Chapter Ten: Final Resolve

Afghanistan

Kabul Province

Kabul

Jazirkhan Palace

August 16, 2011

19:02 PM

The day before Nate's departure to United States, he receives invitation to a formal dinner as a CEO of the largest contract owner in Afghanistan on Jazirkhan Palace, north of Kabul. The luxurious spacy 18th century European neoclassical palace was built in 1912.  During day, the palace serves as a museum. The dinner is attended by high standing figures such as US Ambassador for Afghanistan, Kabul City Mayor, numerous ISAF and Afghan generals and Hamid Karzai. The only room crowded by people is the function hall. Inside it, four columned long wooden tables covered with white tablecloth with dinnerware set over them are lined. On the ceiling, two columns of six large crystal lights are hanged. 

" This is your seat, Sir. And this is your seat, Ma'am. Is there anything else I can help?" Says a waiter to Nate and Shiori.

" No, that's all. Thank you." Replies Nate.

" You're welcome, sir."

Nate feels relieved as he finds his seat, as when he walked, his sword draws curiosity and attention. Next to Nate, General Grimes from US 10th Mountain Division suddenly calls Nate in Texas accent, " There you are, Kato. I heard about your adventure down there. I'm sorry to hear that."

" Oh, thank you. And.."

" Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself first. I'm Jonathan Grimes, 10th Mountain. And you must be Mr. Kato, right?"

" Yes, Nathaniel Kato, nice to meet you, General." Replies Nate.

Nate then introduces Shiori to the general, " General, this is my wife, Shiori."

" I'm Jonathan Grimes, nice to meet you, ma'am."

" Nice to meet you too, General."

" Mr. Kato, where were you before?"

" CIA, SAD.."

" About your fighting style, I've never seen it on real life. Could you.. Teach it to my unit?"

" Sure, we can make a contract about it. We'll send instructors."

" By the way, it's ten minutes to the dinner." Says General Grimes.

" We know Mr. Karzai can't arrive at the exact time. For security reason."

" I believe he'll come in no long time.." Says Nate to Shiori after looked at his wristwatch.

" S.. S.. Sure.." Says Shiori stutteringly.

" Why do you stutter?" Asks Nate. 

She is still very embarassed  for beating his husband in Laskar Gah two days ago.

" Oh, I see.. I'll give you time then.." Says Nate again.

" I'm sorry.. Sorr.. Ry.."

 Fifteen minutes later, Karzai arrives and starts to hold an opening speech in podium.  After one hour, a new Valkyrie Unit leader approaches Nate and gives him a letter, " Excuse me, sir. Someone insisted to send you this."

" Thank you, Ralph. I'll see it later."

" Pardon me, sir. The man also insisted you to open it immediately."

" What? I'll just see it.." Asks Nate amazed.

Nate opens the letter. The content is very unexpectedly.

" Greetings, Al - Tous, I, Gulzar Azgari, admit that I did not give us a fair resolution back then. I then challenge you to resolve our matter once and for all in Kabul River. By the time you receive this message I am already waiting there."

Reading that, Nate closes the letter and pauses for a moment. Shiori, noticing that, asks Nate, " What is happening? Who sent it?"

" Shiori, this is Threat Level One. We have to leave immediately." Answers Nate.

" What? What happened?" Asks Shiori.

" There's no time to explain."

" Ralph, prepare my car. We leave immediately."

" Yes, sir."

Suddenly, he is stopped by General grimes, " Hey, where are you going?"

" General, this is an emergency situation. Send your subordinates to Kabul River. I'm going there first." Answers Nate.

" What? Hey! Wait!" Says General Grimes.

On their way, Shiori asks Nate, " You mean him? The man who wanted to kill you in Laskar Gah? No! I won't let you. Turn this car immediately! Let General Grimes take care of it."

" Looks like he want to solve his vendetta once and for all. No, can't do. This is our chance to stop him."

" Nate, you were nearly killed two days ago. That's enough for this ten years! Remember your children!"

" I know! Look, Shiori, this man is about to create international incident and shot down our planes just to solve his personal problem. He got nothing to lose. What would hinder him? This is our chance. It is more dangerous if we don't know where he is. I'll solve this once.. and for all."

" Not you.. But us! You have promised me."

" Alright. I thank you for your support. But promise me you won't put yourself into danger."

Nate's three cars motorcade finally arrives at the designated place. The moon shines its light at the river and its bridge, giving a dim view. Nate's Valkyries Unit ninjas disembark from Nate's and their cars. Their attention is drawn over a man in black standing on the bank river looking at them.

" Al - Tous, I've been waiting for you. For two days, I've been in hunger and pain waiting for you. Just like seven years ago in Iraq. But today, the story will go to different course. I will have my victory!" Shouts Gulzar.

" Gulzar! I will show my kindness to you. This is your last chance! Throw your weapons and surrender! You choose the ending!"

"  Al - Tous! After I have tried this far you think you can change my goal? I have nothing to lose. I knew from the start I would not survive."

" So you have chosen your decision? Then, the blame is all yours."   

Nate then gives his Colt M1911 sidearm and its clips to Ralph, " Hold this."

" Sir.. But.."

" Don't worry. I've been thinking about this."

" Are you sure, sir?" Asks Ralph.

" Yes, you have done a good job, Ralph." Answers Nate.

Nate then draws his ninja sword. Moon shine gives light to its blade. " Nate! ...." Shouts Shiori.

" Shiori, I can't draw you in this. This is not in Iraq anymore."

Nate slowly descends the grass slope of the river bank, slowly walks at Gulzar with sword wielded at right hand. Gulzar's long curved silver Saif sword is seen wielded at his right hand. Both sides are facing each other at a distance with the river and the other side of Kabul City as their background. Wind blows passing them.

After a moment, both sides start charging at each other. Their swords collide heavily. They don't give any chance at their opponents. Nate manages to slash Gulzar's left feet while he himself is slashed at left hand. The two then takes a distance again, staring at each other holding their swords. After another sword charge, the fighting shifts into unarmed combat. Nate's sword is thrown from his hand. Gulzar then delivers multiple attack which Nate manages to evade.  After he manages to recover his sword, Nate evades Gulzar's single furious attack then impales him.

Time is felt as if it stops. Gulzar halts himself. He sees he is impaled. Then stares at Nate with eyes opened widely in disbelief.

" Al - Tous..."

" This time.. I don't make mistake." Says Nate.

Gulzar then collapses.

Seeing that, Shiori, Ralph and several Valkyrie ninjas run at Nate. " Nate..!!" Shouts Shiori.

" It's all over.." Says Nate to Shiori.

After a moment, US, British and Afghan soldiers surround the area. 

" Drop your weapons! Put your arms in the air!" Shouts an US soldier through a loudspeaker.

