Afghanistan
Helmand Province
Jahandar Village
August 12, 2011
09:45 AM
Because of unexpected clash between Private Echleon survivors, armed villagers and searching insurgents, the village now finds itself under siege. The only connection with the outside world is Hamad, Doctor Ghalzi's son who was sent to Laskar Gah to seek help from Afghan or ISAF forces. Though heavily outnumbered and outgunned, they stand to defend the village. Since the insurgents' retreat, the outer houses and buildings in the village are sporadically showered with machine guns and sniper fires. By now, Nate holds an emergency conferrence with the chief and elders concerning the village's fate.
" What is this? How could this happen?!"
" We don't have enough manpower and weapons to defend our village! What should we do?"
An atmosphere of panic and fear is felt on the conferrence room inside Ghazli's house. Seeing that, Ghalzi surges forward and addresses the Chief and elders politely in Pashto, " Father, sirs, I know I should have restrained myself as the youngest in this conferrence. Please forgive my interruption. I can't do nothing about our village's fate. Please let me clear the facts: First, according to our custom, we can't hand over our guests who sought asylum. And second, Mr. kato and his subordinates have proved themselves that they were able to defend this village in the clash two hours ago. And third, our only choice is to seek Mr. Kato's advice of our defense. Please let Mr. Kato speak for us."
" Good morning, sirs. First, I want to apologize for our presence who caused trouble for this village and this morning's battle. The reason why it happened was when one of my subordinate was found and defended himself. At that time, we forgot and even if we remembered, we would not have time to evacuate him. So, we have done the best we could to avoid confrontation. From what I saw during battle and the prisoners we captured, I think we are facing a foreign power. They will not respect your culture. My prediction is that they will attack again. If what I think is right, we have chance to defend ourselves. What we need from you is trust." Says Nate translated by Ghalzi.
" What do you suggest we do?" Asks Mr. Ghazali.
" I suggest we gather up men who can use weapons."
" Mr. Kato, there is a good news." Says Ghazli.
Ghazli pulls a young man and shows him to Nate, " This is Jawzeed Khan, my cousin. He is in Afghan forces but on his vacation now. he speaks English."
" Greetings, nice to meet you, Mr. Khan. I wish for your contribution on our defense." Greets Nate in smile.
" Greetings too, Mr. Kato. I believe what you said about foreign power when I saw one of the prisoner. I will interrogate him."
" Sure, Mr. Khan. And please let me question him as well."
" Sure."
Matthias, under Nate's instruction, divide and share the captured weapons and ammunition between eighteen volunteers, most are with AK rifles. They also arm themselves with knives and farming tools. On the command chain, they are under Jawzeed Khan. The volunteers are strictly ordered to fight as a whole unit alongside Nate's ninjas instead of being in individual except when situation asks for separation.
" We have them armed now. What should we do?" Asks Ghalzi
" Information gathering. Without it, it would be more diifcult to plan a strategy." Answers Nate.
They start from questioning the captured prisoner, Arman, in Ghalzi's basement under Khan's supervision which was turned as a makeshift hospital where Captain Cunningham is.
" How is he?"
" He is dying but still able to talk." Says Doctor Ghalzi.
" You. Can you speak English? Who are you? What are you doing here? Why are you looking for me?" Interrogates Nate.
" ....."
" I ask you again. Talk!!" Says Nate sternly.
" Al - Tous.. Now Gulzar found.. You.." Mutters the Iranian in English.
" Who is Gulzar?! Answer me!!" Yells Nate.
The prisoner blood coughs then dies.
" He's dead." Says Doctor Ghazli.
" What did he say? Who is Al - Tous?" Asks Ghazli.
" Trust me. This conflict is more personal." Says Mr. Kato.
" Mr. Kato! Mr. Kato! Tell me what happens!" Shouts Ghazli to Nate when he turns away from him.
A commotion occurs outside, suddenly, a man is brought in by two armed villagers. " This man is an enemy scout. We found him near our village, armed. We killed another one when he was escaping."
Lieutenant Khan surges and addresses the man unemotionally in Pashto, " Who are you? What is your name? Speak about ones on the outside?"
" My name is Abdi. I... I.." Answers him in fear.
" How many men are outside? Who are they? Are there foreigners with you? How strong are your weapons?" Asks Khan sternly.
