A tiny bit of trouble

Chapter 3

They were only half way up to the cave, as they heard the distinctive sound of a RPG being fired.

Jack shouted: „RPG, take cover," and the all dove to the ground. The grenade detonated just a few feet below their position. Jack must have blacked out for a moment. His first thought, as he came to, was of his team. „Boys are you ok, give me a sitrep!" He urged and reached out for Mac, who was laying beside him. „Mac, can you hear me?"

The young EOD tech groaned and opened his eyes. „Yeah, I'm fine." He coughed and sat up slowly.

Relieved, that Mac seemed to be ok, Jack crawled down to Hawk and Ferrari, who had been closer to the impact. Hawk was already bending over the young soldier, assessing his injuries. He clapped his face lightly to bring him round and was rewarded with the dazed glare of two brown eyes. „What the fuck, ow!" He cried out as the medic ran his hands over his body.

„How is he, Hawk?" Jack asked concerned.

„Not worse off, than he was before, I think. Maybe a slight concussion. Let's get up to that cave, then I want to give you all a quick once over." The medic pulled Ferrari to his feet and started the hike up the hill.

Jack stood up, biting back a hiss of pain, as his leg protested at the movement. He turned to Mac. „You coming, kid?" Mac slowly nodded and rose. He wobbled a bit, but soon found his legs.

Jack had observed him. „Are you sure, you ok?"

„Yeah, just a bit shaken. Not used to being shot at with a RPG." He joked.

Jack laughed. „Well, that's something nobody gets used to. We have to get out of here now. They'll hunt us, for sure. Can you set up a few surprises for our Taliban friends?"

„Yeah, give me a minute." Mac already reached for his backpack.

„Hawk, Ferrari you go right ahead. I'll cover our bomb nerd. We'll follow you, when he's done."

„Alright boss. Come on pizza boy, let's go," Hawk took Ferraris good arm and pulled him along, Rico hissing in pain.

„Poor kid, the first time getting shot really sucks and a broken collarbone on top of it is crap." Jack murmured, feeling a bit guilty, that he wasn't able to prevent this from happening.

„Do you say, being shot get's easier, the more you got hit?" Mac asked astounded.

„Not really, but knowing the feeling and being aware, what you have to deal with, helps a bit. Especially, when you are some time away from exfil, like we are." Jack explained.

„I get what you mean. So, done. I've set up four little traps over the path. That should at least slow them down and buy us some time."

„Good job, Mac. Come on, I want to know how Ferrari's doing." Jack shoved Mac in front of him and limped up the hill, constantly turning back and scanning for threats.

As they reached the cave, Mac sat down gratefully for the opportunity to rest. He had a pounding headache and his vision was a bit blurry, but that was probably normal, when you get blown off your feet from a RPG. He took out his bottle and gulped down the water. His body thanked him with nausea. Mac took a few deep breaths, to keep the sick feeling at bay. Slowly his stomach began to settle. He leaned back and closed his eyes.