He was concealed in a dark shallow cave between two huge boulders that towered above him….midway up the mountain. It was the only outcrop of solid rock on the long decaying western slope of the most strategic vantage point on the war torn frontier.
Looking through a narrow gap between the boulders with his binoculars he could see them approaching from the deep dark valley below, a group of 12 special forces — trained for covert operations and equipped with the most advanced weapon systems.
Direct contact with them ; that he hoped he could avoid — would be quick and conclusive unless he exercised his only defense – He would probably have no choice — They were bound to suspect danger amongst that solitary outcrop of rock.
He estimated their ascent to his position, to the outcrop, would take another 30 minutes, given their stealth like cautious progress up the mountain slope — adjusting their camouflaged fatigues to the light and dark browns of the crumpling decomposed rock, blending in completely to disappear from sight for several minutes at a time. They were like human Chameleons.
He suspected they knew an unknown enemy force was hidden amongst the solitary outcrop, probably from the drones in the area that were equipped with heat sensing surveillance systems, but if he was right, any signals from the drones would have been weak, at least inconsistent, unable to penetrate the dense mass of rock, where he was hidden, but if the slightest trace of heat were emitted from the shallow depression at the cave entrance, it would be detected.
Since he was alone, without any support, and if their equipment was sensitive enough, they would know there was only one to eliminate…. He thought, however, that this might also be his salvation for they may relax their vigilance knowing there was only one obstacle to overcome… between them and their ultimate victory, to take that strategic mountain.
If they stopped at the outcrop to explore, they would do it cautiously, knowing it could conceal unknown danger.
It was a sun soaked landscape of decomposed crumbling rock that was home only to a large species of brown Scorpion that were well camouflaged in their crumbling domain, but there must have been another crawling creature that lived in that ageless terrain… that had survived for a million years, for the Scorpions didn’t live only for the sake of the burning hot rock on which they basked during the day. They were nocturnal hunters and there must have been a food chain that sustained them.
He also wondered about the group of four above him, higher up the mountain. What were they doing…he asked himself. He couldn’t see them but he knew they were communicating with the ascending group below, because he had intercepted their frequency but he couldn’t decipher their words or their movements. Were they descending the mountain, knowing that the outcrop of boulders was hiding something lethal . He had no way of knowing until he could launch his only surveillance and defense mechanism.
He knew he had to prepare for the worst not only from the large group below but also the group above who could surprise him in an instance, for they were unlikely to simply stroll into his line of vision without being aware of the existence of a dark, concealing cave-like depression between those two leaning boulders, and if they did suddenly appear it would not be before they sprayed the darkness of it with gunfire. His demise would be certain for there was no protection in that cave that could shield him.
He knew there was not much time to prepare. He removed the small egg like object from its protective pouch, strapped to the left hand side of his mid torso. It was no bigger than a 25 cent piece at its largest diameter and about twice as long. It had a slight bulge at the narrow end, otherwise it would have passed for a doves egg, an appropriate metaphor under the circumstances, but one that could also be devastatingly inappropriate in the wrong hands.
He also removed a square flat container that was heavy in comparison. This he unlocked with a finger tapping code, to remove a delicate round flat object not much bigger than the head of a nail that had a super brilliant luster to its one Laser face. He was particularly careful to do this under the protection of his heavy body robe so there was no possibility of reflective light even though he was well shielded from the sun.
He delicately slipped the small disk into a narrow slot in the front of the bulged end and replaced the egg like object back in its pouch. He removed his Kafieh to expose a spandex head cover that had four subtle indents pressed lightly on the sides of his head and forehead just below his hairline, each with a black light gage wire conductor that joined together at the back of his head and disappeared into his heavy woolen body shirt. The opposite ends plugged into a rectangular box in a pouch hung and secured to his upper leg, not unlike a man wearing a six-gun from stories of the old west, but his was perfectly hidden under brown and dark red robes that covered his whole body and concealed any hidden weapon.
He again removed the egg like object from its pouch and connected it to the rectangular box with a short cable.
A high pitched high frequency sound was suddenly emitted as the connection was made that lasted for a micro second and was then suppressed. His mind was now synchronized with the artificial intelligence of the device, an intelligence that far surpassed that used by the most advanced drones that he so passionately feared but so skillfully avoided and that were constantly surveying the mountainous terrain where he effectively conducted his covert operations. His weapon was now armed and under his complete control, programmed to obey his exclusive mind controlling commands and provide total area surveillance within a 25km radius.
A small compartment in the rear housed a micro nuclear generator that powered the oscillating fan drive at 150m cycles per second that gave the quantum device exemplary speed and maneuverability, reacting to giga frequency mind signals within a 20mile radius.
Feedback from the device communicated a high frequency signal through a powerful amplifier that he received on his Android Galaxy G6 smart phone with a resolution so high that he could identify, through their retina, any one of the enemy within a twenty mile radius. The information instantly communicated with an extensive global data base and provided a complete and precise profile of any targeted individual.
