Chapter 37-38-39

Chapter 37 – Joint Operation

The sound of CH-47 Chinook helicopter rotors cut through the dark sky like a steady beat, a soundtrack to the tension inside the aircraft. Alex Rider sat next to his fellow Sabre team members: Captain Shepherd, Sergeant Carter, Lennox, and Collins. Across the way, the American Delta Force operators, led by Major McCallister, stood silently, checking their weapons and equipment.

This was a high-risk mission: to attack a Taliban installation that served as a command center and weapons depot. Recent intelligence indicated that key leaders were on site, and destabilizing this base would be a significant blow to the insurgency in the region.

"Five minutes to infiltration point," the pilot announced over the radio.

Alex adjusted his sights on the L115A3, checking the bolts one last time before putting it away in its case. He also carried an HK416 rifle, as he would be on the ground with the team after securing the perimeter. His mind was focused, every detail of the mission racing through his mind.

Shepherd looked at Alex.

"Rider, you will be taking overwatch on the western flank. We want your eyes up there to make sure no one escapes."

"Understood, sir," Alex replied without hesitation.

Major McCallister, who was standing near the open door of the helicopter, turned to the team.

"Remember, guys, this is a hot zone. The insurgents are well armed, but they won't wait for us. We need to get in fast and neutralize any resistance."

He looked at Alex with a slight smile.

"Amazing, I'm counting on you to live up to your nickname."

Alex just nodded, focused.

The helicopters hovered about two kilometers from the installation. The combined force descended quickly on ropes, with Alex and Carter leading the Sabre landing.

The group moved silently across the desert landscape, using night vision goggles to navigate in the dark. Alex could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins, but he remained calm, as he had learned from years of training and combat.

He knew that the slightest mistake could cost lives, including his own. Arriving at the designated position, Alex quickly set up his sniper rifle on an elevated vantage point with a direct view of the facility. His breathing became controlled, and he began to scan the area with the scope.

"Overwatch in position," Alex reported over the radio.

"Roger, Rider," Shepherd replied. "Report any movement."

Alex adjusted his sights, watching the armed guards patrolling the perimeter of the facility.

"Two sentries at the main gate. One with an AK-47, the other with an RPG," Alex reported. "No alarm yet."

— "Delta, this is yours," Shepherd said.

Two Delta Force snipers moved in silently, picking off the sentries with precise shots.

With the gate clear, Sabre and Delta teams moved into the facility. Alex remained on overwatch, monitoring movement on the ground and reporting any threats.

— "Movement on the roof of the main building," Alex reported. "Three armed men, one appears to be carrying a radio."

— "Roger that," McCallister replied. "We'll neutralize them."

Alex adjusted his aim and fired. One of the men on the roof went down immediately, hit in the chest. Before the others could react, gunfire from the Delta operators took them down.

— "Nice one, Awesome," Carter said over the radio.

Alex didn't respond, already moving his aim to another spot.

While Alex maintained overwatch, Sabre and Delta teams advanced into the compound. The sound of gunfire and explosions echoed as the operators faced fierce resistance. Carter and Collins, who led the way with Lennox, found insurgents in a room filled with ammunition crates.

"Contact! Three targets!" Collins shouted, opening fire with his assault rifle.

The insurgents responded with AK-47 fire, but were quickly neutralized by the operators' precision. On the opposite side of the compound, Shepherd and McCallister were advancing on the command room.

They encountered more resistance, but managed to subdue the situation with flashbang grenades and coordinated gunfire.

"Command room secure," Shepherd reported over the radio. "We found important documents and laptops. We'll need time to collect everything."

"Understood," Alex replied. "Still no significant movement outside the compound."

As the combined forces consolidated their position, Alex noticed something through his scope.

— "Vehicles approaching from the north," he warned. "Four pickup trucks, each with at least five armed men."

— "Shit," Shepherd grumbled. "Delta, we have to prepare for a counterattack."

McCallister immediately began coordinating the defense.

— "Amazing, we need you to hold their advance. Any vehicle you can take out of the equation, do so."

"Understood," Alex replied, already adjusting his aim.

He held his breath and fired, hitting the engine of the lead truck, which stopped immediately. The insurgents began to exit the vehicle, but Alex eliminated them before they could reach cover.

Other operators, including Carter and Lennox, joined the defense, firing on the remaining vehicles. The firefight was intense, but the precision and training of the Sabre and Delta prevailed.

After several minutes of combat, the counterattack was completely neutralized.

With the facility cleared and the critical data in hand, Shepherd gave the order for exfiltration.

