Ambiguity

Ashes Beneath the Burning Sun

Fareeha chuckled herself. "And I'm sure that responsibility will keep you plenty busy. Given the situation," she said. Finishing up her plate, she pushed it aside. She rested her head on clasped hands. "That'll help around here. We've started turning to young ones for soldiers. You're aware that all Egyptians enter ESF training? Very basic. None are expected to use it. We're pulling from everything, Angela. This helps more than you can possibly imagine."

Fareeha gestured to Angela's meal. "It's not exactly fancy, but it staves off starvation. That's a plus," she said. Seeing the 'look' from Alawa, she knew the others were curious. "Since you've been ... in the civilized world, how is it out there? Are the Asia and European front still holding? Last we heard, South America is almost routed. The US is still protected. I wish they'd send some of their relief efforts here. Any of them as bad as here?"

Ashes Beneath the Burning Sun

Fareeha rose an eyebrow. "Responsible for some?"

What Angela said next made Fareeha's lips tug into upside down frown. The others were taken aback though they quickly recovered. Even though Angela only got two companies of Swiss forces to deploy here, that would alleviate some of the pressure off the ESF. Though a division - even a battalion - would've been better, she'd take what she could get. Maybe the world may once again unite. Fareeha hoped that'd happen one day.

"Are you leading them?" Fareeha asked.

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Fareeha tuned out the banter amongst her officers. Friendly banter and camaraderie was something she fostered. Something she condoned. The traditionalists had a problem with how she interacted with her company, but that was their deal. 5th operated as good as ever, and that's all that mattered to her.

"Doctor's here," Alawa said, pointing with his fork. "Drawing the whole crowd. I bet most here haven't seen a Swiss woman. Why--"

Fareeha was on her feet. Towering above the majority of the men there, a hallmark of the Jumper Corps in general, she crossed over to where Angela was standing. Alone amongst soldiers that weren't of her own country. The sacrifice was apparent. She waved at the doctor. "Sorry. I would've found you sooner. Reporting in then needed to ... sit."

Leading Angela towards the line, she grabbed a few more items herself and walked back towards the table with doctor. "Make room," she said as the three jumpers shifted and made a space available for Angela. Fareeha took her seat and began tucking into her third plate. "Don't worry. I keep the boys in line. The others won't bother you."

"Except me," said Nero. He dodged a playful swipe from Ansaf.

Fareeha rolled her eyes. "Except him. There's no helping Nero. But please," Fareeha said as she gestured at the spot across from her. "I was just going through the replacements list with First Lieutenant Alawa here," she gestured to him, "and noticed your name on the list. Are you sure you want in? You're in danger out there. Maybe no supplies. Maybe no luck in pulling out as nicely as we did from Cairo. You could do much more here with the civilians. Hell, even the battalion."

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Fareeha nodded at Angela's response. "Spoken like a true jumper. Let's not waste daylight then."

Fighting against her leg's screaming protest of walking once more, she promised she'd berate her superiors in giving her company some rest. Even take in replacements. Just from the quick look about, the remnants of the 5th was half strength. Maybe even more so towards the low end of the company size brackets. It was good they pulled out when they did. She prayed her actions hadn't doomed any other companies still holding the line. A thought she didn't want to entertain.

"Everyone up; break's over! NCOs, equipment and personnel check. We're almost home. Officers, to me." The company roused from their temporary, welcomed stupor as platoon leaders made their way to her. When they were accounted for, she opened a tactical tablet pocketed away in her armor compartment. "Gentlemen."

They all nodded to her.

"1st and 3rd were hit hardest. As such, said platoons will comprise the core guard. The wounded will be centered there. You shall be the shepherds. Do not lose them. Clear, Ansaf? Alawa?"

"Understood," said Alawa.

"No one left behind. Got it," copied Ansaf.

"2nd, will be our buffer. Nero. Split your platoon into a forward and rear guard. The composition is to your discretion. Radio in any contact and engage at will."

"You got it, Cap," said Nero.

She looked at all of them. "We're almost home. Supplies. Some rest. Get everyone home. We've lost too much. Get me? Good. Get to it."

The officers departed without another word as Fareeha made her way to the mouth of the circle. After a period of shouting and shifting, the buffer team proceeded with the rest in tow. No one would get left behind. She felt the compartment next to her chest, a bulge from the dog tags.

No one.

---

They arrived at the safe zone almost two hours later.

Fareeha sat at a table in the officer's mess hall. She had stripped off her armor with only her g-suit to cover her. It felt wonderful. The ventilation. She forgot what it felt to not wear her armor. It was suggested that jumpers remove their exo-suits/armor daily, but she never had the chance. The fighting was non-stop. Everything was being resupplied for her company. Displaced jumpers filling the spots recently opened. She had two days before her company was to deploy again. Barbaric though the times necessitated it.

