Chapter Eight

Extraction

Achkhoy - Martanovsky District

Chechnya

Vakhyita Ridge

August 9, 2001

05:03 hour

Nate and Shiori manages to reach the wide flat barren stone ridge. Nobody else has been there. They set up a defensive perimeter behind line of stones facing the direction where they come from.

" Shiori, we'll defend this ridge for the next 55 minutes till the plane comes." Says Nate.

" What!? Are you serious? We're only two." Asks Shiori in disbelief.

" Yes, I am! It's the only way out for now. I didn't know the rebels and Russians would follow us this far." Answers Nate. " They have followed us to this forest, but they may not know that we head to this ridge."

Nate calls the plane through his Radio,

"  Crane, this is Nate. What's your status? Over."

After several seconds an answer comes. "  This is Crane. ETA 50 minutes. What's your status? Over." 

" We've been pursued by unknown number of rebels and several Russian soldiers. We're already on the site defending the ridge. Requesting airlift ASAP (As Soon As Possible)." Reports Nate.

" Negative, Nate. Defend the place as long as you can. Out." Answers a communication personnel again.

" Stick to the first plan, Shiori." Says Nate to her.

Down there, Movkar and his men advances carefully searching for the ninjas. They have learned that Shiori isn't alone according to surviving rebels from their firefights with the ninjas. During the repelled attack on the Russian outpost, most of the rebels flanked it and advanced to the ridge forest. A group of four rebels moving ahead from its main group reaches near the stones where Nate and Shiori are hiding. They are quickly peperred and have their sniper rifle and PKM machinegun captured. For the next fifteen minutes, the ninjas are absent from hostility. They are safe and hidden until rebels from their main force arrive and greeted with Nate and Shiori's fires. The firefight trigger large scale shootings from the advancing rebels from the slope. They quickly look for cover behind trees and rocks then shoot at all horizon border line between ridge soil and air not knowing where the fires come from. Shiori sharpshooted all rebels who are seen using an SVD Dragunov while Nate pepper them with the captured PKM. For a while their strategy manages to pin down the attackers. Till Movkar orders them to charge the ridge. Their reckless human wave strategy costs them many of their men and they are forced to advance systematicaly and slowly. Running out of ammo, the two ninjas switch their weapons to the captured AK74. Their entrenched position and marksmanship make it hard for the outnumbering attackers to reach their position. Several bullets even nearly hit Nate. Slowly but Steady, the attackers press their advance toward the stones. Some rebels even managed to leap at the ninjas' defense but swept by thick AK74 fires that discourage others to do the same. Two grenades land near Nate and Shiori which quickly taken and thrown back at the rebels by the ninjas.

" Nate, my AK runs out of ammo!" Says Shiori while shooting at two advancing rebels by her Makarov.

" Here, use my Uzi. " Says Nate giving his silenced uzi.

Three rebels are quickly pepperred by the uzi.


Achkhoy - Martanovsky District
Russian Airspace
Chechnya
CIA C-130
Near Vakhyita Ridge
August 10, 2001
05:49 hour

Agent Bob is called to command center cabin. " Agent, I think you should look at this." Says an observation officer at a monitor. The monitor showing pictures taken from satelite shows two figures shooting behind stones at advancing figures. " Thats' them! They're our men." Says Agent Bob. He walks to the cargo compartment and addresses eight armed men in civilian clothing sitting there. " Alright, get ready. Our men needs assistance ASAP."


Achkhoy - Martanovsky District
Russian Airspace
Chechnya
CIA C-130
Vakhyita Ridge
August 10, 2001
05:51 hour   

The rebels' are advancing closer and closer to Nate's position. Only two AK magazines are left. When Nate is changing his magazine a rebel jumps at the rock but hit back by Nate's rifle. Nate immediately draws his silenced P229 and shoots the man three times.

He shouts to Shiori, " Shiori, run to the woods! I'll hold them as long as possible!"

Shiori answers, " What? I won't do it!"

Nate replies back to her, " There's no point I came here this far if you're killed or captured again!"

Shiori hesitates but driven away by Nate's cries, " Run! Now! Run! Run!"

