First Mission

The town of Zallab. At first glance, it’s a typical middle eastern town in the middle of nowhere. Calling it a town is already a stretch. The houses made from some yellow stone, or it has been covered in the sand. In the dusk, it looks crimson anyway. They’re all in cubical shapes and some with round roofs.

According to Nerayo, this town isn’t so innocent and peaceful. From an anonymous source, they learned that this town has been turned into a base, using the civilians as a façade. The so called “Yawm Jadid”, they claim they’re all about modernizing Zargastan.

If intel is correct, Gunkata was contracted to aid in their fighting against the royal army.

Saadiq al Mashu or “John” is the name of their target. He’s the link between Yawm Jadid and Gunkata. A lieutenant in the rebels’ ranks, he’s highly supportive of contracting Gunkata. Without him, Gunkata will lose the contract.

Danil and Siggie both watch the town as the sun escapes away to the west. They lie on a hill, south of Zallab. Taking turns in watching the town folk through binoculars and noticing a few suspicious men. No sight of the target yet.

The target looks middle eastern. His head is shaved and beard is of medium length. His height is average with a muscular body type.

“You really had to come”

Danil asked out of pure boredom.

“I lost a bet with Nerayo. Also, here without experience you’ll die.”

They stayed silent for a few moments, watching how a wooden crate is being carried from some truck into a garage.

“Why can’t we just snipe Gunkata?” Danil asked again.

“Good luck finding him.”

“With how much he’s done, there must be more people after him.”

“He’s officially a wanted war criminal, but he has friends in high places. If you’ll really think about it, we’re fighting against the ‘modernization’ of Zargastan. In other words, westernization.”

“The fuck does it all mean?”

“This Danil, is politics. On one hand it’s useless boring shit where we get angry for purely words. On the other hand, it’s our lives.”

“Even if we live like hobos?”

“You still don’t get it do you? So let me explain. America and whoever joined its side are the west. They have their own sort of culture, tech and other stuff. This is the east, the middle to be exact. It’s a hotspot for domination, some want to form a caliphate, some just want money and some hate the neighbor too much. An amazing spot for proxy wars and testing weapons. So most of the east isn’t fond of the west. In particular Iran. Now Iran is south east of here and Iran is really anti-western-”

“What the fuck are you talking about? What does it have to do with Gunkata?”

“You should understand all those politics and tactics. That’s the reason we’re here and that’s the reason we get our intel. Where there’s conflict, there’s Gunkata or his pawns. And using politics we can somewhat predict where he’s going. If it’s somewhat peaceful, he’s going to South America to help the cartels, for a price of course.”

“So basically, he and his goons are parasites that feed of misery. You told me nothing new.”

“Oh dear… So to answer your question ‘Why we can’t kill Gunkata’, it’s because he’s untouchable.” Siggie sighed.

I don’t care about politics, they’re trivial. Words won’t help me kill Gunkata. Danil thought to himself.

“So killing people important to him makes him less untouchable?”

“…Yeah…”

“Got it.”

The red disc slowly escaped to the horizon. The heat collected throughout the day started to escape any object which is familiar with the sun’s rays.

Danil pulled out a tactical black coat, he struggled but he put it on while on the ground. Siggie hasn’t moved a millimeter. All he does, is to watch for the target.

The lone lights turned have turned on, but most of the village stays in the dark.
Danil lied on his back and stargazed.

What we’re doing isn’t even remotely going to hurt Gunkata. Waste of time.

“Target sighted, he entered some shop.” Siggie said.

“Inventory check.” Siggie grabbed Danil the ankle, stopping him from standing up while still holding the binoculars with the other hand.

“3 bandages, water, morphine, antibiotics, 2 9mm magazines… Fully loaded… SVD parts with one mag. ”

“Take the mags with you. What about a flashlight?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Everything can matter here, don’t forget I’m the leader here.”

“This is bullshit. You lost, how can you lead?”

“Because I have experience. I know how to lower the chance of dying here and getting the job done. Now shut up and complete the inventory check.” All this time, he didn’t break away from his binoculars.

Fuck you Siggie.

“…A flashlight, some tape, belts, clips… That’s it.”

“Alright. Wear those.” Siggie has pulled clothes from his backpack. A dark spacious dress, which covers even the feet with a black hijab.