Nate orders all of his ninjas to drop their weapons. Then, they are questioned by the latter forces about the incident. It is questioned whether it has connection with Karzai's meeting in Jazirkhan Palace. To prevent more dispute and unwanted reaction, Nate and Shiori decide to keep the real cause themselves. Iranian forces denies any involvement of the recent incidents despite of a compelling evidence of a captured Iranian personnel by Private Echelon ninjas. The next five days, the two unmarked planes used to attack Nate's plane are found crashed in Uzbekistan.

After Nate and Shiori's departure to United States. A punitive operation by Private Echelon Corporation as a result of an attack aimed at their CEO approved by ISAF and Afghan forces, is carried out.  About five hundred masked men in black heavily armed with small arms and swords are inserted at night into Tora Bora mountain. The next four days, after the purge, an ISAF patrol finds numerous dead insurgents with edged weapon and gunshot wounds and burning heavy weapons. 

The End

License: Personal use and read only. Further usage requiring permission from author.

Disclaimer: All contents are fiction          

Chapter Nine: Vendetta

Afghanistan
Helmand Province
Laskar Gah City
August 14, 2011
14:41 PM


Nate awakes from his unconsciousness. When he opens his eyes, he sees a grey walled dim and damp room with only a single white light bulb hanging on a long cable. Dusty crates were put and piled up on two stories on the right corner. Stench of dungeon fills the air. In front of him, two men in black standing guard on a dirty dark brown wooden door. It is a basement.

" So, you're awake.." Says Gulzar while walking back and forth a bit distant in front of Nate.

When Nate realizes what is happening, he tries to draw his arms but they felt restrained on his back. He is handcuffed and restrained by one of Gulzar's subordinate while kneeling. " Who are you? What do you want from me?" Growls Nate.

" You maybe not even remember a thing. But I will refresh the history.."

" My name is Gulzar Azgari. Seven years ago, 2004, you and your subordinates stormed a building in Fallujah, Iraq and killed everyone in it. You thought there were no survivors? You were wrong. I was conversing with my colleague when you stormed the room. Yes, you stabbed me. I remember, yes, it was you. I fell unconscious. When I awoke I saw you giving command, I pretended to die so you would not notice me. When you left, I saw my colleague, he was dead. Then I  staggered out from the room finding way out. Suddenly, the room blasted throwing me and gave me this!!" Gulzar then shows Nate a scar of burnt on the right side of his face.

" I managed to walk out of the building. From that destruction, only two survived including me. Finally, the city fell into Allied hands. For months, I had to live in streets, afflicted by hunger and pain before I managed to return home. At home, my family thought I was dead. I lost my wife and my children. I waited for the right time to find who did that. You have destroyed my life and my family's, I will destroy yours and your family's!"

" So this is a vendetta? You came this far and shot down my plane only to kill me? You brought your subordinates to solve your personal problem? What a shame!" Says Nate.

" Silence!" Yells Gulzar while kicks Nate.

Gulzar's two subordinates then punch, kick and beat Nate with rifle. " (Cough).. (Cough).. Let's see what's gonna be if this handcuffs are released.. I'll make sure I don't make mistake again.." Says Nate smiling.

One of Gulzar's men, points his AK101 at Nate's head, " Commander, shall we finish him off?" Gulzar halts him, " Don't! Afghan and British soldiers are still up there. Gunshot will draw their attention." On the surface, US, British and Afghan soldiers overrun streets, alleys and buildings, rounding up prisoners and checking buildings.

Gulzar then moves away from Nate then approaches Nate's left carrying Nate' ninja sword. " Al - Tous, with your sword you have taken many lives, with your sword as well, yours willl be taken." Says Gulzar.

Gulzar then raises the sword vertically in the air. Seeing it, Nate struggles desperately tries to release himself. Gulzar's subordinate restrains him stronger. When Gulzar is about to swing the sword, the brown door blasts, warding off the two guards and bashing one on the left side of the door to wall. It sends Gulzar and his subordinates into surprise. Shiori and Jack, followed by several Afghan and British soldiers storm the room. Gulzar quickly runs away through the another door. Nate's sword falls from his grip. Shiori and Jack stab and slash the two of Gulzar's subordinates. Afghan and British soldier manage to neutralize one of the men in black who tries to fight back by shooting his AK101 rifle. The situation quickly goes into a hostage situation by an outnumbering stand off between numerous ninjas, Afghan and British soldiers against one of Gulzar's men pointing Nate's sword at Nate's neck.

" Put your weapon down!!"

" You are surrounded!!"

" Come further and I will kill him!!"

" Release him! Release him now!!" Screams Shiori.

" Throw your weapons and put your arms on the air!!"

" You! You! Back off!! Back off!!"

Nate, seeing that, gathers his strength and manages to break the handcuff. He quickly turns the table at the Iranian, takes his sword then slashes him. Seeing that, the Allied soldiers overrun the room checking for survivors.

" Shiori.." Says Nate.

" Sir.. Are you..." Asks Jack but he is quickly silenced by Shiori's act.

Shiori silently walks toward Nate approaching him then suddenly delivers a hard punch at Nate's face that bashes him to ground to Nate and the soldiers' surprise. " How could you do that!! Why did you do that?!!" Cries her hysterically while beating Nate. " I hate you!! I hate you!!" Screams her to Nate while crying. No one dares to intervene. But when she sees Nate's blood covered face, she stops then drops her tanto knife. She then covers her face and cries. Everyone who sees are appalled and can say nothing about it.

Nate rises then speaks to Shiori, " Shiori, I'm sorry.. (Cough) (Cough) There's nothing I can say about what I did..."

Shiori keeps crying while covering her face. 

" I'm sorry.. I'm so sorry..." Says Nate sadly.

" Sir, I see you need medical assistance.." Says a British medical personnel.

" Thank you, I'll get it later.. Now I have something to solve.." Replies Nate.

" Yes, sir." Says the British Medical personnel.

" Why did you do that to me?! I thought we would never see each other again! Why did you do that to me?! Why?!" Cries her.

" I'm sorry.. It was the only thing I could do to save you... I wouldn't defend what I did.. I hated it but I must do it.. If there's something I can do to make up, please let me know.." Says Nate.

" Shiori.." Says Nate unreplied.

The two are sent into silence. Those surrounding them have nothing to say. Some pretend not hearing or seeing anything. While others contemplate how war brings misery and sorrow. Some British suddenly realize tears coming down from their eyes seeing the scene and reminded of their families on home.

" Please.. Tell me what I should do.." Says Nate to Shiori. Nate removes the pride of a leader and a ninja who have killed one hundred and fifty enemies. What he shows to Shiori, is that he is a reunited husband and a father who is waited by his children at home.

