Chapter 5 - Raven Three Is Still Up
The blast struck beyond the trail, close enough to throw dust and loose rock through the air.
Nora dropped low.
Hale pulled Briggs behind an outcrop. The enemy fighter stumbled away from the wall, disoriented by the impact, then disappeared down the lower side of the ridge before anyone could safely pursue him.
A second mortar round landed farther down the slope.
The enemy was no longer trying to preserve the sniper position.
They were trying to erase it.
Nora crawled toward her rifle.
Her right hand closed around the stock. She pulled it against her body and forced herself onto one knee.
Pain moved through her ribs with every breath.
Her radio still gave nothing.
Blood from a small cut near her eyebrow blurred part of her vision, but the valley below remained visible.
The evacuation transports had started moving.
Too slowly.
One vehicle was still loading civilians.
Enemy trucks were repositioning beyond the blocked road.
Briggs stared at Nora with open disbelief.
“Raven Three is still up.”
Nora checked the rifle.
Scope intact.
Bolt clear.
Enough ammunition.
She looked at Hale.
“Get the civilians moving.”
“You’re hit.”
“So is the ridge.”
“Nora—”
“Move them.”
Her voice cut through the wind.
Hale stopped arguing.
That was the difference between fear and command. Fear asked whether someone could continue. Command recognized when there was no other option.
Hale turned to Briggs.
“Get back to the convoy. Tell them the ridge is compromised. Use runner signals if the radios stay dead.”
Briggs nodded and started down the trail.
Nora settled behind a rock.
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The enemy believed the mortar strike had finished her.
She intended to let them keep believing it for another ten seconds.
