Previous EpisodeNext Episode
The b©dyguard Reloaded – Episode 17
© Tisa Phiri
….Ackim…..
Hello Sir, I answered my phone immediately I got into the car.. a car was s£nt to pick me up from home that evening at 20 30 hours.. I was scheduled to arrive before morning the following day..
Am on board Sir , l responded when the general in charge asked how far I was.. Just starting off from Chingola and must be in before morning I added , before cutting the call..
I fastened my seat belt as we left the town of Chingola.. The poster welcome to Chingola flashing in the side mirrow before me.. I sighed and relaxed , knowing the density of the scenario at hand I un-derstood we would be probably going at a great speed , thankfully there were few vehicles on the road..
Music? The driver asked me giving me a quic-k glance and focusing back on the road..
Loud I answered without turning.. I nee-ded something to distract me from thinking about my family back home… I was actually feeling sad. I could not get myself promise Paula of my return , of all the jobs I had pu-ll-ed out for the government , that one was the most risky of all..
We were told of stories how mercenaries operate.. They were highly trained former military f0rç£s that where hired by high profiled people or even the government to carry out attacks and dangerous missions for great monetary rewards..
I could not really figure out how they where hired to take down our current President but from the briefing. It was probably done by some opposition members and even members of the rulling p@rty who intended to take over power..
Oh God save us, I sighed sitting my mind as the loud music from the stereo pla-yed covering the de-ep silence that was in the car.. The driver seemed to be focused on the road doing his thing.. I was glad he was not the talkative type as I had no mood to chat whatsoever ..
I watched him hold the steering ti-ght as he negotiated a corner , the car meter maintained at 180km/hr … my hand moved up and back down as the vehicle pas-sed on some high ground..
I recalled the time we went to some rescue in the thick forests of western province where one of the t©p guys was being held prio to some disputes between the chiefs and the government.. It wasn’t so much of a challenge as the only resistance we had faced was just a few village men hired as guards for the royal families..
The two of us with a guy from Airf0rç£ who was also the pilot of the chopper we used managed to take them down and rescue the minister just before they murdered him. Their intention was to kill him and later on plot an accident after he confessed where and who was sighning against them…
I really wished at that moment that the current issue was as simple , then I could have confidently promised my woman return.. Thoughts of her filled my mind and I felt a grip in my throat.. I knew it wouldn’t be easy for her.. Paula was a good and strong woman with sorting out things for example at work and creating harmony around my life and family , but I knew from de-ep down my heart she was terribly scared of losing me..
Her fear was mine.. Only that I sometimes shielded myself like I was not so desparate , losing her easpecially to death would really take the best of me that I knew , but if asked who should survive between the two of us.. I would definately volunteer to die in her place.. I felt she deserved to live more than I did.. After all she could take great care of my son’s and I had done quite some bad things , it doesn’t really matter whether I was f0rç£d or not.. Sometimes no wonder I pushed myself so had to work for my country.. It felt great to have to save someone’s life or even protect my country , it was some kind of retribution for me.. I felt less on the budden I felt and the guilty..
I was lost in thoughts and didn’t even realise we were approaching Kapiri.. Hey turn here I just want to check on my mother before we go on I ordered the driver who I had come to learn was a sergeant from the Zambia Army who was as-signed to take me to Lusaka..
Yes sir, he answered indicating to turn as I showed him the exact point to turn on…
We found the farm house very quite.. I looked at my watch it was 30 minutes pas-sed 22 hours.. My mom is probabaly slee-ping i thought to myself as i opened the vehicle door and walked to the front..
Ackim, I heard mom call out as she opened the door..
Mom you still awake? I asked surprised she c@m£ to open before I could even knock… She wore her night go-wn and wra-pped a chitenge material on t©p…
I was almost slee-ping but the sound of the vehicle woke me up before I could close my eyes , she answered opening to let me in.. I just saw from the window that it was you she added turning on the switch to light the sitting room..
Is everything okay sonny? She asked sitting down.. what are you doing here at this time of the night and where is your family ? Everyone okay? She asked one question after the other..
Mom, come on everything is fine and my family is at home in Chingola.. I just thought of coming to see you as am on my way to Lusaka , how are you here ? I asked still standing..
We are okey my son.. your sister was planning on coming to your place tomorrow , shes asleep..
