Before the letters, before the war.
I often find it hard to remember those days, it’s been so long and the world is a harder, colder place now but I will never forget that day. The
day I met her, I cannot, I must not. I have to remember! It’s the only thing that stops me from losing my mind, it’s my only reminder that the
world wasn’t always like this.
It was a cold spring in 2010 when I first laid eyes on her. I had just finished work (I used to be a bricklayer) and had decided to go for a drink
down at my local watering hole, “the Birch and Pines" it was a rundown little #hole in the south-east of England, I don’t remember much of what it
looked like but I always remember that it smelt of stall beer and cigarette smoke. When I entered and saw her standing there I literally thought
“
What’s a girl like her doing in a place like this?” She was stunning, fiery red hair that laid comfortably by her ears, a face that an
angel would be jealous of and a long sensuous neck that led down to her athletic body. She was wearing a short flowery dress that showed off her long
elegant legs, she was easily the most beautiful women in there. I know it sounds strange to say but I was drawn to her, I couldn’t take my eyes off
of her. I had to talk to her; I had to find out her name. But I wasn’t ready, I got a drink and sat down with the boys.
The Boys; Jay, Johnny and Nick now here are some faces I haven’t thought about in a while. We were a right band of misfits; Jay was a stocky
little fella who would describe himself as “hard as nails!” Johnny was the joker, a tall lanker bloke who thought things like pulling your chair
out from under you was funny and Nick was the pretty boy, never a hair out of place nor a button undone. It was thanks to Nick asking me to buy him a
drink that I finally got a chance to talk to her.
When I got to the bar to get Nick his drink she noticed me and smiled. That was the first time she smiled at me, the first time she knew I existed. I
knew from then on a smile from anyone else would not be the same. I decided to go for it, I decided I would find out her name. The fear as I walked
over to her was almost over-whelming;
it’s funny because even here in this hellhole I haven’t felt that scared. So as I stood there, hands
shaking, heart pumping I just came out and said it; “Hi I’m William Weller”.
“Hi William” she said “It’s nice to meet you, I’m L…”
“WAKE UP SOLIDER, WE’VE GOT A FIGHT ON OUR HANDS!”
I wake to the sight of my superior angrily shouting, “UP! UP! UP! We have multiple contacts head downing from the northern ridge”, “For Christ
sake” I shout as I pick up my rifle.
This is the third time in two days the NACA (New Arab-china alliance) have stormed this location, just south of this small Village is a bridge that
leads directly to the osland of Corse. If the NACA take this position they will have a direct supply line to southern Europe.
“Take your positions, I want defensive fire on anything that moves on that ridge I don’t care if its god damn bugs bunny, if it moves you kill
it!”
That’s Captain Hander a grey haired forty-something career solider. We call him Cpt Hined on the count that he’s been shot eight times
since this war began and not one bullet has manage to put him down, he’s a good man and an even better leader.
“Weller grab the detonators, take cover up there and wait for my signal!” he shouts as he points to the roof of a half collapsed building.
I quickly pick up the detonators and move from the bullet ridden wall I had been sleeping against. Making my way to the roof I can tell that this
semi destroyed house was once home to someone, there are pictures on the wall, books scattered all over the floor, there are even some unbroken plates
on the table, it reminds me of home but this is no time to reminisce I must get to the roof.
I crawl to a hole overlooking the court yard where the rest of my unit are taking cover. Cpt Highlander is looking to see that I’m ready, I give him
the nod. As soon as I do a flare shoots up high into the air flooding the entire northern ridge in a bright blue light. Nothing happens at first no
movement, no firing, everyone stays silent. The flare begins to dim then goes out, a second flare is sent up.
“CONTACT!” someone shouts. Shadows move all along the ridge; there must be thirty to forty NACA troops far more than the previous raids.
“Open fire” shouts highlander. I watch as a thunderous wave of lead cuts down the NACA, I watch as those who are hit roll to the bottom of the
ridge, I watch, I do not fire, I wait. These detonators will do far more damage than my rifle. I watch Cpt Highlander wandering up and down the line
he’s standing right out in the open barking orders, he’s fearless.
That’s probably the reason he’s been shot eight times. Knowing that
it is suicide to stay on the ridge the NACA start to charge our position.
“NOW!” Shouts highlander, I wait for my moment. “NOW WELLER THROW THE *&^%ing SWITCH! “Repeats the Captain. I wait till the majority of the
NACA are in the right place; I flip over the plastic casing on the detonator and push the button.
A blinding flash of light engulfs the NACA filled ridge, it hurts my eyes to look at it but I can’t turn away. As the light dims I see a wall of
fire 15 foot high and a hundred foot wide, dozens of men are killed in an instant “Hell yeah, now that’s an explosion!” I hear highlander scream
in the background, the rest of my unit are cheering too. Me, I stay silent as I watch the bodies of my enemy burn.
Walking back through the house I sit at the table, I am so tired. I put my feet on the table and imagine for a second I’m back home, I imagine I’m
at my dining table, the smell of roast potatoes fills my nose, the radios on in the background. I here hear her calling my name, “William…..”,
“William....”
”WILLIAM!” I fall back off the chair nearly smashing my head open on a book shelf. “What the # are you doing boy? Get up, UP! The captain wants
to see you in the CP (Command Post) right away”. I pick myself up off the dusty floor “Yes sergeant”.
That bundle of joy was Sgt Davis.
He’s a real hardnosed arsehole; even out here in this god forsaken place he has no sympathy. I once heard that he had someone hung because they had
chopped off their own trigger fingers.
As I walk into the CP highlanders is standing behind his desk clapping, “That was some great killing Weller, I don’t think we’ll being seeing
the NACA back here anytime soon!”, “I think your right sir” I reply,
“You think or you know?” Highlander says with an angry look on his face.
“Sorry, I mean I know sir”, “that’s better solider have faith” he tells me.
Have faith he says, how can you have faith in a place like
this.
In the CP there are large radios loudly cracking and whistling as their operators twist and turn dials to try and listen in on enemy conversations.
This is how we knew that the NACA were planning their assault.
Captain Highlander sits back down at his desk, it’s covered with maps and military reports, he opens a large draw, takes out a green folder with my
name on it and slams it on the table. “I have good news” he says, sarcastically I reply “I’m going home sir?” Highlander smirks “No I’m
afraid not but you are being taken off the line.”
Taken off the line, what #ing line, this hole #ing country is a line.
“And the bad news sir?” He looks at Sgt Davis, “I have a mission for you, we have decoded some Intel that suggests the Nakky held up in Olbia
may be in possession of a T-1 nuclear weapon.”
Damn T-1, this is not good. A T-1 is a small but lethal nuclear device that can eradicate an area
of about a square mile, it is our biggest fear. The NACA only use T-1’s when they know they cannot secure a vital strategic position. They seem to
resign to the “If we can’t have it, they can’t have it”, mentality.
“A T-1 sir” I ask nervously, “that’s right solider a T-1” he replies “I want you to accompany Sergeant Davis on a recon mission to Olbia.
When you get eyes on the target I want you to radio back here for instructions.”
Huh, not only have I got to go on a suicide mission, I have to
go with Davis. I don’t know what I’m more scared of the T-1 or Davis.
“YES SIR!” as I turn to leave Captain Highlander calls me “and Weller, if you get this done I will grant you a letter home.
Backstory and chapter 2 on request.
Thanks for reading.
ALS
edit on 10-4-2011 by ALOSTSOUL because: (no reason given)
