Bad Welcome
#1 of Broken Soul
"Hold position, Phantom 1. We have visual confirmation of enemy snipers on your 9."
Leon slowed his breathing and cautiously ducked down. There were rocks all around him in the desert warzone and the heat was rising every second. The burning sun was making him feel fifty pounds heavier, and his sweat was pouring down his face He was a human, and his position in the army made him somewhat of a celebrity. Most humans are front line infantry or recon, but for some reason he was one of the best snipers in the entire military. Unfortunately, he was now pinned down behind enemy lines with his radio as the only lifeline. "How many?"
The voice on the other end of the radio was silent for about a minute, "Alright, Phantom 1. There seems to be four enemies, two with high range rifles, one with a RPG, and another with some sort of assault rifle. They are still a good distance away, so we have called in an airstrike. If you are able to take out the RPG, they can be there in a few seconds."
"Copy that. Eliminating target." Leon grabbed some sand and dust from the ground and coated his gun. Even the slightest reflection could give his position away. He placed the barrel between two rocks and looked in the scope to find the enemies. He found them, but they were walking out in the open. Clearly something was not right, "Cancel the airstrike HQ. Something isn't right. Looks like a trap, I'll take out all targets."
"Phantom 1! Do not engage. I repeat, do not engage! I won't lose you just because of a hunch!"
Leon sighed, "Effie, look at them through a satellite image. They aren't trying to hide. They're luring us in, and willing to sacrifice themselves for their cause. Their weapons are all plastic and they look nervous. Keep a visual behind them and alert me of any movement."
There was an audible sigh on the other end, "Copy that, Leon. Shifting visual, you are clear to engage."
He lined them up in his sights then switched on auto reload on his custom rifle. Leon took a deep breath, then exhaled to the sound of four blasts. The enemies fell like ragdolls. He immediately reloaded with a fresh clip and hid on the other side of the rocks. "How's it looking, Effie?"
"Wow, shouldn't have doubted you. There seems to be a lot of movement coming from about 300 yards behind the scouts. Calling in an airstrike and pick up unit now. Sit tight." Leon relaxed against the rock. Effie was always nice to him, and was probably his only friend. She was a feline, but she didn't treat him differently like the others did. Her brown and white fur made it look like she was already wearing camoflauge, which was a running joke around HQ. She was only about 5' 2", but she could easily take a full grown male in a one-on-one situation. Effie was also the smartest one in recon, so Leon took comfort when she was monitoring him.
The familiar screech of supersonic jets followed by the explosions of a few cluster bombs. A helicopter shortly flew in and landed on a flat part of the desert. Leon kept his gun in hand as he ran down the hill towards it. "First Class Ranger Leon Belmont?"
Leon sighed, "I'll laugh if you get me some water, asshole. Ugh... it's so damn hot out." he pulled off his helmet and put his rifle into safety mode. The other pilot laughed a little, "Tell you what. Find me a vampire and you can call me whatever the hell you want Ash Ketchum." the pilot who called him Belmont went quiet, but the other laughed even harder. "Let's just get out of here, okay?" They took off with a roar.
The helicopter sped across the desert while the monotonous sight of sand put Leon into a coma-like state. Usually his body thrived in extreme conditions, but he had been awake for three days under the burning sun with a rationed water supply. Luckily, this was his last mission before his tour was up. he had found five major enemy hideouts and seven minor ones. Not an easy thing to do, but he did want to go out with a bang. On his second day, Effie had another mission so another took over his monitor. The new guy failed to see a sniper a short 100 yards from Leon's position, which was almost a fatal mistake. The heat had gotten to the enemy and his shot pieced the outer edge of Leon's arm. He spun around and quickly dispatched him. A rescue was called for, but Leon refused. he patched himself up as best as he could and continued the mission. The new guy was assigned cleaning duties for the rest of his remaining year on duty.
It was an hour flight, but he hadn't recovered fully from his mission. As he stepped out of the helicopter, he stumbled and lost his balance. Just as he was about to hit the ground, a blurry figure slid under him and hugged him tightly. It helped him to his feet then threw his arm over it's shoulders. Leon felt it's face like a man who's had way too much to drink, "Hey... It is you, Effie. How've you been?"
Even though his vision was blurry, he was sure she had a pissed look on her face, "What the hell... Soldiers! Why haven't you provided this ranger with any aid?! Go, fetch the on site doctor immediately or you will both be reprimanded!" They two figures scatter into the base looking for anyone they could grab. "Hey, you look like hell." she laughed, "How's about after you get some treatment I keep you company tonight in my private quarters, eh?"
