Chapter 6: Over the Border
Dung? That must be Hoang’s and Dang’s older brother. Petunia figured out, or better hoped he was, he matched the description Hoang had given her.
“Follow us and stay close.” He said as they moved out, Petunia looked around, Dang was nowhere to be seen, she prayed he had escaped.
During their walk, the filly couldn’t help but ask, “What are you doing here?”
“We can’t tell her, she might be a spy of the enemy!” His comrade protested.
“She’s a child, man, and our task isn’t really important or top secret here.” Dung countered.
“I don’t care! We don’t know what she is or where she comes from! She must be a spy in disguise!” His comrade exclaimed.
“And how would you try to disguise a spy as a filly?” The young Vietnamese asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I…Uhh…”
“You can’t. There is no way that this would be possible.” He turned to the child. “We are patrolling the area, as it is close to the border of North Vietnam.”
“I see.” It left the foal wondering, was she really that far into the country? She hadn’t probably noticed it during the helicopter and boat ride.
They reached the rally point, several other soldiers and what she assumed as armored transport like the M113 were already there. This one was more square formed compared to the M113, having four wheels on each side and a turret with a machinegun on top of it.
“There you are. I was worried that you ran into trouble. What took you so long?” Their squad leader asked in a friendly tone.
“Well sir, we had no contact but found…someone in need.” He explained, revealing Petunia, she gave nervously a weak smile.
“H-hello, sir. I’m Petunia.”
The squad leader and his soldiers, save for Dung and his comrade, had their mouth open in shock, not believing that she just talked.
“She can talk?” The officer asked dumbfounded.
“Yes sir, we found her in a ditch calling for help, as we came across a destroyed NLF unit, possible from a napalm bombing run.” Dung explained, unsure howhis superior will take it.
The officer shook his head, trying to process it. “Well, we don’t have time for her backstory. That can wait until we’re back at our base and I won’t let a child die here. Get in.”
They entered the back of the APC, the seats were very comfortable as it moved towards the base.
She was sitting next to Dung, his head was slightly lowered, arms on his knees, his hands crossed, like he was in deep thought, the other soldiers had the same position
She decided to break the silence. “So, mind if I tell you about me?”
Dung raised his head, smiling. “I wouldn’t mind it, it’s a long trip. Anyone else minds it?” He asked his squad mates, they shook their heads.
With that as an answer, the filly told them where she came from.
Dung had sympathy with her. “My condolences for that. How did you end up in the ditch?”
She thought for a moment, not sure how he would react to it. “Well, your younger brother Hoang found and took care of me. As I got hurt, your other brother fixed me up.” She told him also about what they believed in, about their fight in the ARVN and NLF respectively and that they missed each other and him.
She feared that he might be upset about it.
He grinned. “So, they are still alive… After father brought me to Hanoi, he forbade me any contact to my mother and brothers or any friends I had back then, saying that they are bad for my education and that they are ‘mindless subjects and believers of the colonial regime of the American imperialists’, saying that communism is the future and would save us from the social collapse of democracy.”
Petunia might be still a foal, but she still understood that Dung would get in trouble for talking about communism. “Don’t you get in trouble for talking bad about it?” She asked, concerned.
His squad leader took the word, “When he integrated into our squad, he told us his backstory and we all had sympathy for him, nobody deserves a fate like that. We all don’t care about our government, we just want it to be over.”
“Yes. My dad hadn't always been like that. I mean, he'd spoken of how wonderful it would be to be rid of the Ngo Dinhs and be free to live under Socialist laws, but he was never very loud about it.
I think it really kicked off when that monk burned himself to death on the Saigon road. The rigidly Christian Ngo Dinhs had been persecuting them. So, he set himself on fire and burned, right there, for all to see, just to show the world what it was like to never be safe. No-one was allowed to help him. I guess this guy just had enough...and so did my father after that. He grew fanatical, no longer living in reality, but his own world. Even after all those years, I can still remember how it was back then when he took me with him…”
The three brothers played in their room as they heard shouting coming out of the living room.
