This is their last mission of the day.
They are almost making it.
Elli crouches behind the fortification, his fingers trembling as usual as he clasps the rifle. Every now and then, the ground is blasted, showering their bodies with smuts and blood. The momentum of each shoot shoves Elli backwards. He tries to steady himself but the weight of his equipment holds him down. With a mindless slip, he sprains his ankle and staggers to his right, almost bumping into Shaan. Shaan holds Elli's arm firmly, keeping him from the fall. Elli smiles bashfully and gets back to his feet before he starts shooting again. Shaan is preoccupied with the grenades and mini-bombs their squad has prepared. He is the best handler of IEDs on the team. He gestures for his comrades to bend down and cover their ears