Leon smiled, "You know how much I'd love to, but I got someone back home waiting for me. You know me, the faithful guy. Ever since high school, right?" She smiled (maybe) as Leon's vision got worse, "Dammit..." everything went dark.
He awoke covering in blankets with his fatigues removed. A fresh bandage was placed on his wound and he was hooked to an IV. He could see better, and determined that it was night outside. A doctor walked in right on cue, "How are you feeling, Leon? Vision better? Thirst gone?"
Leon laughed weakly, "Well, vision's better. The thirst thing isn't, though. How's about you get me some water or something. I'm parched." The doctor was prepared with a can of soda. It had condensation on the outside, so Leon was sure it was cold, "Thanks. How's Effie doing? She slid under me, so she might've got some cuts or something."
"Why don't you ask her yourself?" he said as he snapped his fingers. Effie walked in the room, along with a nervous fox and his commanding officer.
His CO was the first to speak, "Hello, First Class Ranger Leon Ossian. I am sure you know of the two behind me, so how are you doing?" Effie waved his one hand and tightly grabbed the fox with the other. Leon was sure who it was.
"Oh, ow. My arm. The pain. I can't take it anymore. Put me down. Please." He talked in a rich apathetic tone which seemed to really affect the fox, who looked even worse than before, "Oh, calm down pansy. It's a flesh wound. Effie, he's looking a little pale, maybe you should let go of his veins?" Effie smiled as she released him.
"I'm so sorry for my mistake. I almost got you killed and failed the mission with my one mistake." The Co left the room with a cheery goodbye as Effie stepped forward.
"Don't worry about him," she assured him, "he's the one who had me leave to get some intel documents. He was afraid that you were severely wounded. Hee hee" she giggled as Leon laughed. The terrified fox left with a bow. "So, looks as if we're shipping out in two days. Can't wait to get back home, how about you?"
Leon smiled, "I've been waiting since I enlisted. The only reason I took such dangerous missions is that I could handle them by myself and it's go big or go home, right?" They laughed together, just like they used to.
It was a long two days. Since his wound was infected, he had to spend all of his time in the hospital area of the base, with only an occasional visitor. On his last day, things got interesting. He was awarded a Purple Heart and was informed that he was going to receive the Medal of Honor for his success in many missions during his tour. Effie came into his room carrying his fatigues, which were cleaned, his rifle, and his helmet, "If I know anything about you, it's that you don't like fancy clothes. Our first stop will be in Washington D.C. to receive your medals. Well, get dressed big shot, I want to get home too, ya know."
Leon laughed as he started to get dressed. Effie didn't leave the room, but he didn't care. As he put his right sleeve back on, he noticed the bullet hole was still there. This made him notice the other things, like the parts worn out from his unique style of getting around (unique as in crazy) and some cuts from the rocks. Leon didn't want it any other way. Effie put his helmet back on his head as she led him to their cargo plane. They sat down and strapped themselves in as it took off, "Hey!" Leon shouted over the roar of the engines, "There gonna be any refreshments served?" Effie laughed.
It was a long flight, and the time soaring high over the ocean gave Leon time to think. He had always wanted to start a family and get a bigger house, and now he had enough money saved up to do just that. His long time girlfriend, Mary, was waiting patiently for him back at their apartment and he grew impatient. The award ceremony was going to be private, as to not reveal his identity. The last thing anyone needed was one of their best Rangers becoming a target. Effie's head rested on his shoulder, her ears tickling his neck. He smiled as leaned his head on hers, then slowly drifted off to sleep.
An announcement over the speakers woke the two up. A rough landing on a remote airstrip, then a short stop. They were home, and as the bay door lowered they saw a little caravan waiting to take them to get the awards. They laughed as they got inside of a limo and saw all kinds of beverages and food items. A little television was behind the driver's seat and the air conditioning made Effie cold. Leon loved it, though, as he gazed up through the glass ceiling at the cloudy sky, "Tax payer's dollars at work." This ride was much smoother than anticipated.
They arrived at a military base and were escorted to the main hall, where security was heightened. As they went inside, important military heads and the president were there. Effie pushed him to the stage as the award ceremony began. Of course, Leon didn't care much for awards. He was just doing his job. There were some long winded speeches, and from a stranger's point of view you would have thought that they were getting the medals. Leon graciously accepted his honors with a speech that he drilled into his head while he was in a bed. Everyone seemed satisfied, so he gladly left the area after all the faces were done shaking his hand. A Medal of Honor winner came up to him and personally greeted him, "It's always nice to see that there are still exceptional young people fighting with all of their hearts."
