In the months that followed, ZA Dragon Ranger Platoon played a pivotal role as part of NATO combined arms operations that liberated both Stratis and Altis from the Ottomen. In a small ceremony held in Kavala Lieutenant Raven received the NATO Meritorious Service Medal for acts of courage in difficult or dangerous circumstances from Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.
NATO now keeps a small peacekeeping force, comprising mostly engineers, on the islands under the control of Subedar Major Ballasubramanium. Their role is to occupy and safeguard the airports, mop-up isolated pockets of resistance and to clear the islands of the dregs of war including arms caches, mines, IED’s etc. Plans are currently underway to repopulate the islands with their native inhabitants.
Tensions remain high at the UN and the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, largely because of the uncertainties surrounding Russian involvement with the failed invasion. No official communications have emanated from Russia. General Martin Dempsey has been seen entering but not leaving the White House.
Before returning home in a few days’ time, ZA is taking some well-deserved shore leave at the seaside resort of Agia Marina on Stratis. Most of their equipment has already been shipped out. Mornings are spent under instruction from Captain Phoenix on topics such as Russian weapons familiarisation, dark is your friend and the art of stealth. The afternoons are spent fraternising with the locals on the beach. The word is that Dragon 2-2 is currently leading the pineapple-bear-brew cup.