Worth Fighting For - Entry XV: The Hard-Fought Battle Won

Worth Fighting For
Entry XV: The Hard-Fought Battle Won
Location: Southwest Bunker, Fort Jay
Date: Thursday, December 25th, 2003

I was alone again and there were Soviet soldiers everywhere. I was cut off from the main artillery by a large Red force; there was no way I could make it back to Charlie now. I knew Chris had blown up the helipad up the embankment some time ago and was probably already in the interior of the island, heading to Fort Jay where we believed Isabella was being held captive. Fort Jay was made up of four bunkers and she had to be imprisoned in one of them. The Southwest Bunker was the most logical choice since it was the closest to Chris’ last known position. I quietly sneaked my way to the interior of Governor’s Island.

As I reached Fort Jay and its main gate I saw over fifty Freedom Fighters charging across the open field. They must have landed on the other side of the island when the mortars were destroyed. Many of the faces I didn’t recognize but I knew that they were allies. Then my eyes began scanning the faces, I had a nagging feeling that I was missing something. One of the Resistance caught my eye and gave me a big toothy grin. It was Miguel Bishop, he was alive. I gave him a wave as he charged past me and into the crowd of fighters. When I reached the main gate, there were already Red bodies lining the ground. I could tell that someone else had already been here and I hoped that person was Chris.

I entered an enclosed hallway and turned left, heading west in hopes of finding my teammates again. I could hear gunfire up ahead and steeled myself for anything. I then heard voices shouting, one sounded like Kat and then I heard Chris calling out commands. It was them, I sprinted ahead, eager to join the fight. By the time I rounded the corner, the last SAF soldier dropped dead. Chelly heard me approaching and raised her gun but I called out to her just in time. Everyone was relieved to see me and I, them. I told Chris that Charlie and Miguel were alive and leading other teams in the assault of Fort Jay. He informed me that Phil also had organized an additional team which was clearing the perimeter of any hostiles.

With the Southwest Bunker clear, we grabbed what ammo we could, and headed towards the Northwest Bunker. We were greeted by enemy fire at almost every turn. It was especially difficult to fight in the confines of the bunker halls. With a readied rifle, it was almost impossible to turn. Chris and Kat led the way while Steven and I covered our backs. We were nearing the bunker when we heard footsteps approaching us from behind. Steven and I prepared our weapons and waited for an enemy to appear. When they did, we opened fire, the sound of gunfire ringing through the concrete halls. The din threatened to bring with it another headache but I kept my focus and more importantly, my aim. The fighting stopped and four SAF soldiers were dead.

I turned around and was about to rejoin the others when I heard Steven yell for me to get down and then a blast of gunfire. I whipped back and caught Steven in my arms. One of the Reds fired off a single shot before dying. The bullet was meant for me but Steven had jumped in front of it and it had struck him squarely in the chest. I propped his head up with my knee and tried to stop the bleeding but he told me that it was pointless, he was dying. I couldn’t find anything to say as I watched my friend die in my arms. He told me that it was alright and to make sure that everyone’s sacrifices meant something. He made me promise him that I would ensure that their stories wouldn’t be forgotten and that we would do our best to make this country better. I nodded my head and meekly answered him, telling him that I would do my best. Steven Ryan gave me a smile and then with a sigh he was gone. I gently set his head down and put his arms on his chest. I whispered “thank you” and then turned down the hall towards the Northwest Bunker.

Location: Northwest Bunker, Fort Jay
Date: Thursday, December 25th, 2003

By the time I had rejoined the others; they had killed the remaining Reds in the bunker and had freed Isabella. She was injured but not in critical condition. I guess I had almost missed other things because Isabella was in Chris’ arms and they were kissing. After a few awkward moments of silence, Isabella let go of Chris and grabbed a weapon. Chris asked me about Steven and I just shook my head. We stood in silence for a few more moments and then Chris ordered us to move out. As we exited the bunker, Isabella informed us that Colonel Bulba’s office was in the Northeast Bunker. Chris met our eyes and told us that this was the moment that we could end it all. We raised our guns in the air and cheered, ready to follow him into the abyss.

Location: Northeast Bunker, Fort Jay
Date: Thursday, December 25th, 2003

By now, the SAF soldiers were fleeing or surrendering and only a handful had chose to keep fighting. We cut them down easily, almost too easily, that I felt remorse for the enemy I had so vehemently hated. When we reached the Northeast Bunker, it was deserted. We dashed up the stairs and ran onto the roof, hoping to catch Bulba before it was too late. Our hearts sank when Chelly pointed out the outline of a helicopter flying away. I heard Charlie and Miguel call out Chris’ name from below us, Chris waved back, and they saluted. Then, Charlie threw a pack up at Chris and he caught it. When Chris opened it up we all gave a cheer, inside the pack was the Stars and Stripes. He walked over to the flagpole that was directly above Colonel Bulba’s office and lowered the Soviet flag. Then with a cheer from all the Manhattan Resistance fighters, he raised the U.S. flag, announcing our victory to the world.

The sun had started to peek out from behind the horizon when we all gathered at the center of Fort Jay. There were familiar faces and new ones, all streaked with the same stains of sacrifice. We all turned to Chris for final words from our leader. He told us to remain vigilante. Colonel Bulba had escaped and would be back with an even stronger force. He encouraged us to embrace our newfound freedom and to remember all those who gave up their lives so that we might have this opportunity. And lastly, he thanked us for our dedication and for following him through each and every battle. As the group dispersed, Chris and Isabella walked away, embracing each other as they left. We were all going to let the two have their moment alone but Phil came bounding up behind them and slung an arm over each of their shoulders. He told them that he wasn’t going to let them off the hook just yet, that they’d get their moment to smooch, but right now they needed to plan how to rebuild Manhattan.

Location: Midtown Manhattan
Date: Thursday, January 1st, 2004

I’m sitting on a rickety wooden chair and using a rickety wood desk to prop up a battered computer with a cracked monitor. The keyboard clunks wildly beneath my fingers in a rhythmic motion until I hit the “t” button, which is stuck and needs to be convinced to type. The room I sit in is dusty with debris everywhere. No matter how hard I try to clean it, dirt seems to magically appear after I’ve finished. The roof is water damaged and the wall is cracked but at least it’s a roof over my head. I left the Manhattan Resistance on Christmas morning, in the capable hands of Chris Stone, Isabella Angelina, and Phil Bagzton.

They had asked me to stay and help them not only rebuild the city but prepare to fight the last remaining pockets of the Soviet Armed Forces in other areas of the state and nation. I had to refuse, much as it broke my heart, for I felt like these people were my family and I had followed Chris for so long that it would be strange to not be by his side. The second concussion did its damage and I was no longer in any condition to fight. Pounding headaches, vertigo, and sensitivity to light and sound were a consistent presence in my daily life. A simple light being turned on or the din from a trashcan being emptied could cripple me for hours. I had a mission of my own though, one that Steven Ryan had assigned to me before he died in my arms. That mission was almost as important as theirs for while they were going to rebuild a new life for Americans, I wanted to preserve the lives that were sacrificed to gain our new freedom.

I wanted to tell the stories of people like Troy Stone, Manny Perez, Billy Hurst, Tony Ramos, Arthur Mays, Nikolay Tarasov, and Steven Ryan. I had become close to each one of them and wanted to ensure that their lives and their deaths would be remembered. We lost each one of them before the final battle of Governor’s Island and I feared that their heroic acts would eventually be forgotten. Then there were those that fell during our final mission. Some made it to the island like Daniil Goldobin, whose body we found near the boat landing when we swept the area after the fighting had stopped. Others like Logan Torres; we never recovered their bodies from the icy waters that surrounded the island.

Then there were fast allies that I trusted my life with but who I knew nothing about. I found out from Charlie Raider that Ken Traynor’s parents were from Brooklyn. So we transported his body and buried him in the mass cemetery in downtown Brooklyn in hopes that even though we didn’t know who his parents were, that his final resting place would be near them. Unfortunately, we knew nothing of Shinji Cortez. He had joined the Resistance after Chris’s television appearance and said little. But he never hesitated when he made the ultimate sacrifice on Governor’s Island. He would be buried along with the hundreds of other brave citizens who fought for freedom.

There were also many stories to tell about the bravery of the men and women who survived the war. Charlie Raider volunteered to travel to New Jersey and take command of the Resistance there. The SAF still had a presence in the area and Charlie was all too happy to root out the remaining Reds. Miguel Bishop left the fight but helped the Resistance in other ways. He set up his own auto shop in Manhattan, repairing everything from military vehicles to radios. Chelly and Ryo Ouma also lent their expertise to the cause; traveling to various cities to restore power.

I hadn’t completely left the Resistance either. When I wasn’t writing the memoirs of the war, I was writing and managing the news programs that were broadcast from the Manhattan TV Station. It was still the best form of communication in this postwar era and no one really had any experience in the news business so I happily lent a hand. Katherine Cutter happened to work at a clinic that was near the TV station, so my work allowed me to see her quite regularly. There was still so much to be done. People were starving, living on the streets, and there were dissenters who chose to loot and vandalize rather than give aid to others.

The war taught me many things about myself and about others. I learned that I had an inner strength I never knew existed and that when my friends were in danger, I could rise to the occasion to help them. I found that people were also much more giving than I ever realized and that a complete stranger would be willing to lay down his or her life to save me. I also witnessed firsthand the strength and resiliency people had when they bonded together for the greater good. And most importantly, I learned that freedom was worth fighting for and that no cost was too high to pay for a better future.


