Chapter 2 The Call

Chapter 2: The Squad Assembles

The sun dipped low over Abuja, casting a golden hue across the Nigerian capital. Captain Ibrahim Olayemi sat in his modest office, a cup of steaming coffee untouched on the desk. The weight of the classified mission briefing hung heavy on his mind. The documents spread before him detailed the cartel's stranglehold over Zamfara, the mysterious discovery of gold, and the whispers of political corruption tying powerful men to the cartel's operations. He knew this mission would require not just skill but absolute trust in the people he brought along.

Ibrahim picked up the phone and began making the calls.

The first name on his list was Sergeant Bayo Olatunji, a wiry man with sharp features and an even sharper mind. Bayo was a tech specialist, known for his uncanny ability to hack into enemy communications, disable security systems, and create digital chaos. Ibrahim had worked with him before and trusted him implicitly. Bayo, however, had a complicated past.

In a dimly lit room at a local cybercafe, Bayo was poring over an encrypted file on his laptop when the call came. His brow furrowed as he listened. "Another one of your dangerous adventures, Captain? Count me in."

But as he hung up, Bayo glanced at a photo of his younger brother, who had been jailed for a cybercrime he didn't commit. Bayo's commitment to the mission was unshakable, but his personal quest to prove his brother's innocence weighed heavily on him.

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Private Musa Danjuma, the next recruit, sat on the edge of a hospital bed, sweat dripping from his brow. He was in the middle of a therapy session for his PTSD, a condition that had plagued him since a failed mission in the Niger Delta. Musa had been the only survivor of an ambush that left his entire unit dead. The scars on his back were a reminder, but the deeper wounds were invisible, buried in his mind.

When the phone rang, Musa hesitated. He hadn't been on a mission in over a year, and the idea of returning to combat both terrified and excited him. "This might be the redemption you've been waiting for," his therapist said softly, noticing the uncertainty in his eyes. Musa finally nodded. "I'll do it," he told Ibrahim over the phone, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.

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The final member of the team was Corporal Ada Nwachukwu, a combat medic and one of the few women in her rank. Ada was known for her fearlessness on the battlefield and her unrelenting drive to prove herself in a male-dominated military. She was in the middle of a heated argument with her commanding officer when Ibrahim's call interrupted.

Her commanding officer doubted her abilities and had assigned her to administrative duties, a clear insult to someone with her skills. When Ibrahim told her about the mission, Ada didn't hesitate. "I'm in," she said, her tone resolute. She packed her gear immediately, eager to escape the stifling bureaucracy and prove her worth in the field.

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When the squad met for the first time at a secluded training facility outside Abuja, the air was thick with tension and anticipation. Ibrahim observed each of them closely as they exchanged introductions. Bayo's confident smirk, Musa's quiet intensity, and Ada's fiery determination were all evident.

The training began with a grueling physical regimen. Ibrahim led by example, pushing the squad to their limits. Obstacle courses, endurance runs, and combat drills filled their days. Though physically demanding, it was the psychological tests that truly revealed their characters.

During one exercise, the squad was divided into pairs and tasked with solving a simulated hostage situation. Ada and Musa were paired together. Musa, still haunted by his past, hesitated when the scenario called for quick, decisive action. Ada stepped in, taking charge and successfully completing the task. Later, she confronted him. "You can't hesitate in the field, Musa. Lives depend on us being at our best." Her words struck a chord, and Musa resolved to face his fears head-on.

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As the training continued, the squad's bond began to deepen. Around the campfire at night, they shared stories of their lives. Bayo spoke about his brother, his voice tinged with regret. Ada revealed the struggles she faced as a woman in the military, recounting moments of blatant sexism and how she used those experiences to fuel her determination. Musa opened up about the ambush that had nearly cost him his life, his voice breaking as he described the guilt of being the sole survivor.

Ibrahim, ever the stoic leader, listened more than he spoke. But one evening, as the conversation turned to family, he shared a rare glimpse into his own life. He spoke of his wife, Aisha, and their two children, and how their love kept him grounded even in the face of danger.

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Unbeknownst to the squad, danger was already closing in. In Abuja, Senator Dantani had learned of the squad's formation through his network of spies. Enraged, he contacted Delgado, urging him to act swiftly. Delgado, ever the tactician, decided to plant a mole within the military's operations center to monitor Ibrahim's every move.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim began to notice subtle anomalies. During a routine briefing, one of the intelligence officers hesitated when asked about the source of certain information. Ibrahim's suspicions grew, and he tasked Bayo with discreetly investigating potential leaks.

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As the training drew to a close, the squad faced their final test: a simulated raid on a fortified compound. The exercise was designed to mimic the conditions they would face in Zamfara. Bayo hacked into the compound's security systems, creating a diversion that allowed Ada and Musa to infiltrate the perimeter. Ada provided cover fire while Musa took out the simulated hostiles with precision. The exercise ended in success, but Ibrahim reminded them that the real mission would be far more dangerous.

The chapter ends with the squad boarding a military transport, their faces a mix of determination and apprehension. As the plane took off, Ibrahim looked out at the fading lights of Abuja, his thoughts heavy with the enormity of the task ahead.