Chapter Three
Operation Daimyo
Ar Rutbah District
Al-Anbar Province, Iraq
Private Echelon Corporation Al Anbar Branch Office
Officer Room
November 6, 2004
2201 hour
A digital clock in the camp shows 22:01 on its screen. The weather outside is cold, in harmony with the darkness around the base. Sounds of reconnaissance helicopters fly back and forth are heard near the helipad site while below them ninjas guard the camp's interior from visible and unseen positions while local Iraqi security guards patrol the main entrance checkpoint and outer perimeter and the base's outer walls. In the middle of the camp, there is a jersey wall fortified cottage used as meeting place. Light radiates from its window. A man is staring at outside from its window. " You haven't slept?" Shiori unintentionally finds Nate pondering while looking outside when she returns to in the meeting room to retrieve documents. Nate responds her calling by turning at Shiori. " I have things to think about. We will be on the most dangerous task within my career tomorrow. In spite of it, I consider the task is compatible with our nature." Answers Nate. He retorts. " Weren't our predecessors were sent by their Lords to assassinate enemies'? What difference would be found there within our incoming task?" Nate is a descendant of Iga ninjas from former Iga province in Japan while Shiori is of Koga. Then she suddenly asks, " Do you fear, Nate? You look different than usual." She immediately gasps and holds her mouth. " Gomennasai.. I don't mean to.. I shouldn't have asked that.. I was to audacious.." Nate looks at Shiori." It's alright. I admit I do. One of my concern is that I don't want to lose you." Hearing that, Shiori is embarrassed and looks downside deeply, " I'm sorry.." Nate approaches Shiori then replies, " It's alright. I am able to control my fear as usual. Thank you for listening. It helps me much that I have confided you about that." Shiori then encourages Nate, " Nate, do you know? You're kindhearted. People view us ninjas as heartless and cold blooded assassins but you break such image. " Nate is silent then comments, " Most of our jobs have such facade. No wonder that's the way the masses view us." Nate rises from his stance and persuades Shiori, " Go have some rest. You'll need that for tomorrow." Shiori replies then, " Yes, sir." but suddenly she turns and speaks in sweet tone, " Don't worry, Nate, I'll do my best." Nate smiles and replies, " You always do more than you are asked." She smiles happily hearing Nate's praise then leaves the room. Nate walks to the door, switches off the light's switch then goes outside. Two ninja sentries closes and locks the door.
Ar Rutbah District
Al-Anbar Province, Iraq
Private Echelon Corporation Al Anbar Branch Office
Officer Room
September 7, 2004
0600 hour
Three unmasked heavily armed men and women in the black ninja battledress carrying a laptop and a briefcase walk to an armed black Mi-8 helicopter on the cold windy morning. Two desert camouflaged Mil-35 gunships with rotating rotors are parked beside them. Near the Mi-8's opened door an air crew in one - piece black air crew uniform that resembles a mechanic one stands. When Nate walks near him, the man bows and greets, ' Good morning, sir!" replied with Nate's nod and replies, ' Good morning!". Behind Nate, Shiori and two other ninjas follow. The party then boards the helicopter. The waiting air crew enters the door and closes it. The Mi-8 and the two Mi-35 hover and fly northeast of Ar Rutbah.
Inside the passenger Mi-8 compartment, Nate, Shiori, the other two ninjas and an air crew sit on the two parallel long passenger benches on both interior sides of the helicopter. Silence engulf the compartment. Below them, a view of light brown square suburban and cities buildings are spread out.
In order to recapture the city of Fallujah from insurgent hands and put their insurgency activities to the end, coalition forces of US, British and Iraqi Government stage an operation codenamed Operation Phantom Fury or known by Iraqis as Operation Al Fajr within Al Anbar Campaign. The contest over the city will be held that night. Coalition forces staging area in Northern Fallujah now become the busiest place in Al - Anbar. Tents, berms with coalition infantry taking cover behind them in firing position, tanks, armored vehicles, crates piled up, flying helicopters are one may see in that place. Suddenly, three unmarked Russian built helicopters appear. They eventually land on a long helipad and alert US marine personnel nearby. Their rotors are still rotating when the transport Mi-8's left door slides to the right. A stair is set from inside. An air crew emerges and stands himself on left side of the stair. Nate and his subordinates appear from the door and walk down the stair. His presence prompts the air crew to bow at him until he has passed him. That scenery draws attention all marines nearby. They fix eyes at the helicopter and the four ninjas. The Marines begin to ask among themselves. Words such as " Who are they?", " What is that?", " They look like ninjas.", " Which country's troops are they?" arise. The only people not surprised of their coming is only Major General Natonski and his colleagues among them are British and Iraqi officers. They, preceded by General Natonski greet the ninjas. " You come early today, Mr. Kato. Let's get inside the tent to hear your story." Nate answers with a smile.
