My books! Hope you enjoy :) Copyrighted by edabbott industries 2010

Reign of Fire

CPL. Mike Bradford
23rd SAS Blue Troop
Outskirts of Chernobyl
16th March 2005
Mike ran his gloved hands across the cold, hard ground. They had made good progress through the long, straw like grass and over 5 miles of it. The skies were black occasionally dropping bits of snow when it felt like it. This didn’t deter the fact that everything appeared dead to him, the atmosphere was quiet, the surroundings vacant and the stench of death and intoxication was making his very nostrils quiver. None the less he continued his path across the fields occasionally stopping for RCF choppers that would occasionally pass over looking for trespassers but they seemed to just pass. ‘Glad I’ve got this guilly suit on’ thought mike. Sam was not far behind him, short, stocky and full eagerness for the SAS, Sam had joined this two man operation with Mike’s approval and the head shed’s. He was wearing the same latex guilly suit as Mike and carrying a silenced M24 bolt action sniper, same as Mike, and 50 rounds of ammunition.
“You still there?” asked Mike in low northern tone.
“Still here” replied Sam in a middle Leicester type accent.
“Move slowly and steadily for 10 yards the move to a crouch position and regroup” whispered Mike over the earpiece. Together they regrouped and surveyed the distance. “Geiger’s picking up large pockets of radiation all over this area” said Mike concerned “we’d be better to keep moving towards the city and our target”.
“Right, but what about the road ahead?” said Sam in a concerned voice.
“We’ll layup by the side and wait, if we see nothing coming then we’ll cross” replied Mike.
“Lot of wrecked cars” replied Sam.
“Then call the AA” chuckled Mike.
They reached the road side after a good 10 minutes of crawling through more read like grass. The road was scattered with debris of cars, trucks, Lorries which had been raided for its goods by passing forces. They were all rustic and scattered over the road. Something which grabbed Mike’s attention was the fresh blood coming from the back of an old humvie with one wheel gone.
“Stay there and cover me” warned Mike to Sam “I’m checking that out.”
He moved closer to the open-backed truck, a trail of fresh red blood was dripping from the back into the freshly small formed pool of crimson red. Mike crouched headed over with his silenced SIG Sauer P226 at the ready he turned the corner so fast to the truck that he nearly fell. He steadied himself and looked at the corpse. No doubt this wasn’t a accident as the guy had been shot point blank in the skull, Mike turned him over for clue to the ID of the corpse but no had been found, however, Mike wasn’t new to this and knew that this guy in his early thirties with a slightly shaved beard and head, wearing combats and ragged army boots however also no weapon was to be seen or found but Mike knew which unit he was from which was the they were facing this guy was new to their type of regiment, he was Russian Commando Forces and bad at that. Mike checked the neighbouring cars but no traces of any others were to be found so he returned to Sam.
“Anything?” asked Sam.
“Dead RCF” replied Mike “Probably Friendly fire, mad bastards, Can’t do anything else right so they shoot their own.”
“Wonder why.” Muttered Sam.
“Probably bored” Replied Mike “C’mon let’s get going before anymore start to arrive and shoot at us instead of play target practice with their own.”
They carried on through the vast desert of wild growing grass towards the centre of Chernobyl occasionally having to stop for patrols of choppers as they passed over.
“Things are getting hot around here” said Mike curiously “and I don’t mean the temperature”
“I know what you mean” replied Sam “but what’s happening?” He asked curiously.
“Dunno but we’d better keep out of the line of fire” said Mike.
The temperature was dropping since their arrival at the edge of the city, Mike and Sam crouched on the edge of a hill at the end of some thick grass to over view the city itself.
“Bloody Hell” said Sam surprised at overlooking the state of the city.
“You think this is bad mate” said Mike with a tone of sorrow in his voice “Just wait till we get to the centre of where we’re going, then you’ll see how bad a state this place is in since the last time anyone was here.” The city was a mess large chunks of buildings had been blown out, everything about the place felt dead, even the sky. The ground below the ridge and the city itself had weeds and slight grass growing out of cracks in the pavement. The air was thin as the closer they were going to go. There were upturned vehicles, destroyed sign posts, the place looked and felt dead to them both.
“You see that power station in the back?” Said Mike.
“Yeh” replied Sam slightly amazed and bewildered at what he saw.
“That’s what caused this and neighbouring places to become this dead” Said mike “That building slightly to the left is where we’re heading.”
“Why?” asked Sam.
“Because two years ago the Russians planted something in there, nobody knew what it was but it was just put there, so our job is to root it out and find what it’s for.”
“But two years? Couldn’t anyone have been before and taken it out or it could be gone.” Said Sam curious of this new information.
“The Americans had considered a recon opps but the chance was denied after it was considered to be too dangerous for relations between the US and Russia.”
“So we’re to go and find out if it’s there and if so what it’s the there for?”
“Yep, so let’s move before we get radiation poisoning from this damn place” Chuckled Mike.
Mike admired his eagerness to move on the go, as he remembered being just the same but the regiment had taught him patience and timing were key elements in evasion tactics.
They made their way into the city, past the numerous destroyed cars and bits of debris towards the building. Suddenly they stopped, “get down! Behind that truck. Move!” Ushered Mike over the comms to Sam and they moved behind the upturned truck. Mike stuck his head over the top but immediately put it right back down. “One patrol with a dog coming from the north and one sniper in an old apartment block on the top floor.”
“What do we do?” Sais Sam, his tone slightly worried.
“Two options” Said Mike “either jump into the grass to avoid the patrol; and risk the sniper seeing us or Get under those cars and risk the dog sniffing us out but avoiding the sniper. Your call.”
