Chapter 10 - 10 (1/2)

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P O V

Six Osprey helicopters flew into view, their rotors tilting upward as they came out of their plane-modes. They were flying in a Delta Formation as two broke off and the remaining four landed in the open parking lot, their left side to us. The beating of their propellers overpowered the distant fighting as an osprey circled overhead. Even at a glance, I could tell that it wasn't an MV-22B Transport variant. It was a SAGS-22B, the Gunship variant our little operation had.

SAGS models were a heavily modified version of an MV-22B. Outfitted with M230E1 Chain Gun, 38 Hellfire-70 missiles, and a rear .50 Caliber M2 machine gun. It was a Close Combat Attack heli on steroids. A normal Osprey didn't have the capacity to operate as a gunship, mainly because it was designed for transport in mind. However, when a nation really wants people dead, money isn't an issue. Unfortunately, each gunship had the cost of three Ospreys. Which was already a pretty penny compared to the conventional birds already in use, but they couldn't keep up with an osprey.

And the only two in existence was owned by our unit.

The SAGS began to circle the area, their state of the art detection systems were already scanning the streets for targets. The transports weren't normal either, yet, not as modified as a SAG. They placed emphasis on survivability rather than transport. Better engines, better armor, and better systems. Hell, we could probably take a few AA Missiles in those if needed.

The ramps of the ospreys were already down and their ramp gunners eyeing the area as they waited for us.

[”Hurry up.”] I heard my old man's voice on the comms.

”C'mon, Kian.” I called over my shoulder as I stepped out of our spot. I climbed up and over the short concrete rise onto the lot. I turned around only to see Kian hadn't actually followed and knelt there, gawking at the SAGS as they circled. Fortunately, Preacher brought him along and I pulled him up. I could already feel the fatigue of today setting in. With gear pushing close to a hundred pounds and the loss of several friends, I needed this day to end. I was just hoping the universe wouldn't make it happen with a bullet, though.

The powerful gusts the helicopters made was cool on my face. The fresh polluted suburban air mixed with exhaust never felt so good as we walked towards the birds. I was about to ask which one we'd go on, that was until four marines burst out of the far front osprey and began to charge like mad beasts towards us. Medbags in hand. The closest front osprey also came to life as more of them came out of there... Along with our Dad...

I already knew what was up when I looked back at Kian who was being shepherded by Preacher behind me. He looked conflicted, unconfident, and... Well... He was covered in blood. I stopped and so did Preacher, but Kian walked until he was next to me again. His hand found my forearm and gripped it for assurance. His face was pale to the point that I began to wonder if he was wounded. He wasn't, but the amount of blood that had soaked into his carrier and pants looked like he was wearing all his blood.