• It was dark, the only visual aid was the stain of the red warning light, a solid red, as it bathed the inside of our, no, the, ALV. Two Benches along either side of the small room sat about 15 of us, the major standing in the middle. The amphibious landing vehicle, holding myself, and my squad, glided across the water. major hopkins was talking... something about the task at hand. something? Task? What task? Major, we cant hear you! Hey! The red light seemed to fade out, replacing it with a black source, as my vision narrowed. I felt nervous, as the posibilities ran through my mind. We werent listening to the major. because we knew what was coming up. We didnt need to be briefed. I glanced around, my vision returning for the moment, just enough for me to see the forlorn expressions of my squadmates. they werent listening either. most of them had their heads down, blank stares, and i think Aviar was sleeping. Ha, hey Aviar. Wake up Aviar. Ha! Ramirez looked up at the major, and with a outward expression, and a sarcastic tone, said quietly.
    "are we there yet?"
    Hopkins just kind of glanced over at Ramirez. His look, something along the lines of 'what are you, 7?'
    His reply was cold. "Just about. But you wont make it if you interupt me again."
    Suddenly the red light, previously bathing us in a dark shade, began to blink, we were about 50 miles from the beach.
    "Full speed!"
    The engines of the ALV suddenly became extremely audible, as in our condition, it was near deafening. The sound of hundreds, no, thousands of ALVs outside also powered up. The speed of the vehicle made it hard to follow orders, as the major yelled at us to get ready. Stumbling and falling, we grabbed what equipment we could, and readied for the hatch to open.
    "Theyve walled off the beach!"
    the pilots shouts could be heard from the cockpit, as the major shouted back.
    "Get over them then!"
    The ALV sped up even more, what are they thinking?! We cant possibly- There was a loud crash, as the vehicle jerked back, and then up hard, as the force of the alv crashing into the wall was enough to throw us all to the ground. The ALV, airborne for a second, those crazy pilots, has shattered a part of the wall like it was glass! Staggering to my feet, i climbed the ladder off to the side, tossing the hatch open to get a glimpse of what was going on. One thing caught my eye almost imidiately.
    "wha- WHAT!?"
    another wall! and we were heading straight for it, the ship in front of us veered hard right, just narrowly missing it, i could hear the pilots shouting.
    "RIGHT RIGHT RIGHT!!!!"
    The vessel jerked hard right, i couldnt keep my footing as my left hand slid off, it violently smashed me against the side of the hatch. Winded, and in pain, i grabbed the bar again, looking over the top for another glance. I could see the island. There it was, and we were about 700 yards off. The first wave of ALVs had already landed, The troops sprinting across the beach. The beach led into a slight incline, due to the fact that the island was basically a mountain chain. A flash high off in the mountain signaled one thing... Troops jumped, and scattered for their lives as the first mortar hit the ground, on impact, exploding, sending those unlucky enough to have gotten out flying. Definately out of range now. I jumped down the hatch, back to my spot as the ALV landed with a crash on the beach, the back Panels lifted open, with The Major running out, vincent, then myself, and the rest of the squad behind me, ran out to meet the battle. A rifle in hand, I too, along with my squad, sprinted across the battlefield, riddled with the dead remains of the first wave. those who hadnt made it. An explosion went off somewhere to my left, the debris flew into the air, but comprised of mainly sand, wasnt a problem. The loud Bang and the flash of light made my eyes water, but i tried to avoid blinking. Myself, and a few of squadmates took cover in a crater, cleared out, the gunshots and screams heard around us. The battle went on around us, as we waited for what must have been forever. Charlotte broke the silence between us, screaming:
    "Now?!"
    "Go for it!"
    we all rushed out of cover, worried for my life, i blind fired. i wasnt sure if i would, or had hit anything, but it made me feel a little better to know that the gun was still in my hands.