Chapter 7
They entered the spy nest. Steve was forcing the hostage to move.
Jake,who was very tired, said with a weary voice and a grim face:
"Steve,take him to the interrogation room."
Steve nodded his head in agreement and took the hostage away. After Steve left, Jake said to the others:
"You are free.If you have urgent matters, or if you want to go rest. Will, you wait."
Will stopped and said:
"Is something wrong?"
Jake said:
"I want you to get as much information out of him as you can. Be careful, he might be a professional, so proceed with caution."
Will said:
"Of course."
Will headed in the direction Steve had gone.
Jake was about to go towards Alex when Alex himself came to Jake faster.
Alex, who looked like he had spent many hours at the computer, with his dark, sunken eyes, said:
"Sir,welcome back. Thank God you returned safely. So, what happened? Did you achieve anything? Were you able to kill the General?"
Jake took a deep breath and said helplessly:
"No,we couldn't. To tell you the truth, we were supposed to attend the meeting, gather information, and then kill the General. We couldn't do either."
Alex asked in surprise:
"Why,sir?"
Jake replied:
"In the middle of our reports,after which the General was supposed to give us information, someone came and whispered something in the General's ear. After that, the General left. That's how we didn't get the information. After that, the General disappeared. Even Liz and Joe, who were monitoring everything, didn't see him."
Alex said:
"What bad luck.Well, you weren't supposed to bring that hostage at all. You were supposed to kill him."
Jake said:
"Yeah,well, we didn't obtain the information. That's why we took him hostage. Mack caused that."
Jake put his hand on Alex's shoulder and said:
"Your work was excellent too,Alex."
Alex smiled and said:
"Yeah,I know. Thank you, sir."
Jake said:
"Yeah,you know. Enough of that."
And then they laughed together.
Alex said:
"Sir,I managed to get into the government system. I found something."
Jake said:
"Great,show me."
Alex took Jake to the computer. He opened his system; the computer's wallpaper had written on it: "Alex the Four-Eyed!"
Jake laughed and said:
"This wallpaper made my day."
Alex looked at the screen in surprise, turned back, and said to one of his colleagues:
"Hey,Mary. I've got my eye on you. My turn will come."
Mary, who was one of the cyber team members of Greenland, said:
"I can't hear you,Four-Eyes!"
Alex laughed and said:
"Anyway.Sir, look here."
Jake looked at a screen.
Alex began to explain:
"Sir,this is one of General Sensrif's programs. According to this program, we see that the General doesn't have a specific location and changes his place every 20 hours."
Jake said:
"Well,that makes things very difficult for us."
Alex said:
"True,but here there are a series of numbers written next to the relocation times. They all point to one location. But we have to decrypt it."
Jake said:
"Great work,Alex. Keep it up."
Alex nodded his head and started working with more energy. Jake turned around and suddenly saw Liz standing right behind him. Jake was startled for a moment and said:
"Whoa,Liz. You scared me. What are you doing?"
Liz laughed and said with a laugh:
"We returned from the operation and we're all tired.I wanted to have a coffee, so I thought I'd make one for you so we can have it together."
Jake was happy. His heart started pounding. It was as if these strong beats were for Liz. He took the coffee cup and said anxiously:
"Uh...Liz... I mean, you... uhhh...."
Liz took a sip of her coffee and said:
"Is something wrong,sir?"
Jake said:
"No,I just wanted to tell you.... Let's go to the interrogation room. We should see what information Will has gotten."
Liz agreed, and they went together towards the interrogation room.
On the way,Jake said to himself in his heart:
Again, I couldn't tell her.
He glanced sideways at Liz and again said to himself in his heart:
I wish I could tell her I like her so much. Why can't I muster the courage to tell her? What's really holding me back?
×××××
They entered the interrogation room. Two people were behind computers showing the hostage's vital status and recorded images. Jake and Liz went closer and stood behind the one-way mirror. Will was pacing, and the hostage was sitting there with a bloody face. Jake looked inside in surprise and said:
"My God,what happened? Why is the hostage bloody?"
