//------------------------------//
// Just A Day In The Office 
// Story: In A Strange New World 
// by Shysoldier94 
//------------------------------//

It’s been a long three grueling months since Sgt. Jackson started his first tour of duty overseas.  He arrived via infantry cargo plane along with the rest of his company about a hundred clicks away from Kabul, Afghanistan. They were ordered to take a convoy for three fourths of the way and hike the rest. They couldn’t risk the convoy running over IED’s and or getting ambushed.
Three months ago to the day. And it wasn’t a day any of these Marines were going to expect. Suddenly a bright light turned on and Fox Company’s commanding officer, in full combat uniform, started shouting, “Alright ladies, wake up!” In an instant, everyone woke up fully alert and stood at attention at the end of their bunks.
“Get dressed, get your gear and be ready in 20 minutes! We’re moving out to provide security for Able Company to storm a suspected terrorist compound. Is that understood?”
“Yes sir!” All the Marines shouted at once. As to what they were ordered, everyone gathered their gear and headed to the Humvees parked outside the barracks. We were to arrive at our destination at 1200 hours 20 miles south of Kabul. 
They all loaded into the convoy and headed out. It was silent for a few minutes with Sgt. Jackson sitting in the front passenger seat and Cpl. Othic driving lead Humvee. Pvt. Smith manned the 50 cal, while LCpl James and PFC Erickson sat beside. Being Marines, nobody knew what was going to happen but that didn’t stop them from showing they were ready for whatever came next.
It was Pvt. Smith that broke the silence, “So Sgt., you still watch that little pony show with the rainbows, magic and what not?” Smith was the company smartass. He always had to make trouble of one’s interest once he found out what it was.
Sgt Jackson looked back and gave an annoyed look at Pvt. Smith. “Yes I watch the show, and I swear to God Almighty that if you call me a faggot again, I will shove my boot so far up your ass your mother will cry in agony. Is that understood?”
“Y-yes sir” was all he could manage to say. Smith had never seen his Sgt. so tense. He’d joked around with him before for liking a little child’s show with colorful ponies and rainbows. But this time was different. Sgt. Jackson seemed worried. They’ve gone on patrols several times a week with close conflict and shown no emotion. This time he seemed to know that something was coming up.
“Sorry sir I didn’t mean to be dick, I was just trying to lighten up the mood.” As much as Smith joked and screwed around, when it came to business, he was serious.
“It’s fine I just have this feeling like something might happen.”
“Don’t worry Sgt,” replied Cpl Othic, “I’m sure everything will be fine and we’ll be back in no time.”
“God I hope you’re right Cpl.” It was then Jackson started to think about his family back home. He was a 21 year old with a wife and newborn daughter. He deployed a month before she was born and beat himself up for missing the birth of his first born. Not to mention what his wife was feeling. Her husband being out in a foreign country with the enemy all around and not knowing if he’ll come back alive or in a body bag always made her flow with tears just thinking about it.
“You alright Sgt?” Smith put a hand on Jackson’s shoulder.
“Yeah, I just can’t wait to get home to see my wife and hold my baby girl for the first time.” With that, all in the Humvee started awing in a teasing way. “Shut uuuup.” Was all he could say as a smile came across his face. His family may be back in the states, but his second family was right here and has always shown comfort to him when he needed it.
The convoy arrived at a checkpoint a few clicks from their destination. Captain Steel walked his way to our Humvee. “What’s the situation sir?” Jackson asked as he opened the door.
“I got word from command that Al-Qaida are all around this area. We need you to take your squad and head up this bank to see if it’s clear.”
“Yes sir. Are us five just going to go alone?”
“No two more squads are gonna be on both sides of you. Be careful out there. When you give us the all clear, we’ll keep moving. Understood?”
“Yes sir!”
“Alright, let’s get it done.”
Sgt. Jackson and his squad began the walk to secure the perimeter. “Okay Smith, I need ya to keep your head in the game, you got that?”
“Aye aye sir.”
“Alright let’s move.”
The five-man squad cautiously made their way up the bank to check for any enemy with the 2 other squads close by. After about 15 minutes of searching, the other squad radioed Jackson, “Sgt. you got anything?”
“Nope, not a damn thing. Just another false alarm. Alright squads let’s…” Sgt. Jackson was cut off by the sound of an RPG being fired.
“Incoming!” Pvt Smith yelled as they all ducked down, the rocket flying overhead, thankfully missing its target. Then about 25 figures stood out and fired automatic weapons.
“Fall back! Everyone fall back!” Jackson yelled over the sound of machine gun fire. The 3 squads turned and ran from the ambush back to the convoy. When they reached the convoy, Captain Steel stood in front. “Sgt what the hell is going on, what’s with the gunfire?”
“It’s an ambush sir!” Smith yelled while ducking behind a humvee returning fire.
“Richmond! Get on that radio and get word to command we ran into an ambush and need immediate air support!” 
“Warlord this is Dog One do you copy?”
“Roger that Dog One what’s your status?”
“Our convoy is under attack we need immediate air support over!”  
“Copy all Dog One. Sending gunships to your current position ETA 5 minutes. Overlord out.”
“ Roger that. They’re sending gunships! They’ll be here…” before he could finish, a bullet went through his forehead blood spraying all over the vehicle behind him.
“Dammit! Smith! Cover the right flank! Othic, James, Erickson with me!” They made their way through the convoy staying under as much cover as they can get. Upon arrival of the second Humvee, Erickson was hit in the leg.
“Ahh! My leg my leg!” He screamed falling to his side against the humvee.
“James pull him outta here!” Yelled Jackson. “Othic stay with me!”
“Aye aye sir!” They reached the lead Humvee and took cover. By now the vehicle was taking hit after hit. They only had a short time to turn this ambush around. 
“Alright on three, you take right side, I’ll take left side. Let’s show these bastards who they’re messing with.” Othic shook his head showing he understood. “Ready? One, two, three!” Othic and Jackson turned around their corners and shot at all advancing enemy. The plan seemed to be working as they were retreating. Before long the gunfire subsided.
“Yes! We got ‘em on the run!” Said Othic as he and Jackson hugged and patted each other on the back. 
“Amazing work out there. Now go inform the Captain, we need to get back to base and regroup.” 
“Yes sir.” Othic saluted and turned back. Jackson looked back at where they could have been killed and thanked God that didn’t happen. He started to walk back to his humvee to see how Erickson was holding up. As he approached the first, he heard what sounded like another RPG firing. Except this time it headed straight for the humvee.
“Sir watch out!” Othic yelled as he went for cover. Jackson couldn’t move. The rocket hit the vehicle and the impact explosion threw Jackson over 10 feet. As he laid there, he saw this bright white light and then darkness.