Sam hesitated, he weighed up the options. “In the grass, the guilly’s will disguise us until they’ve gone past and hide us from the sniper”
“Good call, right on my go run and jump then lay on your front still as hell” warned Mike. “Go!” Mike and Sam ran and jumped over the wall and lay still. “Patrol’s passing, keep still” he whispered over the comm.
they waited for what had seemed to them a long time but then Mike’s voice came back over the comm. “Stay low on the ground and move against that wall I’ll be back in two. Don’t move unless you see that patrol coming back”
“Will do.”
Mike crawled back five paces and took aim at the sniper in the tower. He seemed just to stand and look out at the view below him. ‘Not your day mate’ thought Mike as he steadied himself, he hesitated, everything felt as if time had stood still, he curled his bony finger round the trigger of his M24 and drew his breath. There was a quiet thud and a thin stream trail of broken air where the bullet had pierced it and the snipers head as he was blown off his feet and right back to the centre of the guard post. Mike had seen the bullet hit his skull point blank and take a chunk of bone, eye jelly, blood and brain out him and decorate the surroundings. ‘Got ya’ whispered Mike to himself as he smiled and then brought his mind back to focus. “Sam you there?” He asked, feeling slightly pleased with himself.
“Yeh I’m here” replied Sam “what happened?”
“The snipers no longer a problem for now, at least not until they find him. Let’s get moving before we’re discovered” Said Sam his tone sharp and serious.
Mike stuck his head up, “The patrol’s gone, let’s move before they come back” Whispered Mike. They pushed themselves up of the cold grass floor and moved to the far end of the park. The swings had a eerily noise about them to Sam as if ghosts were playing on them but Sam knew it was just the slight breeze that had picked up, the see-saw just made a slight banging sound against the ground but it was just enough to make Sam’s blood run cold. They made their way through the play ground and over the wall at the far end.
They moved through the city’s streets moving from the cover of bins and upturned cars towards their objective. They arrived at what looked like the remains of a hotel and halted at the entrance behind an upturned fire truck. “Right the objective is on the other side of this hotel” said Mike “follow me through this building to the objective”
“Right.” Replied Sam, slightly out of breath.
Mike went through the small gap of debris that was covering the door first. “Tight Squeeze” Said Mike as he just managed to brush past it. Sam followed and to Mike surprise managed it through fine. ‘I’m getting too old for this’ He thought to himself. They moved swiftly and silently through the hotel and up two floors by using what remained of the stairs. Mike suddenly stopped. His Geiger counter was going slightly louder than before. “Better get off here. Radiation levels are higher as we climb. We’ll go through this door and out of one of the apartments. Follow me.”
“Will we be ok?” said Sam, his tone a little concerned.
“Not if we hang around here much longer. Let’s move.”
Mike took a quick right to the apartments and took the second door on the right. The corridor was blackened all over, door hung of their hinges and some had been blown off completely. It was slightly ajar, Mike pushed the door open watching for any enemy presence, the room was black and bits of the ceiling tiles had fallen down, upturned chairs and a destroyed TV lay tipped all around. The kitchen wasn’t much better but had one big window which was blown completely out and some of the wall around it too. “Through there” He pointed to Sam and Sam quickly nodded and followed.
The window was two floors away from the floor but a heavy upturned truck had not fallen far from the drop and they leapt on to its skip that it had been carrying on the back and down to the floor.
“The place we’re heading to is not far from here, you see that oil facility?” Said Mike
“Yeh” Replied Sam, looking at the building.
“That’s where we’re heading. Stay alert and stick close, you don’t know what’s gunna happen.”
Together, weapons at the ready, they headed deep into the heart of the city. “Stick to the shadows” Mike whispered “The Arial activity is picking up and we don’t wanna be caught in the heart of it.”
“Wonder what they’re looking for?” Asked Sam, concentrating on the task at hand.
“Probably us or their next meal” Replied Mike, a chuckle in the corner of his mouth.
They moved out, as they entered deeper into the city, the air around them became thicker, hotter and they started to sweat.
“Bloody hell it’s warm around here.” Said Mike moving his hands to adjust the collar of his guilly suit for air to pass through. “Stick close and keep moving, I can’t afford any of us to drop due to heat stroke at this rate” Chuckled Mike with a slightly concerned tone in his voice.
“What I wouldn’t give for a fan” Replied Sam laughing. The buildings around them were in a worse condition as absolutely no sign of any life seemed to have been present anywhere as if it was half built and then left. The office buildings that once stood tall now lay all around and yet smoke still drifted up into the air as if some parts were still on fire. The city streets became more dirty and less looked after, Bins that had once been on fire for patrols now smouldered giving off a thick cloud of smoke and dust from nearby discarded wrappers and assortments of military food. Eventually after many hours of toiling through the city they eventually arrived at the oil compound. Two iron gates that once proudly held the name of the company now lay splayed in the street drain. The wall to the compound was broken and very little remained, you could see the base line of where it began.
“Watch yourself” Said Mike cautiously “There could be guards anywhere”
“Wise for a scout around?” Asked Sam
“No time, it’s getting dark now. We’ll move in the shadows. Not safe to move across the courtyard in the open.” Warned Mike. “Hug the wall, I’ll go first.”
Mike moved his body round the wall as if he was on the edge of a cliff, Sam went next keeping the same tactic. As one moved the other kept watch for any movement. Eventually they made it to a side door which with a bit of Mike’s forceful help, the door swung open happily. ‘I have too much fun’ Mike thought to himself with a slight grin on his face. The open space inside the factory was enormous as the only thing that still remained was the base of two old oil storage tanks that had exploded during the destruction of the city. Parts of the roof had caved in and the steel girders didn’t look too promising at staying in their place any longer. The whole place smelt like warm petrol and warm tarmac mixed together on a hot day. The walls were decorated with black soot and there were large chunks missing out of the wall leading to neighbouring streets. The floor was covered in ash and rustic metal and broken glass and brick. They proceeded into the factory and immediately found a set of stairs that lead to overlooking offices.
