Location: Northern Outskirts, Virek
Date and Time: April 6, 2553 – 1100 Hours
The dirt beneath my boots feels familiar, the weight of my gear sitting comfortably on my shoulders as Bravo Fireteam moves out across the northern outskirts of Virek. It's good to be back, to feel the pulse of a mission under my skin, the hum of adrenaline sharpening my senses. But there's something else now. Something that wasn't there before.
Emily.
Even as I scan the landscape for any sign of URF activity, my mind keeps drifting back to her. To the way she smiled when she told me to be careful. The way her voice softened when she said there's more to life than this war.
I shake the thought off, focusing on the mission. I can't afford to get distracted out here. My squad needs me at my best.
"Bravo, eyes up," I say quietly into the comms as we move through a narrow pass between two rocky hills. The terrain is rugged, a perfect place for an ambush, and I'm not taking any chances. The URF has been quiet lately, too quiet.
Santiago is a few meters ahead, leading the team with the same confidence he always has. He's been my rock since I took over as Fireteam Leader, always steady, always ready. But I can tell even he's on edge.
"You think they're hiding out here?" O'Neill asks, his voice low as he falls into step beside me.
I nod, keeping my eyes on the ridge above. "Wouldn't surprise me. This place is a death trap if we're not careful."
We reach a small clearing, the rocky hills giving way to a patch of open ground surrounded by dense scrub. It's quiet—too quiet. My gut twists with unease, the same feeling I had before the last ambush.
"Hold position," I say, raising a fist to signal the team to stop. "Something's off."
Santiago crouches beside me, scanning the area with his binoculars. "Nothing on thermal. But you're right. This place doesn't feel right."
I exhale, my mind racing as I weigh our options. We need to push forward, but every instinct is telling me to be cautious.
"Spread out," I say, keeping my voice steady. "Advance slowly. Keep your eyes peeled."
The team moves out, spreading into a loose formation as we inch forward through the scrub. My heart pounds in my chest, my senses sharp, every muscle tensed for action.
And then, out of nowhere, it happens.
An explosion rips through the air, throwing me off my feet and slamming me into the ground. My ears ring, the sound of the blast deafening as dust and debris rain down around me.
"Ambush!" Santiago shouts, diving for cover as gunfire erupts from the ridges above.
I scramble to my feet, my body aching from the impact as I grab my rifle and fire toward the ridgeline. The URF is dug in, their weapons flashing as they rain fire down on us from above.
"We're pinned!" O'Neill yells, ducking behind a boulder as bullets ricochet off the rocks around him.
My mind races, the chaos of the ambush threatening to overwhelm me. But I push it down, forcing myself to focus. I've been here before. I know how to handle this.
"Bravo, return fire!" I shout, my voice steady despite the adrenaline flooding my veins. "Santiago, flank left! Dash, cover him!"
The team moves into action, firing back at the URF forces as they push up the hill. I fire off a few rounds, my rifle kicking against my shoulder as I suppress the enemy, giving Santiago the chance to move.
But even as I lead the team through the firefight, my mind keeps flashing back to the hospital. To Emily, and the way she told me to be careful. The thought of her makes my chest tighten, but I push it down. I can't think about that now.
We push forward, advancing up the hill as the gunfire intensifies. The URF is well-armed, but we've got the momentum. I can see them starting to fall back, retreating into the hills as we press the attack.
"Santiago, take the left ridge!" I shout, moving to cover his flank. "O'Neill, with me!"
We move up, pushing through the hail of bullets as we close in on the enemy position. My heart pounds in my chest, the rush of battle familiar but somehow different. There's more at stake now. Not just the mission. Not just my squad. But something more—something I'm not ready to face yet.
We reach the enemy's position, and I see them retreating, pulling back into the hills. The fight is over, for now. But the tension doesn't ease.
As we regroup, catching our breath after the firefight, Santiago gives me a nod, his eyes sharp. "Good call back there, Kowalski. You kept us alive."
I nod, wiping the sweat from my brow, but the praise doesn't sit right. I did my job, sure. But the whole time, I couldn't stop thinking about her.