Page 2 of A Soldier's Temptation
Pulling out their ka-bars, Shaggy and John waited for the signal. It came a few heartbeats later.
“Go.”
The burst of adrenaline never got old for John, and he surged toward the ISIS soldiers. Before they realized what was happening, they’d sliced their throats and pulled them into the shadows. Gus took out the sniper on the roof with the same precision.
After verifying the area was clear, they entered the building. Disco was tending to a woman lying on a table and Elwood was deep in discussion with a tall grey-haired guy. As they entered, he looked up and nodded.
The doctors weren’t in bad shape considering they’d been in a chopper crash, walked about two klicks, and spent the last few hours hoping they’d be rescued. He’d expected a group of blood-covered, moaning people but then again they were doctors.
John joined Disco at the table. “Do you need help with anything?”
“I’m giving everyone a shot of antibiotics. Their supplies were destroyed in the crash, but they managed to do decent triage on each other.”
“Wearedoctors,” the woman said as she rolled down her sleeve from receiving the injection.
“Yes, ma’am. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“I’m sorry. It’s been a rough few hours.”
“No worries, we’re here now and soon you’ll be out of here,” John said, hoping they’d be able to move them to the EXFIL point without incident.
“Thank you. We really do appreciate you coming for us. We didn’t know if anyone heard our SOS. The longer we waited, the more panicked everyone got thinking we were on our own. I’m Dr. Alicia Thompson by the way.”
“I’m Riot and he’s Disco. The call was picked up and we came as soon as we could,” John answered.
“Do I want to know how you got those names?” Dr. Thompson asked.
“Probably not,” Disco answered with a smile. “You’re all set.”
“Thanks.”
After Disco packed his gear they joined Elwood. They had about thirty mikes to make it to the EXFIL point unless something changed.
“Status?” Elwood asked Disco.
“Mostly cuts and scrapes, two possible concussions, a broken arm, and a broken ankle. All say they’re mobile.”
“Okay, you take the broken ankle, the rest of you paid off. The HELO is inbound.”
“Copy,” they replied in unison.
“Can I have everyone’s attention?”
The group grew quiet and turned toward Elwood.
“We have ten minutes to make it where the helicopter will pick us up. We have to move quickly. If you can’t walk, tell us now and we’ll carry you. We do it all the time. No shame in it at all and it’s better to tell us now than hold everyone up,” Elwood announced as he looked at each of the group.
Two people raised their hands, the guy with the broken ankle, and a woman he hadn’t spoken to yet. Disco took the broken ankle as ordered, and John went to grab the woman.
“I’ve got you, ma’am. I’m Riot and I’ll be your transport. Just hold on tight and it’ll be fine,” John said as he lifted her into his arms.
“Thank you, Riot. My name is Jeannie, I’m one of the nurses.”
“Nice to meet you. We’ll get you out of here and back home in no time.”
“But we’re not going home,” Jeannie said.
Frustrating but not unexpected. You didn't become a part of Doctors Without Borders without tempering your stubborn streak. Hopefully, they wouldn’t have to come back and rescue them again.