Danil looks confused. He understands what he looks at, but he can’t find the connection to the current situation.

“Put it on.”

“What?”

“Put it on.”

“Why me?”

“You’re smaller than me. The best way to hide, is to be in plain sight, being the gray man. Isn’t that what Nerayo taught you?”

“I have to wear this? But I’m a boy.”

“Your voice hasn’t broken, yet.”

“I don’t know Arabic, they’ll find out!”

“Pretend to be an old woman, the backpack will be your crooked spine. When someone talks to you, just point at your ears and say ‘lo’ it means no in Arabic.”

“And you? You look too ugly to be a woman.”

“Which is why I’m going to be your son!”

“If both son and mother are deaf, it’s going to be a little suspicious.”

“Fortunately I know Arabic a little. Though it’s a different dialect.”

“Can’t we just sneak?”

“Being the grey men is the least risky option here. Just keep your weapon at bay. The cloak will hide everything.”

“Tsk…” If this is what I need to do to kill Gunkata, then so be it.

Danil has put on the dress with all the clothes still on. Later he twisted the Hijab around his head, wearing the Hijab like a bandana.

“That’s not how they wear it.” Siggie has put on a stripe patterned red Kurta on top of his clothes.

“Hold still.” He took the Hijab from Danil’s head. He placed the edge of the fabric onto his forehead. Smoothed the fabric around Danil’s face, meeting the ends below his chin. He clipped the ends beneath the chin using a small clip from Danil’s backpack. He lifted the long end of the scarf and started wrapping it from front to back and then he clipped again at where the base of Danil’s chin is.

“Here ya go mum.” Siggie smirked. Danil looked him dead in the eye.

“Just tilt the back a little, hide your face in your shadows.”

Danil tilted his back. The night covering his face, he does look like an old Arabic woman.

“You look like Quasimo with that hunchback, except you’re a wom-”

“Are we going?”

“…Yeah…” Still dead serious as ever. Siggie thought.

While walking, Siggie decided to support the hunchback Danil by the elbow.

“Don’t touch me.” He took Siggie’s hand and threw it to his side.

“It’s to blend in.”

“I can walk on my own. Give me a walking stick or something.”

They both went to the town. The only island of light among the sea of night. As they were approaching, they saw a dark humanoid figure looking at them.
when they stepped into the town, nobody stopped them.

The dark figure, is now a young man in a gray Tshirt and jeans. He’s thin, but not emaciated. His hair is short and shaved at the sides. His eyes are full of distrust.

He walked up to Siggie.

“masa' kher, 'alays kadhalika?” The man asked.

“Masal kher, ana o mama nhtaj akl. Momken tkhabrena ween momkn njeeb akl?” Siggie asked the man, it is obvious even to Danil that the accent is thick.

“Ah! Almahalu mughlaq alan. 'iidha kunt bihajat 'iilaa makan lilnawm , adhhab 'iilaa almasjidi. Qad yuteimunak.”

“Shukra!”

Siggie went back to Danil, they started walking. The man looked away from them and continued watching the darkness.

“Get ready, we might be attacked.” Siggie whispered to Danil.

“Should’ve just kept silent.”

“Then we’d be more suspicious.”

Siggie leads Danil through the streets of Zallab. After a few minutes of walking, they end up at the doorstep of a mosque.

The mosque is small and modest. The stone it’s made of has darkened from its age. Just one tall Minaret. Inside is a small open area where an old fountain stands.

The prayer hall is plain and barely lighten. A bearded man in a white robe is standing, looking at Siggie and Danil.

His face is all wrinkled and the beard is hoary. His posture is poor, but it’s probably because of his old age. A slim and a tiny old man.

“We don’t get a lot of visitors, welcome to Zallab.” The man fixed his white Topi.

Danil prepared the blade, concealed in the dark cloak.

“Don’t… I got this.” Siggie whispered.

“You’re travelers, I can see that from the clumsy Hijab. As long you’re not here to cause trouble, you’re welcome.”

“Thank you. I can assure you, we’re no trouble makers.”

“Trouble has been brewing here lately. Trouble draws trouble. I may be old and my eyesight far past its prime, my mind has not rusted. I can see the young man preparing his hand.”