~Postscript~
I wasn’t expecting Freedom Fighters to give me much substance to use for this blog. I figured I’d write a short eight to ten entry journal about Chris Stone and his exploits with a real “oorah” attitude. That was true until I really put words to screen and found that I just didn’t have a voice for Chris. I knew what he was like but I didn’t really know him and trying to write about his life in first person didn’t make any sense. That’s when I came up with the idea of a journalist who is an eyewitness to all of these events and documents them. Now, Timothy Murphy doesn’t exist in the game, nor do the rest of Chris’ squad. Only Isabella, Troy, Phil, Mr. Jones, The Kid, and the named Russian characters are present in the game. The nameless NPCs gave me an interesting opportunity to create characters with personalities who could be easily thrown away if I didn’t like them a few entries later. I found out that I actually grew pretty attached to most of them and wanted to get to know them more, which is how the entry “In Remembrance” came to be. Tony’s death also seemed to be a benchmark for this series, before that I kept most of the emotional stuff to a minimum but I wanted the fighting to start taking a toll on Chris and our narrator, Timothy. From the point of Tony’s death forward, what I wrote was completely unplanned which is ironic, because I personally felt like they were some of the better entries of the series. On a different note, most of the Freedom Fighters names were inspired by friends, suggestions from a twitter poll, or names from other video games I was playing at the time of writing. Can you guess which games they were? Timothy Murphy’s name was a nod to my favorite Revolutionary War hero. One last note on Murphy, the dream sequence from “On the Run” came about because I realized that we knew nothing about the narrator and I thought it would be a fun way to get a glimpse of his past life. Was he really planning on proposing before the invasion or was it just a dream? I’m not so sure but I do like the idea of forlorn love.

Worth Fighting For - Entry XIV: Old Friends and New Allies

Worth Fighting For
Entry XIV: Old Friends and New Allies
Location: Governor’s Island Munitions Depot
Date: Wednesday, December 24th, 2003

With our mission to destroy the ventilation system complete, we knew that any survivors from Chris’s or Phil’s teams would head to either the munitions depot or the main artillery. Since we assumed the others had lost their C4 in the crash as well, we headed to the munitions depot first. We met little resistance, a few SAF soldiers here and there, but nothing we couldn’t handle. It seemed that while we had been scattered, so had the Reds. We heard sporadic gunfire erupt from various parts of the island. Some battles seemed so close that if we turned the right corner, we’d find our allies. Other battles sounded like they were on the far side of the island, which made little sense since we all crashed on the same side of the island. No matter, we didn’t run into any of our comrades until we reached the munitions depot.

It was there that we found Chris, Steven, Chelly, and Ryo. We greeted our friends with warm smiles and handshakes but then got down to business. Chris hadn’t seen Daniil, Logan, or any other resistance member since they had reached land. Chris thought about heading straight to the ventilation system as planned but without any C4, they had no way to destroy it, that’s why they went straight towards the munitions depot. I told Chris that was why we were here, we had lost or supply also.  He said he had heard the explosion and asked if that was us. I nodded and told him that the system was indeed destroyed and we could now move into the interior of the island. Chris gave us all a perplexed smile and asked how we managed to destroy it without any explosives. Phil answered with a single word, “creatively.”

Location: Governor’s Island Main Artillery
Date: Wednesday, December 24th, 2003

We all grabbed as much C4 and ammo as we could carry and headed towards the main artillery. Chris hoped that if we eliminated the massive guns, that we might get reinforcements via boat. But with those guns still operational, there was no way anyone else would make it onto the island. We met pockets of resistance along the way but again, it was nothing we couldn’t handle. As we approached the hill where the mortar guns were stationed, we could hear them firing towards the docks. There shouldn’t be any of our people on that side of the island so what were they shooting at? We didn’t have time to find out as a Soviet helicopter flew overhead and landed nearby.

Chris charged towards the helipad and we followed close behind. We reached the road that led to the landing pad only to be faced with a mounted machine gun. It fired in zigzag lines, forcing us to break formation and find something to hide behind. I jumped to my right while everyone else found cover on the left side of the road. It was a stupid move but I had separated myself from everyone. Then a large squad of Red soldiers descended on us. Chris called for me to make a break for it but I yelled that I’d meet up with him farther down the road. I then turned in the opposite direction and sprinted away.

I was running towards the mortar guns now and trying to figure out how to work my way back to Chris when I went headfirst down an embankment. I rolled head over feet and landed hard on concrete. I tried to shake the jolt from my head and collect myself. Another stupid move, there were two mortar guns and I had just fallen into the operating center for the second gun. As I pushed myself up on my hands and knees I saw a pair of boots approach me. Damn, I was caught with no options. I thought about trying to blow the C4 I was wearing when I heard a woman start laughing. My head jerked up to see Charlie Raider standing over me. She offered a hand and pulled me to my feet. My mouth must have been wide open because she gave me a big hug and asked me if I really thought the Red invasion of our Manhattan Rebel Base would have killed her.

I tried to ask her what had happened to her but my tongue seemed to be paralyzed with shock. She understood none the less and told me that she had met up with some civilians after her escape from the base. She had organized them, trained them, and then led the fight against pockets of SAF soldiers in the city. Then, when she saw Chris’ broadcast and the fireworks on the island, she knew that this was the last battle and that she couldn’t miss it for the world. They had commandeered a few boats and had landed near the docks but were being decimated by the mortar fire. That explains why they had been firing earlier; it was Charlie’s team that they were aiming for. She told me that they were trying to figure out how to blow them up when I came crashing down.

I let out an embarrassed laugh and told her I wasn’t the greatest soldier but I did have a solution for her. I handed her my belt of C4 and told her that Chris, Phil, and the rest of the team was headed towards the helipad nearby. She took half of the bricks and then handed the belt back to me. She had a favor to ask; while she and her team took out the mortar guns, Charlie wanted me to take a couple of people and help out her remaining team members at the docks. I couldn’t refuse to help out an old friend and told her I would be glad to assist her in anyway I could. She called up two of her team members and introduced us. Ken Traynor was a teenager who had lost both of his parents in initial invasion. Charlie ensured me that Ken was reliable and levelheaded in combat. Shinji Cortez was less so, a rough and tumble fighter, he was skilled and trustworthy but tended to rush into battles.

Location: Governor’s Island Docks
Date: Wednesday, December 24th, 2003

With my new squad mates in tow, I lead our tiny team on a rescue mission. As we steered our way down the mortar hill and towards the docks, I heard a loud explosion in the distance; too far away to be the mortar guns. Ken looked concerned but I reassured him that it was probably Chris blowing up the helipad. Shinji told me that there was another pad near the docks as well and that we should try to destroy it. I threw him the C4 belt and told him that I was assigning the task to him. He gave me a wide grin as he buckled the belt around his waist. I asked Ken if he knew how many of Charlie’s team were still down in the docks. Ken said there was at least a dozen and to expect a lot of SAF resistance since they had a command post in the area.

When we entered the docks we were met with a mazelike structure of shipping containers. Some of the containers were empty and open on both sides, others were filled with crates. We could hear the popping of alternating bullets down by the water and Shinji commented that their comrades were probably using the boats for cover. We hurried towards the water to provide assistance and found ourselves facing the back of six SAF soldiers. We coordinated our attack and eliminated the threat. The other Freedom Fighters were grateful for the assist and went ahead to join Charlie. By this time, an explosion and then another much closer, blasted above us. It was obvious that Charlie and her team had destroyed the mortar guns and would be moving on to the second location.

There was only one thing left for us to do before we rejoined Charlie as well, blow up the helipad. We cautiously approached the parked chopper but no one was in sight. Then before I realized what was happening, Ken cried out in pain and fell to the ground. Shinji also screamed as I saw blood burst from his leg. He crumbled down to his knees and I dove for cover. I scanned the shipping containers above me and saw the glint of a sniper rifle. I opened fire and realized that I had hit my target when a soldier fell to the ground, dead. I ran to Ken’s side but it was too late for him, the sniper had shot him clean through the chest. I was about to sprint towards Shinji when I heard him yelling for me to run. Five Reds were surrounding him as he crawled towards the helicopter. Our eyes met for a split second and he smiled at me, then he raised his arm and pressed the C4 detonator.

Worth Fighting For - Entry XIII: Assault on Governor’s Island

Worth Fighting For
Entry XIII: Assault on Governor’s Island
Location: Midtown Manhattan Rebel Base
Date: Tuesday, December 23rd, 2003

Chris’ speech was a success. People rallied to our cause and those that couldn’t fight found other ways to help. We had small groups fighting guerrilla style in the streets, blitzing Red patrols and then disappearing just as quickly. We hadn’t seen Phil for some time after we returned from the Manhattan TV Station. He took charge of organizing all of our new members and coordinating the defense of the civilian camps. We all pitched in as well for a couple of weeks until Chris announced that it was time to launch our final assault.

We found out from Ryo and Daniil that the reason why the Reds had abandoned the two helicopters at the TV station was because they weren’t functional. Chris hoped to get the birds functioning and to use them to transport fighters to Governor’s Island. While we were working with Phil to restore order, Ryo and Daniil had been working to restore the choppers. They had to steal parts from other vehicles, jury rig parts, and used a large amount of electrical tape to make the repairs. Now, they were finally finished and we all knew that it was now or never to try and push the Soviets out of our country once and for all.

Location: Governor’s Island Boat Landing
Date: Wednesday, December 24th, 2003

We packed into the two choppers like sardines crammed into a can. There was no way to get to Governor’s Island undetected. After Chris assassinated General Tatarin, Governor’s Island stepped up its patrols by land, sea, and air. Our best strategy was a blitz attack, drop our team off at the boat landing and then work our way towards the interior of the island. Chris had briefed us on the layout of the island, stating that the interior was protected by concrete walls and guard stations. He recommended that we blow up the ventilation system near the boat landing which would force the sealed guard stations to open for air. Then we would split into two teams and hit the munitions depot and main artillery guns.

