Outright dinner, George leaped to discover the old tunnel. On the lead were the three soldiers who accidentally found it.
" This is going to be phenomenal, I mean...who dug this for us in the past? Thanks to them, whoever." George blurted.
" Sir, try to notice the slope, it could be easily estimated by walk." Michael said.
" As you said, yes. We'll get back and emerge on the surface near the mabolo tree and do the pacing then multiply it to get the overall conversion per meter. Don't know if this exactly fits but I'll make it sure when I go check for the prisoners' actual location." George explained.
Minutes after they got out of the mabolo tree, George left them and he ran to stalk the prison cell while climbing from one tree to the other. It took him half an hour to find out the prison cell that's just too close by the barbed wires.
" There were two prison cells, they separated males from females, hmm...the tunnel would be y-type. Hmm...I guess, the old tunnel ended just ten steps of an adult going to the male prisoners. Oh my God, I see Baldur by the side with ripped shirt. Where's Dad?" He thought while looking from afar then immediately got back to the mabolo tree and he led his men inside station one for a meeting.
" The problem is, if its really heading to that direction. How about someone below will insert something overhead that would appear on the enemy's ground, anything." George suggested.
" How about a small pole tied with white, something white, anything white, but the question is, if its lighted up there or not? Sir, you cannot see the code white if there's no light, otherwise your eyes should be very clear to see the code within the dark." Michael reasoned out.
"That's interesting Michael. Anthony, what do you think?"
"Same goes with Michael's idea, Sir. I guess its a bit possible, just hoping the place wouldn't be too stony so we can just easily extend upward the small bamboo pole I guess tagging something white." Anthony added.
" Indeed, we'll consider that too." The lieutenant reassured.
That night they used a small bamboo pole in sending upward the white code. Interestingly, it took 3 hours for the soldiers to send the white code upward. Surprisingly, George found out from a distance that the tunnel ended just beside the female prison cell which is just two meters away from the male prisoners. It stunned the lieutenant even more to plan out that the the digging will only take for just a day to create a y-type tunnel. It was enough for the lieutenant to return to station one at 0300 hours and instructed the team to remove the white pole beside the prison cell and take a sleep back to the cave.
George shared to Magee what he has found out and they both tried to take some rest before sunrise.
In a late sunny morning when every one were gathered at the long table, George had a caucus with his comrades.
"Gentlemen...we'll use a bolo in creating a y-type separate passage. We'll do that in a little while but the actual rescue will be tonight. Right now, we'll carefully do that digging so to open the hole at midnight. " The lieutenant spoke.
Everyone assigned to dig have marched in the tunnel and the whole day they made use of was worthwhile. Both holes were ready to be opened through a signal. By midnight, they opened it separately and their comrades and civilians captured hurriedly passed through the hole and ran towards station one as fast as they could. As per instruction, both prison cell doors were opened.
When all their comrades and civilians captured headed to station one. The two holes were carefully covered and they made it up to almost 5 meters. They then created another tunnel in order to deceive the enemies supposed they'll really dig up the damaged ground inside the prison cells, though, its covered with bamboo beds.
In station one, it was emotional for everyone as they prefer to take a bath under the waterfalls. After drying up, they all gathered at the wooden table and thankful to everyone's efforts.
Baldur was still comforting Mayumi who was chilling with fear after being tortured.
" Dad, Amá, I can feel all these physical pains, bit I thank God you both endured the beatings. I'll apply some pink begonia leaves on your wounds, " Magee sadly spoke to them.
" Mag, go to Fr. Matias, he's got the worst torture." The Captain whispered.
When he found him Henry was beside the priest and feeding him some 'aroz caldo' and felt alleviated out of his empty stomach.
" Fr, here's a small amount of 'tundan' banana, I'll put a little of it to your arozcaldo, okay?" Magee was teary eyed again since the priest can't even say a word but only smiled with tears falling on his cheeks. After a minute she visited all the captured comrades and George was busy applying some medicines. Amado was not able to assist the lieutenant since he was severely wounded too.
In the morning, the comrades assigned in covering some parts of the tunnel got back and flat on bed.
" Good heavens! these people have worked hard for everybody's safety. God be with them." Baldur whispered himself.
At around 0900 hours, there were three loud shots on air but it was stopped when a group of horsemen have attacked the barracks then left. It was a perfect timing that it seems those men brought the prisoners with them.
"Were those attackers was the vigilant troop mentioned in the Daba Times? those weren't just mere civilians nor guerrillas, I presume they were special forces composed of Filipino and Americal soldiers. Thanks to them for unknowingly saving us too." The Captain whispered.
"Maybe, Dad. Thank God." Baldur sounded so gratefully.
George once again conducted his roving and checked the wounds of everyone and he feedback to the Captain that everyone's improving. With the aid of Cerenia, Eunice and Alexandra, another 'aroz caldo' was prepared for their lives lunch.