Shiori turns and runs toward south of Nate's possition crossing the ridge. Tears fall from her eyes. She is reminded of their journey. Suddenly, a large grey unmarked C-130 transport plane appear from her right and lands passing her. Its ramp door slowly opens. Meanwhile, Nate is busy defending the stones. He drops his AK74 and draws his sword. Nate cuts down and shoots a rebel leaps the stones. Another leaps and shoots Nate's belly and chest from close range by his MP-433 pistol. The bullets only hit Nate's body armor. Nate rises and slashes the rebel. Another leaps the stone and has his bayonet aimed at Nate. Suddenly, the men is stormed by bullets and falls to the ground. Other rebels appearring also swept. Men in camouflage suddenly appear on  Nate's left and right to his surprise. They pepper the remaining advancing rebels. A man in maroon berret comes at Nate's left, " Hello again, Amerikanski."

"  Drive them back, troopers!" Shouts Lieutenant Petrovich. " Relax, we're on the same side now." Says the lieutenant.

" You come at the right time, Poruchik." Says Nate " If not, I've already taken out all of them single handedly."

The lieutenant laughs. " Go to your friends, Amerikanski. Leave them to me. I have been looking for them for years."

" I entrust them to you, Poruchik." Says Nate. " See you again."

" See you. I hope we're not enemies when we meet again." Replies the lieutenant.

Nate rises and runs to the plane. Near the ramp door, eight armed men in civilian clothes are forming a square defense perimeter. Hearing Agent Bob and others outside shouting at Nate to hurry. Shiori rises and stands near the ramp door shouting at Nate, " Come on, Nate! You can do it!" Tears flow from her eyes. Happiness is seen from her expression. A Sniper fire shoots a guarding agent and the ramp door. Agents and Nate outside shoots back at the sniper position while covering their shot friend. Not long time after, Nate and the guarding agents board the plane. The aircraft immediately begins to take off. When it has left the ground, two camouflage colored Russian Su-25 aircraft bombard the forest at the rebels' attacking position.


Achkhoy - Martanovsky District
Chechnya
Vakhyita Ridge Forest
August 10, 2001
07:14 hour

Movkar and two of his men are escaping through foliages. They are separated from his main force. Most of his men were either killed or flee. He is stopped when six heavily armed men in camouflage and green camouflage hoods suddenly appear pointing their guns from trees and bushes and surround him and his men. In fear and surprise they point their guns at them. A man in maroon berret steps forward and addresses him. " Where are you going, Movkar?"

The End

License: Personal use and read only. Further usage requiring permission from author.

Disclaimer: All contents are fiction.

Chapter Seven

Warriors' Gathering

Achkhoy - Martanovsky District

Chechnya

Vakhyita Ridge Forest

August 9, 2001

21:49 hour

Two figures are browsing between foliages carefully ascending a grassy slope under darkness. Sounds of popping gunshots and smokes are seen and heard from far. 

" Come on, we must hurry." Says Nate in whisper. " We must make sure the ridge is clear from hostiles."

" Why must we go the ridge?" Asks Shiori.

" Okay. I haven't told you. That's our way out. An aircraft from Georgia will land there and get us out of here." Answers Nate.

" Is it waiting us there?" Asks Shiori.

" No. I have to call it through my radio. And we can't do it now. It has to be tomorrow morning, where the landing zone is illuminated by sun ray." Answers Nate again. " Once we arrive there, we still have to set a defense perimeter."

Nate and Shiori arrives at bushes where they stop to rest. Nate immediately reaches his radio and reports to the headquarter and requests for airlift the next morning at 06:30 am.

Achkhoy - Martanovsky District

Chechnya

Vakhyita Ridge Forest

August 10, 2001

00:34 hour

" Shiori.. come here.. Silently.." Says Nate in whisper. " Look." Says Nate again while handing his nightvision binocular.  When Shiori looks through the binocular, he sees figures of men wielding weapons browse through trees  on slope on their down right. " They are not Russians." Says Shiori.

" We've been followed." Says Nate. " That's why everywhere we went there was battle."

" They are not attacking Russians. They are after you. What did you take from them?" Asks Nate to Shiori.

" Only datas and oh.. a map.." answers her.

" It means you have seen all of their hideout networks. And where they store their equipments all over Chechnya." Replies Nate.

" Come on, we have to leave before they overrun this place." Tells Nate.

The two continues their escape by slipping silently through trees and bushes. On their run, they ambush and kill several rebels using blades, shuriken, a crossbow and deadly martial art moves. Sometimes they do them in combined attack. Nate and Shiori rush through trees and brushes. They stop to take a breath when they arrive at a more opened former camping site.

" Shh.." Says Nate to Shiori. " I think we've been being watched. Careful."

" Could it be the rebels? This place is too quiet. Where're the sounds of animals?" Replies Shiori.

" No. They could be more. Stay quiet." Orders Nate.

