Chapter 8
The rain's intensity had not diminished. A slight wind was blowing. In the middle of the day, there were so many clouds that the air was relatively dark. The dirt roads had now turned to mud. Simon and Leo felt the weight of the mud clinging to their boots. Their wet clothes had made them heavier. They ran with exhaustion. Raindrops went into their eyes. Blood and mud were stuck to their faces.
Finally,they stopped. They were catching their breath.
Simon said breathlessly:
· I think we've gotten far enough away.
Leo didn't answer.
Simon said:
· We have to look for the other soldiers. Come on, man, come on.
They started running.
Ten minutes later, they found the group of soldiers. They arrived.
Patrick said:
· Commander. I'm glad you're okay.
Simon said:
· Did you bring everyone?
Patrick said:
· Yes, sir.
Simon said:
· Well, how much ammunition do we have?
Patrick said:
· We have some, sir, but it's low.
Simon went over to Leo.He was lost in thought. Simon said:
· Leo.
Leo looked at Simon.
Simon continued:
· We have to go find Victor and Caesar. Can you come? If you can't, tell me.
Leo said in a strained voice,as if in pain:
· Yeah. Let's go.
Simon said:
· Good.
Simon said loudly:
· Listen up! Captain Caesar and Captain Victor are waiting for us right now with the ammunition they brought from the base. We'll follow this road until we find them. Then we head to the safe location. Prepare yourselves for possible battles.
They set off. They walked. Everyone was exhausted and helpless. Today, a captain had been lost. One of the pillars of this war.
××××
Caesar was waiting inside the ammunition-laden vehicles for Simon and his companions.
Two vehicles in a row.
Caesar said:
· When do you think the Commander will arrive?
The Ruritanian soldier said:
· I don't know, but I know he's coming.
Caesar said:
· Yeah, I know that myself.
Rain was pounding against the car windows. Suddenly, through the weather and fog, several vehicles were coming towards them. The soldier said:
· I think the Commander is here.
Caesar said:
· Max. These are.... the enemy! Enemy!
Max gave the order to prepare to the vehicle behind via radio. They picked up their weapons.
Shots were fired.
The car window shattered,but Caesar and Max managed to jump out of the car in time.
Max took cover by the car.
· Captain! Captain, where are you?
Suddenly,Caesar emerged from under the car.
· I'm okay. How many are there?
Max said:
· I don't know.
Max lay down and aimed at the enemy's feet from under the car and fired.
Max said:
· There are too many of them! We can't hold them off!
Caesar said:
· Yeah, but we have a lot of ammunition. We have to resist.
Caesar could see the vehicle behind them.Two of their soldiers had been killed. Three soldiers remained, but they were fighting for their lives.
××××
They reached a fork in the road. Simon didn't change direction and continued straight on the road.
Patrick said:
· Look, Commander. The tire tracks are here.
Simon looked at the ground.
· There were supposed to be only two vehicle tracks. Why are there so many?
Patrick said:
· I don't know, Commander. I think they came from the way we passed.
A soldier next to Patrick said:
· Sir, we can assume that Captain Victor and Caesar separated and each brought a group.
Suddenly,the sound of static from the radio silenced everyone.
From Captain Caesar to Commander-in-Chief... From Captain Caesar to Commander-in-Chief. The enemy has ambushed us! We are currently in two ammunition vehicles under enemy fire. Over.
Simon replied:
From Commander-in-Chief to Captain Caesar. Where are you? How many enemy vehicles are attacking you? Over.
Caesar replied:
There are four, sir. We are 1 kilometer from the base. Get here quickly. Our numbers are very low.
And then the connection was cut.Simon put the radio in his pocket and started running.
While running,he said:
· They're 1 kilometer away. They must be close.
As all the men ran after Simon,they kicked up mud.
The sound of gunfire could be heard.They were close.
They went further.The enemy vehicles were in sight. Simon ordered everyone to halt.
They moved out of the enemy's line of sight.And off the road as well.
He gathered everyone and said:
· Okay, Leo, you take half the men and attack from that side of the road. I'll attack from this side.
They split up.They aimed their muddy rifles. They moved forward slowly.
(Tap... tap... tap... tap)
No more gunfire could be heard. Everyone was dead. In the blink of an eye, the enemy was defeated. Very professional.
They entered the road and joined Caesar's group.
Simon said:
· Are you all right?
Caesar said:
· Yeah, we're okay. We took casualties. Most of our soldiers were killed. Only these five remain.