We flew towards Governor’s Island under the cover of night. Soon the island was in our sights and we could see that there was very little activity; even the bright spotlights that patrolled the water weren’t on. We all gave Chris a nervous look but before he could reassure us an alarm in the cockpit started to sound. We had been targeted by a missile. Our pilot tried to avoid the impact but the three Red choppers had the drop on us. The second missile didn’t miss its target and the explosion sent us tail spinning towards the icy water. We rushed to don parachutes and exit the burning helicopter before it crashed. As I jumped, I lost sight of the others and could only watch as our second helicopter exploded in mid-air.

I crashed hard. At first I didn’t understand what had happened and then I realized I had landed on the large sheets of ice that spread out from Governor’s Island like jagged fingers. Burning debris fell around me and I could see our chopper slowly sinking into the sea. I hurriedly took off my parachute and grabbed a weapon. I checked the bodies that were near me to find that none of them had survived. Then I saw a figure in the distance waving at me. I jogged towards the silhouette and was relieved to see it was Chris. He threw a first aid kit to me and told me to check the east side of the crash while he checked the other side. I found Kat and Logan together, battered but alive. We found Steven a little ways away, his leg injured. I used the aid kit on him and we helped him to stand. They joined me in the search for others and soon we had a handful of fighters, some from our team and some from Phil’s.

We met up with Chris who had found Daniil, Chelly, Ryo, and Phil along with other members of Phil’s team. We were about to formulate a plan when Steven yelled for us to run. I looked up to see the three Red choppers had returned and were firing at us. No, they were firing at the ice. With each impact the ice began to fracture and break away. We ran as fast as we could towards Governor’s Island. A few of Phil’s team members weren’t fast enough and they fell into the water. There was no time to save them; we had to make it to the boat landing. We were forced to scatter and I found myself alone when I finally made it to land.

The place was crawling with Reds so I took cover by a couple shipping crates and tried to gain my bearings. I knew that I was at least in the right section of the island. The boat landing housed the ventilation system that connected the outer ring of concrete. Destroy it and we would be able to breach into the interior of the island, if there was still a “we.” I peeked my head around the crate and saw that the coast was clear. I scurried to another stack of crates only to find that someone else was using it as cover. I almost shot the person in the head when he chuckled. Phil, a sight for sore eyes. He slapped me on the back and then motioned behind him. There, Kat was crouched down watching for enemies. She smiled when she saw me and I gave her a slight wave. Then I pointed in the direction of the ventilation system and Phil gave me the thumbs up.

I took point, careful to stay in the shadows as we navigated towards our target. I scanned the area and soon spotted what I was looking for. Phil whispered that he didn’t know how we were going to destroy it since we had lost our C4 in the crash. I was about to suggest that we head towards the munitions depot when Kat opened fire. We all dove for cover as a half dozen Red appeared from nowhere. A skirmish ensued with each side squeezing off what seemed like hundreds of bullets. There were only two soldiers left now. Kat gave me a signal that told me to distract the Red. I did so by moving to a different crate and firing at him. While I was keeping the Red’s attention, Kat flanked him and fired a precision shot into his head.

Phil was still fighting the last Red near the ventilation system and had the upper hand. He was about to fire a killing blow when we heard Phil’s gun make a loud click; he was out of ammo. He tried to dive out of the line of fire when the Red raised his rifle and fire. Instead of a gunshot we heard another click; the Red was out of ammo too. I was about to take my shot when Phil climbed to his feet and pounced on the Red soldier. They jostled with each other, neither one getting the opportunity to strike the other. Kat and I rushed to aid our friend when he yelled “vent!” I wasn’t sure what he meant but Kat realized and motioned for me to help her. We reached the side of the ventilation system and pried off the grating to one of the main shafts. Then we heard a thunderous strike and saw that Phil had landed a heavy uppercut squarely on the Red’s chin. With his enemy dazed, Phil picked up the Red and propped him against the open ventilation shaft. With a sly grin, Phil pulled the pins to the three grenades the Red was wearing and then hoisted him into the shaft and let go. We reached cover just before the grenades exploded, destroying the ventilation system.

Worth Fighting For - Entry XII: Rallying Cry

Worth Fighting For
Entry XII: Rallying Cry
Location: Midtown Manhattan Rebel Base
Date: Friday, December 12th, 2003

After returning empty handed from the Manhattan High School, Chris knew that the only other location Isabella could be held at was Governor’s Island. He wanted to prepare for a full assault of the SAF’s headquarters but the Resistance had other things to content with. Now that we had lost our strongholds in Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Red army was moving unchecked across the city. The civilian camps we had helped were being destroyed and anyone caught out on the streets were either captured or killed. We were all concerned about the situation but it was Phil who pleaded with Chris to take action. After all, it was Phil and his team that spent the most time amongst the civilians who were trying to eke out a living in the city.

We had spent the past couple of weeks attempting to fight off SAF patrols, protect the civilian camps, and to restore the black market trade routes but to no avail. Chris knew something had to be done but we were unsure of how to proceed, our numbers had dropped significantly and we no longer had the firepower we used to. The Kid had a great idea in mind; the Red computer he had “procured” contained the blueprints to the SAFN headquarters. If we took over the station and broadcasted our own message to the people, maybe we could rally the civilians into joining the fight. Taking over the Manhattan TV Station was not going to be easy but we all knew that we couldn’t sit by and watch the Reds destroy what we had fought so hard to achieve.

Location: Manhattan TV Station
Date: Saturday, December 13th, 2003

We decided to infiltrate the Manhattan TV Station via rooftop, it had been an effective strategy in the past and we hoped it would be again. The elevated monorail tracks had collapsed onto a nearby building which allowed us easy access to the rooftops. We scampered along the tracks, first Chris and then myself followed by Logan, Steven, Kat, Chelly, Ryo, with Daniil bringing up the rear. We moved silently along the rooftops until I heard Chelly gasp. I quickly readied my gun and followed her gaze to find what had elicited the sound. All the electronic billboards on the surrounding buildings were lit up with the image of Tatiana Kempinski. SAFN was broadcasting their news show to every screen they had access to.

After the initial surprise of seeing the street lit up with the face of our enemy, the team moved forward towards our destination. We arrived at the Manhattan TV Station without meeting any resistance. Chris climbed down a ladder and onto the street below us. He scanned the area and then motioned for us to follow after he had given the all clear. We knew that the garage where the station used to park their vehicles would be the best point of entry. As we cautiously passed under the large bay door and into the garage, we expected to meet some kind of resistance but found none. We were alone; there wasn’t a single patrolling Red in the garage. I gave Chris a quizzical look and Steven muttered that something didn’t feel right about this.

Then, we heard the loud screeching of metal crawling across concrete. A Soviet tank appeared at the end of the garage and began inching its way towards us. As the tank aimed its long barrel, we scattered in every direction trying to find cover behind cars and concrete support pillars. The tank fired a shell towards the entrance, sending the heavy metal bay door crashing to the ground and trapping us inside the garage. Ryo returned fire only to find that his bullets ricocheted off of the tank’s heavy armor, giving us more obstacles to try and dodge. Now Red soldiers were coming down the stairwell to join the fight.

Chris acted without hesitation; he called for Logan, Chelly, and Kat to focus suppressing fire on the stairwell. The rest of us coordinated with Chris to try and get someone on top of the tank in hopes of prying it open like someone would a clam. After two failed attempts we realized our plan was futile. We were trying to catch our breath and come up with another plan when Kat screamed “RPG!” We scrambled behind a white pickup truck just in time to see the projectile fly right by us. As it exploded and sent debris scattering in the air, I took a quick glance at Chris to see a smile had appeared on his face. He had a plan. We returned fire as we moved away from the tank and towards the stairwell. Bodies clogged the steps, pinning the remaining Reds in position. Chris charged up, climbing over bodies and firing a well-aimed bullet into the head of the RPG shooter. Chris then grabbed the weapon himself, turned, and shot the explosive right at the center of the tank. A loud explosion ruptured the armor of the tank, halting its advance.

We all took a moment to collect ourselves; I was not a fan of tanks and was glad that this encounter went much better than the last. We collected what gear we could, cleared the stairwell of bodies, and marched up the stairs to the upper floor. We entered the lobby and continued moving towards the back of the building, searching for the broadcast room. There were signs that the SAF soldiers stationed here had left in a hurry. Guns, gear, and a few wounded Reds that had been executed were all that was left of the force that held the TV Station. As we swept the floor for any signs of life, we even discovered that the Reds had left two helicopters on the roof during their escape.

After our brief stint on the roof, we headed back down and located the broadcast room. All the equipment was still on and humming for the Reds didn’t realize that our ultimate goal was not in taking over the station but in making a broadcast of our own. Chris collected his thoughts while Logan and I figured out how to get a signal out. Once we did, Chris got into position and began his statement. He introduced himself to all the citizens watching and vowed that he would continue to fight the Soviet Armed Forces and that he would die a free man one way or the other. Chris still dreamt of a future where the American dream meant something. He still believed that we could achieve a great future if we all worked together to defeat our oppressors. Chris told the people that the Manhattan Resistance was not decimated but a sleeping army ready to be awakened and to reclaim our country. He called on every able bodied citizen to rise, take up arms, and join us in the greatest cause we would ever know; to prove to the SAF that they could never take away our freedom.

