A1: STATIC “Alpha 1 reporting. Operator, do you come in? Over.”
Operator: “Hear you loud and clear Alpha 1. Over.”
Operator: “Alpha 2, come in. Over.”
A2: “Alpha 2, hear you loud and clear. Over.”
Operator: “Alpha 3, come in. Over.”
A3: “Alpha 3 reporting. Everyone in position? Over.”
Operator: “Alright, everyone’s coms are synced. Sound off positions. Alpha 1, go. Over.”
A1: “Western quadrant covered, I’m in position. Over.”
Operator: “Alpha 2?”
A2: I’m in position, Northern quadrant covered. Over.”
Operator: “And Alpha 3, are you in position? Over.”
A3: “Yes ma’am, Eastern quadrant covered. Over.”
Operator: “Permission to advance has been granted. Approach with caution.Over.”
A1, A2, A3: “Yes sir!”
Operator: “What do you see out there? Over.”
A1: “Ah, nothing but these damned trees. Fucking shrubbery goes on forever.”
Operator: “You’re in a jungle A1, it’s to be expected. A2, A3, what about you two?”
A3: “A1’s right, the flora is just so damned thick. And it’s blindingly green over here.”
A2: “This must be their main entry route then, because the foliage isn’t as thick over here, and the forest floor seems pretty well-worn. I can see for quite a ways in front and behind me. Not much for cover either.”
A1: “There’s too much cover on my side, can’t see a damn thing.”
Operator: “Is your mission compromised because of this, Alpha 1? Because if not then I suggest you stop complaining about having the element of surprise.”
A3: “Shit, she’s got you there.”
A1: “Shut up Charles.”
A2: “No using real names idiot. Watch your tongue, we’re in enemy territory.”
Operator: “A2 is right, Neil.”
A2: “What did I-”
A1: “Hey!”
A3: “Keep shouting you two, maybe the enemies didn’t hear you the first time. Come on guys, you could at least ACT professional.”
A1: “Who cares? We’ve all been part of this unit for 10 years now, this job will be easy, we all know what we’re doing by now. No need to worry, kid.”
A2: “He does make a point, A1, every mission, no matter how big or small, should be taken seriously.”
Operator: “Preach.”
A1: “This is why you’re no fun at parties.”
A3: “You know that’s a lie.”
A1: “Oh yeah? Name one time.”
Operator: “Christmas party of 1992.”
A3: “Now THAT was a good party! Hell, we still had the whole crew back then!”
A2: “I remember that party too.”
Operator: “I’m surprised, I thought you were wasted by the end of that mess.”
A2: “I was, but I still remember the first half.”
A1: “And what was it that was so great about that party?”
A3: “You wouldn’t remember, you were several shots in before I had even had one.”
Operator: “Lucy was there, and Scott. Oh! And James too.”
A2: “Mat was there too. Damn I miss that lot.”
A3: “Guys you forgot Victoria and Tyler.”
A1: “I wouldn’t even count Ty as part of the squad back then, he was so new.”
Operator: “You got that right.”
A3: “Do you remember when the three musketeers decided to challenge each other at karaoke? God I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard in my life.”
Operator: “You mean Adam, Mat and James? Oh my god they were awful singers. No offence Adam.”
A2: “None taken.”
A1: “Eh, I guess y’all got a point. That was a pretty damn good party.”
Operator: “Okay, seriously, get back on track men. Your trackers show that you’re all getting close to the campsite, so be cautious.”
A2: “Anything from the heat sensors?”
Operator: “None so far, they must be just inside the ruins where the satellite can’t see.”
A3: “This seem like a trap to anyone else?”
A1: “No one knows we’re coming, there’s no way in hell that there’s a trap waiting for us.”
Operator: “Yeah I wasn’t thinking there was going to be a trap until you just said that.”
A1: “The hell Cristine?”
A2: “Either way, we should approach with caution.”
Operator: “What are you guys seeing? Report.”
A1: “Still just a fuckton of plants.”
Operator: “Very funny.”
A1: “Fine, tell me what YOU see?”
Operator: “Oh, so you’re giving orders now? Alright, well, hmm. I’m in a big-ass tent, sitting at a corner desk, with three- no, four monitors all telling me different things. I have the router that connects all our signals and makes sure we stay connected. Aaaaand there’s a cold cup of coffee sitting at the edge of the desk that I should probably move. Oh! And my portable bed’s behind me. That good enough for you, commander?”
A2: “Damn.”
A1: “Yeah yeah, that was good.”
A3: “There’s a reason that lady’s in charge of our operations.”
A1: “Whatever.”
Operator: “Alright, alright, get serious Alpha 1. You should be coming up on the edge of the site right now, what do you see?”
A1: “I just told ya I don’t see anything besides trees, leaves, vines, and other weird-ass lookin’ plants.”