" There are seventy of us.. There are Syrian, Chechen.. There are also some Iranians but they are separated.. Separated.. Our leader, Salim, was.. killed.. We had RPG's, machine guns, four jeeps, a mortar and rifles." Says the captured insurgent trembling.
" And what were you and your friend doing this village?! Are you scouts?!" Yells Khan angrily.
" Ye.. Yes.. The Iranian ordered us to scout this village.. As a preparation of an attack.."
" What did you say? How many? Where will the attack be?!" Interrogates Khan.
" I.. I.. Don't know.. We weren't told.. Please don't kill me.."
" You lie!! You know! Talk!!" Yells Khan as he prepares a sidearm and points it right at the insurgent's face.
" I don't know!! I don't know anything! Please don't.. Don't.."
" You lie!! Talk or die!!" Yells Khan.
" I don't know!! I don't know!!" Cries the insurgent.
" Mr. Kato, there will be attack from unknown direction and number. Enemy forces are comprised of local
insurgents, foreign fighters and several Iranians. They posses heavy weapons such as machine guns, rockets, a mortar and four jeeps. What's the order?"
" Detain the prisoner at the barn. Now we have one third of them outside of this battle. We will break their superiority by forcing them to fight in close range. All units stay close until next order."
"Explain to me what do you mean by one third? And why stay close? Shouldn't we take cover in outer houses and repel them?" Asks Ghazli.
" A third of them are local guerilla. According to a report, most of local insurgents are from Pashtun. So they will obey your custom which means they will not dare to attack this village and we, the welcomed guests. If we put our defense on walls and outer houses, their superior firepower will destroy us and we will be easily overrun from other sides. Besides, we have not enough manpower to strongly defend all village banks equally. So, I decide to use mobile urban warfare tactic. We, as a unit will let them to get inside on certain range then close their entrance to trap them. My hope of the outcome is that they suffer heavy casualties to force them to end the siege and leave. The first is, we will destroy their numbers, if possible their firepower. The second, we will destroy their morale, their will to fight." Explains Nate.
" This is my prediction. There will be a first wave comprised of foreign fighters maybe with one or a few Iranians. If it is failed, the Iranians will move. If it is still failed, there will be a mass assault using their heavy weapons."
" How will we expel them?"
" One succesful defense of ours will force them to undergo it again more desperately. Two will stop them. A counter attack from our side will either break their fighting spirit or prompt them to a reckless desperate assault which will inflict heavy casualties on them."
" Time is their opponent and our friend now. If reinforcement is on their way, perhaps they would be the ones who are besieged. That's why they have to finish this battle as soon as possible."
Afghanistan
Helmand Province
Jahandar Village
First Wave
August 12, 2011
13: 19 PM
A volunteer runs toward the command post and reports to Khan, " Jawzeed, I saw many insurgents approaching from the south."
" How many are them?" Asks Khan.
" About thirty or forty. They carry heavy weapons, rockets and machineguns!"
" What's the order, Mr. Kato?" Asks Khan.
" Mr. Khan, lead all your men to the south side. Make sure you are not seen. Matthias, Takayama, Aslan, you go with me. Kim, you and Shiori stay on Ghalzi's basement to guard Captain Cunningham and children.
Post a guard to guard our prisoner." Orders Nate.
" Yes, Mr. Kato. Let's go! Abdul, you guard the prisoner!" Shouts Khan to the volunteers.
" Yes, sir!" Replies Matthias, Takayama, Aslan and Kim.
Nate turns to Shiori and addresses her, " Shiori, I know it's hard for you not to follow me in this battle. But please help me by staying underground. Protect Captain and children. I can't bear to see you are hurt. Not even when you were still my bodyguard."
Shiori becomes speechless. She nearly lost her husband ten years back then in Chechnya three years before they married when Nate was on a CIA mission to save her. A year before, she and her children, Nate's son and daughter, were captured by insurgents in Bahrain but then saved by Nate's assault. This time, they were shot down and had their plane crashed. So outside of Nate's duty risks, Shiori nearly lost her husband in high chance three times.
" No! Nate, you must not go!! You must not!!" Screams her frantically, surprising everyone on the command post. Something that has never been seen from her for ten years. Then she starts having her tears flow from her eyes. After gaining control of herself, she apologizes, " Nate, I'm sorry. I suddenly.. I know you must do this.. But I don't know what to do.. Hasn't been it enough for these ten years? Enough, Nate.. I know I must not hinder you from doing this.. But.. But.. I don't know anymore what to do! I'm sorry.." Cries her. Suddenly, in a flash Nate realizes how his devotion for his job affects his family. His children often see their father leave house for days. Several times, he and Shiori nearly never saw each other again." How could I do something oblivious for ten years?" Thinks Nate. Now he learns of his wife's hidden burden.