The man behind the computer said: [Note: The original Persian text has an incomplete line here. The man likely reports what happened.]
Jake took a sip of his coffee in surprise and said:
"That's his style?That's how he talks?"
The man said:
"Yes,sir. It's always been like this."
Liz said:
"Well,has he gotten answers so far?"
The man said:
"Yes,but usually not much of the hostage remains."
Jake said:
"Great.Now I can't do anything either."
Liz said:
"Why,sir?"
Jake said:
"What should I do?He won't talk anymore. Whatever I do, he'll think to himself, 'This is better than being beaten to a pulp.' He won't talk. We have to continue with this method."
Will was shouting. The hostage was trembling in pain.
"You were in the meeting with the General;you came in with him. You know what Sensrif's next plan is. Talk, you bastard!"
The hostage said helplessly:
"I swear to God,I don't know. The General never tells me his next plans."
Will got angry and slammed the hostage's head hard onto the table.
Once. Twice. Three times.
Jake was observing the scene.
Liz said with a grimace:
"Sir,you can't do anything? This way he'll die."
Jake said:
"Nothing can be done now."
Then he turned to the man and said:
"Can I?I want to communicate with Will via radio."
Then the man gave the radio to Jake:
"Will.Hit him more. Make it painful. Then come out."
Will paused for a moment, then went towards the hostage and began delivering the most painful blows he could.
Liz said in surprise:
"Sir,I said save him, not make him closer to death!"
Jake said:
"Don't worry,I am saving him. I have an idea."
A punch to the nose. A kick to the stomach. Smashing his face against the wall. Smashing his teeth against the sharp edge of the table.
Will did all these things without hesitation.Suddenly, Jake said over the radio:
"That's enough.Come out."
Will threw the hostage onto the chair like a corpse and came out.
Jake said:
"Are you really stupid,or didn't you understand when I told you to proceed with caution?"
Will said:
"Well,you yourself told me to hit him harder."
Jake said:
"Because of your mess-up,I had to make him be hit harder, so that if my words weren't enough because of your beating, I could scare him... Wait here. I told you to come inside."
Will left, and Jake drained his coffee to the last drop and went inside with a water bottle and a cigarette.
The hostage was like a corpse.Jake sat down and placed the bottle on the table:
"Drink some water."
The hostage took it, opened it, and chugged it down.
After drinking,he said:
"It tastes like blood."
Jake said:
"No surprise there."
The hostage said:
"You're Jake Walker,right?"
Jake nodded his head.
The hostage said:
"Thanks for having me beaten."
Jake said:
"Sorry.I didn't know what was happening here until I came and saw it was happening. Do you smoke?"
The hostage took a cigarette and put it to his lips. Jake lit it for him.
He took the first drag and exhaled.
Jake said:
"What's your name?"
The hostage said:
"Jack."
Jake said:
"Hmm.Similar to my name."
Jack said:
"Unfortunately."
Jake laughed.
"Well,Jack, tell me, what do you have to tell us?"
Jack said:
"The same thing I said before.I don't know anything. The General doesn't tell me anything."
Jake said:
"Then what exactly do you do?"
Jack said:
"Grunt work.I do the paperwork and his scheduling."
Jake said:
"Scheduling?So you know his schedule?"
Jack said:
"I knew. As you were present, I told him that one of the army commanders needed him. After he left, I was supposed to arrange the new plan they sent for him, but you caught me. Thank you."
Jake said with a smile:
"You're welcome."
Then he stared into Jack's eyes.
Jack said: "Well, what are you doing now?"
Jake said:
"I'm waiting for you to talk."
Jack picked up the bottle again and drank some water. He put the bottle back in its place and said:
"I don't know."
Jake said:
"The General changes his location every 20 hours .Do these times follow a specific pattern?"
Jack said:
"No,that only applies to his resting place."
Jake asked without pause.
Jake said:
"Why does he change it?"
Jack said:
"For his security."
Jake said:
"Ah,so the General's life is very important, right?"
Jack said:
"Isn't your General's life important to you?"
Jake said:
"So it's only for resting?What about his work?"
