| Subject: ...For Meritorious Service, Chapter 27- continued |
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TxJAG_b
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Date Posted: 15:27:25 03/26/10 Fri
In reply to:
TxJAG_b
's message, "...For Meritorious Service, Chapter 25d, part two - continued" on 16:25:09 01/08/09 Thu
…For Meritorious Service, Chapter 27
A/N 1: Thanks to my trio of editors [Mary Ann, Janlaw and Karen] for their usual fine job. Kudos also to AeroGirl, Mkim, Soleil, TZ, Janlaw for providing their help and technical expertise. Also thanks to Lisa Griffon [Yahoo Shipper Group] for her continuing support.
A/N2: Notice there isn't an 'c' after 27? That's because this is the last chapter. And, rather than confusing people with more parts - I'm just going to say 'continued' until I get all of this posted.
Over the Forward Edge of the Battle Area (FEBA)
Northeast of Mirbullah
“Javelin Oh One, this is Javelin Oh Three, Alf and I are ready to take over.”
Abner Scott pushed his Harrier back into the clouds that were dotting the battlefield. He hated leaving a ‘party’ still in progress, but he had bigger concerns. “Roger that, Javelin Oh Three; Oh Two and I are bingo fuel, but we’ll be back.”
“Roger that Oh One,” 2nd Lieutenant Miles Carter said smiling at the Schwartzeneggeresque phrase as he looked over at his wingman. “We’ll keep the party hopping for you….”
*~*
The two Dodge pickup trucks rolled into the compound. Mac looked out her window and watched as several women wearing burkas scuttled out of the way and suddenly the Light Colonel felt like she needed to cover her face.
She turned around and looked in the bed of their pickup truck. Kayce and Logan had already covered up appropriately. Mac took a cue from them and covered her face so only her eyes were showing.
Gunny looked over at Mac and gave her a greasy smile. Mac knew the look was for show, but it unnerved her nevertheless.
“Be glad Sahood doesn’t have you ladies wear the face covering too. But you’d better be prepared for some harsh looks from some of his soldiers.”
Mac turned and looked at him, trying to be as intimidating as she could with only her eyes showing. “And why is that, Master Guns?”
Gunny Galindez’s act may have been for show, but the twinkle in his eye was definitely aimed at her – probably to get her ready for what she was about to face. “Because his foot soldiers think all women should wear the face covering. That includes you, Colonel.”
*~*
“Colonel Briggs!”
Ashton Briggs was still numbed by all that had just happened. Ignoring the screams and calls for help, he walked away from the carnage. He couldn’t believe it. One of the first women in his command had been killed by a stray mortar round. Sergeant Greta Alvarez had only been in his command team for a few weeks. (I’ve gotten a woman killed…a woman – a woman in my command – there will be an investigation – my career is over--!)
“Colonel!”
Ashton shook his head trying to clear the demons from his tormented mind. When he opened his eyes, his Assistant Commander, Andrew Baxter, was giving him a look of concern.
“Sir? Are you all right?” asked Gatorforce Leader.
“I’m fine, Baxter,” Bullgator said brusquely as only a senior office can, “Don’t mother hen me--”
“No sir, I wouldn’t do that, Colonel,” Colonel Baxter said quickly trying to avoid yet another confrontation with his senior officer, “but Major Kelly does need to talk with you. Do you want me--?”
Sometimes it seemed to Briggs that his Assistant Commander prattled on like a doddering senile old fool.
“I’ll handle it Baxter!”
“Aye sir,” Baxter replied with obvious restraint as he handed him the radiophone.
“This is Bullgator, Come in Bravo Leader--”
A harried voice cut him off. “Bullgator! We’re up to our eyeballs in insurgents! Permission to fall back--”
Lyle Kelly was a good man, but sometimes Ashton had to remind him of that fact. “Negative Two! Hold your position!!”
“Bullgator we’re under heavy sustained attack, air support is helping some, but either we need reinforcements or I’ll have to pull back!”
It was time to add some steel to Kelly’s normally iron backbone. “Major, who is running this unit, me or you?”
There was a pregnant pause. Then a humbled response. “You are, sir.”
“Do you really want me to send Three to help you?” Despite the demons that plagued him, Ashton Briggs knew that Lyle Kelly could never stand for his longtime rival, Captain Wes Sorenson, Gatorforce Reserve, to provide that help.