“We’ll start up there and make our way down.” Said Mike pointing to the set of stairs that looked black and rustic but stable enough to climb. “Then we’ll check the ground floor. Clear and sweep movement.”
“Right” replied Sam. They began to climb the set of steps, their boots making faint clattering noises as they climbed. Surprisingly the steps held all the way. They reached the top and took the first door that was facing them. They drew their silenced P226’s and took one side of the door each.
Mike grabbed the door knob, it was cold and greasy, he turned it and the door slowly creaked open on its hinges. Mike drew breath and flung the door open, nothing, the room was completely clear.
“Move to the next one on your left, if you find anything shout” said Mike sharply.
“Will do” Replied Mike. Between them they started to clear the rooms one by one. As Sam was about to open the fifth door he suddenly looked over the side of the railing, “Mike, there are two tankers in the depot down below which are newish.” Sam whispered over the comms.
“ Be there in two, Sam don’t move, wait there it could be a trap.” Replied Mike seriously.
“I’m not planning on movin till I know why there here” Replied Sam slowly.
Mike arrived at Sam’s position and took a look over the rail. There were two oil tankers that looked fairly new and had been cleaned as if they were going to transport something away. Mike and Sam descended the nearest set of stairs, carefully watching to see that the steps didn’t collapse beneath them. Mike was starting to get hotter and hotter. The radiation from the air and the tension of a possible nuclear device didn’t comfort him at all.
“Right, cover me while I go to check them out.” Said Mike, cautiously moving forwards.
“Right” Replied Sam, eying up the area around him.
Mike cautiously moved forward, taking each step slowly and carefully to watch for any sign of a bomb. He moved to the first trailer, His pulse was racing and drops of sweat had started to form on his neck and hands. He took hold of one end of the ladder at the back of the tanker and started to climb to the hatch on top. Once on top he took hold of the handle and lifted the hatch, the inside smelt like a strong glue-alcohol smell but sure enough when he dipped the muzzle of his M24 in it was fresh crude oil. ‘Shit’ Mike thought to himself in alarm.
“Sam we got a bit of a problem, these tankers are filled with crude oil and if that package we’re supposed to be looking for then we could be sitting on top of a time bomb.”
“Shit where’s the bomb?” asked Sam
“I’m looking for it now” Said Mike “Keep a look out for any activity”
“Will do” replied Sam.
Mike replaced the hatch on the tanker and stepped down the ladder. He then set about looking in the cab for the bomb but there was only a porn magazine in Russian and half a cup of coffee left on the driver’s seat. Mike got down from the cab and stopped. He turned his head, his brain was ticking over with confusion, then he immediately threw himself into the floor in a press up position, the skin immediately cut as he lay his hands down on the debris covered floor. Sure enough there was the bomb, tucked under the front axle of the truck. “Sam, come take a look” Whispered Mike. Sam rose from his hiding position and walked over to where Mike was laying down. Mike had his torso under the truck as he was trying to pull the bomb from its hiding position but it had been cemented in place.
“Fucking Russians!” Mike muttered under his breath.
“What’s happened, have you found the bomb?” replied Sam eager to know what was going on.
“Yeh but the Russians have cemented the Fucking thing to the floor! And the wheels of the truck!” Said Mike back angrily.
“How long is left on the bomb?” Asked Sam cautiously.
“It’s not a time bomb, it’s a clock bomb. It’s set to go off in 30 minutes!” Replied Mike, anxiety now filling his voice. “Right follow me and don’t stop running unless we have to!”
“Don’t worry I wasn’t planning on hanging around” Said Sam grinning.
Together they exited the oil facility out of the fire escape door on the right and sprinted into the street. They stuck to the darkness of the pavement side but continued to run towards the end of the street. Mike’s adrenalin was racing as was his heart beat, his legs moving at a fast pace and Sam was right behind him, Mike admired Sam a bit for his eagerness and his fast track head, always wanting to get to the next level. They continued to the end of the street then Mike shouted “Quick left!” and Sam turned sharply.
They ran past falling debris and upturned cars, Mike stumbled but he wasn’t going to let a bit of tarmac get the better of him and continued to run right down the road. He looked at his watch, 26 minutes to go he thought, “Keep moving!” he shouted to Sam. Sam didn’t need to be told twice and kept on moving. Mike took a sharp left, jumped the bonnet of a car and continued to run down the street towards what looked like a hotel with the top floors blown out.
Sam was right on his tail, his legs were starting to ache, his lungs felt like they were on fire. Sweat covered his body which made his guilly suit tight and unpleasant to run in. Mike’s head was starting to drop, the heat had got to him but they still weren’t clear of the immediate danger zone but they had to stop. “Through that door at the end of the street in the hotel, move!” Panted Mike. They continued to run, closer and closer, almost within reach, his eyes were staring to drop, he couldn’t take it. Then he felt an arm wrap round him and his entire body being lifted up onto someone’s shoulders, it was Sam, Mike could only just manage a smile but his eyes immediately shut and he was out. Sam bashed the through the doors of the hotel took Mike to the back of bar where there was at least some cover from the heat and radiation. He took the water from his side pack and took a huge gulp which immediately started to cool his body down and replace lost moisture to his dry, cracked lips. He sat back and started to recover his lost breathe.
Mike awoke with a start, his face drenched in a mixture of warm sweat and cold water, his eyes were sore as he rubbed them and his body ached, Sam immediately handed him his canteen and Mike took a quick swig, his body started to feel better but his body still ached. “Time?” he asked, his voice croaked and felt sore as he spoke.
