by Brian Cotton
***
The assault vehicle was in sight. It would only take a few more steps and they would be there. Bullets whizzed all around them as the USR troops tried to take out the retreating attackers. All around the circle, the various vehicles were peeling out. The one in front of Sullivan and his buddies had a driver who waved his arms forward, urging for them to hurry on. Bullets bounced off of the bullet proof glass which prompted the driver to get more animated with his pleas.
“Almost there…” Sullivan said.
One of the rebels went down. X couldn’t help himself but to look back when he heard the man scream at the pain. The body was that of a tall man. X cursed aloud to the loss of Statue, but he still pressed forward. They finally reached the vehicle. Sullivan helped X get into the back of it when the doors opened up. He then turned and provided cover fire for Pinkie and Dopey to get in. As he fired, he took out three more troops and then moved into the back of the vehicle. When the doors closed he ripped the Balaclava off of his head so he could breathe.
“Shit!” Sullivan cried. “I can’t believe we survived that.”
“We all didn’t make it,” X said. He ripped off his mask and threw it to the ground. His breathing was heavy. “We lost too many people on this shit.”
“Hopefully that flag will do its job and inspire people, though.” Dopey said.
“Yeah,” Pinkie chimed in. “It wasn’t all in vain.”
“No, it wasn’t, I suppose. As long as we continue the fight.” X looked over to Sullivan. “What’s next for you, Puerco?”
Sullivan looked to the ground. The vehicle’s quick, forward momentum took his stomach away for a moment. Rounds from the outside pinged their way off of the bullet proof armor on the outside. All he could see was Davie’s face.
“I’ve got to save my son. But, I can’t do it alone.” Sullivan replied.
“You fought like hell out there for me.” X replied. “You might have saved my worthless life. We’ll help you find your kid.”
“You would?” Sullivan asked with confusion in his eyes. “But, I was your enemy…”
“Was, that’s right. But, you’re one of us now and we look out for each other.”
Sullivan couldn’t fight the smile back any longer. He reached out and embraced handshakes with X.