Blood in the Sand

Five hours after helicopter crash

Romans eyes blur as his ears ring and the smells of burning flesh and metal fill his nostrils. The last thing Roman remembers is seeing Applejacks helo go down then there was several large explosions then blackness. The wreckage was a terrible site of blood, guts, and metal. Charred bodies litter the sands as distant screams of the soldiers of Rhino Company being executed. Shaking his head Roman lifts himself up and limps away from the crash site desperately looking for Rainbow and the others. His chest burned he had no sight in his left eye and his ears rang with partial deafness. He soon sees Rainbows blue skin sticking out of the nearby wreckage. He wanted to scream out Rainbows name to see if she was alive but the smoke from the crash left him hoarse. Roman continues limping his way over to the rubble, once there he falls to his knees and tries digging her out. After thirty minutes he was able to grab hold of her and pull her out. He drags her to a nearby destroyed hut and begins to perform CPR. He pushes her chest several times putting his ear to her chest. he could faintly hear a heartbeat so he started pushing harder and harder. he soon switches between chest compressions and mouth to mouth. It wasn’t practical but Roman was determined to do anything to get Rainbow back. Finally after all hope had seemed lost she finally comes to. Roman fell back onto his ass and calms down.

“Rainbow, Rainbow can you hear me. You're gonna be ok soldier we gotta go. I don’t know if anyone else is alive but we gotta go. Prometheus is closing in fast.” Rainbow sits up shaking her head as she tries to move her arm but to no avail.

“Fuck I think my arm is broken.” Rainbow says touching her arm before screaming in pain. Roman quickly gets close and puts his hand over her mouth and looks down to see her arm hanging by a small amount of skin. Thankfully the fire from the crash charred the lower half of her harm so it was cauterized.

“We have to keep quiet. What were gonna do is we're gonna stay in here until nightfall then we're gonna take what gear, weapons, and ammo we can find. Then were gonna try and find Baxter, and Applejack.” Rainbow nods and Roman removes his hand and rubs Rainbows hand to calm her down. “We're gonna make it out of this I promise.” Roman lays her down and inspects her arm. “Your not gonna be able to do much with your arm incapacitated so we have two choices. I cut off your arm and bandage it up or I fashion a makeshift sling out of supplies we can find around this hut. It’s your choice. Rainbow stops and thinks long and hard about her decision.

“Cut it off i can take the pain.” Rainbow pulls out her knife and hands it to Roman. He takes hi lighter out of his pocket he heats up the knife until the blade is hot to the touch. Rainbow bites down on a piece of wood that she found nearby. With a quick yank of the knife the arm fell off. He presses the hot metal against the stump to cauterize the stump. He quickly rips off his sleeves and wraps up her arm.

“There we go you're all done. now let's get this place bunkered down and dig in until nightfall.” Rainbow and Roman share a blanket as they sit and talk trying to pass the time.

“Do you think Applejack survived the crash?” Rainbow said with despair and doubt in her voice. Roman thinks back to all the times he had with Applejack and his friends. He lets out a deep sigh.

“God i hope so, if not then Sunset and our friends are gonna kill me.” he said in a sad tone.

“Roman don’t you dare think any of this your fault. You didn’t know things would end up like this. What happened today was out of your control. Don’t blame yourself.” Roman reaches for his canteen and takes a drink before handing it to Rainbow. Night finally approaches as Rainbow wakes Roman from his nap.

“Hey its night lets get geared up and move out. Also while you were asleep i snuck out and did some recon of my own there is a town about five mikes west of our position. It’s gonna be a long walk but this should put enough distance between us and Prometheus. From there we can radio in for support. So come on commander wake up and lets go. Roman sits there for a few seconds stunned at the well thought out plan Rainbow had just told him more importantly she called him commander.

“Alright Rainbow let's get one thing straight, I’m no commander not yet. I appreciate your faith in me but right now I’m your friend Roman save the formalities for when we're around the men.” Roman takes Rainbows hand as she pulls him up. Once out of the house and grab gear from nearby soldiers.

