Ninth!

The eight soldiers entered the helicopter

destined for a covert mission

leaving base silently  in the early hours

for a mission into enemy terrain

an experienced battle hardened team

regarded in high esteem!

 

With no indication anything was wrong

yet each soldier had anxiety

that they would never openly display

their emotions had  to control

the signal came nearing dropping zone

now entering the unknown!

 

As they slid quickly down the long ropes

there was a ninth shape

that dropped with them onto the sand

following the group into action

and to buildings on the town periphery

the beginning of the mystery!

 

They were tense the adrenaline pumping

their mission to extract

two recently captured special forces officers

from a terrorist compound

a dangerous task yet they were distracted

that with them it interacted!

 

As the team edged nearer they spread out

to cover each others position

two were snipers who were here to eliminate

any guards on their way

drawing near distinct footsteps came close

made them feel tense and morose!

 

Unable to speak being in the danger zone

now the outline of the soldier

could be seen who was the uninvited guest

now far too late to abort

the window of opportunity was so very fine

into action went the nine!

 

Through winding alleyways  stealthily ran

night vision guiding their progress

until the target came into view they halted

each trying hard to focus

sensing the entity hovering in the shadows

the concentration narrows!

 

With the men in their positions the order is given

and they enter the compound

stun grenades deployed any opposition silenced

aiming for the specific rooms

only to find the men were nowhere to be seen

a situation not foreseen!

 

Trying to exit quickly gunfire held them back

realising it was a preplanned trap

split in two groups unsure of the opposition

heard voices and more gun fire

moving slowly forward came into the open air

as the ninth soldier stood there!

 

Waving his hand as if wanting them to follow

the four glanced at each other

out into the alleyways once more scurried

certainly not their planned route

firing could be heard close by as they united

eight commando delighted!

 

Following the ninth unknown member to safety

soon on the open ground

stood in a circle thanking god they were all safe

disappointed the mission failed

thoughts turned to the guardian showing the way

from that deadly fray!

 

On cue the helicopter dropped from the dark sky

and they got on board waiting

from the shadows the outline of the ninth soldier

seemed to jump on with the team

yet nobody was seen but each knew he was there

their comrade felt no fear!

 

Even from beyond the grave the soldier’s spirit stayed

to guide his living compatriots

forever on the battle lines ready to give his support

on landing none would tell

of the soldier that certainly helped them to survive

who would believe a ghost kept them alive!

 

Who the ninth spirit was never did get discovered!

 

The Foureyed Poet.

 

 

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