Chapter 469: Don’t Fall Behind Me (2)

They moved the rows of enemies’ bodies from outside the runway to the foot of the mountain. It was a considerable distance, but the enemies’ single-wheeled cart brought along proved useful.

The sun had already risen to forehead height. Kang Chan, unlike Smithen, wasn’t foolish enough to stand idly on the concrete runway just because they had taken over it.

Kang Chan headed back to the area overlooking the runway and set up sentries in four locations before taking a rest. Even if they had just lost colleagues or killed enemies, those who remained had to eat to keep surviving, fighting, and cursing.

After finishing their breakfast of C-rations, Bricks handed out coffee to everyone.

“You brought coffee?” Kang Chan asked in surprise.

It was unbelievable. It might not seem like a big deal, but after walking through the mountains for hours at night, even the cigarettes in their pockets could start to feel heavy. Nevertheless, this recruit had brought enough coffee for everyone.

Since it was already brewed, Kang Chan thought he might as well enjoy it without complaints.

“Bricks, don’t bring things like this next time. Focus on the mission,” Kang Chan said.

“Oui.”

Bricks still didn’t seem to understand how the soldiers felt when they found coffee peeking out of a dead enemy’s pack. Perhaps only Éiric and Mazani truly understood why such an order was given.

The day passed peacefully. The scorching sun and wind took over the runway while Kang Chan and his men spent their time watching it from the mountain. They had lunch, drank coffee, and took turns napping. Once everyone was up, they had dinner.

Except for the guard duty shifts and the enemy corpses at the foot of the mountain, it was so peaceful that it was hard to believe they were on a mission. As the sun sank toward the horizon, it cast its light over the runway, painting both the soldiers who were watching it and the mountain in a red hue. They had killed twenty men to take over this unremarkable concrete runway, yet the damn sunset still spread its brilliant colors across the earth.

Kang Chan sat at the edge of the mountain, staring blankly at the sunset and the runway, which bathed in its light. Even now, somewhere out there, a tribesperson was likely dying a cruel death, and somewhere else, a child with large white eyes and a swollen belly was dying of malnutrition.

No matter how many people they fought—how many times they killed and conquered across this vast African land like madmen—nothing seemed to change.

What was the point of all this?

Damn it!

He felt as though the reason he was lost in such foolish thoughts was Bricks. That man with gentle eyes had entered a life where one should only focus on surviving missions, and now Kang Chan found himself thinking too much.

The sweet smell of coffee wafted through the air. That troubled rookie had even brought cream and sugar.

“Captain.”

After handing out coffee to the soldiers, Bricks brought Kang Chan a cup brewed just the way he liked it. Bricks rustled as he sat down beside Kang Chan, directing his gaze toward the runway.

“Africa is beautiful,” he said.

Kang Chan smirked.

How can a guy who joined the Foreign Legion because of a beheaded child say something like that?

If he had seen a little girl doused in gasoline and set on fire, his thoughts about Africa would likely change. Even more so if he came across the corpses of women hung from trees after being violated by dozens, men with their heads drilled through, children with nails driven into their ears—if Kang Chan were to list all the reasons that could change Bricks’ mind, he’d take half a day.

There were also Enzo, who turned his head away from the sunset in his worn-out cotton shirt; Gillot, who didn’t stop fighting until the very end; Haller and Forman, who died while trying to prove that they weren’t cowards; and Reznov, who fell in combat while trying to save Kang Chan.

If you knew them—if you remembered them—that sunset would never look beautiful to you.

“I was planning to become a politician, sir,” Bricks said.

A soldier who wanted to be a politician?

“It was my father's wish. It wasn’t a bad idea. A politician who gives hope to many people? I thought that could be worth trying.”

As he nodded and spoke, Bricks made Kang Chan think not of hope but of a small café owner who served coffee.

Bricks continued, “I came to Africa because I thought doing volunteer work would help with my career and broaden my perspective on the world.”

