Chapter 3
The meeting was over. Everyone in the hall exited, leaving Simon and Jake behind. Simon lit his cigarette and moved towards one of the chairs. Jake said: "How you holdin'up, mate? You made it out, right?" Simon replied: "Yeah,I made it out. But I'm good." Jake asked: "So,anything you wanna tell me?" Simon said: "Nadia Wells.You read her file, didn't you?" Jake said: "Yeah.Greenland Air Force pilot. She's seen a lot of action, even collaborated with our country before." Simon asked with curiosity and skepticism: "What's your take on her?" Jake replied: "Yeah.I don't know why Richard did it. But she's got his approval." Simon said: "Yeah.That's probably the only reason I'd accept her being part of MAB." Jake nodded in agreement. Jake said: "We can't do anything about it for now.But we gotta keep an eye on her. Could be a Senserif infiltrator." Simon said: "Yeah,you're right. I gotta get to my office, see what's going on." Simon headed for the door to go to his office,and Jake accompanied him. They arrived, and Jake said: "By the way,we should plan a fishing trip. Like the old days." Simon said: "Look,I know you know I hate fishing, but you still bring it up. In the end, I'm not the one pulling the trigger, you are." Jake said: "Then after the op,I'll get the hooks. We're going." After that,Jake left. Simon smirked and entered. The room smelled of dampness and wood. Simon stepped on the creaky wooden floor, the noise breaking the office's silence. He sat in his chair, put his feet up on the desk, took two more drags from his cigarette, and stubbed it out. He put his hands behind his head, closed his eyes, and rested. Tomorrow was a big day.
---
The sound of helicopter blades filled the compound. Simon and Jake were ready to move. Alex caught up to them, handing Simon and Jake two watches. He said loudly over the rotor noise: "I hacked their system.When the cameras go down, you'll have 10 minutes to get to the control room." Simon and Jake thanked him and got ready.Fully geared up and with determined resolve, they were moving out ahead of the main team. They boarded. The helicopter ascended and lifted off. En route to the border of Ruritania and Senserif,Jake and Simon watched the outside in silence. They saw people living their lives, with different worries. From Simon's perspective, they were like children who knew nothing of the world outside their home. They neared the target area.Simon said to Jake: "You think it'll work?" Jake replied: "Atlas has built a reputation to the point where the Senserifs fear us because of your flawless plans.So yeah, it'll work." The pilot said: "Sir,we're getting close. Preparing for insertion." They landed,disembarked. Before Simon got out, the pilot said: "Sir,we're 1 click from the facility. Be very careful. If you go any further, a sniper—" Simon cut him off: "Yeah,I know they have crack shots. I sent every last one of them to hell myself." The pilot nodded.The helicopter lifted off, gained altitude, turned, and disappeared. The jungle was much greener than before.Birds were singing, but tonight, death would brush past them again. The closer they got to noon, the more humid the air became. The main team would arrive tonight,and Simon and Jake needed to gather intel. They approached the facility. Jake asked Simon for the binoculars. He took them and began assessing the situation, then handed them back to Simon for his look. Jake gave his observations while Simon scanned. "They've got a lot of guards.We need to be extremely cautious. We shouldn't even comms with other teams via radio; risk of detection is high." Jake said: "We gotta get past a few guards.No need to engage them all." Jake added: "Come on,we need to get ready. The teams will be here in an hour." They went to their tent and unfolded the facility schematic.Simon said: "We only have 10 minutes to reach the control room.We can infiltrate from this wall and get in." Jake said: "Yeah,but it makes our route longer." Simon said: "Yeah,but it's the easiest and safest way." "After we enter the control room and disable the security systems,we proceed to the lab, secure the samples, and then destroy the facility." Jake said: "Senserif is in for a hell of a punch."
