The roar of the C-17 engines filled the air, a constant hum that seemed to render the world outside the aircraft a distant memory. The plane was flying at high altitude, its 10,000 meters above sea level separating them from the world below, which stretched out in the distance amid gray, indistinct clouds. The atmosphere inside was equally oppressive: the team sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
Ethan, sitting on a metal bench, glanced at his teammates. Despite the training, the flight made him tense, as if the sound of the engines was shattering any clear thought in his mind. He wasn't used to this. He had never seen war up close, only in movies where soldiers always seemed ready to move like it was the most natural thing in the world. But he didn't feel like that. He felt anxiety, fear, and a sense of helplessness that he tried to smother with the determination to prove his worth.
Luis, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease. He sat with his hands behind his head, wearing his signature cocky grin. "Hey, Ethan," he broke the silence with his loud voice. "You ready to jump from 10,000 feet without thinking about it?"
Ethan looked at him, a little surprised by the sudden question. "What do you mean? Aren't you scared to jump?"
Luis chuckled. "Scared? Nah, that's for beginners. Here, we jump without thinking, you know? You've gotta be quick, precise... and, above all, forget where you are. The rest comes naturally."
Rey, sitting near them with his gear already set, joined the conversation, but his tone was more serious. "Luis has a point, but never forget where you are. Parachuting is one thing, fighting on the ground is another. You've gotta think about everything else once you hit the ground."
Ethan nodded, trying not to show the rising nervousness he felt. "I know. I'll try to do everything right."
"You know?" Luis retorted with a grin. "We're a team, Ethan. Don't worry about it. We've all had our first jump, and once you go down, all you need to do is land on your feet. We're assuming you'll do that."
"Don't worry too much," added Rey, noticing the uncertainty in the young man's eyes. "We've all been in your shoes. It's not a race, it's just another step. Beyond the parachuting, it's how we handle everything together that makes the difference."
Luis waved his hand dismissively, as if to say "who cares," and shook his head. "Exactly, Rey, but I can't help but laugh when I see someone who's scared of the jump. It's just the first step in a long run, and there's a lot more to worry about than the jump itself."
Rey smiled and looked at Ethan with an encouraging look. "Luis won't ever make you feel comfortable, but that's his way of showing you there's nothing to fear. You just need to jump, and when your feet hit the ground, the mission will really begin."
Ethan shrugged his shoulders. "I feel like I have to do something incredible, like everyone's watching and waiting for me to fail."
Luis looked at him, a playful smirk on his face. "Come on, Ethan. No one's watching you, don't worry. It's just the wind, your parachute, and your gear. And if something goes wrong, someone's always got your back. The most important thing is when your foot hits the ground, you're ready to do what you do best."
Rey intervened calmly, trying to instill a bit of peace. "The jump is just a small part of what we do. The important thing is teamwork. You're not alone here. If you're here, it's because there's something in you that makes this group stronger."
Ethan felt a little better, but the tension still hadn't completely faded. "I just hope I don't let you guys down," he admitted, lowering his gaze to his gloves.
"Don't worry about that," Luis said, flashing a smile. "Sometimes people trip, but it's how we get back up that counts. And trust me, we always get back up."
Rey, with a reassuring smile, added, "In this team, there are no failures, Ethan. Just lessons to be learned."
Ethan looked at both of them, finally feeling a little relief. "Thanks, guys. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Don't mention it," Luis said, giving Ethan a pat on the back. "But now get ready, the jump's waiting for you."
"Relax, I'm not watching," Rey said, with a playful smile. "But, if you make a spectacular jump, I might just give you a standing ovation."
Luis chuckled as Ethan responded with a shy, but sincere smile. "I'll try."
The C-17 began its descent, the roar of the engines growing louder. The team started preparing for the parachute jump. Each of them began adjusting their gear, checking their parachutes and equipment, in the rapid, mechanical movements that preceded every jump.
Luis glanced at Ethan and raised an eyebrow. "Now I'm gonna show you how it's done. Get ready."
Ethan nodded, but his heart was pounding. He knew this was his chance. Not just to jump from the sky, but to prove that he could belong to this team, that he wouldn't let anyone down.
