Part 297: First Strike

Charlie breathed through his lungs as he ran. The bullets had stopped but that didn’t mean it was safe. He held Aaron close as he ducked past all the branches and bushes, making sure they didn’t hit the baby. The musician’s lungs began to sting even more as he ran. He then stopped running to catch his breath. He looked behind him, and saw he was not being pursued. Charlie then leaned Aaron down to make sure he was okay and wasn’t hit by a bullet.

The musician blinked when the baby smiled and laughed at him. He started flaying his arms around, hoping Charlie would do some more running. “Well, I am glad one of us is having a good time.” He coughed.

“Then you must not be referring to me.” Darren said behind him.

Charlie slowly turned around. The one Hal called Deaf Darren had a rifle trained on him. Charlie gritted his teeth, knowing full well if he ran, the soldier would gun him down. The musician felt his heart ache; he wasn’t ready to die. But he saw no reason why Aaron shouldn’t have a full life. He was innocent; he deserved it. “Look, man,” he said, “Kill me if you have to, but please, take the baby back to his mother.”

“Frakes wants you and the baby dead.” Darren said coldly.

Charlie felt his heart jump into his throat. He could tell the soldier was completely serious. The musician then slowly closed his eyes and held the baby close. Aaron tilted a bit, then rested his head on Charlie’s shoulder. The musician started to weep, as it almost seemed Aaron knew and he was going to be with Charlie at the end. “I hope you burn in Hell.” He cursed the soldier.

Darren cocked back his weapon. “Any other last words?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Seth said to his right, “Butt cheeks!”

Darren quickly turned onto to have Seth’s sword sliced into his head. It happened so quick and smooth, the head split in half. “BLOODY HELL!!!” Charlie said, looking the other way.

“Oh, man, that is gross!” Seth coughed, “Maybe I shoulda stabbed him?”

“Either way, man, thanks for saving our asses.” Charlie said, embracing his friend, “God bless you, man.”

“Is Aaron okay?” Seth asked.

“Yeah, having the time of his life.” Charlie showed him, the baby laughing and kicking his legs.

Seth then pulled out a gun and handed it to Charlie. “Head off in that direction, brother.” He pointed, “You’ll find an unconscious Natasha. Make sure she is okay for us.”

“Natasha is all right?” he gasped.

“Yeah, we got to them before they could hurt her. Now, go, Charlie. Keep Aaron safe. We’ll hook up in a few-“

Seth was interrupted by the sound of massive gunfire echoing from the beach. Charlie blinked he feared for the safety of the woman he loved. “Claire.” He whispered.

“I’ll get her out, Charlie. You need to go. Now!”

Charlie agreed and ran off into the direction his friend pointed. Seth quickly picked Darren’s rifle and proceeded to run off into the direction of the beach. He only hoped he could keep his promise to his friend.


There could have been only one word to describe all.

Chaos.

Bullets were flying like stinging insects across the beach. People who were absolutely still one second, were then running for their lives into the jungle. There was screaming, there was gunfire, and the sound of someone dying. One of the women that was a survivor was just shot, collapsing into the sand. She was one of the quiet ones; no one even remembered her name. But she was still apart of them nonetheless.


The soldier tried to get a bead on one of the running survivors. Then he felt something escape the back end of his belt. He turned to see a blonde teenager smack him upside the head with the nunchuks he confiscated earlier. The Liberator collapsed, as he felt the blood from his forehead began to cover his eyes.

Jenny twirled her Chinese weapon and then looked to the man with the M-60. He was getting it loaded; filling out the bullet chain. She then quickly ran toward him. He looked up briefly, then felt his vision go black as she hit him with the nunchuks. Jenny grabbed him and continued to hit him to make sure he was down. Kellye collapsed on her belly, then grabbed the huge weapon. She quickly pulled back the breech and opened fire on the man in the hovercraft. He tried to get off a few rounds but then he jerked as the bullets from Kellye’s gun ripped into him and the hovercraft. Then it exploded in an array of metal and flame; the gas tank exploding from the assault.


Mia looked around, trying to find John. She couldn’t see him; only arrows flying in from the distance, covering the survivors as they ran for cover. The Lakota girl felt more in love with John at that very moment. Then she grunted, seeing the wounded Frakes running for cover into the jungle. Mia’s eyes began to flood with tears; not sadness but Rage. The evil man had ordered the death of Rose; a woman who’s soul was pure. Then he ordered the death of Charlie and Aaron. Aaron! The one innocent on the beach and he threatened to kill Mia twice. She knew he had to be dealt with.

The Lakota girl then got up and ran toward her camp area. She kept low as she ran, hearing the bullets whiz by her body. When she arrived at her camp area, she did a forward roll and landed near her sleeping bag. She quickly picked it up and dug her right hand into the sand below it. She grunted for a second, then pulled out hand out; emerging the small axe she used before. Mia took her Granny’s advice to heart; you never know when you might need to throw a hatchet at a white man.

Mia then picked up her feet and ran into the jungle, right in the direction of Frakes. Without pause and by sole instinct, she found herself screaming her Lakota war cry; like her ancestors did so many years ago. And she felt deep into her heart, that Granny would be proud.


At the boat area, McKay had pulled closest to the shallows as possible without it running against the sand. He quickly ran out to the back of the boat, pushing past Jack and Locke, who were taking pot shots at people on the beach. The Australian grabbed the anchor and threw it overboard, bringing them to a stop the best he could. Then out of nowhere a Liberator burst from the water, grabbing McKay by the arm. The Australian grabbed his other hand, which held a knife. The soldier then jerked and gagged as his forehead exploded from a gunshot blast. McKay dropped the soldier and looked at his savior, which happened to be Kate; holding her gun and resting on one of the fishing chairs. Shanna slowly raised her head from behind the fugitive. “Thanks, sister,” McKay laughed.

“We’ll keep the boat safe, McKay,” Kate mentioned, “You better get out there and help them.”

“Way ahead of you!” he said, catching the rifle that Sawyer threw down to him.

“McKay, I am right behind you!” Tony said, coming up from the bottom of the boat.

Before Marita could say anything, Tony turned around and embraced his love. She didn’t know why; she was fully prepared to go down to the beach with him. Then she paused, as he felt her place his gun into her hand. “Defend the boat.” He whispered, “It’s our one chance to get home.”

“You better not get shot.” She giggled, kissing him on the lips.

“Yes, ma’am.” He said, rubbing her cheek.

Tony then ran toward the end of the boat, until he hit the back part. He quickly stepped up and plunged into the water. McKay screamed to him, telling him he was near and to follow him. The blind doctor swam as hard as he could. All around he heard screaming and gunfire. It was hard to mistake the sounds of anybody he heard or cared about. He knew McKay was going to make sure Taylor and Mandy were safe. Tony then quickly found the sand beneath his feet and began walking through the water. A stray bullet pounced in the salty liquid next to him. He paused for a second then ran, trying to get out of the water as fast as possible.

He collapsed onto the sand and raised his head, listening for the sounds. He couldn’t hear John screaming. He couldn’t hear Seth screaming. He did hear Jenny screaming at the far end of the beach. Someone was crying. Then a loud defeating explosion ripped into the air around him. Tony recognized it from the Gulf War and his tour in Africa; a rocket propelled grenade. He winced trying to get the sound back into his ears.

Then he heard Eddie screaming.