“Anya, have you located Zuri yet.” I ask as we have settled into the meeting room on the plane.
It’s going to be a 20 hour flight so hopefully it’ll be plenty of time.
“Yes big man, she’s in Somalia.
Apparently after we split, she went back to her home in Kenya.
only to find that a lot of men from her city have went to Somalia to join a resistance army.
They’re currently fighting a newly elected warlord who is already kidnapping citizens and becoming a territorial warlord in all the worst ways.” “Of course it’s Somalia,” Derricc pouts as he tries everything he can to not bring the room down.
“Somalia for years has had nonstop political warfare issues due to these warlords.
It just doesn’t stop.
How many times have we been deployed here” “7 times including this mission.
3 warlords killed, 2 drug operations nullified and 1 human trafficking ring destroyed.
This place just screams injustice but it’s hard knowing that everything we do here won’t matter a week later.
“Selene says as she works the holographic screens that Anya has made.
“Big man, she’s been kidnapped and being held in this building here.
The resistance outpost is here.” Anya points at two places on a map of the city.
“Lots of ruined buildings and debris in the city as well.” “Somalia is hot, hotter than a lot of us expect, make sure to stay lightly dressed or you’ll dehydrate quickly and we don’t have aurora with us to keep up healthy so be extra careful,” Derricc adds.
“Erik, what do you see.” He asks as I look at Selene and Anya fiddle with the screen, talking about comm lines and various spots to do certain things.
“Anna, when we land, look for a translator and work with them on getting an idea of what’s going on.
We can make plans now but it won’t matter if we don’t know anything about this warlord.” “Ashley, work with Anna and try to get an idea of what kind of soldiers we’re looking at.
If we can use them, great.
If not, we should stil be able to handle this without them.” “Anya, Selene, establish comm lines, try to find blueprints of the building, and try to find entry points, secret rooms and anything else we might be able to use.
“Derricc and I will get a feel for the resistance itself, and make sure that whatever we do, we are properly armed, and supplied.” “We’re missing about half our normal group.
If we want to find and rescue Zira, we can’t afford to fail.
No matter what happens, Zira is the main priority.
That being said, we can’t rescue her if we can’t break through.
There’s a chance we may not have the firepower to win this.
Be prepared to be crafty, and don’t be afraid to fight dirty.
We’re here for a rescue mission, not a morality contest.
Zira’s rescue is all that matters.
Now get some rest, it’s going to be a very long few days.” The plane is eerily quiet.
Right now there isn’t much any can say.
It’s that nervousness before D-Day kind of jittery feels.
I hate this so much but Derricc and I won’t make it long if we fail.
We can’t afford the guilt of losing Zira twice.
7 hours later, we land.
Immediately we all get going with our tasks.
By the time we are fully set up and ready to meet again, a day and a half has passed.
By this point there’s been a video sent to the camp.
He’s speaking in a foriegn language so Anna is having to translate everything to us using the translator I asked her to find.
“Attention resistance army, you have 24 hours to remove yourself off this land.
If you don’t, I will kidnap and torture head resistance figures until you do, starting with her.” The camera turns towards a lady strung up to a cross and wrists tied up to it.
My fists clench as a look at Derricc who has a similar reaction.
“Choose wisely or I will put an end to this rebellion before it truly begins Hahahahahaha.” The screen cuts off and the resistance leadership immediately scrambles to get a meeting started.
Long story short, the resistance army has agreed to remove themselves out of the area.
“Damn cowards,” Selene grumbles as she watches the meeting with disappointment in her eyes.
“Big man, what’s the plan.” “Let’s go, we can’t talk here.” I have Anya scout out a suitable meeting place and we make our way there.
“Anna, what did you find out.” “The warlord is the successor of the previous warlord of the area.
He himself isn’t a huge threat, but he’s amassed a milita strong enough to keep up with an army, as well as acquired lot of heavy weapons and a solid armory.” “He also has connections to other warlords which he uses for drug trade, but not human trafficking.” Ashley notes, the milita as you can see, doesn’t have the fortitude and ability to handle this threat.
We’re better off doing this ourselves, unfortunately, even though we aren’t staffed for this.” “Erik what are you thinking,” Derricc asks as he sees my thinking face which seems to ease his burden.
“I think it’s time to bring ol’ Bessie out and remind this place that the phantom is still alive.” Ashley and Anna are confused while Derricc, Anya, and Selene have a moderately sadistic smile on her face and I have moment where I’m sure I looked pure evil.
“Derricc, I recommend a two prong attack.
Unfortunately we don’t have the numbers to be overly strategic.
Ol’ Bessie will be providing cover fire.
Selene I’ll need you to be my spotter as well as progress tracker.” “Derric, I’m sorry but you have the dangerous part.” I say as I run my head in frustration.
The real only way through is straightforward.
If you go anywhere else Selene and I won’t have the time to keep track of you.
Unfortunately the best we can do is a straightforward break down the front doors approach.” “Alright Erik, I think I got something.
Anya, I’ll need you to stay here and monitor comms.
Everyone needs to have walkie talkies to communicate.” “Anna, do you have any military training at all.” I ask curiously.
“Have worked with Ashley during her military training job and have successfully passed standard military boot camp.” “Great,” Derricc says, “you and Ashley will take point with me.
You two cover my flanks and stay behind me incase of close combat encounters.
I will lead the charge.
Erik and Selene, don’t go to high for sniping grounds.
You two will need to go from building to building to help ensure we reach the target building safely.” “Thankfully,” I say after listening to Derricc giving orders, the building are close enough that we can jump from building to building with minor difficulties so it shouldn’t be hard to keep up as needed.” “Erik, standard rifles and pistols for the assault team, tactical gear and stun grenades.
Selene, bring your combat knife, pistol and binoculars.
Erik, keep a semi auto rifle to go with Ol’ Bessie in case you need faster firepower.
We leave in 30 minutes.” “Yes sir” everyone says in unison.
Everyone in the room is a consummate professional in the military professions.
No words are said, everyone moves like a well trained unit.
Erik returns 10 minutes later with case that is almost absurd in length.
When Erik puts the rifle on the table, the noise it makes has Ashley and Anna jump in shock.
“Ummmm erik,” Ashley says curiously, what on earth is this thing.” “This my love, this is Ol Bessie, a customized accuracy international AXMC.” I say as I make my gun check.
I move my hand over the worn stock.
I cycle the action and the metallic click it makes sends shivers through the room.” “I was wondering when I would see her again.” Selene remarks while Anya and Derricc have a smile full of relief on their faces.
Derricc checks his watch one last and looks around the room.
“Move out”