“Ok Rainbow here is the situation; we have limited ammo and no silencers plus about three patrols of two man teams. We only use your rifles as a last resort for now let's rely on hand to hand and our tactical knives.” Roman and Rainbow begin creeping around the wreckage and observe the death and destruction. Up ahead they spot two foot mobiles trying to pull something out of the rubble. The two sneak up behind them and in sync stab and drag away the bodies stealing any extra gear and ammo. They move up and investigate the rubble.

“Rainbow watch my six I’m gonna try and see what these bastards wanted so badly.” he begins digging and pulling metal and rock away.

“Sir yes sir.” Rainbow said readying her rifle scanning the horizon. “All clear Roman.” He comes across dog tags he whipes of the dirt to reveal that they belong to Applejack. Panicking he digs faster until he finds the crushed disfigured body of his friend. Roman stood there staring in disbelief. Noticing this Rainbow walks backwards over to him.

“Is that who I think it is.” Rainbow said choking back tears as she puts down her gun and helps Roman pull her out. “I can’t believe Applejack is-” Roman stands up punching the crashed helicopter.

“Goddamnit! Will you please give me a fucking break. This is fucking bullshit I’ll kill you fucking peices of shit.” Roman stabs the dead body of the one Prometheus soldier and begins stomping in his face crushing his head as his boot became coated in blood and brain matter. To prevent him from making anymore noise Rainbow runs over and pulls him up.

“Roman get a hold of yourself. She is dead yelling and giving away our position will only result in us joining her. Do you wanna put Sunset through that pain.” she says punching him in the face making his wounded eye worse. “I’m just as angry as you are but right now we can’t afford to lose our heads.” rainbow says helping him up.

“She is right son there will be time to mourn your friend later. For now just dig her a shallow grave pace her rifle as the marker and put her helmet on it.” The familiar deep voice said from behind them as their teammate Baxter came walking over to Roman. He bends down and grabs Romans face as their foreheads touch. “Roman you're stronger than this. Pull yourself together and get your head straight. We will take the fight to Prometheus soon than you can get as much revenge as you need.” The three of them stand up and dig the grave and bury Applejack.

“Don’t worry Aj I’ll kill every last one of those bastards for you. I promise.” He says giving her a salute and picking up his gear. “Baxter let's go, Rainbow fill Baxter in on what's gonna happen while we walk.” He walks off slinging his rifle over his shoulder.”

“Yes sir” Rainbow says saluting him. As they walk off into the night.

It doesn’t take long in there trek for civilization before they realize how cold it can get in the deserts of Yemen. Cold bit them like a cobra striking from the darkness, they shivered as their very bones began to ache. After several hours of walking they reached a stopping point, a small abandoned house about three miles from their destination, with limited supplies and the temperature continuing to drop they took shelter in the nearby house. Once inside they unpacked their gear as baxter got a fire started and Roman pulled out what M.R.E.’s he had left splitting it between the three of them.

“So, Roman what's our plan once we reach this village Rainbow found.” Baxter said eating his portion of the rations.

“Well once there were gonna get what medical attention we can, After that we will set up a temporary CP in one of the empty buildings, then we will radio command and let them know that there are survivors from Rhino Company and that we need a pick up. Once picked up we head back to the hammerhead naval carrier and rest for a few days, between my eye and Rainbows arm we may need a few days to recover. Meanwhile I gotta skype Sunset and deliver the bad news. Once recovered we assemble a new Titan squad and go after that son of a bitch Tahir.” Roman said clutching the dog tags of everyone in Rhino company he could find.

“Hey Roman?.” Baxter asked taking a drink from his canteen. “What was she like, that Applejack girl. I mean i know the three of you were close friends but none of us knew anything about the poor girl.” Baxter said treading lightly making sure he didn’t anger his superiors.

Roman chuckles pulling out the group photo and handing it to Baxter. “That was us just before our graduation several months ago. Seven of us had been friends since freshmen year but me and Staff Sergeant Rainbow over there go back all the way to middle school.” Rainbow rummages through the cabinets of the house.

“Hey guys I found a bottle of whisky, I figure a drink could steel our nerves.” Rainbow pops the cap and takes a swig. “Holy shit that's strong.” Baxter and Roman laugh. Rainbow hands them the bottle as he raises it in the air.