A large rectangular camouflaged tent fortified far west from the helipad complex with hesco bastion around to protect it against mortar attack and its top layer covered with tan camouflage net is used as a makeshift meeting room. Two sentries are posted its entry. The officers except General Natonski accompanied by his adjutant and ninjas immediately seek their own seat within the five rowed and four columned benches. A wide board hanged on its tripod is raised at the front of the tent space in. On the inside, Major General Natonski, General Mattis, Brigadier General Cowan from British armed forces as well General Natonski's officers and two Iraqi army generals are present. Seeing all has gathered, General Natonski orders his sentries to close the tent and begins his briefing and asks Nate to move to the front, " Good morning, gentlemen, most of you have met Mr. kato before." Nate bows at the attending officers. " Mr. Kato, this is Lieutenant General Fadel Al Habash and General Hisham Farrakhan, from Iraqi 36th Commando." Nate bows slightly and greets them politely, " Salam!" Which is replied by the Iraqi generals, " Salam!". General Natonski points to start the briefing, " As I have confided in our last conference, Mr. Kato and his forces will commence an operation to kill or capture Hassan Fakhir Al-Saleh this evening. Mr. Kato, we would like to hear your plan."
Shiori and the two ninjas set up the laptop they carry. A transparent slide that depicts lines and forms that represents Fallujah city streets and buildings appears on the board. Nate opens the presentation, " Good morning, gentlemen. This evening, ten ninja fireteam comprised of four each will infiltrate Fallujah city and raid Al - Saleh's stronghold, an abandoned former Iraqi army garrison by rallying from several buffer points inside the city within an Operation codenamed Operation Daimyo, or Operation Lord in English to capture or kill Hassan Fakhir Al-Saleh, one of Abu Musab Al - Zarqawi's lieutenant and acquire intelligence information about Al - Zarqawi. According to updated intelligence information, the stronghold is occupied by thirty five Al Zarqawi's Death Squad Brigade members whose most members are foreign fighters." Nate points at the forms and lines that appear on the board to describe his buffer points, route and the targeted building. " I will lead the operation myself. My second in command, Samuel Nakajima, my trusted head of ninjas, will act as my second in command and lead the operation when transfer of command is needed. My fireteam will infiltrate the city through the euphrate rivers. Once my fireteam reaches Al - Saleh's stronghold, I will give my men a signal to commence the raid. Our objectives are: First, to kill or capture Hassan Fakhir Al - Saleh; Second, to obtain intelligence information about Al -Zarqawi and his organization; Third, to locate and liberate Coalition and Iraqi missing personnel. Once we execute all objectives, we will evacuate through Jurf Kas Sukr bridge on western Fallujah. The operation is estimated to take four hours."
