EPISODE 02: Operation Witching Hour 02

// Theater of Operations: Republic of Esperança

// Mission Time: 1411 Hours

The Blackhawk helicopter swoops into view over the ridgeline then quickly dives back down the valley spiraling into a gentle touchdown. Without coming to a full stop, the side doors slide open and two agents leap down onto the ground dressed in full tactical gear.

Luna and Maya quickly away from the helo, crouched low, scanning the tree line with their weapons and covering opposite flanks, knowing full well that at this point it was a mere formality - If something was hiding behind the trees, they would never know.

The radio crackles into life and Madam Z’s voice comes through in her usual stern manner, “Radio silence till the operation is complete, ladies, stay sharp. Everything will try to kill you.”

Luna jaw tightens. Maya responds, “Copy that Mama-Bear. Strike-Force out.”

Clicking off their radios, Luna and Maya start walking north toward the intercept point.

“It should be a twenty minute walk until we hit the dirt road. With some luck we’ll secure the site before the shipment comes through and then we just tag along.” Says Maya, double checking her wrist-mounted computer.

Luna nods. Eyes skipping nervously from tree to tree as they move deeper into the jungle. “It’s beautiful … and scary.” She says in a low voice and Maya smiles.

“It is.” Agrees Maya with a smile. “Reminds me of home.” Her eyes briefly going out of focus in remembrance.

“Home? Before … the Hex?” asks Luna.

“Yes. Before the Agency. I was born in a country just like this one. Filled to the brim with nature’s bounty and yet … somehow greed always makes us skew the game. Resources start flowing upward and outward until there is nothing is left but scraps, and soon enough those who remain at the bottom of the barrel are left to fight it out.” She sighs. “This is why our mission matters Luna. Remember that.”

“But I …” Luna hesitates. “I don’t understand why we are keeping a dictator in power. Why we are stamping out the resistance.”

“This generation’s freedom fighters are next generation’s dictators.” Says Maya, “We sit the resistance at the throne and the cycle will just continue. For now, if we can put a stop to the rampant violence, we will count that as a win - Restore order. Baby steps eh?”

Thoughtful. Luna nods, and together they meld into the endless green becoming part of mega-organism that is … the Amazon jungle.

They were five minutes out from the intercept point when they hear gun fire echoing across the valley. Staying low but moving fast, the agents flop to their bellies over a rocky ridge overlooking the dirt road below.

The truck they were expected was there. The resistance fighters were also there.

But those were definitely not ordinary smugglers.

(To be continued.)