Chapter 8: Operation Enigma (1)
Day 05 Jan 2044.
While Aris savored a hearty dinner with her father, enjoying the rich flavors of freshly cooked deer meat in their cozy cottage, a critical briefing was unfolding halfway across the world in the depths of Africa.
The warmth of the meal and the comfort of her father's presence were a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere inside a massive tent at a makeshift army camp. High-ranking officials from various African countries had gathered, their faces grim and resolute, to address a dire crisis that had thrown the continent into chaos.
"Lieutenant Kwame Zeechi, please state your report."
Inside a massive tent around forty individuals sat at a round table, their faces etched with concern as they discussed the disaster that had befallen the continent.
The huge forest!
Overnight, colossal, alien trees had taken over more than one-third of the African continent. Entire countries had disappeared into the jungle without a trace, and thousands of lives had been lost, cut off from the outside world. The men present, representing multiple African nations, were compelled to collaborate.
All eyes turned anxiously to Lieutenant Kwame Zeechi.
"Yes, sir!"
Kwame stood upright, his black hair shaved according to army regulations, his thin, masculine face marked by a scar running from below his right eyebrow to his left nostril. His bright, watchful eyes surveyed his superiors.
"Unfortunately, I don't have good news, sir! The trees cannot be cut down. We've tried everything, but no firearm has been able to leave a scratch, not even heavy artillery!"
The generals held their breath, tense. They had never faced such a bizarre situation. Indeed, it would be ridiculous to think that anyone in the world was prepared for this. Now, they had only one option left: to send more soldiers into the forest to search for the lost cities.
"Moreover, all the men we sent in have not returned," Kwame continued, his voice heavy. "We lost contact with them the moment they entered the forest! The mission was supposed to last half a day, but given the lack of response, we have considered that the squads were wiped out."
The room erupted into chaos.
Generals became frantic, their voices a whirlwind of incredulous exclamations and frantic discussions. They had sent over a thousand heavily armed soldiers, complete with vehicles, and all had vanished?
Whatever was in that forest, it was beyond terrifying. No one could claim to understand it. Perhaps it wasn't even from Earth!
"Silence! Everyone calm down!" commanded a cold-blooded general.
When the room quieted, he continued.
"I have just secured an agreement with the Robotics Alliance. They will be providing us with thirteen high-end, newly developed armored suits. These should be sufficient to get a squad inside that forest and uncover what's happening."
The room buzzed with cautious optimism. The Robotics Alliance was the largest technology company on the planet, known for its cutting-edge military and civilian technologies. Their equipment was worth millions, something these generals could hardly afford. The fact that the Alliance was involved hinted at hidden motives, but the generals chose not to voice their concerns.
"Lieutenant Kwame Zeechi, you will gather twelve of our best men and lead them on this mission. You must succeed before other countries attempt to intervene. Understood?" The old general's voice was stern and unwavering.
"Yes, sir!" Kwame saluted sharply.
"Proceed immediately. We await your good news tomorrow!"
*********
In another tent, much smaller than the one where the meeting had just taken place, two men lay on their makeshift mattresses. One of them was cleaning his gun while the other read an old, weathered book.
On the cover it was written: Bull Body Cultivation Technique.
"Oh c'mon Zander, why are you still reading this sh*t? I didn't think you'd be so stupid to believe in a magical book or whatever they call it." Joked the man who was cleaning his weapon. He had shaved hair like all soldiers in the army, big lips and a wide nose.His dark skin accentuated his playful white-toothed smile.
"Why do you have to be so cynical, Schalk?" Zander ignored his friend's smile. "I can really feel it: this book is making me stronger!"
"Stronger? Ha! It's making you dumber, I'd say," Schalk chuckled. "Why don't you sell that thing? It's worth thousands of dollars! With that money, you could be far away from here, maybe even start paying for your daughter's medication!"
Zander sighed, shaking his head. "That's because I'm sure that, with this book, I can achieve way more than by selling it… More than just escaping this place." Zander noticed the skeptical look on his friend's face. Determined to prove his point, he got up from the bed and prepared to punch the floor. "Doubt it? I'll show you then!"
However, before he could do anything the tent door flung open.
"Zander, Schalk. You've been selected for a mission tomorrow." A strong man entered without warning, stating his demands. He bore a scar that ran just below his right eyebrow and ended at his left nostril. Moreover, he carried two big sacks on each of his shoulders.
"Yes, sir!" They quickly saluted the lieutenant.
"I'm the leader of this new squad and we'll be entering the forest tomorrow morning. From now on, you will only answer to me. Understood!?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Okay. Now, I have some presents for you." Without warning, he threw the two large packages at them. "This is the Robotics Alliance's newest armor; they call it Project Alpha."
Taken by surprise, they almost fell backward from the weight of the sacks.
"Wear this for the mission tomorrow!" Lieutenant Zeechi turned around and left, leaving both soldiers wide-eyed.
The two looked at each other with understanding: tomorrow their lives would be at stake.Schalk's skepticism and Zander's unwavering belief in the mysterious book momentarily faded into insignificance as the weight of the impending mission settled upon them.
**********
The day after,
The sun rose in the east but its feeble attempt to shine was thwarted by the towering canopy of the colossal trees that loomed over the army camp. Their dense foliage cast long, ominous shadows that stretched across the clearing, cloaking the scene in an eerie half-light. The air itself seemed heavy with foreboding, as if the very atmosphere held the weight of the unknown and the lost.
The absence of the soldiers who had ventured into the forest before weighed heavily on everyone's minds. Thousands of brave men, now presumed dead, their fate a grim reminder of the peril that awaited any who dared to penetrate the mysterious jungle. The murmurs among the remaining troops spoke of uncertainty and apprehension about this alien sight.
But there was still hope: On the east side of the camp, a new squad had been formed.
Among the group, Zander and Schalk were equipped with their newest armor suit: Project Alfa.
The armor was made of an unknown mixture of metals, malleable but extremely resistant. The stark black metal covered its entire body and was said to be able to withstand high caliber bullets. Even with all the technology built into the suit - which reminded them of Iron Man - the armor was easy to master, acting more like a shell that didn't restrict their movements.
At the front of the group, Lieutenant Zeechi explained the mission and its main objective.
"This is a reconnaissance mission! We are going to scout the forest and understand what is happening inside." The lieutenant then pointed to his helmet. "This suit is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and cameras that shoot in 8k. Anything different that you see, report it. Even if it's an ant, understood?"
"Yes, sir!" they spoke in unison.
"Now turn on the cameras in your helmets. This mission is called Operation Enigma! Remember, we don't know if we'll be alone in the forest! Pair up and stay alert!"
Zeechi took a deep breath and addressed his squad with a steady, powerful voice.
"Listen up, everyone. What we're about to do isn't just for us or our families back home. It's for every person on this planet. We've been trained to handle the unknown, to face fear head-on. Our courage, our determination, and our unity will guide us through this. History is watching us. Let's show the world that we are ready to protect it. Not just the future of our families, but perhaps the future of the entire Earth rests on our shoulders. Let's go!"
"Yes, sir!"
They had trained hard for a moment where they could put their names in history. And so, they ventured into the mysterious forest with nothing but hope in their eyes—and their machine guns, of course.
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