Chapter 2
A muffled sound echoed in his ears. It was a strange sensation — a mixture of headache, mental heaviness, and pressure inside his skull, as if his head was overcrowded. Everything in his mind was unraveling all at once. He opened his eyes. Everything was blurry at first but gradually becoming clearer. His ears were ringing. After the ringing, sounds began to reach him.
With aching muscles, he shifted slightly. He saw Jake and a blonde-haired nurse dressed in a blue uniform holding Simon's medication tray. They were talking together.
As Simon moved, the nurse and Jake noticed him. The nurse approached Simon, examined him, and took his blood pressure. The nurse started speaking again, but Simon couldn't hear clearly; it was as if her voice came through water.
The nurse said, "Well, he's awake, Mr. Walker. His condition is stable and he will return to normal soon. He just needs some rest and to be under supervision."
Jake said,
"Thank you, ma'am, you've done a lot."
The nurse left the room. Jake turned to Simon and sat beside him.
Simon, with a tired body, moved slightly and said in a hoarse, husky voice,
"How many days have I been unconscious?"
Jake said,
"Two days."
Simon groaned,
"Ugh, my head feels like it's going to explode."
Jake said in amazement,
"You actually survived that blast wave. Not many do."
Simon laughed,
"Well, if I were to die from things like this, I'd definitely be chasing others in the afterlife to bring me back."
Jake smiled warmly,
"But anyway, thank you, friend. You saved me."
Simon said,
"I know. It's nothing strange, not the first time."
Jake laughed heartily,
"Yeah, not the first time because you always save me!"
Simon said,
"Don't you remember? During one of the missions, we were chasing that terrorist commander. When he jumped from one building to the other, I was behind him and was about to catch him when you slipped. I was the one who caught you."
Jake, who had his eyes open the entire time, said,
"Wow. But you tell it so well that anyone would think it's true. You know I almost died pulling you up."
Simon chuckled a little, coughed painfully, and said,
"Yeah, you're right."
Suddenly, the door opened. Someone entered.
Jake stood up respectfully,
"General!"
General Richard was a handsome and imposing man. His bald head and protruding eyes made him even more intimidating and majestic.
Simon slightly sat up.
Richard motioned with his hand,
"No, be comfortable Simon. Glad to see you safe. No one could have survived that blasted wave."
Simon said nothing and just nodded.
Jake asked curiously,
"Sir, what brought you here?"
Richard spoke firmly,
"I was looking for you, Walker."
Jake was surprised,
"Me?"
Richard said,
"Yes. We need you. Atlas must prepare for another mission."
Jake's eyes widened and he pointed at Simon,
"Simon??"
Richard decisively said,
"No, Simon isn't needed right now. He must rest. Someone else will temporarily join your team. Hurry, Walker, that person is waiting outside. And so am I."
He left the room.
Jake stared at the closed door in disbelief, then looked at Simon with wide eyes.
Jake said,
"He's planning the operation without you."
Simon said,
"That never happened before. Atlas never runs an operation without both commanders. I can participate even on one leg."
Jake said,
"Don't worry, I'll talk to him."
Simon said,
"No need. I know what to do."
Jake, knowing he couldn't stop Simon, didn't argue and nodded. Then he left the room.
---
Jake thought about why General Richard had changed so much and made such a decision.
He walked briskly, passing the military hospital's reception and reached the exit where General Richard was passing by.
Jake called out,
"General."
Richard said in his usual military tone,
"You're here, Walker."
Jake asked,
"Sir, why is this mission so important?"
Richard said,
"You failed to secure that package, but we traced them. They went to a large facility in Senserif territory, which luckily isn't far from the border and is easily accessible. You are to go there and retrieve samples of the experiments conducted using that package."
Jake said,
"But sir, Simon isn't here. I've never done an operation without him and I won't now."
Richard turned to Jake, moved his face close and growled,
"You don't decide, Walker. And I'm the one giving orders."
Jake looked into Richard's eyes, helplessly said,
"Yes, sir."
Richard stepped back and said,
"You'll meet the new agent at the base. Go get in the car; the driver will take you there. I have to go."
Jake and Richard parted ways, and Jake headed to the car. He was irritated by Richard's behavior, as if someone smashed glass in his head. He looked down and walked toward the car when suddenly a voice caught his attention:
"Don't hang your head low or you'll run into a wall, Commander!"
Jake looked up and saw someone.
It was Sam, his old comrade. Jake smiled as if Sam had poured water on his anger. He approached Sam and said,
"Sam, what are you doing here?"
Sam, like an old man worn out by life, said,
"I came to visit Simon. Haven't seen you in a while."
Jake said,
"Yeah, that's right. What are you doing now that you're retired?"
Sam said,
"Nothing. Can't walk or go out anymore. Stayed home so long I've aged."
Jake said,
"No way, you're still charming."