Both of them proceed the neglected camping site carefully with blades and guns wielded. They are being watched by nightvision devices. Suddenly, figures of six men come out from bushes and trees then encircle the ninjas. Nate and Shiori  point their guns at them. A man in maroon berret walks forward and start to speak in English with thick Russian accent.

" Amerikanski, I am impressed that you have gone so far. I am Lieutenant Dimitry Petrovich of Spetsnaz." Says the man in berret. 

Nate replies nothing.

" We have followed you since Dasha village. Remember the fighting? Remember the bus incident? Two of the passengers are my men. Knowing you were the one who would lead us to that wanted woman." Continues him.

" What do you want, Poruchik?" fizzles Nate.

" Come with us. But I don't think you would surrender peacefully, right?" Says Lieutenant Petrovich.

Petrovich's men bring out wooden staffs, ninja swords, knives and a double sticks. Nate and Shiori drop their AK rifles and sling their uzi and pistol. Soon both of them fight against four of Petrovich's masked men. A clash between Ninja Taijutsu and Kenjutsu against Cossack Systema occurs. Both are martial arts from centuries ago. It's a fighting between Ninjas versus Petrovich's Cossack Warriors. The fighting is depicted like a dance, a deadly one. Nate utilizes charge combined with repeated direct slashes and stabs to give the enemy no chance to breath while Shiori utilizes speed and high jumps followed by strikes from her sharp tanto dagger. Both of them also uses unarmed hand to hand combat techniques in the fighting. After a hard fighting, the ninjas incapacitate Petrovich's men.

Seeing that, Lieutenant Petrovich  claps his hand and praises the ninjas, " Impressive. You two incapacitate my men. The best among my forces." 

" What are you doing, Alexey?" Asks Petrovich to his aide when he notices him about to wield his AK74SU.

Corporal Chernenko immediately lowers his gun.

" Now I want to feel myself the power of ninjas." Says Petrovich. He unsheates a large long curved Russian saber.

The ninjas and the lieutenant are involved in fighting. This opponent is stronger than they have encountered before including his men. His sword is longer than Nate's but is able to be wield agilely as Shiori's tanto. It is seen as the saber dances at Petrovich's right hand. He is able to block and disperse Nate and Shiori's combined attacks. He even manages to scratch Nate several times on hands and chest as well delivers unarmed combat attacks. The critical moment comes when he delivers a horizontal at Nate from right. Nate evades by falling to his rear then kick Petrovich's right knee fold from behind which prompts him to kneel. Nate rises with his lef hand holds Petrovich's right hand and with Shiori deliver blow the Lieutenant's neck with Nate's sword's blunt side and Shiori's right punch then kick Lieutenant Petrovich's feet. The lieutenant falls to the rear, incapacitated. Nate and Shiori moves their attention at Petrovich's aide. He shudders and freezes with his AK74SU pointed at the ninjas.

Nate calls the corporal in Russian, " Guard your commander and your friends." He then leaves the camp site with Shiori. The ninjas run into a group of Chechen rebels and fight them with their AK rifles. " Run!! Hurry!! I'll follow!!" Shouts Nate to Shiori. Nate shoots at several incoming Rebels then retreats. Nate and Shiori run and shoot all Chechen fire and they meet. The Chechen rebels led by Movkar have overrun the area. A Chechen rebel ambushes Nate. He fights the rebel in bare hands and winds after takes the rebel's knife and thrust it to his necks. Shiori is found slashing and stabbing two Chechen rebels. Meanwhile, Petrovich comes to his consciousness assisted by his aide. The Corporal called Alexey reports to the lieutenant, " Poruchik, they have run away. Our men are all still alive.", " And there's an urgent call from headquarter." Reports him again. 

The two ninjas keep running and fighting their way up to the ridge. " Run, Shiori! Don't Stop!" Cries Nate.     

To be continued 

License: Personal use and read only. Further usage requiring permission from author.

Disclaimer: All contents are fiction.

Chapter Six

Entrance

Achkhoy - Martanovsky District

Chechnya

August 9, 2001

06:34 hour

" That was close yesterday. Don't you think so?" Asks Nate while digging his food case.

" I didn't know they would do it the harder way." Answers Shiori with less expression.

" Oh, you are still shell shocked. Have you ever been in an open combat before?" Asks Nate again.

" Never..." Answers Shiori with hollow eyes expression.