“Why don’t you understand? Democracy is falling, only the communism can help us to survive its collapse!” Their father yelled, causing them to look after their parents, worried as they ever heard him so angry before.
“Our home got spared by the war and the democratic government never made us any problems, I don’t see a reason why we should leave our home!” Their mother countered.
Father slapped her across the face. “You’re just blind, a mindless subject and believer of the colonial regime of the American imperialists! I really don’t understand what I saw in you years ago!” He stomped out of their house.
Motherhad tears pouring out of her eyes at the slap, holding the spot where he had hit her.
Without a word all three brothers hugged her mother tightly to comfort her. “Thank you, children.”
“You’re welcome, mother.” They spoke in union.
In the evening, the three men had a conversation. “I never saw him like that before. I’m scared if what will happen.” Dang said, slightly scared of his father’s outburst.
“Me too brother, I don’t want to get separated from you or mother.” Hoang told his concern.
“I think I know why he became so…convinced about it. A few days ago, I and father went shopping in Saigon. There, a man got persecuted by some supporters of Ngo Dinhs. He set himself on fire and burned, right there, for all to see, just to show the world what it was like to never be safe. No-one was allowed to help him!” He exclaimed.
“Christ… Anyway, no matter what happens, we will stay together, brothers forever!” Hoang raised his hand into the air, his brothers did the same, doing a high-five.
The next day, however, changed everything.
In the early morning, Dung woke up as his father opened the door. “Get up, Son, we’re leaving.”
Sleepy, Dung asked, “Why? I don’t want to leave my brothers and mother.”
“And I thought as you’re the oldest of them you would understand. But I see you’re deceived like them.” His father was disappointed.
Realizing what his father wanted to do, the young man quickly got up, almost yelling, “What’s the big deal? Why? I don’t want to leave those I love! Why do you want to tear us apart?”
With a guilty expression, his father replied,” You are right, it would tear the family apart.” He seemed to regret it. “I’m sorry, Dung… but it’s for your wellbeing.” As soon as his father had finished his sentence, Dung was knocked out by him.
With an aching head, he came to in a bed.
Where am I? He wondered as he got up. Looking out of the window, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Red Propaganda posters with Communistic symbols and loudspeakers broadcasting Propaganda were everywhere.
The door opened, his father walked in. “Ah, you’re awake. Welcome in Hanoi, Dung!”
Dung was not pleased, he was filled with anger, balling his fists. “You kidnapped me! You…”
Before he could even touch his father, he was grabbed by the wrists and shoved back, falling onto the bed, his anger vanished from the pain.
“I know how you are feeling, but in time you will understand that I only did it for you. The Communism is the future. Your mother and brothers were blinded by the lies, in time you will see through them.” His father left.
Dung started to cry, realizing he would never see his brothers and mother again. But then, he remembered his promise. “Brothers forever…” He muttered with a glint of hope.
He hated his father for the following months. Every day, Dung had to endure re-education, as the communists tried to brainwash him with propaganda, using repetitive film and audio to break him, making him believe that the South was a regime that had to be “freed” by North Vietnam, that Communism was the key to peace.
Dung’s promise kept his will strong, he did never break.
His father became a high ranking person in the Northern government, having a good life.
Eventually, Dung pretended to believe into Communism, but in reality, he still did not believed into it, far from it actually. He hated it, hated his father for letting them torture him, his own son, disgusted by it.
The only thing Dung believed into it was his promise and seeing his brothers again someday.
Yet, at times, his father said to him that by living in the North, he could ensure that Dung could live happily together with his mother and brothers after Vietnam would be reunited under communist rule. It made Dung understand that his father was still belonging to the family, only wanting to ensure his family could life in a stable nation.
Maybe, father wasn’t fanatic, only expressing himself wrong.
But, Dung could never forgive his father for kidnapping him.
After Petunia had heard the entire story, she hugged him tightly. “I’m sorry to hear what happened to you!”
He patted her back. “It’s alright, my dear. And I promise you, I’ll do what I can do ensure you will be reunited with your family. It’s the least I can do.”
