Bab 28: Chapter 28: March in the Shadows
The night descended, blanketing the plains in thick darkness. For Boyka and Moyo, the obscurity was not a hindrance but a trusted ally—one they had long learned to navigate and respect. While the night offered a fragile peace, it also demanded vigilance, for the shadows were no stranger to betrayal.
Boyka stirred first, his instincts sharp and restless. "Get up, everyone," he called out in a low but commanding voice. His tone was firm yet cautious, as if the very air around them might betray their presence.
Moyo groaned, rolling over with an irritated expression. "Why do you always ruin my sleep?" he muttered, his voice laced with playful annoyance.
"You fool," Boyka retorted with a smirk. "It was your idea for us to leave under the cover of darkness. Have you already forgotten your own plan?"
Moyo chuckled, rubbing his eyes as he sat up. "You're right, my friend. Fair enough." He turned to the group of refugees, his tone now serious. "Alright, everyone, it's time to move. Follow my lead—I know this terrain better than anyone else."
Boyka nodded in agreement. "You heard the man," he said. "Let's move out. Stay close, stay quiet, and stay sharp."
The group gathered their meager belongings and began their march into the abyss of night. The stars above provided little light, but it was enough for those who had trained their senses to thrive in the dark.
---
As they walked, Boyka's mind drifted into reflection. He kept his eyes scanning their surroundings, but his thoughts churned like a restless tide. Nothing in life is guaranteed, he mused silently. We live, we die. We work hard, and yet we rely on nature's unpredictable graces to shape our fate. But is it truly nature, or is it us?
He pondered further, his internal monologue growing more intense with each step. Destiny—what a foolish notion. I don't believe in it. Life is not predetermined. Every step we take, every choice we make, we carve our own path. Every occurrence—whether good or bad—is simply the consequence of our actions. Nothing more, nothing less.
Lost in thought, Boyka barely noticed the sharp glance Moyo threw his way. His friend had an uncanny ability to sense the turmoil in his soul.
"Boyka," Moyo called softly, breaking the silence. "What's wrong?"
Boyka glanced at him but said nothing.
"You need to stay sharp," Moyo continued. "Whatever's going on in your head, push it aside. The world is watching, and the darkness hides more than shadows. You have me, brother. Together, we'll overcome all of this. As brothers, nothing can stop us."
A faint smile crossed Boyka's lips. Moyo's words, though simple, were grounding. "Thank you, brother," he said. "I trust you with my life."
"Good," Moyo replied, clapping him on the shoulder. "Now let's keep moving."
---
The group pressed forward, their footsteps muffled against the soft earth. The silence of the plains was broken only by the occasional rustle of the wind. Suddenly, Boyka raised a hand, signaling for everyone to halt.
"Wait," he whispered, his voice barely audible. His sharp eyes scanned the horizon. "I can sense something."
Everyone froze, their breathing shallow. In the distance, faint but unmistakable, came the sound of boots crunching against the ground in unison. Soldiers.
"Abbadon's forces," Moyo muttered, his jaw tightening.
The group quickly took cover behind the sparse vegetation and uneven terrain. Boyka and Moyo exchanged a glance, their unspoken understanding clear.
Moyo leaned in close. "We have to do something. There's a military base not far from here—I spotted it during our march. If we can take it over and hijack one of their aircraft, we can get these people out of here."
Boyka nodded, his mind already racing with possibilities. "You're right. But we can't risk a direct approach. The only way to get close is through a surprise attack."
"Agreed," Moyo said. "We don't have the numbers, but we have the element of surprise."
Boyka turned to the group. "Stay here and keep low. Moyo and I will handle this."
The refugees nodded, their faces pale with fear but filled with trust.
---
Boyka and Moyo moved swiftly and silently, their bodies low to the ground as they approached the base. The structure loomed in the darkness, its perimeter lit by sporadic floodlights. Soldiers patrolled the area, their movements methodical but not overly cautious—clearly, they hadn't anticipated an attack.
The two men crouched behind a cluster of boulders, surveying the scene.
"There are about twenty guards," Moyo whispered. "Most of them are stationed at the gates and the perimeter. If we can take out the sentries on the north side, we'll have a clear path to the aircraft hangar."
"Let's move," Boyka said, his voice steady.
They checked their weapons, ensuring their magazines were full. Each click of a chamber being loaded echoed in their ears, a stark reminder of what was at stake.
The first sentry fell silently, a blade to his throat before he could utter a sound. Boyka dragged the body into the shadows, his movements swift and precise. Moyo took out the next, a quick strike with the butt of his rifle knocking the guard unconscious.
They continued their advance, eliminating the guards one by one until the northern perimeter was clear.
"We're in," Boyka whispered.
The hangar loomed ahead, its metal doors slightly ajar. Inside, they could see the silhouettes of two aircraft.
"We need to move fast," Moyo said.
They slipped inside the hangar, their weapons raised. The dimly lit interior was eerily quiet. As they approached the nearest aircraft, a voice rang out behind them.
"Stop right there!"
Boyka and Moyo spun around to see three soldiers, their weapons trained on them.
"Looks like we've been spotted," Boyka muttered.
"Yeah," Moyo said with a smirk. "But we're not going down without a fight."
Without hesitation, the two men opened fire, their bullets finding their marks with deadly precision. The gunfire echoed through the hangar, shattering the silence.
The skirmish was brief but brutal. As the last soldier fell, Boyka and Moyo quickly boarded the aircraft.
"Can you fly this thing?" Boyka asked, his tone half-joking.
"Of course," Moyo replied, flipping switches and pulling levers with practiced ease. "Let's get the others and get out of here."
The aircraft roared to life, its engines drowning out the sound of approaching reinforcements.
"Hold on," Moyo said, a grin spreading across his face. "This is going to be a bumpy ride."
Boyka chuckled, his adrenaline surging. "Just don't get us killed."
The aircraft lifted off the ground, rising into the night sky. Below, Abbadon's forces scrambled, their shouts lost in the roar of the engines.
As they soared into the darkness, Boyka turned to Moyo. "We did it. But this is just the beginning."
Moyo nodded, his expression grim but determined. "You're right, brother. The real fight is yet to come."
And with that, they disappeared into the shadows, their resolve burning brighter than ever.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone