It has been a good two years since I last saw Strickland. I had the opportunity to learn how to navigate an array of US tanks with him - for situations where such skills are required. I had to italicize opportunity because Strickland is true to his name. You basically learn things his way, which is the only way, or you are out. He is one strict leader.
In fact, before Aztec came into our Delta team, we had a guy named Gary Mannville - who we called Omega or Omega-man. Omega-man really never fit into our group's persona and clashed heavily with Major Strickland. Omega learned all about the US tanks via the simulator back in New Jersey, so he figured the time with Strickland was a total waste. What made matters worse, is that he planned his own agenda for the training - which contradicted with Major Strickland.
Needless to say, Omega-man left our group and the Delta Force two years ago. The last I heard, he was heading up security for some Fortune 2000 company in the southwest part of the USA. That event turned out to be really great news, since we ended up with Aztec - who was a much better fit to our team.
Crud. I just remembered that Aztec is gone ... just like Jester and Prophet. It's just me and Psycho now. Psycho and I caught up with Major Strickland to get our orders.
There was a tunnel heading through the mountain before us. The door had been jammed shut. The first agenda for Major Strickland was to bust a hole into that opening and get on the other side of that mountain.
My training two years ago was now getting ready to be put into action. Had you asked me if I would be using this training when I was air dropped onto this island, I would have probably laughed - then reminded you that this was a simple rescue mission. Now, a few days into the mission, I am now wondering if I will remember how to drive and use these tanks.
Strickland said this training would stay with you forever. At first, I didn't believe him. Then, I remembered the continuous long days that spanned a few months back in 2018. Those months were painful. Those months were worth it, because I do remember as I began to drive the tank!
After exiting the tunnel in my own tank, I saw another war in the valley below. What amazes me is how serious the KPA are about keeping us away from our scientists! I've come to realize that if I am not facing heavy action, then we are probably no longer on the right path.
Explosions continued to rock the island as the first wave of tanks pushed into the area. Strickland had me go in second, in order to let me get used to the controls of the tank. His last words to me before leaving the tunnel were, "This is a ten million dollar tank, rookie. Don't destroy it in the first five minutes of battle!" I sure hope I can keep this tank in tact for at least a mile or two. That might be tough, because this is going to be wicked!
I pulled off the rail line, because I figured that is the path the KPA would expect me to remain on into the area. I was able to sneak up on a KPA tank, if that's what you call what I am doing in this huge hunk of lead. Before the gunner could get a fix on my position, I launched two shells directly into the rear of the tank. The explosion was captured on my Heads-up display.
More tanks covered the area. Our mission is to eventually wind up at a train station, but for now, Team Idaho must neutralize the area. Explosions continue to litter the area as we picked out the enemy tanks one by way. I also used my machine guns on the tank to eliminate KPA soldiers armed with rocket launchers.
I noted the positions of the rocket launchers for future reference.
I found a road leading back up to the train tracks. As I expected, the KPA had destroyed the rail line and setup a road block complete with a tank and rocket launchers heading toward the track. I was able to eliminate the tank, but in the process my tank was heavily damaged. On foot, I managed to destroy the KPA soldiers holding the rocket launchers and secure the area.
Now on foot, I needed to head toward the rail station that needed to be secured. By my count, I made it about five miles in the tank. That's 150% longer than I expected. I don't think Strickland will be happy, though.
As I walked toward the rail station, I noticed a huge mountain in front of me. I did not recall ever seeing such a strange looking rock formation.
When I zoomed in with my binoculars, I noticed a section of the the rock had a bluish-glow appearance to it. One could say that the glow was due to the type of rock making up the mountain's structure, but my money would say it has something to do with those machine-like things that have taken the life of three of my Delta Team members.
I need to cruise on foot for a while in order to locate this train station. I will be in touch soon.
Nomad ... signing out.