“Fifteen minutes” Replied Sam.
“Then we’ve got to move before that bomb goes off! Nothings stable around here, all the buildings will collapse from the shock wave!” Replied Mike as he started to get to his feet.
“Where to?” replied Sam.
“Out of the city. Out the back of this hotel and it’s about a mile to our left with the odd street to turn.” Said Mike as gathered his gear and started to move. Sam did the same and then as he turned felt a hand on his shoulder. “Thanks.” Said Mike with a small smile on his face. They turned and started to pick up their running pace again, Sam followed Mike out the back of a blown through French glass window and left into the street.
They kept on running. Their paces were fast and sharp, Mike knew they didn’t have long, “Keep moving!” he shouted to Sam. Sam didn’t need to be told twice and kept on heading towards the end of the street. “Turn right!” shouted Mike and Sam quickly followed, they jumped a line of broken, rustic trucks and police cars, Mike checked his watch, Ten minutes, “Take a left at this next corner!” he shouted to Sam and Sam nodded. Mike spun round to his left and on to the pavement. Sam did the same and headed onto the pavement and round the side of the building, Mike’s heart was racing fast, his muscles were feeling better after that small rest and thought that Sam could do with same, but he shook the thoughts from his head and continued to keep moving. The buildings round this end of the city were more stable around this area but still looked dead to him. Then Mike stopped, Sam ran right into Mike’s arm. “What’s wrong?” Asked Sam.
“ We’re going to have to sneak past that convoy of departing RCF’s over there at the road leading out of the city” Replied Mike, still trying to sum up the options in his head. “Right, follow me and stay low.”
“Right.” Replied Sam.
They crouched and started moving from one car to another, every time covering one for the other whilst on the move. “Right in here and out the left side” Said Mike “Then down that street and out into the grass lands for extraction.”
“I’m not arguing with that” Chuckled Sam, sweating all over.
Mike went first up the steps to the building and pried open the door. “All clear” whispered Mike over the comms. He rested his sniper on the wall and covered as Sam moved into position. They both entered the building in through the foyer which was medium sized but grey and dead. The walls destroyed. The desks upturned. Mike shifted his head from side to side checking the room but all was quiet. Mike opened a door that lead to what was once a ballroom by the looks of it, the room was big but not as big as the hole at the other end of the room which lead back out into the street. Mike and Sam moved to the end of the room and jumped out of the hole and into the street. Mike picked himself up, Sam was on one knee watching for movement, Mike tapped him one the shoulder, Sam stood up and moved forward down the street. At the end of the street there was a road sign which had three names, all in Russian, of the neighbouring towns and lanes to take to them. Mike picked up the pace and looked back at his watch. “How long left?” panted Sam as he ran.
“ Three minutes” replied Mike “That convoy delayed us.”
“How far can we get out of the city?” Asked Sam, a tone of concern raised his voice.
“Honestly Mate, to about the end of this street and out into the open but clear of any immediate damage.” Replied mike now panting as sweat rolled off his face and into his mouth, his mask was drenched in sweat, as was his guilly suit, and his muscles were killing him. “Just keep moving and don’t waste your breath.”
All Sam could do was nod as he continued to run, his muscles burned and lungs burned for oxygen but he knew he had to continue. He could see the sign getting closer and closer with every step he took, his body still playing strong and his nerves screaming in pain as he moved with every last step towards the end of the street.
‘Just keep moving’ He thought to himself ‘it’ll all be over soon.’
Mike turned around, he could see Sam struggling but Mike knew how he felt, he was about to fall to the floor himself. Mike waited for Sam who quickly caught up and between holding each other up the made it to the sign. Then Mike stopped. He could feel the ground shaking. Sam turned and, even though he was squinting, he could see that the bomb had gone up in the oil facility as a big orange, yellow ball of flame engulfed the facility and took off into the sky. At the same time all the buildings in the neighbouring area to the facility had been torn apart and crumbled to the ground which had sent out two immense shock waves, one along the ground at man height level whilst the other swept along and out the top floors of the buildings and out of the city. All at once the buildings started to shake and fall collapsing in on themselves from the city centre outwards. A shock wave passed through the city and hit Sam and Mike which knocked them back off their feet. Mike immediately jumped back up and helped Sam too. “Run and jump!” Shouted Mike to Sam. Sam didn’t need telling twice. Between them and the open grass was a stretch of concrete which had to be jumped in order to get out, Mike went first, he took a huge leap across the gap and made it. He hit the floor and rolled to one side for Sam. Sam could feel the vibrations of the after-shock wave getting closer and closer, he closed his eyes and ran. His legs left the ground as he hit the end of the ground and jumped. The next thing he felt was the cold, hard tarmac hit him right in the face. He opened his eyes, Mike was standing over him. “Good run?” he asked sarcastically.
“Couldn’t have been better” Chuckled Sam. Mike grabbed hold of Sam’s hand and pulled him up. “We’re not out of this yet” said Mike slightly concerned. “We’ve got to get out of here”
“How?” Replied Sam
“The radiation jabs will wear off soon, so we have to move quickly out to the extraction point. If they’re there.” He added with a joking tone.
They had been on the move for two hours, with their feet aching, their hands blistered and their body drenched in sweat and smelling of two men that had had a night out at the bar and woke up in a bin. Their muscles were aching and ready to give in and they hadn’t eaten properly for days. They eventually arrived at the extraction point which was a open patch of grass which was in the middle of nowhere. Mike pulled out a radio kit. “Hammer 2-4, this is Alpha 3-2, we need extraction, package was an exploding bomb, Chernobyl is more destroyed now than it was. Needing extraction from field map coordinates F10 G5. Confirm?” There was a crackle over the comms then Hammer came on “Alpha 3-2 this is Hammer 2-4, we have received and understood. Coming in for extraction. E.T.A 15 minutes. Over”
“Roger 2-4, awaiting extraction look for red flare when near for extraction area.” Replied mike “Sam lay up here, keep your eye open for any enemy patrols around or near us.”