“No sir, that won’t be necessary.” Came back the terse reply. Kelly was smarting, but he’d straighten up and fly right now.
“That’s the spirit,” he said in fatherly, almost jocular tone. “Now attack, Two! That’s the last thing they will be expecting!”
“Aye, aye sir!” It was good to hear the enthusiasm in Major Kelly’s voice. (Now for a little added incentive…) he thought.
“We can’t let these black-pajamaed Saddam lovers stop us from getting to Baghdad, Two, understand?”
There was another pregnant pause on the other end. “Black pajama---uh, A-aye sir.”
Lyle Kelly looked at his receiver. He wasn’t sure what Bullgator meant. Perhaps it was a code of some sort….
“Bullgator out.” Ashton was pleased that went so well. Just maybe he could—
The CO of the 36th MEU froze when he saw the limp pallid body of another dead female – this one a Corporal - on a makeshift table and that JAG, Lieutenant Roberts, standing next to her. What was he doing? Who was this woman who had died? It couldn’t be Alvarez…!)
(She’s dead? Alvarez can’t be dead…!)
Ashton Briggs looked around; the scene was chaos. There were two battered HMWWVs one of which had obviously burned. What had happened here? Injured Marines all around him. Where was Darcy? She’d help…she had those pills…!)
Sergeant Dewert saw the wild look in Colonel Briggs eyes. “Colonel? Sir, are you injured?”
Then Andrew Baxter looked up. He saw it too – he was just staring at the dead Corporal.
Several people were trying to get his attention but he was ignoring them.
In Briggs’ mind, he was back in March 2003. They were getting ready to enter Mirbullah….
*~*~*
Colonel, Gatorforce One reports heavy fighting in their sector…
Enemy mortar rounds are hindering Gatorforce Two’s advance…
*~*~*
Faith saw Ashton Briggs moving closer to Bud Roberts. She wasn’t about to let him tear the young JAG Corps Lieutenant apart. Not after what he had just been through. She moved toward Briggs as Baxter reached him.
“Colonel…” Gatorforce Leader said quietly to an obviously distraught Bullgator. He put a hand on the Colonel’s shoulder
“She’s dead…” he said, his voice tinged with disbelief. He turned and faced Baxter. “How could she have died, Baxter? How?” The look on his face made Gatorforce Leader want to turn away.
Not waiting for an answer, a visibly pale Ashton Briggs turned back and looked at the carnage. “How-how did this happen, Baxter? This was supposed to be an easy mission…a snatch and grab…now Alvarez is dead….”
Now Andrew Baxter knew there was something seriously wrong. This wasn’t just a simple case of shock. “Sir…Colonel…Sergeant Alvarez, she died two months ago…in that car bomb attack, remember?….Sir, we’re not in Mirbullah…do you understand?”
“I don…I…Baxter, nothing’s making sense….” There was a pleading look in the old Colonel’s eyes. “Her death means the end of my career, Baxter…”
“Sir, listen to me; Sergeant Alvarez is dead. She’s been dead for two months…we’ve been tasked with finding Samir al-Sahood, remember? He attacked JAG Corps Headquarters….”
Briggs’ response raised the hairs on the back of Baxter’s neck. “JAG Corps Headquarters…attacked? By Samir al-Sahood? What about Saddam…was he involved?” Ashton Briggs sounded like he had just come out of coma.
“Unknown at this point sir.” Truth was nobody knew where Saddam was; he had gone underground after the fall of Baghdad and Tikrit in April.
Ashton Briggs walked away from Andrew Baxter as if he were in a fog. His eyes met those of Lieutenant Bud Roberts. Then he looked down at the body.
“That’s not Alvarez…who…who is she?”
“Corporal Danielle Weitz, sir” Bud said trying to keep his voice steady, tears were brimming in his eyes. Bud’s combat uniform was dotted with bloodstains.
“Your driver, sir. She was waiting in the HMMWV for you when the mortar struck…”
“My driver? My driver…my driver is Sergeant Jenkins…I don’t know this woman….”
“Colonel?”
“I said I don’t know her, Lieutenant. I’m sorry she’s dead, but I don’t know her. Where is Sergeant Jenkins?”
“Sergeant Jenkins was wounded while going after you, sir,” Faith responded. “He’s being airlifted to Baghdad.”
“Jenkins…wounded? How? Where’s Darcy…Colonel Livingston…I need to talk with her….” Ashton Briggs started to move away from Bud and Faith. But Faith wasn’t going to allow that. She stepped in front of him.