Okay mother that’s good.. am glad you are okay.. I wanted to say hi before going.. God willing I will pas-s throu-gh on my way back i told her tou-ching her shoulder as I stood besides her..
Ackim, sit down she ordered calmly.. Tell me what is bothering you my son.. No matter what you have never come here alone since you got with Pauala and you just married I
Know something isn’t right , tell me what is going on Ackim she said indicating me to sit down..
Mom don’t worry..I told her , it’s nothing to worry about am just going for a job I was called to do in Lusaka am nee-ded there urgently and the issue couldn’t wait ,I explained..
She insisted I told her the job but I as-sured her it was nothing to worry about..
Listen mom, am okey and I just nee-ded to see you.. I have to go now I told her standing from the sofa I sat on..
She saw me to the vehicle and greeted the driver. Safe journey sonny she added as the car moved away..
I felt great seeing her, though l couldn’t get to tell her about my job it was a relief knowing she was praying for me like she had told me that night..
I called Paula as we approached Lusaka and she answered almost immediately.. Indicating that she had not really sle-pt..
What are you still doing up My love ? I asked her..
I can’t sleep babe , she said her voice sounding asleep.. I miss you alre-ady and I am slee-ping with the boys tonight she said softly her voice reaching me and ma-king me wanna go back to her.. She sounded so calm I could tell she was laying down in be-d..
I miss you more love, I told her . Listen I called to let you know we are almost in Lusaka and that my phone will be probably of , but not to worry everytime I get a chance I will communicate..
Yeah I un-derstand you told me about going dark she answered , just take care of yourself okey?
Yeah sure my woman, I will do just that.. Remember our discussion . I don’t want to find you all pale and thin because of worrying I told her..
I heard her chuckle… It’s ha-rd not to but I will work on it she told me..
We talked all the way till we drove to the point l was to meet up other guys on the mission..
Hey commando ! The general called me out as I approached the room.. He stood near the door , l could tell everyone was waiting for me to arrive.. The moment l paid my compliments to the general and another high ranked officer seated inside.. The general introduced me to the other 8 people in the room..
This is colonel Ackim, special f0rç£s agent , worked as a commando in ndola and is the one surviver of the Congo captive he added , he’s been as-signed to work for the special operations and he’s highly trained too.. His experience with the mafia minds will be of great benefit to this mission..
You are welcome sir, the other officers alre-ady in combat answered when the general was done with the introductions…
We sat around a wi-de wodden table , a map displa-yed on the white board in front.. The de-ep silence that surrounded the room leaving the voice of the general who went on giving us details of the operation and the way to go, ringing loudly in our ears , we discussed the full details of the attack and by the time we were done it was almost dawn..
Take 2 hours rest soldiers and make sure you are re-ady at exactly 5 am the general ordered.. Everyone walked to the rooms given for us to take the rest from but I was called back..
Colonel , the general started when I stood my hands at the back waiting for him to tell me why I was st©pped..
I want you to know that I have re-ad your profile and am proud of what l have seen.. You of all these men have been expo-sed to lots of trials and life threatening missions.. I expect you to work with your mind alert and help to save not only the president but also these soldiers you are going to be with.. I can tell their baldness isn’t as great as yours .. They are afraid , lead them and bring them back home he added patting my back..
Thank you sir , I responded.. I will do my best and I pray I succeed..
May God help us all he added dismissing me..
I l@ydown in the be-d dressed in my full combat.. I was re-ady to go and taking rest wasn’t going to be possible as the alertness of my mind couldn’t allow me.
Taking my phone I watched the ph0tos of Paula and the twins.. I missed them and de-ep inside l wished for God to save my life that I returned home safely..
Before 5 am I was alre-ady in the chopper taking us to the other destination.. The other guys joined In a few minutes later..
Breakfast sir, one of the soldiers said handing me a packet of wra-pped food and water.. Thank you I told him gr-abbing the enveloped pack and a bottle of water..
We are 2 minutes out ! The pilot informed us.. Prepare to land he added shouting on t©p of the noise from the chopper..
We fastened our head covers and immediately the ground was a few meters down from the chopper , we all jumped out quic-kly running to the bushes.. Our de-ep green camouflage matching well with the thick bushes and trees..
We were ten in total. My mind turned to suit the conditions of the environment, l got to it giving directions on our next target , my militally instincts fully activated…
The b©dyguard Reloaded – Episode 18
© Tisa Phiri
Ackim..