Sam said,
"You're still full of spirit. So, tell me, why do you look upset?"
Jake glanced at the car where the driver was waiting and said,
"Well, it's a long story. Simon's inside; go see him and ask him. I have to go. Glad to see you."
Sam said,
"Me too. Goodbye."
Jake got into the car and Sam headed to Simon's room.
---
Simon was resting on the bed when the nurse entered. The nurse's eyes were sunken and looked tired as if she had been on duty for many hours. She checked Simon's head, then gave him bitter medications. After taking the pills, Simon's mouth became dry as if the drugs had sucked all moisture from his mouth.
Simon, with a grimace and dry mouth, said to the nurse,
"Ma'am, when can I be discharged?"
The nurse replied tiredly, as if she hadn't slept,
"You need to stay hospitalized for a week, sir. Your physical and brain symptoms might return, so you must be monitored."
Simon leaned slightly toward the nurse and calmly said,
"Ma'am, I feel better than you. Please discharge me."
The nurse impatiently said,
"Sorry sir, it's not possible."
Simon gave the nurse a harsh look, but the nurse, exhausted, didn't even glance at him and left the room.
Simon lay back down. His disturbed mind was like a bird trying to escape its cage.
Suddenly the door opened. Someone entered. It was Sam. When Simon saw him, all his worries vanished and happiness filled him.
"Sam, my friend! You came to visit me!"
Sam laughed,
"Yeah, I heard Simon Rick's nearing the end of his days. Came for one last visit."
Simon smiled and said,
"Still got your humor. You and Jake were a good team."
Sam limped toward the chair beside the bed and sat down.
Sam sighed,
"Yeah, we were. I saw Jake outside. Still joking and energetic like before. So, tell me, why are you grounded, Captain?"
Simon said,
"The blast wave got me, brother."
Sam said,
"Wow, good you're alive. If you'd died, we'd be surprised. By the way, Jake was leaving, his mind was busy. I asked him; he told me to ask you."
Simon said, helpless,
"Richard wants to prepare a mission and I'm hospitalized here. The operation is going to happen without me."
Sam said,
"Wow, first time, right?"
Simon said,
"Yeah, first time. I have to get out of here…"
Suddenly a spark ignited in Simon's mind. He continued,
"You have to help me escape."
Sam asked,
"Me?"
Simon said,
"Yes. They put a guard on me. You just need to distract him so I can get out of the room. The rest is on me."
Sam said,
"Forget it, Simon. I can't. Plus, you should be resting because of the blast…"
Simon cut him off,
"Look, you can't convince me. Help me."
Seeing he couldn't stop Simon's decision, Sam agreed.
Sam said,
"Alright, fine. Got a plan?"
Simon said,
"Heh, of course I do. Listen carefully to what I'm saying."
---
Jake arrived at the base and headed to his office. On the way, he saw Liz.
"Sir, welcome."
Liz was a short girl with golden hair. Her blue eyes sparkled like the sea and her hair shone in the sunlight.
Jake said,
"Thanks, Liz. Any reports?"
Liz said,
"Yes sir, the troops are ready for the operation. Equipment is also prepared. All captains will be waiting in the hall in half an hour and…"
Jake interrupted,
"And someone is waiting in my office, right?"
Liz said,
"Yes, sir."
Jake said,
"Great, thank you."
Jake left Liz and approached his office. Upon entering, he saw a tall girl with slightly slanted eyes and smooth chestnut hair. She looked athletic. Upon Jake's entrance, she stood up respectfully.
Jake said,
"Thanks, please be comfortable."
He went behind her desk where a file was laid out. He sat down, opened the file, and began reading silently.
Name: Nadia Vas
Military ID: GR-217508-LF
Date of Birth: September 1990
Nationality: Greenlander
Marital Status: Single
Blood Type: O+
Rank & Service Status:
Current Rank: Sergeant First Class
Primary Unit: Greenland Air Force, 112th Assault Squadron
Current Status: Temporary agent in Ruritania — operational member of Atlas team
Skills & Expertise:
Multirole Fighter Pilot R-60 - Viron X
Special skills in low-altitude night flying and dogfights
Trained in close air support operations
Certified sniper with marksman expertise
Air tactics analyst
Operations History:
Operation Silver — Air escort for ground forces on Greenland's borders
Mission Shadow — Attack on Senserif smuggling base
Support in clearance operations in Sia region — cooperation with Ruritania army
350 recorded combat hours
Selected coalition agent under General Richard's supervision
After reading the file, Jake looked at Nadia's black eyes and said,
"I hope you deserve this record."
Nadia said,
"I'm ready to show why they sent me, sir."
Jake smiled,
"Alright, we should be in the hall in half an hour for the briefing. See you there."
Nadia stood up and gave a military salute before leaving the room.
Jake doubted Nadia. After she left, he stared at the closed door and got lost in thought.
Why send a woman with such a record to the Atlas team?
