Spinning Top

Panther calling Kestrel-- over
No response
Panther calling Kestrel-- over
No response
Panther calling Kestrel, time is critical--over
No response
Panther is now Sunray-- out
Kestrel calling Panther, break in comms, big spinning top is taking us into  wintertime, you are among friends, sending new coordinates-- over
No response
Kestrel calling Panther--over
No response
Panther this is Kestrel, data coming in now, you are transmitting as Sunray
need immediate sitrep-- over
Sunray calling Kestrel, 19 confirmed, 4 casualties, 4 walking-- over
Kestrel to Sunray go silent--over.  (F**k)
Sunray calling Sunray-- over
Sunray-- over
They were friendlies, need to put this down to a bad day at the office, it happens, passing upstairs to hats. wait out.
Sunray calling Sunray--over
Sunray-- over
Status has now changed, this is no longer a friendly country,
Repeat this is no longer a friendly country, previous sitrep reads, 27 confirmed. Is this correct-- over
Sunray- correct-- over
Ok Sunray- suggest immediate sabbatical, big bus is waiting.
Sunray to Sunray out.

Author's Note

Panther- is the patrol in the field.
Kestral- is basecamp.
Sunray- Commander in charge.
When communications breakdown. The patrol commander may take it upon him-herself to take charge. He will then relay messages as Sunray. Basecamp upon hearing this, will know status has changed. Hats, reference, is further up the chain. Usually to cover things up.

Reviews

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

Its a scary truth. Ill be blessed this Thanksgiving. Stay safe and warm! See you on the flip!

[Paul Bell]

You going into hibernation, Queenie.

[Debbie Barry]

"Status has now changed, this is no longer a friendly country,"

Those are very frightening words to read, along with the report of the dead and wounded. It's a bad day at the office, I suppose, but my heart breaks for 19 families that will get the bad news.

Your representation of the event as a series of coms is very effective, especially to someone who is familiar to how that works, and how much cat be conveted in so few short, specific words.

Is this from your personal experience? It has that feel. Its simplicity and lack of extraneous material makes the emotions raw and real.

To say I enjoyed this would be off the markl, but I was pulled into it, and moved by it. I'm glad I read it. Thank you for sharing it.

[Paul Bell]

You say 19 families received bad news, Debbie.
But the actual count came at the end. They killed them all. That way, they weren't there. This is fiction. But it has happened.

[Debbie Barry]

Somehow, I missed the final count. Either way, it's a powerful image. I'm glad for you that this piece is fiction, but yes, it happens.