Enemies In Disguise

Aaron Balsey received a phone call from his brother Ramsey Balsey, informing him that the supply for the large order of 1,000 M1024 Cannon ammunition was prepared for delivery. Ramsey wanted Aaron to lead the supply operation. However, Aaron displayed an angry expression during the call and demanded that Ramsey send him his location.

Ramsey then sent Aaron a text message with the details: "Zulu Ramp." This referred to a massive parking area on the west side of the airport grounds, near Terminals B and C. The Zulu Ramp could accommodate up to 12 narrow-body aircraft like Boeing 737s or Airbus A320s at the same time. It covered an area of around 200,000 square feet or 18,580 square meters.

The ramp had designated lanes for aircraft to easily taxi onto and off the area. Along the perimeter were parking and storage spaces for ground service equipment. The ramp was equipped with hydraulic ground power units and pre-conditioned air units to service parked aircraft without running their auxiliary power units. It also had lighting for night operations, jet blast deflectors, and aircraft marshalling guidance lights installed on the ramp surface.

After receiving Ramsey's message, Aaron called his associate Andre Cain to inform him about a business matter requiring his attention in Africa for the next few days. He instructed Andre to lead their gang's operations during his absence. Aaron then dressed in a black suit with a tie, concealing a knife in his sock and a small pistol in his jacket pocket.

With an annoyed demeanor, Aaron drove to the location sent by Ramsey. As he approached the Zulu Ramp, he noticed two armed guards posted at the entrance gate. Aaron rolled down his window as one of the guards approached. "State your business," the guard demanded gruffly. Aaron flashed his ID badge and , The guard nodded and waved him through after a cursory vehicle check.

Upon arrival at the ramp, Aaron saw an aircraft and called Ramsey to confirm his presence. However, two men approached Aaron and informed him that Ramsey had just left. Realizing he had been deceived, Aaron muttered "Damn that bastard" under his breath. He considered pulling his pistol but thought better of it, not wanting to start a firefight in the open ramp area.

Two pilots then greeted Aaron and stated that they would be flying to Africa with a large cargo aircraft designed to transport thousands of ammunition rounds and heavy equipment. They provided the specifications of the C-220 Armadillo, a strategic heavy-lift cargo aircraft.

The C-220 Armadillo had a crew of three (two pilots and one loadmaster) and a payload capacity of 170,000 pounds or 77,000 kilograms. Its cargo hold dimensions were 120 feet (36.6 meters) in length, 19 feet (5.8 meters) in width, and 13.5 feet (4.1 meters) in height. The aircraft had a range of 4,500 miles (7,200 kilometers) with maximum payload and was powered by four Hypermile HS-128 turbofan engines, each producing 51,000 pounds of thrust.

With a wingspan of 235 feet (71.6 meters), a length of 230 feet (70.1 meters), and a height of 63 feet (19.2 meters), the C-220 Armadillo had a maximum takeoff weight of 1,000,000 pounds (454,000 kilograms). It could cruise at a speed of 500 knots (925 kilometers per hour). The aircraft's massive cargo bay and heavy-lift capability allowed it to transport oversized military cargo such as armored vehicles, helicopters, and ammunition. Its robust landing gear permitted operations from unimproved airfields.

The two pilots inspected the engines and oil to ensure the aircraft was safe for flight. Three mercenaries then arrived, each carrying a unique and powerful firearm.

The first mercenary, Viktor Kozlov, carried an ASM .50 BMG anti-materiel rifle nicknamed "Anzio's Nightmare." The second, Jade Liu, wielded dual S&W .500 Magnum revolvers called "Ebony" and "Ivory." The third mercenary, Gabriel Nunez, used an M32A1 multi-shot grenade launcher known as "Mr. Sachmo."

Two other individuals accompanied the group. Sergeant Aisha Delgado carried an FN Five-seveN 5.7x28mm pistol she called "Petite Piquante," while the smuggler Cyrus Beaumont favored an AA-12 fully automatic 12-gauge shotgun he affectionately named "Lucille."

Upon seeing the heavily armed mercenaries, Aaron instinctively went for his pistol again but stopped himself. He laughed to himself, thinking Ramsey was too smart and wondering if they were headed for war. After exchanging tense greetings, the group boarded the massive aircraft.

As they took their seats, Aaron noticed a disheveled man in a tattered suit huddled in the corner, shaking nervously. He asked one of the mercenaries, "Who's that guy?" Jade Liu replied dismissively, "Just some two-bit hustler Ramsey threw in to pay off a debt. Don't worry about him."

One of the pilots then informed them they were bound for Nairobi, Kenya. The pilot advised them to remain calm and prepared for the five-hour flight. During the journey, the atmosphere was tense, with the mercenaries periodically checking their weapons and the shady individual in the corner muttering to himself.

To break the tension, Cyrus pulled out a battered guitar and started strumming a tune, singing in a gravelly voice. Viktor joined in with a surprising pleasant baritone, and soon the rest of the group, except for the nervous man, engaged in singing and conversation. Aaron observed from his corner, smiling and contemplating his own gang back home.

Suddenly, the disheveled man leapt up and pulled a concealed Beretta pistol, shouting, "This is a hijacking! Nobody move!" The mercenaries instantly raised their weapons, with Aisha training her Five-seveN on the man's head.

"Drop it, you idiot," Viktor growled. "You're outmatched and outnumbered here."

The hijacker's hand trembled as he wavered, Aaron slowly stood up with his hands raised placatingly.

"Easy there, friend. No need for violence. Why don't you tell us what you want? We can negotiate."

The man's eyes darted around wildly before settling on Aaron. "I...I just need to get away. I'm in too deep with some bad people. If I give myself up, they'll kill me."

Aaron nodded calmly. "Well, taking us hostage isn't going to solve anything. But I might be able to help you start over somewhere new, if you cooperate."

After a tense minute, the hijacker lowered his pistol. "Okay...okay, you've got a deal."

The crisis defused, the group settled back into their seats, though the mercenaries kept their weapons close at hand, eyeing the man warily.

After four hours, one of the pilots announced over the speaker that they would be meeting with Mustafa Fazul, a notorious Kenyan bio-weapon dealer and drug lord known as "The Demon of Dadaab" and "The Angel of Death."

Mustafa Fazul, aged 43, was a Kenyan national born in Garissa...

The pilot warned the group to exercise extreme caution upon landing, as Fazul's compound was heavily guarded. Aaron responded with a smile, stating, "This is not my first time meeting Fazul." He continued laughing to himself, indicating his familiarity with the notorious bio-weapon dealer and the potential dangers that lay ahead

As the C-220 Armadillo began its descent into Nairobi