• Western Gaia - Mountains of Tiban
    0530 Sunday, 2010
    13* F
    Mission: Apocalypse Rising
    Specialist Randy Mince
    4th GID, 81st Battalion, E Company, Omega platoon, Zulu squad

    Randy trudged up the mountain side as he made his way to the POI [Point of Interest]. The sixty some odd men behind him cut through the rocky terrain with slow grunts. Few slipped, and slide. The mountain proved to get the better of them. Sighing, Randy looked back up the mountain and measured it. "I say we have about a klick more to go before we reach the POI. Or, the POI that our commander 'says' is interesting." Randy said to his battle buddy, Joey. Joey grinned and shook his head, letting our a chuckle. His accent was thick. Randy and Joey were both Rommed (The equal to Russia in Gaian terms.) immigrants. They moved to Gaia, and with their luck, right as the war started between the Gaia people, and the Crok monarchy.

    "I say, with the ability of our men, about half a klick before we make it." Joey replied, his accent rolling over Randy like a steam roller.

    "We shall see." Randy replied and continued up the rugged mountain. Radio chatter cut through their comm links as a captain of the town the mountain range over looked radioed in. He was from the Third Gaian Infantry Division. The soldiers who took over their base in the city. His voice was frantic, and he was calling in an artillery barrage. With this, all the men turned and looked at the town, their view excellent since they were so high up. The mountain was far enough away that only dots were men, but nonetheless, they could see the 3rd GID being attacked. Large explosions emanated from the position of the captain. Randy got onto his mike and called in to his commander. "Sir...it looks like the 3rd GID is having trouble. Requesting that we disengage from current side objective and make the city our main objective."

    "Negative, specialist. I want this mountain. the Third is holding themselves." the commander said, a hint of annoyance in his voice. In the background, Randy could hear the frantic screaming over the radio, obviously from the 3rd GID.

    "Sir...are you sure? The Third is getting pounded, they need major assistance." Randy pushed.

    "Specialist, don't tempt me! I say we take this hill! the Third can care for their own a**. I am not going to babysit them."

    "Yes...sir.." Randy replied an cut comm links. Joey and about a dozen other guys stared at Randy opened mouth and wide eyed. So...thsi is how our downfall is going to be...turning on one another...dumping our allies and sister divisions for land...go Gaia Randy thought and sighed. "Move out..." he grumbled and held his hand up, slicing it forward. Taking steps forward, Randy heard men groan and curse. A lot of the men were unsatisfied like Randy, he could tell from the body language they showed. Joey even showed signs of misunderstanding, and confusion. In the distance, RAndy could hear explosions, and men screaming. The men he was sworn to protect under the Gaian Soldier's Creed, the men that would've run into hell just to save him. Men who shouldn't have to die, men who he could save. Thoughts kept running through Randy that he was disoriented when an explosion happened nearby. A scream of agony went up, and then small arms fire erupted into his platoon and battalion. "HIT THE DECK!" Randy screamed. Explosions went off all around them, and it took Randy a while to understand that he was surrounded. "Joey! Get onto comm with command...we are in a hot LZ, requesting air support."

    Joey nodded and pulled a radio out, screaming his complaints and requests into it. Turning back up the hill, Randy could see Crok movements and ghosts. He shook his head and tossed a grenade. It exploded and a whirl of smoke engulfed the area in front of him. Sitting up, he popped off a few rounds before moving forward and leaning against a rock. Quickly he reloaded. Viewing the landscape, he watched the movement of the enemy. It was then that he realized how bad their situation was. A battalion of R Models guarded their exit. And it looked like a well dug in battalion of Mechanized Infantry were to their right. Screaming another profanity, Randy motioned for a runner. A soldier, the age of only nineteen, came to him. It angered him that he had to be the one to make the decision to let this kid live or die, it made him angry that he had to be the grim reaper or the angel of life to a lot of people.

    "Run to battalion HQ, and tell them that we are surrounded. We have a battalion of Tanks to our Southern flank, and a battalion or MI [Mechanized Infantry} to our Eastern side." Randy said, and watched the runner sprint off. Turning to the side, he watched Joey run to him. Rounds pinged off the ground, and the musty smell of gunpowder stung Randy's nose. "Randy, I got a hold of HQ, they said they can't provide anything...they want us to push on...regardless of the circumstances." His face grave, Randy slid down the rock and sat on the ground. He watched as the battalion was trapped, killed and picked off one by one. "Tell HQ, regardless of circumstances, we are RTB!" he Yelled and pushed Joey back down the mountain. Standing up, Randy sprinted down the mountain, screaming 'Retreat' at the top of his lungs. Men got up and fallowed him, only to get mowed down. A bullet struck Randy in the neck, and he fell to the ground, his hands clasping around his own neck. A medic popped up next to him and cursed, screaming profanities. He started field dressing before he was struck in the helmet, his head disappearing. A fountain of blood ran of Randy as he felt the hotness of his comrades blood run over him. It mixed with Randy's own blood that poured over him and onto the ground.

    Soon, Joey came into Randy's blurry vision, his tear streaked eyes filled with anger, and he two was shot. Joey layingo none side of him, and the medic on the other, Randy mustered up enough energy to prop himself up and watch the battalions retreat. It was horrible. The Crok cut them down without mercy. One instant a man was running, the next he was laying on the ground, screaming in pain. In the distance, a 20mm machine gun opened fire, and men were blown apart, falling pray to the Crok's wrath. After seeing this, Randy laid back down, feeling a rifle but prod his chest. He looked up, into the face of a young Crok soldier. The man grinned, shook his head, and brought the rifle butt down with swiftness, into Randy's face.