“Thank you.”
“We’re here.” The squad leader announced, opening the hatch.
Petunia walked outside, seeing that the NVA base had also an airstrip, and some Warehouses for ammunition like the base Hoang and his American friends had brought her to
“Take her to our barracks, I’ll talk with the commander about her.” The officer said as he left for to talk with the Platoon commander.
Like with Hoang, she climbed into Dung’s backpack to remain unseen.
She peeked out, seeing Helicopters flying around, they were more bulky than the ACH-47 Chinook, and smaller ones that looked similar to the Cobra.
She also saw machines with wings landing on the airstrip, if her memory served right, those were called planes.
In the Barracks, Dung let her out, she looked around. “Looks like a nice place. What are those planes and vehicles outside called?” She asked, curious.
“Well the transport we used to get here is the BTR-60, our standard APC, only armed with a heavy machinegun, but still effective in supporting and transporting soldiers.
The helicopters you saw are the Mi-8 Hip and the Ka-25 Hormone. The Mi-8 is a Soviet multi-role helicopter, our primary transport and attack helicopter.
The transport version is unarmed but can take a lot of damage, while the attack version has two rocket pods, particularly effective against armored vehicles, granted the rockets hit their target.
Our other helicopter is the Ka-25 Hormone, our Scout helicopter. It's similar to the AH-1G Huey Cobra in function and performance, armed with two side-mounted machine guns and two rocket pods. The Ka-25 is fast and easily maneuverable compared to the Hip, butlacks significantly in firepower, and therefore cannot engage armored units with much efficiency, but its machine guns can make it more suitable for aerial combat, as it's easy to miss an enemy helicopter with rockets.
And what you have seen on the landing strip are the MiG-17 and MiG-21. The first is our light attack aircraft armed with twin-auto cannon and bombs, only useful to attack stationary targets as it can be easily destroyed by anti-air defenses.
The MiG-21 is our main fighter, anadvanced jet fighter armed withcannons and unguided rockets, works well against light vehicles.”
“I see. I guess you use the same weapons as the NLF?”
“Yes, we do, our standard rifle is the AK-47, it has high damage, low accuracy, moderate recoil and a moderate rate of fire, which can balance its recoil out at close range with 30 rounds per mag. As sidearm, I use the Makarov PM, the soviet standard sidearm, 8 rounds, low recoil, average accuracy and medium damage.
Our scouts and commanders use the MAT-49 SMG, It features a 32 round magazine, a medium rate of fire, low damage, low accuracy and medium recoil. Machine gunners use the RPD LMG, 100 round capacity, high recoil, high damage and low accuracy. As such, it isvery reliable in close quarters combat, but is essentially a support weapon due to its high damage and capacity.
And our snipers use the SVD sniper rifle with 10 rounds,decent rate of fire and high damage, but with high recoil.”
“I’m no fan of weapons but I like the wooden design of it.” Petunia commented.
“Yeah, it looks nice, I must admit.”
The door opened and their commander walked in, they saluted.
“At ease. Your squad leader told me about a speaking foal, is that correct?” The commander asked, his voice and brown eyes were emotionless.
“Yes, Sir.” Dung replied and stepped aside. Petunia was nervous, not knowing how to act.
“H-hello.” She stuttered nervously.
“Hello. If I was informed correctly, you go by the name Petunia.”
“Y-yes.” The filly was afraid what he would do.
“Well, as I saw that was no joke by any of my soldiers, you are allowed to live with Private Dung. Keep her safe.”
“Yes, sir!” The squad saluted.
“Good, I’m about to get a visit from a high-ranking Chinese officer, show yourself from your best side. You Petunia, better stay out of sight.”
“Okay.”
With that answer, the commander left the barracks to prepare for his guest.
“Do you know anything about this guest he was talking about?” Petunia asked her friend.
“His name's Feng Qinmu but, other than what you've heard already, he's kind of a mystery.” Dung said.
“Chinese?” Petunia asked, confused.