“She’s on a mission sir,” she said coolly, “a recon mission…one you sent her on with Colonel MacKenzie….”
Briggs’ eyebrows furrowed in frustration. “A recon mission? Livingston? I did no such thing? Who are you anyway?”
To Faith Coleman’s way of thinking only one thing would snap the distraught Colonel back to reality.
“Colonel Briggs you have to snap out of this! It’s July 16, 2003 not March! We are in the middle of a combat operation against insurgents and they have just sent a mortar into your command post area! Colonel! Colonel!! Do you hear me?!”
“I hear you…” Briggs said more like a remorseful husband than Bullgator, CO of the 36th MEU.
“Colonel, these men need their Commanding Officer and that Commanding Officer is you! “Now square yourself away sir! These Marines need your help!!”
Briggs looked older than he had ever looked up to this point, but a light of clarity shone through the haze in his mind. “All right Commander…” he said calmly, “What do you want me to do?”
Sahood’s safe area
Somewhere North of Mirbullah
Mac and Kayce walked slowly and purposefully as eyes filled with distrust and hatred recorded their every move. Victor/Cesar walked in front of them as a sort of shield.
The Light Colonel didn’t see Darcy Livingston anywhere nearby. Nor any of the other members of her recon team. (Maybe they hadn’t arrived yet.) She thought to herself.
Victor stopped when he saw an older Arab man approach her. He was a little older than Victor, but just as fit and trim. His hair and beard had just started to go gray.
“Master Gunnery Sergeant Hector Bustamante?” The man said in perfect English. Two other men, bodyguards -both heavily armed- stood near Samir al-Sahood.
Victor nodded. He turned to the two women. “This is Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie and Lance Corporal Kayce Danvers, two of Colonel Livingston’s subordinates.”
“No doubt people she can trust.” Samir said dismissively as he smiled at them. His smile made Mac’s skin crawl.
Samir gave Victor an apprising look. “Master Gunnery Sergeant, you look thinner than I remember you being…”
“All that good Marine food, Samir,” Victor said jovially, hoping it would smooth over this bump.
Samir chuckled, “Ah yes the famous, or should I say infamous, MREs. Also Colonel Livingston’s strict exercise regimen has probably helped…”
“Yes sir.”
Satisfied that this indeed was Hector Bustamante, he turned to Mac. “Colonel, forgive my manners. Please remove your hijab. I despise not being able to see who I am talking to.”
Mac slowly removed her head covering revealing her face.
Samir nodded his approval at her exotic looks. “You’re Persian, yes?”
“My grandmother was Persian. I was born in America….”
“But you still have strong ties to Arabia and Persia, yes? You believe as Colonel Livingston believes?”
Mac nodded. “If you mean do I believe that Islam will eventually triumph over the infidels, then yes.”
Victor almost did a double take when the Light Colonel said these cold words. Only Kayce’s eyes could be seen, but they also betrayed shock at Mac’s words to al-Sahood. Was this really an act, or did some part of her believe what she had just said?
Samir smirked. “And how to do feel about working for Admiral Chegwidden, The United States Navy and Marine Corps Judge Advocate General?”
Mac returned his smirk. “A means to an end, Samir; not unlike the submersion of your cells in the suburbs of Northern Virginia….”
“True, they could be seen that way,” he nodded continuing to smile, “but how did you feel about the attack on JAG Corps Headquarters and the deaths of your fellow Marines and Sailors? Some were quite close to you, I believe….”
It was a comment designed to arouse anger and disgust. The Light Colonel’s eyes narrowed.
“It was a stupid and foolish assault, Samir.” she said in a slow deliberate manner. “A suicide attack that had little, if any, actual gain. A military target would have had far more value; even an attack on the White House or the Capitol or an assault on the Mall would have accomplished more.”
No one moved or spoke. Mac chuckled snidely and then gave Samir a sideways look.
“The attack Hamid conducted was largely a failure, Samir. It had the opposite effect you had hoped for and it turned out to be a largely empty symbolic gesture. You killed a few soldiers and civilians whose deaths will now give America an even better reason to wipe out Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda.”
It was deathly silent in the room. Samir’s bodyguards looked from Colonel MacKenzie to Samir and back again, their hands holding onto their guns, but strangely, they weren’t pointing at the newly arrived Marines anymore.