“Here's to all our fallen brothers and sisters, may they finally have found peace.” Roman chugs some of the whisky.

“Hey save some for the rest of us.” Baxter said stealing the bottle from Roman and chuckling. “So how old are all of you?” he asked taking a hit of the dark brown liquid.

“Well rainbow and her friends are eighteen. As for me well lets see Rainbow what month is it?” she thinks for a second.

“September I think.” she says taking another smaller hit.

“Then that makes me twenty one.” he said drinking more of the whisky.

“Jesus you guys are so young, and poor Applejack she was fresh outta school. I swear shit like this always does more harm than good.” Baxter raised the bottle. “To Applejack a life taken too soon but at least she doesn’t have to deal with this hell anymore.” They all take a drink.”

“Urah to ashes.” The three of them said drinking through the night swapping stories of life before the military. Never before had Roman and Rainbow been so personal with another stranger but Baxter was no stranger he was a brother and they all had each other's back no matter what. Soon morning approached as they awoke to the sound of a jeep parking.

“What’s going on out there?” Whispered Rainbow reaching over for her handgun. Roman runs over and peaks out the window. We got three foot mobiles in an armored vehicle. Lightly armored sporting P90’s.” Roman wakes up Baxter and fills him in. “Rainbow i want you right behind the door on the right Baxter you take the left. Once they enter i want you two to take them out I’ll take number three.” Rainbow and Baxter nod as the ready there knives. As the door opens the two men are instantly met with knives in their throats as there ripped out and blood splatters the wall. Roman runs out of the building and tackles the last guy and begins pounding on his face with his fists in which are wrapped in the dog tags of his fallen men. With the makeshift brass knuckles he continues punching as the man below coughs up blood and begs for mercy. Roman pick him up punches him and slams his head on the trunk of the jeep.

“You want mercy from me you son of a bitch well go to hell.” Roman screams

“Please I have a wife and two daughters with a third one on the way.” The man says screaming.

“I don’t give a fuck about your goddamn family because of you over a hundred families just lost a mother or a father. Some even lost sons and daughters and you expect mercy from me you pathetic filth.” He takes the man's head and places it in between the jeep door and the floorboard as he smashes the door on his head till it cracks like a melon painting his boots and the door in blood and brain matter.

“Roman that's enough he’s dead.” Baxter says before Roman spits on the man's headless corpse and walks back to the house. Baxter walks over to him. “Sir it’s ok just calm down he’s dead. Although the added brutality was unnecessary. For god sakes roman he had a family.” Roman grabs him and slams him against the wall.

Everyone we lost had a family, what makes his ass so special. He is a dog of Prometheus they deserve no mercy. Now load up that jeep and get out of here.” He let’s go of Baxter and walks out collecting ammo and other supplies from the bodies along with his backpack.

“Rainbow I’m worried about Roman i think the whole thing is about more than just Rhino Company being whipped out. I think the whole thing with Applejack is hitting him pretty hard.” Rainbow hands him his rifle and gear.

“Lay off him Baxter, Applejack was a close friend to all of us. Also remember the girl in the picture with the red and yellow hair?” Baxter thinks back to the picture.

“Ya his girlfriend Sunset. What about her?” He says fling his rifle over his shoulder and checking the ammo in his handgun.

“Before we left for basic Roman and I promised her that we would all come back safe and sound. A stupid promise to make as it can’t be kept with something as unpredictable as war but we said to put her mind at ease. Look in our group of friends we take promises very seriously. Just give him a few days to calm down once we get back to the ship and we relax I’m sure he will calm down. For now be prepared for more possible incidents of what we just saw should we run into more Prometheus soldiers.” They share a nod as they all walk out and put their gear in the trunk.

“Everyone ready?” Roman said in a calmer tone.

“Yes sir.” They said in unison as they got into the jeep.

“Baxter you drive I need to lie down for abit and clear my head.” said Roman as he stretched out in the back and falling asleep. They begin driving after an hour or so Baxter turns to Rainbow.

“By the way how are you handling your friends death so well I thought for sure you would be as bad as Roman. Rainbow chuckles as she runs her hand through her hair.

