Page 24 of Duty and Desire

“Take cover!” Ros yelled, diving behind a cluster of rocks as bullets whizzed past her head.

Her heart pounded as adrenaline surged through her veins. This was supposed to be a stealth operation, but now they were in the thick of it, surrounded and under fire.

Ros peeked out from behind the rocks, quickly assessing the situation. The insurgents were scattered around the encampment, using the terrain to their advantage. They had the high ground, and they weren’t about to let Ros and her team reach the hostages without a fight.

“Return fire!” Ros ordered, her voice cutting through the chaos.

Her team sprang into action, their rifles spitting fire as they engaged the enemy. The night lit up with muzzle flashes, and the sounds of battle filled the air.

Ros knew they didn’t have much time. The longer they were pinned down, the more likely the insurgents’ reinforcements would arrive. They had to get to the hostages, and they had to do it now. She grabbed her radio, barking out orders to her team.

“We’re moving in! Daniels, cover the left flank! Cruz, take the right! Everyone else, follow me!”

With a burst of energy, Ros pushed forward, weaving through the hail of bullets as she made her way toward the shelter where the hostages were being held. Her team followed closely, laying down suppressing fire as they advanced. The insurgents were relentless, but so were they. Ros could feel the heat of the battle, the weight of the mission bearing down on her. There was no room for error.

As they reached the shelter, Ros kicked down the door, leading the charge inside. The room was dimly lit and filled with the stench of sweat and fear. The captured soldiers were there, bound and gagged, their eyes wide with terror. But before Ros could move to free them, more insurgents stormed in with their weapons raised. The room exploded into chaos. Ros fired her rifle, taking down the nearest insurgent as her team engaged the others. The sound of gunfire was deafening, and the air was thick with smoke and adrenaline. Ros moved with precision, her training guiding her every step. She fought her way to the hostages, her mind focused on one goal: getting them out alive.

“Untie them!” Ros shouted, her voice hoarse from the strain. Her team rushed to cut the soldiers’ bonds, pulling them to their feet.

The gunfire outside was intensifying as the insurgents closed in. They were running out of time.

“Let’s move!” Ros ordered, grabbing one of the soldiers and hauling him toward the door.

The ground was a blur of movement and sound as they emerged from the shelter, bullets ripping through the air around them. The insurgents were everywhere, firing from every direction. Ros’s heart raced, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps as she fired back, each shot precise and controlled.

They had to make it. They had no other option.

The helicopter was in sight, its rotors spinning furiously as the pilot prepared for takeoff. Ros could see the base of it, the open door like a beacon in the dark.

“Go! Go! Go!” she yelled, pushing the soldiers ahead of her.

Her team formed a protective barrier while they fired at the insurgents as they ran for the helicopter.

They reached the helicopter just as a new wave of gunfire erupted from the tree line. Ros spun around, her rifle booming as she took out the nearest insurgent. She could feel the sting of a bullet grazing her arm, but she ignored the pain, her focus entirely on getting her team aboard.

“Everyone in!” she shouted, shoving the last of the rescued soldiers into the helicopter.

She turned to provide cover for her team, her eyes darting around for any sign of movement. The insurgents were closing in, their shouts growing louder as they realized their target was slipping away.

Sergeant Daniels was hit as he climbed aboard, a bullet tearing through his leg. Ros was at his side in an instant, hauling him into the helicopter with a strength she didn’t know she had. She shoved him inside, slamming the door shut as the helicopter lifted in the air.

The enemy fire continued to pepper the helicopter as it ascended, but they were too late. The helicopter rose into the sky, leaving the insurgents behind, their angry shouts fading into the distance.

Ros leaned back against the cold metal wall, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. They had done it. The soldiers were safe. The mission was a success.

It had been so long since Ros had been out in the field. She’d missed this rush of adrenaline, the feeling that she was undefeatable and unkillable, after facing such tough odds and still coming out victorious. She may not be as young as she once was, but she was still a damn good soldier.

After the chopper landed on the helipad, Ross jumped from the helicopter, the blades still whirring overhead, and her knees protested the impact. She immediately scanned her surroundings, seeking out Scarlett’s beautiful reddish brown hair.

Instead, Colonel Hale’s stern figure loomed in the doorway. Ros headed over to him to give him a debrief of the mission.

“Colonel, everything ran smoothly while I was gone, I assume?”

“Yes, General, all quiet. I wonder if I might have a word? Something of a concerning nature has come to my attention.”

“Of course, Colonel. Let me change, and I’ll meet you in my office in, say, fifteen minutes. Don’t wait on ceremony outside. Make yourself comfortable.”

“Yes, ma’am.”