Operator: “Still? That’s odd. You should see the camp by no-”
A1: “AH SH-” STATIC
Operator: “Neil? Alpha 1 come in! This is an order!”
A1: STATC
Operator: “A2 and A3 cease approach I repeat; cease approach.”
A3: “The hell just happened?”
Operator: “I don’t know. I’m going to keep trying to reach him. Alpha 3 what are you seeing?”
A3: “The shrubbery started to clear out, but without my night vision I still wouldn’t have been able to see anything. It looks like they planned to set up defensive perimeter on this side, but the work is incomplete or just abandoned entirely. Oh crap!”
Operator: “What is it?”
A3: “It just drops off. Jesus that scared the shit outta me, I almost fell about 70ft into the site.”
Operator: “Do not move, and stay within cover until I tell you otherwise, understood?”
A3: “Yesir.”
Operator: “Good. Alpha 2, you my advance. What are you seeing down there?”
A2: “It’s all just dirt and rotten wood at this point ma’am. This has to be their main entry and exit, there’s a natural-made ramp leading into the site, and I can see tire tracks running up and down it. We’re in the right place, that’s for sure.”
Operator: “Can you see the site?”
A2: “Yes, and it’s like what A3 said. It’s a giant rectangle dug into the earth about 50 to 60 feet. This seems to be the only easy way down into the site. . . Looks like the wall on this side just happened to collapse, and the mud and dirt just came rushing in.”
Operator: “Either of you see any sign of A1? He still wont respond.”
A3: “I don’t see him, or anyone for that matter. And you KNOW the binoculars I’ve got can pick up almost anything that moves, or did.”
Operator: “Hmm, alright. Alpha 2, you?”
A2: “I don’t see Neil either. Permission to advance and investigate?”
Operator: “Granted. Just be cautious. I’m sending in a drone to help look for him-”
A2: “Don’t, the drones they gave us are way too loud. Let me take a look first.”
A3: “Since when do you give orders?”
Operator: “Unfortunately, he’s right Charles. A2, investigate with caution, and look for A1. A3, get comfortable. If anything happens I want you covering A2.”
A3: “Understood. I do have one question though.”
Operator: “What is it?”
A3: “Why are we the only ones out here right now? Wouldn’t it be safer if we had a whole squad with us?”
Operator: “Charles you know exactly why the hell there’s only the four of us.”
A3: “I know basically everyone from the original unit are gone. But why couldn’t Mat make it? I thought he was supposed to be back home a couple months ago. We could have called him out for something like this, he would have been perfect for this type of mission.”
Operator: “Charles I- I already told you. . .”
A3: “Told me what?”
Operator: “He. . .”
A2: “The man killed himself, kid.”
A3: “Wait, what?”
Operator: “Charles, focus on the mission-”
A3: “You can’t just ignore that Cristine! Mat had a wife and kids! Why would he-”
A2: “Don’t you get it? He couldn’t take the weight of everyone he’d killed. So he took the easy way out.”
A3: “I. . . I don’t understand.”
Operator: “Just- drop it Charles. This is no time to mourn, it’s a time for action. We’ve still got a comrade out there that we’ve lost communication with. Priority one is to find him. Understood?”
A3: “. . .Yes sir.”
Operator: “Good. A3, tell me what you see.”
A3: “Well, they’re Aztec ruins, that’s for sure. They’ve got the same weird markings and drawings as the last site they had us clear out.”
Operator: “Anything of note?”
A3: “Not from what I can see here. . . wait-”
Operator: “What is it?”
A3: “A2 I got you in my sights. The area’s clear from what I can see.”
Operator: “A2, report. Do you see Neil anywhere? He’s an asshole sometimes but damnit if he isn’t a part of this team.”
A2: “I don’t see anything yet. The night vision isn’t helping too much though.”
Operator: “Alpha 3 is Alpha 2 clear to use his flashlight?”
A3: “Hold on using the torch, let me scan the area one more time to make sure no one’s in the vicinity. Cristine, can you check the heat sensors?”
Operator: “Just did, you’re all clear. No one else seems to be there bt you two. This could be an easy mission, some tear gas would probably enough to get this done.”
A3: “Let’s hope so. Alright A2, permission granted on using the your flashlight.”
A2: “Guys. . . I think I found Neil.”
Operator and A3: “What?”
A2: STATIC
A2: “Holy shit he’s still breathing!”
Operator: “What’s going on? I demand an explanation immediately!”
A2 and A3: STATIC
Operator: “Talk to be men!”
A2: STATIC “Charles you got my back?”
A3: “Of course.”
Operator: “Fuck’s sake you two! Tell me what the bloody hell is going on!”
A2: “Neil must have not seen the cliff, he fell into the site.”
Operator: “That. . . That idiot. . .”
