by Angus McLean
Moore watched as the four DPVs roared towards them, ignoring Todd’s gesture to get moving. He could see the enemy better now, with the DPVs only a couple of hundred metres away, and he realised that the insurgents were catching up. Past them he could see more vehicles heading their way, a second wave of insurgents giving chase.
Wherever these bastards were coming from, they were spawning like goddamn rabbits.
Two of the first group looked to have parked up as a fire base, with the others continuing forward on the flanks but slowing down, leaving a clear field of fire down the middle for the fire base to hammer the escaping Americans.
It was a pretty basic tactic but Moore had always been a believer in simple things-the less complicated a plan, the less chance of fucking it up with a blue on blue.
Unfortunately, it left him and Katie in a direct line with the enemy fire base. He tucked the M240 into the shoulder and sighted on the two parked up technicals. Both had big 12.7’s in the back and there was at least one guy with an RPG kneeling off to the side, making sure he didn’t wipe out his own guys with the back blast. The RPG had an effective range of about two hundred metres but he knew the grenades could travel nearly a klick before self-detonating. A lucky shot was just as deadly as an accurate one.
The 12.7’s started hammering and he could see bullets plowing into the ground behind the racing DPVs. The Chinook rotors behind him were getting louder.
One of the DPVs cut to its right and blocked Moore’s line of fire just as he was about to trigger a burst. A second later an RPG cut the air where the DPV had been and continued through at head height, flying past the ATV and disappearing into the wild blue yonder.
Moore heard Katie swearing again and blocked it out. He had a bead on the rocket man now and squeezed off a short burst. The guy looked up in surprise from his reload and Moore fired again, sending him scurrying for cover.
The two technicals now focussed on him and bullets started to fill the air, buzzing like angry hornets. He knew he only had a matter of seconds before someone got lucky. He took aim at the left hand vehicle and sent his regards, seeing a window explode and someone jump off the back. He shifted his aim slightly and went for the machine gunner.
The first of the DPVs reached them and spun in a tight turn, bringing its guns to bear on the enemy. The second one was there now, moving past the position.
Moore instinctively knew that his time on the gun was up and dropped back into the saddle. As he reached for the handlebars a burst of machine gun fire cracked past his head and the M240 was hit.
The barrel took the impact of at least one 12.7mm round and spun, whipping overhead as Moore ducked down. He threw himself sideways off the Polaris, deafened by the thumping of the Mk19 on the nearby DPV, sending 40mm grenades back towards the enemy.
A third DPV screamed to a stop off to his left and he could vaguely hear Todd bellowing at him.
Katie dragged him to his feet and shouted at him too, before she realised he couldn’t hear a thing. She pointed first at him then at the ATV, and he got the message. A quick look showed him the first Chinook was coming in to land, a huge shit storm of sand and crap being blown up. Two of the DPVs were heading for it.
Moore threw his leg back over the saddle and revved the engine. Katie leaped on behind him, the M4 slung again, and wrapped her arms around his waist. Despite the situation, it wasn’t an unpleasant experience.
He spun the ATV around and headed for the Chinook. The rear ramp was down and one of the DPVs was already boarding. The second Chinook was hovering overhead and he could see its guns flashing as it gave covering fire to the ground unit.
He wasn’t sure whether they would get all five vehicles on board the first chopper or whether it meant the second one would have to land too. A second later, the problem was solved anyway.
He felt Katie grip him harder and heard an explosion behind them. He instinctively slowed and looked back. One of the DPVs was on its side and in flames, the fourth vehicle turning back for it.
Moore spun hard and motored back to help.
The enemy technicals were still three or four hundred yards away, but he knew that gave them only seconds.
The commander and driver of the fourth DPV were already out and going for their buddies when the Polaris pulled up. The gunner kept up suppressing fire with his Mk19 while they tried to pull the crew free.
Moore joined them, recognising Todd’s bloodied face as he was pulled free from the flaming vehicle. He didn’t seem to be hit but he was definitely out of the game. The gunner, Marko, had been thrown free when the vehicle went over and one of the D-boys rushed to him. He was clutching his leg and writhing in pain.
