Chapter 66

Belle Devon, a city near Ethiopia, had become a battleground amid the civil war in Somalia. Luke Malory, with about 150,000 Ogaden tribe members supporting him, had established a firm foothold in the region, providing him with a steady stream of soldiers. However, most of these soldiers were young men, ranging from 14 to 54 years old, and many suffered from various ailments due to a lack of proper healthcare. Luke's arsenal was also limited, with the most valuable asset being the World War II-era "M41 Thermovent" self-propelled artillery.

Luke had the funds to improve his situation, but he was reluctant to spend them. Frustrated and under pressure, he eventually sought the assistance of a company known as "The," which offered to help him but demanded a hefty sum of 2 million US dollars.

Reluctantly, Luke agreed and transferred the funds from his overseas accounts. He prayed for divine intervention, hoping that this investment would save him from his dire situation.

As he knelt on the ground, he heard the roar of helicopters above his head. His deputy rushed in, panicking, informing him of the approaching helicopters.

Luke quickly stood up, rushed outside, and saw three helicopters flying low overhead. The propellers' wind was strong enough to lift his clothes, forcing him to shield himself. An air-to-ground missile was fired from one of the helicopters, causing a massive explosion in the city.

This sudden display of advanced technology left Luke bewildered.

On one of the helicopters, John Kansberg addressed the passengers, making light-hearted announcements. The crew prepared for a mission, with one employee acting as the door gunner, a position known for its danger in helicopter forces.

John maneuvered the helicopter at an oblique angle as they approached Belle Devon. The gunner prepared to fire, and as they descended, he began shooting at the targets below. The locals scattered as bullets rained down, and a group of black soldiers in military uniforms took cover.

Amid the chaos, a black officer gave orders to his subordinates. They retrieved rocket launchers from large boxes in a pickup truck. These soldiers had received training in using RPG-7 rocket launchers.

As they aimed their rockets at Hope One, John ordered his crew to evade and ascend. The RPG rocket was fired and hit the inner city, causing a massive explosion.

John couldn't believe the precision and technology being used against them.

Back on the ground, the black soldiers continued their attack. They aimed the RPG launchers at the helicopters, trying to take down Hope One and its occupants. John decided to retaliate and ordered the use of anti-tank missiles, aiming at the black soldier who had fired the RPG.

A missile was launched, and the black soldier tried to evade, but the shockwave from the missile launch threw him several meters away. He was injured but still alive, albeit in a miserable state.

Hope Three descended to rescue the fallen gunner, and Hope Two continued its mission, dropping bombs that would have a devastating impact on the ground.

Luke watched in astonishment as his attackers suddenly withdrew. He wondered how long it had been since he paid the two million dollars. The attackers had high-tech weapons and equipment, which had taken him by surprise.

After some time, Luke decided to take matters into his own hands. He picked up an AK-47 and led his guards to the front lines, determined to turn the tide of the battle.

Meanwhile, back on Hope Three, the wounded were being treated. Sadly, one of the gunners didn't survive his injuries. The crew members couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation as they continued their mission in the volatile African landscape, where even advanced technology didn't guarantee safety.