The operators moved carefully as they used the terrain to mask their retreat. Trucks on the hill had already been notified the soldiers had been retrieved, so they pulled south, behind the hill for easier access.
As they were within four hundred feet of the link up point, Eric felt it. He looked around, realizing the terrain they were traversing made for a perfect kill box. It was too late. On top of the barricades, empire soldiers appeared as if playing wack a mole. A large "thunk" hit right next to Eric as a round ball of flames embedded itself into the ground. Sharp cracks of small arms fire broke the silence the men had been operating under.
"Break! Ricky! Delphy! Suppressive fire!"
"Deploying smoke!"
Gas surrounded the element as the captive soldiers and operators began bounding up the hill. Sweat glistened as hands fumbled for triggers, breath came in short gasped as each man knew seconds separated them from death.
