The team leader and his soldiers guided Rourke and Sykes out of the cave. The narrow tunnel seemed even tighter now, the oppressive darkness broken only by the harsh beams of their headlamps. The cave's cool, damp air was replaced by the humid warmth of the outside world as they emerged into the twilight.
The mercenaries, their hands bound with plastic zip ties, were flanked by soldiers on either side. Rourke and Sykes were forced to walk slowly, their movements restricted. The soldiers' rifles remained trained on them, ensuring they couldn't make any sudden moves. The team leader walked at the front, scanning the surroundings for any potential threats.
As they reached the open ground, the team leader pulled out his radio, the device crackling to life as he spoke into it. "Black Hawk 1-2, this is Team Alpha. We have two high-value targets secured and need immediate extraction. Over."