Listen up soldiers….. I called out the group to one place after we surveyed the place for any unexpected threats.. We were to camp de-ep in the luangwa forest.. The mecenaries where last sp©ted near luangwa river.. We were realiably informed they had camped in Mozambique near the Zambian border..
Efforts to try talk to the Mozambique Government to help locate them failed as they refused to give a go ahead for our government to invade their borders.. Their fear was that would seem they were supporting the work of the guys launching an attack on our country..
From here we all dress as civilians and move in different directions.. We pretend to be traders and cross the river to the other side like the local civilians do from around this area.. I explained to them.
I handed them money given for the operation so that they all may seem to be out for buying some galic and fish from Mozambique..
This will be our meeting point, make sure we all come back here guys.. No room for failure we go in pairs and ensure we all watch out for our p@rtners , we are going to be in contact using our radios… Ensure you secure the place before ma-king any attempt to communicate , each team is to call me after an hour I instructed as they nodded taking in my instructions..
We all changed in casual kits from our back packs and around 7 am we spre-ad in pairs , some of the soldiers remained on the Zambian side and 3 pairs we crossed over..
How is business in this area? I asked the owner of the conoe paddling us across the river.. he was a tall and very dark guy with yellow teeth and rou-gh heels , one could tell he lived near the river and that fishing was his life , his chikunda accent was so vivid.. He told us his name was Suzhi… with a stress on the Z.
Um, business is good here he said with a smile revea-ling his yellow teeth… His strong muscles moved up and down as he pushed the paddles to and from. I couldn’t help admire his strength.. He seemed confident with his work I felt proud..
Buy cheap onion(galic he meant to say) from Mozambique and you make a lot of money in Lusaka he explained.. Is that what you are here for? He asked looking at me..
Yes l responded giving him a f0rç£d smile.. It’s our first time so we really don’t know the way to go , can you help us go round… I will pay you at the end of the day I added , me and my friend here just c@m£ for anything that can sell from here I lied…
No problem he said excited , his eyes looking at me from t©p to down.. I like your clothes he said shly.. I would love to make money and go to Lusaka were I hear they sell a lot of nice clothings..
I looked at him for a second and an idea popped up my head.. If the mission was to succed I nee-ded a better disguise , if this man can tell my clothes are nice, it was possible if we c@m£ into contact with the guys we were looking for, they would easily identify me.. I thought to myself my eyes in the water as we had reached the middle of Luangwa river the waves made by the paddles ma-king small tides around the canoe and behind …
You like this shi-t? I asked pu-lling my brown v n£¢k t shi-t which I wore on t©p of a black jeans ..
What? He sighed looking at me as he st©pped paddling ma-king the canoe move away from the position taking the direction of the wind.. No I was just saying.. he said sh!pishly as he got back to his work controlling the movemnet of the canoe..
It’s okey you can have it I said with a chuckle.. let’s exchange with your shi-t I said looking at his blue shi-t which was faded looking like it was worn since the day he bought it without tasting water..
thankfully I could suit to anything even to the extent of persevering the odor from the shi-t ..
We exchanged t shi-ts and I asked him for another one for my p@rtner.. No ,the one I have is torn I have not used it in a long time he told me seriously as we were almost approaching the river bank on the Mozambique side..
It’s perfect for my friend here my man , no worries we want to look local so that the people in Mozambique won’t charge us a lot of money for the things we will buy..
Well if you say so , he giggled removing a t shi-t that I couldn’t even tell the colour.. I felt laughter coming to myl-ips but I pushed it back..
You are in trouble man, I told the sodier with me.. I actually felt for him cause that t shi-t had what I would call a real deal stench..
He shrugged . It’s okey Sir he said with respect and a fake smile , I could tell he was insulting me inside… If only he was my rank mate he would tell me his mind but luck for me I was in charge and there was no refusing orders especially on such a delicate matter ..
He also changed but held on to his t shi-t avoiding my gaze for fear l would tell him to give it away..
I smiled at him , it’s okey man.. At ease and plea-se drop the sir thing, we may not know who is listening…
Sure he answered..
By 10 hours we were on the other side and the Fisher man tagged along leading us to some areas where he explained they sold galic.. Our attention though was in finding any clues about the hide out for the Mecenaries..
After 5 days of moving up and down I used the fisherman to talk to the villagers in Mozambique asking if any strange looking people had been sp©tted in the area..