Seeing Nate has finished his presentation, General Natonski then opens an inquiry session, " Thank you, Mr. Kato." Nate strafes to the right when General Natonski moves in front of the whiteboard. " Friends, do you have any question for Mr. Kato?" Addresses General Natonski to the other officers. Lt. General Al Habash raises his right hand. When General Natonski allows him to ask, he inquires in thick Iraqi accent, " How will your men rally to their base when they are separated from yours?" Nate answers politely, " First, our training indoctrinates us to act both in groups or individually, each fireteam is led by a Non - Comissioned Ninja Officer. The fireteam leaders themselves will determinate how they will find or fight their way out. Second, we are trained to adapt even in the strangest places unknown to us without map." The general continues, " And how you will extract?" Nate again answers, " According to our latest intelligence report, there are combat and civilian vehicles in full tank parked inside the stronghold's motorpool. We will capture and uses them." The general is satisfied with Nate's answers. The second man, Brigadier General Cowan raises his right hand then, when given permission, points, " Mr. Kato, you said about forty ninjas, so far from when your team disembarked from your helicopter until, now, I only see four including you, where are the other thirty six?" Nate politely answers, " They are already inside the city." The answer surprises General Cowan and other present officers. The night before, Nate orders thirty six ninjas led by Samuel ' Sam' Nakajima, his demolition and language expert to infiltrate the city to scout targets and wait until given signal by Nate. The ninjas enters the city in sneaky and audacious ways. From sneaking behind guards, disguising themselves as civilian to intentionally prey on unsuspecting militias around to capture their equipment and pose as their deceased enemies. They now blend with the city occupiers in many separated and scattered sites, waiting for the signal to unleash an unexpected raid at the stronghold inside the heavily guarded city. General Natonski is satisfied and shows favor to Nate, " Mr. kato, what can we do to assist your operation?" Nate answers, " General, my team will need a secured corridor as our extraction in the north as we may take prisoners and make our way out right to your base." General Natonski grants Nate's request, " We will provide you one." A Marine sentry who guards the meeting tent enters the room and reports to General Natonski, " Sir, a lieutenant brings you an important report and want to see you. The tall and slim Marine lieutenant enters the tent and faces the General, salutes him then delivers his report. " Sir, a patrol captured Al - Saleh's messenger. We also found a written message from Al - Saleh. He is under scrutiny on security guard post by now." Hearing that, Nate interrupts and pleads General Natonski, " Sir, if I am allowed, please let me see this man myself. We will try to extract information from him." General Natonski hesitates at first but then grants Nate request, " Alright, follow this man but you must report the results to me." Nate replies, ' I will, sir. You'll be the first man I'll tell." General Natonski then turns at the officers, " Friends, do you have any more question or something to tell? If not I'll dismiss this meeting." Everybody says no. General Natonski then closes the meeting, " Thank you for your attention. Remember that none of us that attended this meeting is allowed to leave this staging area and use personal cellphones as well military communication device without permission until the operation has been ended." Hearing this General Natonski gives Nate permission to leave the tent. Behind him, Shiori and two ninjas follow.
When Nate and his team enters the interrogation chamber, a makeshift one inside an abandoned small storage house, he sees a Syrian man in white t-shirt stained with sand and dirt and wears a pair of blue jeans pants whose hands are tied tightly behind by plastic handcuff and has his head covered with black hood without holes for eyes, mouth and nose sitting on a chair. In front of him, a square wooden table separates him from a questioning marine corporal who sits on his chair in front of him. A marine private walks around the table while his left palm is constantly tapped with a black expendable baton in his right hand. He has been under constant harsh questioning by the two Marine intelligence personnel but no signs of physical torment is seen yet. The man keeps quiet though rained by loud questions. His diaphragm moves up and down. Lieutenant Sanders introduces Nate to the two intelligence personnel, " Corporal, Private, this is Mr. Toshiyuki Kato. General Natonski's colleague. His team has been given permission to assist the interrogation of this insurgent." Nate and the two officers exchange salutation. Lieutenant Sanders then continues, " Corporal, private, assist this man whatever he needs." The two marines answers, " Yes, sir!". The Lieutenant then leaves the room and waits outside.
Nate then politely asks the marine corporal to let him sit on the corporal's chair, " Corporal, may I sit on your chair?" " Sure." Answers the corporal. Then Nate seats on the chair. He asks the corporal once again, " Corporal, please let me and my subordinates assist you in this interrogation." " Permission granted, sir." Says the corporal. " Private, please open this man's hood and translate what I say to this man." Asks Nate to the marine private. The marine draws the man's hood. The man in his late thirty gasps, once again breathes fresh air and can see his surroundings. But a new scenery awaits him. He sees a young black haired Asian man smiles in friendly fashion. His eyes watches directly into the Syrian man's exhausted eyes. When he turns his head right and left his sights reveals a petite unmasked kunoichi, a female ninja, and two masked ninjas , each on his right or left, in black battledress with swords slung on their backs as well the previously two interrogating marines