Chapter 28: The Narrow Margin

I rolled onto my side, fumbling for the radio handset while bullets kicked up plumes of dust around me. "All Stations, this is Lion 6-Romeo! Requesting immediate Close Air Support! Grid 88-12-94! Danger close!"

"Negative, 6-Romeo," the controller’s voice crackled back. "Birds are ten minutes out. You’re on your own."

"Ten minutes is too long!" I yelled.

I looked at James. He was pinned, unable to return fire without exposing himself to the sniper. The Architect was getting away, disappearing into the dark mouth of a cave system across the draw.

"I’m going to draw his fire!" I shouted to James.

"No! Ramírez, stay down!"

I didn't listen. I couldn't. I stood up and sprinted toward a secondary outcrop ten meters away. It was a suicide run. I felt the wind of a bullet pass my ear, another tugging at the fabric of my sleeve. I dove into the rocks, my shoulder slamming into the stone with a sickening pop.

But it worked. The sniper shifted his focus to me, giving James the opening he needed. He leaned out and fired a controlled pair from his M4. A muffled cry echoed across the draw as the sniper tumbled from his perch.

"Ramírez!" James was over the rocks and at my side in a second. He didn't care about the remaining insurgents. He grabbed my vest and hauled me into the shadows of the rocks. "Are you hit? Talk to me!"

"I'm fine," I panted, clutching my shoulder. "Just... my arm."

He didn't listen. He began frantically checking me for holes, his hands shaking. He saw the tear in my sleeve, the white skin beneath now smeared with dirt and blood. His eyes met mine, and for the first time, the Commander was completely gone. There was only Charles.