Caesar said:
· They came suddenly. We weren't expecting it at all.
Simon said:
· They followed your vehicle tracks. If we want to go to John, we have to get rid of the tire tracks.
Caesar said:
· Won't the rain wash them away?
Simon said:
· It takes too long.
Simon looked around a bit and asked:
· Victor? Where is he?
Caesar looked into Simon's eyes and lowered his head.
Simon asked again,more worried:
Caesar,answer me, where is Victor?
Caesar said:
· They captured him, Commander.
Simon was stunned.He couldn't believe it:
· H...How did that happen? Weren't you together?
Caesar said:
· Y...Yes, sir, but when we were bringing the ammunition out of the building, the building was attacked, and debris fell on Victor. He got trapped inside, and I couldn't get him out. He told me to go, but I didn't want to leave him. But I saw he was insisting. He told me if he could escape, he'd come to the cave before dawn. He said Commander John told him the location of the cave.
Simon said despairingly:
· No, no, no, they'll kill him. Did you see them capture or kill him?
Caesar said:
· No, sir. I didn't see.
Simon said under his breath,loudly:
· If he hasn't managed to escape, how do we find him? Do we know where they're taking him?
Caesar said:
· Sir, I gave him the GPS device that belonged to me. I told him if they capture him, to turn it on for a few moments so we can track him. Commander, we need to go to Nathan. He should be able to track it.
Simon turned to Patrick and said:
· Fill some sandbags. Now.
Caesar said:
· Sir, what happens now?
Simon said with intensity and seriousness:
· We're going to the cave.
Then he went close to Caesar and said quietly with a growl:
· He was with you, Caesar. You have to find him. We have to save him.
Caesar,with his head held high and chest out, said:
· Yes, sir. Leave it to me.
Simon passed by Caesar,but Caesar asked:
· Excuse me, sir.
Simon turned back,and Caesar said:
· Sir, where is Michael?
Simon said:
· Leo, go sit in the car. Take half the men with you. We'll come later.
Leo and half the soldiers got into the car.
Simon went to the driver's window and gave a written map to Leo and said:
· Here. Go to the marked location.
The car started and drove away.
Simon went to Caesar and said:
· Caesar... Michael is dead.
Caesar's eyes widened,and he was stunned.
Simon continued:
· Nobody knows yet. I'll explain in the car. Don't say anything for now.
Patrick said:
· Commander. The bags are ready.
Simon ordered everyone to get in and went to Patrick:
· Listen. When we move, you and another soldier cover the tire tracks. Sit in the back of the truck. I'll go slowly. Understood?
Patrick nodded his head in agreement,and after they got in, they moved.
A few minutes had passed since they started moving.
Simon tried to drive in the tracks of the previous vehicle so no new tracks would be made.
Only Simon and Caesar were sitting in the front seats.
Caesar said:
· Sir, how did it happen?
Simon said:
· We were under cover. Under fire. We threw smoke grenades to be able to escape. When we went behind the containers, I saw Michael had gone to the manual anti-aircraft gun to take down a fighter that was constantly bombing. He got it. But the snipers didn't give him time.
Caesar said:
· How do we tell the others? It will affect the soldiers' morale.
Simon said:
· Leave that to me. I know what to do to minimize the impact of this death on the soldiers.
They continued their way through the forest in the heavy rain.Light barely passed through the clouds, and the dense trees and their leaves didn't allow much light to pass.
Perhaps these trees were saying a dark path awaited them...
××××××
They continued on the rough forest road. A slight uphill was bothering the heavy, ammunition-laden truck. To climb this slope, Simon had to drive at high RPM, which put strain on the truck's engine. After a slight downhill, they reached a flat road again.
Towering rocks showed off their majesty with their height.The roots of the tall, ancient forest trees protruded from these rocks. Something appeared ahead. A 2 by 2 meter room that seemed to be for guard duty. They stopped. Several logs were blocking the path. Simon was about to get out when Caesar said:
· Sir, it might be dangerous.
Simon said:
· If anyone's there, they're friendlies. Don't worry.
He got out.The cold wind and cold raindrops brought shivers to Simon's body again. He went in front of the logs. A person came out from beside the road and approached Simon.
It was a soldier.The soldier said:
· Commander. We were expecting you. Captain Leo just told us you were coming.
Simon said:
· Yeah. Are you alone here?