Samir barked out a harsh laugh. “Ah Sari,” he said clucking his tongue like an adult admonishing an errant child, “it is good that poor Hamid is not here to listen to your harsh criticism. But of course, you are right. It was a foolish and stupid operation. I like you, was blinded by earthly love, by the carnal pleasures and was lead to believe this operation was a good idea. In hindsight I now know that it wasn’t.”
Mac did her best to hide her surprise at his frank comments. Had he figured out what she was trying to do?
“You, on the other hand, were not immune to these temptations of the flesh. Dahab told me you gave in to the charms of a fellow JAG Corps officer and spent the night with him, did you not?”
Victor’s eyes flared at that comment. (Commander Rabb and the Colonel?!)
“Like you Samir, I have my needs. The JAG Corps Commander was merely fulfilling those. As you have done with Colonel Livingston.”
Whether that was another bluff or the truth, Victor couldn’t tell. Kayce, though, was deeply disturbed by the Colonel’s comments. She wondered if she pulled out her sidearm right now, how far she would get before she was gunned down? At least she might kill this cold-blooded Colonel and this malignant al-Qaeda terrorist.
Then something told her to wait. She wasn’t sure what. But at this moment, waiting seemed the best option. She might be given a better opportunity later on.
Samir al-Sahood meanwhile nodded, seeming to digest Colonel MacKenzie’s latest revelations. Then he stood and smiled. “Welcome home, Sari.”
*~*
Luisa Baranova and Sergeant Casano looked up at the guttural growl of a diesel engine which signaled the approach of one of the Marines amphibious assault carriers. The vehicle commander was riding with his hatch open and there were two Marines riding on top of the carrier.
“We’re ready to leave, Pulkownik.” The junior medical officer said as he came up behind the Polish CO.
Baranova turned and nodded. The medical officer left her side.
“The Marine’s battalion aid station is next to the MEU command post,” she called out to the medical officer as he headed toward the open doors of the MT-LB ambulance.
“We’ll get them to the aid station immediately, Pulkownik,” responded the medical officer.
The two personnel carriers passed each other like ships in a channel. Gibbs looked down at Colonel Baranova and the Marine Sergeant standing next to one of the shot up HMMWVs.
“Pulkownik! How bad was it?” Gibbs asked. His sharp blue eyes had immediately picked up on her Polish officer’s uniform and her rank.
“One of the Marine light armored trucks ambushed these three HMMWVs,” Luisa reported to the Marine, assuming by his bearing that he was a senior officer. “Lieutenant Thomason and five others were badly wounded and are being transported to the Marine Battalion Aid Station. The rest suffered minor wounds. And you are?”
“NCIS Agent Special Agent Gibbs, Pulkownik.” Luisa smiled slightly at the correct pronunciation of her rank. “And this is Special Agent DiNozzo.” Tony nodded and gave her a brief smile.
“Corporal Jay Raden, boss,” Tony said observing the wrecked Hum-vees. “He must’ve panicked and tried to kill Lieutenant Thomason and the others.”
Gibbs fought the urge to say ‘Ya think, DiNozzo?’ At least Tony was focusing on the case and not the beautiful red-haired female Polish commander talking to them.
He focused his attention again on the Polish contingent Commander. “Which direction did he go, Pulkownik?”
“My scouts said he went down that trail,” Luisa said pointing to the dirt trail that lead up a hill and deeper in the woods. “My recon car commander thinks we may have damaged the Corporal’s fuel tank, Special Agent.”
Gibbs looked down at the dirt trail. Sure enough, there was a trail of fuel leading up the hill. Judging from the amount of spilled fuel, Raden’s LAV wouldn’t get far.
The Senior NCIS nodded. “Tell your recon commander thank you,” Gibbs looked at the AMTRAC commander. “Sergeant, let’s go, we just might be able to catch him--”
But Luisa wasn’t about to be left on the sidelines. “Special Agent Gibbs? May I point out that you might need some assistance? My reconnaissance car is at your disposal--”
“And I know Corporal Raden, sir--and his crew,” Sergeant Casano quickly added. “I just might be able to get them to surrender--”
“As long as you get to come along, correct Pulkownik?” Gibbs really didn’t have time for this, but he knew if he brushed her off there would be hell to pay. Not only because she was a member of an allied nation’s force, but also because his gut told him Colonel Baranova was not one to sit idly by when action was called for.
