Chapter 14: Capture

Sitio Ocampo II

Sibalu Province, Bisaya Region

Republic of Easting

August 6, 2022 C.Y.

0100 Hours

The fire fight was still going on and government forces were having a hard time breaking through the enemy's stubborn defenses. The camp was well fortified and defended. Luis and his men were able to infiltrate the camp through a secret passageway they have discovered. He wasted no time and proceeded to his objective. The enemy were preoccupied in dealing with government forces outside the camp. Luis took the mayhem to his advantage and coordinated with government forces from outside.

"This is Omega squad, we are proceeding to our next objective. Please coordinate with the other squads. Over!"

"Roger that Omega squad, we are sending additional reinforcements and firepower at your disposal. Please direct the coordinates of the artillery strike."

"Roger!" Luis replied and proceeded outside of the tunnel.

"Enemy sighted!" One of Luis' men said and opened fire at them.

The enemy returned fire but was mowed down by accurate bursts of small arms fire from Luis' men. The squad then continued on their way looking for a weak spot in the camp's defenses. Luis split his men into two teams one to search for their target while the other to call for an artillery strike.

While proceeding on their way Luis found their high-value target who was barking orders to his men.

"HQ, I see the target!" Luis contacted.

"Roger that Omega squad, take him unscathed if you can."

"Roger!"

"Squad two, what's the status of the camp's defenses?" Luis asked.

"This is squad two, we have seen a weak spot near the river. We can call an artillery strike to weaken the enemy's hold in that area."

"Roger that squad two. Keep yourselves concealed." Luis said and contacted HQ once more to coordinate the artillery strike.

"This is Omega squad, we found a weakness northwest of our position. I am transmitting the coordinates right now!"

"Roger that Omega squad, the attack on that area seems plausible. I shall coordinate the attack right now!"

"Roger that HQ!" Luis ended his transmission and concealed within the structures behind the enemy.

Moments later a furious artillery strike hit northeast of their position. The enemy was caught in surprise of the attack. Government forces started to pour in and attacked the defenders. Despite their numbers, government forces were able to overwhelm the enemy.

After seeing the enemy ranks in confusion Luis ordered his men to open fire at the enemy in front of him. He calls for the second squad to maneuver in order to trap the high-value target. The burst of fire that Luis' squad unleashed claimed at least five enemy fighters. Feliciano and his female companion scattered to take cover.

The two sides traded fire for at least ten minutes before the enemy ran out of ammunition. Seeing that the enemy unable to trade fire with them. Luis decided to get out from cover seeing the second squad arrived behind the enemy. He signaled the second squad to apprehend the high-value target and were successful in doing so.

"This is Omega squad, we have successfully apprehended the high-value targets." Luis contacted the HQ again to report his progress.

"Roger that Omega squad, hold your position until our remaining forces clear the area." HQ replied.

"Roger that HQ." Luis gathered up his men and the prisoners with them.

After the pockets of resistance has been cleared in the base. Luis and his men along with the enemy who surrendered to them were extracted to the nearest military base to Sitio Bolinao, Candulog City. Everyone including the prisoners was loaded into the choppers. Luis departed into the last after government reinforcements arrived to secure the area.

Inside the chopper a fellow soldier tapped Luis in his shoulder. "Doing well sir?"

Luis nodded and smiled in return, "Since we got our objective safely, dinner's on me!"

Hearing this the soldiers inside the chopper cheered.

An hour and a half later the choppers arrived to a forward operating base near Sitio Bolinao in Candulog City. Luis on his arrival was met by the officers in charge of the mission and congratulating him for bringing in Feliciano and some prisoners. An officer said that the prisoners will be brought in for interrogation. He then went to a debriefing which took at least an hour detailing what happened in the mission.

After the debriefing Luis went to his quarters to rest. While on his way he met some soldiers who were talking and overhears their conversation.

"Have you heard about the recent attack of the Reds recently?" A tall muscular soldier faced his thinly built buddy.

"I hear it was only an ambush. I hear the patrol was wiped out in the attack." The thinly built soldier replied to his friend.

"That was just a distraction they say. Rumors spread that the enemy is planning for an offensive towards the city of Kanduyaw."

Hearing this Luis paused and continued to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"I wonder what is going on in this country recently. The enemy has been relentless, maybe the incident in Bangsamoro have emboldened them."

"Maybe they want some more ass kicking from us. Like we did on those religious fanatics." The muscular guy said ending their conversation.

After the two men left, Luis continued on his way. He checked on his watch and it was already 0500 Hours. An hour has passed since he was dismissed from his debriefing. He is too tired to ponder about what the two had said and decided to proceed to his quarters to rest.