Jack said:
"Those aren't scheduled."
Jake said:
"Ah,so your General works without a plan."
Jack said:
"Right."
Jake said:
"So,if he has a meeting with the president and a meeting with army commanders at the same time, he plays rock-paper-scissors to choose?"
Jack said:
"No,he goes to the more critical one."
Jake said:
"So your General doesn't know his own schedule an hour from now?"
Jack said:
"Right."
Jake said:
"For example,if we draw up a plan to assassinate him, he doesn't know he's going to die in an hour?"
Jack said:
"No one knows.Maybe a missile is on its way here right now."
Jake said:
"What did you tell the General in the meeting that made him get up and leave?"
Jack said:
"It was something about security."
Jake said:
"What?"
Jack said:
"Security for the President."
Jake said:
"But you said an army commander needed him."
Jack fell silent. He hadn't been able to line up his lies properly.
Jake leaned towards Jack and stared into his eyes. He said in a calm and compelling voice:
"What is Sensrif's next plan?"
Jack said:
"I don't know."
Jike smiled.
"Will,come in."
Jack's face contorted. He was scared. Will entered. With a knife in his hands.
Jake said:
"You were telling the truth.A man's tongue doesn't understand. You know what to do."
Will gave a devilish smile and said:
"Yes,yes. I know what to do."
And then he moved towards Jack.Jack was terrified seeing Will and the knife in his hand and kept saying:
"No,no, no, please. No, I swear to God, I don't know."
Will raised the knife and brought its sharp tip close to Jack's pupil:
"You have another eye,what do you need this one for?"
Jack, who was on the verge of crying, said:
"No,please! Okay, okay, I'll talk."
Jake signaled with his head for Will to let him go.
Jake asked again:
"What is Sensrif's next plan?"
Jack said:
"They want to attack one of Greenland's bases."
Jake said:
"Tell me more."
Jack said:
"I swear to God,that's all I know."
Will raised the knife and slightly cut Jack's neck, wounding him.
Jack let out a roar of pain and said:
"Okay,okay! It's an air attack. They want to bomb it."
Jake said:
"When?"
Jack said:
"Right now.Maybe the birds have already taken off."
Jake's eyes widened, and he quickly got up from his seat and went out.
"Will,go get more information out of him."
Jake quickly ran towards Alex, and when he reached him, he said:
"Alex,notify Simon right now that they are about to be hit by an air raid. Tell him enemy fighters are coming."
××××××
Simon was waiting. He himself was also excited to give the good news. His desk was clean. There was only one paper on the desk. The door opened, and Nadia entered. Simon smiled at Nadia. He said with a smile:
"Sit down."
Nadia, who was surprised, sat on the chair opposite Simon.
Simon said:
"Well,tell me, Nadia, how are you? Did you rest?"
Nadia said:
"Yes,sir, thank you. Excuse me, sir, has something happened?"
Simon said:
"No.How is your family? Has your father gotten better?"
Nadia said:
"No,sir, he's getting worse every day. I should have taken him to the doctor, but I'm not there."
Simon said:
"Didn't you request leave?"
Nadia said:
"Yes,but it was rejected."
Simon looked at Nadia with a bigger smile and slid the paper in front of him towards Nadia.
Nadia looked at the paper in surprise.
Simon said:
"Open it."
Nadia opened the paper. Her eyes widened, and she said to Simon with a laugh:
"Commander.You... you got me leave? But how?"
Simon said:
"Connections.After all, I should be different from the others."
Nadia couldn't believe it. There was a tumult in her heart. She blushed. She turned to Simon and said:
"Sir,I don't know how to thank you. Thank you, sir."
Simon said kindly:
"You're welcome."
Nadia said:
"So,can I go now?"
Simon said:
"No."
Nadia was stunned.
Simon held up a stamp and stamped the paper. He said:
"Now you can go."
Nadia's heart was dancing with joy. She said:
"Thank you,sir, thank you."
Simon said:
"Go pack your things and then come to the base gate."
Nadia, with excitement and happiness, said "Yes, sir!" and, with permission, ran off and left.
