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

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Disclaimer: All contents are fiction.