standing near the wall on his left. The man feels he knows who is the Asian men sitting in front of him. Nate greets the captured messenger politely which is immediately translated by the corporal. " Good morning, sir. I am Executive Officer Toshiyuki Kato from Private Echelon Corporation. Please tell me your name then let me hear your story about the city's defense, Al - Saleh's compound and Al - Zarqawi's whereabout." The Syrian insurgent now trembles. He is quaked in fear. Now he is not doubt the man he is looking at is 'Al - Tous', the feared masked men 'warlord' whose 'invisible soldiers' mauled many of his superior's men. The messenger strengthen himself not to talk. He remains silent. Seeing it, Nate, in cool manner, speaks again to the messenger gently, " For me, not to introduce yourself after I have done myself is considered an insult. " The insurgent remains silent but now fears built up in his eyes. His face looks down. Nate then issues several photographs and spreads them on the table. A pictures of bloody dead bodies with various bladed weapon wounds are depicted. He forces the insurgent to look at the pictures. Nate continues, " They are important enemy figures in our previous missions. Including here." The photos shows various insurgents from around the world: guerrilla fighters, pirates and wanted war criminals. Nate shows the insurgent another frightening photo. " Do you recognize him?" The insurgent glances the photo and become shaken. The insurgent recognizes the bloody dead man whose body endured slashing wounds lying on ground in the picture. It is Amir, his missing Death Squad leader who was reportedly lost when he and his team were waiting to ambush a British high - ranking officer convoy at Ar Rutbah district. The picture drives the messenger's emotion wild, anger rouses in his heart. But that's what Nate has exactly been waiting for, to drive the messenger into emotional realm where it will surpass his logical reasoning. " Make it fast. It is of no use to strengthen yourself." Remarks Nate sharply. The Messenger's body trembles. It is not clear whether he intends to jump at the man in front of him or plead his life. He remains silent but Nate has seen that the man's defense is in the brink of breaking, he just needs to make a final onslaught psychological trick to break the man's defense. Nate then opens the silence, " Well, then, now you are proved to be useless for me except for a pleasure of instant justice performance. Trust me, I will make it to be quick and painless." he calmly confides the insurgent, " In the end of this, I tell you, you will end in the same way with your friends, lying lifelessly under unmarked graves." The messenger becomes frozen and stares at Nate. He knows what it means. " Maeda! Kim! Get rid of this man!" Orders Nate to the two ninjas. They surge forward and drags the man from his chair. The man struggles in trembling and rants. " What are you going to do?! What are you going to do?! You masked murderers!!!" Nate stands in front of the messenger. A ninja forces the insurgent to kneel and bend his back forward that prompts him in bowing position while his both hands tied behind. He pushes the insurgent from behind to keep him in the position. The another ninja moves to his right and unsheathes his medium sized straight bladed ninjato sword in full view of the terrified prisoner and standing with his sword positioned vertically, ready to be swung at the messenger's bare neck from his right side. The two marines around now begins to be anxious not sure for what to do. " Now!" Orders Nate. The ninja now braces himself to swing down his sword at the bare neck. The insurgents cries at the top of his voice in broken English, " Hold!! I will tell!!!" Tears flowing down from his eyes. " I will tell!! I will tell!! Spare my life!!" Nate speaks calmly, " Well, then let us know your stories." He also orders Shiori, " Shiori, records his story." The insurgent's story flows, " My name is Abu Amir.. Al - Saleh's adjutant. The city is heavily fortified with tunnels, trenches, spider holes, barriers, explosive booby traps inside buildings and IEDs (Improvised Explosive Device) hidden around. There are two thousands to four thousands insurgents inside the city, many of them are foreign fighters. Al - Saleh's compound is usually guarded by thirty five Death Squad Brigade members led by Abdullah Malouf, the compound area's security commander. All of them are not from Iraq." Nate asks again, " What about Al - Zarqawi? Where is he?" The two marines now give more attention. The insurgent answers Nate, " I don't know.. He hasn't been seen for days." Nate pushes him sharply, " Are you sure? Then where did you see him last?" The insurgent immediately insists, ' Yes, I really don't know. Here.. around al - Nazisa district a week ago accompanied by his bodyguards." Nate successfully deploy the mock execution trick as usual toward rebels and insurgents as he knows that they are likely to be lack of discipline . Nate then ends the interrogation. He thanks the two now relieved marines and leaves the storage house followed by his ninjas. Outside, General Natonski has been waiting. He then calls Nate, " How was it, Mr. Kato?" Nate answers, " This is for you, General." as he hands over the intelligence report written by Shiori.
License: Personal use and read only. Further usage requiring permission from author.
Three unmasked heavily armed men and women in the black ninja battledress carrying a laptop and a briefcase walk to an armed black Mi-8 helicopter on the cold windy morning. Two desert camouflaged Mil-35 gunships with rotating rotors are parked beside them. Near the Mi-8's opened door an air crew in one - piece black air crew uniform that resembles a mechanic one stands. When Nate walks near him, the man bows and greets, ' Good morning, sir!" replied with Nate's nod and replies, ' Good morning!". Behind Nate, Shiori and two other ninjas follow. The party then boards the helicopter. The waiting air crew enters the door and closes it. The Mi-8 and the two Mi-35 hover and fly northeast of Ar Rutbah.