The main team arrived. Captains and commanders gathered. Commander Simon briefed everyone on the plan one more time. Now it was op time. Simon and Jake shook hands with all the commanders,wishing each other luck. The two split from the group and headed towards the facility. The sky was overcast and dark, the thunderous roar making spines tingle. They moved past agitated trees. That familiar pre-op feeling again. They reached the edge of the jungle, where it met the swamp. Both stopped and looked at the facility that would become hell in a few hours. Neither spoke. They shared a feeling. Raindrops began to fall on them. They crossed the swamp.The cold swamp water had seeped into their bones. They reached the base of the facility's wall.They pulled out their nano-grips and struggled to put them on their wet, cold hands. The new program synced to their watches. A 10-minute timer started. They had to hurry. They scaled the wall like spiders and reached the ledge. They paused. Exchanged a look. With a silent signal, they took down two guards, pulled them down, slit their throats, and threw them off the 4-meter height. Their blood splattered on the wall.Simon had seen this scene a thousand times but was numb to it now. They climbed up. Simon whispered: "I'm taking point.Cover me." Jake nodded in confirmation.Simon and Jake, fully geared, drew their suppressed sidearms and advanced cautiously. The drizzle soaked their clothes.The smell of wet earth filled the compound. They moved along the walls to a roof vent,halted the fan, and rappelled down expertly. The inside of the facility reeked of chemicals.The narrow, damp hallway was unsettling. Lights flickered. They coiled the rope and moved forward. They reached a metal staircase.Jake stayed on the upper landing while Simon descended the steps with the silent grace of a stalking predator. After Simon cleared, Jake followed. Cold sweat beaded on Jake's forehead.The silence was so profound Simon could hear his own heartbeat. Suddenly,the crackle of a radio shattered the silence. A guard was coming up. Simon aimed between his eyes and planted a bullet there. They continued.They reached a corridor that was dark, lit only by dying yellow lights. The buzzing of electricity grated on their nerves. The hallway was long, with many doors featuring fairly large windows allowing a view inside. They pressed on. They reached the first door.Several guards were there, asleep. Simon and Jake slipped past them quietly and continued. They reached the second door. Several people in white lab coats were working on materials, with several guards present. They worked like robots, wordless and emotionless. Their movement was high. The large window meant crossing equaled being seen. Simon and Jake needed a plan. Simon signaled to Jake: "We go when they turn away.I'm first." Jake nodded. Simon stood still.Waited. His heartbeat quickened. Cold sweat covered his face, adrenaline surging through his veins. A guard turned away,and Simon moved past the window in a flash. Now Simon had a good view of Jake.Simon said: "On my mark." Jake confirmed and waited for the signal.Simon stood motionless, watching. Watching. Gave the signal. Jake was about to move when the guard turned back; Simon signaled 'stop,' halting Jake. The next opportunity came,and Jake moved on Simon's signal. They continued their advance,stepping cautiously. There was a room beside them. Simon checked it. The room was empty. In an instant, a sound came; two guards were approaching. If they did nothing, they'd be compromised. Jake pointed to his gloves. They put on the gloves and clung to the corridor ceiling. Their breathing had become heavy.The fear of compromise and mission failure multiplied their heartbeats. The guards approached.Closer and closer. They passed right underneath them. Simon and Jake watched them from above. Suddenly, one guard stopped. Glanced back slightly. The second guard said: "Why'd you stop?Come on." The first guard said: "Dunno.Feel like someone's watchin' us." The second guard said irritably: "Give it a rest with your spooky nonsense.Yeah, your sixth sense is the strongest. Come on. I don't wanna get in trouble." The guard stood still.Simon watched. One look up could blow the op and get them killed. The crackle of a radio sent a shiver down Jake and Simon's spines. The guard answered his radio and moved on. Simon and Jake,their eyes wide with terror, breathed a sigh of relief. They lowered themselves quietly.Danger had passed by a hair's breadth. They looked at each other. Jake said: "Close call." Simon said: "Yeah.As close as a glance." They collected themselves and moved.Jake checked his watch. Only 4 minutes left. They moved quickly. They entered another corridor. They moved fast. At the end was a room. The control room. Simon and Jake hurried towards it when a guard appeared at the end of the hall.No time. Simon raised his pistol and put a bullet between the guard's eyebrows. 