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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CH8: CHANCE TO BE AN EAGLE
Dodan Military Base
Dodan Military Base or Dodan Barracks, as it was commonly called, was the oldest and largest military base in Nigeria. It was the seat of Nigerian Military might. It was named after the site of a battle in World War II fought in Burma by the 82nd West Africa Division. Almost every Corps in the Nigerian Army was represented here. Also, some Naval and Air Force divisions could be found on the base. Being under the purview of the Joint Special Operations Bureau(JSOB), the Army's Eagle squad and the Navy's Division 60 were also present on the base.
When Korede Balogun arrived at the military base, his credentials were confirmed and he was given a temporary pass to enter the base. This was because he had not yet been initiated into the Eagle squad and could only get on base with the temporary pass. He was given directions to the Eagle squad's camp on the base lest he walks to a restricted area.
As Korede made his way to the camp, he passed soldiers on their morning jog. Various military heavy hardware from Armoured Personnel Carriers (A.P.Cs) to tanks to attack helicopters and cargo planes were in full view. As he marvelled at the advanced weaponry on display, Korede arrived at the camp.
The camp was a two-floor building built in a Ƞ shape with the middle being an open concrete field. There were already people standing in different groups on the field. Korede figured they were recruits just like him because they had the same temporary pass pinned to their chest. Korede didn't like crowds so he avoided everyone and stood against the building wall facing the field.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were a loner. Still avoiding groups I see." said a voice. Korede turned to his right and saw a youth walking towards him. The youth continued, "You should really learn to mingle, you don't know who might end up on your team."
Korede's expression became one of annoyance. He said, "Get off my case, Lawal. We'll have plenty of time to chat when they are on my team."
The youth's name is Temitope Lawal. He and Korede aren't exactly friends, they are more like rivals. Their rivalry stems from their interrogation ability. During the Special Forces training camp, recruits were taught and tested on their interrogation techniques. While Korede deduced his target behaviour through deductive and logical reasoning, Temitope Lawal uses psychology. They were both the best recruits in interrogation causing a small rivalry between them. Temitope Lawal was later judged to be the best recruit in interrogation, not because Korede lost on purpose like he usually would but because of Temitope's ability.
"You are not going to make team leader if you keep avoiding anyone, you know that right, Balogun? People might start to think you're a lone wolf even though you aren't. No team wants to be led by a lone wolf after all." Temitope said.
"Who says I want to be a team leader? That's too much work. I think you will be a better leader than me." Korede retorted.
Both youths, though they don't say it, truly respect the other's skills and ability. Well, this isn't surprising, after all both were among the top 5 best overall recruits in the training program.
"Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves, I don't think it will be our turn to be team leaders. This isn't the training base after all." Korede said
Temitope nodded, "Yeah, I agree. I have a hunch we'll be forming teams with the veterans. That's the most reasonable course of action."
As the two youths conversed, they discovered the atmosphere had turned solemn and the door to the camp was closed. They saw the other recruits on the field sorting themselves into a formation. They and other recruits that moved away from the crowd quickly moved to join the assembly/formation.
The door of the central building opened and a few people wearing officer-level uniforms walked out. Out of them, Korede recognised two people. The central figure and the person walking behind him.
The man in the center had the highest rank amongst everyone present. He walked up to the podium that was arranged, to address the recruits.
"My name is Colonel Kola Balogun. I am the Commander of the Eagle Squad under the purview of the Joint Special Operations Bureau (JSOB). I congratulate all fifty of you here that have gained the chance to join the Squad." The man said.
The recruits were surprised. They had thought they were going to be joining the Eagle squad but now it seemed they've merely earned a 'chance' to join. Luckily, due to military discipline instilled in them, none of them made a sound while the superior officer was speaking.
Kola Balogun inwardly nodded, pleased with the discipline the recruits showed. He continued, "Before adulthood, eagles throw their eaglets out of the nest. The eaglets must learn to fly or they fall to their death. In the same way, you recruits are eaglets. Before you are initiated into becoming an Eagle, you must pass the initiation mission. Failure, however, means you are out of the Eagle Squad or worse, it means you are dead."
Try as they might, not all the recruits were able to keep their calm when the Colonel said this. A majority of them flinched. Even if they were soldiers, how many can remain calm at the thought of impending death?
"You have been grouped into eleven teams of four recruits each. A Sergeant and a corporal will be assigned to each team. Each team will then take on a mission. Note, depending on the mission and discretion of the veteran assigned to you, the veterans may or may not participate and would only be there to watch your performance and decide if you are Eagle squad material."
Colonel Balogun drew the recruits' attention to the screen behind him. "Those whose name and face are shown on the screen are to move to the building to my left where each team member will meet each other."
Different faces in groups of four started appearing on the screen. They left the assembly and walked to the building as ordered. There, they found the veterans being assigned to each team in the same way they, the recruits, were assigned. The only difference is that the veteran's screen only had two faces.
Soon all eleven teams were assigned and only six recruits remained. They looked at each other and more or less figured why they were the only ones left. Both Korede Balogun and Temitope Lawal were part of this group.
Colonel Balogun had a smile on his face. He said, "The six of you are the recruits with the best reviews from the instructors at the training camp. So, we have decided to give you guys special treatment."
Suddenly, the Colonel's smile turned into an evil grin, "Lady and Gentlemen, Rejoice for your mission will be a lot harder compared to the others. A true Eagle Squad mission. Walk into the building to my right to receive information about your mission."
While the recruits begrudgingly walked into the building, the man standing behind Kola Balogun stepped forward and said to him, "Sir, are you sure you want to send the recruits with us for that mission? You know we haven't verified the intel. We don't know what we are facing"
Colonel Kola Balogun looked at the man in front of him for a while in silence. Eventually, he sighed and said, "You are actually asking if I want to send my brother to that danger zone. Right, Kunle? Those people in JSOB decided to increase the talent pool for THAT section by training recruits directly to be reserves. Their plan will go to waste if they allow the recruits to be protected in a greenhouse. Only in the heat of battle will a soldier be forged anew. My brother is no exception." As he said this, he turned to look at the sky, "Besides, I'm sending your team with them. So can I count on you, Second Lieutenant Kunle Balogun?"
The man performed a salute while saying, "Sir Yes Sir!!!"
[A.N: Please, don't forget to leave a review of the work to encourage me. Your opinion really matters to me.]