Nate and Shiori are having their MRE breakfast aboard a civilian cattle transporter truck in civilian disguise. They survived the Nokovko forest skirmish by managing to escape through an undefended corridor and reach district's border. The battle took heavy casualties from the rebels' side with lesser but numerous Russian ones. They disguise themselves as sibling Mongolian ethnic residents and hitchhiked an empty cattle truck driven by an old local Chechen farmer that would cross them to Achkoy Martanovsky District. Nate's mind is all aimed at Vakhyita ridge, where a CIA transport plane waiting in Georgia will land and extract them from Chechnya.

" So, Shiori, have you succeeded your mission?" Asks Nate

" Yeah, I got pictures and data on my camera." Says Shiori

" That's why they are after you that far." Comments Nate, " Usually they execute on spot."

Shiori replies nothing. The truck goes through muddy roads and villages. On streets civilians bustle around. Russian soldiers and Chechen policemen are on guard.

" Hey, good morning, young man! How are you back there? Ahahaha." Calls the old farmer loudly while driving.

" I'm good, sir. Thank you for asking!" Laughs Nate.

" What are you and your sister's doing here? This place is beautiful though war is still here, isn't it?" Asks the farmer

" Uh, we've just arrived from Kazakhstan and want to go to Moscow for a new life." Says Nate. " Right, Ivana?" Asks him again at Shiori.

" Hahaha." Laughs the old farmer. " That's nice. Keep it, young man."

" By the way, your Russian is good." Says the farmer.

" Is it? Spasiba!" Asks Nate.

" Yes, but your accent is somewhat different."

" I think that's because we're from Kazakhstan." Answers Nate

" Hahahaha! Very hilarious." Laughs the Farmer

" By the way, have you heard about a fighting in Nokovko forest yesterday? The Russians used big guns. They turned the area upsided down. I was lucky not passing there. I heard the rebels are chasing a woman on the forest. Do you think she is still alive?" Continues him.

" Nope. I think she is already dead." Answers Nate confidently after being surprised before.

Shiori interrogates Nate in whisper, " What are you talking about?!"

Nate argues in whisper, " Relax. I have to cover your identity. Leave it to me! Perhaps no one knows the wanted woman is not alone. My presence will turn suspicion off you."

The farmer continues again, " I think so. Anyway, the forest was rained heavily with big guns. Many rebels died."

After a while, the truck stops. " Here it is, kids." Says the old farmer. " We've arrived near the Vakhyita ridge. Can't go farther, too dangerous. Why do you want to go at this area? There's nothing but grassland and military outpost here."

" We want to see sceneries." Answers Nate with smile. " Here is a gift from us." Nate gives the man an amount rubels. After they parted with farewell, the two ninjas continue their journey to the ridge. They stop at a small group of trees and check Nate's map. According to the map, they have to break through a small Russian military outpost near the ridge. It's the safest path since if through others, they may run into rebels. 

Achkhoy - Martanovsky District

Chechnya

Near Yevgeny Military Outpost

August 9, 2001

18:39 hour

A small forty men strength outpost commanded by Major Feodor Yevgeny is tasked to make the rebels' maneuver become more difficult at Vakhyita ridge area. The outpost is rarely attacked. So the area is considered more controlled than others. Unbeknownst to the occupiers, two pairs of eye from faces covered with balaclava and mouth and nose covering dark cloth are observing them behind bushes. Seen from Nate's night vision binocular, the guard are posted as usual, with small patrols walking around inside the base. Nate chose the dinner time as it naturally lowers alert level. The two ninjas infiltrates the base after making a small hole near ground on a metal fence by cutting its wires with pincers. Their main cover is darkness. They slip through crates, vehicles, a guard post and main buildings. They also almost run into Russian patrols. The base's situation is quiet. As most of the soldiers except ones having their guard shift have gone to dining quarter. Nate has reached the base's middle and everything seem to work on their track. Suddenly, a rocket hits a guard tower. It is followed by a barage of rockets hitting  buildings and erupting gunshots.

Nate and Shiori immediately hide themselves on a ditch. Above them is a plank connecting the two sides of the ditch. Russian soldiers emerge from buildings to the outpost's front. Some run above Nate crossing the plank on the ditch. The outpost is being attacked by Chechen rebels. After seeing that most of the Russian occupiers have gone to the front. Nate encourages himself and Shiori to climb up and slips back from the base. On the last buildings, Nate bumps a running Russian soldier. Nate and the Russian are surprised. For moments, both of them are frozen. Suddenly, a 'pop' sound is heard. A small white dart sticks on the soldier's belly. He staggers then collapses. Shiori shoots the soldier with tranquilizer bullet. They then drag the man inside armory near them and closes the door then escapes by sneaking and shooting tranquilizer guns at several guards on alert then runs outside to the ridge.