1 minute 30 seconds remained.They burst in and neutralized everyone in the room in the blink of an eye. 30 seconds. Jake rushed to the computer terminal and shut down all systems. It was done.Step one was a success. A weight seemed lifted from their hearts. They checked the monitors to locate the lab.They found the lab on camera, but they didn't just see a lab full of equipment; they saw other things that were very strange. A little girl inside a glass room,staring directly into the camera. In another room,a person bashing their head against the wall, covering it in blood. Or another person making bizarre,erratic movements. Simon said: "My God,what are they doing there?" Jake said: "I think they're test subjects.Look, they're all wearing white." Simon said: "We have to get there.How do we get in?" Jike checked the cameras.But from a certain point, the cameras were cut. Jake said: "We gotta find the entrance ourselves.Come on, let's move." They moved through the corridor towards the lab.They reached a door. Simon said: "It's locked.Retina scan." Jake said: "Step back." He placed a device on the lock,and after displaying some numbers, the door opened. Simon gestured: "Where'd you get that?" Jake said: "While you were resting in your office,Alex gave it to me. He knew the Senserifs don't use code locks on these; they use retinal scans. He programmed the pad for it." Simon said: "Glad we have Alex." They entered and advanced.Glass containment units with testing apparatus inside. They passed through. They reached the area they'd seen on camera. A man in a long white coat was staring at the camera. Simon approached and said: "Hey,can you hear me?" No answer.Simon tapped on the glass again. The man turned towards Simon. Simon waved. The man stared. His gaze was terrifying. No emotion on his face. The man seemed neither dead nor alive. Just... there. Suddenly, he ran at Simon and slammed into the glass. Simon stepped back. The man got up and started bashing his head violently against the glass. Jake said fearfully: "What's he doing?!" The man kept bashing his head until he fell.He was dead. Simon and Jake were frozen by the sight. Simon pulled himself together and said: "Come on,we have to keep moving. Time's limited." They moved on.They reached the little girl. Jake wanted to approach, but Simon stopped him. Simon said: "Maybe she'll kill herself too.Let's come back for her after we're done. We'll take her for treatment and interrogation." Jake nodded in agreement,and they advanced. They reached another door. Jake used the device again to open it. They entered a large space filled with numerous machines. Several bodies were in tanks filled with fluid. In the lab area was another glass containment unit. Simon said: "Who are they in that tank?" They approached it.Three people were inside, motionless. When they reached it, Jake tapped on the glass. All three turned around. Simon and Jake's faces lost all color seeing them. They had pale faces,blood oozing from their ears, noses, and mouths. All three ran at Simon and Jake and slammed violently into the glass, as if they wanted to attack and tear them apart. Jake said: "My God,what happened to them?" Simon said: "They...it's the... virus effect." They stared at the afflicted for a moment before Jake said: "Simon.We have to do our job. I'll handle the computers. You go for sample acquisition." Jike unlocked all facility doors and deactivated all air defenses.Simon collected all necessary samples. It was time. They had to initiate the assault. Team Alpha began the assault.The sound of gunfire intensified. They had breached. Team Charlie had also infiltrated the facility. Jake and Simon linked up with Team Charlie, and together they began eliminating all facility guards. Jake entered the hallways, headshotting any guard who entered. Everything was going according to plan when suddenly Simon's radio crackled.It was MacMillan. His voice was hard to hear over the gunfire and explosions. The only thing Simon understood was: "Enemy forces... reinforcements." Simon,along with Jake and Team Charlie, advanced towards Team Alpha. They neared a door that would lead them to