“Will do.” Replied Sam.
They lay up still and quiet. Then Mike checked his watch, he could hear the sound of a helicopter coming in. Fifteen minutes were up. Mike pulled a grey can out and pulled the pin. He threw it into the centre of an open space and stood up along with Sam. It was a Chinook. The chopper turned and landed, the back door opened and they both climbed in. They both felt relieved to finally be off the ground and back in British hands. “How was it?” The guy who was sat next to Mike taking his equipment off him asked.
“Cold, wet, hot, shit and sticky as fuck.” Replied Mike at which both Mike and Sam laughed at. Mike took one last look at Chernobyl, ‘last time I go there for my holiday’ he chuckled to himself.

1. CPL. Sam ‘Kojak’ Harvey
23rd SAS Blue Troop
Credenhill, Hereford
Present Day
Sam sat in the mess hall, he was looking at the pictures of famous battles the SAS had won and lost over the years. There were ones of Argentina, the Iranian embassy siege, Afghanistan and many more that decorated the hall walls, dedicated to those who had died during battle, the famous battles were the ones that grabbed Sam’s attention. Just then Sam’s mate Dan ‘Hazzard’ Stevens walked in and took a seat next to Sam. “Eating that?” He asked.
Sam looked down at his plate of half eaten chips and meat pie “nah you want it?”
“Go on then” Dan had never been one to resist food, all the regiment knew that.
“Hungry?” Asked Sam sarcastically.
“Man’s got to eat” chuckled Dan as he took a forkful of pie. Sam had Knew Dan since they had joined the Regiment together back in 2004. There first mission had been in Afghanistan spotting base movements with the other four men of Blue Troop. It had been a hot job but to Sam that was the least of his worries.
“How was Bosnia then?” asked Dan.
“Hot, annoying but good for holidays” replied Sam laughing.
“Hhhmmm might go there in future” Chuckled Dan going in for another mouth full of chips.
As Sam and Dan were discussing the paintings on the wall, CPT. Lockley from head office came running in, sending the double doors flying wildly. “Sam you’re wanted in the CO’s office now.” Lockley was stocky and well built, he had a thin moustache that ran under his lip and thick, black combed hair. He was always clean but in battle Sam had seen him survive what would appear fatal to regular soldiers.
“On my way” replied Sam sharply. He patted Dan on the back “See you soon mate, don’t go raiding the canteen” he chuckled. He followed Lockley out of the mess and across the field to the head office.
Sam was met by a tall, well built man who was well in his forties and had slightly grey hair, his eyes were blue and his stubble showed under his thick jaw. COL. James Harley, the CO of the Regiment. The man knew what and how he was going to tell Sam as he dismissed Lockley in a stern tone with a nod of his head.
“Right, there are two things that I have to tell you” He said sternly, he stood and faced the window “Mike’s dead.” Sam suddenly sat still. Everything suddenly stopped. It was as if time had stopped. His face went blank. His head suddenly started to spin. ‘What, why, when?’ “He was killed in action in Peru. He was under taking a assassination mission and he was captured and killed two days later. He never spoke, never feared them and died for the Regiment.”
Sam jumped up, opened his mouth and screamed “BASTARDS!” He sat down, a tear started to roll down his cheek. He stood and went to look out of the window. He could see his squadron hanger from here, rain started to appear from the clouds and cover the glass of the office.
“He always said if he was going to die on the field, then so be it” Whispered Mike to himself.
“I’m sorry, you were his closest student and friend, I thought you deserved to know that his funerals in two days” Said Harley.
Sam had been close to Mike. He had followed his training methods, his work and done the most joint field operations with him. Even though Mike had been the Squadron SGT. Major for Red troop, Sam had still worked with him well. “What happened?” asked Sam curious but silent.
“He and three others from Red Troop went into the forest hill town of Huayhuash looking for the pirate gangs that were smuggling cocaine in and out illegally as well as nuclear material. Mike’s team were tasked to go in and observe as well as take out the man in charge if possible. The guy was called Guran Del Fuigo, big baron, owned the biggest compound in the town where all of the drugs were stored. Mike volunteered the troop for the job and as such was given the task. When the firing began two nights later, two of the troop were killed and the bodies taken and paraded round the town on the back of trucks. No one deserves that but they consider otherwise. Anyway, Mike reported they’d seen him walking around the town and from a vantage point that the remaining two set up they could see the point where he got up in the morning. Unfortunately they were discovered due to the nosy, two faced locals and as the guard came to get him he told the third man to run unfortunately he didn’t get far and was killed on site whilst running. Mike was captured and killed. The extraction squad found his body, not decapitated, under a nearby bridge and the intelligence reports we got back told us all about the mission.”
“You said there was a part two?” said Sam with a slight tone of anger.
“What? Oh yes” replied Harley. “Two weeks ago, intelligence reported that Guran had been into Iraq about the nuclear weapons work and talked to Osama Bin Laden. They agreed for the sale of the nuclear devices but no one knows when or how much. Guran is still there, you’re to finish Mike’s job.” The room fell silent, Sam considered it, his head was spinning. “I need time to think” he replied.
“I’ll give you some time, this business has affected us all” Replied Harley subtlety. “That’s all.” He added.
Sam turned and walked out of the door and down the corridor, past the squad staff and out into the rain. He didn’t bother to put his hood up and walked back to the squadron hanger, his head still spinning with anger and confusion.
