This is a passion work. So, I would really appreciate it if you leave behind a review when you're done reading.
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CH14: MISSION STARTS.
A few minutes earlier
"Is there another vehicle around?" Korede Balogun asked Eze Okoro
"Yes, there is. My bike is just outside the fence. Is there a problem? I was told I only needed to provide two cars." Eze Okoro responded.
"I need you to get my man over there." Korede said as he pointed to the tall building on the horizon. Abdul-Lateef Abdul-Salam approached them carrying his gun case.
Eze nodded. Both he and Abdul-Lateef walked away from the team.
They soon got to the bike or should we say commercial motorcycle aka Okada(1). Abdul-Lateef raised an eyebrow at Eze as he didn't expect someone who brought them two cars to be riding a commercial motorcycle. Eze laughed before saying, "My job requires me to blend in. Most people tend to disregard commercial motorcycles or taxis. Hence, the motorcycle allows me to remain lowkey. Or do you expect me to get a power bike?"
Abdul-Lateef didn't respond and just shrugged. He got on the motorcycle behind Eze, putting the gun case on his lap.
"I need you to get me to the building ASAP(2)."
"How do you intend to get into the building carrying a gun case like that, even if it's camouflaged a little?" Eze asked
"I'll think of something."
"If you don't mind, why don't I help you?" Eze offered. "I may not look it but I know a lot of people in Port Harcourt. I can get you in no questions asked as long as you don't do anything in the building itself."
"Relax, I just need to get to the highest possible point in the building."
"That's the top floor penthouse. It's currently empty right now. I know how to get you there. I'm sure you would like to be left alone without distractions, right?"
"Definitely."
The duo soon arrived at the building. It was one of the tallest buildings in Port Harcourt and definitely the tallest one closest to the port. The building was an office building except for the top floor penthouse which was residential. The building was owned by a wealthy businessman and he used the penthouse whenever he was in Port Harcourt. Since he was currently not in Port Harcourt, the penthouse was empty.
Eze talked to someone on the phone and the two were let into the building without a security check. They took the elevator and arrived at the top floor. When they entered, Abdul-Lateef looked around the penthouse and was impressed by the owner's taste in décor. The view of the city was wonderful. The penthouse had a balcony on all sides, meaning someone could enjoy the view from whichever direction, which was perfect for Abdul-Lateef as a vantage point. With his job done, Eze sensibly took his leave lest he sees or hears something that he shouldn't.
Abdul-Lateef was about to set up his sniping post when he heard Korede's voice from his comm.
"Bravo 3, this is Bravo 1, come in. Have you arrived?"
"This is Bravo 3. Arrived at the location. Moving to a suitable vantage point."
"Solid copy, Bravo 3. We're arriving at AO now. Report back if things are as I feared."
"Copy that."
He quickly set up his weapon and looked through the scope in the direction of the port. He soon had both Alpha and Bravo teams in his sights. Recalling his earlier conversation with Korede on their way to the armoury, he moved his sights to various positions in the port, looking to confirm or deny Korede's suspicions.
"I hope you are wrong, Team Leader." He mumbled
Champion Onuoha got out of the car and watched it drive away. He took a deep breath and got his bearings. He looked at the control center in the distance and carefully made his way over. He made sure to use his environment as a cover so as not to be seen by hostiles. He soon came close to his objective. He noticed armed men around. They stood in their lonesome guarding the control center from different directions.
'There's no way am getting in without making contact.' He thought.
Even as he made this conclusion, he didn't make any rash moves. He moved carefully around the building to confirm the number of enemies.
'That makes five.'
The Control Center was built like an Air Traffic Control tower, only shorter. The building itself is a one-storey(or two-floor) building with the tower shooting out from its top, like a mushroom, on the northern end overlooking the port.
There was an enemy posted on top of the build guiding the entrance into the tower. Two guarding the two entrances to the building itself and two patrolling the area.
'Now how should I go about this? I guess stealth is the best option.'
Before he made his move, however, he heard a voice from his comm.
"Alpha team, Bravo team, you have been given green light. Commence Operation Catching Fire."
___________________________________________________________________________
Alpha team was the first to arrive at the AO. The drive over was quiet. For the veterans, this was not their first mission and so, no words needed to be exchanged between them. They knew what to do. On the other hand, due to the solemn atmosphere in the car, the two recruits didn't dare speak. They merely followed the veterans' example and rechecked their gear.
On arrival and seeing that Bravo team hadn't arrived, Second Lieutenant Kunle Balogun-Keshinro asked Master Sergeant Idowu Adewuyi to do a quick recon of their immediate vicinity. He soon returned and gave an all-clear. To which, Second Lieutenant Kunle Balogun-Keshinro nodded.
"We are expecting a lot of hostiles, so keep the formation tight. Because of the recruits, we'll be using the standard six-man sweeping formation. I will take point. Idowu, cover our six. Bayero, you'll be in front of him while Wike will behind me. Both of you are to cover our sides. Recruits will be at the center of our formation. Watch the top of those containers and provide support when and where necessary. Once Bravo team arrives, we'll move out." Second Lieutenant Kunle Balogun-Keshinro gave everyone their roles.
"What's taking them so long? Do we have to wait for them? They're only here to take care of the perimeter anyway." Daniel Wike complained, not feeling comfortable with just waiting in what may very well be hostile territory.
"We have to wait for them to arrive before we start." Second Lieutenant Kunle Balogun-Keshinro replied him, annoyed. He continued, "The Commander hinted me that the mission might not be as it seems. So stay on guard."
"Really? Why didn't he mention it to Bravo team then?" Master Sergeant Adewuyi asked, concerned
"Don't worry. Their team leader noticed. We would have told him otherwise." Second Lieutenant Kunle Balogun-Keshinro said with a smile. Glory Oyakire snorted inaudibly, displeased that someone was 'praising' Korede in front of her.
Before anyone could say anything else, the voice of the person just mentioned was heard from the comms.
"Bravo team on site."
"Took you long enough. Alpha Team also on site." Second Lieutenant Kunle Balogun-Keshinro said in a displeased voice.
"Copy that Alpha team, Bravo team. Be advised, satellite showed about 30 hostile entering the area in the last 30 minutes." said the comms personnel from Ops command.
"Can we identify which group they belong to?"
"We believe all hostiles to be NDz"
The Alpha team members tightened their grips on their guns.
"Alpha team, Bravo team, you have been given green light. Commence Operation Catching Fire."
[A.N: Please, don't forget to leave to leave a review of the work to encourage me. Your opinion really matters to me.]
AUTHOR'S NOTE / RAMBLINGS
1 Commercial motorcycle is popularly called 'Okada' all over the country but very few people still remember why. The nickname originated from the name of a popular airline back in the day called Okada Airline (named after the hometown of the owner) because of the way Motorcycle riders manoeuvred their way through heavy Lagos traffic and take their passengers to their destinations promptly, much like the airline. The nickname stuck to them much so that even after the airline shut down, people still refer to these commercial motorcycles as Okada to this day.
2 ASAP- As soon as possible.
3 Sorry if this chapter felt like a repeat of the previous chapter. I decided to try my hand at telling the story from different perspectives to give the reader a more immersive experience. I must say, it was fun in a way but it felt harder than I anticipated. Wonder if I will continue with it.
[A.N: Please, don't forget to leave to leave a review of the work to encourage me. Your opinion really matters to me.]