the main compound area. Simon approached the door, opened it. In that instant, several rounds hit the wall behind Simon, and Jake yanked him back. Hell had broken loose in the facility compound.War. War itself. The sound of gunfire and explosions stirred hearts and shattered morale. Simon said: "The number of guards is too high.They have better positioning than our men." Jake said: "Air support.The guards have the high ground. We can use air support to take them out easily." Simon looked at Jake.He was right. Simon grabbed a flare, shot it towards the enemy, then brought his radio to his mouth and yelled over the din: "Alpha to Air Support Team.Charlie Team is under heavy fire. Enemy has the high ground. I repeat, they have the high ground. Air support needed. Immediate mark with red smoke. Engage now!" A crackled voice from the pilot replied: "Received.Skies are yours, Commander." Simon and Jake,along with several Charlie Team members, headed towards the room where the scientists were, while the rest of Charlie Team went to support Alpha. Simon and Jake moved quickly towards them. They arrived. The guards had set up a barricade there. Jake said: "We have to get through." They opened fire.The hallway leading to the scientists' room became engulfed in a hail of bullets. Air support arrived.The destruction began. All guards were incinerated in a fraction of a second. Explosions shook the entire facility. Team Alpha broke free from enemy fire and advanced rapidly. Simon and Jake had nearly eliminated all guards. Then an explosion occurred.The blast wave threw Simon and Jake. Simon got up.Another explosion. But this one was much weaker, and Simon managed to stand. His ears were ringing intensely, and he felt disoriented. Dust clogged his throat. The gunfire had subsided. He went to Jake. He was okay too. Helped him up. He heard something over the radio: "Target destroyed.Mission accomplished." Simon came to his senses.The scientists' room was leveled. Simon looked at the destroyed room as if he had lost his whole life. All scientists were pulverized, pieces of their bodies scattered. The smell of burning flesh filled the air. Furious, Simon grabbed his radio and yelled: "Who gave the fire order?!" Jake grabbed Simon's trembling arm and said: "Simon,we have to go. Senserif reinforcements could be here any second. There's nothing left for us here." Simon said: "All the scientists are gone!Do you know what that means?!" Jake said: "There's nothing we can do now.We have to leave."
All helicopters landed in the large compound area. Nadia got off a helicopter. Simon, furious, marched towards her. Jake tried to calm Simon but couldn't. Blood was in Simon's eyes. He grabbed Nadia by the collar and slammed her against the helicopter fuselage in front of everyone, yelling: "Who gave you the order to fire,huh? I said you were air support, only support! You destroyed all the scientists! You destroyed all the intel in that room! And you say mission accomplished!!?" Then,shouting: "Are you in command to act on your own?!Huh?!" Jake pulled Simon's arm,separating him from Nadia's collar, and said: "Enough,Simon." Simon shoved Jake's hand away and yelled even louder: "You screwed the whole op!All our comrades' blood is on your hands!" Nadia,terrified, stammered: "Sir,I... I..." Simon,blood in his eyes, said: "Youwhat?" Nadia said: "I...I got the order from General Richard." Simon was stunned.It couldn't be. Jake couldn't process it either. Simon said in disbelief: "Richard?" Nadia nodded in confirmation. A heavy silence fell over the area.Suddenly, one of the soldiers dropped his rifle and started vomiting. His face was pale. He was vomiting blood. Others helped him, and Jake ordered everyone to evacuate the area. The entire Atlas Team boarded the helicopters, which lifted off and left the area.
---
The Atlas operational team touched down. All forces and commanders disembarked from the helicopters. Simon got off the helicopter and started walking briskly towards the office of the Atlas Team commander.He was angry. He felt defeated. Suddenly, someone grabbed his arm midway. It was Jake. Jake said: "Look,I know where you're going. Don't go in hot. Don't let it backfire on you." Simon looked at Jake and shook his head.He continued on his way. He reached the door to Richard's office.
Richard was in a meeting. A Greenlandic military analyst was explaining the war that had recently broken out between Senserif and Greenland. A red light on Richard's desk lit up. It meant he had a visitor, but he ignored it and listened.