Moore and Katie joined the third operator-Moore couldn’t recall his name immediately- who was trying to pull the driver clear. It was Jerry. He was out cold and limp. The flames were at the back of the DPV but working their way steadily forward. The D-boy produced a knife and slashed the driver’s harness, but it was obvious his legs were trapped in the mangled front of the DPV.
‘Stoppage,’ called the gunner on the other DPV, ‘I could do with a hand, guys. These assholes are persistent.’
Katie didn’t hesitate. She unslung her M4 and ran to the rear of the wreckage, taking a knee and starting to squeeze off shots.
‘That’s some girl,’ the operator beside Moore commented as they both pulled at the steering wheel.
Moore grunted and pulled harder. He could see they were making headway. The Mk19 started up again. The other Delta operator-Moore thought it was Joel-hustled past with the sniper/gunner over his shoulder. Even from a fleeting glance Moore could tell the guy’s leg was badly busted.
‘Need your bike,’ the guy who might have been Joel called as he went past.
Moore nodded; it made sense. He put his weight into the steering wheel, hearing the gunner call out again.
‘We got two of the technicals down, boys. Still got three comin’ at us though.’ He fired off a burst of grenades. ‘It’s getting’ pretty hot up here.’
With a final grunt Moore and the other operator-Bobby, he remembered now-twisted the steering wheel aside far enough to clear the tops of Jerry’s legs. They each grabbed an arm and hauled at him, sliding him free and clear of the vehicle.
Moore left Bobby to it and joined Katie, who was swapping magazines. She flashed him a grin as she slammed a new one home and worked the bolt. Three spent magazines were in the dust at her feet.
‘All good?’ she asked.
‘Wait for the call,’ he said, unslinging his own weapon. ‘Looks like you’re having fun.’
‘Fuck yeah!’ She triggered a burst for emphasis.
‘Take a breath,’ he said. ‘Breathe and focus.’
He could see she was high on adrenaline and feeling bulletproof. He’d been there before; the thrill of battle was intoxicating. It was also dangerous, and the last thing he needed was for her to do something stupid and get herself killed.
He could see the last three technicals less than two hundred yards away now, guns blazing and dust clouds billowing behind them. The two others from the fire base were also close behind now. He saw an RPG streak through the air, then another, and another.
He realised the insurgents had turned their attention to the giant Chinooks and were trying to scare them off. They probably figured that if the big birds disappeared the ground troops left behind would be easy pickings. They were probably right, but there was no way Moore was going down easy.
He triggered a burst towards the enemy and turned as he felt a slap on the back. It was Bobby, the operator he’d been working with.
‘I’m taking Top and Jer in the DPV,’ he shouted over the din of the Mk19 and Katie’s M4. ‘The ATV’s gone already. You guys gotta leg it, okay?’
Moore nodded.
‘We’ll try and get one of the vehicles back for ya, but move your asses now!’
Moore nodded again and slapped Katie’s shoulder. He jerked his thumb towards the waiti
ng chopper. ‘Let’s go!’
Together they turned and ran for it, the Chinook a couple of hundred yards away. Rounds were flying overhead from the Delta boys and the guns on the choppers. As they came clear of the wrecked DPV more rounds came overhead in the other direction as the insurgents tried desperately to bring them down before they reached safety.
A hundred yards out now and his lungs and legs were feeling it. His mouth was dry and gritty.
An RPG streaked past, wide of the Chinook, and more bullets punched through the air. The first Chinook lifted off and the rotor wash from the closest machine was blowing a massive shitstorm all around them.
‘Keep going!’ Moore rasped to Katie, giving her a push ahead. He turned and brought the M4 up, triggering off half a dozen short bursts at their pursuers. He moved his grip down to the 203 beneath the barrel and squeezed off a 40mm bomb for good measure, unable to see much but hoping for the best, before turning and running again.
He could see the loadie at the tail gate shouting and waving at him, and at least a couple of the D-boys unleashing covering fire over his head.
