“First shots are fired.”

‘Phew’

BOOM

“Marking hits!” I used the war room to correct the shots.

BOOM

“That’s better! Continue!”

The shots were landing anywhere but at the target. With me as the observer, it is no surprise. Still, the killzone circles were becoming smaller.

Then, I saw that the enemy broke through the entrance.

‘NEOOOOOW’

The advanced forces halted for a moment when an aircraft passed.

“This is Beril-Main, requesting immediate CAS at the location!”

“This is Dachshund, we are banking. Wait one.” As the howling of jet approached, I received another call.

“I see friendlies there! We can’t fire so close!” The Su-17 aborted attack.

“Take the risk!” It was the only option. The artillery couldn’t fire close to the building, and the guys were overwhelmed.

“Too close! Going for another circle!”

‘NEOOOOOW’

“Don’t tell me the birds are firing on our position.” (J)

“Then I’ll remain silent.”

“Got it. We are pushed back to the second floor. We are out of grenades and are short on ammo.” I heard gunshots both through the radio and across the street.

“Keep up the good work!”

BOOM BOOM BOOM

I closed my ears when another round of 120mm mortar shells hit.

“Basilisk, please, fire faster!”

“We are doing what we can!” The young man on the other end was out of breath.

In the distance, Su-17 entered the attack course. One jet.

‘Fuum – fuum – fuum’

A short burst of rockets was launched at the stone building.

Bo-bo-bo-bom

The building was covered in dust and smoke. As it settled, I saw that the front wall collapsed, and that the gunfire settled.

“Jester, Old man, come in, over!

…

Hey, you two, stop this!

…

For God’s sake, answer!!!

…

Uuuu, anser!!! Uuuu!!!”

“Captain, we’re here. Sorry for the delay, we were shell shocked.” (O)

“YOU TWO! I WILL NOT LET YOU SLEEP UNTIL YOU RECITE ME THE ENTIRE BOOK OF THE REGULATIONS! Uuuugh…

Stay on your ‘Ugh’ toes, more enemies are on approach. See you later, you a*holes.”

---

Old man’s POV

I felt a bit sorry for making her cry but it was our payback for that firing on our heads.

I counted our numbers. We lost 7 men until the enemy was pushed back.

“Take the wounded away! Those who are staying to fight, form the shield wall. We need to get back to the first floor!”

Our squad crawled out of hiding, and under the cover of shields we started climbing down through the ruins.

“Captain, are you there?”

“I am. I will be correcting the artillery fire.” I saw a blink in one of the buildings around us.

“You are too damn close! How the f* did you end up there?!”

“IS IT THE CURRENT PROBLEM?!” I swear I heard her shouting not only through the radio. She should be in a hundred meters from our position.

“Got it. How can we contact the vulture?” I was more interested in the aircraft that almost sent us to hell.

“Dachshund.”

“Thanks. Dachshund, this is Ground. Do you read me?”

“Ground, reading you loud and clear. We still have a few dozens of rockets. Where do you need them?” A male voice responded.

“I want you to give us some breathing space! The enemy is on approach!”

The aircraft banked and headed towards us. Then it dived towards one of the streets.

‘Fuum – fuum – fuum’

Brrrrttttt

---

I crawled through a hole in the floor and reached the first floor.

“How’s it going?”

“We would need some space to help the retreating forces.” (J)

“Understood. Let’s stay here and…”

“To the imbeciles in the building. I have a bomber on approach. You would want to get the hell out of there. You have 10 minutes to carry your a*s out of there. I am retreating too. Over and out.” And then she dropped the ‘bomb’.

“B*, kak zhe s* vovremya!” [F*, it is just in the right f* time!] (J)

“Shut up and run! We are retreating! This place will be destroyed in 10 minutes! To those who did not understand – RUN!”

---

A. Belov’s POV

I left my position and ordered an all-out artillery bombardment. Some of the enemies will reach the building before the bombing, so I will keep them busy in the passage.

Twenty minutes later I opened the door to the secret passage. The war room map showed me nothing.

“Stella, are you here?”

There was no response. I saw nothing in the darkness that surrounded the map and table.

‘Rustle’

I started hearing rustle that was growing louder and louder. It was similar to the sound mice make when they are running around. But it all was coming from the same place.

Then, Stella walked out from the darkness.

“I like this place. It is calm. It is dark. It is empty.” It was not smiling but I guess I just interrupted its sleep.

“I need your help. There are bad people following my comrades.”

“I… I don’t want to…” It turned its head away.

“Then I will be staying to cover them myself.”

“Fine… Promise me…” (S)

“What?”

“That you will not scream…” It looked at me with sad expression.

“I’ve seen s* worse than that lab.” I did not. The worst I seen was long ago, and it did not reach that level of madness.

Still, Stella nodded.

---

I left the war room. I started hearing rattling sounds of people running. Stella was not here.

Come here, damn you!

Then, it appeared out of nowhere and curiously looked around.

‘Sh!!!’ I closed its mouth before it started talking. After it heard the noises, it nodded.

I let go of Stella’s mouth, and it walked forth.

‘Is it a good idea?’

“Just don’t shoot.” (S)

She stepped into the darkness, where the fading shining of chemlight could not reach.