Simon waited 45 minutes to meet with Richard. Finally, the door opened. All the analysts and military personnel exited the room, and Simon entered. Richard was sitting behind his desk. His expression tightened upon seeing Simon. He invited Simon to sit. Simon sat down, and Richard said: "Congratulations,Simon. You've succeeded gloriously once again. Report your success to me." Simon said angrily: "Thank you,sir. But I'm here for something else." Richard knew why Simon was there but asked anyway: "Why?Is there a problem?" Simon said: "I had a flawless plan,sir. Why? Why did you give that order? We could have gotten far ahead of our enemy with those documents and valuable personnel." Richard said firmly: "I deemed it necessary and issued that order.Your duty was to retrieve the samples, which you did." Simon said louder: "But sir,we could have gained much more than we did." Richard said louder than Simon: "Your duty was one thing,and you did it! If I hadn't given that order, you and your men would be dead, Ryeek. Senserif reinforcements were closing in on you." Simon shouted: "But sir,we could have secured them! You ruined my plan!" Richard said in a loud,terrifying voice: "That's enough,Ryeek. You do whatever I order you to do. Are you disobeying?" Simon looked into Richard's eyes.He shouldn't push further. Simon said calmly: "No,sir." Richard said in the same voice: "Excellent,Ryeek. Now go attend to your duties." Simon stood up and walked towards his office.
---
Simon sat behind his desk. He lit a cigarette. Jake entered the office. Simon's face said it all. Jake said: "I told you not to go in hot.Thanks for listening." Simon said: "He's changed.He's not the Richard we knew, Jake. He ruined our plan and won't admit it." Jake said: "Yeah,I know he's changed. But arguing with him is a lose-lose game. In my opinion, it's enough for now. Let it go. Maybe time will fix it." Simon said incredulously: "Time?Jake, we lost those documents and scientists!" Jake said: "Well,we lost them. It's over, Simon." Simon was silent.Jake asked: "What did he say finally?" Simon replied: "He said his intention was to protect you and the team." Jake nodded and said: "Get some rest.I have some small things to do. I'm exhausted too." He then left Simon's office.Simon took the last drag of his cigarette and stubbed it out. He was deep in thought. It was as if they were messing with his mind. He put his hands on the desk and rested his head on them. He closed his eyes and rested.
After resting, Simon left his office. He saw Nadia coming towards him. Simon was upset with Nadia for that action, but deep down, he knew she was just following orders. Nadia reached Simon, and Simon said reluctantly: "Why are you here?" Nadia said: "Sir,General Richard has arranged a very important meeting. The Army Chief of Staff will also be present. In about 15 minutes in General Richard's office." Simon said: "Okay,I'll be there." Nadia left,and Simon looked around the Atlas HQ compound. Everything was orderly. Simon went to find Liz. Her shiny hair made her easy to spot. He reached Liz. Simon said: "Liz,what are you doing?" Liz said: "Oh.Hello, sir. Yes, I got some stats from the research team." At that moment,Jake joined them. Liz said: "Hello,Commander. I was just telling Commander Simon about the stats I got from the research team. Would you like to read them, sir?" Simon took the tablet from Liz and read. After reading the stats Liz had gathered,he was about to hand the tablet to Jake when he saw Jake wasn't paying attention at all. He was looking at Liz. Simon nudged him, and when Jake came to, he gave him the tablet. Simon turned to Liz and said: "So,how are our troops?" Liz said: "Everything's under control,Commander. Everyone is performing their duties according to plan." After Jake read the stats,he handed the tablet back to Liz. Liz took it from Jake with a smile. Simon said: "Thank you,Liz. You can get back to your duties." But Liz didn't reply and just smiled at Jake before leaving. Jake watched Liz leave.A peculiar smile was on his face. His cheeks were flushed. His heartbeat was so loud even Simon could hear it. Jake was mesmerized. Simon called