Worth Fighting For - Entry XI: The Last Bell at Midnight

Worth Fighting For
Entry XI: The Last Bell at Midnight
Location: Midtown Manhattan Rebel Base
Date: Wednesday, November 26th, 2003

We used the next few weeks to reorganize the remnants of the Manhattan Resistance. Chelly, Ryo, and Logan had turned up safe and sound a few days after we arrived at our new home. Disappointingly, we never saw Charlie or Manny after the fall of the Manhattan Rebel Base. I was still hopeful that both survived, after all they were some of our most skilled fighters, but the reality of the situation was grim. The extra time spent to find ammunition, food, supplies, and fighters gave my body the chance to heal. The bullet wounds were now scars and the concussions I suffered seemed to have cleared up as well. I still had buzzing in my ears and frequent headaches, but nothing as crippling as before. Everyone else felt revitalized after the short respite and having a clear plan of attacked had raised morale.

The Kid had stolen an SAF computer which contained sensitive information on two of the largest Red strongholds, the Manhattan High School and the Manhattan TV Station. The TV station housed SAFN and was where Tatiana Kempinski broadcasted her nightly news show from. The high school was rumored to house political prisoners along with the headquarters for the SAF top brass and it also functioned as an elite training center. Once Chris and Phil heard this, there was no question which target we would be assaulting first. If there was any chance that Isabella and Coronel Bulba were at the high school, we could not pass up this opportunity. The Kid did warn us that the last fleet of SAF helicopters was stationed near the high school. Again with the helicopters, I think the Reds have a fetish with the machines or something. It was settled then; we were rested and ready for a fight. We all knew that these last missions could mean victory or defeat for the entire Manhattan Resistance.

Location: Manhattan High School
Date: Thursday, November 27th, 2003

It felt like old times, being on a mission with Chris again. He was once again leading his team made up of me, Steven, Daniil, Kat, Chelly, Ryo, and Logan. Phil had taken a few freedom fighters and was working to help the small pockets of resistance that had broken out across the city while the Kid stayed back at the base to help coordinate the recovery efforts. Our first destination was the high school’s track and football fields. The Reds were using these adjoining facilities to refuel their chopper fleet. The Kid was able to obtain enough explosives so that we would be able to eliminate the last Red fleet. After that, it would be a direct assault on the high school itself in hopes of rescuing Isabella and finally finishing off Coronel Bulba.

We made it easily into the vicinity of the fields; the Soviet Armed Forces thought us defeated and had relaxed their security to a surprising level. There were no armed patrols, no spotlights sweeping the darkened streets, and not even a single guard in the watchtowers above us. The only activity we observed as we surveyed the landing area was of the ground crew refueling and maintaining the helicopters. Chris and Steven took the explosives and headed towards the landing pads while the rest of us hid behind the embankment near the fields. It was a strange sensation, feeling like we were not in any danger. I knew it wouldn’t last long because once the sound of the explosions reached the high school; our enemy would be alerted to our presence and prepared for our attack.

I watched as Chris and Steven scampered across the fields. Chris headed to the fuel line at the football field and Steven navigated towards the track field’s fuel tank. They darted past SAF workers and used the crates littered across the area as cover. I couldn’t help thinking that I was watching some new sporting event. Chris Stone and Steven Ryan racing to see who could blow up the Red fleet first. When Chris and Steven reached their destinations, they set the charges, and then sprinted towards the high school. The rest of us covered our heads as we watched the blasts hurl helicopter parts into the air like they were fireworks. I couldn’t help but let a wide grin appear on my face as we watched the last Red air fleet turn into a molten pile of metal. I watched for a few moments more before turning my smirk into a line of seriousness. Now we had the task of tackling the high school itself, the home to the SAF elite training facility. Our adversaries would be highly skilled and lethal; a mistake here could be permanent.

We rendezvoused with Chris and Steven in front of the gymnasium. Chris called out a few commands to coordinate our attack as we charged into the building. Daniil let out a few quick pops of gunfire, taking the SAF soldiers by surprise. The rest of Chris’ team quickly joined in the firefight. The concussive sound of bullet fire caused a twinge of pain in my head but nothing that interrupted my focus on the task at hand. Our team executed like the professionals we had become and it took us less than three minutes to clear the gymnasium. We scanned the area to ensure that there was no surprise attack waiting for us before moving farther into the school.

Chris assumed that the prisoners would be held in the classrooms located on the upper floors. We charged up the stairs and entered the main hallway. Multiple doors lined each side and we paired off in twos to clear every room. Logan caught my gaze and motioned to a door. I nodded and he twisted the doorknob open. I charged in and turned right as Logan covered my blindside. After a few intense moments of breaching into the unknown had passed, Logan patted me on the shoulder to indicate that the room was clear and that we could move on to the next classroom. We cleared every room one by one but found no signs of the prisoners or our enemy. As we regrouped at the end of the hall, Chris motioned to the ceiling. We all nodded, the entire Red force must be hunkered down on the last floor waiting for us to come to them.

We had no choice but to meet the Red ambush head on. There was only enough from for two of us to stand shoulder to shoulder, so I paired off with Logan once again. We volunteered to go up the stairs first and see if we could bait the SAF into giving their position away. Chris gave us the okay and I went back into a classroom to grab a chair. Logan raised an eyebrow at me but his quizzical expression soon melted into one of mirth. He knew what I was planning and gave me the thumbs up that he was ready. We reached the third floor and peered down the hall. There was no one waiting for us, I motioned to the door which had a sign above it that said “teachers’ offices” and Logan raised his gun. I opened the door and slid the chair into the room. Gunfire pelted the chair, highlighting the location of four SAF soldiers. Logan and I fired down on the Reds before they had realized that the chair was a decoy. I could hear behind me the sound of gunfire in the other rooms which quickly died out as our other two person squads efficiently eliminated all resistance.

It was strange, we had expected to fight a lot more Reds but it appeared that the main force stationed at the high school had fled. There was only one room left to sweep, the principal’s office. I readied my gun as Logan prepared to open the door but before he could turn the knob, it swung open with a violent thud, knocking Logan off balance. An SAF commando rushed out with knife drawn and attacked Logan. I couldn’t shoot for fear of hitting my teammate and tried helplessly to pull the commando off of Logan. Metal met flesh as the blade sliced Logan’s face, but Logan was able to land a solid punch to the commando’s stomach, winding the Red commando.

We finally subdued the commando to the ground but he wasn’t going down without a fight. He told us that we would never find the prisoners and that we had already been defeated. I then heard the sound of a pin hitting the ground but didn’t comprehend what has happening at first. Logan recognized the threat, picked the commando up from the floor, and flung him inside the office before slamming the door shut. Logan then yelled at us to take cover, which we did, just before the grenade detonated. After the smoke had settled we explored the area more thoroughly and found signs of people being held here but they had been moved before our arrival. We had failed to liberate Isabella and withdrew back to the Midtown Manhattan Rebel Base in hopes of formulating a new plan.

Worth Fighting For - Entry X: On the Run

Worth Fighting For
Entry X: On the Run
Location: Midtown Manhattan
Date: Tuesday, November 4th, 2003

I was briskly walking down a bustling city street as snow descended on myself and the other passersby. Every window was illuminated with shimmering green and red lights; and I could hear carols playing faintly in the distance. I was in a hurry, not due to the nippy air, but because I had a destination to reach. There was a little jewelry shop just down the street and I had to make a stop there before I carried on to my dinner appointment. A bell chimed as I opened the door and a blast of warm air rushed past me. I winced at the sensation of warmth swirling around my frozen face. The jeweler gave me season’s greetings and inquired to what I was looking for. I replied that I was looking for a ring, an engagement ring.

The jeweler clapped his hands in excitement and congratulated me. He pulled out a tray of stunning rings from the glass cabinet and set it on a table for me to examine. It wasn’t difficult to find the perfect ring, I knew which one would fit her personality the instant I saw it. As the jeweler wrapped up my purchase, he asked when I was going to propose. I told him I would do it tonight at dinner and that I had been thinking about proposing for some time now. I finally felt like this was the right time and I had made my decision to do it earlier at work. The jeweler asked me what my soon-to-be fiancé’s name was and I hesitated, unsure of the answer. I car honked its horn outside which startled me. I told the jeweler that if I didn’t hurry, I would be late. He gave me a small paper bag, wished me good luck, and I thanked him for the help.

As I stepped outside to brave the cold once more, I couldn’t help but feel an ominous premonition rise inside of me. I raised my hand to hail an approaching taxi and shook my head as if I was shaking the uneasiness from my body. As the taxi pulled near me it began to accelerate rather than slow down. I put up my hand to will the taxi to stop but it only barreled down on me. I could see the driver now, he was a large man dressed in a military uniform but not one from this country. He wore an officer’s hat with a blazoned red star on it. The taxi swerved towards me and onto the sidewalk. I tried to jump out of the way but my feet were frozen to the ground. As the headlights blinded my sight, I could only brace myself for the impending impact. I could hear the roar of the engine and then the piercing clash of metal.

I bolted upright, dazed and uncertain of where I was. Steven gave me an apologetic smile as he picked up the coffee pot he had just knocked over. Daniil was sitting across from me, slouched against the concrete wall, his sleep undisturbed by the fallen coffee pot. Memories of past events flooded back to me, drug along by a skull splitting headache. We had been betrayed by the man we thought was Mr. Jones but who we found out was really Colonel Bulba, leader of the KGB. He had duped us all and manipulated Chris into assassinating his rival, General Tatarin. Now Bulba was in complete control of the SAF and had ordered an attack on our Manhattan Rebel Base. We had already lost Brooklyn and Chris’ brother in that attack, and now we found ourselves on the run with no sanctuary.

