Operation Big Apple Pt. 1

We took a helicopter to new jersey where we found ourselves landing near a field of bubble tents. In one of these tents is where we found our orders given to us.

1) Enter New York with the support of two platoons from the nearby bases of Air Force 12 and Army Base 13

2) Avoid any conflict if you can, but prepare for open conflict to ignite

3) Push for Time Square (This is where the enemy has set up their temporary base.)

4) Bring back Charlie Climpson who is their current "President"

This is where we had been given a 12 hour time frame to get in and get back out. Our equipment was seven different changes of five hour filters for our masks. We got given a new form of body armor that covers our bodies in completion. We got sent out after being given enough ammo to last three days. It was a concern knowing we shouldn't need to be there for that long.

Outside we had been met by armored trucks to carry us and our support to New York. As we made our way down the highway tanks and trucks pulling artillery fell in line with us. This started making the situation feel more and more real for us. I had to take a deep breath as the trucks pulling the artillery stopped just short of the first line of toll booths into New York. The sound of thundering booms came from the direction of New York as explosions went off around us destroying parts of the bridge around us.

One of my men leaned over to me and started to speak in a muffled voice. "Looks like the open fighting has started. So much for peace right?"

Tanks started to fire back causing my ears to ring. Each shot from the tanks caused all of us to flinch from the sound. As I looked back to where the trucks had stopped it seemed the artillery has started firing judging by the light. The sounds of buildings being hit by shells seemed to get closer as dust enveloped us.

Our radio came to life with a roar of static. "The artillery has caused it to be hard to see so we are stopping here for you to get off. Good luck. We will be pulling the trucks back until you are ready for us."

I was the first one out as I pulled the bolt on my rifle chambering a round. I needed to be ready for a fight as the rest of us got off of the trucks. We split up between the two closest buildings on each side of the street. My heart was beating and my legs couldn't quit shaking with everything going on as artillery still thundered above us.

A hand landed on my shoulder as a voice came over the radio. "What do you want us to do sir?"

I gathered my thoughts before responding. "Let's go up and see if we can secure this building first. We can use it as a operating base for this mission. Set up explosive charges and perimeter alarms."

They all nodded and got to work as I led some men up the stairs. Everything was quiet for the first two floors as we climbed. When we got to the third floor shots landed not far from my head causing me to fall back into the men behind me. I was lucky that he caught me and allowed the three behind us to make their way up the stairs returning fire.

An explosion came allowing me to assume that a grenade was thrown at the enemy. Gunfire was continued to be exchanged for another three minutes. The silence that came after seemed the be louder as the three men went up onto the third floor. I slowly went up to the third floor following them as two men yelled down from the fourth floor.

"Go back home you patriotic bastards!"

The yelling was followed by a pipe bomb being dropped from a hole that had been drilled into the floor of the fourth floor. One of the men shoved me down the steps causing me to knock down the man that had originally caught me. Another man jumped down the steps as the explosion finally happened. It was followed by faint screams as my ears rang. The room was filled with smoke as I panicked to check my mask. When I finally noticed everything was still sealed.

A shadowy figure was crawling down the steps as a voice could faintly be heard. "Sir, I don't know how my mask is still in one piece but it is. I can't feel my left leg, but otherwise I am okay."

As I spoke my voice was catching in my throat. "Good. Good. We need to get to the bottom floor if we can and regroup."

"This isn't going to be easy is it sir?" He let out a rough cough after speaking.

I shook my head as I talked. "I don't think it will be, and I think this is the start of the war we feared."

He nodded without another word as gunshots rang out and landed nearby.