Meanwhile, several Chechen rebels are trying to ambush the base defenders from their left flank through bushes. Suddenly, they are all swept by mercilles gunfires. From bushes a tall man in camouflage and maroon berret appear followed by hooded and camouflaged men brandishing AK74SU and a Pecheneg Machine gun. The spestnaz team enters the attacked outpost and saluted by a sergeant.

" Do you see any suspicious figures here, podpraporshchik (Sergeant)?" Asks Lieutenant Petrovich

" Da (No),  Poruchik. The rebels have advanced closer. But we have not seen anybody than our troops inside." Answers the sergeant.

A private runs and reports to the sergeant, " Permission to speak, sir."

" Permission granted, Private."

" Sir, Private Gorlovich and some other guards on the rear were found unconscious. Darts are found on them." States the private.

Lieutenant Petrovich says to his men, " They have passed through here to the ridge. Let's move on."

To be continued 

License: Personal use and read only. Further usage requiring permission from author.

Disclaimer: All contents are fiction.

Chapter Five

Forest Run

Chechnya
Groznensky District
Nokovko Forest
August 8, 2001
22:43 hour

" Come in, headquearter, this is Nate."

" Come in, headquearter, this is Nate." Reports Nate at his radio.

" This is headquarter. What's your status?"

" Rose is safe. I repeat, Rose is safe."

Nate's report greeted with sense of relief on the CIA war room.

" Accepted. What's your perimeter status?"

" The area is overrun with Charlie (Chechen rebels ) and Tango (Russian Forces). We need a safe corridor to pass through them."

" Understood. Open escape route."

" What did the headquarter say? Asks Agent Rose while having her MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) ration for dinner in darkness. Both of them are hiding on a small hill top within the forest.

" We're on our own, Rose. We got to make our own escape route." Answers Nate.

Nate sits down and opens his MRE dinner. " I wonder why the Russians and Chechens don't come up here." Says Agent Rose.

" Perhaps both sides fearing their enemies have gained foothold here. Casualties risk is higher when a force wants to capture a higher place occupied with enemy." Says Nate while chewing his dinner.

" It seems strange I keep calling you Agent Rose. May I know your real name? I'll tell mine." Continues Nate.

" Okay, you seem to be nice. I come to trust what you said about not shooting me with your gun when you chased me." Says Agent Rose.

" I'm Nate. Nathaniel Toshiyuki Kato."

" I'm Shiori. Shiori Ito."

" From New York?"

" How do you know?"

" Your accent."

" I see you're a ninja, Nate." Says Shiori. " What school are you from?

" Iga-ryu. Actually, that's my ancestry. My greatgrandparents came to US in 1886. They were Issei ( First Generation). And you?" Answers Nate

" I'm of Koga-ryu. That's my ancestry too."

   

Suddenly, sounds of popping gunshots and grenades blasts are heard. Russians and Chechen rebels begin to engage again. From the hill, only parallel muzzle flashes and genade blasts are seen from the forest darkness. Tne flashes are formed on two sides facing each other. 

" Stay here, Agent.. I mean, Shiori." Tells Nate

Nate looks through his Night Vision Binocular. Green figures and yellow flashes are seen from far behind trees. Each side shoots at their enemies. Sound of people coming from another side of the mountain is heard. Nate tells Shiori to hide. A sillhouette of group of six armed of PKM Machine guns and RPG-7 arrive at the hill top. Nate and Shiori, who are watching them behind rocks are not sure who they are, Russians or Chechens rebels till they speak and lit matches. Chechen language and civilian clothes. It's unlikely for undercover Russian Specail Forces to speak Chechen among themselves when they are alone. Nate's analysis is strengthened when one of them speak in Russian, " Don't let Russians take over this hill." Nate unsheates his sword and crawls under darkness reaching them followed by Shiori. In high speed, both of them charge the six Chechen rebels and cut them down in double formation. The rebels' AK ammunition are taken.

As fighting escalates and it seems for Nate that the hill will be overrun anytime, Nate decides to go down the hill and continue his run north under cover of dakness and foliages. Guided by his Nightvision Goggles, Nate slips through and evades from heavy fighting. On their painstaking run, Nate and Shiori occasionally meet Chechen rebels and kill them. The Russians have flanked rebels from the left that make parties from both sides mixed in chaos with no line dividing them. Both fighting sides don't know two ninjas are slipping through and bypassing their pockets and individual defense. Nate stays to his order, avoiding Russian soldiers and kill Chechen rebels if needed. The ninjas are now inside the rebels' pocket of defense in the forest. They have to break through it to evacuate from the forest. A wheezing sound is heard. Nate shouts at Shiori, " Watch out!" followed by a blast not far from them. Nate and Shiori take cover on ground. The blast is followed by other simultaneous explosions.