He reached the tail gate of the big bird as it started to lift off and he threw himself up, scrabbling for a hold and feeling hands jerking him to safety. The tail gate began to close and he staggered to a seat against the wall, Katie flopping down beside him. He looked at her as the Chinook thundered into the sky, unable to hear a damn thing over the rotors.
Her hair had come loose and was framing her face, which was streaked with sweat and dust. Her fatigues were filthy. She held the M4 nose-up between her feet. She was grinning.
She held a hand out for a low five, but Moore ignored the gesture, looking past her to where the team medics were tending to their wounded.
Todd seemed dazed but okay, sitting up and having a dressing taped to his forehead. His sniper/gunner was on his back with one of the boys stabilising his broken leg. The medic and another operator were occupied with Jerry, who seemed to be semi-conscious and in pain. The medic had ripped his pants legs open and was tending to his legs. Moore pushed up and made his way over, standing out of the way. Katie joined him, and they watched for a minute, the soldier known as Knees watching from the other side.
Knees leaned over and the medic spoke into his ear. The Hispanic soldier’s face was solemn as he nodded and straightened up. He saw the two Kiwis and came over, leaning in close to be heard.
‘Can’t feel his legs,’ he explained. ‘Could be nerve damage. Hopefully it’s only temporary.’
Moore nodded. He could feel the concern in the man’s voice.
‘Won’t find out til we get him down and into the base hospital.’ The Delta operator looked at each of them in turn. ‘I hope it was worth it, huh?’
Moore nodded again and straightened up. He knew words were no use right now. Warriors hurt like anyone else. He gripped the man’s shoulder and pulled him in.
‘Thanks,’ he said simply.
Knees gave a short nod and went back to his team. Moore guided Katie back to a seat. She wasn’t grinning now, and he knew that the reality of combat had just hit home for her. It wasn’t all Hollywood action where everyone went home afterwards, joking and laughing. Soldiers bled and broke and died.
They sat in silence for the rest of the flight.
Chapter Forty One
‘The sniper team had no idea about that tunnel,’ Pat explained at the debrief. ‘We got no idea where it goes, it may have gone off into a wadi or even to the mountains, who knows. Maybe they got a bunker down there. Whatever it was, it’s gone now.’ He gave a grim smile. ‘Soon as you all got the hell outta there we sent some gunships in and they blew the shit outta it.’
He saw the concerned look on Katie’s face.
‘The villagers were all gone, scarpered for the hills after your battle.’ He stroked his short beard. ‘Who knows how many of them were sympathisers and how many were just your average villager? My money’s on all o’ them bein’ sympathisers, otherwise why would they have a tunnel?’
‘What’s the sit-rep on the boys, boss?’ Knees asked from behind the two Kiwis.
‘AJ’s got a badly broken femur,’ Mike replied, speaking for the first time. His tone was sombre. ‘Jerry’s got a broken tibia and sounds like some nerve damage, hopefully it’s only temporary but we have to wait and see.’
Moore felt his gut tighten.
‘Todd’s concussed, he’ll be fine just needs a rest up.’
Katie gave a heavy sigh and reached for her water bottle. Moore sat back, his thick arms crossed across his chest. He held the major’s gaze.
‘Any concerns about the intel you got?’ he asked.
Mike paused before passing the baton to Pat with a nod.
‘Pat?’
The intelligence officer stepped slowly forward.
‘We are revisiting what we have,’ he said cautiously. He put up a hand to hold Moore at bay. ‘I know where you’re coming from buddy, believe me I do. But what we had was solid. We had to act on it, okay?’
‘I’m not questioning what it appeared to be,’ Moore replied evenly. ‘I’m asking if you’ve looked a bit deeper now.’
‘What exactly are you saying, Mr Moore?’ Mike asked, rocking back on his heels and looking pensive.
‘I think we were set up.’ He looked from the major to the spook. ‘Someone has jerked our chain.’
Chapter Forty Two
As soon as the US Air Force Hercules rolled to a stop on the runway Moore and Katie were up and moving.
