SURVIVE: Part 7

Part 7

Ambush

5/12/2015, 1630 hours, Vardak Province, Afghanistan

            The squad marched in solemn silence out from the town, leaving behind the massacre at the mosque. No body wanted to talk about it, or any of the other problems facing the group. Instead they focused on climbing the rocky foothills, going to a large one nearby that overlooked all others surrounding it. It was a hot afternoon, and the men were keeping well hydrated despite limited supplies of water. Krieger had had his men refill their camels and canteens on their way out of the village, and Mule had volunteered to carry Kareem’s canteens. It was strange drinking from a dead man’s cup, but dehydration is no joke. Some of the men had also brought various cooler drinks, sodas, juice pouches and the like. Even then, his men’s hydration was still of concern to him.

            A low growl echoed through the hills, and was answered shortly after. The men were being hunted. The three who were not carrying a dead or dying squad mate readied their weapons. Krieger and Hugo dropped Kareem, and Raised drew their weapons. A shower of pebbles flew off a cliff to their left, showering the men with the small stones. Two of the men turned to face the potential threat. Krieger made the order to form a defensive circle around Kareem and Clinton’s bodies. Padilla checked his magazine, making sure it was loaded and ready. Thumper slid a shell into his M203.

            The attack came suddenly and without warning. A series of quills flew out from around a boulder, embedding themselves in some of the men’s ballistic vests, but not causing any serious harm. A shrieking, hellish war cry from a time unknown to men echoed across the rough landscape, and a creature, identical to the one found in the mosque leapt from over a hill and landed on Mule. Carmine quickly turned on his heels and let of a burst from his M14, killing the beast instantly. A series of quills flew into the men, one finding its target and embedding itself in Hugo’s shoulder. He dropped his rifle and clutched his wound. It wouldn’t kill him, but it would impair his ability to fight. The creature that had unleashed the first series of quills darted from behind its boulder, charging the men, but a quick burst from Reeder’s saw put it down. The final creature then left its cover, having decided that the group wasn’t worth bothering with. Krieger fired at it, one of his shots hitting its mark, and injured the creature.

            Carmine knelt next to Mule’s limp body and felt for a pulse. The man was dead. Hugo ripped the quill from his shoulder and quickly bandaged the wound to avoid excessive bleeding. “Jeezus, I hope there aren’t much more of those guys,” muttered Thumper. The rest of the squad solemnly nodded in agreement.