" Nate.. Will you promise me.. That you would never do such thing again?" Says Shiori.

Nate silences for a moment then answers, " I promise.."

Glasses of tears of relief appear again on her eyes. The same large beautiful eyes he first saw at Nokovko forest in Russia ten years ago.

A Scottish officer comes to Nate, salutes then addresses him, " Sir, Mam, I am Captain Lance Campbell from 

2 SCOTS. Our patrol encountered your wife about four blocks from here. Fortunately, one of your subordinate named Jack, managed to track them and showed us the way. We are sorry if we were late. We will give a safe passage for you to evacuate from this city to Kabul."

" Captain Campbell, I don't know how to show my gratitude. Thank you very much." Replies Nate.

In the aftermath, Allied forces manage to regain control of the city. Most of the surviving insurgents try to flee to the east. Unbeknownst to them, they run into concentration of heavily armored Private Echelon units which is covered by attack helicopters on an open desert ground which inflict devastating losses on them, only three of them who are heavily wounded captured. While those who flee southward are hunted by some units of ninjas.

To be continued

License: Personal use and read only. Further usage requiring permission from author.

Disclaimer: All contents are fiction.  

Chapter Eight: Second Battle of Laskar Gah

Afghanistan
Helmand Province
Laskar Gah City
August 14, 2011
10:25 AM

After enduring two days of exhausting formal questioning by Afghan and British forces under supervision of US, Private Echelon Corporation Commisioner Board decides to return Nate to United States through Kabul. Inside an armored black Volvo S80 driven by a Private Echelon ninja, nate and Shiori are having their trip to Bost Airport in the city to be transported to Kabul then continue their flight to Germany then United States by heavily armored motorcade of two tan ANA (Afghan National Army) Humvee jeeps and two other black armored Toyota Camry with eight ninjas inside them. Nate's car are in the middle, the two Toyota Camry are on its front and back while an ANA jeep is leading the way and another following behind a black toyota camry. Inside the leading jeep, there is Lieutenant James Connery and First Sergeant John Stuart from British 2 SCOT (Second Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland) who are supervising  and guarding the transfer. Two ninjas in the front seats keeps replying and listening from a radio with other cars. Voices of the ninjas, Afghan soldiers and Lt. James Connery are heard from the radio.

" Watch for the man on the left. Tell him to go away."

" Stay alert."

" This is Lt. Connery. All units turn left."

Breaking the silence, Nate starts to speak to Shiori, " Well, everything's so fast. I don't even know what to say."

" Me too. Today everything seems so fine.. But two days ago.." Says Shiori.

" I know. I hope there will be nothing like that happened again. It was out of our control. We have done everything to guarantee our safety.."

" No.. Please don't talk about that.. I'm still.. I'm still.." She starts sobbing. Actually, she is traumatized. Nate is as well but he hides it under his sometimes stoic facade due to his former ninja training. What happened to them was tremendous and unimaginable in ordinary family. Shiori was able to endure it only because she was a ninja as well. But after two days ago, looks like she's already on her limit. But even if she reached her limit, she would never leave Nate. Unlike seven years earlier, when she was Nate's bodyguard, she now has two heavy burdens, that she is a wife who doesn't want to lose her husband and a mother of two little children who just passed their toddler age. Suddenly, the motorcade stops when it is moving  on a narrow street, a strange radio report airs.

" Lieutenant, the road is blocked. There's a traffic jam." Says an Afghan soldier in the first humvee.

" All units, stay alert. Keep moving. Turn left." Orders Lieutenant Connery.

" Lieutenant! RPG team on the right building at 2!" Shouts Sergeant Stuart.

A wheezing sound of rocket launched ends with a blazing of the leading vehicle.

" We're being attacked!!"

" Covering fire!!"

" Lt. Connery! This is car two. Come in! Come in!" Speaks the ninja on the right front passenger seat. His calling goes unanswered. 

The last Afghan humvee reports in, " All units!! Retreat! We're pulling ba...." The last car is destroyed by another RPG, trapping the cars in the middle. Civilians running around screaming, coming out from shops and restaurants. Hail of machinegun fires rain the surviving three cars. Seeing his nightmare comes, Nate takes the radio mike taking charge, " All remaining units!! This is Kato! Full speed ahead!!" The three cars speed up on the suddenly empty road since most of the cars on the front traffic jam has escaped from the incident except ones left behind. A flying rocket hits the black Toyota Camry on the front, destroying  and throwing it. Nate's car goes below the burning flying car. The two ninjas in the front seat, look at it in disbelief. The radio keeps sounding callings. Several heavy machine gun fires from the front aimed at Nate's car break the front bulletproof windshield on the right side, killing the ninja sitting on the right and wounding the one driving's right arm. As the driver loses control, the car turns left to abandoned sidewalk then rams a Turkish restaurant 'Gallipoli' main door. The car was bashed inside the restaurant rotatingly. It stopped with its front facing the sidewalk. The slide wrecked the restaurant's door, chairs, tables and window glasses.

After Nate and Shiori get out from the car, he opens the car's right front door. He finds the ninja on the right is dead while the driver leans on the chair with blood flows on his face heavily. " Jack! Jack!" Shouts Nate. His calling isn't answered. Suddenly, two armed insurgents surge recklessly inside the restaurant when Nate is trying to get Jack out of the car. Nate and Shiori shoot them. More come but then warded off by the ninjas' rapid fires. The third black Toyota Camry suddenly appears drifting then rams the restaurant's entrance frame. Two ninja, the driver and one seats in the rear passenger seat, both on the left side come out and come to Nate. The driver's head is covered with blood while the another is wounded on right arm.

" Sir! Mam! Are you alright?!" Shouts him.

" We're alright! What's the situation?! What happened to the humvees?"

Sounds of gunfires and blasting rockets echo outside. 

" They were destroyed, sir!"

" Hey! Where're the other two?! Aren't you supposed to be four?!" Asks Nate about the other two ninjas inside the car.

" They're dead, sir! It's too dangerous to go back there!" Answers the ninja.

" You! Pull Jack out of my car. And you.." Orders Nate.

An RPG rocket destroyed the ninja's Camry, blasting it. The explosion delivers a punching wave at Nate and its sharpnels kill Ken, the wounded ninja from the third car. Nate's hearing's tingling and his vision blurring. James, the only surviving ninja, is injured by the explosion. " James.. James! They're serious this time!" Shouts Nate.

" Can't move, sir.. I'll hold them.."

" James.. James.. We'll get you out of here, okay?"

" Sir, it's okay.. I'll hold them.."

" Are you sure?"

" I am."

" Alright, see you again.."