The crew quickly had the tailgate down and were already ready to unload the anonymous pallets of cargo they had brought with them. RAF Northolt was dark and unwelcoming, just as it had been every other time Moore had been there-maybe arriving in the middle of the night didn’t allow the base to put its best foot forward.
He waved his thanks to the crew and led the way down the ramp, seeing headlights sweep across the tarmac as he reached terra firma. He stepped aside and waited with his bag at his feet, Katie joining him and dropping her own bag.
A non-descript dark Renault pulled up and the boot popped open. Nobody got out and in the dark he could only dimly see two occupants. Moore tossed their bags in the boot and slammed it shut. He took the seat behind the driver.
Vince watched him in the rear view mirror, his dark eyes cool and expressionless.
‘Home is it?’ he asked, then glanced pointedly at Katie in the mirror. ‘Or a hotel?’
Moore got the distinct impression he was in the dog box with his mate, the feeling confirmed a second later when Nga half turned in her seat and also looked at him. She looked as pissed off as her husband, but said nothing-yet. He knew it would come.
‘My place thanks mate,’ Moore said, hoping to break the ice but failing miserably. ‘Thanks for coming out.’
‘Nothin’ better to do,’ Vince grunted and gunned it towards the gate.
Nga looked over her shoulder at him again. Even in the darkness he could see real anger in her eyes. ‘Been talking to Ari,’ she said bluntly, and Moore felt his stomach drop. ‘Yeah,’ she said, ‘that’s right.’
‘Am I missing something?’ Katie asked pointedly.
‘No,’ Moore replied awkwardly, ‘just something at work.’ He knew she knew he was lying, but there was nothing he could do about it right now.
He sat back, feeling Katie’s eyes on him across the back seat. He stayed silent, staring out at the darkness instead as they were waved through by an MOD guard at the gate and headed back towards London.
The buzz from the contact in Iraq was now gone, replaced with the weight of depression he thought he’d put behind him. He bunched his fist and pressed hard against his thigh. He could feel the waves of anger coming from the front seats.
He knew they were disappointed in him and he felt like a fool-a stupid, immature fool. Moore rarely let his guard down properly, and as a consequence he had few close friends. Vince and Nga were in that select group, and he knew he had let them down
.
The Renault pulled up at the kerb outside Moore’s flat. Vince popped the boot and stayed in his seat. Nga passed over a Jiffy bag containing Moore’s personal effects without a word.
Moore got out, deliberately walking to the door without his bags. He unlocked and shut off the alarm before turning to Katie, who had arrived behind him with her bag and a quizzical look.
‘Go and make yourself at home,’ he said as coolly as he could manage, ‘I’ve just gotta talk to these guys. I’ll be up in a minute.’
She nodded and went in. Moore went back to the car and got in the backseat, bracing himself for it.
Vince gave him a frosty look in the rear view mirror. ‘Been busy bruv?’
‘Look…’ Moore began, but Nga turned in her seat and cut him off.
‘What the fuck, Rob?’ she snapped. ‘You been rooting McGregor’s missus? Seriously?’
Moore looked resigned. ‘Ari found something?’ he asked. ‘Does McGregor know?’
‘Ari came to me,’ Vince replied. ‘He found texts and after your little visit to him, asking questions, he put two and two together.’
Moore groaned. ‘Why’d he come to you?’
‘Well,’ Vince said, giving him a pointed look, ‘we’re supposed to be mates, eh? He thought he’d better make sure of his facts before he said anything to old Gingernuts.’
‘So he’s told him?’
‘No,’ Vince said, ‘not exactly.’
‘Don’t worry,’ Nga said, giving him the full force of her glare, ‘your mate here saved your arse for you. Ari’s fobbed it off with McGregor, said he couldn’t find anything.’
‘And McGregor bought it?’ Moore frowned. ‘Doesn’t explain her having the phone though.’
‘Don’t worry about that either,’ Vince cut in, jerking a thumb at his wife. ‘Your little bit of fluff had a visit from Mrs Masoe, who laid out a few home truths to her.’
‘She’s told him she’s unhappy in the marriage and had been on a dating site. She was going to use the phone for arranging to meet someone, but never followed through with it.’