I gazed at my surroundings as I tried to quell the headache that threatened to take me back into the darkness. We were hiding out in one of the many abandoned office buildings in Midtown Manhattan. Maybe it was my return here that triggered the strange dream I had, or was it a dream at all? I wasn’t sure if it was a long forgotten memory of my past life or a moving picture my fragile mind conjured up. It did not matter, either way it was an image of a life that no longer existed. My mind wandered back to the attack on the base. I saw Chelly, Ryo, and Logan escape, or at least escape the initial attack. Reds had pursued them down the tunnels and I was unaware if they had survived or not. I never saw Charlie or Manny after I had spoken to them earlier that day. I hadn’t seen Phil or Isabella either, so there was no telling what happened to them.

I worried about Chris too, he had no idea that the base was now under the Reds’ control. I hoped that when he returned, he wasn’t captured or worse, killed. I knew we lost a lot of Resistance members during the attack as well. Nikolay had sacrificed himself so that we could make it out alive. The blast from all the grenades going off had knocked me off my feet and sent my head reeling. Kat had to almost carry me for us to escape. Kat! I struggled to get up to my feet, I hadn’t seen Kat when I woke up and I had to find her, but the pain in my head just made me pitch forward onto my side. Two pairs of arms reached in and hoisted me up to a sitting position, then leaned me against the wall again.

Steven gave me a concerned look but Kat’s face was streaked with anger. She scolded me, practically yelling at me, for being so stupid. She told me I had probably sustained another concussion from the impact my head took when we were fleeing the base. I hadn’t fully recovered from the first one I received courtesy of a Russian tank at the power plant. And to top it all off, my gunshot wounds from the warehouse district hadn’t fully healed either. I apologized for my foolishness but told her in my defense that I was just getting up to look for her. The last thing I remember was her trying to drag me out of the base and then nothing. I was concerned that she was either left behind, or worse, met the same fate as Nikolay and the others.

Kat’s face softened when she heard this but I could tell she was still irritated with me. And then her voice took a serious turn, she informed me that the second concussion I suffered probably caused significant damage. She was unsure if the headaches would ever go away. Then there was the sensitivity to sound and light, which had already had a significant impact on me. The proof was there with our last mission, twice I had succumbed to it. I knew Kat was concerned for my safety but I couldn’t help thinking there was an ulterior statement in her message to me. I was now a liability to our straggly squad. A light shining in my face or a grenade exploding near me could trigger an agonizing headache that would leave me crippled. I knew the others wouldn’t leave me to die and that was the issue, they would sacrifice themselves to try and save me. I couldn’t let that happen so when Kat told me to rest, I promised that I would, but in the back of my mind I began to formulate a plan.

Location: Midtown Manhattan
Date: Wednesday, November 5th, 2003

The sun wasn’t even up yet when Kat gently shook me awake. Reds were crawling all over Midtown in search of any remaining Freedom Fighters and we had to keep moving if we wanted to stay free. Daniil held my arm as I willed my unsteady legs to carry me. There was only numbness in my head and body and a thick fog seemed to cloud my thoughts. It was hard to collect myself so I just repeated my plan over and over again in my head. It took a few minutes but I was able to regain enough sense of equilibrium that I could stand on my own. Steven and Kat were collecting what few belongings we had. We had rifles for all of us, a few ammo clips but not enough for everyone, and a couple of radios. Everything else we used was hoarded from the empty offices. Steven took a few extra moments to hide our presence and then we left towards an unknown destination.

We weaved our way through alleyways and side streets, trying as best we could to not make any noise. It had snowed the night before and the sound of crunching snow beneath our boots echoed through the empty streets. Our progress was slow going, partly because of the snow but mostly because of me. Unexpectedly, we saw beams of light moving ahead of us. It was a Russian patrol, not more than five or six soldiers, but enough that we could not take them head on. We ducked into another alleyway as we tried to maneuver away from the Reds only to find ourselves facing another patrol.

We had two options, flee left or run right. Our group started to sprint down the left alleyway and I began to follow only to stop dead in my tracks. My squadmates realized I wasn’t with them and turned to look at me. I gave a short salute and then ran back in the other direction. It was too late for them to try and follow me; they had to flee without me. My plan had worked and the distraction I caused diverted the Red patrol towards me and away from my friends. I had vowed that I would not let them die because of me and instead I would sacrifice myself for their safety.

I was starting to run out of side streets and had to scurry around alleyways I had already been down previously. I was slightly impressed with myself that I could keep up this physical exertion for so long in my condition but I knew it wouldn’t last. And it didn’t as I quickly found myself on a dead end side street. I fired four rounds before I heard the click of the gun that indicated I had run out of bullets. The extra clips were carried by Kat and Steven so I had no other options. I raised my gun over my head and prepared to charge at my enemies when I heard the sound of gunfire and saw them drop dead in front of me. A masked and hooded figure appeared from behind the dead Reds, a rifle slung over the shoulders. The figure let out a laugh that echoed throughout the alleyway, it sounded strangely familiar. Then the hood was pulled back and the mask was removed revealing the face of a dear friend, Chris Stone had saved me.

Location: Midtown Manhattan Rebel Base
Date: Wednesday, November 5th, 2003

He led me into the sewers and to an abandoned maintenance room. There, a makeshift base had been set up with beds, supplies, and even a small table with a map of Governor’s Island on it. I couldn’t help but stare at the face of my friend. He had changed so much in the little time we had been apart. His hair was longer and stubble had grown on his face. His eyes had a sort of hollowness to them. He truly looked like a phantom now. He had always been a man on a mission ever since I had known him but now; it felt like his mission was more about revenge than about gaining freedom.

Then I saw the welcomed sight of a scruffy looking Phil Bagzton. He was standing next to a computer and its user, The Kid! I shouted his name when I saw the teen who had helped Chris and I on our very first mission. He gave us a big toothy grin and Phil tipped his hat as we approached. Then I heard someone call out my name and saw Kat, Steven, and Daniil sprinting towards us. Kat threw her arms around me and gave me a big hug before pulling away and punching me in the arm. I winced and let out a muffled wheeze; she had hit me hard and on my wounded side. Kat gasped and quickly apologized but the others just laughed. Daniil proclaimed that an entire Red army couldn’t kill the crazy writer. I had to correct him and told them all the story of how Chris rescued me.

Our happy reunion was short lived for we were all curious about what happened to Chris after Governor’s Island and the assassination of General Tatarin. He told us that he had returned to the Manhattan Rebel Base to find it overrun with SAF soldiers. Coronel Bulba was also there and was goading Chris into trying to kill him. Chris fought through dozens of Reds, chasing after Bulba, but the traitor escaped before he could catch him. From there, he had found the Kid, Phil, and a few other freedom fighters around Midtown Manhattan. The Kid knew about this abandoned maintenance room that wasn’t connected to the main sewer system so they had set up a temporary base to organize what was left of the Resistance. We also learned from Phil that Isabella had been captured again. This time, Bulba was planning on using her as bait to lure Chris out of hiding. We all knew something must be done but the Manhattan Resistance was a battered and broken shell of what it used to be. Luckily, the Kid had a plan.

Worth Fighting For - Entry IX: In Remembrance

Worth Fighting For
Entry IX: In Remembrance
Location: Manhattan Rebel Base
Date: Monday, October 27th, 2003

Once again I found myself waking up to the sensation of pain. This time it was more than just my head but my left shoulder and right leg as well. I opened my eyes and saw Kat looking down at me. Déjà vu all over again, I thought to myself. I asked her what I had missed and if everyone was okay. She told me that I had been out for three days and a lot of things had happened. Chris and Steven were able to drag me out safely. Phil had cleared the way for our escape and almost everyone made it back. I gave her a concerned look and she only shook her head. Arthur was shot in the back as we were escaping and was killed. Logan and Ryo had taken his death pretty hard but were physically fine. Everyone else made it out with minimal injuries as well.

The news didn’t get any better. When we returned back to base, the SAFN was reporting that they had captured the Brooklyn Rebel Base, and with it, Troy Stone. Chris had arrived in time to see the Russian news network showing Troy’s torture. They even forced Troy to make a public address denouncing the Freedom Phantom and all those in the Manhattan Resistance. Instead, he refused and called for every American to stand up and fight against the Russian invaders. He had cried out for Chris to stay strong and continue fighting no matter what. That “no matter what” happened moments later when General Tatarin executed Troy Stone live on television. I couldn’t believe it; we had sacrificed so much to retake Brooklyn, only to lose it now. Kat reassured me that Chris, Isabella, Phil, and Mr. Jones were all working on a strategy to, her voice trailed off. She knew just as I did that we were at the end of our rope and running out of options.

Location: Manhattan Rebel Base
Date: Tuesday, October 28th, 2003

With the assistance of Kat, I was able to hobble my way to the command center where Chris, Isabella, Phil, and Mr. Jones were waiting. They had come up with the basis of a plan and wanted my opinion. Mr. Jones was able to procure schematics of Governor’s Island Naval Base, the headquarters for General Tatarin and the brain center of the Soviet Armed Forces. He felt that the only way for us to turn the tide was to assassinate Tatarin. Phil was all for this plan, he wanted revenge for the murders of Troy and every Freedom Fighter we lost at the Brooklyn Rebel Base but Isabella cautioned patience. After all, this was Governor’s Island, highly protected by the Reds best soldiers and weapons.

I suggested a surgical strike. If Mr. Jones’ intel was correct, we would be able to sneak a small team onto the island without alerting the patrols. Isabella supported my suggestion, stating that we had been successful using this tactic before. We were no army, but a small highly skilled team could successfully complete the mission. Phil instantly volunteered but was vetoed by Mr. Jones. Phil was exasperated by this and demanded to know why he couldn’t go but Mr. Jones flatly stated that Chris needed to go alone. We all looked at him in shock but he seemed to ignore our concern and continued outlining his plan. If we sent Chris with a large boat filled with even a handful of fighters, they would instantly draw the attention of the Reds. But Chris was the best sniper we had and if he went alone, along with the best sniper rifle we had, he would be able to locate Tatarin and assassinate him before anyone even knew he was there.