“Danil! Don’t worry. We got this.”

Siggie nudged Danil.

“Like you did with the guy at the entrance? Yeah sure…” Danil told Siggie.

“Please, forgive my partner.”

“Oh, I did not hold any grudge to begin with. If it is refuge you ask for, I will provide. Though, I’m afraid to ask you a favor.”

“An Imam asking a traveler for a favor? Those sure are some dire times.”

“Please, I’m just a humble Mullah. I do not care much for politics, but lately the youth has been against spirituality. Saying that religion is opium for the people. Not only they lost respect, the authorities have too. When they started mocking me and throwing rotten food, the authority turned a blind eye. A day will come and they shall ravage the Mosque, desecrate it, insulting Allah and the prophet Muhamad.”

“If it’s that important, protect it yourself. Or I dunno, ask your Allah, God or how the fuck you call it.” Danil stepped forward. Siggie grabbed him by the shoulder and showed him to be quiet with the hand sign.

“Oh please. Let the young one speak. Do not worry.”

The man laughed a little.

“What’s so funny? Is it because you have to rely on stranger to protect your own fantasy? You’re weak.”

“It is true that with time, my strength only dwindled”

The old man pointed at his heart and head, this whole time he held a slight genuine smile.

“Here, I am still strong.”

“And that reaaally helps you with getting what you want.”

“Which is why I asked you. A man might be the strongest, but alone he’s weak.”

“If he’s weak, then he isn’t the strongest. It’s that simple. If you’re weak, you’re a slave to the strong. If you won’t protect it, it’ll get destroyed. Just don’t act surprised when it happens.”

“Every man alone is weak.”

“Those who rely on others are weak!”

“Allah made us a social creature. Depending on others is in our nature. Does that mean that we all are weak by nature?”

“Allah this, Allah that… Maybe ask Allah to help you instead? Or he’ll just ignore everyone. Just like God, just like whatever the fuck people believe in. You all are pathetic!”

“I asked. He sent you two.”

“Yeaaaah that is totally what happened. There is no god old man, just face it.”

“Young and yet so bitter. You felt the worst on your own skin, haven’t you?”

“Don’t try to seem so empathetic! Not gunna help you!”

How did we even get here? Siggie wondered.

Siggie sniffed the air. The usual dry air is mixed with the smell of gasoline and smoke.

“Can you smell this?”

“Unfortunately, my sense of smell has dulled. Has the time come?”

“I have a plan, we need the key to the tower… Minaret is it?“

“Hmm, not everyone is allowed there.”

“Old man, gimme the key” Danil stood in front of the Mullah and held out his hand.

“Danil for fucks sake!”

“He’s a weak old geezer! It’ll be no problem.”

“You don’t understand, do you? You’re starting to become like them. Like the people who follow Gunkata.”

“Say that again one more time and you can kiss your balls goodbye like last time.”

“You’re behaving like an animal. You’re hurting an innocent man just because he’s physically weaker than you. How are you better than Gunkata and his goons?”

“Because I’m not evil. I’m not murdering people for fun!”

“But you steal from an innocent old man. Then what?”

“Fine, be it your way. But the moment we’re in danger, I’m acting how I want.”

Siggie approached the man.

“Please, we need access to a high point. The Minaret provides a great view. I’ll protect the mosque from this attack and possibly from future attacks.”

“But then blood will be spilled here… Though, those who are ready to burn people in said land, should expect retaliation.”

The Mullah searched his back pocket and pulled out a rusty wrought iron key.

“I’ll pray for your safety.”

“Thank you, but it’ll be better to stay away. Danil take the rifle!”

Danil removed his dress and hijab. After that, he put down the backpack. He took out pieces of the SVD rifle and assembled it together. It lacks the scope and only has iron sights.

“Climb the tower, try to snipe the target. I’ll distract them. Maybe even have a fight, depends how I feel.”

“Get out only after the fight starts.”

Siggie walked away to the exit. He took out a large Desert Eagle and holds it together with a black combat knife.

→   To be continued

Author’s note

Despite how uncomfortable I was with writing in 3rd person, coming back to 1st person felt weird. So here we are.
This time I have no excuse for the late release. It was right before the release of Spiderman’s port to PC. At least the game was really fun.