“Being a soldier doesn’t suit you, especially not a soldier of a special forces team like ours,” Kang Chan said.

“I plan to become a commander like you, Captain. A soldier who saves those who are being abused because they lack power.”

Feeling a mix of disbelief and amusement, Kang Chan pulled a cigarette from his pocket. He lit it and exhaled the smoke as the last sliver of the sun hung precariously on the edge of the horizon.

“Go back home. Become a politician or open a small, cozy café. I’ll visit when I’m on leave or once I’m discharged. If you become a politician, you can even hire me as your bodyguard.”

“

Phahaha

!” Bricks laughed like Dayeru.

“I wouldn’t want to be a politician who can’t stand up to his own bodyguard,” Bricks said.

“And I wouldn’t want to be a soldier who can’t shoot,” Kang Chan replied.

“I’ll change.”

There had to have been a reason that Sharlan called for this guy. However, Kang Chan had already decided to send Bricks elsewhere after this mission.

No matter how hard a rabbit tries, in the end, it can only ever eat grass. Sure, it might eat meat once in a while, but no rabbit can live off meat forever.

To Kang Chan, Bricks was a kind café owner who temporarily ended up in a special forces team. He couldn’t ignore a hungry person, and he couldn’t even shoot and stab enemies with a bayonet, much less repeatedly.

Kang Chan leaned back against the hill.

I have to sleep when I can to prepare for the night.

Nothing happened that night. Just seeing the vultures flocking beyond the mountain the next morning, eyeing the corpses, was enough to know there was no immediate danger in their line of sight.

Two hours after breakfast, they heard the low rumble of a truck’s engine from the other side of the runway.

Vroom! Vrooom! Vroom!

“It’s the Foreign Legion.”

Montechelle confirmed the situation and reported back, but Kang Chan didn’t issue any special orders.

Why are there so many?

Ten trucks appeared. It wasn’t until all the trucks had fully entered the runway that Kang Chan descended.

“Good work.”

“Twenty enemies killed, no casualties on our side.”

While Kang Chan was reporting to Sharlan, the Foreign Legion soldiers began setting up camp. Judging by the size and condition of the tents, they seemed to be planning to use this location as a fairly important base.

“The 11th unit is ordered to stay here for the next two days and await further instructions,” said Sharlan.

“Understood,” Kang Chan replied.

He believed that legitimate orders had to be followed. Hence, he moved to the tent provided by the Foreign Legion soldiers and lay down on a cot.

Kang Chan felt as if he was on a complete vacation. The Foreign Legion soldiers took care of all the guard duties and meals, leaving nothing for Kang Chan and his men to worry about except eating three meals a day, drinking coffee, smoking, and exercising.

Why were we even sent on this mission?

That question kept lingering in his mind, but he didn’t show it. After all, it didn’t pose any pressing issues.

Upon waking up from a nap, Kang Chan went for a run on the runway. Unlike the uneven terrain of the Kilima base, running here gave him a refreshing sense of freedom.

“

Huff

!

Huff

!”

When Kang Chan returned, Bricks handed him a water bottle.

“I did well, didn’t I?”

Bricks had even set aside two large water bottles so Kang Chan could shower. It felt a bit uncomfortable, but since this was his last mission with Bricks, he decided not to show it.

Two days passed by quickly. On the morning of the third day, Sharlan called for Kang Chan.

“A transport plane is scheduled to arrive at thirteen hundred today. Researchers invited by the DGSE seem to be aboard it, and the 11th unit is tasked with ensuring their safety until they depart.”

That’s one hell of a strange order.

Kang Chan narrowed his eyes at Sharlan.

“Are we just staying here and then returning?” Kang Chan asked.

“There were no other instructions,” Sharlan responded.

Sharlan looked frustrated, so Kang Chan didn’t press further. While he now understood why his unit had been sent here, it had only raised more questions.