Inside the passenger Mi-8 compartment, Nate, Shiori, the other two ninjas and an air crew sit on the two parallel long passenger benches on both interior sides of the helicopter. Silence engulf the compartment. Below them, a view of light brown square suburban and cities buildings are spread out.
Northern Fallujah
Al-Anbar Province, Iraq
Coalition Forces Staging Area
Coalition Forces Staging Area
Airfield
November 7, 2004
0814 hour
A large rectangular camouflaged tent fortified far west from the helipad complex with hesco bastion around to protect it against mortar attack and its top layer covered with tan camouflage net is used as a makeshift meeting room. Two sentries are posted its entry. The officers except General Natonski accompanied by his adjutant and ninjas immediately seek their own seat within the five rowed and four columned benches. A wide board hanged on its tripod is raised at the front of the tent space in. On the inside, Major General Natonski, General Mattis, Brigadier General Cowan from British armed forces as well General Natonski's officers and two Iraqi army generals are present. Seeing all has gathered, General Natonski orders his sentries to close the tent and begins his briefing and asks Nate to move to the front, " Good morning, gentlemen, most of you have met Mr. kato before." Nate bows at the attending officers. " Mr. Kato, this is Lieutenant General Fadel Al Habash and General Hisham Farrakhan, from Iraqi 36th Commando." Nate bows slightly and greets them politely, " Salam!" Which is replied by the Iraqi generals, " Salam!". General Natonski points to start the briefing, " As I have confided in our last conference, Mr. Kato and his forces will commence an operation to kill or capture Hassan Fakhir Al-Saleh this evening. Mr. Kato, we would like to hear your plan."
Shiori and the two ninjas set up the laptop they carry. A transparent slide that depicts lines and forms that represents Fallujah city streets and buildings appears on the board. Nate opens the presentation, " Good morning, gentlemen. This evening, ten ninja fireteam comprised of four each will infiltrate Fallujah city and raid Al - Saleh's stronghold, an abandoned former Iraqi army garrison by rallying from several buffer points inside the city within an Operation codenamed Operation Daimyo, or Operation Lord in English to capture or kill Hassan Fakhir Al-Saleh, one of Abu Musab Al - Zarqawi's lieutenant and acquire intelligence information about Al - Zarqawi. According to updated intelligence information, the stronghold is occupied by thirty five Al Zarqawi's Death Squad Brigade members whose most members are foreign fighters." Nate points at the forms and lines that appear on the board to describe his buffer points, route and the targeted building. " I will lead the operation myself. My second in command, Samuel Nakajima, my trusted head of ninjas, will act as my second in command and lead the operation when transfer of command is needed. My fireteam will infiltrate the city through the euphrate rivers. Once my fireteam reaches Al - Saleh's stronghold, I will give my men a signal to commence the raid. Our objectives are: First, to kill or capture Hassan Fakhir Al - Saleh; Second, to obtain intelligence information about Al -Zarqawi and his organization; Third, to locate and liberate Coalition and Iraqi missing personnel. Once we execute all objectives, we will evacuate through Jurf Kas Sukr bridge on western Fallujah. The operation is estimated to take four hours."
