Tears of Metal: Part 2
One year, eight months, six days, 14 hours later....
Journal entry: Aug 19th. 2007. Time: 1115 hours. Status: Full-Scale Attack still in progress but low on everything.
For many, this would be a hellish place. I've seen hundreds of thousands of my men either die a horrible death, or break under the pressure. either way, they are a danger to each and every man around him, only death is more forgivable.
I've completely lost contact with Colonel Block. No word has come from him for 3 months now. I'm beginning to fear the worst. My instinct tells me that his entire division has either pushed back from enemy defense, or got wiped out completely. Either way, i fear we may be in prime position to be surrounded. My superiors haven't sent any new weapons for the offensive, because the LZ would be too hot for lenghy helo-transport. Cargo-planes and light helo-drops have been constantly trying to land for supplies, but there is no luck. Either it gets too hot, or the cargo gets shot down before it gets here. Munitions, medical supplies, men. We can't seem to get any of it. But they keep on trying. Our government propaganda must be working.
its been my gut feeling to retreat for the past month. My orders tell me otherwise. I haven't seen a fresh set of orders since i've lost contact witb Colonel Block. No communications means no coordinated planning between me and head quarters. We can't cover a drop if we don't know when it's coming, and where. We are taught as officers to follow the last known issued orders. Do and die, or live and thrive. That was wha they told us to do...
God damn this city... We had no idea what we were up against when we went to war. Four years into this war, and we haven't made much progress. It's almost disgraceful. every wall we take out, there is another one twice as thick behind it, it seems. All the intel we've gathered from this campaign is that the people of Cleatra are masters of defense. Nothing more to it. Each attack, successful or not, proves nothing. It seems no matter what we throw at this city, we don't seem to be doing much at all. I fear this may be my last few months alive. I'm following three month old olders, and our line of retreat has been compromised. we don't know how it happened, but no matter. We are all dead men anyway...
__________________
Colonel Wong set aside his journal. He couldn't look at it anymore. A book of recorded disappointments with few redeeming moments of his career. Slowly rising from his chair, he realizes the time. "Damn, almost 1 am." He hasn't been able to sleep for over 48 hours. Constant updates from his lower ranking officers holding the defensive line. Constant planning of offensive attacks. Constantly coordinating cover for the incoming supplies on the fly. Wong couldn't make time to sleep.
The past few hours has been calm. But couldn't sleep in case his attention was needed at a moments notice. "Captain Porter!" HIs voice reverberates in the near empty cottage. The door promptly opens, and rushes in the zealous captain. "Sir?" Porter inquires, standing at attention.
"At east, Captain. I'd like to inform you, that i've finally found some time to rest. Make sure i'm not to be disturbed unless our defensive line has been compromised, or another supply drop was being attempted. I'm leaving you in charge until Major Solum gets back from her rounds. Good night, Captain."
"Sir. Thank you, Sir." The captain snaps to attention.
"And get your beak out of my ass. A simple 'Sir.' will do."
"Sir, Yes, Sir." Turns and closes the door behind him.
The colonel took off his dress uniform and fell into bed with exhaustion. his first sigh was to clear his mind. the second sigh put him under.
The colonel was woken by the major after what seemed like five minutes. Machine gun fire, and helicopter blades slowly merged with the majors voice. "Wake up Colonel! Supply drop inbound. Our men and light helicopter cover seems to be holding the enemy. They don't seem to eager to go after this drop for some reason. maybe this one will slip by them." The colonel shot up, and threw on his uniform. Major Solum's briefing was cut short by an enormous sound of roaring voices and more helicopter blades. Both the major and the colonel rushed out of the room. Outside everyone was on alert. Men were rushing to their defense positions, but cheering at the same time. The firing has stopped. Wong counted 16 heavy cargo choppers, and 20 blackhawks. And even those were covered by countless apache helicopters. The skies were full of friendlies. Best sight he's seen in a long time... the men rejoiced. even the major couldn't hold back her enthusiasm. Colonel Wong slowly approached the first of the landing blackhawks. Out steps a Colonel. The figure slowly approached Wong. The dust made Colonel Wong shield his eyes from the officer approaching. Major Solum yelled, "Atten-huh!" Both of them snapped too. Colonel looked up at Wong and saluted him. Wong was speechless. "Looks like you could use my help, Colonel Wong! Here are your orders from General Snyder, and i thought you could use a fresh set of these..." He handed the orders to the major, and lifted a parcel with Colonel Wong's name on it. Still awestruck, Wong took the package into his hands, and slowly unwrapped it.
"Thanks for the re-enforcements. We thought we were going to be considered expendable." Wong speaks and finishes unraveling the packaging. "And thanks for the fresh uniform. I've been needing one for some time now... Thank you, Colonel Block. Thank you."