The programmed device, now removed from its pouch, was placed on the nail of his thumb, restrained by his index finger, ready to launch, similar to the way one might flick a coin into the air.
The group from below were now dangerously close, within 50m and focusing their attention on the boulders as they kept their profiles low to the ground, belly crawling and hardly visible but they had no cover, only from what the small rocks and a slightly undulating surface offered. They relied on their adjustable camouflaged clothing to blend into the ambient color of the ground surface, and that was effective because he had difficulty seeing them as they made their stealthy approach, their weapons cocked and ready to react instantly… to the slightest activity from within the darkness of the cave.
He was growing more and more anxious to launch the weapon but it had to be done at precisely the right moment. He looked again through the narrow gap between the rocks and saw how close they were. It would be only minutes now before they noticed the darkness of the cave and realized it could conceal a lethal force.. He knew an attack was imminent.
It was time to react, time to launch the device. He flicked his thumb instantly launching it into the air. The sudden acceleration induced the oscillation of the propelling fans emitting a suppressed hum as the device now hovered next to him waiting for his next command. He mindfully directed the small micro vehicle to the caves entrance then gave it a command to elevate a 1000ft, completely beyond human reactive senses. They were completely unaware that an object had launched from the caves dark entrance.
An instant after launching, information was transmitted to his Android and he could see precisely where both groups were positioned, precisely who they were, their ordinance and its potential effectiveness .
He was now more relaxed, and felt in control, now that he could see the enemy from both sides and could clearly access his risk and estimate precisely how to exercise his defense.
Although he was the most effective and the most successful covert operator, with a renown global reputation, the most wanted warrior alive, amongst the foreign troops invading his country, but he had never knowingly destroyed a human life and prided himself in his humanity. He was a humble man proud of his strong heritage but not beyond respect for others and their causes. He would have preferred not to take this direction in his life and would have remained a Quantum Nana Physicist at the Sorbonne, but he saw the helpless need of his people and knew he could help them, not by his leadership, for he was fiercely independent, but through his exemplary ability to conceive and build the most advanced surveillance and defense systems.
He was now ready to react, but not in any physical sense, for that would have been a distraction. He needed all his attention focused on directing the imminent attack and so he became a statue like fixture, his vision fixed to the screen of his Android, his mind fixed to the strategy he had devised to remove the threat to his demise.
The group were now dangerously close, inching closer and closer in a belly crawl towards the outcrop, flat and almost undetectable by his level of vision, for they blended right into the colour of the rock scape of the mountain slope, like Chameleons adjusting their color to the environment.
It was the clear image on his Android that precisely displayed their every movement, including the smaller group above. They were laying still, waiting and watching and not posing a threat, but he would know instantly the moment they did.
He could see the leader, a woman, and could read her lips as she directed her commands to the rest of the group. He wondered about her?? Did she have a feline charm but the deadliness of a feline attack. He had an instant streak of shivering fear!!
He could tell she was moments from ordering a full frontal attack on the entrance to the cave. 12 – 9mm rapid fire automatic assault rifles with heat sensing ordinance that would concentrate on his heat immittance, that would reduce him to shreds in an instant.
He had to instigate the attack…….now!!!
He transmitted a mind command that gave a micro second response from the silent hovering egg like object 1000ft above. Its deadly Lasers struck the 15 targets simultaneously with precision accuracy. He knew the effect he wanted and had given it this command before he administered the strike. It was precise in its effect.
The targets were hit and responded simultaneously, all – except the leader, she would be spared for now. The others, higher up, even though they were of no immediate threat, received the same lethal strike.
A terrifying hideous scream resounded through the mountain valley, bouncing from slope to slope, amplified 15 times as each operator was struck with excruciating pain – each on their left buttock.
It was a pain that would cause immobility, that would have an instant and predictable result.
Lying flat on their stomachs they instantly released their weapons, ferousously tore at their camouflaged fatigues covering their buttocks as they wriggled like worms on the ground, their left side paralyzed below the buttock, unable to get on their feet.
He saved the leader from attack!! He wanted them evacuated without delay and knew he would have to spare at least one who could direct the evacuation.
Within minutes a troop carrier shadowed by a gunship had been deployed and arrived 15minutes later, circling the area, ready to respond to the same attack. It never came !!
He could have destroyed both aircraft instantly or at least their defense & attack systems as easily as the troopers but that would have prompted more support and a prolonged operation.
She, the leader, now focused on single hand-idly implementing the evacuation of her helpless force , ignoring the source of attack. The high flying surveillance drones would take care of that, by now focused on the immediate area around the outcrop, their command center aware of all activity, including any insurgency – there was non!!
Within 30minutes the carrier and gunship had left and once again the Kush and that strategic point had been spared, saved from enemy domination.
They would never know what struck them that day , there would be no burn mark, no hole in their fatigues, no effect to their color changing battle fatigues, no tell-tale evidence. Their recovery would be complete but not before the excruciating pain they would endure for 7 days from the sting of the Scorpion.
M.A.D.
__________________________