< < 9/12/2014 - F.O.B Lima - Outskirts of Kirov > >

  < < < DAY 0: 08:21 AM > > >

  < Corporal-Syncer >

  I had just set down my plate. My buddies on my left, and right. Chewing down theirs. This morning’s chow was an unfortunate one. Overcooked steak, and chewy lobster.

  “Fuck, my life.” My friend, a tall bearded man nicknamed Porter. Muttered under his breath as he just stared at the food. I just stabbed my steak and sliced it into slices.

  “How are they going to pamper us, when the food’s shit.” A great buddy of mine, Pool. Said jokingly while scarfing down the lobster. “Well considering we're in the coldest place other than hell, Gotta work with what they can I guess.” Porter replied, whilst chewing a whole lobster tail.

  “Ah, shit, he is coming.” Porter whispered to us, as our Commanding Officer, A man who looked too short to be even in the army, had a grey beard and showed first signs of going bald.

  He’s made fun of by everyone in the F.O.B due to his tight rules to the battalion. His name was Kieran Riley, but our platoon would just call him, Officer Tupitsa. A little joke in the platoon we picked up from the locals around the base.

  If I could remember, Pool heard it from someone. Then passed down to the others. Officer Tupitsa, got up to a small stage in the center of the mess-hall. There was a small podium in the center and he adjusted it a little.

  Officer Tupitsa’s Second in Command, Battalion sergeant Morgan. I stood ready beside him. Sergeant Morgan had the same look of seriousness as Tupitsa, but for once had a sense of humor.

  “Attention!” He ordered, everyone got up and stood at the ready. “At ease.” Tupitsa nodded as he said it. We all sat back down, our attention focused on the Officer. He cleared his throat before starting. “Good morning.” Some soldiers gave a few quick nods in response.

  “At approximately 09:00. All platoons of Fox company will report to their commanding officers at their barracks for mission briefing.”

  “As you were.”

  My platoon was the first to leave the mess, and took a short walk back to our barracks. Porter tapped me on the shoulder. “What’s up?” I asked, “I haven’t seen Monarch in here. Mind checking up on him? He might be near the gate.”

  I nod, “Of course, I’ll be back in less than 5 minutes.” I went off, exited through a separate exit. And was met by the blast of snow and ice.

  I walked through the snow. The snowflakes falling and dancing as they landed. I looked to my left, and saw a squad of soldiers, shovelling snow off a humvee.

  “Damn it Peter, Stop shovelling it here!” A Soldier yelled to his friend, to which he laughed as a response. Suddenly a gust of wind blew behind and over me. Above me, was our newest technology from the techs. An Omnicopter. A giant, heavily armored transport ship. It had 4 rotors, 2 on each side.

  They would spin at the same time. It was still a little rusty, but the techs would fix it up here and there. I continued walking, and climbed up a small hill overlooking the entire F.O.B.

  There, laying under a snow covered tree. With a hot cup of coffee, was him.

  Monarch.

  He was looking over at the entire F.O.B on a small rock. He kept himself warm with his own black trench coat that had snow sprinkled along. He took a small sip from his cup, before noticing me.

  Once he noticed me, a warm smile etched upon his face as he set the cup down on the snow. “Let me guess. Mission briefing?” He asked, his voice tinged with the familiar tone I lived with for my entire service.

  “You’re very much correct,” I chuckled before taking a seat next to him.“Quite a sight hm?” I said, Monarch nodded. “This must be a one in a kind for me to find you always here, heh.”

  I teased. “What can I say? You don’t see this back in the mountains where I lived.” He replied. I look down, fiddling with my gloves. “Can’t wait to finally get this over with.” Monarch said,

  “I’m never going to leave Yukino’s side ever again.” I patted his shoulder “Damn right you should, she’s probably already getting ready to greet her brother after years apart.” Monarch snickered, shaming his head. “It’s only been a year, Syncer. Don’t make it dramatic.”

  We both laughed, not giving a single fuck of anything else. But once it died down. Silence washed over us, as we just looked up at the snowy sky. “Alright, let’s go.” I got up and offered a hand to Monarch.

  “I can get up by myself. Y’know that right?” Monarch said, “What? I’m just simply offering my best friend some help.” I replied.

  But once his hand nearly touched mine, I pulled it out of reach, “But if you’re gonna be like that, then no help for you.” Monarch swatted my hand as he got up, grabbing his cup. “Guess I had that coming then.”

  We both walked side by side. Cracking jokes, and jabs at each other. We walked past the massive hangers that held the Omnicopters. One being strung up, as the bottom was being repaired.