Researchers? At this desolate runway in Congo?

And we’re tasked with ensuring their safety without any prior information?

It was a daunting situation, but he had to prepare for the mission nonetheless.

“Éiric! A transport plane will arrive at thirteen hundred. We are to ensure the safety of the researchers aboard it. Have lunch and prepare your gear. I want everyone on standby by noon!”

“Oui!”

Smithen suddenly popped his head in to confirm Kang Chan’s orders. He was probably hoping that one of the researchers was a woman.

The transport plane came into view five minutes after one in the afternoon. Those inside the plane wouldn’t know, but to those right next to a transport plane or a fighter jet as it took off or landed, the engine would sound as if it would explode in their lungs or heart.

Graaaaaaaaaang!

The massive transport plane landed on the runway as if it had plopped down, then slowly turned around a moment later. Kang Chan, with his rifle slung over his shoulder, stood with his men in front of the main tent.

The 9th Unit of the Foreign Legion’s 13th Special Forces Regiment disembarked from the transport plane first, followed by three men in civilian clothes and a thin woman who appeared to be in her late thirties.

The group approached the headquarters. They then exchanged greetings with Sharlan and then Kang Cha.

"I'm Morrison. Pleased to meet you," said Morrison in awkward French.

"I'm the commander of the 11th unit," Kang Chan responded.

For a brief introduction, this was sufficient. Morrison introduced the men who had accompanied him and the woman, whom he referred to as Dr. Julie.

"We plan to depart in the afternoon," Morrison said.

"Please tell us about your destination," Sharlan inquired.

Morrison glanced at Sharlan as if questioning why this was necessary.

Sharlan continued, "We need to know where we’re going so we can better protect you."

"

Hmmm.

We're heading to Abala," Morrison finally replied as if he had no choice.

"Abala is a mountainous area. It will take two full days of hiking to reach it from here," Sharlan replied.

Kang Chan just silently observed.

"It won't take that long," Morrison responded.

They clearly weren’t actually heading to Abala. Either Morrison planned to go somewhere near Abala or intended to change the destination after they set out.

"I’d prefer if there were no more questions. We plan to leave in two hours. Is that acceptable?"

Morrison's tone, expression, and words were filled with the confidence of someone who had the backing of an intelligence bureau.

Sharlan’s gaze sharpened, but it seemed he had no other option.

"I’ll get the men ready," Sharlan replied.

The conversation ended there. Morrison and his group walked over to their designated tent while Kang Chan headed to Sharlan's tent.

"I need a map of Abala," Kang Chan said.

Without a word, Sharlan took a map from a nearby table and handed it to Kang Chan. It looked as though Sharlan wanted to say something, but he let out an uneasy breath and remained silent. When Kang Chan returned to his tent, the soldiers had already gathered around the table, waiting.

"Seems like we’re heading to Abala,” Kang Chan said as he spread the map out on the table. "The path looks like this, but they’ll likely change destinations midway. Éiric, I want you to take point. Mazani, you and Dayeru will cover the rear."

"Oui."

"Gérard, you’ll walk with the researchers. If the situation changes, follow my instructions and keep them under control."

"Oui."

Kang Chan looked at the soldiers. "The mission to reclaim the runway was unusually easy, which probably means this one won’t be. Stay alert and be prepared for anything."

After a few low murmurs of agreement, the briefing promptly ended. Two hours would pass quickly, but it was just enough time for them to check their weapons once more and have a cigarette.

Two hours later, the researchers emerged from their tent. Instead of looking rested, they looked more like they had just finished a discussion.

It’s an order from an intelligence bureau, after all. Those people always seem to be involved in secretive affairs or trying to hide what they're up to.

Kang Chan and his soldiers headed to the truck parked on one side of the runway. As they climbed into the truck, the researchers boarded two jeeps.

Vroom! Vroom! Vroooom!

It was way too late in the day to be heading to Abala.