[h3][b][i]”Unass the AO!,”[/i][/b][/h3]
[b][i]Anthony Collins[/i][/b]
[hr]

The platoon had just executed a hasty ambush with the first and second squad along with the platoon’s two General Purpose Machine Guns laying down a base of fire and the third squad along with a few Platoon Headquarters personnel executing the assault across the Kill Zone. They Assault team fired double taps into the fallen enemy prior to passing them. This is a technique in compliance with the Geneva Convention back on earth, but completely irrelevant on this god forsaken planet. If the assault element bypassed a fallen enemy and later found the enemy combatant to remain alive, it is the ambushing unit’s responsibility to provide medical attention and evacuate as a Prisoner of War (PW).

The third squad’s aid and litter team were preparing their litter when Lieutenant Koh spoke up, [i]"I have Salvesh silhouettes cresting the hill at a sprint! Roughly about two platoons in strength. Looks like they're here for the after-party."[/i] 

Major Collins looked at the ridge line. It was a distance of roughly half a kilometer. “[b]Mr. Gunn[/b], how far out is that UCAV?” He was asking his Target Acquisition Specialist when the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle he had ordered would be on station to hit targets on the ground. [@Trivval] “Also, please call in mortar fire on this position right now, understood?”

As he turned to look at the platoon, appreciating the relative quietness of the jungle, he looked at the third Squad leader, “Disregard the wounded Salvesh! We won’t be able to take him with us.” Anthony Collins turned back to the majority of the platoon, “Damn, I really would have loved to take him back to the doctors.” Then he yelled for everyone to hear, “Fall back to last rally point and establish a linear defense along the ridge line over looking this area. I want third squad in the middle with a pig on each flank of third.” He then looked at Park, who was bleeding from the face, “Park, take your squad to the right of third squad. Then, he looked at Hedberg, “Take your squad about a hundred meters beyond the platoon’s line of defense and establish a secondary line. If the shit gets too deep, we are dropping back to your line. Be prepared to cover our retrograde operation or push forward and reinforce us.” Finally, he looked at Boggs and Laurent, “Get those pigs in position and use the AT Gunners and flank security.” The term pig is a friendly expression used to describe the larger GPMGs firing 7.62mm rounds. They are usually heavy and put out a lot of firepower. Not to be confused with the smaller 5.56mm Light Machine Gun or SAW used at the squad level.

“Ok, Ladies and gentleman, Unass the AO!” Tony Collins yelled as the platoon began running the 400 meters back to the last  known rally point. Pieter Gunn would have to call in the mortar strike from the run. It was better than to sit here and wait for the Salvesh to catch up. Besides, the high ground of the last known Rally Point would give the platoon a height advantage and hopefully suck the enemy into their new kill zone, assuming the Salvesh follow the tracks the platoon would create across the jungle floor.


[h3][b][i]Retrograde Operations[/i][/b][/h3]
[i][b]Brian Park, First Squad[/b][/i]
[hr]
Butch slapped Brian on the shoulder as she walked past him, [i]”’Tis but a scratch, ja?’"[/i] She smiled at him as she passed.

“Ja, a scratch. Really going to mess up my smooth Asian features. I was really hoping to get to know that Singaporean chick too.”

Once the shooting died down, the medic came by and put a bandage on his cheek. [@Lord Shaxx] “How’s it look, doc? Anything broken? Great scar to look forward to, though. Am I right?” Brian tried to smile, but it only hurt to move his facial muscles in such a manner.

Finally, Lieutenant Koh ruined the euphoria with her dismal report that two Salvesh platoons were heading their way. This could be anywhere from 60 to 100 combatants. She really hadn’t been specific. No one knew how large their grouped their platoons, but earthlings used anywhere from 30 to 50 men in theirs.

[i]Time to unass the AO![/i] The Platoon leader had spoken. “OK first squad on me, let’s beat feet and get back to that ridge line a half a click to our rear.” Brian counted the soldiers of his squad. So far, he was the only casualty. He knew he could still walk or in this case run. His wound wasn’t that debilitating.

Within seconds, the platoon began running back toward the platoon’s new position. Major Collins made sure he was the last one off the ambush site with Pieter Gunn and Lieutenant Koh right close by. “Let’s go, chaps,” Major Collins uttered, loud enough for the two of them to hear. The counter-attacking Salvesh had not yet reached the clearing where they stood yet.

As they moved hastily away from the ambush site, the roar of an A-10 flying overhead drowned out the silence. Then the signature loud burping nose of the GAU-8 Avenger Autocannon could be heard spitting our rounds toward their approaching foe.

“Oh, that’s gotta hurt,” The Major mumbled as he ran.

[@Noxious][@Hellis][@Reaper][@Hellis][@JDolan]