Jake stood up, wordlessly, and headed toward the plane's door. It was time. The mission awaited them, and now there was only one thing left to do: jump.
he roar of the C-17 engines rumbled through the air, but inside, the atmosphere was growing tenser. The team members were getting ready for the jump, but there was still time to discuss the mission.
Rey, while adjusting his parachute, glanced at Ethan. "Have you ever operated in Iraq before?" he asked, trying not to sound too serious.
Ethan shook his head, his face slightly tense. "No, never. This is my first real assignment."
Luis, who had been casually adjusting his gear, chimed in with a grin. "Don't worry, buddy. Iraq isn't much different from anywhere else. Just more dust and less humanity." Then, as if he had just had a revelation, he added, "But hey, if you can survive that place, you're ready for anything."
Rey smiled, but it wasn't amused. "It's not about surviving, Luis. This is about a specific target. The mission is clear: capture the leader of a terrorist group that's taken root in a small village."
Jake, who had been focused on checking his equipment, lifted his gaze, interrupting the conversation with a cold tone. "We don't have many details, but the ones we do have are critical. Intelligence has pinpointed the leader, but the area is volatile and filled with fighters. We can't afford mistakes."
Elena, who had been silent up until that point, took a step forward, raising her hand to get the group's attention. "Our mission isn't just about capturing the leader. It's about stopping an entire terrorist group that threatens the region's stability. It's bigger than just one target, but that's our primary task. Our entry needs to be quick, quiet, and precise."
Luis nodded, looking at Ethan with a bit of seriousness. "We're there to take him, alive or dead, like always. But, if you ask me, I'd rather take him alive. We might get more useful intel."
Jake looked at him with a bitter smile. "He'll never be willing to talk, Luis. These types would rather die than betray. Not that it matters. The important thing is to take him out if we can't capture him."
Rey shook his head, trying to keep his tone calm. "Let's not make this personal. The mission is simple: we go in, take our target, and get out. No heroes here, just professionals."
Luis shrugged, as if not convinced, but didn't say anything more. His attitude was that of a veteran who knew the risks but had also learned to ease the tension with a joke when possible.
Ethan, who had been listening quietly, felt the weight of what was about to happen. These weren't just words. The mission meant life or death. "What happens if we fail?" he asked, finally voicing his doubt. "What happens if we can't capture him?"
Jake looked at him with cold eyes. "If we fail, Ethan, we've got a big problem. But we're not talking about failing here. Failing isn't an option. You've got to focus on doing your job, and we'll handle the rest."
Luis, seeing the young man still trying to process Jake's words, intervened with a friendly smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Hey, don't worry. You're not alone here. If something goes wrong, we've always got your back. The most important thing is to stay focused and do your job. If your job is to hold your position, do it well. If your job is to protect the area, do it. And if you need to jump into the dark and put him in a bag, do it."
Rey took another step forward, placing a hand on Ethan's shoulder. "The key is never losing sight of the mission. What happens after the jump depends on how synchronized we are. As a team. Each of us has a part to play, and if we all do our part, there won't be any problems."
Ethan nodded slowly, trying to take those words to heart. He knew he still had a lot to learn, but if he wanted to make it, he had to focus on his role. There was no room for uncertainty.
"Okay," he said finally, his voice more confident. "I'll do my best."
"That's all we can ask," Luis replied, with an approving smile.
Jake, looking out the airplane window, added in a grave tone, "The area's hot. They're not gonna greet us with flowers and coffee, Ethan. Get ready to face hell."
Rey looked at his teammates, and then turned to Ethan, as if giving him an extra dose of confidence. "Remember, the mission is clear. It's not just about taking that guy. It's about protecting those who need protection and stopping those who threaten our people. We're not just soldiers, we're part of the solution."
The C-17 began to descend slowly, the roar of the engines growing louder. The jump was imminent. The team prepared, making final checks to their gear, the sound of Velcro and buckles filling the space, in an atmosphere thick with concentration.
Ethan felt his heart pounding harder as he put on his helmet, adjusting his visor. He looked at the other members of the team, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, but also a growing sense of determination.
"Let's do our job," Jake said, his voice low but decisive, as he stood up to head toward the cargo door. "And let's see if you're up to the task."
The team followed Jake, and with one last look at the young Ethan, they prepared to jump into the dark, towards a target that could change his life.