After Nate and Shiori walk their way to the restaurant's kitchen to escape from the building through kitchen door, a mixture of men in black and local insurgents are entering the restaurant. They are greeted by James' P90 fires which force them to back down. Meanwhile, Nate's escape is botched when he is about to get out through the kitchen door, he is spotted by a number of insurgents on small street behind the restaurant. Being alarmed that there are armed survivors, the attackers now try to capture the restaurant's base floor. It buys time for Nate and Shiori who now are escaping to the restaurant's flat square rooftop through stairways. Outnumbered and outgunned, James is quickly shot after managed to shoot one insurgent. The attackers overrun the room. They carefully sweep each room and Nate's car looking for hiding survivors. Jack, after briefly realizing that he is already overrun, now conscious, quickly pretends to be dead while waiting for the attackers to leave the restaurant. They leave two in the restaurant room. When Jack sees the two guards are not looking, he slowly fits his P228 sidearm's silencer and unsheates his sword. As one of the insurgent is on the another room, he knocks the car door's frame to get attention of an insurgent, when he is about to check the sound source, he is quickly stabbed. The another insurgent starts calling the already dead one.

" Samad! Samad! Where is he?!"

Again, Jack knocks the car door drawing his attention. Surprised seeing the first insurgent now wallows in blood, he quickly runs toward the restaurant main door and thought he was attacked from outside. When he turns again, he is slashed. On the rooftop, Shiori sees that she is trapped inside chaotic battle only a year after her traumatic Manama Hostage Situation in Bahrain in 2010. This time it is with her husband. On all four sides, gunfires and blasts echo from all corners of the city between attacking insurgents, Afghan soldiers and armed civilians who are protecting their families and properties on buildings, alleys and streets. The battle sends the city into chaos. There is no clear line between friend and foe.

" We have to get out of here and reach the mayor office!"

" Use building tops as bridges to make way." Says Nate. 

Fortunately for Nate, they are on a dense population settlement which means the rooftops are not too far from each other. They then leap to the next building and go northward. They are spotted by the men in black and fired. " It's them! Get them!". The two ninjas fight back with their sidearms, the only ranged weapons except shuriken they have. Nate sees a square gasoline can near him, reaches it and throws it in front of him. After warning Shiori, he shoots the can. It explodes and creates a wall of fire and smoke screen giving the ninjas chance to run away. The attackers, briefly loses them but one of them, a tracker, makes an exact guess about their course.

" They must be going that way, commander." Says the man in Persian.

" Everyone! Follow me! Head that way!" Says Gulzar, the commander while pointing north.

On their run, Nate and Shiori kill many insurgents they run into and evade bulk of ones due to their superior firepower and number. They also manage to capture an AKM and an SVD Dragunov as well grenades to add their firepower. With swords, they neutralize several insurgents snipers and machine guns, liberating trapped Afghan ANA units below on streets and small buildings. Unfortunately, friendly Afghan units think that they are insurgents due to their weapons and different uniforms. A dramatic event happens when an insurgent tries to hit Shiori with his AK47 rifle. She manages to evade it. Nate, consumed with anger, dashes at the man and slashes him twice, punches his jaw then, grabs his collar then kicks the man away toward a window behind the insurgent. The insurgent and pieces of broken glass fall in top of a white sedan car in the middle of ANA against insurgent fire fight. Both sides stares at the dead insurgent in surprise. The fall soars ANA morale. It sends all insurgents on the entire block to surrender.

Unfortunately for them, when they are trying to seek help from ANA soldiers who are taking prisoners below. They are mistaken as insurgents and fired. Their burden becomes worse when a tan and green camouflage painted BTR - 80 armored vehicle reinforcement arrive. Following an ANA soldier, the BTR's 14.5mm KPVT machine guns start vomitting at where Nate and Shiori showed up before. " I thought they should have helped us!!" Shouts Shiori. " They thought we were enemies!" Answers Nate. The BTR's heavy machine gun fires breaks through the building's wall. To evade the BTR - 80's line of fire, they ascended to higher levels of the building. To their surprise, on the top floor, they run into three insurgents inside a room separated only with a square wooden table. Nate immediately turns the table upward then kicks it toward the insurgents to screen their sights followed by Nate's full automatic rifle fires toward the table who break through it and kill the three. Another insurgent suddenly comes out through a door on Nate and Shiori's left swinging his saif sword at Nate but stopped by Shiori's tanto dagger throwing. ANA soldiers now start sweeping up the building floors from the base one. Afghan and ISAF (2 SCOTS) soldiers who initially lost control of much of the city except on northern area begins to retake it slowly. Nate and Shiori are on the middle part of the city who are still not retaken. Units of ANA soldiers they encountered were separated units trying to escape northward.

Suddenly, Nate's wireless radio device omits calling, " This is Hawk One calling to Chief. Respond."

" This is Chief. Where are you?!" Asks Nate.

" We're closing in to your whereabout in five minutes. Extraction on the top. Over." Says Hawk One pilot.

A hundred Private Echelon ninjas from bases nearby and ten helicopters are sent into the battle permitted by Afghan and ISAF forces to rescue their CEO. Hawk One, an Mi - 8 helicopter modified specially for Private Echelon CEO is the rescue team spearhead equipped with a beacon locater to spot Nate's beacon signal on micro beacons carried by Nate and Shiori. " We forgot about this beacon, I should have called them earlier!" Says Nate. On their way, they run into a group of four Afghan soldiers. The soldiers immediately point their gun at the ninjas and shout in Pashto in the building corridor, " Drop your weapons!! Drop your weapons!!"

" Don't shoot! We're Americans!" Shouts Nate.

" Don't shoot! Don't shoot!"

" Drop your weapons or we'll shoot!" Nate's explanation is unheard by the panicked and surprised Afghan soldiers who don't know who Nate and Shiori are. " Drop your weapons!" Shouts another soldier.  Seeing they have no choice, Nate and Shiori finally relent and when Nate is slowly putting his silver M1911 and his sword after his AK rifles, two insurgents appear on a door behind the soldiers.

" Watch out! Behind you!" Shouts Nate taking back his weapons.

The insurgents start opening fire, killing and wounding the four Afghan soldiers, one of the soldier manages to fire back the insurgent, killing one of them. Nate and Shiori immediately shoot the last insurgent. One of the soldier, the heavily wounded one, a young man, raises his arm signaling Nate that he is asking for help. " Shiori, we can't let him here." The soldier's not able to talk. On his eyes, the regret of thinking that the ninjas were his enemies is seen. " Don't worry. We'll seek help for you." Says Nate.

" Hawk One, this is Chief, Copy."

"This is Hawk One, coming in, Chief."

" We need help immediately. We have one wounded."

" Understood, Chief. Arrival time sixty seconds."