"Well, I was just doing what I signed up for. When I say I'm going to fight for my country, I'm gonna do it right. Of course, without Effie here," he put his arm around her and pulled her in close, "I would've been bug food. She's the reason I'm alive. Of course, I can survive on my own, like when my CO temporarily replaced her." he showed him the bullet hole.
He smiled, "I know how you feel. My CO ordered us to go into an unswept zone once with a greenhorn manning the radar. We lost half our squad, but still came out victorious." he leaned in close so only the two could hear, "I'm glad you aren't like the snobby other ones. You see the medal as a shaped piece of metal. You are the true patriots, not those fakers." Leon and Effie smiled as they said their goodbyes and went back to the limo. Leon lived closer, so they went to his building first.
When they arrived, Effie helped him out of the limo and took him to the front of his apartment, "Give her hell, soldier!" she said with a smile. Effie walked down the hall towards the stairs.
Leon opened the door and walked inside. It was getting late, so it was okay that all the lights were off. He heard the bed shift which meant that Mary was inside the bedroom. He sneaked over in an attempt to surprise her. When he opened the door, he saw Mary lying naked in the bed. Another man was lying on top of her. He dropped his helmet, "Mary?"
Effie heard the clang and ran back to the apartment. She put her hand on her pistol as she walked in the dark rooms. She caught sight of Leon standing paralyzed in a doorway, his face was frozen. Mary walked over to him and tapped her nails on the wall three times. If he twitched his middle finger three times, that meant that someone else was there. He didn't move. Mary relaxed and walked behind him as she jumped onto his back to see over his shoulders. She was shocked at what she saw.
"Wait! Leon! You don't understand! I can explain!" Mary threw the man off the bed and pulled a blanket over her breasts.
Leon voice was painful to Effie's ears, she had never heard him so sad before, "Sure. I believe you. He was helping you make sure the bed was stable, right? And you were naked because it was a toasty 60 degrees in here, right? Of course, it all makes sense now." He picked up his helmet and walked to the entrance, "I'll come back for my things later." He was thoroughly depressed.
Mary tried to run out of the room after him, but Effie put her arm across the doorway, "Get out of my way, bitch! I've got to get him back!"
Effie shoved Mary back onto the bed, "You... why would you do this to him? He's the nicest guy in the world-"
"Yeah! Sure! I'm sure that he hasn't cheated on me at all. We're only people, we need stimulation every once in a while."
Effie was about to lose her mind, "What the fuck is wrong with you?! In The two years he was over seas, he didn't even have a single thought of cheating on you. I tried to have sex with him a few times, but he said no because you were at home waiting for him!" tears formed in the wells of her eyes, "He wanted to start a family with you... he wanted to get a house... to take care of you... he was almost killed because he wanted to protect you! And you repay him by cheating on him?! He won a fucking Medal of Honor by risking his life for you... you bitch. You don't deserve to even see him again!" Effie rubbed the tears out of her fur as she ran out of the apartment.
Leon was already on street level, his chest was being crushed, "There's nothing... nothing worth living for. She... I loved her and still... I just can't..." a neighbor couple just pulled into a parking space and greeted him.
"Hey! It's been a while! I suppose you were busy getting busy with Mary, huh?" they smiled, but it quickly faded as Leon's face looked up into the street light. "Wait, why are you still wearing fatigues? I thought you were hiding out... oh. I am so sorry, I didn't know, you got to believe us!" Leon walked past them, putting a hand on the man's shoulder briefly. Sudden;y, Effie came into view running after Leon. "Hey, are you looking for Leon? He just passed us a second ago."
"Thanks." she continued her mad dash until she found Leon and performed a flying tackle, sending him to the ground. Normally, he wouldn't have even been affected by her, but when he fell, Effie's heart shattered. Leon had never been like this before. She hadn't seen anyone in this bad of shape in her entire life. "You can't go anywhere tonight on your own. You're coming back to my place, I'll get some of you things tomorrow. Get your ass up, soldier! Let's move out!" She felt better that he got up, but he was otherwise unresponsive. The limo pulled around.
"Hey! What happened up there?" the driver asked, oblivious to the current situation.
Effie had to push Leon to the limo, "Don't ask, just take us to this address and be quiet." she handed him a piece of paper and the man asked no questions. "It'll be okay Leon, trust me. You do still trust me, right? Say something, anything!"
"Can I? Can I trust you?"
Effie smiled, but it was only a mask for her sorrow, "Yes, you can trust me. I'll keep you safe, no matter what happens, okay? Just like in the army, right?"