A new trial comes. Russians bombard the rebels pocket with ground attack aircraft and artillery. " It's artillery!" Shouts Nate. " Shiori, follow me! Cover your head with anything you find!" Another barrage comes. Their explosions shake the ground and collapse several trees. " Keep running! Run through a crater to crater!" Shouts Nate. The two run at crates resulted from previous explosions. Explosions blast far and near them. The rebels are overwhelmed with the artillery shelling. Many are wounded or killed by sharpnels from hit trees and grounds. A rebel is thrown 10 feet separated from his feet by a shell explosion in front of Nate and Shiori.  The rebels are retreating at the same direction with Nate and Shiori. Everywhere figures of men shouting in Chechen run away in route on the ninjas' left and right.

Meanwhile, a group of six heavily armed and camouflaged Spestnaz is checking the dead six rebels on the hilltop. A private addresses the commander, " Poruchik (Lieutenant), the rebels were killed by blades. No gunshot wounds are found." Lieutenant Petrovich, the Spetsnaz commander mutters, " They were here. The man on the bus and the woman the rebels are looking for. We'll find them."

To be continued

License: Personal use and read only. Further usage requiring permission from author.

Disclaimer: All contents are fiction.   

Chapter Four

Two Ninjas

Chechnya
Groznensky District
Nokovko Forest
August 8, 2001
18:14 hour





Nate proceeds the forest carefully. He slips through trees. A micro uzi  in hands. There are no signs of the agent and rebels. Quietness surrounds him. He realizes that he is facing one problem. He doesn't know where to find the agent or perhaps even neither the missing agent knows another was sent to find her. She may be still there. Suddenly, a figure is seen leaning on a tree. Nate comes into an alert state, pointing the gun at the figure and moves to him silently. The figure might be able to spot Nate if he suddenly turns back but even when Nate is just a few steps behind him, he doesn't show any move. Nate grabs the man and put his sword on his neck as usual but to his surprise, the rebel has died. He sees a small blade sized smaller similar with his palm pierced the rebel's neck deeply in the middle. The man's neck and chest are bathed with blood. " Blood draining." Thinks Nate. When he sees to the right, he finds another two rebels died in the same way, with a blade on neck and chest pierced deeply. Nate guesses about it, " Could it be..." As he proceeds forward, he finds another three rebels, one of them wounded but unconscious with stabbing and slashing wound. Each not far from the other. Nate then continues his pursuit again. Till he finds a petite figure in black is stabbing a kneeling insurgent on his neck's nape. Near her, another rebel lies on ground.


" Awrggh." Growls the stabbed rebel. Blood gushes from his mouth. 


The rebel collapses. The petite figure now realizes Nate's presence. Nate is sure that the figure in front of him is the wanted woman. Agent Rose. Suddenly, the woman points her Makarov pistol at him and shoots. Nate strafes left. The bullet is missing. The woman turns and runs. Nate chases her and shouts, " Stop! Stay on your ground!" But his orders is answered by two Makarov gunshots. She suddenly dissapears. But Nate knows, she is not far. Three blades are thrown from Nate's left which he evades immediately. They stick on a tree. Nate knows what they are. Shuriken that have form of blade. Steps of a running man is heard. Again, a blade shuriken thrown from Nate's front. The woman stands in front of him in disbelief. Nate is about to recognize her face when she suddenly turns and runs again. Nate chases her again with sword wielded. 


" Stop!" Shouts Nate


" Stay on your ground!" His orders again unanswered.


Nate manages to overtake her. Now they run on each other's side only separated with line of trees. The woman suddenly stops at a field without trees and faces Nate. Now Nate recognizes her as the agent on the photograph. An Asian ethnic woman with a pair of large beautiful shining eyes fixed sharply on Nate and dark brown shoulder hair. But for a moment, she is wide eyed seeing her persistent pursuer not to be a Chechen. Both have a Mexican stand off. There's no doubt within Nate that this is the missing agent. What is more, Nate realizes that she is also a ninja, just like him. The only problem for Nate now is how to tell her that he is not an enemy. She wouldn't possibly just trust his saying.


