SHORT STORY
Boom! Ratatat! Ratatat! Bang! Swosh! Zzzip! Clang! Vroom! Yap! Zap! The battle was in full swing. The marine corp had just landed ashore the their intended target. There wasn't going to be any messing around on this place. the intention was to get the job done as quickly as possible and depart. But the opposition seemed to be formidable.
One Private was determined to serve his country. He felt a sense of pride being with the armed forces. The depth of his loyalty for his country was unimaginable. His fearlessness was backed up by the presence of the aircraft carrier that anchored nearby. Its capability for any amphibious assault was unmatched. But the enemy troops on ground were audacious. Their military hardware and capabilities were believed to be underequipped. Yet still they fought on.
The Private saw dozens of his buddies fall to enemy fire. A fusillade of rockets from his gunboat gave support. Plumes of smoke permeated acres of space. Missing arms and legs, twisted faces, and the crimson-stained ground were the trophies for his troop. The battle subsided for a few hours. The Private was emboldened. The other members of his unit also felt some relief.
At dusk an eerie sound emanated from space. A blitz of enemy rockets whizzed through the air. Some landed on their targets. Again the Private witnessed dozens of members of his battalion fall. His friend who fought alongside him was blown yards away from him like a rag doll and fell motionless. He wiped away his tears and fought on with more determination. Again the destroyer got into action. The firepower was swifter and deadlier this time. More enemy troops were cornered and many obliterated. The Private was beginning to feel overwhelmed even though the battle seemed to be over.
Yes it was. Cars and busses and trains passed him every day at that corner. He held a sign on a piece or torn cardboard which read, "Please help veteran soldier." © Wallace Paul September 2024.
Boom! Ratatat! Ratatat! Bang! Swosh! Zzzip! Clang! Vroom! Yap! Zap! The battle was in full swing. The marine corp had just landed ashore the their intended target. There wasn't going to be any messing around on this place. the intention was to get the job done as quickly as possible and depart. But the opposition seemed to be formidable.
One Private was determined to serve his country. He felt a sense of pride being with the armed forces. The depth of his loyalty for his country was unimaginable. His fearlessness was backed up by the presence of the aircraft carrier that anchored nearby. Its capability for any amphibious assault was unmatched. But the enemy troops on ground were audacious. Their military hardware and capabilities were believed to be underequipped. Yet still they fought on.
The Private saw dozens of his buddies fall to enemy fire. A fusillade of rockets from his gunboat gave support. Plumes of smoke permeated acres of space. Missing arms and legs, twisted faces, and the crimson-stained ground were the trophies for his troop. The battle subsided for a few hours. The Private was emboldened. The other members of his unit also felt some relief.
At dusk an eerie sound emanated from space. A blitz of enemy rockets whizzed through the air. Some landed on their targets. Again the Private witnessed dozens of members of his battalion fall. His friend who fought alongside him was blown yards away from him like a rag doll and fell motionless. He wiped away his tears and fought on with more determination. Again the destroyer got into action. The firepower was swifter and deadlier this time. More enemy troops were cornered and many obliterated. The Private was beginning to feel overwhelmed even though the battle seemed to be over.
Yes it was. Cars and busses and trains passed him every day at that corner. He held a sign on a piece or torn cardboard which read, "Please help veteran soldier." © Wallace Paul September 2024.
