Saving Private Nicholas
Listen to the audio version of this short story here.
Saving Private Nicholas
1800 hours. Lt. Brennan reporting in from recon to command. Repeat, this is Lt. Brennan 1224 reporting in from reconnaissance to command.
The night air is still young and fresh. I wonder if I’ll ever get used to this gig. No movement yet on the field. For now, it’s a simple waiting game. God knows if I’ll even make it to the end of this in one piece. Rumor mill is buzzing that Sgt. Jackie was forced to move from her post after the infidels spotted her position. She’s not even able to see the target from her new landing zone. Prison can be a real struggle, but she knew what she was getting herself into when we started. This is just a sacrifice that has to be made. The insurgents on my end have been assigned to some special mission titled “delta alpha theta epsilon,” so the coast should be clear until at least 2200. That’s when the real challenge starts, but I can do this. I have to do this. For the posterity of the generations to come, this is my duty. No need for backup yet, command. Keep me posted on the rest of the squadron, and for Sgt. Jackie, we’ll just have to see what she can do from that cell. Good luck to her. God knows she needs it. Better watch out, poor soul. Brennan out.
2100 hours. Lt. Brennan 1224 reporting to command. Command, this is Lt. Brennan.
Disregard the prior distress beacon. Must’ve just been my vision playing tricks on me. I was certain I had seen headlights coming in through the windows. Wasn’t expecting the insurgents for at least another 60. It seems that all the bases in the camp are experiencing this flux of transportation. Just how big is this “delta alpha theta epsilon” mission anyway?
2130 hours. Brennan 1224.
Command, I’m losing it. My eyes are raw from the dryness in the dry heat of the shelter. I’ve not removed my eyes from the target since the last report and I guess my mind is playing tricks on me. Haven’t heard so much as a single peep from the entrance. I thought for a moment that I saw a puff of ash near the point of interest, but after viewing from the binoculars, it was just some wild beast attempting to remove some of the dressing from the target. In previous recons, I’ve seen this same beast climb up inside of the target and it infuriates the infidels. God forbid this beast try anything tonight. Doesn’t he know what such actions cause? On tonight of all nights? He better just be good for goodness’ sake.
2245, uh hours, uh um, Brennan 122- there’s no time for this, command!
The insurgents have just pulled up to camp and things are advancing too quickly. I’m nervous for what comes next, command. If I’m discovered, it’ll be an absolute nightmare. As far as the insurgents are aware, I should be in my cell, like Sgt. Jackie. God rest her soul. I hope, for her own sake, that she’s managed to keep from pouting. Nevermind that, command, this is serious business! They were gone from camp for way too long. Something must have gone wrong on the mission. Both of them seem to be in quite the rush to get in. This could work out in my favor. If they are this frazzled, then my cover should be adequate to keep my position held strong. What’s that, command? The General is down? No! He and I swore that this would be the year we would finish this mission through to the end. He sweared. Double dog, even. Maybe he could at least get free from the cell after the infidels settle- what?! You mean to tell me that he’s already been strapped down? Command, level with me… is he snug? Worse? Sugar plums? Oh God, no… No! I can’t let this affect my drive for this mission. Command, tell anyone left on the field to not dare nestle, the target is soon to be here.
2345 hours. Brennan, um what was the number again? Oh, duh, 1224. Command. This is Brennan.
It’s quiet, command. Feels like even the rodents have given it up for the night. The insurgents returned to their HQ. By some miracle they didn’t end up spotting my location. The fools were so busy that they forgot to even check my cell. Heh. Morons. Should’ve brought more rations, command. I’ve been stationed for so long. At least I had the foresight to get such a comfortable spot. This night would’ve been impossible. Command, I need to know. How many do we have left out there? What?! Oh, you’ve gotta be kidding me, command. Not even one creature out there is stirring but you and me? What do you mean it’s about to be down to just one, command? Command?! COMMAND!
2358 hours, personal log, Lt. Brennan 1224.
It’s lonely out here on the field alone. Even the beast has left and joined the insurgents in HQ. The warmth of the shelter, the comfort of this position, it’s all about to be too much for me. If it weren’t for the world weighing upon my shoulders right now, who knows? I’d probably be settling my brain down for a long winter’s nap, too. In fact, it wouldn’t be such a terrible thing if I just settled in for a quick five. There’s no conclusive evidence that the target arrives on the same time every year. Sure, he moves quickly, but come on - let’s be realistic. It wouldn’t be… the end of… the world… if I took… a quick…
*huff huff* 2400 *huff huff* hours, personal log, Lt. Brennan 1224.
I tried radioing into command but got nothing but static. I had just settled in when I heard some kind of crazy clatter from just outside the shelter. I sprang up and tore open the shutters of my hideout, but all I got was a quick glimpse of metallic red being pulled by some kind of giant brown beasts. Must’ve been at least eight of them. My God, they were faster than eagles. They leapt up so quickly it was nearly like they were flying up the roof. Wait - the roof - is the target entering through the roof access? *huff huff* Oh. No. Way.
0800 hours, Lt. Brennan reporting in to command for debriefing. Command, this is Brennan 1224, debriefing on a successful mission.