“Well believe it or not Roman wasn’t always mister macho like he is now. Back in middle school he was a short chubby kid with no friends and he was hated by everyone. So naturally once I came to his school he came up to me and started talking. At first i thought he was a total weirdo but over the months he grew on me. Pretty soon i was being miss stone cold badass. Granted inside me and Roman are feeling the exact same thing I’m just good about not publicly showing my emotions or my softer side like I do with Roman.” She says looking in the rearview mirror and smiling.

“Ah so you're like his big sister basically.” he said chuckling.

“You could say that.” After several more hours they finally arrive at the rather large village. They pulled into the village and stopped at a nearby stand as Rainbow punches Romans arm. “Hey wake up we're here.”

Roman gets up and wipes his eyes yawning before hopping out of the jeep and grabbing his gear and rifle. As the three walked into the village they were met with stares of fear. After several minutes of walking they come across a street merchant. Baxter walks up to the young boy.

“Do you speak english?” Baxter said leaning down to the young boy with a warm smile.

“Y...yes.” the boy said in a scared tone.

“Can you point us to the nearest medical center, my friends and I are wounded and we need help.” After a few seconds of silence the boy points to a nearby building. “Thank you son.”  Baxter says standing up. “The nearest clinic is three miles north of here.” They get back in their jeep and continue driving before shortly arriving at the clinic and they head inside. The first thing that greets them is a small man in his late forties with a balding head glasses and a white coat.

“Excuse me sir are you the doctor hear?” Rainbow asked politely.

“Why yes I am how may I help you miss?” the small man said in a british accent.

“Me and my friends here are part of the military and were wounded we were wondering if you could patch us up so we can get out of here.” She says showing her bloody bandaged stump and Romans swollen eye that was now scabbed shut a well as the visible cuts and gashes all over their bodies.

“Well normally I don’t help people who do not live in this village but from the looks of things you three are in terrible shape so I will help you.” The three of them step into the back as he disinfects rainbows arm and redresses it as well as dressing Romans eye. Once those two were finished the doctor patched up there other minor wounds before refilling their canteens and walking them out the door.

“Thank you doctor we appreciate your hospitality.” Roman said getting in the jeep and starting it.

“Your welcome my friends have a safe trip.” The man says walking back inside as They sped to a little area a couple feet from the village.

Once there Roman got out his supplies hot wired the jeeps CB radio to the hammerheads frequency.

“Come in Hammerhead this is Gunnery Sergeant Roman of Rhino Company do you read. Over.” after a few seconds of radio silence a voice rings over the radio.

“Gunnery Sergeant Roman this Captain Miles of the S.S. Hammerhead, we read you loud and clear. Over.” The man said before Roman picked up the microphone.

“Sir we are a few hundred feet from a village in Yemen called Hajjah. Rhino Company has been whipped out by Promethean Artillery and Ground troops. Me, Staff Sergeant Rainbow Dash, and Corporal Baxter are the only survivors and we need immediate extraction to the ship. We have low ammo and no previsions. Were prepared to mark the LZ with green smoke. Over.” Roman sad pulling out a canisters of green smoke.

“Understood son. Hold that position Black hawk on its way ETA thirty minutes. Over.” said Captain Miles.

“Roger that sir we will pop a smoke when chopper is in sight. Over.” he said as they got out of the car and waited under the shade of a nearby rock. For the next thirty minutes the three of them laid there in the boiling sun and drinking from their canteens to avoid dehydration. After a while the beating of chopper blades could be heard in the distance. Roman jumps to his feet and pops the canister as green smoke begin to spill out. After a few seconds the smoke becomes thicker and the chopper spots it landing. Upon landing several marines jump out and walk over to Roman.

“Gunnery Sergeant Roman, I’m Captain Delano of Alpha team. Were to escort you safely to the Hammerhead where's the rest of your squad?” Roman looks down at his fist.

“Your looking at the only three survivors of Titan Squad and Rhino Company.” Baxter and Rainbow walk up and stand beside him as they notice rainbows arm and Romans eye.

“Jesus christ you guys look like you’ve been through hell.” The commander said.

“You have no fucking idea.” Roman said laughing slightly as the three of them boarded the chopper and headed for the ship.