Simon was very happy. He got up and went towards the base gate.
It was drizzling. A bit cold. In summer, this weather was a blessing. Cloudy. A cool breeze blowing through Simon's hair. The sound of leaves rustling made the atmosphere more pleasant.
About 10 minutes later, Nadia reached the gate and saw Simon with a car at the base gate.
Nadia asked in surprise:
"Sir,this..."
Simon interrupted her and said:
"This car will take you to the first city.Once you arrive, go to the city terminal, and from there you can take a bus directly to the town near your village."
Simon put his hand in his pocket and took out a paper and gave it to Nadia:
"This is the bus ticket."
Nadia, who couldn't believe such a scene, took the ticket from Simon in disbelief and lowered her head.
Simon said:
"What's wrong?"
Nadia said sheepishly:
"Sir,how can I repay your kindness?"
Simon said:
"By taking your father to the doctor."
Nadia raised her head, smiled at Simon. Her heart was pounding. She looked at Simon with her fair skin, her cheeks red with shyness, and said from the bottom of her heart:
"Thank you,sir. I will repay your kindness."
Simon said with a smile:
"I don't think you want to miss the bus.I won't buy you another ticket."
Nadia smiled and got into the car. And then left. Simon watched the car leave.
"Well, well. That was a touching scene."
Simon turned around. He saw Victor.
Simon said:
"Ah,Victor, I was about to come see you. Tell the others that Commander Simon has requested a meeting."
Victor said with a smile that seemed to mock Simon:
"Sir,why did you get her a bus ticket too?"
Simon said:
"It's none of your business,and I just wanted to help her."
Victor said:
"Hmmm.I'll consult Commander Jake about this matter."
Simon said:
"And I'll throw you in the brig."
And then he left laughing.Victor also walked away from the door with a offended expression, chuckling.
××××××
There was little time left before the meeting started. Simon had to get ready. But he didn't want to get up. It was as if he had a special calmness. He was sitting on his chair, had put his feet on the desk. His cigarette was burning. Resting. Breathing. Stretching his legs and breathing. He was enjoying all of it. He was focused.
The cigarette finished, and he put it out.
He got up and headed towards the meeting hall.
He opened the door. Everyone was seated and waiting for Simon. Upon Simon's entrance, everyone stood up. Simon motioned with his hand for them to sit, and then he sat down too.
Simon took a deep breath and said:
"Good day to you all. As you know, the operation we carried out a few days ago was successful, and we managed to deal a heavy blow to Sensrif. But we must not think this is the end and it's over. Our work has just begun. We must continue our operations until victory."
Michael said:
"Well,sir, do you have a plan?"
Simon said:
"I arranged this meeting to hear your opinions.Does anyone have a plan, idea, or opinion?"
Nathan, one of the members of the Ghost cyber team, whose laptop was on the table in front of him, said:
"Well,what about a cyber attack?"
Caesar said:
"Nathan,no one else has such an opinion."
Simon said:
"That's right,Nathan, but if we don't find a way to deal a heavy blow to Sensrif, we'll consider that too. Your idea remains, as a last priority."
Leo said:
"You're not Alex,Nathan."
Nathan seemed upset by this remark and his spirits were dampened.
Victor said:
"We can destroy the convoys that supply ammunition to the border armies.That way we both hurt the army and impose costs on Sensrif."
Michael said:
"They transport their tanks and part of their ammunition by air.With transport planes."
John said:
"That's right.We have a good air force. We can consider this idea."
Leo said:
"But Nadia is gone.She was the commander of our air force and the backbone of our strength. Who can replace her?"
Simon had his hands clasped together, and his attention was drawn to Victor, who was looking at him.
Simon said to himself:
Damn it. I messed up. Was it even worth it?
Leo raised his voice:
"We are not in a condition to be ready for an air battle."
Caesar said:
"What about another base?Can't we request from another base?"
John said:
"Yes,we can. The Lyal base has a very powerful air force. We can request help from them."