“I think my scouts and Sergeant Casano and I would be of valuable assistance to you and your men.” Luisa said firmly, sounding very much like a senior military commander of any nation’s armed forces.
Tony was grinning at this uncomfortable situation for Gibbs. But he stopped the moment Gibbs turned his head to look at him. “She’s right, boss, we could use the backup.” Tony said seriously.
Gibbs grimaced in displeasure. For once, DiNozzo was right. And it would have to be involving a woman…
“Follow the trail of fuel, Pulkownik,” Gibbs said tersely to the Polish Colonel. “Just don’t get too close; we’ve seen that Raden’s willing to injure folks to get way – he may even kill.”
Forward Edge of the Battle Area (FEBA)
Northeast of Mirbullah
Corporal Jake Chute’s driver [AMTRAC Alpha 020] pulled even with the other carriers of his platoon. The Corporal aimed his 40mm grenade launcher toward the smoking tree line and hillside. “All Seadragon units,” he barked into his CVC helmet mike. “Fire at will!”
As Lieutenant Hawkins and his men advanced, the ungainly Marine personnel carriers unleashed a furious volley of grenades at the insurgents’ positions.
Threading its way through the parked personnel carriers, Ansel Paige’s carrier, Chisel four, moved in front of Hawkins’ men and in front of combat engineer Ramon Gutierrez’s troops.
Ignoring an occasional RPG rocket which would spiral by, Lieutenant Paige aimed his weapon toward the tree line. As sniper bullets searched for him, he let a flaming gush roar forth. The tree line burst into flame everywhere Paige’s weapon was pointed.
Further south, Lyle Kelly watched as Sergeant Mausert in Chisel two did the exact same maneuver. Boiling flames and oily smoke covered the insurgent positions in both areas.
Facing immolation, some of Sahood’s troops broke and ran. However others, known in their native language only as ‘boyeviki’, gathered their own RPO flame throwers and under the cover of the Marine assault, launched their own attack.
In Major Kelly’s sector, the steel snout of T-12 Soviet built 100mm anti-tank gun sticking of out a cave opening, roared its reply to Marine assault. Corporal Pell in Bulldog two felt two 100mm rounds slam into his engineer vehicle’s thick armor.
In Lieutenant Hawkins’ sector, his assistant commander, 1st Lieutenant Wil Price, and Staff Sergeant Mike Kelso urged their men to hold the line under the insurgent counter attack. While this was taking place, Gutierrez’s men fought back with their own backpack flame throwers.
The line was bolstered when Lieutenant Dave Rowe and Gunnery Sergeant Sanchez joined the fray. The insurgent assault slowed and then faltered in the face of the Marine carriers, engineering vehicles and Sluggers three and one.
As the insurgent combat engineers withdrew, they left an OT-64 that had just joined them, dangerously exposed. Before it too could pull back, combat engineer Corporal Steve Polk and his squad threw satchel charges at the hapless Czech built personnel carrier as Sergeant Eckart and Lieutenant Paige hammered it with their .50 caliber M2-HB machine guns. The coup de grace to the lightly armored vehicles was delivered by Corporal Jack Keller’s squad using SMAW rockets.
*~*
Javelin 03 and 04 circled the battlefield, trying to find a trying to find a target in the midst of the savage hand to hand fighting that was taking place below Colonel Baranova’s Hinds did the same, but the smoke that now dominated the battle zone also obscured any potential targets that weren’t ‘danger close’.
Podporucznik [2nd Lieutenant] Stefan Jodlowski was about to suggest to his senior officer that maybe they should break off and return to their base for refueling. Colonel Baranova would not be pleased but they were doing little good—
“Strela Stefan!” Tomaz Wawrzyniak yelled to his wingman through his radio. “Break right!!”
Stefan did as he was told, firing flares as he did so. The lone SAM-7 anti-aircraft missile spiraled by and detonated right as Lieutenant Carter’s Harrier passed overhead.
Shrapnel from the exploding Strela missile peppered the fuselage of the AV-8B known as Javelin 03.
“What the hell?!” Carter barked as his Harrier jump jet shuddered. The fragments were not large, in fact, the main force of the explosion had missed his jet entirely, but those fragments that hit him did so at supersonic speed.
“Javelin 03 this is 04; are you okay?!” His wingman 2nd Lieutenant ‘Alf’ Kensington flew closer to Carter’s Harrier which was now trailing a thin line of white smoke.