“China and Vietnam are allies. But that's not quite the same as being friends. A neighbor is always either a firm companion or a lethal enemy...And China still isn't certain about which one it wants to be.” Dung replied unsure what to think of it himself.
“He’s here!” The MG gunner pointed out of the window, a Mi-8 Hip marked with Red stars was approaching the airstrip.
“Stay here.” The squad leader said before the NVA squad moved outside, to stand in formation to greet their guest as the helicopter landed.
As the helicopter's propellers finally whirred to a halt, three men strode out.
Two of them were soldiers, dressed in olive green with crimson and gold accents and green caps decorated with a single red star. They were of roughly the same height and build and were incredibly difficult to distinguish from each other purely by how they moved. Rigidly disciplined, without a step out of place, they marched out like a pair of automatons and saluted as a different man emerged.
He was a little older than his guard and was dressed in a worn but tidy off-white suit with a sash of red and gold. His jet-black hair was slicked back and his mouth was set into a slight sneer thanks to a small scar over the edge of his lip. His eyes were piercing and seemed to notice every man who glanced at him, evaluating any who drew near, as if ready to dart into action and go for a weak spot.
This man clearly wasn't a soldier but he certainly didn't seem afraid to fight.
Approaching Dung, he smiled wide and gave a cordial bow, the guards at either side of him marching in lockstep, completely expressionless.
Dung gave the three men a suspicious glare but bowed back.
“Mr. Feng Qinmu,” he said, “Our commander is expecting you.”
The man named Feng fixed him with a knowing glance and spoke.
“Yes...” he said in a calm and collected tone “I believe they will.”
Dung leaded Feng and his following guards, armed with Type 56s, the Chinese copy of the Soviet AK, visible by the fully enclosed front sight, to the building where the commander resided.
Then he headed back to Petunia. “Okay, our guest is taken care of. Are you hungry, my dear?”
The filly’s stomach growled, causing her to blush. “I take that as a yes.”
The Vietnamese went to the cafeteria to get a bowl of rice for the young filly. As he walked back, he crossed the building where Feng was in, he appeared to talk about an attack plan but it was muffed, so Dung wasn’t completely sure.
The young child enjoyed her meal, smiling happily as she ate it. “That was delicious!” She exclaimed happy after she had finished.
“Glad to hear it.” Dung smiled at her.
“Attention. Everyone report for briefing.” A PA system announced.
“Looks like we’re about to see some action.” The Scout commented.
“Wait here until we’re back.” Hung said to the young foal before they moved to the debriefing room.
Petunia waited patiently, it felt like forever for her, she wondered if such briefings were always so long.
“Maybe I should take a look around while they’re getting briefed, get to know the base.” She spoke to herself, not knowing what else she should do.
The base was large, but the eager filly covered it quickly, exploring the hangar after having seen the rest of the base. For some reason, she found the planes and helicopters very interesting to see up close.
After looking at them for some time, she wanted to go back, however, she couldn’t remember in which direction the barracks were. She tipped her forehead. “Which way was it again?” She asked herself.
What…” The filly heard a male voice in her ears. The Chinese officer stared at her, his guards behind him, their rifles shouldered.
Feng tilted his head, slightly confused and edged towards her, Petunia stepped back in fear. Realizing that she was afraid of him, he stopped, slowly got down on one knee and spoke gently, “Hello.” He greeted, yet Petunia hid behind a box of munitions. “Don't run off, I won't hurt you.” He kept his gently and very measured tone. “I haven't seen any creature like you before.”
Still scared, she replied, “Um...no, I'm not from here.”
Feng jumped slightly, completely perplexed. One of his guards reached for his rifle but the officer held up a hand to halt him. “Um...Does...Does this thing belong to anyone?” The officer asked in a very awkward tone, Petunia in her fear didn’t notice he called her thing.
A NVA private, together with his squad and the platoon commander, ran over to them. “Petunia! There you are!” Dung had looked everywhere for her.
“Dung!” She hugged him. “I'm sorry. I got lost, I couldn't find you anywhere.”