Th woman suddenly attacks Nate swiftly with her tanto dagger. She gets close to Nate and try delivering slashes and stabs at Nate's throat which Nate evades. Nate doesn't want to deliver a deadly blow to her. His task is to save her. Several times her attacks are blocked by his swords. The two are involved in heavy and swift armed and unarmed martial arts melee. Running to flank the opponent and attack occurs repeatedly. The fighting continues until Nate shouts at her, " Agent Rose! Cut this out!"  The agent stops but still in guarding position.


She starts to speak in New York accent, " How do you know my name? Who are you?"


" I'm Agent Nate from SAD. I was sent here to exfiltrate you from Chechnya." Says Nate while gasping.


" How do you prove it if you're CIA?" interrogates her.


" If I was your enemy, I could have shot you with this." Says Nate while takes his silenced micro Uzi to show it at her. " And I won't tell you to stop."


" How do you prove you're not a double agent?" interrogates her again.


" Listen. You're Agent Rose. Four months ago, you were sent to Chechnya to gather information about an insurgency suspect named Emil Dudaev. You were last tracked in Nokovko village after leaving a distress call. My order was sent here to locate and assist you in exfiltrating Chechnya to Georgia." States Nate.


Hearing that, Agent Rose lowers her guard but maintains careful attitude toward Nate. Nate asks her again, " Who is the bald rebel leader with a long cutting wound on his left cheek?"


" He is Movkar. Dudaev's lieutenant. I was actually captured during observation on their camp. But I managed to hide my tanto dagger. On their interrogation room, I killed an interrogator and slashed Movkar's face to escape. The Makarov I used to shoot you is Movkar's. They chased me into the village, used a slight chance to send a distress signal to headquarter and managed to get through it." Answers Agent Rose explaining.


Nate hides the village's fate from her and instead asks, " So where's your radio now?"


" It was captured by a rebel on the village in a shootout but I managed to destroyed it by throwing a grenade at him." Says her.


Suddenly, voices of men shouting in Chechen are heard.


" Go!"


" After her!"


" Spread out!"


" Move! Move! Move!"


Shiori throws a shuriken at Nate's direction, it passes him and strikes a rebel carrying an AK47 on his chest appeared not far behind Nate.


" They are here." Says Nate " C'mon, we must go now!"


The two ninjas runs leaving the area toward north. Movkar, after receiving reports from three surviving rebels decided to storm the area. The forest is now overrun by advancing rebels. A rebel approaches a dying insurgent Shiori threw by a shuriken. 


He reports to Movkar. " This is Alvi, commander, he's dying. The woman was here just now."


Movkar grumbles and draws his Yarygin Pya pistol then in cold blood shoots the dying insurgent four times killing him then orders the checking rebel, " Go! Now!" which is immediatley carried out. 


Meanwhile, Nate and Shiori keep running without knowing where they are. The rebels are sweeping the forest carefully behind. They are passing through a pond in the middle of forest. It is beautiful and tranquilizing there.  Suddenly Shiori calls, " Agent Nate, we need more arms!"




" What? What do you mean?" Answers Nate.


Shiori suddenly stops  and hides behind bushes naer the pond. Nate has no choice but to follow her.


" What do you mean by this?! We have to run!" Questions Nate


" Shhh. Prepare your gun." Says Shiori


Nate shakes his head but still wields his silenced uzi.


When Nate sees Shiori's Makarov, he immediately asks Shiori to use his silenced Tactical USP. After a moment, A group of five rebels appear entering the pond area. They are slowly moving toward the bushes. Nate and Shiori easily shoots down all of them in ambush fashion from behind bushes. One rebel was trying to return fire but immediately shot by Shiori resulting he collapses while his hands firing his AK74, making noise. The two ninjas leaps forward and takes two of the rebels' AK74 and ammunition bandoliers then runs again. The gunfire noise draws attention from rebels behind who soon storm the area.


On their run, Nate and Agent Rose unintentionally run into a group of Russian MVD soldiers in woods. The soldiers order the ninjas to stop,


" Stop!"


The ninjas quickly turns and runs from them underfire. Shiori turns and when she is about to shoot at the soldiers he is halted by Nate, " Don't shoot! What are you doing?! They are Russians."


The MVD soldiers came to forest on report about rebel activities from civilians. When they are about to chase them, the rebels run into the soldiers and both sides immediately involved in heavy close ranged shootout. As night comes, more rebels and Russian soldiers overrun the forest.

To be continued

License: Personal use and read only. Further usage requiring permission from author.