Seeing Nate has finished his presentation, General Natonski then opens an inquiry session, " Thank you, Mr. Kato." Nate strafes to the right when General Natonski moves in front of the whiteboard. " Friends, do you have any question for Mr. Kato?" Addresses General Natonski to the other officers. Lt. General Al Habash raises his right hand. When General Natonski allows him to ask, he inquires in thick Iraqi accent, " How will your men rally to their base when they are separated from yours?" Nate answers politely, " First, our training indoctrinates us to act both in groups or individually, each fireteam is led by a Non - Comissioned Ninja Officer. The fireteam leaders themselves will determinate how they will find or fight their way out. Second, we are trained to adapt even in the strangest places unknown to us without map." The general continues, " And how you will extract?" Nate again answers, " According to our latest intelligence report, there are combat and civilian vehicles in full tank parked inside the stronghold's motorpool. We will capture and uses them." The general is satisfied with Nate's answers. The second man, Brigadier General Cowan raises his right hand then, when given permission, points, " Mr. Kato, you said about forty ninjas, so far from when your team disembarked from your helicopter until, now, I only see four including you, where are the other thirty six?" Nate politely answers, " They are already inside the city." The answer surprises General Cowan and other present officers. The night before, Nate orders thirty six ninjas led by Samuel ' Sam' Nakajima, his demolition and language expert to infiltrate the city to scout targets and wait until given signal by Nate. The ninjas enters the city in sneaky and audacious ways. From sneaking behind guards, disguising themselves as civilian to intentionally prey on unsuspecting militias around to capture their equipment and pose as their deceased enemies. They now blend with the city occupiers in many separated and scattered sites, waiting for the signal to unleash an unexpected raid at the stronghold inside the heavily guarded city. General Natonski is satisfied and shows favor to Nate, " Mr. kato, what can we do to assist your operation?" Nate answers, " General, my team will need a secured corridor as our extraction in the north as we may take prisoners and make our way out right to your base." General Natonski grants Nate's request, " We will provide you one." A Marine sentry who guards the meeting tent enters the room and reports to General Natonski, " Sir, a lieutenant brings you an important report and want to see you. The tall and slim Marine lieutenant enters the tent and faces the General, salutes him then delivers his report. " Sir, a patrol captured Al - Saleh's messenger. We also found a written message from Al - Saleh. He is under scrutiny on security guard post by now." Hearing that, Nate interrupts and pleads General Natonski, " Sir, if I am allowed, please let me see this man myself. We will try to extract information from him." General Natonski hesitates at first but then grants Nate request, " Alright, follow this man but you must report the results to me." Nate replies, ' I will, sir. You'll be the first man I'll tell." General Natonski then turns at the officers, " Friends, do you have any more question or something to tell? If not I'll dismiss this meeting." Everybody says no. General Natonski then closes the meeting, " Thank you for your attention. Remember that none of us that attended this meeting is allowed to leave this staging area and use personal cellphones as well military communication device without permission until the operation has been ended." Hearing this General Natonski gives Nate permission to leave the tent. Behind him, Shiori and two ninjas follow.
When Nate and his team enters the interrogation chamber, a makeshift one inside an abandoned small storage house, he sees a Syrian man in white t-shirt stained with sand and dirt and wears a pair of blue jeans pants whose hands are tied tightly behind by plastic handcuff and has his head covered with black hood without holes for eyes, mouth and nose sitting on a chair. In front of him, a square wooden table separates him from a questioning marine corporal who sits on his chair in front of him. A marine private walks around the table while his left palm is constantly tapped with a black expendable baton in his right hand. He has been under constant harsh questioning by the two Marine intelligence personnel but no signs of physical torment is seen yet. The man keeps quiet though rained by loud questions. His diaphragm moves up and down. Lieutenant Sanders introduces Nate to the two intelligence personnel, " Corporal, Private, this is Mr. Toshiyuki Kato. General Natonski's colleague. His team has been given permission to assist the interrogation of this insurgent." Nate and the two officers exchange salutation. Lieutenant Sanders then continues, " Corporal, private, assist this man whatever he needs." The two marines answers, " Yes, sir!". The Lieutenant then leaves the room and waits outside.
