Rear Assault
We were loaded onto the dropship and moved to Operation Area B. The road conditions were better than in Area A. They say that stretches not connected to major cities turn into lost roads and jungle within a year if left unmaintained. On the way, we received casualty reports—nothing serious. That was a relief.
"Point B is a factory, so there are plenty of places to hide. Watch for surprises and stay clear of injuries."
"Roger."
After tasting real combat, everyone's breathing was ragged. I had only clicked the safety off, yet the tension was climbing fast.
"Cheol-min, you holding up?"
The man beside me looked pale. I spoke to him because he seemed to be struggling.
"Yes, sir. I'm fine."
"First time?"
"Yes. It's rough."
I was struggling too. Since everyone had to overcome it alone, I offered no further advice. Maybe he had heard the same things during his hunter days or while defecting. I didn't know. There probably wasn't anyone willing to tell him this was normal.
After another twenty minutes in the vehicle, the radio crackled: ten minutes out.
"This is Command. Ten minutes to Point B. Begin final checks."
Team Leader Lee’s voice came through while my mind wandered. I snapped back to attention and scanned the surroundings. Dawn was breaking; few people were about, though some could be seen in the distance near the port.
"This is Ghost 1. Civilians in sight. Proceed?"
After a brief pause, the team leader issued orders.
"Marine and Firebat teams will assault the moment they arrive. Vessel and Ghost teams will provide cover fire, wrap it up quickly, and withdraw. We'll leave witnesses and cleanup to the local VIPs."
I felt the difference from Korea. If we operated this heavily armed back home, the internet would be flooded with footage within ten minutes.
"Roger."
"Vessel and Ghost teams, select your positions."
"This is Ghost. Ghosts will move to the rear of the factory."
Cheol-min and I asked the driver to take us behind the factory. A water tank stood on a hill at the back—perfect for an overwatch point.
"Ghost 1 and 2 in position."
"Vessel 1 and 2 in position."
"Vessel 3 in position."
"This is Command. Securing Target A is top priority. Eliminate all others on sight. Target A may also be eliminated if necessary."
"Marines, move in."
"Roger."
"Firebats, move in."
"Roger."
One minute later, the radio flared again.
"This is Vessel 3. Target acquired. Awaiting orders."
They must have spotted someone from their vantage.
"This is Command. Vessel 3, hold. Assault team is entering."
"This is Marine. Entry complete."
"Vessel 3, shoot."
Glass shattered, then silence returned.
"Assault team, use your judgment on site. Good luck."
"Roger."
"Roger."
Along with the replies came the sound of air hissing and several heavy thuds from the factory direction.
"This is Marine 1. Entering the factory interior. Firebats, provide backup."
"Roger."
Suddenly, the sharp rattle of unsuppressed rifle fire echoed—drdrdrdrk! drdrk!
"Stay calm. Report casualties."
"This is Marine 3. Marine 4 is hit."
Damn. He must have taken a round.
"This is Marine. Engaged. Requesting Firebat support."
"This is Firebat. Flanking now. Stand by for signal. Provide covering fire."
"Three, two, one—go, go."
Covering fire rattled across the net. While I listened blankly, Cheol-min tapped my arm. I met his eyes; he pointed ahead.
That wasn't good.
A pickup truck was approaching along the road that ran behind the factory. It looked like a military conversion—machine gun mounted on the bed. The kind of technical the rebels in Africa or the Middle East drove around.
"This is Ghost. Emergency, emergency. Enemy reinforcements approaching from the rear of the factory."
"Five armed hostiles. If they enter the factory, the operation will be compromised."
"This is Command. Stop them. Report situation in real time."
"We'll hold them as long as we can."
I had been taught to take the driver first, so I lined up the shot.
"Cheol-min. I'll fire first. After that, shoot at will."
"You got this?"
Cheol-min pressed his lips together and nodded firmly.
I exhaled, held my breath, aligned the crosshairs, and squeezed the trigger slowly.
Shuk—bang!
