8 fucking miles.
Thats how far they were from the rendezvous. They hobbled the entire way, Travis practically carrying Kiara, and Kiara having to help Travis navigate between rocks and over tree roots and other obstacles. The entire way there, Taylor was uncharacteristically quiet. No quips about how pathetic they looked, no jokes about how she had to save them, nothing. Just silence.
Eventually after a couple hours, they made it, and found the rest of the squad wasn't in much better shape. Bravo team got hit hard. Smith, Murphy, Wilson, and Corporal Jackson were killed in action. The remaining two had gotten brutalized. Broken armor, one missing arm, and so many cuts it was a miracle they hadn't died of blood loss.
Alpha team had better luck. No deaths, but Lance, Justin, and Victor were injured to the point of no longer being fit for combat. They were bleeding profusely from multiple cuts on their bodies, and Victor had been stabbed all the way through. Lance's arm was half hanging off, and Justin's left leg was snapped, and the bone was sticking out.
Victor looked up at Tay. "Sergeant, whats the plan now? Our strength has been cut by 2/3."
"I've been in contact with command. A troop carrier is on its way to pick up those who can't fight. Myself, Travis, Kiara, and Rebecca will continue the mission from here."
Rebecca was stunned. "But this was a mission meant for a whole squad! Now we're expected to do it with four people? And Kiara can barely walk!"
"Plus my vision is so blurry I can pretty much just see colors." Travis added.
"I'm aware this is insane, but those are our orders. And as for Travis and Kiara's condition, there are medics coming to treat them, so they'll be back online once they arrive."
"So what about the rest of us?" Justin asked.
"You guys are returning to base for recuperation. Once this operation is complete the four of us will join you for debriefing and reassignment."
"Reassignment?" Kiara asked "are they going to immediately send us out again?"
"No, troops are going to be moved around because we got hit hard. Other squads have been completely wiped out. We lost four, but we got off easy compared to other squads. The government Is currently creating a second generation to fill the ranks, and some of us will be elevated to higher positions to fill in for the fallen."
As she finished explaining a small helicopter landed close by, and 2 teams of medicinal put and started assessing the injured. Travis finally remembered he didn't have to carry Kiara anymore and gently set her down so the medics could treat her easily. One went to work and stitched up her leg, reattaching everything before emitting a soft green glow from his hand to mend everything together. Another walked up to Travis and handed him a small baggie with 3 pills inside.
"Take one now, and then every two hours take another. It'll handle the concussion." Then she put a hand on his side, emitting the same green glow and immediately the pain in his side vanished.
"Thanks that feels much better." Travis then removed his helmet and took one of the pills from the bag before popping it in his mouth.
His vision cleared a bit, not completely, but he could now see vague shapes along with color. His splitting headache also lessened.
The medic nodded once to him, before running to help transport the ones who would be leaving the battlefield. After 10 minutes, the helicopter was back in the air. And what was once a squad of 13 had been reduced to 4.
Travis turned to what he assumed was Taylor. "So whats the plan now?"
Taylor spoke on his left. "I'm over here, we rest for today, tomorrow we move in to check my work on our objectives. I'll give you more information once we've confirmed our primary mission is complete."
With that all four pulled off their helmets, took out their ration packs, and started eating, drained from the fight. After finishing his ration, Travis turned towards Rebecca.
"I know what happened with us three, but what happened with you and Lance?"
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she held them at bay as she recalled the fight.
"We were ambushed same as you, but we only had three instead of four. I guess our target wasn't as important as yours. Regardless they were good, but not great. We would've had them in the bag, but I got cocky and overextended myself.
You saw Lance's injured arm? It was because of me. He jumped in and stopped me from getting bisected, but it cost him. After that we fought them off as best we could. But we would've lost if that horde of zombies and skeletons hadn't shown up to finish them off. I assume that was you Taylor?"
"Guilty as charged. Glad they made it in time though. I only wish I could say the same for Bravo team."
"Hey, don't be too hard on yourself." Travis said. "None of us could have known that they were coming. And you still saved over half the squad."
"Yeah, you're right. But that doesn't mean I have to like it. Or that I should be content with where I'm at."
"I didn't say that. Using this to motivate you to get better is only natural. Just don't blame yourself for something you couldn't have possibly stopped."
"Yeah. Alright." She said. And with that, the four settled in to rest for the night, trying to relax just a bit before they headed back towards the fight the next morning.