Nate then politely asks the marine corporal to let him sit on the corporal's chair, " Corporal, may I sit on your chair?" " Sure." Answers the corporal. Then Nate seats on the chair. He asks the corporal once again, " Corporal, please let me and my subordinates assist you in this interrogation." " Permission granted, sir." Says the corporal. " Private, please open this man's hood and translate what I say to this man." Asks Nate to the marine private. The marine draws the man's hood. The man in his late thirty gasps, once again breathes fresh air and can see his surroundings. But a new scenery awaits him. He sees a young black haired Asian man smiles in friendly fashion. His eyes watches directly into the Syrian man's exhausted eyes. When he turns his head right and left his sights reveals a petite unmasked kunoichi, a female ninja, and two masked ninjas , each on his right or left, in black battledress with swords slung on their backs as well the previously two interrogating marines standing near the wall on his left. The man feels he knows who is the Asian men sitting in front of him. Nate greets the captured messenger politely which is immediately translated by the corporal. " Good morning, sir. I am Executive Officer Toshiyuki Kato from Private Echelon Corporation. Please tell me your name then let me hear your story about the city's defense, Al - Saleh's compound and Al - Zarqawi's whereabout." The Syrian insurgent now trembles. He is quaked in fear. Now he is not doubt the man he is looking at is 'Al - Tous', the feared masked men 'warlord' whose 'invisible soldiers' mauled many of his superior's men. The messenger strengthen himself not to talk. He remains silent. Seeing it, Nate, in cool manner, speaks again to the messenger gently, " For me, not to introduce yourself after I have done myself is considered an insult. " The insurgent remains silent but now fears built up in his eyes. His face looks down. Nate then issues several photographs and spreads them on the table. A pictures of bloody dead bodies with various bladed weapon wounds are depicted. He forces the insurgent to look at the pictures. Nate continues, " They are important enemy figures in our previous missions. Including here." The photos shows various insurgents from around the world: guerrilla fighters, pirates and wanted war criminals. Nate shows the insurgent another frightening photo. " Do you recognize him?" The insurgent glances the photo and become shaken. The insurgent recognizes the bloody dead man whose body endured slashing wounds lying on ground in the picture. It is Amir, his missing Death Squad leader who was reportedly lost when he and his team were waiting to ambush a British high - ranking officer convoy at Ar Rutbah district. The picture drives the messenger's emotion wild, anger rouses in his heart. But that's what Nate has exactly been waiting for, to drive the messenger into emotional realm where it will surpass his logical reasoning. " Make it fast. It is of no use to strengthen yourself." Remarks Nate sharply. The Messenger's body trembles. It is not clear whether he intends to jump at the man in front of him or plead his life. He remains silent but Nate has seen that the man's defense is in the brink of breaking, he just needs to make a final onslaught psychological trick to break the man's defense. Nate then opens the silence, " Well, then, now you are proved to be useless for me except for a pleasure of instant justice performance. Trust me, I will make it to be quick and painless." he calmly confides the insurgent, " In the end of this, I tell you, you will end in the same way with your friends, lying lifelessly under unmarked graves." The messenger becomes frozen and stares at Nate. He knows what it means. " Maeda! Kim! Get rid of this man!" Orders Nate to the two ninjas. They surge forward and drags the man from his chair. The man struggles in trembling and rants. " What are you going to do?! What are you going to do?! You masked murderers!!!" Nate stands in front of the messenger. A ninja forces the insurgent to kneel and bend his back forward that prompts him in bowing position while his both hands tied behind. He pushes the insurgent from behind to keep him in the position. The another ninja moves to his right and unsheathes his medium sized straight bladed ninjato sword in full view of the terrified prisoner and standing with his sword positioned vertically, ready to be swung at the messenger's bare neck from his right side. The two marines around now begins to be anxious not sure for what to do. " Now!" Orders Nate. The ninja now braces himself to swing down his sword at the bare neck. The insurgents cries at the top of his voice in broken English, " Hold!! I will tell!!!" Tears flowing down from his eyes. " I will tell!! I will tell!! Spare my life!!" Nate speaks calmly, " Well, then let us know your stories." He also orders Shiori, " Shiori, records his story." The insurgent's story flows, " My name is Abu Amir.. Al - Saleh's adjutant. The city is heavily fortified with tunnels, trenches, spider holes, barriers, explosive booby traps inside buildings and IEDs (Improvised Explosive Device) hidden around. There are two thousands to four thousands insurgents inside the city, many of them are foreign fighters. Al - Saleh's compound is usually guarded by thirty five Death Squad Brigade members led by Abdullah Malouf, the compound area's security commander. All of them are not from Iraq." Nate asks again, " What about Al - Zarqawi? Where is he?" The two marines now give more attention. The insurgent answers Nate, " I don't know.. He hasn't been seen for days." Nate pushes him sharply, " Are you sure? Then where did you see him last?" The insurgent immediately insists, ' Yes, I really don't know. Here.. around al - Nazisa district a week ago accompanied by his bodyguards." Nate successfully deploy the mock execution trick as usual toward rebels and insurgents as he knows that they are likely to be lack of discipline . Nate then ends the interrogation. He thanks the two now relieved marines and leaves the storage house followed by his ninjas. Outside, General Natonski has been waiting. He then calls Nate, " How was it, Mr. Kato?" Nate answers, " This is for you, General." as he hands over the intelligence report written by Shiori.
To be Continued
License: Personal use and read only. Further usage requiring permission from author.
Disclaimer: All contents are fiction.
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