrible. He could do nothing though. He had to kill to survive. Norman rushed passed, hearing the whine of bullets go pass by him. Any minute one could strike him. Norman stumbled and fell down as an explosion landed behind him. Dust and chips of rock and dirt fell over him. They were hitting the area with motar.

Norman raised his head and got up quickly, putting his helmet back on his head. Through the dust, about three meters ahead of him, he saw Armstrong lying on the ground whimpering. Norman approached him and kneeled down beside him. Armstrong was clutching his stomach that was oozing blood. Norman looked at his hands that were soaked in blood.
"Oh, Christ help me." Norman mumbled.

"S-S-Sir." He said, his lips trembling, his eyes wide. "H-Help me."

"I'm going to get you out of here, son." Norman said. Norman gently moved his hands away from his abdomen. Norman saw a bloody hole going into him. He had been wounded by a bullet. Norman picked him up as gently as he could, but Armstrong winced in pain. Norman saw Kaneko running toward him. He was panting hard.

"Sir, I don't know what the hell is going on out there, everyone is scattered people are dying everywhere." Norman looked around and saw another Oz soldier screaming for help.

"Get him to the back by that building where Rodriguez is. If you see any other wounded, bring them there." Kaneko shot him a nervous glance, then set out to help the wounded man. Norman ducked low and ran with Armstrong groaning towards Rodriguez. As he passed, he saw dead Oz and UCO soldiers, some of them still alive and wailing on the ground. Norman approached the building and saw Rodriguez firing the SAW into the distance. Norman was extremely happy to see Stadler and another medic with the stretchers, gathering the wounded. Norman heard an explosion and saw an Oz soldier fly up into the air. When he landed, his left arm was gone. Norman winced and turned away.

"Rodriguez, how are you doing?" Rodriguez turned to him looking confused and frightened. He had sweat on him.

"I-I don't know sir." He said, speaking quickly. "I think I got at least three of them. I saw them drop."

"Okay. Just stay calm and keep your guard."

"Stadler!" Norman called, walking out into the open. Norman placed Armstrong on an empty stretcher and said "Your going to be fine, kid." Stadler raced over and looked at Armstrong.

"He has a wound in the lower abdominal area." Norman told Stadler. Stadler moved Armstrong's trembling hands and examined it.

"There's a lot of blood..." He mumbled. Another explosion went off and the ducked to the ground. Norman saw some tracers jet through the air.

"Do you know where Brooks is?" Norman asked him. Stadler looked around.

"He left here a just a few minutes ago." Norman saw Mars. He did not have the SAW anymore, but was firing the FAMAS at approaching soldiers. He was yelling obscenities at them at the same time. Mars hit one of them in the throat, and the man dropped to his knees, blood squirting everywhere. Mars turned around and ran up to them.

"Where the fuck is Curtis?" He demanded.

"I don't know." Norman replied, competing with the ambient sounds of battle. Norman saw Brooks them run up to him, carrying an injured Oz soldier. Norman saw that the soldier was missing his left arm. Brooks' face was dirty, and streaked with blood. It was not his, however. Brooks has tied a tourniquet around the wounded man's arm. When the man was set down before Stadler, he promptly vomited.

Around the outside, there were still soldiers running, and bullets hitting the ground. The dust that was forming from the stray bullets and explosions were great. Norman had to do something about that bunker. He had two choices: to sit here on his ass or to take it out the action hero way. It looked like he did not have much choice, since nobody else was going to attempt it. Norman decided to try the action hero method.

"Brooks!" He called. Brooks turned his head, attentive.

"We gotta take out that goddamn bunker!"

"Oh shit." Brooks cursed. "What the fuck is going on out there?"

"I think we can use that dust to our advantage." Norman heard more earsplitting screams. He could not take it any longer. Norman put his helmet on his head.

"All right, Mars, you're coming too." The three of them got ready as Norman put his helmet on. Then they charged blindly to the front of the battle, stray bullets landing in the ground around them. Norman saw the bunker ahead of them and dived to the ground below it. The men in side had not seen them. Norman landed right beside a dead Oz soldier missing half of his face. He almost felt like throwing up. The stones in this area were soaked with blood. Norman signaled to Brooks and the readied two grenades. They sprinted up to the bunker and deposited their grenades into the sides around the machine gun. Norman heard some yelling then got down, covering his head. This was followed by two explosions and then a lot of dust.

