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

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Disclaimer: All contents are fiction