Phil was the first to speak, calling it a suicide mission. Isabella agreed that sending in one operative alone left little room for mistakes. I also voiced dissent stating that he would have no back up if he got into trouble let alone extracting him safely if he succeeded. It was Chris who subdued our concerns and stated that he agreed with Mr. Jones’ plan. We were all hesitant but we knew there was no changing Chris’ mind once he had made a decision. We nodded our agreement with reluctance and the others began working on the minute details of the operation. Chris took me aside to thank me for my help and to wish me a speedy recovery. I could only voice my displeasure that I would not be able to help him this time around. I shook his hand before I left, thinking in the back of my mind that I might not ever see him again.

Location: Manhattan Rebel Base
Date: Sunday, November 2nd, 2003

Chris Stone, the feared Freedom Phantom, had already departed for Governor’s Island. There was a solemn air around the base as everyone knew how dire a mission he was on. The details weren’t widely shared but we all knew that Chris was going in alone, via boat, would try to breach the perimeter of the naval yard and slowly work his way to a sniping position near the barracks. There was always a helicopter patrolling the base as well as half a dozen large watchtowers encircling the entire base. It was a daunting task but if anyone could succeed, it would be Chris. This mission was imperative as well; the death of General Tatarin would cause a power vacuum within the Soviet hierarchy that could lead to a possible collapse altogether. All we could do was wait and watch SAFN for any reports on Chris’ success or worse, his failure.

I couldn’t just sit around and wait for news though, I had to do something. A lot of people were in low spirits so I hoped that I could try and take their minds off of everything, at least for a time. I sought out my fellow teammates, hoping to chat with them for a while. It surprised me how little I knew about all of them even though I trusted each and every one of them with my life. My journalistic instincts had been replaced with a fighter’s will but now that I had time to spare, I felt compelled to document as much as I could about these people who were writing history in front of my very eyes.

I spotted Charlie Raider in our weapons area, taking apart a rifle and cleaning it. She was the first freed POW to join Chris’ team. Phil and Miguel had rescued her near the Brooklyn Hotel and she didn’t waste any time in joining us at the Brooklyn Harbor to fight. She was injured during that mission as well and was sidelined for some time because of it. When she had finally healed, Chris’ team was already in the field so she helped out with Phil’s team until she could rejoin us on our first mission to the Manhattan Warehouse District.

I didn’t know much about her except that she was extremely good with a gun. We started to chat and I began asking what her life was like before the invasion. She was hesitant to answer at first, maybe because she didn’t want to think about the past or maybe she couldn’t remember it in detail. My own past seemed more like a dream than a life I had lived. She told me she was the youngest and only girl in her family. Her three brothers made sure that she was as tough and rumble as they were. When she was old enough, she worked at her family’s restaurant as a waitress and then as a bartender. I didn’t ask if her family members were still alive, it was an impossible question to answer for so many here.

I asked if she had known Manny Perez and Tony Ramos long. They were both POWs in the same camp she was at and were also rescued by Phil and Miguel. Manny was killed by machine gun fire at the Brooklyn Fire Station. Tony was the latest team member we lost, when he sacrificed himself so that we could escape the Manhattan Power Plant. She shook her head and said that she had never met them before. Charlie didn’t know much about them either. She thought Manny was an electrician and was married but she wasn’t sure. She told me Tony had mentioned a sister a few times and how he worked at the same office as her. Lawyer, accountant, maybe a tax consultant, something “corporate like,” Charlie answered. It was saddening to realize how little we knew about our fellow freedom fighters. We had fought together for months and I was there when both of them made the ultimate sacrifice. I would make sure that what we did know about them would not be forgotten, that they were heroes.

I found Steven, Daniil, and Nikolay playing a game of basketball, or at least something like it since they only had a trashcan and a deflated soccer ball. They asked if I wanted to join and I shook my head, I was still too sore to do anything that rigorous. I did stay to watch the “game” and participate in the small stalk. Steven Ryan was the other POW from Charlie’s group. He was the last prisoner to be brought into the camp before they were rescued so he didn’t even know any of their names when he joined us. The only thing I knew about Steven was that he was from the West Coast and was an only child. Other than that, he was pretty mum about his past life.

Daniil Goldobin and Nikolay Tarasov were quite the talkers though. They were SAF soldiers about to be executed before Chris intervened. We found them near the Brooklyn Hotel and they were instrumental in helping us accomplish our mission. We were wary of them at first but they quickly proved their loyalty. Though Daniil and Nikolay weren’t siblings, they had grown up together, went to school together, played on the same hockey team, and enlisted at the same time. They thought their cause was just until they saw the brutality of the invasion. When they were ordered to kill innocent children, they had refused, which was when they were sentenced to death. Daniil and Nikolay both had a love of mobster movies and would often quote various lines, in their thick Russian accents. Neither one were very homesick, stating that there wasn’t much of a home to go back to.

I found Miguel Bishop reading a book a few yards from the others. I went over to him and inquired if he would be willing to answer a few questions. He set the book down and gave me his undivided attention. Miguel, along with Billy Hurst, was the first Resistance member to follow Chris. They helped us take over the Brooklyn Post Office early in the war. Billy was killed during our failed attempt to free the POWs in the Manhattan Warehouse District. His death had hit us all very hard. I asked Miguel what he did before the invasion and how he knew Billy. Miguel answered that he and Billy had run an auto repair garage together. They both met when they were in college and both had a love of cars. They decided to put aside their initial plans, Manny was to be a computer tech and Billy a dentist, and start a business of their own. I laughed when I heard that Billy was originally going to be a dentist. Miguel chuckled too, stating that Billy used to get queasy when he saw needles.

Chelly Ouma, Ryo Ouma, and Logan Torres were eating at the cantina. I approached the group and said my condolences for Arthur Mays. Logan thanked me and told me that he had been Arthur’s partner for three years. The two of them were security guards for the power plant. I asked Logan if he knew much about Arthur’s life before the war and he told me that Arthur was divorced and only saw his daughter every other weekend. Arthur was also a big sports fan so the two of them used to watch the games often. Logan told me that Arthur was the only person he considered to be family. Chelly and Ryo Ouma were both power plant workers and had just recently gotten married. They were planning on taking their honeymoon the week after we were invaded. Both had family in the Midwest who they hoped to try and locate when this was over. As they talked about their family, I couldn't help but think this war was never going to end.

I went to Phil’s tent to see if I could find him but he wasn’t there. When I came out, I ran into Katherine Cutter, and she asked if I needed any help. I asked her if she knew where Phil was but she only shrugged. Phil wasn’t the type that could sit still, especially if he was worried, so we both knew he was out making trouble somewhere. I then asked Kat if she had some time to talk. She said yes and we proceeded to sit down near the makeshift basketball court to watch the game. I first met Kat during the Manhattan Movie Theater operation when she was a member of Phil’s team and was assigned to assist Chris with the navigation of the area. She was so effective that after the mission, she was permanently assigned to our team and had been with us ever since.

I posed a few questions about her life before the invasion. She was the oldest of three girls and was tasked with taking care of her sisters while their mother worked. That responsibility instilled a need to help people so when she graduated from high school, she went to college to study nursing. I asked her how she got roped in with Phil and she chuckled. She was an aid worker at one of the civilian camps and had helped a member of Phil’s team. He had asked her to join the Resistance to provide medical support but soon she had proven herself as a capable fighter too. She stated that she had been following him around since then but was happy to help Chris and myself out now. I was about to query further when I heard Chelly shouting for us to hurry to the television.

The familiar voice of Tatiana Kempinski crackled over the speakers and static filled images of Governor’s Island appeared on the screen. She reported the tragic news that General Tatarin had been assassinated by the Freedom Phantom on Governor’s Island. We all cheered but then fell silent as we listened for more information. She stated that the Freedom Phantom had escaped but that the Resistance had been defeated and the SAF had achieved ultimate victory. We all looked at each other trying to understand what she was saying. Then the feed cut to an image of Colonel Bulba as he made an acceptance speech, becoming the new leader of the Soviet Armed Forces. It was the first time we had seen Colonel Bulba on television but not the first time I had seen him for I knew him by another name, Mr. Jones.

The shock was only momentary because before I could reveal who he really was to everyone, a loud explosion rocked the base. The SAFN news feed cut out and we were all stunned by blast. That was when I realized what was happening, I shouted at everyone to grab a weapon and flee the base, we were under direct attack. Mr. Jones was a traitor; he had been playing us this entire time. The Soviets knew our exact location and had been waiting for the opportune moment to kill us off. Bulba had checkmated us, not only did he orchestrate Chris killing off his rival, but now he would look like a hero to his people for eliminating the entire Resistance. I wasn’t about to let that happen.

We scattered like leaves in the wind, racing to grab weapons and gear as the Reds broke through the tunnels. I saw Logan, Chelly, and Ryo make it out one exit before the Reds descended down the same path. Kat, Daniil, and Steven were with me heading for a northern exit. I whipped my head in every direction to see if I could spot Charlie and Miguel but to no avail. I noticed we were missing another member of our team, Nikolay wasn’t with us. I searched until I finally spied him near the weapons area; he was holding a large wooden crate. I heard Daniil screaming for him to run but Nikolay just gave him a sad little smile. It was then I realized what he was holding, a crate filled with grenades. He had one in his hand and waited for the Reds to approach him before he dropped it at his feet. It only took a few seconds, the blast dropped me to my knees and slammed my head against the concrete floor. Kat had to practically pick me up to get me moving again. When I looked back at our base, all I could see was black smoke seeping through the place we called home. There was nothing left we could do; we were now fugitives on the run.