  While another, right beside it. Was currently being refueled. Engineers connected a massive black pump from the side of the Omnicopter into an oil truck.

  I took a second to look at the giant behemoth. The size quickly overshadowed me. The landing gears were probably the size of a bear by this point. The giant doors lowered and Engineers quickly filed in and began their daily maintenance check.

  Omnicopters were the size of a two story building, and 75 feet in length. The Engineers were also repainting the Omnicopters back in their signature black color. “Come on!” Monarch yelled, I snapped back and looked over.

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  Monarch is now way past me, already at the end of the hanger. Now waving for me to catch up. I took one last look before jogging over. “Can’t a man appreciate a piece of new technology in peace?”

  “You’ve been very interested in the Omnicopter for months now, It's a miracle you haven’t decided to steal one.” Monarch teased, slapping my back. The barracks were now in sight and we took our time.

  We made it to my company’s barracks. Porter was waiting outside with a cigarette. “Finally, what took you so long? Got lost or something?” Porter said, stomping his cigarette out.

  “Nah, just figured we could go for a small walk.” Monarch said. “Well, just get in, everyone’s waiting.” Porter went inside the barracks, through the GP tent.

  Our Company leader, Captain Lambda. He’s a toughnut. Serving during the Iraq campaign, and Russia campaign. Most of us wouldn’t be standing without him.

  He would save me various times. He stood at the end of the tent, many of my buddies already surrounding him and waiting. “Alright, alright. Gather around here.” captain Lambda said.

  Me and Monarch joined in and all huddled around waiting. “I want everyone to be ready in 5. We’re going to deploy to a nearby city 50 km away from here. Command suspects that there is heavy Zlayan activity in there, and it's a simple inspection operation.”

  Grumbles and muttering flooded out as the Lambda continued. “The area in question is a Weapons factory on the outskirts of Pervouralsk. Our drones found some Anti Air armaments and cannons placed and hidden.”

  “So we’re going to land in the forest overlooking the factory and sneak in. There may be hostiles so I want noise discipline and rifles ready.” Everyone nodded.

  “Then let's go ladies! Go go go!” Everyone scattered and grabbed their packs from their bunks and flooded out to the armory. I grabbed mine and threw Pool, his pack.

  It took me a solid minute to grab my rifle and weapons. I brought my M4 Carbine, my grenades, and pistol. Monarch threw me a bag of explosives, I put the sack over my shoulder as the platoon began moving towards the hanger.

  The F.O.B’s sirens blared, an ear piercing screech. Flight crews ran all over the airfield in shades of Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Orange and other bright colors.

  We piled into one of the two Omnicopters that were being refueled. As I stepped onto the black smooth ramp of the Omnicopter, I turned back to see captain Lambda ushering the others inside. He was the last one to enter as the ramp raised and closed.

  I could hear and feel the Omnicopter, whirring and shaking. A sudden jerk pushed me to the nearby wall. Leaning against it, as the side walls began to slowly open up, letting us see outside.

  The Omnicopter began moving forwards as the Flight crews outside barked orders, moving around ammunition, fuel, and trucks. I made my way to the center of the Omnicopter’s hull.

  My platoon began spreading out. In the center of the ship was a table that lit up and showed a map of Pervouralsk, and the target building we’ll be landing in.

  The table also showed other companies on the side, such as Rat Company, Red Company, and Echo Company. As reinforcements. I saw Monarch, chatting with Pool and Porter. And I walked to them.

  While walking, I took small glances around the room seeing various activities. 2 soldiers, one of them. A taller one from the two, was helping his buddy with a harness and clipped it onto the back of the trooper’s vest.

  I looked to the left, and saw captain Lambda and his second in command, Sergeant Jenson. Discussing over the table in the middle. “Alright, real question. Is a hotdog a sandwich?” This came from Pool, as I turned back to them.

  Monarch was shaking his head as Porter argued, “No cause a sandwich is two fuckin’ bread slices. A hotdog is one big bread slice, Pool.” “No but, a sandwich generally is a piece of any meat or anything, between bread right? A hotdog is a long piece of meat, in between the buns.

  It's basically a sandwich Porter.” Pool argued. Me and Monarch looked at each other and decided to let them have their argument. Both me and Monarch left Pool and Porter, and made our way to one of the windows of the Omnicopter, which was now around 200 feet in the air.

