As we walk to our places, Derricc walks by and leans in to my ear to whisper to me.
“You sure Ol Bessie is necessary for this.” He asks, “this mission shouldn’t have a need for it.” “It’s personal.” I respond to him.
“Oh, it’s for that reason.
Okay yeah it makes sense now.” “Plus, Ashley and Anna will probably see me use this a bit more often with what’s coming in the future.
I’d rather get their shock over with now than have it cause an issue later when every moment counts more.” “Alright Erik, let’s do this, for Zira” With that we split towards our respective positions.
As I reach the 5th floor of a 12 story building and take Ol Bessie out, I run my hand long the rifle again.
I look at the scratches, the dents, the worn finish, the spot where an enemy sniper fortunately shot the rifle instead of me.
Ol Bessie has been through a lot over the years.
I’ve made a lot of improvements on it.
Modified barrel, extended magazine cartridges, grips that fit my hand just right, a level that lets the gun switch between a semi auto and a bolt action.
The worn out stock set on my shoulder like it’s never left the battlefield.
I check the scope that has helped save many lives.
I’ve had many successes with this rifle, but some came with a price I never want to pay again.
“Anya here testing comms…Anya here testing comms 1.2.3.” “Assault team here’s you loud and clear.” “Sniper teams reads you loud and clear” “All units, don’t laugh but I’m calling this mission Operation Homecoming.” Derricc says happily “10-4 copy that, I respect the choice” i respond.
“Sniper team, we’re in position.
As soon as you fire on the targets in front of us we will begin.
Erik, you want to bring her out, I think it’s time to remind the world that Ol Bessie never retired.” Derricc says and I can tell he’s smirking.
I here Selene getting in position with a quiet laugh.
“Anya chuckles as well.” I know why they do it, I know what this rifle means to the team.
I can’t smile.
I have a promise to keep.
For myself, for Derricc, for my loved ones, for the future I build.
I take a deep breath and whisper to my rifle.
“Babygirl, we’ve been through a lot together.
In my last life, I let you down, unable to keep my loved ones safe.
I make this vow that with you in my hands again.
I’ll protect everyone important to me.
My wife, my brother, my adopted family.
Everyone” “Erik, targets acquired.
5 bogeys 15 meters in front of assault team.
Recommend semi auto form.
Assault team first targets acquired.
5 bogeys.
Prepare to move Derricc.” Selene states as I make the corrections.
“Erik, let’s start this new life with the bang of the millennium.” I calm my pulse, steady my aim.
“Erik, wind is at 4 miles an hour adjust aim correctly.” Selene says as she grabs ear plugs to put in both of our ears.” THIS TIME, I WILL NOT LET ANYONE DIE ON ME!!!!
With that though in my head, I fire the rifle.
5 shots, 5 KIA.
“Targets confirmed dead, moving to next location.
Assault, you’re good to proceed.” Selene states.
“Erik, next location let’s go.” We get to the next location a couple buildings.
Along the way we here assault rifles going off along the path where we can’t see, but I can hear Anya calling out information in my ear from new targets out of my sight to hiding spots to breathe so I can take my next shots.
We repeat this pattern until we get to the final spot.
14 shots, 36 KIA alone.
Ol Bessie’s bullets can penetrate rocket launcher rounds and other explosive objects, allowing for easy group kills, allowing Derricc’s group to advance with ease.
At the final spot, our job is to scout enemies through to windows to allow Derricc to proceed without ambushes.
If possible, take out targets myself.
Selene is a goddess of a spotter.
Quick to react and give commands.
I almost refuse to snipe with any other spotter.
I always thought I could spot quickly but she never fails to impress me.
“Selene, I’m glad you’re hear with me, I really don’t like sniping without you helping.
“Thanks Erik, that means a lot coming from you.” Thanks to Selene and Anya, Derricc’s team makes it to where Zira is supposed to be kept.
We don’t celebrate yet as the mission isn’t over yet.
There’s just one thing we didn’t account for and to be fair, no could’ve predicted this.
As Selene and I continue to check for potential enemies, we realized that we haven’t seen the warlord.
I keep searching and to my dismay, I finally see him, on the rooftop, with a rocket launcher that’s already been fired and heading in our direction.
Before impact, I pick the sniper up, sling it around my shoulder, grab Selene and jump away from the edge of the building before being blasted away by the explosion.
Somehow, we survived.
I’ve got a huge explosion burn on my back and I’m struggling, but I take one look at Selene and I can’t help but feel like I’m finally doing something right as she’s completely unharmed minus a small burn.
I drag my body over to Selene, pick her up and I start trying to make it out of the building.
We ended up falling to the second floor.
I look in the warlords vicinity and I see that he’s preparing another rocket round.
At this point I can’t lift my sniper rifle up all the way and still carry Selene.
I realize I’m close enough to the edge that I can see something with enough of a soft landing that falling from the second story won’t be life threatening.
However, I can feel my legs giving out on me.
“Erik, what’s going on.” “Selene, you’re going to have to trust me.” With that I throw her out of the building as another explosion is unleashed on the building.
I can feel the blood and new burns taking the life out of me as my leg is now pierced by debris and the building is collapsing around me.
All I can do is smile.
I saved Selene….I helped save Zira.
I grab Ol Bessie with all the strength I can, lay the rifle on top of me, barrel facing the building.
“Ol Bessie, I did it.
I was able to save people this go around didn’t I.
I’m sorry I’m leaving so soon again Ol girl.” No matter what happens, I’m glad my last moments allow me to be at peace With that I close my eyes and I’m finally passed out with a smile on my face.