“I’m gonna have to head for the barn, 04,” he reported calmly as if talking about the weather, “my oil gauge indicator is bouncing around like a ping-pong ball and I’ve got a hydraulic leak.”
It only took a split second for Carter’s wingman to make his decision. “Hawk One this is Javelin Oh Four, Javelin Oh Three has sustained damage from a SAM. We’re pulling out. I’ll radio Javelin Oh One and Oh Two and get them back here as soon as possible. Sorry.”
On the ground in FiST LAV, Sergeant DeWald shook his head. They just lost a portion of their air support and without Captain Maxwell’s helos, it was going to be rough going. “Do what you have to, Javelin; Hawk One out.”
*~*
Back on the ground things were equally bleak. Packer and Felk’s attack had silenced the anti-tank gun, but now they were pinned down at the base of the hill under heavy insurgent sniper fire. The CO of Slugger platoon, Hank Borden, decided that the only way to get them out of there was to rattle those snipers.
“Slugger Four to Slugger Two and Warthog Four, follow my lead, we’re gonna get those Marines out of there; watch out for anti-tank missiles and RPGs in the tree line….”
Borden’s ‘wingman’ Corporal Vandergrift responded swiftly to the call. “Slugger Four, this is Slugger Two, roger! Moving out!”
The mine clearing tank, Warthog Four, was closest to the tree line. But Hank was more worried about a surprise attack from their left or right. “Warthog Four; keep your eyes on that tree line but watch your flank; break.”
Gunnery Sergeant Dyess in Warthog Four was about to respond when a seemingly abandoned OT-64 on the right of Slugger Four went up with a bang. Dyess yelled into his radio:
“Slugger Four! Threat warning! Contact! CONTACT!!”
The explosion of the OT-64 apc was surprising enough, but the bang of the concussion knocked Borden off his perch and landed him in bowels of the tank.
The situation began to unravel in rapid fire fashion.
“Slugger Four this is Slugger Two, one BMP and one tank emerging from the tree line!” Vandergrift barked, “Am engaging now!!”
“Gunner! Sabot! Tank!”
As the crack and boom of Slugger Two’s 120mm cannon sounded, it was matched by the report from Gunny Dyess’s cannon. Both insurgent vehicles were hit and stopped moving. Thick smoke began to pour from every opening of both vehicles. Dyess thought it might be another insurgent trick and started to order another round put into both until they detonated, throwing debris in every direction.
“They must’ve been stuffed to the gills with ammunition, Corp!” Slugger Two’s gunner yelled.
*~*
At the other end of the battlefield Sergeant Phil Watkins of Slugger Three had just had his own explosive experience with the insurgent vehicles.
“Sergeant?!” Watkins’s loader was trying to steady the injured NCOIC who had slumped down inside the tank. His wounds were thankfully superficial, but Phil was still dazed.
“We got suckered….” Watkins groaned trying to clear his head. “Those armored personnel carriers and tanks are booby trapped! They’ll blow us to kingdom come if we stay here. Get us out of here and warn the Lieutenant…”
“Aye, aye, Sergeant!” the driver yelled As Slugger three began to reverse off the battlefield Watkin’s loader put on Watkin’s CVC helmet and barked into the radio mike.
“SLUGGER THREE TO SLUGGER FOUR! BAD GUYS ARE PACKING A KNOCKOUT PUNCH! CLEAR OUT BEFORE YOU BECOME A TARGET!”
*~*
Slugger Four though, was having his own problems.
“Lieutenant! The fire warning light is on!” Reported his driver.
“The emergency lights just went on too,” he quickly added.
His grim report was matched by the gunner who announced that he had warning lights blinking too.
The tank which had been moving slowly past the personnel carrier suddenly lurched.
“She’s just aborted!” the driver announced.
Hank Borden shook off his grogginess and climbed back up and opened the turret hatch. Despite the bullets angrily whining over his head, he immediately saw the trouble; black smoke was beginning to pour from the right engine grill of the Abrams tank.
Energized by the sight, Hank grabbed a fire extinguisher as he yelled down into the turret interior. “Abandon tank! Dismount and set up a defensive perimeter!!”
Like animals flushed from their nest, the crew of Slugger Four climbed out of their disabled tank carrying rifles, pistols and fire extinguishers.
As Lieutenant Borden and his driver fought the stubborn fire, his loader and gunner traded shots with the insurgents who seemed to be all around them.
---To Be Continued… next week
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