Simon said:
"Excellent.Well, John, I want you to request the Lyal base to attack the enemy's transport planes with their air force. Phrase it as them waiting for our plan to attack. Whenever we give the order, they take off. On our side, we need to identify one of the enemy's ground convoys and prepare to attack it."
"Nathan,you must try to intercept. You need to find the enemy's convoys. Your entire team must intercept, both air and ground convoys."
Nathan said:
"I don't know if I can,sir. This is very difficult. Sensrif's radio frequencies change much faster and more securely than those of Greenland and Ruritania."
Simon said:
"You have to be able to.Not only us, but the air force of the Lyal base, if they accept our request, will need your interception."
"Yes, sir, I'll try my..."
Simon,who was waiting for Nathan to finish his sentence, said:
"Well,you'll try your...?"
Nathan looked at his laptop. His eyes widened, and he said:
"It's from Commander Jake.The enemy is going to bomb us."
(BOOOOOM)
(BOOOOOOOM)
(BOOOOOOOOM)
The sound of explosions shook the entire building and the people in it.
Simon stood up and said loudly:
"Everyone,keep your cool. Follow me."
Simon moved towards the door, and all the people present in the meeting followed him. They were almost running. When they got near the building's entrance door, a soldier, drenched, burst inside. Simon ran towards him and helped him up.
"What happened?What's going on?"
The soldier said breathlessly:
"Sir,the hangars are all destroyed. Enemy fighters have destroyed the runway. All the fighters and helicopters are destroyed!"
Simon couldn't believe it. He looked outside. The raindrops seemed to have joined the bombardment. Everything was exploding.
Simon went towards the door and said to the soldier:
"Have ground forces entered?"
The soldier said:
"Yes,sir, they are outside the base, they haven't entered yet. But they are putting pressure on us from both sides."
Simon said:
"Go for defense!Don't let them enter!"
The soldier ran towards the outside, but as soon as he went out, a shot from the right hit his head, and his brains splattered out.
Simon, who was about to follow the soldier, stopped and looked at the soldier's spilled brains. The soldier's body trembled and finally died.
Victor said:
"What should we do,sir?"
Simon said over the noise of the bombardment and the resulting tremors:
"John,do you remember that place I told you about?"
John said:
"Yes."
Simon said:
"Gather all the soldiers and documents you can and go there."
John said:
"But the base?"
Simon said:
"The base is being destroyed.If we can defend and push the enemy back... which we can't... we'll both suffer heavy casualties and have defended a destroyed base that is useless. It's not worth it, John. Retreat is the best option. Go, evacuate everyone."
Then he put his hand on John's shoulder and said:
"We will get revenge,brother."
John looked at Simon with a worried expression, nodded his head, and then ran towards the building's rear exit. Nathan also followed him.
Simon said:
"Caesar and Victor,you go to the southern sector. Gather all the ammunition and exit the base from the southern gate. Find a safe place on the road. I'll come find you."
Victor said determinedly:
"Don't worry,Commander."
And then left with Caesar.
Simon said to Michael and Leo:
"Well,we need to buy time, brothers. We must not let the enemy ground forces enter."
Michael said:
"Sir,how do we escape the snipers?"
Simon thought for a moment. Then he said to Leo:
"Leo,go bring weapons and a sniper rifle. Quick." Leo ran towards the weapons inside the building, and after Leo left, Simon said to Michael:
"Do you have a mirror?"
Michael took a small square mirror from his pocket and gave it to Simon.
Simon held a corner of the mirror in his fingers and slightly extended it outside to see the sniper's position.
The sound of explosions made the mirror's surface vibrate. In one moment, he saw a spark from a mountain next to the base, and a moment later, the mirror shattered into a thousand pieces.
Simon pulled his hand back, and Michael said:
"Sir,are you okay? Did you see his position?"
Simon said:
"Yes,I saw it."
(BOOOOM)
The building shook so violently that Simon and Michael, who were standing, lost their balance and stayed on their feet by holding onto the walls.
Michael said:
"My God,they hit the building."
Some dust fell on their heads.
Simon said:
"They hit the upper floors.....Leo, where's Leo?"