“It’s okay, it's okay, kid, just be careful, okay.” He returned it before noticing Feng, getting up and saluted his guest from China. “Mr. Feng.”
“Private Dung, what is this?” Feng asked in a serious manner, but his confusion could still be heard.
“This is Petunia Paleo.” Dung replied, seeing that his squad mates and commander appeared to be slightly nervous.
The Chinese blinked before looking at the filly. “Hello, Petunia.” Then turned back to the NVA soldier. “Private Dung, what is this?!”
“She's...a pony.” He replied honestly.
The officer stared at him for a moment. “...No, she's not, Private Dung.”
“Yes, she is, Mr. Feng.”
The guest massaged his temples, a sign that his patience was gone. “Private Dung...I admit, it's been a while since I spent time at a farm, but last time I checked, Ponies aren't blue! Or talking! I'll ask again, Private Dung! What! Is! This?!”
To calm him down, the commander asked in a calming voice, “Mr. Feng, your eyes do not deceive you, she’s from another world. May I explain?”
Feng turned to the platoon commander, sporting an expression of confusion, but the anger seemed to be gone. “Of course, I apologize for my outburst, I thought he was lying. I’m listening.” His voice was calm and curious.
“Well, it’s kind of a long story.” Dung told the Chinese how he found Petunia, what she was and where she was from, she confirmed everything.
Feng’s expression was neutral. “So, you’re telling me that she’s a talking pony from another world?” Dung and the commander nodded. “By the heavens, it is fortunate for you that you have her here to prove your claim...Else I would wonder if you were truly safe! In any case, I am sorry to hear you've endured such hardships, young one. I too lost my home and family at a...very young age. I know what it’s like....” He sounded honest, nobody could tell if it was just played or not.
Petunia saw a scar on his cheek, itcrossed over the right side of his mouth, slightly twisting his lips into an almost permanent sneer but his expression made it look like it was the reason for it to look like this, barely notable. “Sorry about your cheek.” She couldn’t help but say that as it looked pretty bad.
“Don't be. It left my opponent wide open for a killing blow. He was a warden in a Kuomintang prison. He was strong...but he lacked poise. He managed to scar me, true, and in return I gave him a dozen of his own.” His eyes gleamed. “And a grave. Anyway, shouldn’t you prepare for the attack?”
“Of course. What shall we do with her, commander?” The squad leader asked.
“You should take her with you, it could boost the moral if she’s with you.” Feng suggested.
“But-but…It’s too dangerous!” the filly exclaimed.
“I agree with that, it’s too risky.” Dung disliked the idea, standing protectively in front of her.
“Hmm, if she stays with me behind the front, it would guarantee her safety and could boost the moral.” The commander suggested.
“That could work.” Dung trusted him, he never had the opportunity to ask the platoon commander for his name, but he knew that the commander was caring for his men.
“I hope you know what you’re doing.” Petunia commented lightly worried as they got onboard a BTR-60, moving out with the rest of the platoon.
Before the commander moved out, Feng said to him, “If she causes any problems, get rid of her.”
“As you wish.” The NVA commander replied, not showing that he was slightly disgusted by it, he would never hurt a child.
Poor thing. Cut off from the world she grew up in, thrown into a bloody conflict...Still, so was I at her age. I proved useful...Why shouldn't she? Feng thought as he looked after the APC until it was out of sight.
“Don’t worry, we wil keep you save.” Dung patted Paleo.
She smiled. “Much appreciated. At first, I thought he would k-kill me.”
The NVA soldier thought what he had heard about Feng. He would get rid of problems but he would never do it himself. Rather order someone else to do it. “Well, I heard he is a capable fighter, as shown by his prison break. But he can be pretty…uncomfortable if you annoy him.”
“I see, someone you would rather not make angry.” She replied.
“Someone you would rather not meet at all. The less he knows about you the better.”
After a short ride, they reached their destination. An Outpost of the Southern forces, Feng had provided the NVA forces its location.
On a hill where they he could overlook the outpost, the commander gave his men the orders. “Listen up, we have order to capture this outpost. It’s well defended as the enemy has air and tank support, but so do we, so expect it to be a hard battle.Thank you, men. Good luck.”