"Let's get out of here before larger reinforcements arrive. Rider, come down from your position and join us at the extraction point."

Alex quickly dismantled his gear and ran to meet his team. The helicopters were on their way, and everyone boarded them efficiently.

Inside the helicopter, Alex finally relaxed, feeling his adrenaline subside. McCallister sat down next to him and patted him lightly on the shoulder.

"Good job. You saved our asses back there."

Alex just nodded, exhausted but satisfied. He knew the mission had been a success and that his reputation, both at Sabre and among Delta operators, continued to grow.

As the helicopter pulled away, Alex looked out the window, seeing the facility now in ruins. Another mission accomplished but he knew there were many more to come.

Chapter 38 – Friendly Competition

The forward base in Helmand province was abuzz that afternoon. Between missions and training, a break from the routine had finally arrived. Taking advantage of the rare lull, the Sabre operators from the SAS and Delta Force decided to organize a little friendly competition to test their skills, relieve stress, and of course, fuel the competitive spirit between the two elite units.

Alex Rider, newly integrated into Sabre, observed the lively atmosphere. He had learned during his joint missions that the Americans were just as competitive as the British, but with a more relaxed style. Captain Shepherd stood next to Major McCallister, the two discussing the details of the upcoming tests.

"So, McCallister," Shepherd said, with a challenging smile. "Do you want to be humiliated first in the shooting or in the obstacle course?"

"Humiliated? You're talking to Delta Force, mate," McCallister replied, laughing. "Why don't we start with the shooting? It'll be good to see you guys try to catch up to us."

The operators from both teams lined up, splitting into small groups for the different competitions: precision shooting, obstacle course, and hand-to-hand combat. Alex, as a Sabre sniper, naturally signed up for the shooting competition.

The competition began on the base's makeshift shooting range. The target was 800 meters away, and each participant would have three shots to score the most points.

Alex set up his L115A3 with the precision of someone who had done it a thousand times before. Across the way, a Delta operator named Sanders readied his M2010 rifle. Both were known for their skills with long-range weapons, and everyone was eager to see who would come out on top.

"Amazing, no pressure," Carter said, smiling.

"Leave the kid alone," Lennox added. "He'll show you how it's done."

Alex ignored the comments and focused on his breathing. He lay down in his shooting position and adjusted his aim. The wind was light, but he compensated anyway, calculating each variable carefully.

— "Sabre first," McCallister announced, crossing his arms.

Alex fired the first shot. The dry sound echoed across the field, and the impact was right in the center of the target. He adjusted his aim slightly for the next two shots, which also hit the center.

— "Three shots, three hits in the center," Shepherd said, smiling proudly. "Delta, you're in trouble."

Sanders took his position and fired his three shots. Two hit close to the center, but the third was slightly off target. The result was clear: Sabre won the shooting competition.

— "Not bad, Awesome," Sanders said, shaking Alex's hand. "You're as good as they say."

— "So are you," Alex replied humbly.

The second event was an obstacle course that simulated combat conditions. Competitors had to run 1 km carrying 20 kg backpacks, climb over walls, crawl under barbed wire and climb ropes.

Collins and Lennox represented Sabre, while two Delta operators, Brooks and Taylor, competed for the American team.

— "Lennox, if you lose, you'll buy dinner for the week," Shepherd joked.

— "You got it, Captain. Dinner's guaranteed."

The race began with all competitors sprinting at high speed. Lennox quickly took the lead, demonstrating his endurance and agility. Brooks tried to keep up, but stumbled while climbing a wall, losing precious seconds.

In the end, Lennox crossed the finish line first, followed by Collins. Sabre won again, but not without praise for Delta's determination.

— "You guys are fast, but we're faster," Lennox teased with a smile.

— "Wait until the hand-to-hand combat," Brooks replied. "Let's see who comes out on top."

The final event was a hand-to-hand combat tournament, with the operators fighting in elimination rounds. The rules were simple: no weapons, just brute force and technique.

Alex was the first to fight for Sabre, facing a Delta operator named Harris, a tall, muscular man who clearly had a background in martial arts.

The two faced off in the center of the makeshift ring, surrounded by the cheers and cheers of both teams.

— "Go for it, Awesome," Collins shouted. "Show us Brits how to fight."

Harris moved in first, trying to take Alex down with a quick strike, but Alex deftly dodged it, seizing the opportunity to apply an armbar. Harris managed to break free, but Alex wasted no time, attacking with a series of blows that knocked him off balance.

Within minutes, Alex had Harris down and pinned him, winning the round.