  We sat down and gently put our M4’s. Beside us. We looked out the window, now we’re flying away from the F.O.B, “You holdin’ up alright?” I asked Monarch. “Besides running on a cup of coffee, I’m perfectly fine.” We both chuckled

  We laughed for an extra second before calming down. “Mind if I test some of my army humor?” Monarch said, a smirk appeared on his face. “Don’t.” I shook my head, but despite my protest, Monarch didn’t care.

  “What do you call a squad of fish in a helicopter?” He asked, “What?” I replied back, “A fish tank.” He laughed and snorted, “Jesus, and you tell Yukino these jokes?”

  I looked around Troop-bay. Pool and Porter, earlier bickering. Now cleaning their M4’s with rags they got from their packs. “I’m gonna take a look up at the deck. Be back in a jiff.”

  I got up and hoisted the strap of my pack over my shoulder as I made my way through soldiers. I climbed up the ladder leading to the upper deck. Mainly for storage or in an extreme case, living space. Captain Lambda was there, with his adjutant.

  Sergeant Morris. They were with the Co-pilot, Texas 255. All three of them were taking supply checks of the storage compartment. I went to a corner and looked out the window.

  The vast Russian mountains were below us. The snow felt like a sheet covering the mountain range. I saw Texas eventually walk back to the cockpit. While Lambda and Morris finished, and descended the ladder.

  I walked around the upper-deck and found a table with maps. Some X’s were drawn and some circles too. Seemed to be the target building in Pervouralsk, and the forest around it.

  There were 2 maps, the one I saw was the exterior and the other was the interior. I grabbed the interior map and put it in my sack. “Hey. Fuck you doin?” I heard the voice call out.

  I turned to where the voice was, coming from the cockpit. It was the pilot. Phoenix 477. “Oh. It’s just you,” He took a few steps closer. “Nearly scared me to death, Sync.” I chuckled.

  “What are you doin’ up here?” He asked, “Just figured getting some fresh air.” Phoenix scratched his head. “Well, you won’t be getting it here with Texas hotboxing every inch of the cockpit with his cigarettes.

  An empty cigarette pack came flying from the open cockpit door, onto Phoenix’s head. “I heard that, ya dick. You’re not much of a saint yourself.” Phoenix grabbed the box and threw it back.

  “Ah, shut up Tex.” Phoenix walked to a console and opened the small latch. “Mind if I ask what you’re doing now?” I asked, which got me a quick glance from Phoenix.

  “I’m checking on the landing gear, something in here must be detached. Damn engineers, messin’ with my ship without asking me.” He flicked something up and clicked two things. “There, I think that’s the problem. Check now Tex!” The Omnicopter jittered a little and the lights blinked before returning. “All good!” Texas, replied back.

  Phoenix closed the console, and grabbed a lighter from the table. “Best, you wait downstairs. We got a good few good minutes before we’re there.” Suddenly the console sparked and the ship jittered again.

  “God damn it, aww fuck!” Phoenix, opened the latch on the console again. “Fuckin’ engineers.” I stood beside him, the array of wires and electrical fuses. “I’m gonna assume you got this.”

  I patted him on the shoulder. “Yeah, yeah. Just get downstairs. We’ll still be on time.” I swung the strap of my sack back over my shoulder. I went back to the ladder, and stepped down.

  The lower-deck now filled with bustling life, as troopers and privates stepped and mingled about. Monarch, was by the door. Clipping into his harness.

  “I want the first squad clipped and ready!” Captain Lambda ordered. Porter ushered me to my harness right beside Monarch. “Remember. Jump and once you all land, unclip and secure the perimeter.”

  I quickly put my vest on, and with the help of Porter. I was able to clip onto the rope. Pulling it tight, and doing double checks. An A.I voice through the intercom in the speakers broke the troopers that were still conversing.

  “Bay-Doors. Opening. Maintain a safe distance from the doors.” The doors slowly opened down. Below, I could see trees that could spread for miles. Snow had painted over the green leaves. Cool air, brushed against my skin and hair.

  I reached out a hand and felt the coldness shivering and trickling through my hand. “Hey Sync!” This came from Monarch as I looked behind. “Let’s make this fun! Last to the bottom coughs up 20 bucks!” Pool, Always not willing to let go of an easy bet. Took the offer.

  “Better make that 50!” I yelled as the lights inside changed from red to a green color that flooded the lower-deck. “Go! Go! Go!" Captain Lambda yelled. Monarch, Pool, Me and a couple of others jumped out.

  I held onto the rope as we descended. The tree lines eventually passed us. We landed on the ground, snow being stuck to our boots. “Captain, Area’s secure. Bring everyone down here.” Monarch radios.