A2: “He’s still breathing, but barely, and one of his arms is completely broken. There’s no way to tell just how badly he hit his head, the bastard is lucky as hell to be alive.”
A3: “I can’t believe it. I thought that was just a pile of debris.”
A2: “No, it’s him. He needs medical attention, ASAP.”
Operator: “I’ll call for a rescue helicopter, I’ll have it take you guys out of there-”
A2: “No, just him. We need to finish this mission. If we let them get away again we can kiss our jobs goodbye.”
A3: “Again? What do you mean ‘Again’?”
Operator: “There’s no way-”
A2: “I’ll get Neil to cover and go in myself. Charles you stay out here and guard the entrance. Don’t hesitate to shoot anyone who tries to leave.”
Operator: “Adam you can’t be serious, last time we went up against these guys six of our men were killed, and another seven injured. You can’t expect to take them all on by yourself! I forbid you!”
A2: “If we don’t do this now we might not get another chance. The men we lost deserve vengeance, and if I have to be a one-man army to do it, then so be it.”
A3: “You can’t be serious.”
Operator: “Damnit Adam if you go in there right now you’ll be disobeying direct orders!”
A2: “Amen” STATIC.
A3: “What just happened?”
Operator: “He cut the line!” CRASH “Damnit! I can’t lose him too!”
A3: “Want me to do anything? I’ve got tranq darts. They were supposed to be used on wildlife if needed but. . .”
Operator: “No, no, just- let him go. We couldn’t stop him if we wanted to.”
A3: “I know, I just. . . thought I’d offer. He’s a hardass, it’ll take a lot of them to take him out.”
Operator: “I’m just worried your trap theory is true.”
A3: “It was just speculation, I honestly couldn’t blame them for wanting to get out of the sun or rain and have a roof over their head. Even if it’s an unstable ancient aztec burial site.”
Operator: “Real comforting. I feel so much better now.”
A3: “You know what I mean.”
A3: “. . .”
Operator: “. . .”
. . .
“Does Neil look okay? Is he still breathing?”
“It’s hard to tell from here, even with my scope. It looks like his chest is still moving though.”
“Good. . . Good.”
“. . .Do you remember when he saved Lucy from almost getting blown up?”
“Oh yeah, of course, saved my ass too. Man kicked the grenade like he played professional football for a living.”
“And then then that night when he tried to kiss Victoria?”
“She bitch-slapped him so hard I was sure she broke his jaw!”
“Oh lord, and do you remember when the trio fought off a group four times their size?
“And Adam pulled off that awesome shot?”
“Yeah, and how James took a bullet for his buddy Mat?”
“Oh yeah! And-”
“. . .”
“. . .”
“I’m sorry. . . I forgot-”
“It’s okay.”
Cristine sighed into the mic as the two siblings remembered days when things were simpler. Complete silence ensued for the next, twenty, thirty minutes. The last two remain connected through the coms said nothing as the minutes ticked by, feeling like the years they had spent fighting alongside their comrades. The years they had watched their friends, no, their family come and go, retire, move on, or get buried six feet under. Somewhere within them they knew they’d be joining their comrades in arms soon enough, no matter what future was to befall them. So in the eternity they sat in radio silence, they simply watched the stars, hoping those they had once cared about were up there watching over their limited lives.
. . .
Charles: BOOM
Cristine: “The hell was that?”
Charles: “There was just a huge explosion!”
Cristine: “From where? Are you under attack? Is Neil safe?”
Charles: “I-it came from the entrance of the crypt-”
Cristine: “Is everyone safe Charles?
Charles: “I-I’m fine. I’m far enough away that I can only feel the heat. It didn’t hurt me or Neil.”
Cristine: “The helicopter is only a few more minutes away, then you can come back. I don’t care if we lose our jobs I can’t lose you, I can’t”
Charles: “Cristine?”
Cristine: “. . .Yes?”
Charles: “That was where Adam went. He went through that doorway.”
Cristine: “What are you saying?”
Charles: STATIC
Cristine: “Charles!”
Charles: HEAVY BREATHING
Cristine: “Answer me dammit!”
Charles: STATIC
Cristine: “Please!”
Charles: BOOM
Cristine: “Fuck it. I’m calling for backup. And I’m going out there myself if you don’t answer me!”
Charles: “Crissy. . .”
Cristine: “Charles! What was that explosion? Why did it sound like you were running? What’s going on?!”
Charles: “I love you, sis.”
Cristine: “Don’t you DARE do this to me!”
Charles: “Be good for me. . .” COUGHS
Cristine: “. . . Rest easy soldier. . .”
. . .
Report: Mission was a success. 3 friendly casualties. 46 enemy casualties. Second dispatch secured enemy encampment located within the burial site. Operator Cristine Grain requesting retirement. Over.
