This story takes place 4 years after this event: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/19634664/

Mag listened broodingly at the hum of the C-130’s engines. Two years had passed since the fateful day in Gabahdad, when innocent young Karah died in his arms. Yet, in spite the years that had passed, a deep feeling of guilt still clung against Mag’s soul. What could I have done differently? [/i]How could I have kept her from succumbing to that fate? Maybe she would have been better off if she never got to know[/I]–

“10 minutes!” The Jump Master’s warning wrenched Mag mind back into to the present, reminding of the task at hand.

Noting the Time on Target warning, Mag switched the comm channels on his radio and keyed his mike to an internal channel: “Angel 52 this is Angel 6, any new updates on the situation on the ground?”

Moments later, Angel 52, the attached Intelligence Officer offered his reply over the net. “Negative Angel 6. Confirmed number of hostiles is 5, number of hostages is 227. Be advised that at present time the majority of armed hostiles have isolated themselves around what appears to be a warming fire.”

The report pleased Mag, he knew he and his team would easily be able to dispatch isolated hostiles without endangering the hostages. “Acknowledged Angel 52, break, Angel 7, no change to initial plan, you take your team and prepare to render immediate aid to any hostages who may have been injured during their capture or during the fire fight. My team will neutralize the element at the suspected warming fire. How copy?”

The gruff voice of Mag’s First Sergeant immediately crackled over the net. “Angel 6, this is Angel 7, acknowledge all, ready to jump on green.”

“Acknowledged, nothing further, Angel 6 out.” Satisfied his team was ready for the task ahead, Mag began to rehearse the sequence of events in his head. Drop at 30,000 ft, pull at 5,000 ft, estimated landing at 300 meters from target zone… Mag formed this habit early in his life, in order to overcome a speech impediment that troubled earlier in life. The habit, however, became extremely useful in preparing for military operations, helping Mag steel his focus on the actions and communications he was responsible for, and to prepare for any contingency, should the plan go wrong. Eliminate hostiles simultaneously with a volley fire from cover. Assign specific target to Angles 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. Ensure no hostiles are able to flee to hostages and cause them harm. Don’t let what happened to Karah ever happen aga-

Mag’s thoughts were once more interrupted by the Jumpmaster’s warning. “5 minutes! Stand up for equipment check!”

Standing up, Mag walked over to his First Sergeant, a gruff old Mastiff Whom Mag had come to rely on as a mentor in his tenure as a Commander.

“I know that look sir, you’re not letting that shit bother you again?” the Frist Sergeant’s voice growling above the hum of the C-130’s engines.

“You know I can’t help it Top, it may as well have been one of my kids in my arms that day.” Mag replied, revealing a bit more that he’s meant to about his state of mind.

“Well sir, it’s time to strip away all that other feely shit, and hone in on the anger, it’s game time sir, and we don’t have time for regrets”.

First Sergeant was right, of course, Mag couldn’t let his personal guilt at that failure distract him from the 227 souls depending on his actions today. “Thanks Top, you always help me pull my head out of my ass in times like these”.

“Two minutes!” cried the Jump Master. At the two-minute call, the aircraft shuddered as the rear loading ramp began to open, revealing the earth, 15,000 feet below. Mag savored the cold air as it rushed into the aircraft, and took his place at the front of the jump line.

“One minute!” Mag hardened his gaze, renewing his focus on the mission at hand. Game time Mag, 227 lives depend on the decisions you make today. Today, I will not bury another Karah.

“Time on target, green light go!”

On cue, Mag launched himself from the aircraft into a free fall, positioning his body into a stable position. As the wind rushed through his features, Mag gazed at the objective below, made one final vow before fully slipping into mission mode.

Everyone comes home today.

Artwork done by the lovely

Story is by me I'll clean it up and edit it some more a bit after a while, as it's still in draft form, I've just waited too long to post this one (as I was out in the field with my unit when the image was completed). Sorry for any errors.