When Nate turns, the young man has died. Nate and Shiori finally reach the building top. A brown Mi - 8 whose machine gunner and ninjas who are the helicopter crews shooting to the right and the left at buildings and streets appear from afar. " Chief. We got a visual of you." Says the pilot while seeing Nate and Shiori in the rooftop.     

" Shiori, it's the Hawk One. Let's get out of here.." Says Nate to Shiori. But, when the chopper is right in front of Nate, it is shot twice by RPG and rifle rocket launcher. Its tail is cut and burning. Nate is surprised. " We're hit! I repeat, we're hit!! We're going down! We're going down!" The helicopter rotates burning then crashes a building nearby on its left. " It's shot down!" Screams Shiori in disbelief. A group of men starts firing at the ninjas from another building roof near them. It's the Iranian forces, there are six of them, led by Gulzar, the leader of the men in black. Nate and Shiori fire back but outnumbered and outgunned, they start to retreat.

"  Keep firing! Advance!" Orders Gulzar in Persian. The Iranian forces don't charge, they advance in steady walk. Their superior number and firepower are on advantage compared with Nate and Shiori who are armed with only an AKM and an SVD Dragunov. To make it worse, they are now cornered at a square building roof. It is only connected with another rooftop by a small long wooden board which is as a bridge. Only one person may cross. They exchange fire with the advancing Iranian forces.

" Shiori, cross the bridge.. I will hold them.."

" What are you talking about? I won't.. I won't let you.. No.. No.. You can't do this again.." She starts to sob.

" Shiori, listen to me.. Listen to me.. The only way out is for one person only.. Run to the north..  I'll hold them.." Says Nate.

" Wha.. What are you talking about?!! Of course I'm not gonna leave you!!" Screams her.

" There's no time to talk! Run!! Now!!" Says Nate.

" I won't!! I won't!! I don't want to lose you!!!" Screams her.

Now bullets from the pursuers reaches walls and concretes surrounding the ninjas. In disbelief, Shiori is frozen. "How could such thing like this happen?"

" Listen to me!! Listen to me!! It's not time to argue! Run! Now!! I love you.. So, please.. Run!! Tell the kids that I love them!"

" I hate you!! I hate you!!!!" Screams her loudly to Nate while sobbing. Her burden is increased by her traumatic experience in Chechnya and Bahrain in the past. The attackers are closing in, separated with them by yards. Nate is exchanging fire with them. Shiori reluctantly boards then crosses the board. When she has reached the other side. An explosion occurs on the place where Nate is. Shiori in disbelief screams at the top of her voice, " Naaate!!! No!!" Her scream is heard echoing in the reddish sky. Nate is still alive. An attacker's rifle grenade launcher hit a pile of crates near Nate, knocking him. An attacker appears from the smoke on Nate's right, pointing his AK101 at Nate. He suddenly parries the rifle then stabs the man using his sword. Another appear from the right, trying to hit Nate using his saif, which Nate blocks. He manages to ward off the man to the left. But soon he finds himself surrounded by four men pointing their guns at him. When the man who attacked Nate before is about to deliver another strike,he is halted by his leader, Gulzar.

" Hold your fire! I want him alive!" Shouts Gulzar.

" Drop your guns and sword!" Shouts an attacker in English.

Nate then drops his M1911 and his sword. " We meet again, Al - Tous!" Says Gulzar in English.

" What do you want from me?!" Growls Nate.               

Suddenly, a gunshot is heard.  " Argh! I'm hit!" Shouts an attacker which Nate fought Nate with his sword. His left arm was shot. Shiori is shooting at them from across the rooftop while crying. They fire back at her. Nate, seeing that, rises and tries to capture a rifle from one attacker, " No! Stop!!" After a brief struggle, Nate is stopped, beaten with rifle butt and kicked. He finally surrenders. 

" Al - Tous, now I admit your reputation is as what I heard."

Suddenly, one of the attacker reports to Gulzar, " Commander, Afghan and British forces are advancing. This area will soon fall into their hands. I suggest we moving."

" Well then, take him away." Orders Gulzar in Persian to the one who reported.

" Yes, Commander." Replies the man.

Nate, dazed, then sees him takes a rifle then beats Nate's face with it. Everything turns black for Nate. Meanwhile, Shiori runs into a group of Afghan and British 2 SCOTS soldiers. " Stop!Drop your weapons!!" Shout them in Pashto and English. Shiori, weeping and sobbing, throws her sidearm and tanto knife. Seeing her, the soldiers lower their guns, wondering what is happening. She walks past the amazed soldiers. Suddenly, a Scottish sergeant, the leader of the group, moves forward waving his hands to the soldiers on his right and left, " Don't shoot! Don't shoot!" Then he speaks to her, " Ma'am, what is happening? Who are you? Do you see insurgents around here?"

She answers them while sobbing, " They.. They.. Took Nate.."

" Nate? Who is that? Ma'am, I ask you again, what's going on?" Asks the sergeant again. Shiori keeps sobbing without answering. " Tiger One, we have situation here." Reports the sergeant through his radio. At the time, a combined forces of US, British and ANA (Afghan National Army) advance from the north to regain control over the city. Fifty Private Echelon ninjas led by Helmand Branch Chunin Steven Da Silva have been landed with helicopters on the city center to retrieve their missing CEO and Shiori while another fifty have reached the east of the city by columns of modified Didgory armored vehicle.  

To be continued

License: Personal use and read only. Further usage requiring permission from author.

Disclaimer: All contents are fiction. 

Chapter Seven: Siege of Jahandar (Part lV)

Afghanistan

Helmand Province

Jahandar Village

Third Wave

August 13, 2011

04:47 AM

Fearing the the third attack wave, following Nate's instruction, all unarmed civilians begin to evacuate through a tunnel hidden under the village's small hall that was built ten years ago as an escape measure if the village is near with destruction under Nate's ninjas and volunteers' guard. To slow down the expected enemy advance, Nate has ordered Khan and his volunteers to set up traps at roads and places that were thought to be the enemies' trail. So far, with two attacks repelled and annihilated, Nate's forces and the volunteers gained more firepower and ammunition supply from captured weapons but decreases in number with four of them, including Takayama and Matthias, killed and wounded. Though small in numbers, it affects significantly in Nate's small war party. Nate ordered Shiori, Matthias and Captain cunningham to go with the civilians. In the sky, the sun is rising, giving light for the new day.

" Is everything good?" Asks Nate to Ghazli while standing near the line of queuing civilians heading inside the village's hall.

" Yes, but the tunnel is small. We can't go very fast."

" Stay alert. I hope we can finish this all before the sun rises. That's when I think they will attack."

Suddenly, Khan suddenly comes and reports, " Mr. Kato, all traps have been set. We set them on the village square and the main road."

" Thank you, Jawzeed, guard the main road. See if any enemy is nearby."

" Yes, sir."