— "Not bad for a kid," Harris said, standing up and shaking Alex's hand.

That evening, the two teams gathered to celebrate the day of competition. Although there was some teasing and banter, the mutual respect between the units was evident.

McCallister lifted a mug of coffee, smiling at Shepherd.

— "Okay, you won today. But don't get used to it."

— "We'll see next time," Shepherd replied, laughing.

Alex sat next to Collins and Lennox, listening to the Delta operators' stories of missions in different parts of the world. He knew that the competition was just a way to strengthen the bonds between the teams, something essential in combat zones where trust and cooperation were crucial.

As laughter echoed across the base, Alex looked up at the starry sky. He knew that days like this were rare, but also necessary to keep spirits high in the midst of war. Tomorrow, they could go back to the battlefield, but tonight, they were just soldiers celebrating together.

Chapter 39 – One Last Mission and the Souvenir Photo

The last joint mission between the SAS Sabre team and Delta Force operators was complete. For weeks, the two elite units had worked side by side on high-risk missions in Helmand Province, but now it was time to say goodbye. Delta had been redeployed to Iraq, while Sabre would continue its operations in Afghanistan.

The final mission had been intense but successful. The objective was to dismantle an insurgent weapons depot. Teamwork, once again, proved to be the key to success. Now, back at base, the mood was one of relief and camaraderie.

In the base mess hall, the two teams were reunited. The operators laughed, shared stories, and exchanged friendly banter. Alex Rider, sitting next to Carter and Lennox, listened intently as Delta's leader McCallister told a story about a particularly challenging mission in Iraq.

— "And then," McCallister said, gesturing dramatically, "the vehicle exploded right in front of us. I thought that was it, but we managed to get out before everything went up in smoke."

— "That explains why you lost your hair, Major," Collins joked, drawing a laugh.

McCallister laughed along, slapping the table.

— "Watch it, Collins. I'll remember that when you need us again."

Shepherd lifted his coffee mug.

— "Well, Major, if you need support in Iraq, we'll be ready to show you how the SAS does things."

— "Deal," McCallister replied, raising his own mug.

After dinner, Delta Team began packing up their gear. They were scheduled to leave the next day, but before they left, McCallister suggested something no one would refuse.

— "How about we take a picture before we go? Something to remember this time by."

— "Great idea," Carter said. "Although I don't think some of the faces here will look good in the photo."

— "Speak for yourself, Carter," Lennox said, laughing.

The group gathered in the main courtyard of the base. A base operator assigned to capture the moment adjusted the camera as everyone got ready.

The Sabre team, consisting of Alex, Shepherd, Carter, Collins, and Lennox, stood on one side. On the other, McCallister, Sanders, Brooks, Harris, and Taylor represented Delta. Despite their friendly rivalry, the mutual respect between the operators was evident.

— "Okay, everyone ready," the operator with the camera said. "Now, no funny business."

— "Collins, this is for you," Carter teased.

They all laughed as they got into position. Alex was in the center, next to McCallister and Shepherd. He felt a mix of emotions. Although he still had a long way to go with Sabre, he knew he would miss his time working with Delta.

— "Okay, now for a serious one," the operator said, adjusting his focus.

They all got into position, some with serious expressions and others trying to suppress smiles.

— "And now for a lighthearted one!"

Brooks pulled Collins into a joke, while Lennox made a victory gesture. Alex, with a small smile, crossed his arms.

After a few photos, McCallister approached Alex.

— "You're young, but you've already proven that you have what it takes to be here. It was an honor to work with you, Amazing."

Alex shook McCallister's hand, feeling the weight of the words.

— "The honor was mine, Major. I hope our teams meet again."

— "I'm sure we will. It's a small world for us."

Later, Alex sat on his bed, looking at the photos that had been sent to the team's devices. He studied the image, seeing the faces of the operators who had briefly been his allies and friends.

Carter walked into the barracks, throwing himself onto his bed.

"You know, Rider, you really impressed these guys."

"They impressed me, too," Alex replied.

"Well, don't get too used to goodbyes. In our line of work, the next mission can always bring us back together."

Alex nodded. He knew Carter was right. Working in the SAS was unpredictable, but he was prepared for whatever came his way.

As he turned out the lights and went to bed, Alex tucked the photos into the pocket of his backpack. This was more than a keepsake; it was a reminder that even in the most difficult situations, bonds were formed, and the spirit of camaraderie always prevailed.

The next day would bring new challenges, but for that night, Alex allowed himself to relax, knowing that he had left a mark on his teammates, just as they had left one on him.

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