There are three parts on a magic trick, the pledge, the turn, and the prestige.
The Pledge
The first part of a magic trick is called The Pledge. This is, to say, the setup. A magician turns to his audience and introduces "something ordinary,"
A platoon is on a pursuit against our squad of twelve. Upon agreement, Reggie, Jeff and I will form a blockade to hold off would be pursuers while the rest of the squad escape and continue on the mission.
The Turn
The second part of a magic trick is The Turn, the magician simply turns from his audience to induce what can be refer to as the extraordinary portion of the illusion.
As planned, the rest of the squad continue on their escape, while the three of us fortify our positions and wait for the enemies.
More than twenty feet apart, we formed roughly a triangle with me on the tip. Initially all of our muzzles are pointed towards where our enemies will be coming - head on. Slowly I completely turn my back, bury myself in the bushes, cover what ever part of my body I can with leaves and grasses. Now I am pointing opposite Jeff and Reggie. And hidden.
The Prestige
The third, and final, part of a magic trick is The Prestige, during which the effect of the illusion is produced.
BB's rang, flying and I could hear it hitting just about everywhere. Peeking through my cover, I could see Reggie firing from the bushes and I know Jeff is likewise. Enemies behind me are now on my sides and a couple in my front and one literally besides me. Since I am at flow with them they must have though I am part of their group. Now the illusion is complete. With just a few feet from them I can easily take them down, but it wasn't yet time, I can still hear four or more behind me and I needed them advance up front to effectively make my move.
More than ten minutes into the game, and after hitting as many enemies as they can, Jeff and Reggie was finally overwhelmed. And now it was all but me. Our opponent took this chance to move up front, the thing I am waiting for and the thing that is futile for them. First to go was the one besides me, an induced knife kill. Moving out, I aimed Yinyan (my M4) and next to go was a tandem taking cover on a tree. Moving further to my left four more enemies came into my full view and I have to pick them one at a time. It was fast, they were not able to retaliate, too damn fast even for me that I am too late when I came into my senses that one of my victim was a kid soldier. (I never enjoy knowing I hit a kid).
Conclusion
I out did myself that time. Doing something I never imagined would be doing and never dreamed of doing it all over again.
I ended my game prematurely that day because of scheduled commitments, nonetheless, before stepping out of the Camp, like every good performance, I turned my back, raised my head up into the heavens and did a bow.
The red circle is the spot where I am hidden, four enemies visible with the kid soldier on the far right.photo courtesy of Maralex
