Page 43 - 100 Hours to Destiny

BROTHER, I HAD YOUR BACK THE WHOLE TIME

Gunny and I were still on top of the logistics vehicle as the sun
crested over the horizon in a terrific fireball of life. We both just stood and
stared for the next few minutes, as the Phoenix broke through the night. Just
sort of standing there, each of us thinking our own thoughts to ourselves.
Would this be one of the last remaining sunrises that we had the privilege to
observe together? Was it our time hack actually counting backward that we
would never see another sunrise? Suddenly Gunny turned to me and said,
“Isn’t that beautiful? Witcher, I’ve been on other battlefields, but I don’t
think I’ve ever seen a sunrise like that.” I nodded in agreement. “Let’s go,
let’s get back to Delta, they need us there… not out here. You did a good job
out here on this mission Witcher, but this is just the beginning. We are about
to dive off into the unknown. I wish I could tell you more, but I just really
don’t have those answers, and is it really necessary?”
“No Gunny no one knows, but we will stick together, and I will tell
you that I will have your back when this kicks off.”
Gunny and I turned and shook hands and he said to me, “I hear you,
Witcher, sometimes I’m going to be very busy, after all, I am the Gunnery
Sergeant of Delta Company. And in my absence, you’re going to have to take
charge. Be very responsible. Let’s look after each other and no matter what,
neither one of us will ever leave the other behind.”
“Aye-aye Gunny, we’ve got a deal, on a brother’s handshake.”
With that said I let loose of Gunny’s hand and moved to drop down
into my driver’s compartment. Gunny was hot on my heals to drop into his
vehicle Commander’s compartment. Both of us were very skilled in making
ready the vehicle for movement. We each grabbed our comm helmet and
put them on. I moved my pneumatic seat into the up position for a better
visual on the trip back to the coil. I fired off the turbocharged diesel engine,
and as soon as the turbo wound up, I dropped it in low gear and hammered
on the gas and manual shifted in a hard-right turn.
Gunny was ready to get back to Delta Company, and I was pushing
the vehicle as per his instruction. “That’s the way Witcher, good aggressive
driving. I calculate 15 mikes back to the Company Coil. Head 3 degrees
northeast, bare right, let’s move it, Witcher.”
“Roger that Gunny, I’m going to roll at about 75% full out.”
“Delta 6, Delta 6 this is Delta 7, over.”