20th July, day 116
With all four members of Alpha 1 injured in the last engagement the situation was bleak. Through training, skill or plain luck all four members avoided capture. We were later found by a local civilian who took the team to a small trading post where we could receive medical aid and recover over the next 14 days.
[Pic, the team agree to help Mohammed]
The act was not one of selflessness, and our guardian angel was soon discussing what we could do for him. The processing of his village's local crop of marihuana was controlled by a rebel warlord, if the team dealt with the warlord Mohammed implied our first aid would be paid for and he would lead us to a remote separatist camp he was aware of. What was of considerable interest at this camp was a red 40' ocean container that he spoke about. This reminded me of the container we had not found some 6 weeks ago on the raid in the northern area of Badakhohan.
Once Ithikial and septic were mobile we agreed a deal with Mohammed and were ready to set out. Packing what kit we could find and nursing our battles scars we drove to the predetermine rendezvous location in the hope of meeting up with the rest of Alpha.
Thankfully we found Vart at the coordinates, however once again we were only at fire team strength. Taking the squad Hunter and the truck we headed back to the trading post to pick up Mohammed and head over to the coordinates of his village.
[Pic, Ithikial drives with Mohammed followed by the Hunter]
Ithikial took team lead, with myself, Vart and Septic completing the fire team. The journey was in daylight and not without risk, we quickly discovered the importance of staying off the main roads and dirk tracks as CSAT presence in the area is still high. Even through the tense journey the radio chatter between Mohammed and Ithikial brought a wry smile to my face. I'm pretty sure there were a number of times when Ithikial imagined putting a bullet into the man's head.
We honoured our part of the deal, arriving at Mohammed's village shortly before the rebel warlord's arrival. Ithikial headed down into the village whilst Septic and Vart setup overwatch and I shadowed Ithikial and Mohammed on their left flank.
[Pic, Ithikial follows Mohammed into the village]
I was the first to spot the incoming trucks and two technicals. As the vehicles rolled into the village Ithikial gave the order to open fire. I dropped one of the technical 50cal gunners and it's driver. I then put two 40mm HE grenade rounds into a truck full of rebel soldiers before a nearby explosion knocked me unconscious. Waking up I found Alpha had dispatched the remaining rebels and were sifting through the remains to identify the warlord before Mohammed would tell us the location of the camp. Even with the ringing in my ears and my pounding head it was had not to laugh out load as Mohammed spoke with Ithikial 'warlord have special AK, special mods. This not him, no, no, I call friends, they take AK's. Lots of money on road, this not warlord, special AK, this only number 2.'
With the warlord finally identified Mohammed made his call and with his friends enroute to loot the corpses we loaded up and followed Mohammed's directions towards what we hoped was the separatist camp.
Ensuring we stayed off road we finally reached the outskirts of a large settlement. Mohammed had friends in the town he seemed to be keen to visit but Ithikial pushed him to take us to the settlement and so we set off south on foot.
[Pic, Septic gone native]
The trek was tough. Our wounds, dehydration and general fatigue from the weeks we have spent in constant combat slowed the team down. Vart had picked up some AT weaponry and was really struggling to keep any pace. Stopping briefly Septic and I took some of his munitions, then getting back on our weary feet the three of us set off after Ithikial and the chattering Mohammed.
After what seemed like a marathon we encountered a small rebel fire team patrol. Even exhausted the enemy team was dispatched without any risk to ourselves. Low on ammo, Septic had swapped his rifle for an AK74, an LMG which he used to good effect on the patrol.
We pushed on in the midday sun. For me, spotting the separatist camp was a relief. I was the one who had pushed the team to follow mohammed, I was grateful it wasn't a trap. Ithikial split us into two teams, Septic and Vart went east to high ground, Ithikial, Mohammed, and me went west and pushed through the trees. Once we all had LOS on the defences Ithikial shouted weapons free and we opened up. The fire fight was intense and protracted as the rebels took cover in the vehicles and trees around the camp. Pushing forward Alpha worked through the camp, Septic and Vart moving down from the hilltop. As the gunfire abated suddenly Mohammed came running past me with an AK in his hands blazing away. He'd picked up a fallen rebel's weapon and seemed to be emptying the mag into anything that he saw.
[Pic, surveying the camp and the red container]
With the camp secure Ithikial examined the container we'd spotted earlier, it was empty. With disappointment I continued to search the camp. I was surprised to find the body of a Pakistani officer. The corpse was fresh so I can only assume he was part of the group we had killed. Ithikial shouted that he had found files and photos which we immediately got Mohammed translating. It took some time to understand Mohammed's translation but eventually we pieced together a sobering situation. The container seemed to have contained weaponised anthrax which had been decanted into two different containers and trucked to Fallujah. The intel suggested the plan was to release the agent in Fallujah, killing the infidel who resisted Ala and fought to line their own pockets. The second target seemed to be a major city in Western Europe. It wasn't clear which, but millions would die was a clear chant.
[Pic, the fire team, Vart, Septic, Ithikial & Mohammed]