Sam was sat on the edge of his bed, he was just staring blankly into the wall opposite. His room was how it had been since he arrived back off leave three days ago. His sheets were clean and white, his trunk and drawers were untouched, the cabinet was open with his dress uniform on the hanger as well as a spare pair of digital DPM’s. The walls were a light blue with the odd picture of his family and friends. His clock just ticked away, Sam hadn’t realized but when he looked at it five minutes later he had been sat there for nine hours straight. He looked out of the window, it was dark. The moon shone through the glass and the stars shone against the black canvas of the night and Sam just couldn’t get his head round what had happened. He had known Mike as far back to the early days of the Regiment. The most renowned mission was that of back in 2007 when the two of them had a joint operation to North Korea. That mission had gone down well with the Regiment for moral like the American holdout of Bastogne in WW2. It had been a great triumph for two men that had risked their lives for the threat of nuclear destruction in Western Europe and possible Russia. ‘Around the camp this news had probably reached everyone by now’ thought Sam to himself.
Every one knew Mike for his joking tone in the Regiment and his seriousness in battle. He might have shouted at most of the ranks in the warzone above and below him but they could see he was trying to protect them. Sam returned to his bead and closed his eyes, ‘Only I could have been selected’ he thought to himself and the next thing he knew he was out like a light.
Sam suddenly jumped up. He looked around, his room was where it should be and his DPM’s were covered in sweat. He stripped his uniform, grabbed his towel and headed down to the showers. On the way down he ran into Dan, “Everything ok?” he asked.
“I’m fine mate I’ll see you later.” He said as he rushed down to the showers. He didn’t want to talk to anyone, he just wanted everything to make sense and right now that wasn’t happening. He entered the showers, on the way to a cubical he threw his DPM’s into a wash basket for laundry and turned the water on. It hit him fast and cold. He jumped and shivered. Then it turned to warm and he picked up the bar of soap he had collected on the way in out of his locker. He rubbed his hands over the soap then all over his body, he started to feel better, he could feel part of his mind clearing and the sleep and stress in his eyes clearing slowly. He washed his body and stepped out of the shower, put the towel round him, placed the soap back in his locker and walked out of the door back to his room. The cold air from the corridor hit him hard and sent a shiver down his spine, He made his way back to his locker and put on a fresh pair of DPM’s. They felt good against his skin, as if they gave him some sort of resemblance to the world.
Steve was sat in the hall when Sam entered for breakfast. Sam had only got himself a fry up when Steve called him over, Sam walked over and took a seat next to him. “How you feeling this morning?” asked Steve.
“Not so bad, better after this breakfast” chuckled Sam.
“I know how you feel” Replied Steve “Being in the field has its ups and downs but the grub here is much better” he laughed.
“ I know but all this new business with Mike’s death is hard” Replied Sam staring at his food.
“Don’t worry about it” Replied Steve finishing a mouthful of breakfast, “Just try to focus on something else. If you focus on this then it could be the end of your career, I’ve seen it happen, it turns out terrible and devastating for a soldier. Focus on something else and keep your head in it and you’ll survive like you have done in the past.” Replied Steve with a smile.
“But that’s just it!” replied Sam. “It was when I was with him that I survived, it was because of him!”
“No.” Replied Steve sternly. “Mike taught you to survive true but now and all those other times, how you’ve commanded small groups of men. How you’ve survived torture from Terrorists whilst in capture and how to keep your cool in the heat of fire.” Exclaimed Steve, “Don’t pin the blame on yourself, because it wasn’t you! Just do your best and keep your head in the game, ok?”
“I will” replied Sam as a little smile came across his face. He placed his fork down on his empty plate. “And Steve, cheers for the help” smiled Sam as he got up and walked back towards the doors. Steve just held his thumb up and smiled as Sam turned out of the door and out to the squadron hanger.
Sam was just on his way across the hanger when Liam ‘Snatch’ Jacobson came running out of head office towards Sam. Liam was thin, short and had a scarred face. He had been in some of the most fearsome battles in Afghanistan, he had brown curly hair and a thin top lip. He had gained his name for being quick to pick his weapons and anything he found on the dead enemies that he liked. “Sam!” he came at him quick. “CO wants to see you ASAP.” He panted as he came to a halt.
“Bet I know what this is about” Sam grunted.
“Anyway got to go” Panted Liam as he turned and headed towards one of the CQB areas, waving as he ran. Sam turned and looked at the sky, it had cleared since breakfast and now had turned blue with the odd cloud in the sky, ‘figures’ he muttered to himself as he headed back to head office.
Sam took a right down the corridor and opened the door to the CO’s office, it was slightly lighter than yesterday and the pictures of his military achievements hung on the walls. Harley was sat behind his desk, his hands cupped and his hair combed straight. “Sit down.” Said Harley, his tone sharp. Sam sat. The two men looked at each other in silence, you could hear a pin drop, Sam was the first to break the tension. “I’m going in.” Those words made Harley sit up and fold his arms. A thin smile grew across his lips, “You have two days to prepare.” He replied, still stern, “You choose the five man team to enter the borderlands of Afghanistan, choose the gear you take and choose carefully” he raised one eyebrow as he leaned over the desk. “We don’t want this operation going to pot but there is two objectives to this mission as far you concerned. Make a corpse of Del Fuigo and make sure he stays down.”
“And the second?” replied Sam in a deep, undertone voice.
“You know what you’re after. Don’t let this Regiment down.” He replied, crossing his arms but looking right at Sam. “Two days. Get ready and choose well, we don’t want a repeat of Peru.” His voice was as cold and sharp as steal. He nodded to the door, Sam stood and walked out, his head a buzz of what he needed to do.
