Steve…
The serious faces of the men standing before me, their valor looks, made me feel great, I realized the reason why I joined the army in the first place. Even though I was the only soldier in the crew, I made sure the men Scar brought in where brought to speed on what to expect. I spent three days training them, I was impressed on how well they were able to grasp things, they already had the physical strength all they needed was a positive impression that would keep them fighting.
“They are ready” I smiled talking to Scar standing next to me as I watched the boys pack up some arms in the trucks.
“Yeah. My men have spent half their lives on the streets, fighting for survival” he giggled.
“Yeah, am giving them a good reason to fight, this is not about making money but a genuine war that will mark them for life. See, you all are going to come out different from all this, you will live to remember this noble act” I sighed
“Hahaha, are you scared?” Scar asked in his horse voice with a dry laugh putting the cigar between his lips and I could bet I saw him smile, only it lasted for a couple of seconds
“Why do you think that?” I looked at him
“Well, my mother told me a man about to die or scared rants a lot” he shook his head walking away
“Don’t worry though am not dying today” he added sitting on the stool and spitting out some smoke.
I shook my head at him, he seemed fearless exactly what I was looking for. I had some intel from the only guy inside, the guy I had inside Tatila`s circle. My hope was he remained loyal and the last time I talked to him I made sure I put him under serious interrogation making sure he was clean. He gave me something that could lead me to Queen.
“I overhead them talking about a tower. I don’t know where it is but I think you can check it out to be sure” he informed me and that day I took my time going to the tower I was suspecting they were keeping her and I discovered it was heavily guarded confirming the theory.
“Can you get me the details of the building plans” I asked him.
“I know of a guy that works at the council who might have access to the blue prints for many places. Let me get his line and I will give you a call” he explained.
“That’s good. Actually am not leaving any stone unturned, am coming with you” I insisted and we went round town trying to find the guy. After trying a few people around they directed us to the guy. A tall slander guy with small slim hands that suited his entire body.
“Hey, am Steve” I introduced myself the moment he sat in the passenger seat of my truck.
“Hey man! Am Logan. What can I do for you?” he asked with a weird smile which I quickly ignored wanting to pay attention to the right things.
“Heard you the guy with maps and blue prints for most of the government buildings?” I asked him straight up.
“Depends on which buildings man” he sighed. I knew what he wanted so I bent forward and grabbed some stacked cash lifting them up.
“The small tower in this location” I handed him the picture and the guy widely grinned. He extended his hand to grab the money but I pulled it back.
“When can I have it?” I asked seriously
“I need time man, those thing are not easy to find. It can take a week or two”
“I don’t have a week, I need it by tomorrow morning can you get it for 2Ks?”
He pretended to be thinking through it for a couple of seconds and nodded his head. “I will need to ask a guy who knows exactly where they are” he uttered looking at me this time no smile.
“Here, Get this 1000, upon completion of the job I will add a 1500” I told him. I warned him before he left how I would not tolerate him talking about our deal.
“The way I found you for this, that’s how I will find you if you decide to bulls*** me” my finger was pointing at him as he stood outside the vehicle.
“He is not joking man, get the blue prints and if you know what is good for you bring them tomorrow morning” Scar who was seated silently all this while spoke up and the man looked at his stern face once quickly looking away. I am not sure it was fear of his scar or the fact that the guy (Scar) was dressed in a black hood and his eyes where red from the dope he just had.
“I get it. Will give you a call” he added and walked away putting the money in his pockets and patting it securely. We watched him walk away for a reasonable distance before starting off. As promised, the following morning he called around 7 am, earlier than I had anticipated.
We spend the rest of that morning discussing the plans and making sure everyone was up to date with the plan of going in.
“I can bet they are keeping Jim and Chama at the same place, I need my guys and woman back in one peace. No mistakes guys, master this piece and stick to the plan. Those men that we are to face this evening are not only trained soldiers, most of them are rogue and angry, they are so pissed and fearless, they will do anything to protect the interests of those they save. That is what soldiers do, they follow orders to their death, they will fight to death and so should you” I stood to talk as everyone listened in.
“I need anyone who feels they are not up to the task to speak up now and leave before it’s too late” I added looking at each one of them.
“The cut is good and let’s make it worth it” Scar spoke up too and they smiled murmuring amongst themselves. I could bet that was the kind of motivation they needed, a monetary reward and not the s*** of fighting for a good cause. I watched in silence as Scar went on telling them how to stick together and protect each other as brothers they were, I felt myself laughing at how poetic that sounded, the guys actually thought they were family and I could see the respect and loyalty they had for Scar, it was evident they would die for him.
“We are leaving the moment the sky gets dark, make sure everyone is in the vehicle at the first signal” I concluded and the men went to do various things, others trying on some last shots, others seated to smoke, and a few stayed inside our newly acquired house silently lost in thoughts.
“That one is Joe, my greatest friend of all times, he made me join the league. The guy can go to any war with me a good and fast shooter I could bet.” Scar broke the silence between us as we stood leaning on the truck outside. His hands where deep in his pockets and his muscle t-shirt outlined his perfect muscles, I wondered what happened to his face for him to get the scar, it was the only thing that made him look like a criminal he was, otherwise the guy would pass for a handsome contest.
“Hm, I see, so why did you start?” I asked carelessly, I was not genuinely interested in knowing his past but I thought I could use some small talk to pass time and cage my nerves a little bit.
“I did well at grade 12 and my widowed mother couldn’t afford the fees to further my education, your bulls*** government couldn’t even accord me a place in the university, only the rich felas got their bursaries. I had to survive” he sighed shrugging.
“Hm. Never thought of such a lame excuse to start stealing” I found myself uttering without caution.
“Are you always this straight?” he chuckled looking at me.
“Mostly” I smiled
“Hm. You will never understand man, you probably grew up in the barracks with a family and father to look after you”
“Far from it” I answered dismissingly
“My father died when I was still a little boy, 2 maybe. I never knew my mother”
Scar looked at me and shook his head.
“What?” I asked scoffing
“That was a s*** life there, that’s why you so sad man” he teased
“look who’s talking” I hit his shoulder unconsciously and I realized we both were giggling like little boys.
“Time up!” I sighed looking at my watch. “Load your men now, too much chit chats for one night” I walked to my truck and we called all the men to board the cars.
I got about 10 in my truck, two in the cab and others in the trailer. 10 other guys were riding with . I looked at the road stretched in front of me and sighed inwardly.
“Am coming for you my woman” I whispered inside determined to have success. I extended my hand to get a cigarette but withdrew wanting to be sober. You would want to fasten the seat belts” I looked at the guys next to me as I increased the speed.
About an hour later, we were parked in front of the small tower in deep silence one would hear an insects crawl. The dark sky giving us the advantage of staying out of sight.
“What now?” Scar asked walking closer to me.
“You will lead your men in the back and I will go up front, stick to the plan” I signaled and gestured for everyone to be ready as we walked on feet from meters away where we parked the cars.
The stomping feet reminding me of the days in training, only this time I knew I was in a company of thugs that had no sense of war except fighting for money and survival on the streets. I deeply wished that would hold them in that night`s fight. We stood a few yards away from the entrance and I could see the small lights from the small gate. Another touch was showing high up the tallest part of the tower.
“Well guys this is it” I sighed looking at the guys around me and they murmured their readiness and he took positions to wait for the sniper to take out the night watch guy.
To be continued…