his name, but Jake remained entranced. Suddenly,Simon kicked Jake's leg, and Jake snapped out of it. Simon said with a mischievous grin: "What's with you,mate? Mesmerized. Don't tell me you..." Jake said: "What?Don't tell you what?" Simon said: "You like her,don't you? You should've told me, I'm your best friend." Jake looked at Simon with a fallen expression and said: "I don't like blondes.Don't push it." Simon said: "Yeah,your look says otherwise." Jake gave Simon a look of feigned annoyance and quickly walked away from him. Simon headed to the meeting.He arrived. He didn't want to see Richard eye to eye. But he knocked. Entered. Army Chief of Staff George Wesker was there. After salutes. Most of the people who were supposed to be there were present, though not many. Simon sat down. After 5 minutes, once everyone was present – the only ones from Atlas Team invited to the meeting were Jake, Simon, and Nadia – the meeting began. Many analysts stood up and spoke about various issues,including the war between Senserif and Greenland, how to help Greenland win, and remove Senserif's proxy forces. The past operation was discussed, which Richard considered a complete success, though Simon didn't think so. Richard spoke of the operation's success in a way that greatly pleased George. Simon felt that sense of failure and frustration again when the operation was discussed. About an hour into the meeting,it was Commander George's turn. George began his address: "Well,I thank all commanders and analysts for their courage in recent operations. Now. As you know, our ally is caught in a war. This war was initially just a few missiles exchanged. But now it's getting bigger and bigger. Senserif has deployed its ground forces to the Greenland border. They've crossed the border." Simon glanced at Nadia.Concern was evident on her face after this news. George continued: "Greenland is doing its utmost to resist.The Greenland Air Force is heavily engaged, and Ruritanian fighters are doing their job well, but Senserif fighters have something to say too. Pilot Nadia, your country needs you now. You will be sent to the borders of Greenland with half of the Atlas operational team." Silence engulfed the meeting room.Jake looked at Simon in complete astonishment. Simon said with a nervous laugh: "Excuse me,sir, did I hear correctly? We're being split up?" George said: "Yes,this way our country's objectives are advanced, and we've helped our ally." Jake said: "But sir,we can't be separated. This weakens Atlas." George said: "Look,I understand you. But this is decided. We've discussed it. General Richard's suggestion was very good and timely. We can kill two birds with one stone this way." Simon and Jake shot a nasty look at Richard,who answered them with his terrifying gaze. Simon said: "General,you always said the Atlas Team was the only hope of both countries against Senserif. How can you disband it now?" Richard said: "That relates to higher-ups,Simon. You just follow orders." Jake said: "Orders?Sir, we're an operational team, not ground forces to be sent to war." George said loudly: "Enough.This decision has been made." Simon and Jake looked at each other again.They didn't know what else to do to prevent Atlas from being dismantled. George said: "Well,Commander Simon, you will go to the Greenland border for the specialized ops you excel at. You need to deliver heavy blows to Senserif. Show them the Atlas Team is more than that. Captains Victor and Caesar will accompany you." Then,turning to Nadia, he said: "You will go with Commander Simon.Your country needs you." Then,turning to Jake, he continued: "You,Commander, you will go to the country of Senserif with Captains MacMillan, Liz, and Alex. Greenland intelligence operatives are active there; you will join them." "Well,your duty, Commander Jake, is to help them advance Greenland's objectives within Senserif. This way, you can create chaos inside Senserif like a virus. Remember, you can change the course of the war. You must—" Suddenly,the sound of gunfire cut off George's words. The sound was very loud. General Richard said: "I'm getting Commander George out of here.Go check the situation."
