A New World: Awakening by John O'Brien Read Free Book Online

down there needing help and there’s no better reason to try what we could.
    “Okay, change in plans,” I told the team.   “I can’t raise anyone down there.   We’ll head to the east as planned then I’ll head inside and make contact.”
    We made our way east, creeping just below the crest.   The firing at the base of the ridge, just fifty meters away, didn’t let up.   The ridge eventually sloped down with the ridge ending just at the eastern edge of the field.   The trees lining the open area continued to the south along the eastern side.   Only a few shots rang out from there.   Behind the few firing on that side, we went on line and crept forward keeping in sight of the team member to our left and right.
    The large-leafed vegetation kept our field of vision limited but the sounds of gunfire guided us in.   Luckily only a few desultory shots were fired in our direction from the soldiers in the field.   There was an occasional spray of bark from one of the large trees flew as rounds made their way in our direction.   My concern was how to exit the trees and make my way across the field without becoming the main attraction for the soldiers firing this way.   Lowering a large frond, I saw a man laying behind a fallen log firing short bursts blindly into the field.
    “We have tangos to our front, fifteen meters,” I whispered into the radio.   The copy and additional sightings were radioed in from the other team members.
    “Take ‘em out,” I said as I raised my M-4 and centered my red dot on the back of the soldier firing in front of me.
    My carbine kicked slightly against my shoulder and the muted coughs of my short burst were hidden beneath the din of the firing all around.   The soldier flinched and then settled to the ground; the only difference in the span of moments between his living and his introduction to the next world was that his Ak-47 ceased firing.   The sounds directly around us diminished as the others’ rounds found their marks as well.   The area to our immediate front became quiet.   Now, how to get to the troops out in the field without becoming aerated?   I thought edging to the perimeter, keeping low as rounds continued to pepper the trees around us.
    “Anyone have anything white?”   I asked as we drew closer together.
    “You’re kidding right?!”   My ATL answered.
    “I have a hankie,” our point man said brandishing said handkerchief.
    “You guys wait here, I’m going in.   Keep the comms open,” I said.
    I tied the white, I might also add used, handkerchief to the end of my suppressor.   Lying behind the fallen log next to the recently departed, I waved the small flag overhead and started yelling “friendlies.”
    I heard someone shouting close by and noted the decrease in incoming rounds.   Raising my head above the log, I saw a helmet bob up just above one of the rises.   I stood and ventured slowly out to the edge of the tree line keeping my M-4raised and to the side along with my other arm.   I didn’t want to stand there long as the firefight was still in full swing.   I yelled “friendlies” once again and the helmet became attached to an arm waving me on.
    I crouched and ran into the field very much aware of the steel filling the air.   With some rounds peppering the ground from fire to the left and right, I dove behind the rise which hid the body beneath the helmet.
    “Where the hell did you come from?”   The soldier asked.
    “Oklahoma,” I answered as if it was the stupidest question I’d ever heard.   “Who’s in charge here?”
    “Sergeant Connell,” he answered pointing to a group of soldiers hunkered behind one of the larger rises.
    “Thanks,” I said and dashed in a crouch plopping myself next to one of the soldiers lying in the center.
    Crashing on the ground in a rather less than graceful manner, I looked at the soldier lying next to me.   Blue eyes, with a sporting of blond hair peeking out from the helmet, met my