The plan was simple. The JSOC team would first meet with Militia Leader Mullah Al-Bashir, review mission logistics, before assaulting under the cover of night.
The team arrived at the outpost in two seperate jeeps. One contained Akers, Mercer and Dmitry, the other contained Creed, Pierce, Rourke and Amos. Once arrived, they were held at gunpoint at the gates but let inside after identity confirmation with the guards.
Mullah met with them in a briefing room (albeit not as well-kept as the interiors of the AFRICOM Base) and rolled out pictures and a map of the ZLF Forward Operating Base, "All of you, take a look. This is what we will attack."
A dim lamp hung by the roof, connected only by a loose cable, keeping the rest of the room dark, and illuminating the map of the ZLF Forward Operating Base. It was difficult to see, but all around the JSOC operatives were Mullah's soldiers concealed in the dark with their AK47s, wary of the foreign soldiers before them, watching them as closely as if they were the enemy.
Akers stepped out of the shadows that outlined the room and spoke up, "We have an informant on the inside....names Baptiste. He mentioned that security lessons in the nighttime hours. Thats our best shot." Akers dropped a portrait of Baptiste onto the table, followed by pics of security watch towers on the FOB.
"And how are you sure that this 'Baptiste" isn't a Zaire Liberator attempting to lure you people into trap? Hm?" Mullah looked at all the Task Force operators suspiciously, "Or better yet. Lead me and my men into trap! And capture us to trade with the ZLF!"
"Watch your tone Bashir. The man on the inside has proven himself trustworthy so far. If you're right, and he walks us into a trap, we are more than capable of handling it. I suggest you do not disrespect them again." Specialist Amos Walker made himself firm, asserting a stance that the task force will not be taken lightly, especially by local militias.
"I don't think you understand the real power of Zaire Liberation Force...not yet. You," Points to Creed, "You," Points to Rourke "And you..." Points to Amos Walker "You got to experience only a fragment...I've lost good people...and they do not hold back on women and children! It isn't too far off if your inside man turns out to be crook. No?" Mullah asked around, wiping sweat off his brow.
"There's two things i hate in this world Mullah, that's liars… and crooks. If he is as untrustworthy as you think he is, he will be disposed of quicker than he could call in any kind of reinforcement." Walker gritted his teeth saying so, his tone coming off as normal and monotone as possible. "...Your people aren't the only ones who have suffered at the hands of the liberators."
"Amos is right...We infil at night...With YOUR help.." Looks at Mullah "And we clean 'em up. Remember lads, the Major wants the FOB for us...so we don't need any heavy explosives that could damage the infastructure."
Rourke proceeded to speak up with authority, "Rest assurred, Al-Bashir. The base will be ours. As per agreement."
Mercer replied, "When do we leave sir?"
Rourke explained the plan, "We'll take the jeeps to the hot zone, and then foot the rest of the journey from there. The informant told us to be there by 0200."
"Okay, you heard the man! Get your gear and move!" As the men began moving, Akers then turned to Mullah, "We'll need the support of your men, you're gonna have to spare some resources."
Mullah hesitated briefly before replying to Akers, "I lost a lot of men yesterday. I'll...I'll see what I can offer."
"It isn't a suggestion, Mullah, we're gonna need your support out there. Thats what you agreed to, so thats what you stick to."
Rourke then went up to Al-Bashir personally and looked at him in the eyes. "Join us in the fight and offer us your support. Your people will be victors. Let's move, wheels up in 5."
Rourke picked up his M16A3 from the previous mission and put on a scarf that hung on his shoulder. Afterwards, he left the briefing room and waited for the JSOC operatives and Mullah to get ready.
"I trust you'll make the right choice, Al-Bashir." Walker prepped his stealth gear, slipping on desert camo and light weaponry/armour for the mission ahead, leaving the briefing room 2-3 minutes after Jack.
---
Back outside, Creed and Dmitry were preparing the jeep for the drive. Creed climbed into the backseat and loaded his MP5 with Silencer.
"Hey smiles, hold this for me would ya." Dmitry sat next to Creed, passing him a backpack which he had just removed from his person, presumably to be able to sit comfortably and clip his seatbelt in.
"Oof!" Creed grabbed the backpack abruptly, "What the hell you got in here?!" He waited until Dmitry was settled before passing him the backpack back, "Jeez mate.."
"Thanks pal." Dmitry took it back once he got in, underneath his get-up, masks and goggles that is, he was wearing a huge smile, one of that of a proud dad, or someone who just hazed a first year apprentice.
On the other side of the entrance area, Mullah was shouting at his men in their dialect, pumping them up for the mission.
He was preparing the other jeep, and threw his stuff inside before climbing in, "Alright gentlemen, lets go!" He did a "Forward" hand signal to get the convoy moving and the two jeeps took off - Jeep 1 (Akers, Mercer, Pierce, Walker) and Jeep 2 (Rourke, Creed, Dmitry). Behind the convoy, followed two technical trucks were used by the militia featuring about 7 men each.
---
It had just turned 0152, in approximately 7-8 minutes the informant was due to answer. Rourke laid prone on the ground with a telescope to his left eye, concealed by debris and ruined walls, as well as the dark night sky. The sound in the distance was the wind passing through the ruins and the faint chatter at the Forward Operating Base. Even though the ammount of personnel that was patrolling seemed minimal, there was more hectic activity amongst them than expected.
Rourke took the telescope off his eye and faced to turn Creed, Dimitry and some of Mullah's men who were posted up in the ruins. "Something's not right." He pointed towards the position where he was laying down before. "Take a look."
"Maybe Mullah was right. Fuck...I don't wanna give him the satisfaction...Try to contact the informant on the radio again." Creed attempted to remain optimistic, but took the telescope anyway, knowing what he'll find. Upon taking a look, Creed's suspicions are confirmed when he sees absolutely none of the informants features, "Damn, dude, he piss his pants and bail out?"
Akers talked through the radio to Rourke, "Informant still ain't pickin' up...I can't see shit from here. Why is it so hectic down there?"
Rourke transmitted his radio to Akers. "Akers, have one of your men radio Baseplate for air support."
Meanwhile, Creed kept laughing at his own joke "Maybe he got lost navigating the base. He had to unfold that big ass map and follow his tracks..--" He stiffled a laugh but got back to focus. "Yeah, probably not his fault."
Akers turned to Mercer behind him, "Get a bird in the air."
"Got it." Mercer went towards the radio pack in the corner of one of the ruins and started tuning the frequency to Baseplate, "Baseplate, this is Nomad. The FOB is on high alert, requesting air support immediately."
Merrick came in on the other end, "Nomad, this is Baseplate. Were you compromised?"
"No, but the informant may have been... or he sold us out."
"Alright, I'll contact you again in 2 minutes and see what we can get you." Merrick disconnected, but just as he did, an unknown frequency invaded their radio, speaking in a sinister tone.
"This is JSOC, yes? We've found your informant, and now we know where you are too."