At that moment, Leo returned with three weapons and their ammunition, and a sniper rifle slung over his shoulder. He was completely covered in dust.
Simon, relieved, took the weapons from Leo, and they prepared to move.
Sniper rifle in his hands and a weapon on his shoulder.
Michael checked on Leo, and Leo said:
"Yeah,I'm fine. After I left the room, they hit the room, I just got a bit of the blast wave. It's nothing, I'm fine."
Michael said:
"Well,sir, how are we going to get out?"
Simon picked up the phone on the desk and gave it to Michael:
"When I say so,throw this out, about the height of a person."
Michael took the phone and waited for Simon. Simon prepared the sniper rifle to fire and said:
"Now."
Michael threw the phone, and as the phone went out, it shattered into pieces, and Simon went out, aimed, and fired.
After firing, Simon, who was running towards the northeastern sector of the base, shouted:
"Come on,run!"
Leo and Michael ran after Simon. They reached the northeastern sector. About 10 soldiers had taken cover and, under heavy enemy fire, didn't dare to come out. Simon went to one of the cover positions, and Michael and Leo also took cover.
Simon asked one of the soldiers:
"What's your name,soldier?"
The soldier replied:
"Patrick,sir."
Simon said loudly so he could be heard:
"Patrick,report."
Patrick said:
"Sir,our numbers were much larger. Some of the soldiers, on Commander John's orders, went to the southern sector, and most of those who remained have been killed. Only we are left. The enemy has us surrounded, they're just behind the fences. The enemy's fighters are destroying the entire base, and the snipers won't let us come out to defend."
Simon was staring at Patrick. He was thinking.
The rain had intensified and was hitting them like fierce bullets. The sound of gunfire was hurting their eardrums, and dirt from the explosions was spraying onto their faces.
All the soldiers'uniforms were soaked, and the weight of their wet clothes was bothering them.
Water droplets were falling from Simon's hair when Michael said:
"Sir,I can go to the air defense system."
Simon said:
"Doesn't it work with AI?"
Michael said:
"Yes,sir, but the enemy has disabled them. I can manually target those fighters."
Simon said:
"As long as the snipers are there,you can't. They'll hit you."
All the men were defending. Simon tried to take out the snipers with his rifle. Patrick said:
"Sir,I think one of the enemy snipers is at the 1 o'clock position."
Simon concentrated, stood up, and after aiming, fired.
He took cover again and said:
"Excellent work,Patrick. I got him."
Another soldier came to Simon's cover position and took cover.
The soldier said:
"Sir,the enemy has entered!"
Simon was nervous. He said:
"What happened to the soldiers on the front line?"
The soldier said:
"They're all dead,sir."
Simon said:
"Introduce yourself."
The soldier said:
"I'm Harry,sir. Harry Federshat."
Simon said:
"Well,Harry, we must not let the enemy advance further from here. Understood?"
Harry said:
"Well,sir, we'll try. Although it's futile."
Harry tried to fire from the side of the cover. At the same moment, Simon, who had identified the position of another enemy sniper, aimed to take him out. In one second, he saw two sparks from the mountain, and he also fired. Then he took cover again and said:
"Harry,I got one of the snipers..."
Harry was dead.A bullet had hit him in the face. Simon muttered under his breath:
"My God."
Simon turned to Leo and Michael in the adjacent cover positions and shouted:
"We have to fall back.Throw the smoke grenades."
Leo said:
"But sir,they won't work in the rain."
Michael said:
"For short-range visibility,yes, but it won't help against the snipers. The smoke will dissipate quickly."
Simon said:
"Got a better idea?It's better than nothing."
The soldiers all prepared their smoke grenades and pulled the pins.
"Throw them."
The smoke grenades were thrown. In the heavy rain, the smoke rose a little.
Simon shouted:
"Run,now!"
Everyone ran. All towards the south of the base. As they rose, the intensity of the gunfire increased. Simon ran in a zigzag pattern, and the others imitated him. Soldiers were hit by bullets while running, falling, and their blood mixed with the rainwater. Finally, they reached the containers.