The soldier said:
· No, sir. The entire path you took past the rocks, we had you under surveillance. Soldiers from Atlas have been monitoring you from there.
Simon's face showed satisfaction.The soldier opened the gate, and Simon returned to the truck.
They set off.The rocks accompanied Simon's truck. Finally, they reached the soldiers. There was a canopy over the road there. The soldiers signaled to Simon that he should enter the canopy and continue on the road.
They continued.Along the way, they could see hangars for vehicles, houses for soldiers, equipment, and all the necessary items for rescue, survival, and continuing operations and sustaining the Atlas force. Their roofs were all tin, covered with leaves and branches for camouflage.
Caesar said:
· My God, what kind of place is this?
Simon said in amazement:
· I told John to set this place up. It seems he really did his job well and took it very seriously!
They reached a large,open space. But the space was empty, and there were lights all around it, but they were off.
They passed through that space and entered the covered road again.
All the soldiers were busy with their tasks or on guard duty .As Simon passed by some soldiers, they saluted him.
They reached a cave. John and Caesar were standing at the cave entrance. John looked broken. Simon realized Leo had told John about the matter.
Everyone got out,and Simon went to John:
· My God, John, what have you done? This is beyond what I imagined. Your work was excellent, friend.
A smile appeared on John's sad lips,and he said:
· Really?
Simon looked at John for a moment and lowered his head.He ordered all the soldiers to leave the area, and when only Caesar and John were there, he said:
· I'm sorry, John. There was nothing we could do.
John lowered his head.Caesar walked away from Simon and John, and Simon said quietly to John:
· John, I know how you feel. But remember this. We are soldiers. More than that, we are commanders, and more important than that, we are men. You have to pull yourself together. Yes, it's hard, I know. But do you see all the people here? You are their commander, and they look up to you and serve you. If you break down, they break down too. Remember, we have to keep our sorrows to ourselves.
John said in a choked voice:
· Is that even possible? I lost a friend today. You don't understand.
Simon said:
· Yes, I do understand. I've been in your place, Johnny. I know what it feels like to lose a comrade. A friend. I've experienced it. Twice. That's why I'm telling you, you have to pull yourself together. This breaks you, but we have responsibilities. You won't regret this, John. It's the right thing to do.
John took a deep breath.He was right. He bore the responsibility for all these soldiers. He raised his head and looked at Simon. But now he saw something else. A man of stone. Someone whose face showed no emotion, or at least didn't show it. But his green eyes... full of pain, suffering, and grief. Now John believed Simon's words.
Because eyes never lie...
---
He picked up a piece of plastic and a sniper rifle along with bullets.
John said:
· Commander, where are you going?
Simon said:
· I'm going on patrol. Someone has to go to make sure the enemy doesn't find our trail. If we get ambushed again, we're finished.
John said:
· I'll come with you, sir.
Simon said:
· No, you stay here and organize this place. We have to look after our soldiers.
John didn't say anything.Simon said:
· Control yourself, John. We have bigger goals.
And he left.John felt a little comforted. He went into the cave, found Caesar, and said:
· Caesar, we need to organize this place. Come on. We have a lot of work, brother.
Caesar said:
· I'm sorry, I can't help you.
John said:
· Why?
Caesar said:
· I couldn't bring Victor with me. He got trapped under debris during the bombardment. I don't know where he is now. I have to go find him.
John said:
· Sorry, I can't help you, friend.
Caesar said:
· No, it's okay. He was with me, so I have to find him.
John left the cave,and Caesar went to Nathan:
· Nathan, I have a job for you.
Nathan said:
· What's up? Any news about Captain Victor?
Caesar said:
· No... How do you know?
Nathan said:
· I heard from one of the soldiers. I also found a small base. I think the Captain might be there.
Caesar realized rumors were spreading among the soldiers,but then quickly focused:
· Yeah. Well... look, I gave my GPS to Victor. It's off, but he told me when the time comes, he'll turn it on for a few moments. Can you track it?
Nathan did something on his laptop and meanwhile asked:
· You gave him your own GPS?
Caesar said:
· Yes. Send me the location of that base too.
A little later,Nathan said:
· Yes, it's true, the GPS is off. Okay, I'll do my best. I'll also send you the base location, it'll just take a little time. I'll send it to you as you go north from this area.
Without another word,Caesar went to the back of the cave and took all the equipment he needed. He returned to Nathan and said:
· I'm taking a radio and will keep it on channel 3. Stay in touch with me.