" I don't know what to do if...." Cries Shiori again.
" I can't do it.. I can't.."
" Shiori.. Listen to me.. Listen to me.." Says Nate in sad tone. Nate is a husband who never yells at his wife and children. He also never argues against his wife. He has seen enough violence so that he doesn't want to take it home.
Shiori looks at Nate while sobbing but remains speechless.
" I hate doing this.. But our day is now on my hand.. I understand how sad you are.. " Pleads Nate.
Shiori suddenly replies, " I will let you do that this time.. But in one condition.. You must promise me that you will return.. Will you promise me?"
" I promise.. I promise.." Says Nate with tears in his eyes.
" Go ahead, Nate. I will wait for you."
" Thank you, dear. I love you, always." Replies Nate.
" I love you too." Says Shiori.
Ghalzi, in amazement, asks, " What happens?"
" Aslan. I'm sorry I didn't tell you for her safety. She is actually my wife."
" What?"
" That's why I told her to stay at the basement. I can't bear to see her hurt. let's go!"
From a binocular, Nate sees about thirty five men taking cover behind rocks and plants, aiming their guns at the village, ready to attack. Suddenly, a heavy machine gun armed technical jeep with several insurgents following from behind appear on a small road between the advancing insurgents firing at the village. Nate, his ninjas and villagers deliver several shots at the advancing insurgents, killing and wounding five of them. It drives the attackers' anger and they start advancing in human wave toward the village bank while firing indiscriminately toward the building.
" They are moving. Let's fall back!" Orders Nate.
" Fall back!" Shouts Khan in Pashto to the volunteers.
The attackers moving in three columns of men carrying AK rifles, PK Machine guns and RPG Rockets with the commanding vehicle in their middle. Near its machine gunner, one man in black with black balaclava stands watching around and giving order in Pashto. Behind it, the middle column of insurgents follow. Suddenly, one of them sees a village volunteer running between houses and starts shooting at him. His gun fires initiate Nate's trap. Multiple guns fire from windows, walls and houses at the columns prompting the attackers to take cover behind anything nearby. A grenade is thrown and lands among the columns. " Grenade! Grenade!" Shouts an insurgent but it's late. Its explosions kill and wound several including the jeep's front passengers. On the heavy firefight, an insurgent sees the villagers' position and starts loading his RPG, when he finishes aiming it and when he's about to fire it, Matthias' accurate single shot stops him. The jeep gunner fights back but his high stand bertrays him. The Iranian in black fights back hard wounding one volunteer. Under Nate's order, Khan leads his men trying to block the attackers' escape route by moving between houses to the south bank of the village. As Nate's ninjas move forward, the attackers, under fire, are forced to retreat to the south. A surviving injured insurgent from the grenade explosion, suddenly rises in front of Nate, trying to shoot him in close range. Nate blocks the insurgent's rifle using his AK rifle then slashes him with his sword. In panic, the attackers's retreating column breaks and run in stampede fashion dragging their dead and wounded toward the southern village gate. On their way, they are chased by Nate's men and come under fire from Khan's volunteers from their left. The battle results in twenty seven attackers killed and heavily wounded. Only about ten of them including the Iranian, manages to escape.
" Shiori! Shiori! I'm back!" Shouts Nate.
" Oh, dear, are you alright? Come, drink something!"
After the battle, Nate, Khan and Ghazli confers.
" You said a wave. But we only saw about thirty of them."
" They sent a small number to test our strategy and count our numbers. We had about nine to ten escaped. Now they know. That's our mistake, but I don't blame anyone." Says Nate while drinking his water.
" What's the second wave, if any, will be like?" Asks Khan.
" As I have explained to Aslan. The next won't be a wave, it would be smaller but more dangerous. Tell all villagers and volunteers to stay at homes around village square, not farther, after the sun sets. Lock the doors and windows. Don't open if someone knocks. Nobody may come in or go out until the next sunrise except us, the ninjas. Aslan, Mr. Khan, it's your privilege to follow me in fighting or not." Answers Nate.
To be continued
License: Personal use and read only. Further usage requiring permission from author.
Disclaimer: All contents are fiction.
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