Simon gathered everyone. They all took cover behind the containers. The loud sounds of gunfire and explosions were penetrating their brains.
Simon, with Patrick beside him, said:
"Is everyone here?"
Patrick said:
"Out of the 18 people who were resisting,9 were killed, sir."
Leo said:
"Commander,Michael!"
Michael was not with the group.
Simon went to the edge of the container and scanned the path they had taken. All the corpses were lying there, their blood turning the ground red. One of the soldiers was alive and raised his hand towards Simon asking for help, but a bullet hit the back of his head, killing him instantly. Now it was his trembling brains that stood out on the ground instead of blood.
A bullet hit near Simon. Simon took cover.
Simon turned to Leo and said:
"No,he's not hit."
Leo said worriedly:
"Then where is he?"
Suddenly Patrick, who was standing on the other side of the container, said:
"Commander,Michael!"
Simon and Leo went towards Patrick.
Michael was sitting on the air defense system, manually targeting the fighters.
Simon shouted:
"Michael,come here. You shouldn't be standing there."
Michael didn't answer. He kept looking at the monitor in front of him. The rain was affecting the monitor's performance, but Michael was determined to shoot down the enemy fighter.
Michael couldn't hear anything anymore. He had put one hundred percent of his concentration on the missile and tracking.
(Beep....Beeep.....Beeeeep.....Beeeeeeeeep)
The air defense fired. He pulled the trigger, and the missile launched.
(Whoooosh)
The missile's propulsion system was impressive, drawing everyone's attention. Not even the turbulent weather could stop it.
It flew,charging towards the fighter jet. Everyone was captivated by this duel between the fighter and the air defense missile. Even the sound of gunfire had diminished.
The missile went,and the fighter began to maneuver, but this missile was more agile than standard ones. The fighter activated its flares to save itself, but this missile didn't care.
(BOOOOM)
A direct hit on the fighter's tail. The missile struck the fighter's engine, splitting the jet in two. The pilot ejected to save his life.
Simon's attention turned to Michael, who was also watching.
Suddenly,a bullet hit Michael.
Leo shouted:
"Miiichaaael!"
He wanted to run towards Michael, but Simon stopped him.
Michael got up. The bullet had hit his arm. He quickly moved towards the cover where Simon and his men were. He was almost there. He said with a laugh:
"I got him.Did you see it! I got him."
A bullet from the right hit Michael in the neck and went straight through.
In that moment,everything whistled. It was as if the world fell completely silent.
The laugh vanished from Michael's face,and his eyes went blank.
He fell.
"Michael!No!"
Leo ran to Michael and dragged him behind the cover.
Simultaneously,Simon left his cover, aimed with his sniper rifle, and fired.
Simon said to Patrick:
"Take the men out through the south of the base.We'll catch up with you."
Everyone followed Patrick.
Simon put his rifle on the ground and sat down next to Michael, who was in Leo's arms.
"Michael,buddy, hold on for God's sake. Please."
Leo had his hand pressed on Michael's neck,hoping to stop the bleeding, but Michael was trembling and gurgling.
He was dying.
He shuddered.
He shuddered.
He gurgled.
Until finally,he moved no more.
"Michael,no, no, please. No."
Leo was crying,and Simon watched.
There was nothing anyone could do.
Simon said:
"Leo,we have to go."
Leo said:
"No!"
Simon said with pain:
"He's dead,Leo. There's nothing we can do."
Leo said through tears:
"Let's take his body.Bury him with respect."
Simon said firmly:
"Leo,the enemy has entered the base! We have no time, we must go!"
Leo didn't answer.
Simon grabbed Leo's arm and tried to lift him up.
"Get up,man. We can't do anything for him now. He's dead. Come on, we mustn't die. Our country needs us in this war. Our people need us."
· "I promised his wife."
A sob prevented Leo from speaking.
· "I promised his wife. How can I look her in the eye now?"
Simon,pained by the situation, said:
"Get up,man. We have to go."
And then Simon forcibly lifted Leo up and led him towards the south of the base.
They exited the base through a hail of bullets and gunfire...
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