The had killed the men inside the bunker. Norman looked around again and saw the UCO troops were pushed back. Some Oz soldiers were still firing upon UCO soldiers to the north. Norman was glad to see Rodriguez run up and join them.

"Where's the SAW?"

"I ran out of ammo."

"You used two boxes of 7.62?" There was a pause.
"Yes, sir." Rodriguez said.

"What do we do now?" Brooks asked Norman. All around him Norman saw the waste of life. Bodies scattered around lying in pools of blood. Men in their final death throes. This is what it was like. This was not television, this was war. Men never did die right away.

"What do we do now, Captain?" Brooks repeated. Norman saw the UCO troops seemed to be retreating.

"The hell if I know." Norman responded. Around three UCO soldiers hiding behind the bunker surprised them by running away. Norman and Brooks through grenades, and in an explosion of rock chips and dust, they saw two of them rise into the air.

"I think it's over." Norman told the men around him. I was over. The UCO had though they could stop them, but someone on top of all the confusion, Oz was able to emerge victorious. Norman saw the UCO troops withdrawing. Norman rose to his feet as the dust started to clear. He saw that Mars had vanished. He needed to look for Curtis. Norman scanned the battleground and saw the rest of the Oz soldiers trying to help desperate men. A lot of them were soaked with blood, praying. Norman could not stand it, and walked away from that area. Norman observed a UCO soldier kneeling over another, crying. The other soldier was dead, bloody holes in his chest. The UCO soldier, and ordinary man just like him, looked up with eyes filled with contempt. Norman looked away from him.

That could have been his friend, his brother. This is what humans did to themselves. Norman observed more dead Oz and UCO soldiers. Norman felt his eyes water, then pushed it back. He could not around his own men. The horror. The death. The destruction. That is when Norman saw Captain Curtis. Curtis was wounded badly, his right leg a ragged stump, his body soaked to the color of crimson. His eyes unfocused. He could not be saved. Norman kneeled before him, and Curtis put all his dying energy into focusing on Norman. He gasped for air. Norman held his hand, blood covering it. Curtis weakly reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. He handed it to Norman. Some of it was soaked with blood.

"G-G-Give t-t-this to m-m-my wife." He stuttered.

"T-Tell h-h-her I d-didn't die t-t-this way." Norman nodded his head solemnly. Curtis let go of Norman's hand and waved it slightly, to tell him to go away. Norman left as Curtis gasped again and turned his head away. Norman walked back, speechless. He then threw his helmet to the ground.

"Fuck!" He screamed. The other Captain was dead. He thought his plan would work, but that fucking Darlian...

"Sir, we have two prisoners." Rodriguez told him. Rodriguez ran back towards the prisoners. Norman saw them standing by Mars. One was the kid that was crying over the dead UCO soldier Norman saw. The other was a bit older, and Mars was yelling at him.

"So you want to fuckin' kill us like that?" He yelled. The soldier just stood there.

"Huh, motherfucker?" Mars grabbed the man by the collar, and shoved him away. Before Norman got there fully and stop it, Mars pulled out his Glock and shot the man in the forehead. Blood spurted out from the back of his head as he fell to the ground.

"Holy shit!" Rodriguez said, backing away from Kent. Norman ran up to him quickly.

"Jesus Christ, Kent. What the hell are you doing?"

"What does it matter? This piece of shit deserved it."

"We were doing the same thing to them!" Norman yelled. Mars gave Norman that cold glare again.

"If you do that again, Kent, I'm gonna arrest you and throw you in the brig." Mars laughed.

"We don't have a fuckin' brig."

"I'll make a fuckin' brig." Norman threatened. The still stared at eachother, while others were watching.

"Arrest me for what?"

"Murder."

"It's the goddamn enemy!"

"If you kill them once they surrender, that's murder. You understand me?" Mars snorted and walked off. Norman sighed and put his hand over his face.

"Shit..." He mumbled. He could not believe how Kent could just kill like that. He was going to have problems with him. The battle was over. It seemed as if it lasted forever, but it could not have been more than fifteen minutes. What in the hell was this world coming to? The killing... Norman pushed the thought away and decided to get things together and head back to base.