As the soldiers moved out, using the APC as cover. Petunia prayed Dung would survive.
The commander used binoculars to oversee the assault, a radioman waited next to him.
He could see that the outpost was already under attack by NLF forces, they were held back so far at the security checkpoint with fortified MG positions, being mowed down, bodies scattered, but with the NVA, they could take the outpost.
“Let’s give them a hand.” The radioman knew what the commander meant, giving him the radio. “Battalion, this is Platoon Commander, Battalion, this is Platoon Commander. Fire support needed.Coordinates 0 5 3 0 2 0 1 7, fire on my mark, Battalion to Platoon Commander.”
“Battalion to Platoon Commander, understood. Target 0 5 3 0 2 0 1 7 accepted, Artillery fires as requested, out.”
The Artillery fired, forcing the defenders into cover, while the NLF forces retreated to avoid getting hit by the artillery
The NVA soldiers waited until the artillery fire was over. “That should weaken them.” The squad leader commented.
As the artillery stopped, he tapped a few times on the armored transporter to let the driver know they moved up.
The outpost was in flames from the high explosive shells but still, the defenses were not weakened at all, the enemy troops held the line with everything they got.
The BTR fired its machine gun, the NVA soldiers their weapons, the APC as cover, seeing that ARVN soldiers were along the American defenders, it made Dung scared that he might kill his brother, so he went for headshots to make sure it would be a quick death.
“Watch out, rocket launcher!” The Sniper warned as a US Army soldier fired a M72 on the BTR, the explosion from the hit threw Dung over, stunned for a few seconds.
Horrible screams of pain greeted his ears as his hearing returned, the Sniper’s arm got blown off, he screamed in pain for a few seconds before falling silent forever. Screams of pain came out of the burning wreck of the APC as the crew burned alive, the hatches got thrown open, the screaming men jumped out, rolling on the ground to out the fire out.
While Dung had seen many horrible things in the war already, he was still shocked by it, unable to move until someone slapped him on the shoulder.
“You okay?” The scout asked, having a bandage around his left arm, the MG gunner around his right leg, the Squad leader was unharmed.
Checking himself, Dung was also unharmed. “I’m good.”
In the moment they tried to advance, shots rained down from the sky in quick succession, making any attempt to enter the outpost suicidal.
Dung looked to the sky, seeing that the fire came from a plane, a AC-47 Spooky gunship, armed with three M134 Miniguns mounted in three spots along the left side of the plane, able to provide close air support, suppressing fire and as it did here, area denial. Dung had heard once of this plane, he was impressed by its firepower.
The commander had also spotted the AC-47. “This plane won’t be so spooky soon!” He grabbed the radio. “Battalion, this is platoon commander, request anti-air fire!” Repeat, Anti-air fire needed!”
“Copy that, on the way.”
Petunia saw a missile flying towards the gunship, once it hit, the explosion set the plane on fire, it went spinning to the ground, a great explosion followed as it crashed somewhere in the jungle, the filly looked away.
Once the Gunship was shot down, the soldiers of North Vietnam were about to advance, a smoke grenade got thrown, blocking their view.
They aimed at hit, ready for whatever would come out.
A shot of flame greeted them, forcing the squad to use the APC wreck as cover. Peeking around it, Dung saw a Combat Engineer of the US Marines with a flamethrower coming out of the smoke. “Burn Charlie, burn!” He screamed, burning a NVA soldier that tried to charge at him, only to scream in pain from the fire.
Going back to cover, Dung saw a sniper glint in a tree, then a quick and loud shot, it hit the flamethrower, it exploded,the soldier screamed it pain, as he was engulfed in flames.
Not able to bear the screams and seeing an enemy suffering like this, Dung aimed his AK, giving the American a quick and merciful death with a bullet to the head, rather to let him suffer a painful death. His squad mates also had sympathy with the American, the squad leader made the catholic cross out of respect. Taking another look into the direction, The Vietnamese saw that the shot that destroyed the fuel tank came from a NLF sniper, armed with a scoped M1891/30 Mosin-Nagant rifle, an old weapon but nevertheless still deadly and effective in the right hands.