" That's the last of them?" Asks Nate about the last seven civilians on the queue.

" I think so." Answers Ghazli.

" Once they're all evacuated, we proceed."

Suddenly, a wheezing sound is heard closing in and suddenly, a house roof nearby explodes.

" Mortar!!! Get away from streets!!" Screams Nate.

The explosion disperses the volunteers.

" You, you!! Go!! Fast!" Screams Nate again to the queueing the civilians.

The second mortar fire comes and destroys another house.

" What do we do?!!" Screams Ghazli.

" Follow me!! We got to save Khan's forces!"

Nate, Kim and Ghazli immediately run to the main road. There, Khan and twelve volunteers are forming a defensive position on low walls and houses opposite the village's southern entrance armed with RPG 7 rocket  launchers and PK machine guns, waiting for a ground attack. When Nate and Ghazli appear, they are pointed by guns thought as enemies.

" Don't shoot! Don't shoot! It's us!" Shouts Nate.

They are not waiting on the village bank for the enemies' superior firepower and numbers may silence them in no time. Suddenly, the mortar attack stops. Nate feels the soil where he stands moving.

" It's them. Everyone! Shoot on my command!" Orders Nate followed by Khan in Pashto. 

The shaking ground preceeds the enemy horde. Then, two technical jeeps appear from below the higher ground after ascending it. On their light and left, massive insurgents spread out.

" Fire!"

The unwanted guests are greeted by an amount of sudden bullet and rocket fires. A rocket destroys the first jeep while several insurgents are downed. The halted enemies counter fire at the defenders. The second jeep turns left and begin showering them heavy with machine gun fires, killing one defender.

" Somebody shoot the gunner!!" Orders Nate.

" It's difficult to raise our heads now, sir!"

" Kim, throw a grenade at the jeep!"

" What, sir?!" Asks Kim because of the noise.

" Throw a grenade at the jeep!!"

" Yes, sir!"

The grenade which explodes near the jeep stunts the jeep gunner and insurgents nearby. Nate takes an aim at the gunner and shoots him using his AK74U. Khan's machine gunner sweeps through the jeep's window forcing the driver to evacuate. A launched rocket destroys the jeep. It flies then goes down burning upside down. Both sides are stuck into a full fires stalemate. Casualties between the attackers who are advancing from lower ground and more open terrain starts to amount. On Nate's side, another volunteer is heavily wounded. Suddenly, the ground starts shaking again heavier than before.

" A jeep..?" Thinks Nate.

" No, it's not a jeep."

" Mr. Kato, the ground is shaking! More jeeps!" Shouts Ghazli.

" It's not a jeep!!"

Suddenly, the insurgents on the main road move to the right and to the left. A plain tan T - 72 tank appears then stop in the middle to Nate's surprise and disbelief. It's turret turns aiming its 125 mm gun toward the defenders.

" Everyone! Fall back!!" Screams Nate.

All of the defenders immediately run through small alleys. The tank shoots. It destroys the house where Nate and several volunteers were, wounding Atal's arm by its sharpnel. After shooting, it goes ahead on the main road toward the village square with insurgents following it further behind. On its run, its machine gun shoots three stray volunteers running away on the main road. It then shoots to the right and to the left, destroying two buildings. The impacts effect is felt by the running defenders.

" Mr. Kato, use the trap! Use the trap!" Shouts Ghazli.

" They are of no use against a tank! We have passed it!" Answers Nate shouting.

" Jawzeed, fire RPG's!"

" Yes!"

An RPG team comprised of two are ordered to stop their run and fight back the tank. They turn and fire one rocket from a house wall at the advancing tank. However, it misses. The alarmed tank now turns at where the rocket was fired. When the RPG team is ready to fire again, the tank's coaxial machine gun fires killing the RPG shooter, the another manage to evade. Under pursuit of the seemed unstoppable tank, the defenders run toward the village hall. Seeing the hall, five volunteers run directly to it.

" Wait, don't...!" Shouts Nate.

They are fired by the tank's gun and machine gun, destroying the hall. Among them, only one managed to enter the hall, Atsak, Ghazli's brother.

" Atsak! Atsak!" Shouts Ghazli, trying to go inside

" Stop, Aslan!! Get back!!" Yells Nate.

" Alright!! We're getting out of here from the north, that's the closest way out from here!" Orders Nate about a small plain separating the village and the hill where villagers evacuated.

But, gunfires and explosions are heard on the northern area of the village. " Khan, Ghazli, we are surrounded!" Shouts Nate. The north plain has been overrun by insurgents. It cuts off Nate's way out. The only area in the village at Khan's hand, is the village square and its surrounding where the remaining defenders are. The only thing that prevent the square from its fall is the tank's limited mobility inside urban settlement area while the insurgents on the north and the south reluctant to move fast due to their initial two losses and the heavy casualties at the opening of the third wave. Nate and Khan's teams are stuck by the tank's presence on small alleys. Suddenly, Nate gains an idea.

" Kim, Ghalzi, Khan, do you see the tank? That's our way out!" Says Nate.

" What?!" Ask Ghalzi and Khan.


" There's no time to explain! Khan, deploy an RPG team, while the rest follow me!"

Nate's plan is to distract the tank's attention by the RPG team who pretends to shoot it while Ghalzi ignites the fire trap in the square. Nate and Kim will capture the tank. The RPG team manages to draw the tank's attention at the cost of one volunteer. Meanwhile, Nate, Kim, and Ghazli cross the street to the buildings at the tank's right.  Behind the tank, a shallow pool of gasoline and kerosene was dug. By shooting his Colt M1911 sidearm at the pool, Nate ignites the fire to prevent the insurgents from reaching the square. Ghazli throws a fourth filled square can of gasoline and a grenade at its chassis in front of the tank turret then shoots it. When it explodes, smoke appears and starts entering the tank. The smoke causes panic the tank crew thinking the explosion caused by the grenade is an RPG direct impact and the smoke signs that the tank is burning. They immediately try to get out from the tank upper hatch. When the tank turret hatch is opened, no one shoots as it was ordered to Nate not to shoot until the third man emerges. The first man carrying an AK74 emerges then scale down then runs away in panic, followed by the second. When the third doesn't emerge for some moments, Kim is told to scale the tank and forces him out. Suddenly, when Kim is on halway to the turret, the third man emerges. He is surprised by Kim and tries to shoot him with his AK74U but it is jammed. Kim manages to reach the turret with a ninja sword at the right hand. The insurgent trying to bluedgeon Kim with his rifle but misses. Kim immediately defeats him with his sword. He then pulls the man out from the turret and throws him to the ground. After seeing it to be empty, Kim then waves his hand as a signal to Khan and Nate to board the tank. Khan gets inside the tank first. Suddenly, a single shot is heard. Atal, Ghazli's brother, looses his grip on the tank then falls to the ground.

