Blood in the Sand

Sixty miles off the coast of India on the S.S Hammerhead

After a lengthy helicopter ride the surviving members of Titan squad finally arrived on the ship from there they were immediately debriefed and sent to the infirmary. Roman awoke on top of a cot arm bandaged and his eye covered.

“Ah your finally awake good. We have been waiting for you to regain consciousness.” said the doctor

“Who are you and what happened?” Roman said still groggy from the anesthetic. The doctor chuckles and pulls out Romans chart.

“I’m Doctor Adams, it’s nice to meet you.” Adams said in a friendly tone. “As for what happened to you it appears you suffered a concussion and several broken ribs along with your left eye which we had to remove as shrapnel had damaged the optic nerves. So unfortunately you're permanently blind in your left eye. I recommend you stay on the ship for at least a month or two and then before sending you back into the field.” Adams said as he helped Roman out of bed.

“What about my team.” Roman asked in a worried tone.

“Well Sergeant Baxter will make a full recovery with only minor wounds and some internal bleeding he was rather easy to fix. Miss Dash was a worse for wear but she will be fine. She is downstairs in R&D gettig her new arm fitted.

“New arm like a moving bendable non prosthetic arm?” Roman says in disbelief.

“Yes Sergeant Captain Miles had her sent there the minute she was able to walk. It’s actually quite impressive what we can come up with in this day and age.” Adam's hands Roman a bag of pills to take daily and directs him to the location of R&D. On his way down to the lab everyone that saw him stopped and saluted him. On his way to his destination he ran into Captain Miles.

“There you are son. I’m sorry to hear about Rhino Company I understand you lost a close friend who was serving with you?” The Captain said placing his hand on Romans shoulder.

“Yes sir Private First Class Applejack we were friends from high school. We had just graduated to.” Roman says in a solemn tone as the Captain sits him down.

“I know it's hard for you son believe me, in my time in the military I’ve lost lots of good men. Hell I’ve lost more than I can count. War is the most unforgiving tragedy mankind has ever created but that doesn’t mean we shut down and dwell on the past. Son you did a lot in the time you have been in the marines including keeping a cool head and formulating a sound escape plan and getting at least some of your men out of that hellhole. For that I’m gonna do two things for you. On top of your purple heart I’m giving your entire squad the medal of honour. Applejack and the others will be buried as heroes. I’m also promoting you to Master Sergeant, Miss Dash will be promoted to Gunnery Sergeant, and Sergeant Baxter will be promoted to Staff Sergeant. I’m also tasking you with the mission of while you're on this ship you are to build a new squad of which you will be the leader and Miss Dash will be your second in command.” He pats him on the back and walks away.

“Wait sir, why are you doing all this.” Roman says still in shock. Miles turns around.

“Son sometimes even the strongest of men sometimes need a push to show them there is still hope in this world.” He walks down the stairs as Roman rushes towards R&D. After turning a few corners he arrives and heads inside before he can see anything a blu blur rushes him hugging him tightly. Rainbow squeezes him tears in her eyes.

“I can’t believe we survived it's all thanks to you Roman.” Roman hugs her back tightly as a tear rolls down his cheek.

“Not all of us.” Roman said clenching his fist as rainbow sits him down.

“Roman you did all you could you saved Applejacks life. The missiles strike wasn’t your fault none of us would’ve seen that coming. You need to stop blaming yourself. C’mon let's head to our quarters and use the laptop maybe some time with Sunset will help take your mind off of things.” Rainbow takes him through the ship as they enter the room they quickly spy an open terminal to use. After signing in he sends Sunset a message via skype saying he can finally talk. Before he can blink skype rings and he answers soon he is met with the sight of Sunset and her friends all in the room at once. There happy faces soon turn to shock when they see Roman and Rainbow.

“Oh my god Roman are you and Rainbow, and Applejack ok?” Sunset asked looking visibly worried. Roman begins to choke up as he speaks.

“A...Applejack didn’t make it. We were pinned down in an run down village Applejack was already receiving medical attention from me for a bullet wound to the chest but once we got on the helicopters I saw nothing but explosions and i saw Applejacks chopper go down. She died on impact. To make things worse my entire company got whipped out except for me, rainbow, and one of the higher ups from my squad.” Roman breaks down into tears sobbing like a little baby. “I’m sorry everyone, at the recruiting office we all promised Sunset everything was gonna be ok. Now Applejack is dead I’m blind in my left eye and Rainbow lost her left arm and had to get a cybernetic replacement.” The call goes silent as his friends just stare in disbelief of what they just heard. “It’s all my fault if I hadn’t of enlisted in the stupid military none of this wouldn’t of happened.” Sunset speaks up.

“Roman stop crying no one here is mad at you what happened wasn’t your fault. You were chasing your dream there is nothing wrong with that.” She said softly.

“How my dream got Applejack killed.” He said drying his eyes as Rainbow stayed  by his side holding him.

“Applejack could have declined at anytime.” Twilight said breaking the silence once again. “After you left the lunchroom Applejack told us the reason she was enlisting was to make sure you two didn’t get yourselves killed. Yes she may be dead but you guys are alive and well for the most part. Applejack didn’t die in vain and no one here hates you.” her words reached Roman as he sat up and sniffed.

“You’re right I shouldn’t be to hard on myself it’s just...I saw her after the crash it’s a site that's gonna haunt me for years to come.” He said adding her dog tags to his and gripping them.

“No matter what sweetheart we will always be by your side.” Sunset said softly to him as she began to sing. The melody hitting his ears was soft and soothing and it started to put his and Rainbows minds at ease. It became even more powerful when everyone joined in soon all of them including Rainbow were singing to Roman.

“Whoa where is that singing coming from. I haven’t heard anything that good in a long time.” Baxter said putting his arm around Roman and sitting down next to him as he watched the girls sing their melody.

“Girls I’d like you to meet Staff Sergeant Baxter.” Baxter looks at him in confusion.

“What do you mean Staff Sergeant?” he said scratching his head.

“Oh right i forgot to tell everyone. The three of us got promoted. Baxter you're now a Staff Sergeant. Rainbow you're a Gunnery Sergeant, and I’m a Master Sergeant. We were also tasked with building a new squad.” Rainbow and Baxter high five.

“That's great It’s nice to know your ok and you're doing well for yourself baby.” Baxter looks at the screen.

“Damn Roman you're one lucky man to have a girl that cute as yours. Although your friends are just as cute.” Everyone blushes and laughs as Rarity comes onto the screen.

“I must say Mr. Baxter you yourself are quite the looker.” She says fluttering her eyelashes at him.

“Ok missy that's enough we have to go anyway. will I be able to talk to you later?” she asked with hope in her eyes.

“Well the three of us are gonna be on this ship for at least three months so we will be able to talk a lot.” Sunset smiles before kissing the screen.

“Talk to you later baby.” Roman says kissing the screen back as the call ends.

“Hey Roman promise me something.” Baxter said getting up to go get some coffee.

“Oh ya what's that cueball?” Roman said laughing as Baxter flips him the bird.

“When all this is over and we get back home. You gotta hook me up with that Rarity friend of yours.

Roman laughs. “Sure thing buddy but you have no idea what you're getting into.” Rainbow soon joins Roman  in laughing as the three of them spend the day relaxing on the ship and unwinding. After all they have three months to make a squad and plan an attack on Tahir and Prometheus, plus after what they had been through a week or so off would be perfect.