3 Return of the Fallen Angel

"Let's go private. We have a covering fire on our back!" the Squad leader shouted as he raised his M4 carbine and also fired at the direction of North East. The private was feeling nervous as he gripped his M4 carbine near him.

``I know I am not new because of the intense training we do in the Basic marine School but I did not expect the fear of dying is really real when in the main battle zone`` the beating of his heart was really loud as his adrenaline was running though his veins.

They covered their noses as they might inhale the black smoke. Revo tried to gain consciousness one last time.

And soon enough, he felt that someone was already pulling him away from the flames. The squad leader and the private pulled Revo from his underarm and as they were pulling him, the bullet were still flying and the terrorist group seems to increase.

[Radio: This Bravo 1 QRF to HOME I need armored support unit on my location. We need to push these combatants to rescue the Fallen Angel over]

[Radio: This is Home. Bravo 1 QRF, the armored support unit, heading towards your location ASAP. And as follows, there are force being mobilized for further reinforcements. Other reinforcements are in ETA 20 minutes. Over and out]

"Support units and reinforcement is ETA 20 minutes. Keep holding boys. We sure will have a lot of fun with this terrorist on our back!" the platoon leader ordered a defensive formation around the secure perimeter. *Ratatatatat* *Ratatatatat* guns were blazing and the shouting from either side was getting louder and louder. "Surrender now government dogs!"

"Alright, we retrieve the injured brother, Corps man!" the private shouted as he pulled Revo quite closer to their formation. As everyone was returning fire. "Alright, Ill take care of him, don't worry Private." the Corps taps the private shoulder.

``Hope he will be okay."

Revo felt that was he was being touched, so he tried to open his eyes. But the only thing he sees was darkness and the light coming from the muzzle of the weapons that was surrounding him.

The platoon leader crouch towards Revo that was being given first aid by the corpsman. The Platoon leader looked at Revo and he saw how his face covered in blood and mixed with the black dust from the burned leaves inside the burning hell that was in front of them.

"Radio man!" the Platoon leader called out as he was near Revo. "Call Home that we have to retrieve the person they need but relay the information that we still need to fight this force that is in front of us." And the radio man nodded and pulls out the radio transmitter.

[Radio: HOME *BUZZ Static* Home *buzz Static*]

[Operation office]

"Sir, the enemy we are engaging are from the group of the New people's Army Sir of the Mindanao Sector." The Sergeant major handed a paper that was from the source from the ground. "Here is the information that we have gathered just by now from a local resident in the area that is helping the army to kick out those communist."

The Brigadier General and the Major General got confused and asking themselves how did it trigger an all out encounter with communist insurgents. "Sergeant Major, please explain the scenario that has been playing on the grounds".

And the Sergeant major looked at them both and explained calmly.

"At the time of engagement of the Alpha team inside the compound of Al Nashir Banir from the Alsahaam group. And the trigger of the explosion made the local communist insurgent in the area mobilized immediately. As if they think we are going to attack them. So as of the moment we are facing around 100-200 communist armed rebels from the 9th and 4th communist companies"

"So you meant the QRF we sent is only a platoon size and they are now engaging a company size of enemies?" the Major General questioned the Sergeant Major that was standing in front of him.

"Yes, Sir that is the current situation as of right now on the ground. But there is a reinforcement force that is arriving from the 69th Marine Company and the 5th Marine Division and the is another reinforcement from the 34th Mechanized Brigade that was stationed near the 5th Marine Division."

[Radio: This is Home, *Buzz Static* Bravo 1 QRF status report *Buzz Static*]

[Radio: Home *Buzz Statics* We have retrieved the fallen Angel *Buzz Static* I Repeat, we have retrieved the Fallen Angel]

"Sir, the QRF has retrieved the Fallen Angel." The Staff Sergeant that was working on the communication receive the radio message.

[Radio: Copy that Bravo 1 QRF. The reinforcement is ETA in 15 seconds over and out]

[On the ground]

After that last radio message, they heard a machine gun fire behind them. And from that moment, trucks and other forces were now relieving them from the fight. "Nice job, Charlie Platoon," the Commanding officer shouted as he quickly jumped down from the back of the truck that immediately stopped near the road.

He then ordered the two APC to move forward and provide support fire as the Charlie Platoon is retreating back to the crossroad.

