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 

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Disclaimer: All contents are fiction.