The truck lost its driver, veered into a roadside tree, and stopped. First shot—clean. I swung the scope across the men leaping from the bed and fired semi-auto. Cheol-min joined in.
Poong!
We seemed to have the reinforcements pinned when a loud explosion boomed from inside the factory.
"This is Firebat 3. Firebats 1 and 2 are combat ineffective. Holding position. Damn it."
They must have been badly hurt.
"This is Marine. Site clear."
"This is Command. All Vessels, enter and provide backup. Administer emergency aid to Marine and Firebat casualties."
I had been too focused to report. I gathered myself.
"This is Ghost. Enemy reinforcements neutralized."
"This is Command. Search the site. Report when Target A is confirmed."
Cheol-min and I approached the pickup slowly, finished off the wounded with pistols, checked faces, and searched the vehicle. I heard retching beside me but pretended not to notice. We found assorted weapons, phones, and wallets. After collecting the items, I reported.
"This is Ghost. No Target A in the support vehicle. Likely regular members."
"This is Marine. No Target A among the dead. Request two dropships for extraction."
After checking the bodies and vehicle contents, I took cover and called Team Leader Lee. He answered after a few rings. I asked about the next phase of the operation.
"This is Ghost. Where is Operation Area C?"
"A private villa complex. Thirty minutes from here."
"Target resides in the central villa with his men billeted around it."
"What are your orders?"
After a moment of thought, Team Leader Lee recommended withdrawal.
"I suggest we pull out. We've had enough revenge. Getting the wounded to a hospital should be our priority."
I disagreed. If we stopped now, we would be stuck in a drawn-out war. Still, the wounded couldn't be ignored. They had to be sent.
"Take the wounded to a nearby hospital and withdraw with them, Team Leader. I'll finish this with the remaining men."
"If we don't wrap this up, we'll have to keep worrying about it."
"Please wait a moment."
Team Leader Lee asked for time. Shortly after, he called back.
"I spoke with Chief Kim. The boss will go to the hospital. She and I will finish this. That seems best."
But shouldn't a local take them for proper treatment? My English was terrible. When I pointed this out, he said the drivers were locals and the hotel owner would provide backup. Then came the final line that made me give in.
"If you don't go, we're all withdrawing together."
We transferred the documents and loot from the farm and factory into vehicles three and four. Vehicles one and two carried the wounded, the two drivers, Cheol-min, and me. The other two cars left. Team Leader Lee's voice, issuing orders, grew distant and filled with static until his last words cut through.
"Let's make the revenge for our comrades clean."
"Hyung, let's move. The men have lost a lot of blood. They've been given morphine and sedatives and are asleep. We've stopped the bleeding, but we need to get them to a hospital fast."
Time to go. My feet felt rooted, but I forced myself to turn. Once in the car, I contacted my brother and asked him to arrange a hospital. I told the driver to head toward Manila for now. There were four wounded in total: one seriously injured lying behind me, and three lightly wounded in the lead vehicle.
"I've contacted Calamba Hospital. I'll send the address—go there."
A message from my brother. I had the driver punch it in and head that way. An hour's drive. The Philippines was bigger than it looked.
"Hyung, how are you holding up?"
"This is nothing."
"Those bastards were all smiles to our faces, then they stab us in the back."
From what he said, the attackers had originally been a gang that threw its weight around as suppliers. Back when Baclaran Park couldn't source product, the locals had refused to deal with them. Once I brought in serious money, acquired the hotel, and started moving goods, they had suddenly become friendly, hoping for scraps. When my brother refused to share and kept everything for himself, they got angry and launched the raid.
"You should have shared a little."
When I suggested sharing was better than people dying, he snapped back.
"You little shit, try raising kids. You think money grows on trees?"
Father was something else.
"Even if you don't trust them, I've sent the men under Team Leader Lee to the hospital. Get them admitted, then you and that secretary head back to Korea."
I was the one in charge; running away didn't sit right. I said I'd lend a hand. He laughed.
"You've grown. This is my family's home. I'll protect it."
"Boss, we've arrived at the hospital."
"Right, get ready to—"
Bang!!!