A certain man confirmed that he had seen a chopper land some distance from his village two days before we went there..
Ask him how far I told the fisherman..
Well he says about 2 hours walking distance from here he answered pointing in the direction.. We are scared of going close for fear of meeting dangerous people out there , there are a lot of deadly activities sometimes in these areas he added..
We thanked them and saw the fisher man back to the river bank.. I handed him his money and let him go ,telling him we were spending some time in Mozambique.. We watched him paddle back happily looking at his newly acquired short and the notes in his hands…
I called in all units informing them of our latest situation.. We are heading to the location now I told them. Stay alert as I might call in less than 2 hours..
We walked and jogged to the direction.. Surprising my mind was so alert and active I didn’t think so much of home.. I had to push every thought down and focus on my mission..
We c@m£ to a clearing and I instructed my p@rtner to stay back and watch out as I approached the cleared area.. It was on a high land.. I carefully got to the t©p and on the other side was another bushy area..
Surveying the place I saw from de-ep the trees some brown things.. Tents, I thought to myself..
I indicated to the other guy that I would go further to look around..
tou-ching my back l felt the pistol still intact where l had tacked it in.. My small magic dagga knife safe in my boot.
I crawed down for almost 5 minutes and there before me were two de-ep green tents which looked brown from a distance..
I l@ydown looking around.. I could hear some noise and chattering ahead and I knew it was their camp.. All I nee-ded was to confirm the kind of people camping..
After watching for quarter an hour I noticed the camp had almost 10 guys , they were outside some doing some drills and I could tell they were military.. Three were white and the rest where black except for the shorter and rou-gh guy who seemed to be coloured… probably between Caucasian and Mongolia..
Withdrawing silently I went back to the sp©t I left the other soldier and we walked backwards before I called in the others informing them about my discovery..
I called back to the general for further instructions and he told me I nee-ded to act according to my discretion .. Just tell me what we nee-d colonel and carry on as per situation he informed me..
Yes sir , all we nee-d is a chopper to carry us back but that will come later.. Am currently calling in all units to come here so that we ascertain the situation and see way forward , we can’t just attack as they are on foreign lands , they can claim they are on a different mission..
Of course Soldier, keep me upd@t£d the general said before hanging up..
4 other soldiers joined us that evening around 18 hours.. I had suggested we stayed about 10 hectares away from the mercenary camp.. The soldiers who joined us c@m£ in with other equipment nee-ded for the job…
Later in the night l took 3 of them leaving 2 at the camp and a went to take a closer look with night binocualars taking in the activities of the enemy camp…
Hearing some noise from a distance we all stayed put… It’s a speed boat I informed them.. I targeted the direction of the noise.. Since the camp was near a river I could see the wi-de river in the side..
A boat landed to the bank and I saw the entire group loading things hurriedly…. No one seemed to be paying attention to look at where we hid ..
Let me get closer and hear what is going on I informed the others in a whisper..
I moved forward closing in the gap between the river and our hide out.
We have to hurry .. The operation is on tonight, I heard the two who stood besides the boat talking.. Is everything re-ady the other side? The next man asked..
Yes they are just waiting for us , two trucks are waiting for us on the other side he added..
Make sure we stick to the plan , attack and immediately it’s done rush to the airport.. We are flying out before morning and make sure you clear this location.. No one must be able to trace any of us back here..
I listened quietly and I ran back after the people at the camp were on board leaving the area clear after they destroyed every small remaining item burning and throwing them in the river..
Guys call in the chopper we have to ambushi them on the Zambian side before they leave for Lusaka I ordered. .. Am going after them someone nee-ds to see where they are heading to.. Follow the tracker on me.
Let’s do this boys…. I told them with a stern order..
I rushed back to the boat and before it took off l climbe-d on board from the engine side finding a hidden sp©t by the corner…
We were on the other side in minutes.. I crawed down quietly the dark night shielding me..
Before everyone could step out l hide un-der one of the big land cruisers parked….. As everyone got busy unpacking and loading their things in the cars..
In 20 minutes the engines started and l held on to avoid falling off the vehicle I had crawed un-der .. My life was not worthy anything at that moment , my own was to save my country whether I survived or not…..pu-lling my t shi-t to cover my face from dust with one hand I Breathed heavily as the vehicle increa-sed speed..
To be continued