They shook hands for the first time in 4 years.
Journal entry: Aug 19th. 2007. Time: 1115 hours. Status: Full-Scale Attack still in progress but low on everything.
For many, this would be a hellish place. I've seen hundreds of thousands of my men either die a horrible death, or break under the pressure. either way, they are a danger to each and every man around him, only death is more forgivable.
I've completely lost contact with Colonel Block. No word has come from him for 3 months now. I'm beginning to fear the worst. My instinct tells me that his entire division has either pushed back from enemy defense, or got wiped out completely. Either way, i fear we may be in prime position to be surrounded. My superiors haven't sent any new weapons for the offensive, because the LZ would be too hot for lenghy helo-transport. Cargo-planes and light helo-drops have been constantly trying to land for supplies, but there is no luck. Either it gets too hot, or the cargo gets shot down before it gets here. Munitions, medical supplies, men. We can't seem to get any of it. But they keep on trying. Our government propaganda must be working.
its been my gut feeling to retreat for the past month. My orders tell me otherwise. I haven't seen a fresh set of orders since i've lost contact witb Colonel Block. No communications means no coordinated planning between me and head quarters. We can't cover a drop if we don't know when it's coming, and where. We are taught as officers to follow the last known issued orders. Do and die, or live and thrive. That was wha they told us to do...
God damn this city... We had no idea what we were up against when we went to war. Four years into this war, and we haven't made much progress. It's almost disgraceful. every wall we take out, there is another one twice as thick behind it, it seems. All the intel we've gathered from this campaign is that the people of Cleatra are masters of defense. Nothing more to it. Each attack, successful or not, proves nothing. It seems no matter what we throw at this city, we don't seem to be doing much at all. I fear this may be my last few months alive. I'm following three month old olders, and our line of retreat has been compromised. we don't know how it happened, but no matter. We are all dead men anyway...
__________________
Colonel Wong set aside his journal. He couldn't look at it anymore. A book of recorded disappointments with few redeeming moments of his career. Slowly rising from his chair, he realizes the time. "Damn, almost 1 am." He hasn't been able to sleep for over 48 hours. Constant updates from his lower ranking officers holding the defensive line. Constant planning of offensive attacks. Constantly coordinating cover for the incoming supplies on the fly. Wong couldn't make time to sleep.
The past few hours has been calm. But couldn't sleep in case his attention was needed at a moments notice. "Captain Porter!" HIs voice reverberates in the near empty cottage. The door promptly opens, and rushes in the zealous captain. "Sir?" Porter inquires, standing at attention.
"At east, Captain. I'd like to inform you, that i've finally found some time to rest. Make sure i'm not to be disturbed unless our defensive line has been compromised, or another supply drop was being attempted. I'm leaving you in charge until Major Solum gets back from her rounds. Good night, Captain."
"Sir. Thank you, Sir." The captain snaps to attention.
"And get your beak out of my ass. A simple 'Sir.' will do."
"Sir, Yes, Sir." Turns and closes the door behind him.
The colonel took off his dress uniform and fell into bed with exhaustion. his first sigh was to clear his mind. the second sigh put him under.
The colonel was woken by the major after what seemed like five minutes. Machine gun fire, and helicopter blades slowly merged with the majors voice. "Wake up Colonel! Supply drop inbound. Our men and light helicopter cover seems to be holding the enemy. They don't seem to eager to go after this drop for some reason. maybe this one will slip by them." The colonel shot up, and threw on his uniform. Major Solum's briefing was cut short by an enormous sound of roaring voices and more helicopter blades. Both the major and the colonel rushed out of the room. Outside everyone was on alert. Men were rushing to their defense positions, but cheering at the same time. The firing has stopped. Wong counted 16 heavy cargo choppers, and 20 blackhawks. And even those were covered by countless apache helicopters. The skies were full of friendlies. Best sight he's seen in a long time... the men rejoiced. even the major couldn't hold back her enthusiasm. Colonel Wong slowly approached the first of the landing blackhawks. Out steps a Colonel. The figure slowly approached Wong. The dust made Colonel Wong shield his eyes from the officer approaching. Major Solum yelled, "Atten-huh!" Both of them snapped too. Colonel looked up at Wong and saluted him. Wong was speechless. "Looks like you could use my help, Colonel Wong! Here are your orders from General Snyder, and i thought you could use a fresh set of these..." He handed the orders to the major, and lifted a parcel with Colonel Wong's name on it. Still awestruck, Wong took the package into his hands, and slowly unwrapped it.
"Thanks for the re-enforcements. We thought we were going to be considered expendable." Wong speaks and finishes unraveling the packaging. "And thanks for the fresh uniform. I've been needing one for some time now... Thank you, Colonel Block. Thank you."
They shook hands for the first time in 4 years.