When I Opened My Eyes, I Was in the Middle of the Battlefield

By the time you pack your equipment and set it up.

The person who was paying close attention walked out.

Not only me, but all the team members were looking at him as if they were conscious.

A black man wearing a desert-colored combat uniform and a beret that does not match the green rainforest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

He greeted Jake, then opened his mouth as he looked around us.

“Nice to meet you, G&G Task Force. I am Yusuf Ndermang.”

An African form of a surname in an Islamic name.

It was a statement that matched the appearance, but after that, an unwelcome word was heard.

“I greet you as a Barkhan operator dispatched from the Legion et Rangers (French Foreign Legion)… … .”

“Wait a minute, you mean Balkan?”

Jose was the first to ask, and he probably didn’t mean it because he didn’t know what it meant.

No, I couldn’t have known.

I studied a little before coming to Africa, but it was a word I heard many times from military personnel and mercenaries I often came into contact with.

France’s campaign to eradicate extremist Islam in the Sahara region.

That too was now in its 10th year.

In other words, it is a difficult problem that France has not been able to solve even after 10 years of pushing thousands of soldiers and signing agreements with neighboring African countries.

In a word, it was hard work, and it was also said that our Charlie team had to work hard.

And like the other missions, it was a material that didn’t exist in the game.

‘Ah, I have a feeling that this will be tough for some reason… … .’

Just as a line of thoughts came to mind, Yusuf’s voice continued.

“The Balkan Operation you know is correct.”

“Oh, damn it. To have to deal with crazy Muslims in Al Jamash, in Camarnia, and also in Africa… … .”

Jose spat out words like a sigh.

My thoughts were the same, so I shook my head.

Are you a Muslim again?

Harry’s voice was heard as he sighed.

“Barkhan, you mean that operation in the Sahel? Then, where is the area of operation?”

“Oh, I meant to say that. It is Burkina Faso.”

Rachel, who had been quiet at those words, also reacted.

“It is a dangerous place.”

“what… How dangerous is it?”

When I reflexively asked, Rachel replied as if there was no need to worry.

“The front line is the most vulnerable in the Sahel region where Operation Barkan is underway.”

“ah… … .”

By the time you realize something you didn’t know before.

Jake raised his voice as if to clear things up.

“Nderman, please explain further.”

“Ahh… all right. Shall we start by looking at the map?”

At the same time, Yusuf unfolded a map of the Sahel region, explained the location of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, the capital, and the French mission, as well as the size of the French Foreign Legion and the French Marine Special Forces.

And quickly folded the map and asked.

“This is all for now, but before we leave, do you have any questions?”

“Can we hear about the operation locally?”

I asked just in case, and the answer was yes.

“That’s right. Due to security reasons, I also did not receive all information. As soon as we arrive at the site, we will check it out and spread it right away.”

“Then what… I must go soon.”

“Yes, I will move.”

After Yusuf’s words, I left the hotel.

It was leaving again after three days of operations with Israel in the Central African Republic.

However, the road was longer and more difficult.

The waiting time increased, the flight time increased several times, and the sights I faced after arriving were very different from Congo.

I saw more ocher than blue green.

It was said that some desertification was underway due to the influence of the Sahel region, and it seemed that it could be seen with the naked eye.

There were even more flat lands, and there were no high-rise buildings, so the desertification seemed worse.

Other than that, life was similar to Congo.

“It’s just as hot… … .”

After carrying a heavy bag on the back in the weather where self-talk comes out.

After taking over the guns and ammunition that arrived before us, we got into the vehicle and moved according to Yusuf’s guidance.

The destination is the Balkan Operator Unit.

It didn’t take long to move.

It was because the country itself was not that big compared to the countries we stayed in.

Slightly larger than the Korean Peninsula.

It was also a large size, but recently, since I was in a big country, the sense of distance had changed and it looked very small.

100 to 200 km felt close, and 300 to 400 km seemed not too far.

It was not unfamiliar to travel all day by car.

A laugh came out at the same time.

It was because it was a huge change when I recalled life in Al Jamash, which was thought to be over 100 km away.

‘Have you fully adapted now… … .’

Around the time I let go of my thoughts like that.

The speed of the vehicle slowed down before I knew it, and passed the barricade and iron gate in front of the unit.

As I looked out the car window, I heard Yusuf’s voice.

Nothing special.

A brief description of the current situation in Ouagadougou.

But it wasn’t a good thing to listen to quietly.

He pointed out a few incidents and terrorism that had been happening for a long time, and it was because the damage was considerable.

The same goes for what follows.

“… Still, there has been no major terrorism in the past three months due to the increase in sweeping operations and the military’s regional control.”

At first glance, it was a word that could be overlooked, but the words that came after it couldn’t.

big terror.

It was mainly because it meant mass casualties or coups that would be reported on the news.

Ordinary robbery murders, rapes, arson, IED removal, and the killing of attempted terrorists were relatively common and would not have been included.

I knew it well because I had already experienced a similar situation in Congo.

And all of Africa is like that.

It was dangerous not just in the Congo or here, but in general.

In countries with a large number of Muslims, extremists caused terror, while in non-Muslims, rebels or militias ran wild.

Security was also safe when foreign troops such as the French army, the UN forces, or mercenaries, were in charge of the multinational coalition.

