Edge of Valor by Josh Hayes

Author:Josh Hayes [Hayes, Josh]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aethon Books
Published: 2019-07-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

Shanty Town

Calibri City, Stonemeyer

23 Mar 2607

Mission Time: 17hrs 36mins

“Contact east,” Henderson said. “I’ve got six on scopes.”

“Engage as necessary,” Hastings said. “Don’t let the bastards flank us.”

I took the steps three, sometimes five at a time, rushing to the ground. Gunshots echoed in the distance. I hit the ground floor running and slid to a stop next to one of the shattered windows.

Outside, the homeless were scattering, knocking over fire cans, shouting, tearing down tents, and trying to collect their worthless shit. Some guy was struggling to push a cart full of what looked like trash, around piles of identical trash, and dodging people trying to salvage their own trash.

I didn’t see any sign of the attackers in the chaos but knew they were out there. I could hear them.

“Target down,” Henderson said over the squadlink, his voice calm and collected. I swear the guy was more at peace with killing people than I was eating pizza.

Biagini appeared next to me, then Sarge and Hastings and Sheridan. Thomas took in the situation and shook his head. “Too many unknowns.”

I nodded.

“Darkstar Actual, Two-Bravo, we’ve got more contacts approaching from the northwest,” Jung said.

“Understood, Two-Bravo,” Hastings said. “We are coming to you. Sit tight.”

Hastings tapped me on the shoulder. “Let’s go.”

I nodded and stepped through the open window. Ever fiber in my body told me to sprint through the camp, charge through as fast as I could and get to the other side. But somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew that was wrong. I broke into a jog, making sure I scanned all the approaches as I led the team through the homeless maze.

Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.

“Actual, Eyeball,” Henderson said. “You’ve got a group moving on the camp to your left.”

I slowed, immediately bringing my weapon up. Shots rang out, echoing through the night. I could see the flashes over a row of tents, followed by pained screams and curses. A homeless woman charged out from between two of the tents, terror etched on her face. A burst of gunfire came from behind the tents, flashes showing brief shadows on the thin fabric walls.

The woman’s body arched back, her scream cut short as her body collapsed. Her arms seemed to fold up under her as she fell, dead before she hit the ground.

I fired without actually having a target, sending bursts through the tent, tearing through the walls and snapping poles. I didn’t hear anyone scream or go down, they probably just ducked out of the way. I fired a couple more bursts for effect and quickly moved past, stepping over the corpse.

Beyond the row, I stopped at the edge of a large shipping container, covering the rest of the team as they moved past the tents. The doors on both ends had been removed, clothes hung from lines strung across the interior, and several sleeping bags covered the floor. It was practically a luxury hotel to these people.

“Move!” Thomas shouted, not stopping to admire the accommodations.

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