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Word was passed among the fighters of the village. The final battle was about to be played out. Excitement was in the air, El Diablo had done so much to so many people for a lot of years.
When we go on a mission we always have an objective we have to complete in order for it to be a success. Sometimes what we do and how we do it seems ruthless. But what we do, we do for a good reason. Our methods to an innocent observer could seem criminal in nature. But my goal isn’t to save or protect the lives of our enemy but rather to save and protect the lives of my team and the locals who have become our friends.
My objective wasn’t to kill as many as I can before we finish a mission. If that was the case I would have ordered Brady to kill as many as he could last night after he’d spoiled their ambush plans. Instead I told him to let the two dozen go that ran away. They’d had enough and wouldn’t be back to fight.
Tomorrow morning I would be ordering Brady to send rockets into the barracks and snuff out the lives of sleeping men. I will have him kill as many of the one hundred as he could. He would kill them while they were defenseless. If I let them wake up and put up a fight some of our fighters would surely die. For me to lose a single man when it could be prevented was inexcusable.
To my friends, I am as loyal as my black lab is to me. I’ll do anything I can for you, within reason. To my enemies, those that want me or my friends dead I’m your worst nightmare. I will fight you anywhere and anyway I can. Like I said earlier, I’m not looking for a fair fight. I’m not going to let you get the first shot or punch in. I’m going to be coming at you with guns blazing and fists flying.
I’m not going to apologize for who I am or what I’ve become. My friends respect me and will always have my back and I will always have theirs. My enemies, at least the wise one’s fear me and try to distance themselves from me, at least the ones who know me. Sometimes when an enemy finds out about me it’s too late. I’m not leaving until they’re dead. Two examples of that would be Captain Jack killing my friend and not knowing of us. Not that it would have stopped him. And Leonardo Castro, AKA El Diablo after he murdered the villagers his days were numbered. A third example would be that gang leader last month in Jamaica. You don’t harm kids around me.
When I’m not on a mission I’m as fun loving as the next guy. I like to have a good time. Go out dancing or have a quiet meal with my wife to be. But I guess I’ll never be totally off guard and defenseless.
I was standing on the makeshift stage with some of my team members along with Francisco and Jose ready to address the men gathered in front of us.
“Can you translate for me so they understand what I’m saying?” I asked Francisco.
“Sure, anytime you’re ready, go ahead,” he replied.
“Okay, let’s go ahead and start then,” I said as I stepped forward to the edge of the stage.
“Tomorrow, my amigos, we will leave your land for the last time. But before we go El Diablo Alcazaba will be no more. Tomorrow El Diablo himself will die at our hands. His years of savageness will end and a new era will begin for you.”
“Francisco will divide you into two groups for the attack tomorrow. Jose will command one half and Francisco the other half. You will attack after our helicopter first softens the target for you to make your job easier.”
“Your job won’t end when the fortress falls. You’ll have a lot of work to do to become a free people. I’ve talked to your leader,” I said laying my hand on Francisco’s shoulder. “He knows what needs to be done and will share that with you when he can. But for now it’s enough to know tomorrow you will be victorious.”
I stepped back from the edge of the makeshift stage to the loud cheers as Francisco translated my message.
Francisco took his turn motivating the troops in his native Spanish. He finished with Viva Sea Demons (long live the Sea Demons).
I walked off the stage with my men and left Francisco and Jose to get their men ready for the morning fight. We had an extraction to plan and conduct tonight.