Fury From Within

Chapter Eleven

The Chechnya Mujahedeen Headquarters lay situated deep within a pristine pine forest preserve, located along the valley floor of the Nakyata Pass. The area lay blessed with a virtual carpeting of pine trees each seemingly towering one over the other. Their sheer size provided a jungle like canopy, with the suns bright rays barely able to penetrate to the moss covered ground below.

Its location posed somewhat of a mystery to the Russian military, having never been betrayed nor observed by any Russian forces that eagerly sought its existence. Most of those same troops thought its existence to be mere fiction. Others knew better.

Naturally camouflaged from Russian surveillance aircraft, the headquarters for the Rebel Army was a highly sought after prize by the Russian government. If they could capture the facility or even destroy it, they might be able to end the rebellion in one swift maneuver. This was motivation enough for the Russian government, the war already costing them over 10,000 Russian soldiers killed or wounded in battle.

At present, the area contained a defending force of only 150 men and women whose job alternated between loading equipment and being ever vigilant for the marauding Russian forces.

One man walked the gravel path between two of the wooden “residence huts,” fingering his prayer beads as he received warm greetings from all who passed by. As head of the rebel resistance movement Omar Turhaniz was deeply saddened by the disappearance of his second in command, Sirna Miliruid. His sudden disappearance only increased the burdens and pressures placed upon him.

Omar knew the possibility existed that the Russians had captured Sirna. Not wanting to take any unnecessary chances, Omar authorized the evacuation of his headquarters complex. He ordered his small staff to retreat 10 kilometers west of their present location, to a cross roads near the old market town of Goltea. They would retreat to a network of limestone caves first excavated on orders by Stalin in 1942.

Omar took time to reflect away from the main hustle and bustle of the evacuation, rubbing his graying beard as he contemplated Sirna’s situation. When first informed of his disappearance, Omar deployed as many men he could spare, virtually saturating the area with his freedom fighters, disbursing them in all directions searching for possible clues. For over 12 hours, his troops combed the area surrounding the ambush site, finally reaching the conclusion he had indeed been captured. Omar ordered the troops to keep silent on Sirna’s capture. He didn’t want the remainder of his forces knowing the truth. His troops held Sirna in high esteem valuing his leadership skills and lion-hearted bravery. Omar preferred to let his troops continue thinking that Sirna died fighting bravely in battle; only his body had yet to be located. No need to let them think otherwise.

Omar’s primary concern at the moment lay with Peter’s mission in the United States.

Once Peter fulfilled his mission, the Americans would have no choice but to enter our war, on our side.

Just as planned.