Time for a change!

Day 1,575, 05:12 • Published in USA United Kingdom • by Henry Hank Moody

Leaves and branches smacked against his head as Axeell blinded thundered through the trees in a desperate attempt to catch up with the unknown sniper.

“Sergeant any word on JMO yet?” Axeell silently prayed the corporal was ok but his gut was wrenching at the certainty of the reply.

“Not yet Sergeant I should be nearing her position in the next few minutes. Focus on the sniper I’ll let you know about JMO as soon as I’ve found her.”

“Yes Sergeant.” A brief rustle ahead of him cause Axeell to fall to the ground just as the bullet whipped through the air barely an inch above his head cracking the air as it passed. Axeell squeezed the trigger and fired blindly in the direction the sniper fired from.

Pieces of bark splintered into the air as the fully automatic rifle made mince-meat out of nature. For good measure Axeell ripped the pin out of a grenade and lobbed into the dense underbrush. The ground cracked under the pressure of the explosion sending trees, ferns and small pieces of rodent flying in all directions.

Axeell hunkered down and slowly edged into the devastation vegetation, a fresh magazine was silently waiting for the finger to squeeze.

“Put it down Axeell.” Axeell felt the cold hard metal of the muzzle press against his spine, the voice was seductively familiar and with a shudder he knew the sniper.

“Why Dakota?”

“Orders. Why else does anyone do anything?” Was the only answer she gave, “I'm truly sorry Axeell.” Dakota quickly brushed the tears away and closed her eyes.

The crack of the rifle was loud through the oppressive darkness of the forest and Axeell fell to his knees.

“Come on buddy get up.” Axeell opened his eyes to see the lifeless eyes of Dakota staring at him, a bullet hole was trickling blood onto the undergrowth and the grinning face of his saviour made him smile.

“Hank?”

“Of course buddy who else would save your sorry ass?”

“I love you man.”



Axeell and Hank stood silently over their former comrade, heads bowed in silent prayer.

With the moment of silence passed Axeell immediately radioed the Sergeant for information.

“Don’t worry Axeell JMO’s alright she was just unconscious. I’m carrying her back to the forward command post now. Get yourself back to the others I guess we’ll be pushing further into the enemy now.”

“Come on Hank let’s go. Where have you been anyway?”

“I got separated from the unit during the charge and been holed up in this bloody wood for hours. I heard Dakota enter and then saw you three come in after her.”

****

“What’s next Captain?” Before Ranflax could answer a deep drone echoed across the landscape and soon hundreds of Canadian aircraft could be seen heading further into England.

“Well looks like we’re done for,” Ranflax muttered as he relayed the situation to General Woolfie back at command.
****

“The Candians are bringing up more troops. Looks like England is gone lads.” Woolfie flipped open his phone and dialled an old friend. “Hi Smack? I need a favour.”