The night was eerily quiet, interrupted only by the distant sound of crashing waves against the shore. Alex lay still in his childhood bed, bathed in the pale moonlight that filtered through the curtains. It was a peaceful scene, but for him, it was the calm before a tempest.

As the hours passed, a series of nightmarish images unfolded in his dreams, triggered by the memories he had tried so hard to forget. In his sleep, he was transported back to the battlefield, the acrid stench of gunpowder and sweat filling the air. The screams of fellow soldiers echoed in his ears, and the earth shook with the thunderous roar of artillery fire.

...Flashback...

Northern Azerbaijan
Time: 4:30pm
Team: Delta 4

The sound of sporadic gunshots and explosives filled the air, filling their hearts with unspeakable fear. They took cover by a wall while receiving instructions from their superior.

"Ready up boys, we are advancing towards that building in the Northeast. Reload and do not waste your ammo" he commanded as he adjusted his helmet on his head and reloaded his gun and the others did as they were instructed.

"Where's the target though, I don't see anyone yet it seems like they know our position." One of the soldiers said, the fear evident on his fear.

"Quiet big lips" another said.

"It's Philip moron." The scared soldier said a bit annoyed. His face was a mixture of fear and annoyance.

"That's not what your lips say though" the bully said with a smirk. Philip was about to argue when Alex piped in.

"Guys not now, we have other things to worry about yeah?" Alex said hoping to cease the argument.

"Oh, look who's talking. A male queen trying to act all broody and manly. What the hell gives you right to interrupt men talking? Huh Queen?". The bully whose name is Chris asked Alex derisively.

Alex pursed his lips not wanting to start an argument with his bully. His surname McQueen has gotten him into a lot of trouble since he enlisted in the military. From training, people had bullied him even up to this moment which made him consider changing his surname.

"I am talking to you lady bitch. You don't talk when dogs talk. Bitches are to be quiet. You hear me? Keep it shut before I -" he was interrupted by a soldier's scream.

"GRENADE!!!!"

Everyone froze when they saw it but Alex was quick to throw it in the opposite direction and it exploded there. The superior who was looking out for them, startled by the soldier's scream and realized what happened gave Alex a curt nod.

"Good throw Corporal, Sergeant Will over here" he waved a soldier over and Sergeant Will crawled to him. "We have to spilt into two groups to avoid been caught in the headlights, I will take some through the left flank while you go right and we meet at the base of the building." He instructed.

"Roger LT" said Sergeant Will.

The lieutenant turned to rest of the soldiers. "Listen up boys, till we get tank support, we are on our own for now. So, Ranger, Sear, Cobble, Rooster and Big lips you are with Sergeant Will." Alex saw Philip twist his lips in dismay at the mention of his nickname. The lieutenant continued "The rest of you on me. Let's move."

As they moved, the sound of gunfire increased, making it difficult for them to advance but they fought their way through, taking cover at intervals to avoid the spraying bullets scattered everywhere.

Alex and some soldiers led by the lieutenant took a shortcut through a broken down building to avoid the gunfire. Then, they saw an opening and the target building ahead of them.

"Target building in sight." The Lieutenant said in the radio.

"Roger I see it" Alex heard the Sergeant on the radio.

The lieutenant's team was almost there but there was a problem. The building was ahead of them surrounded by a fence that was partially broken down. They can't pass because they have enemy building in the middle to their far right. Meaning, if they pass, they would be spotted. The lieutenant held his hand up to stop them and communicated with the Sergeant.

"Sergeant Will this is Red bull, do you copy?" No response. "Sergeant come in, over." The lieutenant said.

"We are at the target building LT" the Sergeant said on the radio and Alex breath out in relief, he thought they lost the Sergeant and the other group.

"Good, what's the status?" The lieutenant asked, a bit surprised that they've reached before them, knowing that the Sergeant took a longer route.

"Everyone's good. Waiting for you. Over" the Sergeant replied.

"We are directly ahead of you. See." The lieutenant flashed a signal at the Sergeant which he responded with a flash. Alex saw the Sergeant poke his head out from the partially broken down fence.

"I see you. We are heading to your position. Cover us."

"Copy" Sergeant Will said then turned to the soldiers behind him "We gonna cover LT and his boys as they come. Everyone pop smoke" the Sergeant ordered.

"Great, now we have to cover LT's ass. Like as if been held down by gunfire isn't enough." Chris, whose nickname is Ranger grumbled.

"Quiet Ranger" the Sergeant glared at him. "Do as you have been told" He said sternly.

"Ooh, looks like someone just had their period, need some tampons?" Ranger muttered under his breath making a soldier snort, trying to hold his laughter while the Sergeant ignored them.

"I believe you're done playing and will pop smoke for us now." The lieutenant's deep voice spoke on the radio making his British accent more prominent.

"Popping smoke" Sear said

"Popping" Rooster said and the others popped smoke to distract the enemy. The lieutenant waited for the smoke to get a bit thick before leading his men through. Soon as they were out in the open though concealed by the smoke, heavy gunfire started.