Sam sat in Blue Troops hanger, He was bringing up a list of equipment and people he needed for the mission. His head was starting to spin about the kit list and the men he needed, then Mark Thompson walked in, He was Blue Troops SGT. Major. “Trouble Kojak?” he chuckled as he walked in. Mark was a big man, He had muscles all over his arms and always walked around with his sleeves rolled up. He had a Scottish accent and flat, brown hair, he had stubble over the lower half of his face and a long scar down his left check from his ear which he had earned in Bosnia on undercover work.
“Not half sir.” He sighed as he placed one hand to support the side of his head to rest.
“You got your men then?” asked Mark.
“Yeh, its just finishing the extraction point in this region of hills” Sam ran his pen nib around a section of hill terrain on the map in front of them.
“What about if you put them there?” Mark circled a clearing area round the side of the hills with a question mark. “Or there?” Mark circled another area on the side of a large hill with a flat area.
“Good choice sir but what happens if the guys have been walking for two days?” he asked, his head starting to drop.
“This is making your head hurt mate” observed Mark. “Take five, I’ll have some options set and take in your equipment orders to the armoury for you.” Mark smiled. “Go get some fresh air and a meal then come see me.”
All Sam could do was nod his head, stand up and walk out of the hanger into the sunlight and across to the canteen. Sam was half way across to the canteen when he stopped. He looked over his left shoulder and walked towards his car. A blue Vauxhall Astra was parked outside on the tarmac in the squadron car park. Sam pulled out his car keys and pressed the unlock button, he climbed in and drove through the base, out onto the road and into the village.
Sam had headed straight home to gather his things from his house and stuffed them into his bag and put them in the hall. He was running about trying to find his things that when he reached for his watch on the mantel piece to put in safe box he stopped. He picked up the photo that was propped up against the wall, it was of him, Mike and Dan back in Bosnia. The three of them looked younger and more sunburnt. Sam ran his hand across his chin, he could feel the stubble from the freshly shaved hairs on his chin. He sat down on the big leather couch, he stopped and stared blankly at the wall opposite. He was thinking about the good old days back when they were a team. A tear appeared in the corner of eye, he could feel his nerves heightening and his fist scrunch up the photo in anger. He flattened out the photo with the palms of his hands and placed it back on the mantel piece. He took his safe box and put it next to his bag. He grabbed his small whiskey bottle, looked at it and placed it back. ‘Not going back on the booze’ though Sam. He grabbed his stuff, locked the front door and drove back to the Regiment.
Sam came through the regiment gates and parking faster than usual with a loud squeal from the tyres on the surface. Sam climbed out with a smile on his face, his mood had certainly lightened up from the morning. The several members of Blue Troop that were looking turned back to their work, Sam grabbed his gear and walked back inside the hanger, he placed his bag back on the table and walked up a set of steps onto a overhead catwalk and round to Thompson’s office. The door was open but Thompson wasn’t in but in the back on his bill board he had left Sam a note. Sam took it off and read the message. ‘Gone to see the CO. Sent your equipment list in. Check my desk for the alternate route I provided you with. Good luck.’ Sam smiled at the note then put it in his pocket and began to search the desk. He removed a pile of papers from the top and found the map on the top of the desk, He had provided Sam with a good alternate route with cover positions and back up extraction points. Sam had to grin at this, this man could have just saved his ass and the rest of the teams. ‘Thompson might have been big but he certainly looked after his men’ thought Sam. He grabbed the sheet, tucked it under his arm and walked out closing the door behind him. He headed back down the steps, across the grass and into the head office.
Sam was sat outside the office when Harley opened the door. “Come on in Sam” His tone was still stern but his faced had eased off a bit. Sam sat in the chair opposite and layed out the map in front of Harley.
“We go in from here under the cover of darkness from their we will make our way into the depths of the city and on into this set of buildings to set up our OP. From there we can get a clear view of the target and with the right sniper I’ve asked for we can take him out effectively and then make our way through these hills to the extraction point.” Replied Sam running his finger over indicating points on the map.
“The plan is sound except for one tiny detail” Replied Harley with one eyebrow raised. Sam could tell he was studying the plan. “This group of buildings are not close to your secondary objective.”
“What secondary objective?” Replied Sam Slightly concerned.
“There is also a weapons facility that we need pictures of. I was going to tell you later but now seems as good as ever.” He leaned over the map looking for a second route.
“Then we’ll split into two and keep in close contact at all times” Replied Sam.
“This is your call Sam, I can’t make your decisions for you but be careful the weapons facility is here” He pointed to a spot on the map.”It’s just a factory. Just grab a few pictures of the outside and get back. Do one by day if you can and one by night, then leg it out.” He smiled and sat back.
“I can get two men to do that for me who will be agile and alert” Replied Sam. “We’ll have this done in no time and be out with the Del Fuigo’s death as our reward” Sam chuckled but the CO remained Serious.
“Don’t get cocky.” He replied sternly. “I don’t want you guys getting killed because you thought it was easy, so just look out and good luck. Your mission goes down in twenty four hours.” Sam stood, nodded his head, gathered the plans and left the room. Harley let a sigh of relief out and turned to face the window, deep in thought.
When Sam arrived back at the hanger two dark granite-blue finish land rovers were at the entrance of the hanger, Dan, Andy, Tom and Steve were loading the Bergin’s and weapons into the back of the land rovers and checking each piece of equipment thoroughly. Mark came out of the hanger and over Sam. “Good to see you, the men are packing the last of the stuff now for it to be loaded into the Herc this evening.”
“Nice work. Just been finalising the plans with the CO now we’ve got a secondary objective to take some pictures but that can be decided later.” Sam replied. “Now I’ve gotta go get changed and attend a funeral.”