The other officers of her company sat with her, each also in their g-suits. No one talked. There was no energy for it. Fareeha had given full privileges for her company to R&R. Within reason of course.

"Did it again, Cap." Fareeha looked at Nero who smiled. He stirred the contents of real coffee in his mug. "Brought us home. You did it, by god."

Ansaf laughed. "Brown nosing ain't getting you anywhere. Not in the military, boy."

Nero feigned hurt. "Brown nosing? Me? Never. But charming? Different story altogether."

"That scar kills the looks."

Nero pointed at the burn scar on his face and smirked. "Ansaf? This scar makes the looks."

Fareeha sighed and shook her head. "Alawa, did you check the resupply? Up to snuff?"

Alawa, who'd been tucking away the rubber-like chicken nodded. "As much as I could get it. The whole ESF is low on ordinance. Managed to dig some deets. We're getting supplies from other countries. Factories are being erected on the southern borders or Egypt. Long story short? We're boned."

"Thanks Mr. Op-to-mis-tic." Nero downed his coffee. "Replacements look green, Cap. Greener than grass. We'll weed out on our next deployment."

"They are soldiers of Egypt. Regardless of the quality," Fareeha said with an edge to her tone. "We will treat them like our own." She looked at Nero than to the others. "Am I clear?"

The officers nodded.

Fareeha went back to her meal. "But Nero's right. We'll lose a lot, if your evaluation is correct."

"Meant no disrespect, Cap."

"I know, Nero. I know."

Ashes Beneath the Burning Sun

@Dewey Deftones

Sorry for spamming! I just have a break between classes xD!

Ashes Beneath the Burning Sun

Fareeha smiled broadly for the first time in a very long time. "Thanks. I feel the same way. I miss everyone in Overwatch. Reinhardt always made me laugh. 'A giant! A giant!' I think I said something along those lines. I wonder if I'm taller than him?" The bit about her mother was a tricky spot. Fareeha was at peace with the fact that mother disappeared without a trace, but it didn't make her less bitter about it. "Wherever any of them are, I hope they're helping end this ... this nightmare. My ... mother? I haven't paid her much mind anymore. I hope she's out there. I hope I never see her again."

Bathing in the silence, Fareeha lingered on the pressure she felt on her armor where Angela had rested her hand. Just like when they were younger. Those days where the conflict was still in its infancy.

She watched her officers checking in with the men. If anyone knew of better men, she would hear it. From the Massacre of Tanta to the recent defense of Cairo. No matter the potential obstacles, she would defend her company. They had earned her respect. It took little on her part to earn theirs. With her reputation within the ESF and all. It made it that more pressing to ensure she didn't lead them astray. She wasn't entirely impervious to the war. As stoic and resolute as she was, she was tired. More mistakes were being made on her part. Mistakes that got people killed. She couldn't tell anyone though. She couldn't. No weakness from the leader. That was one of her principles.

Angela spoke again. Fareeha rose an eyebrow. "Glad to be here? Not many would say that," she said. Hearing the tapping on her armor, she smirked. "Makes a statement doesn't it? Really poor in the tactical sense I suppose. But blue's been my favorite color. Same as my ... mom. Guess there're similarities after all."

Sighing, it was about time to go. "Do you need more time to rest? Healing's just as tiring as fighting it seems," she said. "Thank you for what you did. Helping the wounded. We don't have medicinal technology like that on the front. Only in the rear, which the front hardly sees anymore."

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@Dewey Deftones

Pinyatta! I love him. Very OP when you get control the discord orb and snipe people. In my opinion.

Yup, that always happens. Even a nice earth shaker to trip everyone up. If you're quick enough, it's a turkey shoot haha! It's a terrible way to die too ...

Yeah, I was thinking about doing that too. I didn't think I wanted to build one, but I thought what the hell. I've grown to appreciate those pieces of hardware much more. Seriously.

So, I'm upgrading from a computer that's 9 years old. I can't wait to see the difference from low graphics to high. Super stoked.

Very nice! I wish I had a day off. I'm sloggin' through the day. Almost done though. Super excited about that! I have weekend shifts though.

I'm very happy to hear that! Let me know if you want to add something in or don't like something. I like to emphasize that this is a partnership. Throw stuff in or let me know if you want to plot. All works for me :]!

Ashes Beneath the Burning Sun

Fareeha saw Angela approach. It was one of the perks of being on higher ground. The doctor's suit was caked in dried blood, the blood of her company.