Hope you enjoyed your sugar plums, command. And yes, you heard that right. Mission accomplished. Assemble all of the troops tomorrow, I have a lot to tell you.
x
Saving Private Nicholas
1800 hours. Lt. Brennan reporting in from recon to command. Repeat, this is Lt. Brennan 1224 reporting in from reconnaissance to command.
The night air is still young and fresh. I wonder if I’ll ever get used to this gig. No movement yet on the field. For now, it’s a simple waiting game. God knows if I’ll even make it to the end of this in one piece. Rumor mill is buzzing that Sgt. Jackie was forced to move from her post after the infidels spotted her position. She’s not even able to see the target from her new landing zone. Prison can be a real struggle, but she knew what she was getting herself into when we started. This is just a sacrifice that has to be made. The insurgents on my end have been assigned to some special mission titled “delta alpha theta epsilon,” so the coast should be clear until at least 2200. That’s when the real challenge starts, but I can do this. I have to do this. For the posterity of the generations to come, this is my duty. No need for backup yet, command. Keep me posted on the rest of the squadron, and for Sgt. Jackie, we’ll just have to see what she can do from that cell. Good luck to her. God knows she needs it. Better watch out, poor soul. Brennan out.
2100 hours. Lt. Brennan 1224 reporting to command. Command, this is Lt. Brennan.
Disregard the prior distress beacon. Must’ve just been my vision playing tricks on me. I was certain I had seen headlights coming in through the windows. Wasn’t expecting the insurgents for at least another 60. It seems that all the bases in the camp are experiencing this flux of transportation. Just how big is this “delta alpha theta epsilon” mission anyway?
2130 hours. Brennan 1224.
Command, I’m losing it. My eyes are raw from the dryness in the dry heat of the shelter. I’ve not removed my eyes from the target since the last report and I guess my mind is playing tricks on me. Haven’t heard so much as a single peep from the entrance. I thought for a moment that I saw a puff of ash near the point of interest, but after viewing from the binoculars, it was just some wild beast attempting to remove some of the dressing from the target. In previous recons, I’ve seen this same beast climb up inside of the target and it infuriates the infidels. God forbid this beast try anything tonight. Doesn’t he know what such actions cause? On tonight of all nights? He better just be good for goodness’ sake.
2245, uh hours, uh um, Brennan 122- there’s no time for this, command!
The insurgents have just pulled up to camp and things are advancing too quickly. I’m nervous for what comes next, command. If I’m discovered, it’ll be an absolute nightmare. As far as the insurgents are aware, I should be in my cell, like Sgt. Jackie. God rest her soul. I hope, for her own sake, that she’s managed to keep from pouting. Nevermind that, command, this is serious business! They were gone from camp for way too long. Something must have gone wrong on the mission. Both of them seem to be in quite the rush to get in. This could work out in my favor. If they are this frazzled, then my cover should be adequate to keep my position held strong. What’s that, command? The General is down? No! He and I swore that this would be the year we would finish this mission through to the end. He sweared. Double dog, even. Maybe he could at least get free from the cell after the infidels settle- what?! You mean to tell me that he’s already been strapped down? Command, level with me… is he snug? Worse? Sugar plums? Oh God, no… No! I can’t let this affect my drive for this mission. Command, tell anyone left on the field to not dare nestle, the target is soon to be here.
2345 hours. Brennan, um what was the number again? Oh, duh, 1224. Command. This is Brennan.
It’s quiet, command. Feels like even the rodents have given it up for the night. The insurgents returned to their HQ. By some miracle they didn’t end up spotting my location. The fools were so busy that they forgot to even check my cell. Heh. Morons. Should’ve brought more rations, command. I’ve been stationed for so long. At least I had the foresight to get such a comfortable spot. This night would’ve been impossible. Command, I need to know. How many do we have left out there? What?! Oh, you’ve gotta be kidding me, command. Not even one creature out there is stirring but you and me? What do you mean it’s about to be down to just one, command? Command?! COMMAND!
2358 hours, personal log, Lt. Brennan 1224.
It’s lonely out here on the field alone. Even the beast has left and joined the insurgents in HQ. The warmth of the shelter, the comfort of this position, it’s all about to be too much for me. If it weren’t for the world weighing upon my shoulders right now, who knows? I’d probably be settling my brain down for a long winter’s nap, too. In fact, it wouldn’t be such a terrible thing if I just settled in for a quick five. There’s no conclusive evidence that the target arrives on the same time every year. Sure, he moves quickly, but come on - let’s be realistic. It wouldn’t be… the end of… the world… if I took… a quick…
*huff huff* 2400 *huff huff* hours, personal log, Lt. Brennan 1224.
I tried radioing into command but got nothing but static. I had just settled in when I heard some kind of crazy clatter from just outside the shelter. I sprang up and tore open the shutters of my hideout, but all I got was a quick glimpse of metallic red being pulled by some kind of giant brown beasts. Must’ve been at least eight of them. My God, they were faster than eagles. They leapt up so quickly it was nearly like they were flying up the roof. Wait - the roof - is the target entering through the roof access? *huff huff* Oh. No. Way.
0800 hours, Lt. Brennan reporting in to command for debriefing. Command, this is Brennan 1224, debriefing on a successful mission.
Hope you enjoyed your sugar plums, command. And yes, you heard that right. Mission accomplished. Assemble all of the troops tomorrow, I have a lot to tell you.
x
No comments have been added yet.