Sam arrived at the funeral at the cemetery. It was a wet day, the grass was still wet from the morning due and a sprinkle of rain from a passing shower. The sky was full of grey clouds and a small chill ran down Sam as he walked with the procession down to the grave. Everyone was dressed in black apart from the six soldiers who were carrying the coffin, Himself, The CO and Red Troops SGT. Major. Mike’s wife and family were at the head of the procession, Sam just looked at the floor, he couldn’t bear the fact that Lilly, Mike’s wife,
had to deal with worse than anyone else.
A little video kept playing over in his head, it was of him and Mike back in Chernobyl. How when everything that was falling down around them and Sam was about to give in, Mike had kept him going to the edge then the video stopped and started again. Sam dug his hands deep in his pockets and moved forward with the procession. Then the line stopped, the procession gathered round the empty grave and the Vicar stood at the head of the grave, giving his sermon as the coffin was slowly lowered into the grave. Small drops of rain started to fall and bounce off the ground and the hats and umbrellas. Sam pulled on his Berea and stood with The CO and the SGT. Major at the foot of the coffin whilst the six soldiers stood around the sides at attention. Sam felt as if a heavy weight had been put in heart and it had sunk and pulled his heart down with it. A small lump appeared in his neck as he stood tall over the coffin. ‘It should be me in that box’ Sam thought to himself then he shook his head and turned with the rest of the procession back to the cars. He felt like telling Lilly that it wasn’t her fault or that he was going to finish his job but he couldn’t bring himself to, not in front of Mike’s family now. He felt a hand on his shoulder, he looked to see it was the CO. Sam could only smile before putting his head back down. “Don’t blame yourself Sam” said Harley. Sam realised that in these sort of occasions, he was sentimental and better in some ways. “It wasn’t your fault and I read your expression earlier, It shouldn’t have been you.”
“How?” Sam was amazed at his understanding.
“I’ve seen it on soldier’s faces too many times” He smiled “I know about these things Sam. Seen enough of them and it’s enough to break any man.”
Sam could only nod his head before turning back to face where he was going. The CO helped him back into the black car, climbed in after him, shut the door and the procession carried on back to the church.

Dawn broke over the Regiment. As Sam stepped outside towards the canteen the weather had cleared up, there was fresh dew on the grass, Sam could smell the fresh smell of bread and sausages being cooked, wavering towards Sam’s nostrils. His stomach growled, He stuffed his hands in his pockets and took a deep breath of fresh air. He carried on walking towards the canteen, the clouds had parted and the sky shone through, there were more people starting to head towards the canteen as well as heading about their busy Tasks for the day. Sam looked over to his right near the run way, the Herc was there, stood still with the it being cleaned ready for the take off later on today. There were about fifteen people fuelling the Herc and cleaning it. Andy was driving in the two range rovers fully equipped into the Herc. Sam had a small smile across his face as he walked towards the canteen.
Sam entered the mess hall, the smell of eggs and fresh bacon grabbed his nostrils with a heavy scent. Sam had forgotten how hungry he was, His mouth began to water at the selection of freshly fried goods and warm coffee. He walked over, grabbed a tray and ordered two slices of bacon, two sausages, one egg, a piece of fresh toast and a fresh cup of coffee. Sam sat down next to Dan and Tom.
“Where’s Steve?” asked Sam curiously.
“Helping Andy load the Herc” Replied Dan holding a paper.
“We drew straws and they lost” Chuckled Tom.
“Can never win can some people” Replied Sam smiling. Tom smiled back.
They were partly through their breakfast when Andy and Steve came to sit next to them.
“Good time?” Asked Tom smiling.
“It’s all in” Replied Steve tucking in to his breakfast. “Ready for off later on.”
“You all know the plan so get plenty of energy for the off. It’s a long flight and Dan, I don’t want any Guns primed till we hit the ground.” Sam smiled, Dan mimicked a smile back before going back to his breakfast.
After Breakfast Sam headed down to Mark’s office, He knocked on the door. “Enter” came the reply. Sam walked in, Mark had his head in a mountain of paper work, he looked up to see Sam. “What’s up Sam?” he asked.
“Just came to see you before the off sir” he replied.
“I’m flattered, here.” He handed Sam a clip board “Fill in that form would you. It’s just a form to say you want purpose of the Herc etc” He chuckled. Sam signed the form and placed it back on his desk. “Cheers oh and good luck out there” He smiled as Sam walked out, closing the door behind him. He walked back down towards the entrance to the hanger, when he got there Dan and the others were waiting for him. Sam reached for the away on duty sheet and wrote his name and time down next to the others. Then he climbed into the spare land rover and they set off towards the Herc.
They climbed out at the foot of the Herc and walked up the tail gate, Past the two fastened down land rovers and up onto the flight deck. Sam counted to make sure they were all aboard then gave thumbs up to the flight master. He returned the gesture and pressed the button that sealed the tail gate shut. Sam put his ear plugs in as did all the others, Dan looked across at him, Sam nodded at him and Dan put his head back on his chair. The seat belt light came with a high tone ping and they strapped their selves in. Sam put his head back and looked out of the window. He could see the grass being swept to one side from the power of the Herc’s engines. ‘Plenty of leg room’ though Sam as he stretched out and reached down for his newspaper. Sam could feel a slight jolt as the Herc began to move forwards onto the runway for takeoff. As it turned onto the air strip Sam looked out of the window, he could see people looking across then he was immediately pulled back as the Herc began to pick up speed. His stomach was pulled back and his head started to feel like it was floating around. Then the Herc started to leave the ground and began a angled trajectory into the sky. The sun was much brighter up there and Sam looked at Hereford from above, he looked over Sterling Lines and a small smile drew across his face. ‘Iraq here we come’ Sam chuckled to himself as there long journey began.