Nathan said:
· Okay, I'll let you know if there's news.
Caesar checked his equipment one more time and then headed into the forest.
×××××
Simon was running through the forest. The rainy weather affected his running and caused him to slip. He was tired, but he had to check the surroundings. He had to make sure no danger threatened them. He ran. For a better view, he moved along the ridges (the long paths leading to the summit).
From the first ridge to the second,and from the second to the third. His chest hurt from heavy panting. He had to hurry because night was falling. He stopped:
· This ridge is a bit short, but the one opposite is very high, it should have a good view. I have to go into the valley and then climb that slope.
He moved.Going down that steep slope on the wet, muddy ground was very difficult.
· My God, it's getting dark, I have to hurry.
He tried to get down faster.
Precise steps.He had to step where he was sure it wasn't slippery.
But haste couldn't be without consequences.
He slipped.He fell on that slope and mud but managed to stop himself. He got up. All his clothes were muddy. He looked around. He was at the bottom of the valley.
· My God, how far did I fall?
He started climbing the slope.He tried to take his steps a little faster.
He stepped on the tips of his toes.He leaped like a deer and climbed quickly, but the fatigue of the war bothered him. The muscles in his legs began to burn, but this pain didn't move him. He was stronger than all of this.
He arrived.He stood on the ridge, one side of which led to the summit and the other to the foothills. He had a very good view. He could see the forests drowning in the heavy rain. An endless green expanse, in the middle of which a place could be seen.
The burned base.
The Ghost base,now leveled to the ground. It was as if Sensrif had flaunted the power of its immense air force without saying a word.
Actions speak louder than words,and the burned base was saying that now.
Smoke from the fire being extinguished by the rain was visible.The only good thing about this beautiful and bitter sight was this. Everywhere was safe.
Simon moved upwards to reach the summit of the highest mountain in the area.A natural observation post. The final destination, and then he had to return to the cave. He was far from the cave, but he could reach it by running. It depended on climbing this difficult slope.
He ran.The cessation of rain made his job easier. Again, the burning of his thigh muscles and Simon ignoring it. Water droplets dripped from his black hair, and the weight of his wet, muddy clothes bothered him.
· I have to reach. I have to save the group from this predicament. I have to avenge the spilled blood. I have to...
The responsibilities of a commander might break his back,but this is the same commander who pours into himself but doesn't shirk his responsibilities.
He kept climbing. At one moment, there was no more slope. He had arrived. The peak of the summit.
He no longer ran.Short, slow steps had become pleasurable for him.
A rest for his battered and tired body.
· I came for a better view, but night fell. Great.
Trying to see in the darkness tired Simon's already tired eyes more. At the peak, a gentle, cool breeze blew, making his wet body shiver.
He had to go back,but how? How familiar was he with this area that he wanted to return in the dark of night? On one side was the steep mountain slope, and on the other was a tall cliff; falling from there meant kissing the lips of the angel of death.
About 8 meters away from the cliff,under a large, sturdy tree whose tangled roots protruded from the rock, he sat down. Half the plastic he had brought was under him, and the other half he threw over himself.
His eyelids had grown heavy.He looked at the blackness of the night. Several stars were trying to show off through the clouds. The moon was too, but it seemed it had succeeded.
Did any of this matter?His heavy eyelids pressed this into Simon's mind.
He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
×××××
The light had increased. He felt it instantly. A drop dripping on his face, the bright light, and the singing of birds.
He opened his eyes.Clear, blue sky was separating from the darkness. The endless green forest, each of its trees had a story to tell. A beautiful waterfall like a red flower in a meadow.
But one thing captivated Simon...
Sunrise.
Like a beautiful bride,it came out from behind the mountain and cast its yellow and orange light onto the greenery of the trees.
The reflection of this scene fell in Simon's forest-green eyes,and he too had joined the pulse of nature.
For a moment,he wasn't thinking about anything. He just looked at the beautiful and peaceful scene.
Quiet but full of beauty. No sound was more beautiful than the sound of birds caressing his ears.
(Snap)
The sound of a breaking twig came, and all the beautiful scenes became blurry for him.
Danger!
He got up and picked up his sniper rifle.With quiet steps, he went towards the sound. His weapon was aimed and ready.
He went forward...forward... forward... further.
He saw a black figure.He was ready to shoot when that person raised their head.
It was Caesar.With muddy clothes and a dried blood trail on his forehead. Both looked into each other's eyes.
