Chapter 1: New objectives
July 5th 2007, 43rd Paratrooper Regiment headquarters in Chrudim, Czechia
Michael and Abigail walked inside the office, they've been assigned. Mikaela and Adam were already waiting for them. Mikaela said: "Well hello our beautiful lovebirds. Welcome to our office. First lieutenants." Adam said: "Congratulations on completing all the courses, even the commando one. That's highly respectable. You Abigail are actually second woman in history to have completed that course. First of course being my girl Mikaela." Mikaela blushed and smiled, but then the commander entered the room. "Greetings officers. I see, you've already gotten acquainted." Mikaela said: "We're friends since highschool." The others nodded. The commander continued: "Yes, that's why I've put you together. Now as you know, our Norwegian friends from Jegerntroppen have returned from Afghanistan and their commander, colonel Stjerne, wanted to speak to you. I have also received call from colonel al-Durr of the QRFT. I'm leaving the situation to you." And he left.
Michael immediately dialed Astrid's number and called: "Colonel Astrid Stjerne, Jegerntroppen, Norwegian armed forces, what can I do for you?" "First lieutenant Michael Cherry, 43rd Paratrooper Regiment, Army of the Czech republic, permission to speak?" "Oh great, are first lieutenants Hruby and Kameronova there as well?" "Yes, they're listening right here and by the way, it's first lieutenant Hruba now." Adam and Mikaela both said: "Greetings." Astrid and Michael continued: "Good, so I wanted to talk to you about the militia, we contacted in Afghanistan. They said, they have Intel on Taliban supply lines." "Continue." "Well, we didn't have the time to ask, because our base has been attacked and we had to go back, but they told us, that we can send anyone there and they'll cooperate. Assemble some teams and go there, I've already sent you the coordinates." "Great, thank you very much colonel."
Michael hung up and turned to the others. "So, you've heard the woman. Any ideas? Who would like to go?" Mikaela said: "Well, we must assume, that those militants cannot speak English, so I'll have to go as a translator from Persian to Czech." Adam immediately added: "Well then, I'm going too. I'm not letting you go to a such a dangerous place alone. The worry would be unbearable." Abigail said: "How many people should go?" Michael said: "Let me think. We have to keep a low profile, so not more than 20 people. That's 2 squads and at least 2 officers have to stay here, so me and Abigail are staying and you two go. It'll be for the better as you're more experienced." Everyone nodded. Mikaela and Adam went to speak with the commander, while Michael and Abigail stayed and Michael dialed Farah's number.
"Colonel Farah al-Durr, QRFT, Jordanian armed forces, assalamualaikum, how can I help you?" "Assalamualaikum, first lieutenant Michael Cherry, 43rd Paratrooper Regiment, Army of the Czech republic, permission to speak?" "Michael? You've finished your courses?" "Of course, and now I'm serving in the same unit with my amazing now wife and my best friends." "Well congratulations, you've grown into a great man, just like your dad." "Thank you very much, but why did you call our headquarters?" "Well, we have a new situation on our hands. Have you seen the news?" "Palestinians?" "Yes, we managed to repel their attacks and our government has ordered the army to invade Palestine and establish a new government there, that'll deradicalize the population, so no more terrorists come from that land. They have also attacked Israel, no surprise, and have taken some 20 female soldiers hostage." "How's that possible? Isn't the Israeli army one of the most capable on the planet?" "Yes and the Israeli authorities have already found and fired the officers responsible. Apparently, some officers didn't take the warnings from the soldiers, who were kidnapped seriously, because they were young women freshly out of training." "So it was just regular sexism." "Yes and it cost many Israeli civilians' lives and, as we know, female soldiers sold for high prices into Albania." "You think, they have already sold them?" "Yes, because our army has rescued all the other people imprisoned in Palestine and not a single female soldier among them." "Understood. Do you have the permission to enter Albania already?" "No, but this has to convince them. Israel is a powerful country and a nuclear superpower. The meeting will take place tomorrow. I wanted to ask you, if you could join." "Of course. Me and Abigail will join you. Allah be with you." "Inshallah." They hung up.
Abigail asked: "Why did you use Muslim greetings? You're atheist right?" Michael answered: "I did it simply out of respect. Although, I don't believe in any God specifically, I do believe, that there is some sort of higher power there, that's beyond our understanding. I think, I've told you that a long time ago." Abigail said: "Yes, I know you told me, it's just, it caught me a bit off guard that's all." Michael said: "Great, now let's get to that meeting." And they went to the commander. On the way there, they met Adam and Mikaela as they were assembling the squads to go to Afghanistan. After talking with the commander, they went home, where they took off their officer caps and exchanged them for red berets. Abigail also put on some soft makeup. They then drove to the airport, where a small plane was already waiting for them to take them to Amman, the capital city of Jordan.