Worth Fighting For - Entry VIII: If at First You Don’t Succeed

Worth Fighting For
Entry VIII: If at First You Don’t Succeed
Location: Manhattan Rebel Base
Date: Monday, October 20th, 2003

Pain. That was the first thing I remembered feeling. Then there was a pounding in my head like a jackhammer and a ringing in my ears that made me feel like I was standing inside of a church bell. I recalled trying to move my limbs and then questioning if I even had limbs. I almost believed that I had no body at all and consisted only of pain. That’s when I heard a voice call my name. As I finally regained my senses, I opened my eyes and saw Kat leaning over me. She told me I had been unconscious for a couple of days and that the explosion didn’t do any real damage but that I’d be groggy for some time. I was confused, I couldn’t think clearly and then it all came back to me. We had destroyed the Manhattan Power Plant and were trying to escape via the monorail tracks, only to have a Soviet tank show up. Tony had stayed behind so that the rest of us could live. Chris and I had been the last ones to reach the tracks and had been caught in the explosive fire from the tank. I muttered Tony’s name and Kat just shook her head solemnly. I knew he was gone but it was still too hard to comprehend.

Then my mind shifted to Chris and I bolted upright in bed only to be hit with a wave of nausea. Kat gently pushed me back down and chided me for trying to sit up in my current state. I grabbed her hand and asked about Chris’ condition. She assured me that he was fine and was already up and walking a bit. Though Chris’ hearing had not recovered yet, he had overcome most of the headaches and nausea that the blast had caused. I relaxed knowing that our leader was still alive because as long as he lived, our hope to reclaim our nation lived on as well.

Location: Manhattan Rebel Base
Date: Thursday, October 23rd, 2003

It had taken me a few more days to recover, and I still wasn’t at one hundred percent. The nausea had passed but I was still touched with throbbing headaches and an annoying drone in my ears. Yet, I wasn’t about to let these minor ailments keep me out of action. I approached our usual meeting room to find Chris, but before I entered I could hear him laughing with Isabella. It was a rare sound indeed, so I left the two alone and decided to talk over our next mission with Phil. We did just that and presented our ideas to Chris and Isabella, once the opportunity presented itself, and got the stamp of approval from them.

We knew from recent scouting reports that the Reds had pooled all their troops to the warehouse district. The POWs were still being held on the east side of the district, heavily guarded by watchtowers and an electrical fence. While we had cut power to the district by destroying the transformer tower, Chelly informed us that Ryo and the prisoners were probably forced to jury-rig a generator to create the electric perimeter. Isabella also had intelligence from Mr. Jones that stated the SAF’s forward operations base was on the west side of the district. Our plan was to split Chris’ team into two separate squads and attack both objectives while Phil’s team worked on getting us an exit. After all, the Manhattan Warehouse District was right in the heart of Soviet controlled territory. We had attacked it once and failed, we all knew that we could not fail again.

Location: Manhattan Warehouse District
Date: Friday, October 24th, 2003

It was barely past midnight when we assembled on the outskirts of the warehouse district. Chris was taking Miguel, Charlie, Daniil, and Nikolay with him to assault the forward operations base to the west. I would be taking Steven, Kat, and Chelly to the east side of the district, with the mission to rescue the POWs held captive there. Before we left for our destination, I had a quick chat with Chelly. I told her that I understood her personal stake in this mission but stressed that she needed to follow commands and work as a team if we were going to be successful. She acknowledged my concerns and I committed that we would rescue her husband and the other imprisoned power plant workers.

We scurried like rats through the labyrinth of the warehouse district, avoiding patrolling soldiers and cargo trucks. It appeared that the Reds were transporting munitions and supplies from other outposts here to the warehouse district. Or maybe it was the other way around; it was hard to tell with all the activity in the district. Either way, we still had our mission and staying hidden from the enemy was imperative. We hadn’t heard any signs of a gunfight so I was optimistic that Chris was succeeding in his mission as well. Granted, my ears still rang with the aftermath of the explosion, that every so often I thought I heard the whizz of bullets only to realize that it was all in my head.

We carried on, still heading west in hopes that we would spot the prisoners before we were spotted by the Reds. Steven was leading the squad while Kat was guarding our backs. Suddenly, Steven signaled us to stop and we all dropped to one knee. He motioned to his ears but I couldn’t hear anything above the hum of my own. It wasn’t until Chelly mouthed the words “fence” to me, that I understood what Steven had heard. Crouching, I slowly inched my way to the edge of the building and peeked out from around the corner. I could see a large fence enclosing five people inside. There were two watchtowers with a soldier in each and four more Reds on the ground. I drew up the plan quickly; Steven and Kat would flank the towers while Chelly and I remained at our current position. Steven and Kat were the better shots and I knew they were the best choice to task with taking care of the watchtowers.

We waited for everyone to get into position. I could see Kat from where Chelly and I were stationed but Steven was out of sight. I counted down with hand signals to try and coordinate our attack as best we could. At the last signal, I rolled out from cover and opened fire. My bullets hit one Red squarely in the chest but only grazed the other. The din of the bullets instigated an extreme pain in my head which caused me to lose balance and soon I had dropped to one knee. I tried to regain my poise and eliminate the Red I had wounded before he did the same to me but my vision was whirling and my shot missed wildly. Kat’s aim was steady though and she was able to take out the Red who was bearing down on me.

We had succeeded in clearing the prisoner camp of SAF soldiers. I motioned for Steven to help Chelly disarm the electric fence and free the prisoners. I tried to regain my footing but stumbled to the ground again. Kat grabbed my arm and helped steady me as the world around me finally stopped spinning. She gave me a concerned look but I waved her off and told her I was fine. The POWs were our main concern now. There were five of them in total, two injured enough that they could not walk on their own. Chelly had an emotional reunion with her husband, Ryo, while Kat and Steven helped the two injured prisoners to their feet. The other two prisoners approached me and introduced themselves as Logan Torres and Arthur Mays. Logan and Arthur were security guards at the power plant before they had been captured. They both picked up guns from the fallen Reds and affirmed to me that they could handle a weapon. Great, we needed the additional firepower. Ryo also armed himself as we prepared to rendezvous with Phil’s team.

I had Steven and Kat run point as Chelly and Ryo helped the injured POWs. I took up the rear with Logan and Arthur. We knew from Mr. Jones’ intelligence reports that there was a sewer entrance not far from our location. Phil’s team should already be there, keeping it clear of enemies for our arrival. Our escape was surprising calm and at one point it felt like I was taking a quiet stroll down the city streets, just like I had done before the Russian invasion. We reached our destination and Phil was there just as planned. As the injured were being helped to safety, I questioned Phil on the other facets of our mission. After all, Chris’ squad should already be assaulting the forward operations base. Phil stated that everything was going smoothly and that he would keep the Reds occupied while my squad regrouped with Chris.

As if appearing on cue, a SAF patrol opened fired on us. We all dove for cover as quickly as we could. I found myself hiding behind a large brick planter box with Phil while the rest of the Resistance members were scattered around us. When there was a break in gunfire, I whipped up over the planter box and shot off a few rounds of my own. My aim was awfully off the mark as my vision once again swirled. I hoped Chris didn’t have the residual symptoms I had, he was a much more effective fighter but even he could not overcome this with sheer will. Phil’s team was quite capable of finding its targets and soon the Reds were being pushed back. I motioned to Phil and pointed back at the warehouse district. He knew what I was thinking and with a sly grin; he jumped out of cover and yelled at his team to “give the Reds everything you’ve got.” I signaled for my squad to follow me as we scurried back towards the warehouse labyrinth.

This time stealth wasn’t the objective but speed was. We needed to rendezvous with Chris and the others before they were overrun. Seconds mattered and I was going to make sure we weren’t late. Soon, we could hear the sounds of a gunfight, no it sounded more like a full blown battle. There must have been over a dozen Reds attacking Chris’s squad and more seemed to pour out of every crevasse in the district. As we raced forward, we all realized that we had flanked the Red soldiers and were in striking position. I could see Chris and Charlie to the left of me as a group of Reds tried to outmaneuver them. I quickly called for Steven to follow me while the rest held their positions. We engaged the Reds and eliminated them proficiently. Chris gave me a slight nod and a smile as we reached his side. I told him that there were three more Freedom Fighters with me and to watch out for them. Chris updated us on the status of their objective, the forward operations base had been destroyed but in doing so, they had drawn the attention of every Red left in the district. I told him that Phil was working on our exit and that we needed to get moving before we were overrun.

I left the safety of the wall that we were using for cover first, spraying bullets as I went along and Chris followed close behind. Then in an instant I heard Chris shouting at me. I didn’t comprehend what he was saying until I saw a grenade roll past me. I was able to find shelter in an alleyway before the blast hit me but the concussive sound triggered a searing headache. Once again my world began to spin like I was in a blender. Every sound seemed to blur together from bullets to people shouting. I staggered out from the alleyway, still trying to collect myself. I remember Chris motioning for me to get down, as I was still standing upright, how I don’t know. But I couldn’t get my mind focused enough to command my body to move. I just stood there, motionless until I felt the hot searing heat of metal as it ripped through my skin. My body dropped to the ground and I felt myself being drawn into the black abyss once more. The last thing I recall thinking was that surely this time I really would die.