Richard evacuated George from the room along with the analysts, and Simon and Jake readied their sidearms and headed towards the sound. They reached the compound and the sound of gunfire.The guards were lining up and firing. Simon and Jake moved closer and saw people staggering towards them. The guards were shooting at them, but they just kept coming, as if they didn't feel any pain. Blood was coming from their noses, ears, and eyes, and they were making strange noises. Several corpses lay on the ground. Simon and Jake started shooting,but body shots had no effect. Suddenly,Liz said: "Sir,you have to shoot them in the head!" Simon and Jake took her advice and stopped the afflicted with headshots. Simon was very surprised.They looked very much like the people he and Jake had seen in the enemy facility. The gunfire died down.Jake asked Liz: "What's going on,Liz? What are these?" Simon said: "They look like those people we saw in the enemy facility.Right?" Jake's eyes widened.He remembered. Liz said: "I don't know,but from what I gathered, one of the scientists was experimenting on a lab mouse, and it bit his finger." Simon said: "Better take these bodies for testing.We never wanted to experiment on humans, but I guess God wills it." Liz nodded and then walked away.Simon said to Jake: "Jake,gather the captains in your office and inform them about Commander George's decision. I need to talk to Nadia." Jake said: "Okay,but what do you want with Nadia?" Simon said: "I want to ask her about over there." Jake parted from Simon,and Simon went towards Nadia, invited her to his office, and then went to his office.
---
Victor said in surprise and astonishment: "Split up?What do you mean?" Mac said: "Yeah,he's right, this will weaken the group." Caesar said: "What did you say?Didn't you try to stop this?" Jake said helplessly: "We tried everything.It didn't work..." Mac said: "So there's nothing we can do?" Jake shook his head. Liz said: "Well,what's the plan now?" Jake said: "We deploy in 7 days.We need to be ready by then." Victor said: "Who's going where?" Jake explained all the plans Atlas had ahead and said: "Anyone who has family,go see them."
---
Simon gestured for Nadia to sit. Simon sat behind the desk, and Nadia sat opposite him. Simon said: "I wanted to talk about what happened." Nadia paid closer attention to Simon.Simon continued: "Look,Atlas has never been split up before. This makes things harder for all forces. I want you to tell me about where we're going." Nadia said with a slight pause: "Yes,I understand, sir. It was hard for me to join Atlas too, but I got used to it." "About the border,I should say Atlas is going somewhere unrelated to ground forces. I think you'll be joining the Ghost team. This team has undergone professional training, and if I had to describe it in one word, it's like Atlas." Simon said: "Yes,I've heard of it. Continue." Nadia continued: "Commander John Keller leads the team.Two other captains, Michael and Leo, are also there alongside Commander John. You will participate in guerrilla warfare or shock operations with these individuals." Simon thought.His thinking took a while. Finally, he said: "Thank you,Nadia. You can go." Nadia stood up and reached the door when Simon said: "Nadia!" Nadia turned around,and Simon said: "In the previous op,for the missile strike, you got the order from Richard?" Nadia said: "Yes,sir." Simon said with a slight pause: "Very well.I'm sorry. It wasn't your fault. I shouldn't have done that in front of everyone." Nadia seemed genuinely happy from the bottom of her heart.A big, beautiful smile spread across her lips, and she left. In the empty room, Simon thought only of one thing. Nadia's beautiful smile,etched in his mind.
---
Patchy clouds moved across the blue sky, occasionally blocking the beautiful face of the sun. A cool morning breeze caressed freshly awakened faces. Transport planes were ready to fly towards Greenland.Simon and his team had to leave the HQ before Jake. All soldiers were preparing themselves, some already boarded. The pilot was doing final checks on his aircraft. Everything was ready. The marshals were preparing for their flight operations.
Simon was ready to go into his battle. The commanders and captains gathered to say goodbye. Mac said with his usual small smile: "I feel like when you show up for your first op,the Greenlanders will be amazed by your professionalism." Caesar said: "Definitely." Jake said: "Take care of yourselves.Remember, we need each other." Victor said: "You too.We're going to war, but in your line of work, the slightest mistake means no way back." Simon said: "You guys are going by car,right?" Mac said: "No,by flight. They made us a fake identity." Jake said: "Yeah,my name is Anthony." Victor said: "Doesn't suit you at all." Everyone laughed.They all knew this might be the last time they gathered together, but no one said it out loud. They all hugged each other, said goodbye, and parted ways. Nadia,after saying goodbye to the Atlas commanders and captains, boarded the plane without a word.