---
Sam came out of the room. He saw a nurse pushing a trolley. He approached and thought, Now.
He turned in front of the trolley and collided with it, falling to the ground. His injured knee felt like needles piercing his muscle and pounding on the wounded leg, but he endured it.
Everyone gathered around him. He caught Simon's eye through the door, who opened it and fled.
Simon headed toward the exit hallway. He felt a bit dizzy and as if water was in his ears. He shook his head slightly and turned left toward the exit corridor.
He walked quickly when suddenly several soldiers stopped him.
Simon confidently said,
"Ah, I thought it wouldn't be so easy. Step aside or I'll tie you up."
The lead soldier said,
"We have orders."
Simon said,
"I know, but I don't have time."
The soldier moved toward Simon and attacked with his baton. Simon dodged and punched the soldier's nose, breaking it. A wet cracking sound came from the cartilage. He kicked another soldier in the knee and slammed his head into the wall.
When both soldiers lay on the ground, Simon said,
"Someone should give you medals for bravery."
He then headed toward the hospital yard and to Sam's car where Sam was waiting.
That fight seemed to have activated his gears. Suddenly a hospital guard aimed his gun at him.
Simon stopped, raised his hands slowly and said,
"Look, you're just a guard and I'm a commander. You can't shoot me, but why should I shoot you?"
The guard, frightened, trembling with his gun, said,
"I-I'll do what I'm told."
Simon confidently said,
"Good. Now bring him down. Now."
The guard lowered his gun and stared at Simon.
Simon walked calmly to the car. As he passed the soldier, he put a hand on his shoulder and said,
"Thanks. Don't report this to anyone."
He approached the car, got in, and they drove off.
---
Jake headed to the hall. He reached the door and took a deep breath before opening it.
Everyone was seated — Captain McMillan, Captain Victor, Captain Caesar, several military and war analysts, and Nadia.
Upon Jake's arrival, everyone stood. Jake allowed them to sit and sat at his desk.
He said,
"Alright, friends, I'd like to introduce our new member — Nadia Vas, pilot of the Greenland Air Force. She's been sent here to assist us, so please treat her with respect as a sister and comrade. Thank you."
While Jake introduced Nadia, several people nodded their heads, and Nadia responded with a nod. She looked determined but a little nervous inside.
Jake continued,
"Alright, today we're here to talk about proxy forces and terrorists working for Senserif. As you know, our last operation failed. Although we killed all the terrorists, we couldn't retrieve the package."
Nadia asked in a controlled, serious tone,
"Sir, may I ask what exactly this package is that you gathered so many forces for?"
Silence fell over the hall. Eyes exchanged glances. Jake calmly said,
"The package contains a virus that was originally developed by our country but was cancelled and archived because it was too dangerous. After our investigations, we concluded that Senserif is now developing and producing this virus. We must stop them. If they succeed, it means their dominance over our two countries. The public is unaware of this; we are secretly fighting Senserif and their proxies. If we fail, war is likely to break out."
"Does anyone have ideas on how to infiltrate the facility?"
One analyst said,
"We can use the attack method we used last time."
Captain Caesar said,
"No, that won't work anymore. If the whole team tries to enter, they'll notice. From our experience fighting them, we know they don't get fooled twice through the same hole."
Victor said,
"Our spies found a secret exit that can be used to enter. But the door can't be opened from outside; we must get in from inside."
Nadia said,
"We can blow it up."
A strong, firm voice said,
"Are you trying to start a war?"
Simon Rick entered the hall. Everyone was surprised. In the heavy silence, only the eyes spoke. Simon stood beside Jake.
Simon said,
"You've made some interesting suggestions, but my plan is perfect."
One analyst asked,
"Sir, when were you discharged?"
Simon smiled coldly,
"Just now."
Jake, supporting Simon, said,
"We're listening to you, Commander."
Simon said,
"We must have a very calculated attack. We'll split into two teams. Alpha team will attack from the west side with Captain Victor as commander. Bravo team is the sniper support team under Captain Caesar. Charlie team will attack from inside with Captain McMillan leading."
Caesar asked,
"How will they attack from inside?"
Simon replied,
"We'll open the secret passage Captain Victor found. The commander and I will infiltrate and clear the path."
"To infiltrate, we must hack their security systems."
Simon looked at Alex, the team's cyber member.
Alex said,
"Alright, that's on me. Just give me time."
Everyone was silent. It had to be a very calculated plan. One mistake could ruin everything. But if it worked, they'd hit the bullseye.
Simon added something to the plan:
"By my order, the air support team led by Captain Nadia will come and enter the scene."
Simon glanced at Nadia and said in a harsh, serious voice,
"Prove yourself, soldier. Be careful; inside that facility are valuable scientists. Watch what you destroy."
Nadia nodded in approval.
Simon said very seriously and loudly,
"We start the attack tomorrow."