7 Chapter 6: Cobra's Escape

Airstrikes from the government forces have been pounding enemy position for days. Hardened enemy defenses has been reduced to rubble. Government forces are now taking back territory faster and the progress is going well. It is only a matter of time before the terrorists are destroyed.

"Task Force Stark, this is Georg Foreman of the third company of the Greyhounds. We are approaching our objective we need confirmation of the target."

Captain Lucas and the rest of Task Force Stark were positioned three miles of their location observing from a high vantage point. They are monitoring their progress and was impressed so far.

"This is Captain Lucas of Task Force Stark. We confirm of your location, the target is nowhere to be seen. Proceed with caution, I see bogeys five hundred meters, west from your location."

Captain Lucas replied with his binoculars observing the situation.

"Roger that Captain, we shall eliminate the hostiles!"

The member of the 51st Greyhound said and proceeded to his objective.

Jill Hancock observes that their captain is not on his high spirits. She gives a smirk at his back. When their Captain turned his face towards her, she erased the expression from her face and faced away.

"What's with that smirk earlier? The captain asked her.

"N-nothing sir..." Jill tried to deny it by whistling.

"Really?" Captain Lucas shifts his gaze towards his counterparts in the ground.

"That Lieutenant is remarkable is he?" The Captain added.

"Kind of... I think he has some kind of potential. You missed him?" Jill asked her captain mischievously.

"He reminds me of my young self." Captain Lucas said.

The remaining terrorists are now hiding in their underground tunnels after being overwhelmed. The air strikes have been effective in softening their defenses and weakening their resolve.

Some of the terrorists tried to flee from the fighting only to find themselves shot by their superiors. Fight or die, which is the order directed by Haneef al-Sader towards his men. Deserters are killed on sight, paradise or shame which has become battle cry towards his enemy.

In his quarters underneath the tunnels. Al-Sader and Cobra were arguing on their next step. Cobra noticed that al-Sader is overwhelmed by his delusions tried to reason with him.

Cobra felt a little pity towards the men of Al-Sader who were killed meaninglessly by his decisions. Unable to hold himself, Cobra took a pistol from his hostler to his left with his right hand and aimed it towards al-Sader.

"Give up this fight and escape with me from the city. If not you can meet your creator!" Cobra warned the delusioned leader on front of him.

"Do you not want to be a martyr? Heaven awaits the brave its rewards are bountiful and befits us. Do you not see, the wretched things the world have brought us?"

Al-Sader replied to him unmoved by his warnimgs.

"If you want out of this world so be it! Do not involve those who wish to fight for their lives in this forsaken place you call hell. You are mad al-Sader, I should have not visited you in this dirty sewer you have brought me!"

Cobra said to him and squeezed the trigger of his gun.

Two gunshots were heard from the tunnels and al-Sader's men who heard the gunshots approached the place. They saw their leader on the ground with bullet holes in his chest and head. Cobra aimed his pistol at two of al-Sader's men who have came.

"Do you wish to accompany your leader to paradise?"

The two men shook their head in fear and are about to cry which was worsened by bombings done by government aircraft to their positions.

"This place will not last long, follow me! Rally the others!"

Cobra took the command of what remains of Haneef al-Sader's forces in the tunnels and headed out from the city. While Cobra made his escape, others who were loyal to al-Sader's cause continued the fight and fanatically launched several counterattacks at the government forces. Their attempts only ended up in vain as small arms and machine gun fire mowed them down.

"Their fanaticism has no match for modern weapons..." A soldier said with his rifle as the wave of enemy was stopped by them. Some of them were deeply saddened because some soldiers were of the same religion as them. To fight their misguided brothers who took arms because they have being taken advantage of.

While the government forces are closing in to the terrorist's hideout. The City of Infante was thrown into chaos by suicide and indiscriminate attacks by the enemy. Countless of lives were lost in the coordinated attacks. The police and military are dispatched to contain the situation. On their way to the city proper Task Force Praetor received reports of attacks on the City Hall. A transmission from HQ was sent to Lieutenant Alfonso who is in transit.

"We are heading to the City Hall now sir!"

The Lieutenant said and ordered his men to gear up and prepare for the assault. They were at least two miles away from the City Hall.

"Lieutenant, your team will secure the City Hall. You will assist any surviving government forces that fighting against the terrorists and save any hostages they may have taken. Also, you are to confirm of Haneef al-Sader's presence within the group. Find him and if you can apprehend him, good. However that is only optional. He is wanted dead or alive, you are authorized to use lethal force if necessary!"

"Roger that!" Lieutenant Alfonso replied.

Smoke can be seen from the direction of the City Hall of the City of Infante. Reinforcements have arrived but the enemy has already captured the building. Most of the civilians have been evacuated but some have been held hostage by the terrorists. Seeing the current situation the men of Task Force Praetor went to see the commanding officer on the ground. Seeing him Lieutenant Alfonso and his men rendered him a salute.

"At ease men, we have a situation at hand!" Said the Colonel.