[Radio: QRF Bravo 1 Charlie Platoon Radioman, This is Papa Sierra Madre and Mama Bukidnon. We are going to provide heavy fire support as you retreat over.]

[Radio: This is QRF Bravo 1. We are retreating now, then you can advance to the northeast of our position. Enemy forces numbering to 50+ over be advised. I repeat, the enemy force moving to the northeast is around 50+]

[Radio: Copy that QRF bravo 1 we are moving in hot]

As the two APC is providing machine gun fire and heavy rounds, the charlie platoon retreated slowly at the back.

"Alright! Charlie Platoon, we are moving out of this place!" the platoon leader shouted as he slowly stood up as he still provide cover support fire. "Corp man pick that HVT up and prepare him for a MED EVAC by the car when we reach back to the friendlies." And the Corp man replied with "Yes, Sir" and as the gun fight continued.

And the Charlie platoon is retreating. They can see a lot of platoons awaiting to replace their old position inside the thick jungle and farm field. The 3 platoon that was entering was from the 69th Company and backed by the 5th Division commanding officer. Brigadier General Henson Kaliwa, "Sir, the charlie platoon is moving out here they are."

The platoon leader quickly rushed towards the Brigadier General. While his platoon moves out from the jungle, it surprised them to meet a lot of their brothers waiting to replace them. And the Brigadier general shouted, "Alright, send in the 3 platoons and take down those communist." And the platoon leader replied, "Sir, Yes Sir" and the 3 platoon moves in.

"2nd Lt. Peterson, I really recommend you with you bravery holding 50+ armed combatants. We have heard from the headquarters that the enemy is really moving and from we know you just fought around 200+ communist terrorist. Sorry, we are late to respond to this location." The Brigadier General said as he tap the shoulder of the Lieutenant.

"Sir, no worries it was part of our job as long as we are going to save one of our brothers in arms that are in dire need we will surely do what we can" Peterson replied and then he took a glance at the medical Humvee that was driving away. ``Alpha teams… Sharpshooter.`` Peterson looked at the patch that was left behind by Revo. It was a patch of the MARSOC and an emblem of the bloodied cross-hair.

"Well Done, Lt. As for your last orders, retreat for now and treat the casualties. I have heard you have a few wounded from enemy bullets." The Brigadier General said as he looked at the Lieutenant who was looking at the patch. "Yes, Sir a few casualties. From enemy fire, but those men under me are very tough. They can face more enemies that we can. Imagine, sir."

"That is what I like Peterson well done."

[inside the Humvee]

"Ughhh my eyes," Revo whispered as he was about to touch his left eye that was feeling inflamed."Ughhhh please I need to go back. My brother is still. there please let me go back!" Revo grabs the hand of the corp man inside the Humvee.

"Please come down, sir. We are going to the hospital. Once we are in the hospital, I will give you a status report regarding your fallen brothers. The only thing we know is that you are the only one that made out alive. Thanks from the QRF platoon." Revo tears drop from his cheeks even though the pain in his eyes was excruciating. He bears with it.

The Humvee stopped at the Military Hospital, and Revo immediately transported to the operating room. They first removed the shards of glass that was on his eyes. After that, they tried to clean his wounds and closing the wounds that were opened, especially when there were some minor slash wounds from trees.

After 5 hours inside the operating room, Revo then put into the ICU for further testing and check up.

"Why…did this happen. Why me!" he whispered and he tried to clasp the bed cover that he laying on. He tried to bite his lips as he felt guilty of the pain that he was the only one that survive that mission.

"Dammit, why me… I was not to be…" Revo questioned himself. "This career is over… I just want to pass the last trial to be considered being their brother in arms."

His tears drips from the bandages on his face. His emotions were strong and depressed. He lost all faith, even to God, as he looked at the image of Jesus on the wall of the hospital. He closed his eyes and slowly, the pain from his heart drifted away.

[After 2 days],

Revo got relieved from the ICU and got transfered in a normal room hospital. Revo tried to get up but he can still the pain from the ache of his body. And then a knock from the door.

And as the door opened, he saw his commanding officer with a box of medal, and a letter. Revo saluted as snappy as he can, and said "Sir, I am sorry" and his teary eyes cannot hold any longer and it falls once again.

His commanding officer walked towards him and gives him a tight hug of comfort.