It was truly an asari plate.

It’s the same here as it is one of those countries, but I couldn’t see it in the same line.

As Rachel said, it was the most vulnerable country on the Balkan Front.

It wouldn’t be easy seeing as the allowance was given more than before.

Obviously seriously dangerous or difficult.

While I was putting my thoughts aside, the car stopped and I heard Yusuf’s voice from the front seat.

“Everything has arrived.”

* * *

For a moment, I thought it was fortunate that the command and control room had air conditioning.

I stopped at Yusuf’s words.

“… First, the operation is scheduled for tonight. It was decided because it was an easy time for penetration, but if G&G wants, you can go earlier.”

That was a very bad sound.

It’s only been an hour since we arrived in Burkina Faso.

Even now it was afternoon, not morning.

If it’s after the sun goes down, it means that there are several hours left.

Compared to the 40 minutes I heard in the Central African Republic, I had a lot of time, but I couldn’t say it was good.

It was because the travel distance was different from there.

About 2-3 times longer distance.

The level of fatigue accumulated was different, and the environment was very different from that of the rainforest.

A yellow land where desertification is in progress.

Just when I thought it wouldn’t be easy, I heard José’s muttering.

“Seeing you say that kind of thing proudly first, I can’t even imagine how f*cked up the operation without mentioning will be… … ?”

I nodded my head at the right words, but Jake, who listened together, answered calmly.

“I will rest for a while and then go to the scheduled night. How is the operation going?”

As expected, a true leader-like calm mind.

Yusuf’s explanation continued while he nodded his head in confidence.

“First of all, let me tell you about the current situation… Several strongholds where high-ranking jihadist (Islamic extremist) officials may be located… So, I’ve picked out some precision hit points, but I haven’t finalized them yet because they’re not accurate. We continue to operate drones and collect wiretapping and human intelligence (human intelligence) information, but it’s uncertain… … .”

Talking seemed to be looking at us for some reason.

Compared to the time when he calmly said that there was no big terror, he looked completely different.

I also knew why.

The words that follow will not be very good.

And I guessed enough.

While the other members of the team seemed to be the same, their expressions blurred.

Yusuf’s mouth, which had been closed for a moment, opened.

“… You have to infiltrate, see visually, and request bombing. It also needs to be done as quickly as possible. Because the enemy has a variable to move… … .”

It wasn’t for nothing that I stopped talking.

It was worth it.

It was a difficult and dangerous job to go all the way to the enemy camp and induce the bombing before leaving.

At the same time, I understood why they were giving me this.

If it was something to be done in the first place, the French Foreign Legion dispatched to the field would have solved it right away.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have hired a mercenary with expensive money.

‘If it’s enough to send someone to the Congo to bring it back, it must have been called after knowing the history. Above, the State Department and the Foreign Cooperation Bureau also saw the show and said okay, so the order must have come down… … .’

To some extent, the puzzle fit.

I had guessed since the amount was ridiculously large, so there was nothing to be surprised about.

Around this time, I was shaking my head alone.

“Bombing all candidate sites would be the best option, but it doesn’t seem like a cost issue… Why not?”

Harry raised his voice.

I just thought there must be a reason, but Yusuf opened his mouth as if he expected it.

“It seems that he has learned from the air raid damage… The jihadists have set a trap.”

“If it’s a trap… … .”

Just when I was thinking about something, Rachel spoke first.

“Looks like there are civilians or hostages at the bombing site, right?”

“ah… Yes, it is. Those are camouflage bases where only women and children are gathered… It is a place that is mainly used as a communal facility such as a school in the village.”

It was a gut-wrenching sound.

If you make a mistake, it will be reported that you attacked the school and killed the children.

It was clear that this was not a simple mistake or a fault that could be compensated for, but would be recorded as one of the leading massacres and war crimes in Africa.

“Oh, damn… … .”

While José was swearing, perhaps imagining the bombing.

Jake asked in a grim voice as if calling attention.

“In conclusion, it is said that we may have to conduct several infiltration operations. How many candidate locations are there in total?”

“We narrowed it down to 4 points out of a total of 9 points.”

“Is it possible that he mixed with civilians?”

“As of now, none.”

Then, Yusuf pointed to the aerial map and continued.

“Each branch is here… It is marked with a red cross.”

So I quickly scanned the places he said, but it was not very good.

The distance between each point ranged from a maximum of several tens of kilometers to a minimum of several kilometers, and it was because they had to move somewhat busily to move all night.

It’s probably because it’s an unpaved road, so the vehicle won’t even be able to speed up, and you’ll have to get off and move at a distance.

As I watched, my self-talk came out.

“… This is a bit tight.”

“It’s a really f*cking operation rather than tight.”

As José added, Yusuf, who was listening, also opened his mouth as if he knew.

“… So we brought you guys. Rumors abounded that he had an outstanding record in Congo, and in neighboring countries.

“no… To slaughter, butcher?”

When I asked back at the unexpected words, he looked straight at me and said.

“Yes, I meant Asians rather than all mercenaries… I’m probably referring to you, Lee.”

“ah… … .”

While I can’t even answer.

Shortly thereafter, talk followed.

“In that respect, I hope you take good care of this operation.”