The dust from the explosion hadn't even fully settled when the ominous thud of helicopter blades began beating in the distance.
"Gunship!" Dollah hollered from his vantage point. The entire camp turned their eyes to the horizon, spotting the silhouette of an approaching attack helicopter. The gunship was closing in, its weapons systems likely locking onto them.
Asif and Karim, still catching their breath from setting the explosive, exchanged glances. "We can't take that down with just explosives," Karim muttered.
Lookout Dollah, his eyes scanning the surroundings, suddenly shouted, "There's a clear path west of here, through the ravine. It'll give us some cover!"
Captain Ajwad, with his ex-military experience, immediately took charge, "Everyone, gather essential supplies. We need to evacuate now!"
Zul and Kadir, with their tech expertise, started working together, attempting to scramble the gunship's targeting system, even if just temporarily. "If we can create a bit of interference, it might give us a few minutes head start," Zul whispered.
"Got it," Kadir said after a few tense moments, "but it's only going to buy us a small window."
In the frantic rush, Nadia and Priya began hastily packing provisions, with others helping as they could.
Faiz, the chief engineer, quickly approached Asif and Karim. "Listen," he said hurriedly, pointing towards a pile of materials, "there's some magnesium in there. If we light it up, it'll create a bright flare, might blind their optics for a bit."
Karim nodded, lighting up the magnesium which flared brightly, illuminating the area.
The crew and insurgents made their move towards the ravine Dollah had pointed out, their shadows dancing grotesquely on the rocky terrain due to the magnesium flare.
Liv, not entirely sure of her role in this hasty retreat but wanting to help, began assisting Mei Ling in dragging some communication equipment.
The first missiles from the gunship slammed into the camp just as the last of the group dove into the relative safety of the ravine.
"Keep moving!" Captain Ajwad shouted over the cacophony.
As the terrain got rougher and the path narrowed, the group began to spread out, utilizing the natural cover and foliage to camouflage their escape.
Hffyl, still distrusting but recognizing the immediate danger, grabbed Liv's arm as she stumbled over a rock. "Careful," he grumbled, not unkindly.
Far up ahead, the path began to fork. Dollah, utilizing his sharp eyes, motioned towards the right, "That way leads to a cave system. We can hide there till the heat dies down."
Nadia, checking their provisions, nodded in agreement. "We've got enough for a couple of days."
The gunship, hindered by the ravine's cover and the electronic interference, began to pull away, but the danger was far from over.
Once inside the cave system, Captain Ajwad called a quick meeting. "They'll be back, and in greater numbers. Need to plan ahead."
The crew and insurgents began brainstorming.
The cavernous expanse of the cave system provided temporary solace, the sounds of the outside world dampened by thick stone walls. The dim lighting from a few makeshift lanterns revealed the anxious faces of the crew and insurgents.
"We can't stay here long," murmured the Captain, his voice echoing softly. "They'll find us, and this cave will turn into a death trap."
Faiz crouched down, examining the floor. "There are multiple tunnels leading deeper. Some might lead to other exits."
Karim interjected, "Or they could lead us into dead ends. Without a map, it's a gamble."
Hffyl turned to Liv. "What would people usually do?"
Liv replied evenly. "Use drones. Infrared. They'd spot us by our heat signatures."
A murmur of concern spread.
"Then we need diversions," Kadir said, his fingers twitching as if itching to type. "Create multiple heat sources, confuse their systems."
Asif nodded. "We've got the materials to make basic heat bombs. Not explosive, just... warm. Mislead the drones."
Zul chimed in, "While you handle that, maybe we could jam their comms? It won't last long, but it could buy us time."
The Captain looked at Mei Ling. "Can you and Mikhail work with Zul? Broadcast white noise, or whatever it takes."
Mei Ling nodded, "We can try. It's better than staying silent."
"Traps," Dollah suggested, his eyes glinting. "I know this old trick with tin cans, some string, and sharp stones. At least it'll warn us."
Suresh, who'd been silent till now, interjected, "How about food? We can't fight on empty stomachs. We need to ration our supplies."
Hamzah, ever the pragmatic one, began, "Got some lines. We could try fishing in that underground stream we passed."
The crew and insurgents fell into task-oriented groups. Asif, Karim, and Faiz began assembling their heat bombs, while Zul, Mei Ling, and Mikhail set up a makeshift jamming station.
Nadia and Priya began taking stock of their provisions, while Suresh and Hamzah decided to scout the stream.
Aini and Dollah, with their keen sense of direction and alertness, decided to explore the tunnel system, marking their path with chalk.
A murmur of agreement rippled through the group.
While that, Hffyl and Fahim were beckoned over by the two leaders who were huddled over a weathered map, their fingers tracing pathways and landmarks.
"Come," Jalaluddin murmured, not looking up. "We've a new objective."
Fahim, folding his arms, looked on with a hint of skepticism. "Another underground escapade?"
"More than that," Mustafa said quietly, his eyes sharp and calculating. "The old village, from the time of the Soviet invaders. It's been abandoned, but it's strategic."
Hffyl leaned closer, his interest piqued. "For its position or something else?"
Jalaluddin's lips curled into a half-smile. "Both. It's defensible, and it's riddled with tunnels from the last war."
Fahim's frown deepened. "There are stories about those tunnels. Rebels getting lost, never coming out. Old Soviet traps."
Mustafa chuckled, his eyes crinkling in amusement. "Stories, brother. Designed to keep the curious away. I've been there. It's daunting, but not insurmountable."
"But why there?" Hffyl questioned, tracing the location on the map.
Jalaluddin looked up, meeting Hffyl's gaze directly. "Because that village isn't just an old relic. It's symbolic. If we take it, if we establish a foothold there, it's a powerful message."
"Besides," Mustafa added, "those tunnels, if used right, can be our advantage. Hideouts, storage, escape routes. We need that edge."
Fahim sighed, "Alright. But if we're going in, we need guidance. And not just a map."
Jalaluddin nodded, tapping the map. "Agreed. We have contacts who know those tunnels, who've navigated them. We'll consult."
As the meeting dispersed, Hffyl made his way out, but not before catching Liv's eye from across the makeshift command center. It was fleeting, a momentary connection, but it held a quiet understanding. He approached her, his movements deliberate.
"Got a moment?" he asked, his voice low and devoid of warmth.
She tilted her head slightly, eyebrows raised. "Maybe a few."
Hffyl paused for a moment, looking her over, then he gestured to a quieter corner. "Join us tomorrow. We're heading to the old village. Your... expertise could be of use."
Liv blinked, slightly taken aback by the abrupt invitation. "Just like that? You suddenly trust me?"
He met her gaze without flinching. "Trust? No. But I can see value. And right now, I can use value."
She looked at him for a moment, weighing her options, then nodded. "Alright. What do you need me to do?"
"Your specialty," Hffyl said, briefly glancing at the map they were huddled over earlier. "Reconnaissance, infiltration. Whatever you British trained you for."
Liv smirked. "Oh, they trained me for a lot more than just that. But I get your point."
Hffyl, not one for pleasantries, simply nodded. "We depart at dawn. Be ready."
Liv, unfazed by his briskness, just shot back, "Always am."