Disclaimer: All contents are fiction.

Chapter Three

Nate's Race

Chechnya
Groznensky District
Inter - District Transport Bus
August 8, 2001
06:35 hour

A transport bus has just crossed Groznensky district. It is crowded by children and adult. An Asian man sits on the middle row, his right hand is sometimes put inside his thick jacket, where a micro uzi is hidden. Nate, in civilian disguise, goes to Nokovko forest with the fastes way around, a bus. During the journey, he tries to ignore a snoring old bearded man sitting next to him right beside bus window. So far it seems to be no problem. On the outside, occasional combined patrols of Russian soldiers and Chechen security forces are seen. Nate is able to get some rest for ten minutes.

After a while, suddenly the bus stops. Nate wonders what happens. The man sitting next to him calls him and shows commotion outside. A group of armed men in mixture of civilian clothes and camouflage jackets appear from woods and bushes. The passenegers are frightened. The armed men orders all passengers to go outside. One by one, all passengers and the bus driver comes out and is lined on the right of the bus. All of them are asked to strip their belongings and put them in front of the rebels. All passengers strip their valuables and goods they have then cast them on ground, except Nate. He keeps silent unmoved. The group leader notices it and calls.

" Hey, you! Drop your stuffs!"

Nate stays silent and unmoved

" Hey, you! Do it! Now!" Orders the rebel leader.

One of the rebels comes to Nate, pushes him and says,

" Did you not hear what he says? Give it or we have to kill you."

Suddenly, Nate slashes the man in very close rangeusing his sword. Blood spurts tothe air. The rebels and civilians are frozen with such view. Nate quickly holds the slashed rebel and holds his body as a human shield and fires his AK74SU at the crowding rebels in point blank. Civilians scream and run around. Some just throw themselves to ground. A rebel is about to shoot Nate until Nate's sword is thrown at him, impaling his chest. Another rebel is beaten and stomped by male civilians near the bus. Nate asks the civilians to stop and pulls the man near the bus forcing him to sit and begin to question him in Russian with his sword held near the rebel's neck.

" Where is the woman you are pursuing?"

The rebel mutters, " I don't know what you're talking about..."

Nate pushes his bloody sword cold blade and asks again, " Does this reminds you?"

" A..a..Aga.. Yes.. Movkar is trying to trap the woman in Nokovko forest. The woman wounded Movkar's face."

" Where is it?" Asks Nate again

" It's.. It's not far from here to the north.. Ugghh.."

" Do you know who the woman is?"

" Agghh.. I don't know.. Movkar said she was a spy."

" Is your group alone or there's another group around?"

" Nyet.. No.. My group was tasked to prevent anyone from approaching Nokovko forest. After we take your jewelry, we would order you to go back."

Nate stands up. The civilians look at him not knowing what to do about him. They are taking their gods and valuables again. Some capturing the rebels' weapon. He says to the civilians about the captured rebel, " This man, I give to you." He then turns and walks the road. Behind him, a single shooting sound is heard.

Chechnya
Groznensky District
Nokovko Forest
August 8, 2001
17:40 hour

A large number of rebels are gathering near the forest. Their vehicles are parked near a field close to the forest. A bald middle aged Chechen with drying scar on his cheek, Movkar, is giving order. A group of ten men stand in front of the outer forest where nordmann fir trees are and enter the forest. Some are sitting in groups while holding their rifles. One of them, a bit farther from the rest is leaning on a tree watching his friend. Suddenly, a left hand covers his mouth from behind followed by a right hand wielding a ninja sword slits the rebel's throat. The rebel's quickly drawn and dissapears.

After observing the rebels' camp, Nate decides to sneak through the rebel line to the forest and finds Agent Rose. If it is possible, Nate chooses to slip through th rebels instead of killing them. He sneaks through weapon crates, bushes and even under vehicles unnoticed in evening darkness. Setting booby traps on their ammunition and supply crates. Several of Movkar's men fell into Nate's hand. At one time, he is close behind Movkar but he is prevented from killing the man when one of his subordinate comes to him. He also decides not to use rebel disguise to prevent Russian forces mistaking him as a rebel. Finally, Nate reaches the outer line of the forest's trees. A rebel is guarding there. When he turns his head to the left toward the camp area, Nate's sword strikes his neck collapsing the man within second. The ninja finds himself inside the forest, greeted by quietness and forest tranquility.

To be continued

License: Personal use and read only. Further usage requiring permission from author.

Disclaimer: All contents are fiction.