Angela didn't need to come here. From what she heard in the Western European theater, Switzerland wasn't in one of the red zones. Germany, Austria, and Italy buffered the country from direct Omnic invasion. If things hadn't changed. Perhaps the doctor became too bored where she currently was. Or maybe she was here for another reason. Fareeha didn't really care. She wouldn't leave her country. Not after the many battles she'd brave already. Although, it was nice seeing a familiar face.

Fareeha laughed. She pointed towards the mouth of the cave. "Egypt is mostly sand. An endless sea of it. Don't know where you are, when you aren't careful, it consumes you. The desert is cruel yet cultivates hard people," she said. "The shoulder's fine. Thank you. I'll pass the praise to the others. You may not know it, but you're a sight for sore eyes for them. If you hadn't came, some would have been left behind. I've never had to leave anyone behind. Living that is."

She patted a spot next to her. "Sit? There won't be a break after we move again," she said. "We've held our position for near two weeks. No resupply. No reinforcements. I'm sure C-COM will be livid when we show up. Might be called cowards. But with no ammunition? We might as well throw our bodies against the Omnics. This is the price for not preparing."

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@Dewey Deftones

Haha! Well, not many like to play support. Not too many opportunities for POTG though I've had some moments. I think if I don't play either of those, I COD it up with Soldier.

I hear ya. I do the same thing with D.Va and Mercy.

The hard part is the sniper aspect of her. It's not typical compared to that of the other healer characters. But her nano boast? In comp? Lord and mercy have pity on the soul who gets tagged by it.

Ah gotcha. I'm actually building a PC. Long process. So frustrated, but it's almost done haha!

My day is good. Got a lot of projects and stuff that need to be wrapped up. Yours?

Also, I hope you're having fun with the story.

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Though she was compelled to go back out to the battle, what could she do? The wound prevented her from using her rockets and a dizzy spell was starting to move in. Having no more words, nor reason to reject treatment, Fareeha gingerly peeled off the armor on her shoulder. She got a look at the wound for a first time. The puncture was deeper than she'd initially thought. No exit to the back, which meant the shrapnel/bullet was still in there. It had to be removed.

Placing the shoulder piece next to her helmet, she looked intently at Angela before the good doctor began her work. The glow from whatever Angela's miracle healing did always mesmerized her. "I was hoping for a company instead of you. Not that I'm ungrateful. Any help is nice ... well short on that these days," she said as she closed her eyes. She felt acute pain from whatever Angela was doing. "Last I heard, Russia was getting pushed back. Germany too. I'm ... glad mother isn't here to see this."

When she felt the warmth from the glow subside, Fareeha looked again at Angela. She offered a small smile of her own. "It's good to see you again. I wish we had more time to talk," she said as she began to put on her blemished armor. The acute pain turned to a dull ache. Unfortunate that Angela's treatment couldn't replace blood. Or so she thought. She was still dizzy. "Save as many as you can. I've tried to keep them safe. This is one area where I can't."

Watching Angela move towards her wounded men and women, Fareeha walked back outside. She donned her HUD as reports came flooding back in. The Ra Seeker was in her hands as she joined up with 1st platoon. "Keep holding! Deviate fire to the Heavies; they're the most threatening," she said. "2nd, status?"

"2nd here, Cap. Road to paradise ready when you are. Wounded are moving nicely. Doc's finishing up the last few cases. Last I saw."

Fareeha could attest to that. With Angela's help, things would be faster. Undoubtedly.

A long time had past since Angela came, and ammunition was running low. Fareeha had already ordered a withdraw for the 1st and 3rd to the last safety line before the infirmary was at the front. She hit her communicator. "Doctors. What's the SITREP?"

"We're moving the last case now," came Dr. Marsala's reply. "I suggest you move out with haste, Captain."

Fareeha would ask how many Angela and Marsala could save later. "2nd, 1st and 3rd are pulling back. Cover us," she said. "1st and 3rd, pull back in discipline rows. We're leaving!"

---

They were several hours into the hike back to the safe zone. Fareeha called for her people to occupy caves she found. Omnics wasn't the only danger in Egypt. The sun was too even if it was covered. Did little to shield the heat. Fareeha supposed it was a blessing. Too much of a weather change could cause sickness in Egypt.

Sitting on a rock looking out at the entrance, the wounded had settled in while a perimeter had been established. Omnic forces hadn't been sighted in some time. Didn't mean they were safe. The tin cans had no concept nor pressure from time. They had the advantage. Her company was thinned out as well. Elements had to be moved about to balance each platoon. Take another hit like that again, she'd have dissolve 3rd and combine them with 1st.

For now, some rest was needed. It'd be time to move soon.