Page 17 of Love and Loyalty
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Isabel crawled back to their position, the soldier's lifeless body left behind. Drew saw the toll it had taken on her: her sweat-drenched hair, the exhaustion etched on her face, her eyes that seemed to hold a thousand emotions.
For a moment, they just looked at each other. The only sound, distant gunfire; the only movement, a gentle rustle of the wind. The gunfire was more distant now. They seemed safe. For now, anyway. Drew took Izzy in her arms for just a moment.
The battlefield was an ever changing beast and Drew knew they needed to get out of there soon.
Then, Isabel's face drew closer, her lips inches from Drew's. Drew’s heart skipped a beat as she realized what was happening.
But just as their lips were about to touch, they heard a helicopter. A rescue helicopter coming for them. They both pulled away from each other quickly, remembering where they were. They had to get out of here.
Just as they were about to board the extraction helicopter, a hail of gunfire erupted from the surrounding hills. Another group of insurgents had launched a surprise attack.
Without hesitation, Izzy sprang into action. She sprinted toward the enemy, her weapon at the ready. Drew watched in awe as Isabel took down the insurgents one by one, her movements swift and deadly.
Isabel's training seemed to have kicked in overdrive, and she went full commando, taking cover behind a nearby rock and returning fire with precision. She darted between boulders, using her agility and quick reflexes to evade the enemy's bullets.
Drew joined the fight, but Isabel was a force to be reckoned with. She took point, clearing a path through the insurgents withease. Her superior shooting skills were on full display, and Drew couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and admiration.
As the insurgents fell, Izzy turned to Drew and yelled, "Let's go, Drew! We need to get out of here now!"
Drew nodded, and together, they made a break for the helicopter the last soldiers still alive on their team joining them. Isabel covered their backs, laying down a withering field of fire to keep the enemy at bay.
As Isabel’s fearless assault inspired the others, a fierce battle cry erupted from the team waiting at the helicopter. With renewed ferocity, they charged into the fray, unleashing a maelstrom of firepower and fury upon the insurgents.
Drew turned around and led the charge, her weapon blazing as she cut down enemy fighters with precision and skill. The rest of the team followed close behind, their movements fluid and deadly.
The insurgents, caught off guard by the sudden ferocity of the counterattack, stumbled backward in disarray. Their cries of panic and fear filled the air as the team closed in for the kill.
In a whirlwind of chaos and destruction, the team tore through the enemy ranks, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. The insurgents' weapons fell silent, their bodies strewn across the ground like broken dolls.
As the dust settled, the team stood victorious, their chests heaving with exhaustion. Isabel, her eyes still blazing with fury, turned to Drew and nodded. "That was for you, Drew."
Drew's face softened, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Thanks, Izzy. I owe you one."
The team's roar of triumph echoed through the hills, a testament to their unbreakable bond and unwavering loyalty. Together, they had faced danger and emerged victorious; their trust and respect for each other forged in the fire of battle.
The team turned to Izzy. They surrounded her, patting her on the back and congratulating her on her bravery.
"Rambo! Rambo!" Sergeant Rodriguez chanted, his deep voice echoing through the hills.
The others joined in, hailing Isabel as a hero. Corporal Patel grinned, shaking his head in amazement. "Lieutenant Colonel, you're a freakin' legend!"
Isabel's face flushed with embarrassment, but she couldn't help smiling.
They made it onto the extraction helicopter and Drew sat next to Izzy, a quiet smile on her face. She raised her hand, giving Isabel a thumbs-up. "Well done, Lieutenant Colonel," she said, her voice low and sincere.
Izzy smiled in response and her gaze remained locked on Drew.
As they lifted off, Isabel turned to Drew with a fierce grin. “It’s an exhilaration, isn’t it, Major. I hate war for everything it stands for, but coming through these battles, winning mostly, it’s a thrill. But, I ache for the soldier we lost.” Her eyes looked into the distance.
Drew raised an eyebrow, impressed. "You're a regular action hero, Lieutenant Colonel. And, the soldier we lost, Private Brown, we will always remember him.”
Isabel chuckled, her adrenaline still pumping. "Just doing my job, Major."
But Drew knew better. Izzy had saved her life, and she would never forget that.
As they made their way back to base, it was difficult to shake off the feeling of shame and embarrassment that enveloped her earlier.
She had let her emotions cloud her judgment, and it had almost cost them their lives.