Worth Fighting For - Entry VII: In Defiance

Entry VII: In Defiance
Location: Manhattan Movie Theater
Date: Friday, October 17th, 2003

We didn’t rest long before we were on the move again. Chris, myself, Miguel, Charlie, Steven, Tony, Daniil, and Nikolay refreshed our supplies and then headed to the Manhattan Movie Theater. It was there that the Soviets grounded their fleet of helicopters. That fleet created a protective hold around the power plant. Chris hoped that grounding the air patrols would allow us to reach the power plant and strike the fatal blow. Phil, successful with his previous mission, was holding a barricaded position in front of the movie theater. He would keep the SAF busy while Chris sneaked the team into the vacant field behind the theater where the Red air fleet was kept.

We crept through dark alleys towards the movie theater, silently killing the few patrolling soldiers. We were only a few blocks away from the theater when we heard the fighting between Phil’s team and the Reds. Chris motioned up towards a fire escape on a nearby building. With the intelligence we received from Mr. Jones, Chris knew that we could climb up to the roof and make our way by rooftop to the back of the theater. Most of the SAF guards were down on the ground, so we should have little resistance taking this route.

We ascended the rickety fire escape as quietly as we could. It led us to the top floor of the building but no farther because the upper portion of the ladder was destroyed. Chris and I propped open the window and ushered Tony and Nikolay inside. Without a sound, they neutralized two Reds while the rest of the team swept the floor for any other enemies. When we reached the rooftop, Chris pulled out his high powered sniper rifle, it was similar to the one he used when we attacked the Brooklyn Harbor and he had already proved then that he was deftly suited to the weapon. Chris took point and scouted our path ahead. We would have to use wood planks to bridge the gaps between buildings, but it was doable, as long as you weren’t afraid of heights.

It took a bit of weaving and winding around the rooftops to reach the movie theater but we eventually made it. Looking down from our position, we could see Phil and his team still battling with the Reds in front of the theater. Nikolay wanted to open fire but Chris had ordered us not to engage the enemy. We needed the element of surprise and firing now would just give away our position. We snaked around rooftop vents and debris until we could see the open field that housed the SAF air fleet. The guards were quite relaxed even though we all could hear the sounds of the battle raging in front of the movie theater. We scurried into position, making sure not to be seen or heard and then waited for the signal.

The loud boom of Chris’ sniper rifle ripped through the air and a Red standing next to a chopper fell to the ground, dead. We all joined in, aiming carefully so that we would hit our targets. Our barrage of gunfire couldn’t have lasted more than a few minutes. We easily eliminated the two dozen or so SAF soldiers in the now empty field. We climbed down the fire escape and I handed Chris a bag of C4. The rest of us stayed back, safe from the blast, and waited for Chris to plant the explosives and return to us. He led the team down an alley towards the side of the theater, then he pushed the detonator and sent the Soviet air fleet up in flames.

As we ran towards the front of the theater, we saw Phil and another soldier coming towards us. He informed Chris that the explosion caused the Reds to scamper back into the theater. Phil was going to lead his team and assault the front of the theater but recommended that we try and fight our way through the back. He introduced his companion as Katherine Cutter, or Kat for short, who was familiar with the layout of the theater and would be able to lead Chris to the upper levels so he could eliminate the officers who resided there. After quick introductions Kat led Chris and the rest of us to the back entrance of the theater while Phil rejoined his group for what we hoped was the final assault.

We sneaked in quietly and with Kat as our guide; we were able to make it to the upper levels of the theater without being noticed. Once there, we eliminated the remaining officers, reached the rooftop, and replaced their flag with ours. The Manhattan Movie Theater was now in the Resistance’s hands. Phil and his team made short work of the lingering Red soldiers while Chris and I searched for any intelligence that might be helpful. Isabella and her team made a surprise appearance and she conveyed her disappointment for being late to the party. She did have surveillance of the warehouse district and informed Chris that the SAF had added floodlights and electric fencing all around the perimeter. We now had no choice but to attack the power plant if we wanted any chance of rescuing the POWs.

Worth Fighting For
Location: Manhattan Power Plant
Date: Saturday, October 18th, 2003

With food, rest, and Isabella’s information; we were now prepared to attack the Manhattan Power Plant. Isabella had recommended that we focus on the transformer tower, destroying it would cut power to the warehouse district, allowing us to finally rescue the prisoners being held there. There were nine of us in total now, including Chris. Miguel had been one of the first to follow Chris, along with Billy who we lost in the last mission. Charlie was the first POW to lend aid to our cause with Steven and Tony following close behind. Daniil and Nikolay were SAF soldiers until they refused to slaughter innocents. They were to be executed but Chris rescued them in time and they have followed him since. Kat was the newest member who joined our team with Phil’s blessing. Though no one wanted to admit it, we needed a replacement for Billy and she had proven to be a capable fighter.

Our goal was to use the monorail tracks which ran above a portion of the power plant as our entry point. It was dark and the autumn air nipped at any skin that was exposed. We had to navigate down a side street and go under the monorail overpass before we could reach the maintenance ladder that would get us to the tracks. We encountered little resistance and quickly made our way to the tracks above us. Isabella and Phil were both leading their own teams on separate operations which occupied the majority of the Soviet forces in the area. After traversing along the tracks for some time, Chris split the team in two. He, myself, Tony, and Kat would locate the transformer tower while Miguel, Charlie, Steven, Daniil, and Nikolay blew up the power lines. Chris hoped that with both destroyed, it would be near impossible for the SAF to repair the damage. After a few quick orders from Chris we split up with Miguel leading his squad down a maintenance ladder and Chris leading us further down the tracks.

The monorail tracks ran parallel to the backside of the power plant, giving us an easy access point to our target, or so we thought. When we left the tracks and climbed down to ground level, we found that the entire plant was protected by an electric fence. Chris located the power source but the only way to diffuse the fence was to blow it up. There goes our element of surprise. We still had plenty of C4 left from our raid on the diner a few missions back and Chris wasn’t hesitant to use it. We scampered to cover while Chris blew up a hole in the fence, large enough to get us all through. An alarm began to sound but we realized that it was coming from the other side of the plant. Miguel and his squad must have attacked the main gate, which meant that we needed to move quickly.

It wasn’t hard to locate the transformer tower but we were surprised to see it so heavily guarded when the main gate of the power plant was being attacked. We all broke formation and found cover behind concrete pylons before returning fire. Kat yelled out that there was a civilian with the Reds. I peered down the sights of my gun and saw that she was right. A woman dressed in what looked like a power plant uniform was cowering near a large wall. I could see a tool bag nearby, with tools strewn across the ground. She must have been doing repairs to the transformer tower before we had arrived. Now the stakes had changed, we controlled our rate of fire and carefully chose our targets.

After we had eliminated the enemy and secured the area, Chris helped the woman to her feet and asked her to tell us what happened. She told us her name was Chelly Ouma and that she and her husband, Ryo, worked at the Manhattan Power Plant. The Reds captured them and had been using them to maintain the plant. She begged us to rescue her husband and the other prisoners who were being held in the Manhattan Warehouse District. Chris stated that their rescue was our next mission but before we could help them, we had to disable the transformer tower. She showed Chris where to plant the explosives to ensure that the tower would be destroyed. As we headed to a safe distance, Chelly grabbed a gun from a dead SAF soldier. We all gave her a skeptical look but she said she was quite familiar with the use of firearms and that there was no way we were going to stop her from joining us. There was no arguing with a woman with a gun so Chris detonated the explosives and we hurried to meet up with Miguel and the others.

We killed the remaining opposition as we ran through the power plant towards the main gate. There were only a handful of soldiers in the plant as most had left to either pursue Phil’s and Isabella’s teams or to fight off the assault from Miguel and company. His squad was already inside the plant and they were clearing the way for us to exit via the main gate. We kept moving and hurried towards safety. The alarms had been blaring the entire time and now the engines of Soviet transport trucks could be heard in the distance. We ran as fast as we could onto the main road and towards the monorail overpass. The Reds were gaining on us though and soon shots were being fired at our backs. Heavy reinforcements had arrived and now it seemed like the entire Soviet army was chasing us.

Miguel reached the maintenance ladder for the monorail tracks first and helped Nikolay and Daniil up. Charlie and Steven were next, followed by Chelly. I called out to Miguel and motioned to the tracks. He realized what I was trying to say and raced up the ladder. Once above us, he organized the others up on the tracks to lay down suppressing fire, buying the rest of us time to reach safety. But the Red reinforcements were too numerous and it was only a matter of time before we were overrun. As the others straggled in behind me, I helped Kat up the ladder. She hesitated a moment and told me she was afraid of heights, which I quickly responded that she should hate bullets more. I scampered up the ladder behind her and joined in the effort to suppress the Reds.

Chris and Tony were the last ones to the ladder. A Soviet bullet grazed Tony in the leg, staggering him for a moment. Chris stopped and was about to help when Tony quickly got to his feet and yelled at Chris to get to safety. Chris was reaching the ladder when I heard Charlie shout for them to hurry. I looked down the road just in time to see a Soviet tank pull to a stop. Its turret slowly began to aim at us. We had to fall back down the tracks or we would all be killed. I grabbed Chris’ arm and hoisted him up. Chris turned around quickly and reached his hand down to Tony but no one was on the ladder. Tony looked at us and gave a small shrug; it was too late for him. With the injury to his leg he would never be able to climb the ladder in time. He gave a salute to Chris before he turned and began walking towards the Reds. Chris pulled me and we began to run but I looked back for a moment to see Tony firing at fifty SAF soldiers. Tony Ramos, the lone freedom fighter standing in defiance and making the ultimate sacrifice. Suddenly, there was an earsplitting din and a burst of heat as I felt molten air and debris fly by me… then there was only darkness.