2 Burning Bridges

"Pelican to Match one, we need a Sitrep. Over."

Stihl and twenty five other insurgents laid concealed in heavy brush, just 70 meters from the foot of one of the northern bridges that led to the Capitol District. It is one of the major bridges that lead from the surrounding District Ten to the inner Capitol District and crosses over River 21. Their task was to destroy their assigned bridge, while five other demolition squads destroyed the other major bridges except for the largest which would be used to transport SIA troops and vehicles into the Capitol District.

"Match One to Pelican, Match One is at checkpoint Foxtrot overlooking the target. There are fifteen spotted hostiles, all heavily armed. Over."

"Copy. Pelican to Match One, you are clear to engage. Over. Out."

Stihl got off the radio and began assigning targets to his twenty man squad.

"Miles and Loretto, one, you get the one by the west side."

"Rhodes and Tores, two, you get the two several meter away by the railings."

"Johnson and Rife, three, you get the two talking by the guard shack."

"Ales and MacQuarie, four, get the two on the far side of the bridge."

"McCarthy and Powell, five, get the last one at the east side."

Stihl told everyone to be ready to fire on cue. He counted, "One, two, three, four, five." At each number the assigned gunners took down their targets.

"Match One to Pelican. We have finished Sweep One on target. Moving in for Sweep two. Over."

"Copy. Pelican to Match One. Match One Comence Sweep Two."

"Copy. Match One to Pelican. Wilco. Over. Out."

Stihl assigned a four man support crew to watch the area, while the rest of the squad moved to the bridge to check for lingering hostiles. As they advanced upon the bridge the squad made sure to split the road and cover all areas.

"Match One to Pelican. We are at checkpoint Prime B. Commencing Sweep Two. Over."

"Copy. Pelican to Match One. Over. Out."

They broke into groups of three and four all areas of the bridge.

" West gate, clear!"

" West guard stand, clear!"

"Guard shack, clear!"

"Length, clear!"

" East guard stand, clear!"

"East gate, clear!"

After the bridge was secured Stihl and several other commanders organized the demolition teams to rig the bridge for destruction. The engineers brought pounds of C4 and hundreds of meters of fuse wires to destroy the main structural support. It took about two hours to rig the bridge. Once it was finished, the squad moved back to the west side of the bridge.

Once everyone was positioned off the bridge. Stihl radioed the mission overseer.

"Match One to Pelican. Ready for Phase four. Sweep Two successful. Phase three. completed. Need confirmation to commence Phase four. Over"

"Pelican to Match One. Standby. Return to checkpoint Foxtrot. Over."

"Copy. Match One to Pelican. Over. Out.

Stihl ordered everyone to move back to their original viewing area. Once there he ordered the engineers to arm their electronic fuzes.

"Pelican to Match One. You are clear to execute Phase four. Over."

"Copy. Match One to Pelican. Commencing Phase four. Over. Out."

Stihl passed the order. The engineers detonated their explosives at the same time.

As soon as they pressed the triggers, an enormous vibration shook the ground and a deafening blast shook the air. Once the initial blast went off a shock wave followed carrying dirt and dust with it and covering everyone with a layer of sediment. Once the dust settled. Everyone saw that the bridge was mostly gone. What had remained were skimpy remains of the support columns that held the bridge up.

"Match One to Pelican. Phase four executed. Requesting for evac at checkpoint Foxtrot. Over."

"Alright. Let's get the hell out of here."