Message to the Captain
Charlie and officer Orlando just walked with them by the ridgeline then hastily disappeared and returned to the cave after the three has left.
While George, Baldur and Magee were on their way on the path back to station one, the crescent moon started to appear in the sky. However, George felt some movements, following them.
" Hey, Baldur...did you sense something behind us?" George whispered.
" No, nothing. The place is just creepy, and why?" Baldur uttered
" Ah, its okay, we just need to quickly move now, its twilight and besides, there's a need to meet everyone for the plan. Officer Orlando suggested to commence the attack next week when the bustling barracks would not know that we are in a u-type location with our contacts, and just manning at them below. Hmm, but I suggested to have the attack third day from now or else they can go spread to as far as the granite mountain, Makasido and neighbouring places."
" Copy. But what do you think about dad's opinion on this? What do you think?" Baldur queried as they passed by on a century old tree while the twilight began. Nocturnal insects started to sound through the sleeping place.
" I'm pretty sure that he'll gonna offer George the decision-making, possible." Magee interrupted.
" Me too, got a hint that it would probably be his voice too. Well that always sounds agreeable to me. Hey, hey…shh…" George pulled her and allowed Baldur to prepare his handgun.
A flashlight was lighted on and off several times on their path ahead but never noticed anyone.
" Come again? Could that be Albrecht?" George smirked and whispered to Baldur.
"Almost certainly." Then Baldur did the same on his own flashlight and a little while, a noise moving in towards them.
It's Albrecht who was just speechless and asked them about her sister but before he ended up sighing in dismay, George told him she's with them. Magee was guilty as she moved too close to George and put him as a shield.
" Okay, okay. I got it. I got it." Albrecht heave a sigh once again while moving aback and urged them all to get back to station one.
While on their way for almost half an hour, Magee spoke so twitchily to Albrecht.
"Kuya, I'm sorry…"
A deafening silence followed as they walked so fast after passing a little in the site where the cook's wife was found. Meanwhile, George whispered everyone to stop and stay side by side. It was so breathtaking when after minutes, a few men's voice echoed the place and had their flashlights on, flashing everywhere. One of them even had picked up something almost beside Baldur's combat shoes. Luckily, one of the man's companions called him in a outlandish language so instead Baldur would start the clash, but the incredible situation peacefully wrecked off. Shortly, the men on their rifles had left while chatting so noisily.
"The patrollers." George uttered.
"God, we're almost caught." Baldur spoke in his undertone voice.
"That's my point and this is exactly why I almost got crazy tonight for finding someone who was left under my watch. It's really a huge responsibility, you know, people. Exactly. This is my point." Albrecht buzzed up while George and Baldur were smiling. Moreover, Magee has attempted to help Albrecht clutched a jacket clumsily which he supposedly tagged it for her along with the flashlight but he refused and walked farther.
"Haha!" Baldur laughed as he covered his mouth.
"Shh…he's really mad Mag, look! He's heading to a different path – am I right? That's the direction heading to the barracks!" George funnily said.
Baldur quickly ran and followed his brother. While Magee and George was left all by themselves, George spoke.
" Hmm…I understand how Albrecht felt and your feeling too. But hope this will not happen just as it had been repetitively before.
" Yeah, I'm so sorry. I hate being stubborn but sometimes, I need to step up and do my part. We're at war, but maybe I have to slow down a little at times. I know, kuya Albrecht was upset and disappointed of what I've done, I know and it was such a mistake." Magee apologetically uttered and hugged her husband.
Momentarily, the brothers just got back and they all trudged the route to the waterfalls. It was all safe when they hopped inside the cave. Knowing the lieutenant has arrived, Sr. Sibal awakened along with Cpt. Edward and George relayed their conversation with officer Orlando.
" Really? Will they let us join when we've lost our orders from the top? Didn't they know that my men - are the lost commando." Captain Edward sadly said.
" It did not matter to him, anyway. He said it was still part of your plan, or even if it wasn't, we're still allies in this fight. Dad, they have some contacts from the ships docking in and out of Mindanao, so they knew more backups will be deployed in the barracks. However, the more Filipino soldiers from all sorts of the country were motivated when they have heard that naval ships coming from allied nations will rescue us, noting their attack is forthcoming, it energizes me." George smiled and tapped his father-in-law's shoulder.
"That must be awesome! I got it. But how about Fr. Matias? You've said a while ago that he was there with officer Orlando, why he'd vacated there from their hideout?" Captain Edward asked.
" I've heard officer Orlando asked him to officiate a mass for everyone who will join in the attack, to bless the souls." Sr. Sibal said.
" So both of you had met over there?" The captain asked.
" No, haven't seen him? hmm what is it, dad?" George smiled.
" Nothing, I thought you've met."Then the captain napped again.
"Yes, that's also what officer Orlando had told me. After that ceremony, the priest will get back to their hideout before the planned attack, so when it would be?." Baldur crosschecked.
" Three days from now. A week is too far and unpredictable. Just imagine how prepared those people are when it comes to catch our bullets and daggers. Am I right , dad?" George queried.
" Hmm, exactly. Considering Makasido would be risky, aside from being too far from our stations, but I prefer the two attacks. First will be on the third day from now and the other half will be a day after. A week might be too long. By the way, how many men do they have there?" Captain Edward asked.
" Around 60. 10 of which were injured." Baldur resonate.
" How about us? How many are the running soldiers." Sr. Sibal interrupted.
"We only have 10 American, 4 Filipino, 3 German soldiers and 10 male guerrillas. We have 5 women, 5 senior citizens and 3 children." Baldur enumerated.
" George…take the floor since it's you who will lead them that day. Your decision matters." The captain looked at him and smiled.
" Ah, thanks dad. This is mandatory to 17 soldiers under insular and commonwealth, whether we're the lost commando or what, we cannot compromise the plan of the 50 men who will back us up days after our attack. But if we can survive, the armed men of officer Orlando will have a great chance to attack pleasantly or we'll attack underground and underwater. The 10 guerrillas have the option to join or not. The women, senior citizens and children will stay foot in their respective stations. They will stay to assist emergency situation. Dad, how is it?" George asked.
" Good. But we have to inform officer Orlando and his men once more, perhaps. They might expect us all to go with them a week from now. Send my message that they may attack a day after ours. Isn't it, George?" The captain tapped his shoulder once more.