Defending Orval

Sgt Tharival reported: " I sat lazily in the CP and leaned back against the stairs behind me. Gunfire and explosions lit the sky through the windows but I didn't blink nor take cover. I was tired. Tired of this fighting. My hands shook, but that was the only thing revealing my fear and nervousness. I shrugged and hefted my LMG to my knees. Weapon maintainence was important in the field. A little bit of dirt could foul up the mechanisms and leave you with a 10-15 pound paperweight. It had been quiet in my section of the city so far, only the static cries on the radio kept me updated with what was happening. I blew some dirt from the chamber of the LMG and slid the bolt home, chambering a round. "Ready for action."
I leaned back onto the floor and closed my eyes. Sleep was there to claim me if only I let it.
Footsteps alerted me and I quickly shouldered my LMG. The footsteps stopped and I realized I was holding my breath... A German stepped into view downstairs and I let loose several rounds. I heard the man curse and he threw a grenade up at me.
I grabbed the potato masher in mid-air and tossed it back downstairs in a horrible "BOOM!"
Several more Potato Mashers flew up at me from the soldier's concealed position but I frantically tossed them behind me and down the stairs when possible. "BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
I was deaf, I couldn't feel anything as I stumbled down the stairs...all of it slow motion.
The German was in front of me. We could have shook hands, we could have joked around with each other. We were so close...
I hip fired my LMG and the rounds scattered around the German. He was hit! The man stumbled, went to his knees and fell over. His rifle still slung, stuck on some of his gear. He died because he couldn't get his rifle free, he died because of a stupid mistake. I swallowed hard and took off my helmet in thought. Many troopers didn't have the chance to learn from their mistakes which would make them better soldiers. A mistake out here was fatal. I retreated back upstairs and began cleaning my LMG again."
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