" Atal!! Atal!! Nooo!!" Screams Ghalzi.

Multiple small arm shots hits the tank.

" Sir, I'll hold them! RPG!" Shouts Kim then shoots at the insurgents seen through the fire.

An RPG rocket flies at the right of the tank.

" Aslan! Quick! Get inside the tank!" Shouts Nate.

Close gunfires heard. Kim is shot then falls from the tank. It's one of the tank crew. Ghazli quickly draws his PC - 9 sidearm and shoots the tank crew three times.

" Chris! Chris!" Shouts Nate.

" Run, sir! Run! Leave me!' Shouts Kim from below.        

After Ghazli enters the tank, driven by Khan, it immediately goes toward the hill.

" My brother! My brother!" Shouts Ghazli.

" Aslan! Focus!! Focus!!! I lost my subordinates too!" Yells Nate.

On the road leading to the hill, the street and buildings have been overrun by insurgents. They don't shoot not knowing that the tank is already on the village defenders' hand." Don't shoot. They don't know it's us. Just pass them." Orders Nate. Suddenly, an insurgent runs to the front of the tank telling it to stop.

" What are we going to do?" Asks Khan.

" Tell him that nobody was there." Answers Nate.

When Khan is about to speak through a small window in the tank. The insurgent walks to the right then scales the tank. He knocks the tank's hatch ordering the crew to open. When Ghazli opens the hatch, he shoots the insurgent two times then closes it again. The surprised insurgents begin firing the tank with small arms. Khan goes in full speed toward the mountain. The turret turns around shooting the insurgents with its coaxial machine guns. All insurgents on the middle of the road moves away in panic. No one wants to be in the way of the running tank.

Finally the tank reaches the plain chased by insurgents in the village. The insurgents on the plain don't shoot initially not knowing what is happening until the insurgents chasing it shouts around. Suddenly, a jeep, the fourth jeep, boarded by figures in black followed by insurgents on horses appear and chasing the tank. An RPG rocket is launched from the vehicle but misses the tank. It runs across the tank, turning near the tank's left then shoots the second RPG, still misses. The jeep fires the running tank with small arms as well. It moves turning around the tank.

" Mr. Kato, a jeep and horses are chasing us. They fire RPG and rifles!" Reports Khan.

" Horses? Ghalzi, help me to load the gun!" Says Nate.

Nate fires the tank gun to the right, surprising and stunting the horses nearby. Some horses stop and refuse to run while another stops suddenly and throws the insurgent on it. Ghalzi opens the hatch then fires its black sturdy NSVT anti - aircraft machine gun at the chasing jeep. He misses it and is fired back by the passengers that hit the turret multiple times. He then gets inside and says to Nate, " Can you shoot the jeep?"

" I'll try." Says Nate.

From the tank's periscope, Nate tries to adjust his aim at the fast moving jeep while turning the turret. Two times the jeep are on the crosshair but then loses. On the jeep's third turn since Nate aimed his gun at the jeep, he aims it a bit further in front of the jeep then fires. A passenger in the jeep tries to warn the rest but its too late. The gun shell explodes in front of the vehicle making it slides then falls throwing everyone at the back.

They finally reach the hill at a land slide where the tank can no longer climbs. " We have to get out of here!" Says Khan.

" You first, Ghalzi." Says Nate.

The hatch is opened. Ghalzi emerges carrying his AK74 rifle, followed by Nate. The horde of horses approaches them. The insurgents disembark and shoot the tank with small arms preventing Khan from emerging. After a while of exchanging fire with the insurgents, Nate shouts to Khan, " Jawzeed, are you alright?!"

" I'm okay, Mr. Kato!"

The small arms bullet hit the tank's opened turret hatch.

" Mr. Kato, Ghalzi, go away! I'll hold them!"

" No! Khan! Get out! I'll cover you!"

But Ghalzi is halted by Nate, " Hey! Hey!! Think what you're gonna do!"

Ghalzi suddenly points his rifle at Nate, " If you hold me again from saving my brother..."

" Ghalzi. Listen to me. You're a future leader. You will inherit the village. Think about it."

" They have killed my brothers."

Nate suddenly punches Ghalzi's face.

"  I!! Have lost twelve subordinates since my plane was shot down!!! In that crash I could have lost my wife!! Now she is waiting for me up there letting me fighting on the village while I shouldn't have done that!! What for?!! For your village!!! While I have to fulfill my promise, you run around endanger yourself and me!! Your village needs you!!" Yells Nate harshly.

Suddenly, the tank's turret turns back then fires its gun. Khan fights back from the turret. The insurgents' advance becomes halted.

" Mr. Kato!! Aslan!! Run!!" Shouts Khan.

After hearing Nate, Ghazli relents. " What have I done?" Asks him.

" Aslan! Run! Don't stop until we reach the hill top!!" Shouts Nate.

Both then run uphill as fast as they can. Then, the tank explodes. Two RPG rockets destroy it. The fighting below attracts attention from the villagers hiding in the hill's small forrest's massive underground cave. They see Nate and Ghalzi are being chased by pursuing insurgents. They fire at running Nate and Ghalzi. Sometimes, they turn and fire back to hold the pursuers then continue running. Seeing that, Shiori takes her Lee Enfield rifle, aim and fires an insurgent. Her action inspires five volunteers, including, Atal, who were tasked to protect the villagers. Nate sees his AK74U rifle runs out of ammo then discards it. He draws his M1911 sidearm and ninja sword. Suddenly, after throwing a grenade, Ghalzi is trapped behind a small rock where he fires at the insurgent under heavy fire. Nate turns back at Ghalzi then shoots several insurgents who are approaching him.

" Why are you back?" Asks Ghalzi.

" Fulfilling my promise." Answers Nate then he continues firing.

Suddenly, an insurgent wielding a machete charges Nate. He blocks the insurgent's attack then slashes him. Another charges him with a bayonet which he is able to evade and parry using his M1911 then hits the insurgent's face then slashes him. After firing at other advancing insurgents that force them to back down, Ghazli runs out of ammo, discards his AK74 then draws his PC -9 sidearm. Shiori and three volunteers start firing at the advancing insurgents below. A screaming insurgent with bayonet is charging at Ghalzi. Nate tries to shoot but his sidearm is out of ammo. He then quickly takes his last shuriken and throws it at the insurgent. Shiori succesfully halts the insurgents' advance with her accurate rifle fire but then realizes that she only has fifteen rounds left. Nate, running with his ninja sword wielded at the right hand, the last weapon he has with Ghalzi finaly approach the hill top.

" Welcome back, Nate!!" Shouts Shiori gladly.

The villagers, Ghazli's father and volunteers greet Ghazli gladly as well.