· Caesar?
· Commander. What are you doing here?
· Come up, son, you look wrecked.
Simon laughed a little at Caesar's appearance,and Caesar said with a laugh as he climbed up the slope:
· Thank you, sir, but your appearance isn't much better than mine.
He climbed up,and Simon led him under the large tree:
· Come here, sit down and rest.
Caesar sat down and took a look ahead.Then he said:
· Wow. It's so beautiful here.
Simon sat down and said:
· Yeah, very. I was captivated by it too.
Silence.Again, the beautiful sound of birds bringing tranquility.
Simon said:
· Were you able to find Victor?
Caesar said:
· Yes, sir. He's in a Sensrif base, and they're planning to transfer him. They're taking him to the main Sensrif base located within Sensrif's own territory.
Simon said:
· Well, do you know which route they're taking him?
Caesar said:
· Yes, sir. They're taking him via a border road. There's only one route, and it's that same road.
Simon said:
· That's our only chance. Rest, we have to return to the cave.
Caesar stretched out his legs and closed his eyes,and Simon got up and went into the embrace of the forest.
About 30 minutes had passed. Caesar was awakened by Simon's touch.
· Come on, friend, I gathered some food for you. You must be hungry.
Caesar took them and said:
· Ah, thank you, sir. Here, you must be hungry too.
Simon said:
· No, I ate. These are for you.
Caesar smiled and started eating the wild berries.
Simon sat down next to Caesar and stared at the view.
After eating a little,Caesar said:
· Sir, you were very bothered about the Atlas team splitting up, right?
Simon said:
· Weren't you?
Caesar took a deep breath and said:
· Yes. You must miss Commander Walker a lot.
Simon said:
· Yeah. We were always together, and that hurts. Unfortunately, I can't contact him, otherwise I would.
Caesar said:
· I think we've become much weaker this way. But this weakness is worth it for its advantages, right?
Simon said:
· Yeah.
No more was said.Caesar ate the berries again, and Simon said:
· Caesar, how's your family? Have you heard from them?
Caesar said:
· No. The last time I called them was before I came here. I haven't seen them in a long time.
They still live in the village and are happy with their cows and sheep.
Simon said:
· That's good. Rural life ages them slower.
Caesar said:
· Yeah. To tell you the truth, I really like rural life too.
Simon said:
· Because you grew up in a village yourself.
Caesar said:
· Yeah. You know, I always have a lot of fantasies about the future.
Simon said:
· Well, what do you think about?
Caesar said:
· I want to go back to our village after we win the war. Get married there and have a colorful rural life. Three kids playing in the yard, then kicking a ball and breaking a flowerpot, and their mother scolding them.
Simon laughed and said:
· Oh God, what are you thinking about? And where are you in this?
Caesar said:
· I'm gathering my cows in the barn, and on my way back to the house, I see this scene and laugh and thank God. I want our house to be near my parents' house. In our warm house, when it's snowing outside, I want to watch my wife knitting a canoeing sweater. And the kids who color that house.
Simon said:
· The life you're imagining is the wish of many, Caesar.
Caesar said:
· Yeah, I know.
Simon said:
· You forgot something.
Caesar said:
· What?
Simon said:
· What about your wife's family? Where are they?
Caesar said with a laugh:
· How should I know? They're dead. In that family, only my wife matters to me, not the others.
Simon laughed .It was interesting:
· Well, do you have someone in mind, or should I set you up?
Caesar said:
· Actually, there's a girl I really like, Commander.
Simon said:
· Well, well, it's getting romantic. Explain, let's see.
Caesar said:
· Yeah, we grew up together since we were kids, and to tell you the truth, I knew since I was a child that I would marry her. After all these events, the only thing I want is to get to that girl.
Simon said:
· Don't worry, friend, you'll get to her too, you lovestruck soul.
And then he laughed.
Simon said:
· If you don't invite me to your wedding, I'll come after you with a shotgun.
And then both laughed:
· Don't worry, Commander, the front row is for you and Commander Jake.
After the laughter subsided,Caesar said:
· Sir, don't you have anyone in mind?
Simon thought.Someone came to his mind.
· No, no, no, don't even think about it...
Simon said:
· Not yet. I hope I like a girl like you do. It must be a beautiful feeling.
Caesar said:
· I hope so. We better go, sir. The sooner we get to the cave, the better for everyone.
They got up and moved towards the slope.
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