The New One [An R6-Siege FanFic]

Chapter 8: Old Habits Die Hard

A/N: If it's italic, its a thought. Same as always. Please enjoy your stay. Well? What are you still reading this A/N for, get started on reading! :D

—3rd Person POV—

Doc: "So about that possibility of PTSD? Yeah. I really think you have it."

Talion: *sigh* "Ya don't say."

Talion: "I had just experienced one helluva nightmare. Hell, I haven't had a nightmare in what, 5 years? This stuff was pretty fresh to me still."

Doc: "Can you recall any experiences that might... Let's say... Provide substantial trauma to either your physical or mental health?"

Talion took a while to respond. His mind was in deep thought. He did not want to relive the 'experience', but if it was the only way, so be it.

Talion: "Guess it's time to re-open old wounds. Yes, I do recall a certain incident that was certainly... Memorable to say the least."

Doc pulled out his phone and went to a voice recording app, and pressed start. He signalled for him to continue.

Talion: "Way back in 2013-14. Afghanistan. Me and my team were deployed. We were on our way to assist 5 wounded marines and 1 wounded ANA via helicopter. Once we landed, we waited for the troopers to bring over the wounded. The Afghan was CAT-Delta, but 3 of the marines were CAT-Charlie, caused by IED explosion. One of them was CAT-Alpha, shot 3 times. One in the hip, two in the chest. They said the site was clear. They said it was fuckin—"

Talion hesitates as he talks. He chokes back the tears, that had unknowingly started to fill his eyes.

Doc: "It's fine, take your time."

Talion: "We loaded up the Afghan man first, then 2 out of the 5 marines. Out of nowhere, gunfire erupts. The enemy had crept up so close to the designated LZ, that I could see their shells being ejected from their guns as they fired in our direction. I was one of the more senior guys at the time, I ordered the chopper to lift off and wait to try and land again once we cleared the area."

Doc: "I presume, that's not what happened. Did it."

Talion: "Not even close. Our pilot stuck it, door gunner started suppressive fire with the .50 cal, but it jams after around 2-3 10 round sprays. That's when we really started taking heavy fire. I look to my left, a guy goes down. I could vividly remember him getting shot in his left shoulder. I go to pick him up, then another guy goes down next to me. He's shot in head, but the shot grazed his helmet so there's no penetration and he was merely unconscious. As I drag the other marine back to cover, I hear a very distinctive boom from a distance. RPG. It flies, right into the heart of the chopper."

Talion falls silent, for longer than what was appropriate.

Doc: "Did anyone in the chopper survive?"

He slowly swivelled his head in a "no" expression.

Doc: "Not even the loaded casualties?"

Talion: "Where do you think the rocket hit?"

Doc fell silent.

Talion: "Our pilots, the gunners, my guys, the casualties. Gone. I was the lone survivor on my team. I was stuck with that ground patrol before air support was called in and another team was sent to evac any wounded and... To help take our boys home."

Doc wondered why Talion sounded like he had a lot of time inside a chopper while deployed. He certainly was the helicopter crew time. But add 'taking care of dead or wounded' to the mix? It just deepened his curiosity.