" Everyone!! Get all weapons! The enemy is still advancing!" Shouts Ghazli.

Nate and Ghazli are given new AK47 rifles and return to the rocks at the top firing the advancing enemies who now deploy heavier fire power, machine guns and RPG. If mortar comes, it would be bad. Three volunteers are killed by RPG blasts and rifle fires. Two who were tasked to guard the civilians come to help Nate and Ghalzi while Shiori and Captain Cunningham, though injured were ordered by Nate to protect the civilians. Due to increasing number of enemies, the defenders are pushed back to the forest berm as their last stand. They are only five now. As the enemies appear, the defenders start firing, sweeping anyone who shows up. Two more volunteers are heavily wounded. Now its four left against a horde.

" I run out of ammunition!" Shouts Atsak to Ghazli.

" Here! I have no more." Says Ghalzi to the volunteer handing over his last magazine.

Nate only has one magazine left.

The next wave comes and the defenders delivers all ammunition they have. Nate becomes frozen, he draws his sword. Seeing that, Ghazli draws his knife while Atsak wields his rifle as a club. When an insurgent appears, he is suddenly shot. Nate turns back and he sees Shiori aiming her rifle. She shoots again, another insurgent collapses. It's her last round. Then she draws her tanto knife and tomahawk. They are preparing for their last stand.

Suddenly, hail of gun fires fall from the sky toward the insurgents. An AH - 64 Apache helicopter appears shooting its machine gun and rockets at the lower hill far in front of Nate. The defenders initially look in disbelief but then shout victory cries. Nate, when he realizes what may come, orders all defenders to retreat inside the cave, " Everyone! Quick! Get inside the cave, now!!"

" Why? Aren't they friends?" Asks Ghazli.

" Don't ask! Run! Now!"Replies Nate.

The defenders immediately run headlong to the hill cave. Nate's prediction is right. the Apache pilots think the small forest on the hill top where Nate was is invested by insurgents because they saw insurgents were running at the hilltop in massive number. Soon the forest trees are showered by rocket and missile fires, uprooting and cutting many of them, creating an empty field in the middle where the cave entry is revealed. The cave entrance is showered by machine gun fires. The helicopter then hovers around the hilltop observing it. Then a Blackhawk helicopter comes and descents a bit far from the cave entrance while its gattling gun crew fires the entrance. Eight heavily armed men in green digital uniform, PASGT helmet and brown assault vest disembark from the helicopter then sweep the area to neutralize any enemy found.

When they have surrounded the cave, the group leader, shouts at the cave in Pashto, " This is American forces! Come out from the cave with your hands in the air! This is American forces! Come out with your hands in the air!" Nate, who doesn't speak Pashto, wields his sword thinking it is the enemy. " No! Mr. Kato! It is not the enemy. It is American forces!" Says Ghazli.

" How do you know that?" Asks Nate.       

" The man said it. He speaks in Pashto. The accent is different."

" Are you sure?"

" I am. They always do it. With intepreter or they speak our language directly."

" I trust you. But I will do this."

Nate suddenly shouts in English, " If you are American forces!! What is the capital of Lousiana?!!"

The American soldier answers in Cajun accent, " New Orleans!!"

" And what's one of the food from there?!!" Asks Nate again.

" Boudin!!"

Hearing that Nate, smiles. " That's our forces!! I'll go out first." After translated by Ghazli, the villagers cheer.

" American forces, I am Nathaniel Kato!! I will go out!! Who am I speaking with?"

" Savoie!! Come out with your hands in the air!" Says the American soldier.

" Alright, Mr. Savoie! I will go!"

Nate emerges from the dark cave entrance with his both arms in the air and greeted by gun points.

"Don't shoot! I'm American!" Says Mr. Kato.

" Are you Mr. Kato? Mr. Nathaniel Kato?" Asks the American commander.

" I am. This is my company card member." Says Nate while showing his card.

" I am Lieutenant Savoie from US Navy SEAL. We've been looking for you and Mrs. Kato for days. Is there anybody else in the cave?"

" Yes, there are villagers inside. My wife is there too. Some of them are armed. We also have several wounded. I will tell them to disarm and go outside."

Nate turns and gets inside the cave, " Everyone! We're safe. Now please remove all your weapons and amunition, leave them there, then come out in two rows slowly, don't rush and don't run. If you see gunpoints, don't be afraid or move suddenly. Follow me!"

Moments later, the civilians, remaining volunteers and the ninjas come out. Matthias and Captain Cunningham are left inside to be treated by Medical personnel who immediately come.

" Sir, we're safe. Thank you. I owe you one." Says Captain Cunningham from his stretcher.


" You're welcome, Captain." Replies Nate.

Suddenly, two Mi - 8 Helicopters come. Sixteen heavily armed figures in black balaclava and ninja swords on their back. They're Private Echelon ninjas. Later, Shiori tells Nate that due to his wounds, Matthias didn't survive.

" Sir, we still have two left on the village. One is dead and another is unknown." Tells Nate to Lieutenant Savoie.

" We'll look for them. Right now Afghan forces are sweeping the plain around the village and will retake it."

Afghan National Army armored cars, trucks and humvee jeeps rushed to the plain covered by Afghan Mi - 24 Hind attack helicopter. After breaking the insurgents' disorganized defense. They are now chasing enemy stragglers who are escaping through desert and surround those who are trapped inside the village. Heavy imbalanced fighting break over the village. After two hours, the thirty seven insurgents trapped inside the village surrender with fourteen of them killed and seven wounded. Takayama is exhumed while Kim is found died. 

" Aslan, as I promised, we'll send monetary help for your village's reconstruction soon. I and my wife thank you for your hospitality. We are sorry for your brother, cousin and volunteers. You saved our lives. We owe you." Says Nate before their farewell to Ghazli, The Chief, the Elders and all villagers.

" Mr. Kato, Mrs. Kato, my father said, we also thank you for your help. You protected our lives. About the losses from our side, my brother, my cousin and my friends, we have done it according to our custom. We are grieving but we receive it. We are sorry too for your subordinates. We also owe you."

" See you again, The Chief. See you again, sirs, see you again, Aslan."

" See you again Mr. and Mrs. Kato."

After that, Nate says his thankfulness and apology to each villager before he goes. The village's repair fund is paid by Afghanistan, United States and Private Echelon Corporation. Ghazli is promoted to be the Village Chief and is respected for his heroic action. Matthias, Captain Cunningham, Captain Behari, Takayama, Kim and other Valkyrie Unit personnel evacuated from the plane wreckage are brought back to United States. Nate is asked to go to Laskar Gah for formal questioning about the incident.

To be continued

License: Personal use and read only. Further usage requiring permission from author.

Disclaimer: All contents are fiction.