“They’re retreating! Now’s our chance, advance!” The NVA officer ordered, the Rifleman took a quick look at the dead NLF fighters, they were unrecognizable, so he couldn’t tell if Dang was along them, he prayed not. As they moved in, he took notice that NLF fighters that had survived joined them, but he couldn’t tell if his brother was along them as well.
While most NVA soldiers didn’t trust the NLF and Dung didn’t know what to think of them, he was slightly impressed by their efficiency. His comrades just gave them a quick look before moving up, the Viet Cong had neutral expressions, completely focused on the battle.
“They got through, time to move up with them.” The commander said, taking the driver seat of a captured M151, the radioman and Petunia the passenger seats.
The combined Northern forces managed to push through to a small runway, with a few hangars for a few Hueys and Cobras, they were grounded due the SAM systems being still active.
Denying the South it’s air support gave the NLF and NVA forces a great advantage, pushing them back, Dung watched his aim as he fired at ARVN forces, afraid he could kill his brother.
As they reached the runway, the Scout of the Squad got blown to pieces by an explosion that startled Dung, his squad leader and MG gunner, seeing his remains.
“Got another one for you, Charlie!” A Grenadier of the US Marines yelled, reloading his M79 grenade launcher.
In the moment he aimed at the terrified squad, he flinched, blood flowed down his head, he struggled to stand before collapsing.
The shot came from behind, they saw that it was their commander who had shot the Grenadier, the barrel of his SKS still smoking.
He had parked his vehicle behind a wall for cover, his trusty radioman behind him.
Petunia stayed in cover behind a firm barrier next to Dung. She was slightly scared being on the front, but she felt safe with Dung, the bodies were out of her view, she did not dare to peek at them
“Hold the line!” The commander yelled, firing his battle rifle, Dung put his hand on Paleo’s back to let her know he would make sure she’s safe.
The sound of an engine rang in their ears, aM551 Sheridan moved up, his cannon and machine guns suppressed the communist infantry, halting their attack, forcing them to cover.
“Where’s our air support?” A NVA soldier yelled, desperately as they had no anti-tank weapons.
“It’s on its way!” The Commander replied, knowing that it should appear any minute now.
The tank fired at the barrier Petunia used for cover, the explosion threw her on her back with a cry of pain.
As she tried to get up, a quick flash flew by in her eyes and an explosion was ringing in her ears.
Worried about her, Dung quickly, covered by his comrades, got her back to cover. She saw now what both things were. The flash had been a round from a NVA T-54, the explosion came from the Sheridan, as it was burning, its turret blown off.
Even with the tank as support, the Northern forces could not advance, They and the Southern forces were shooting at each with neither side gaining ground, the T-54 got destroyed by another missile launcher, the explosion left a burning wreck, Petunia stared in shock at it until the radioman covered her eyes. “Don’t look.”
Several engine sounds of planes filled the sky as F-4 Phantoms and MIG-21s were dogfighting, together with several light attack aircrafts in form of the A-7 Corsair II and MiG-17 as support. Neither of the two air forces seemed to gain the upper hand.
Dung reloaded as someone shouted, “Watch out!” and a giant shadow covered the airstrip.
Peeking out of cover, the sound growing louder, a heavily damaged AC-47 was going on towards the US and ARVN forces, its two engines were on fire as well as the cockpit.
It crashed on the runway sliding along it, the soldiers either tried to run or dove out of the way.
Seeing that it came towards them, hearing Petunia scream, he quickly lifted her up and sprinted together with the others away, a powerful blast threw them away, Paleo rolled several times before coming to a stop with a cry of pain.
She heard a loud metal clang sound, seeing how debris had landed on Dung next to her, she was about to get up to check him but her vision started to get blurry.
She heard screams of pain, could faintly see the burning plane wreck, felt the heat coming from it and witnessed another explosion of the wreck before everything went black.