The trainees completed the training they were eager to start the first mission, they secured ammunition one lorry, and one armored military carrier from the militia, after defeating them, when they invaded their village.
"It's time for us to go for the first mission you are now soldiers," Henry said
"John can come and guide us on where to pass for us to reach where the ammunition is being sold," Henry said
John stood and moved in front of the soldiers.
"We will pass through a short cut we have dangerous wild animals on the way, and not only that we will come across many militia groups in the forest but we will not fight them but if they fight us we will fight them mercilessly," John said
"By this time we already have enough guns since we secured from the militia everyone must have a g*n" John added
"We have to pass through a thick forest sixty kilometers away from here, it is not an easy task if you are not able to go, please you are not going to be forced," Henry said
"Ten men who have preexisting conditions in their health you will remain to protect the village from any invasion," James said
"The ten soldiers didn't like the idea but they had to heed the command from their commander,
"Ten soldiers, you are going to be armed well you have a lorry and armored carrier to aid you in case of any attack," Henry said.
John brought a map they placed it on the table.
We are in the Kindu Democratic Republic of Congo "We are going to the southeast we have ten huge rivers and vast forest cover after every two rivers we camp to replenish" John said.
"The journey through the thicket is not easy from Kindu to Kasango to Kielemie here we are going to trade with them using our gold in exchange for ammunition," John said.
"How many kilograms of gold do we have? James asked.
" We have three hundred kilograms as of now but we are going to take two hundred kilograms," Henry said
"How are we going to ferry the gold its heavy in that kind of adventurous journey?" James asked.
"We are going to divide among ourselves to carry five kilograms each since we are thirty-six," John said.
"That is a brilliant idea, I didn't know that we could divide among ourselves it has become easy," Henry said.
"We are ready to go," James said
Joshua gave them a motivational talk as they divide gold and organized parked food that are easy to carry.
"The following morning we are going to Kasango we are done planning, we are going to meet shortly for briefing, then we start the journey," Henry said
The following day at dawn they met for a briefing.
"We are starting the journey, when you see any danger don't shoot unless instructed, you might provoke the militia in the forest to attack us," James said
"We are not going for war but we are going to bring the ammunition don't provoke anyone unless you are fighting for self-defense" James added.
They started the journey to Kasongo they passed through thickets they encountered wild animals but the animals were harmless they came across a huge river.
"This river is humongous we cannot make if we swim across the river, water is moving first," John said
James observed the area closely he discovered something.
"There are two logs of a tree that fell across the river let's use them as a bridge," James said.
They used the logs to cross after observing closely they discovered that its a crocodile invested the river
"Be careful it's a dangerous river make sure you don't fall into the river" John bellowed.
They successfully crossed the river after crossing they erected tents since the night was approaching, they heard animal sounds from a distance, and they discovered that they need to lit fire to scare the wild animals away
"Be cautious there are very dangerous hyenas" John said
They lit the fire around the tent to scare wild animals, while two soldiers in turn for two hours each to watch out for impending danger. Soldiers could see the hyenas surrounding the camp, wanting to attack but the fire scared them away.
They ate breakfast and embarked on a journey they passed through three rivers that were waswerevigable on their map they had about thirty kilometers to Kasongo they encountered a wild lion on the way.
"Retreat" James shouted.
"Don't panic " Henry bellowed.
They retreated back
"Come behind me," James said
"Let me shoot to see if he is going away" James suggested.
He shoot in the air he provoked other lions and lionesses who came in groups towards them.
"Take your position"Henry ordered.
They took their position.
"Wait don't shoot unless I tell you to," James said
The lions came closer stopped about ten meters away and roared.
"Don't shoot or do anything they have discovered that we friendly to them, since we didn't shoot" Henry said
The lioness came closer with her cubs reaching exactly five meters she lay down with her cubs beside her.
"They are harmless to let's continue with our journey," James said
"I didn't want to kill them they are amazing animals," James said
The lion followed them behind as they traverse the forest reaching a certain area he return.
"The lion is no longer following us he went back," John said.
"That is the end of his territory every lion has his territory" John explained.
"How did you know all this I expected heavy casualties," one of the junior soldiers asked.
"We have experience, don't rush to fight to take your time" James replied.
"The most important thing as a soldier is to use common sense you will save your life and others" Henry reiterated.
"The rule in soldiering is don't provoke, use your common sense and avoid being emotional" Henry explained.
They passed through thickets mean and during footpaths, in a distance, they saw smoke hovering.
"I think there is a village or a militia camp around here let's move closer" Henry suggested.
"No let's not cause any alarm to the people living around here let's go," John said.
"If they are friendly people they could assist us to guide us to reach Kasongo easily" James reiterated.
The soldiers around the village used tall trees to be a watch tower they realized James' military group in two kilometers away already they had soldiers following them without their knowledge.
Without their knowledge they went closer to the village they were surrounded by almost a hundred men.
"Stop there!" One of them bellowed.
"Don't shoot" Henry said loudly.
"Let's surrender" James bellowed.
They raised their hands.
"I am Japheth the commander in this camp, Where are you coming from?" and where are you heading to?" Japheth asked.
"We are from Kindu and we are heading to Kasongo for trade," James said.
"Place your guns on the ground and step aside' Japheth Ordered.
"Do as you've been instructed!" Henry ordered.
They placed their guns on the ground and step aside.
"One of you to come here" Japheth ordered.
James went as instructed hands up.
"Lower your hands," Japheth said
James lower his hands and went towards Japheth, there was a house nearby he was led to that house.
"Come in," the old man said.
James was welcomed and asked to sit.
"My name is Major general Robert the head of this camp' Robert said
"My name is James from Kindu" James responded.
"Where are you going?" Robert asked
"We've been attacked by Jacob the thunder militia we've lost lives and property even though they were planning to take our gold mines" James reiterated.
Major Robert called his assistant and told him to release James' soldiers and return their guns, he went and returned the guns to them.
"Where are you going to?" Robert asked
"We are going to Kasongo to secure ammunition to arm our soldiers" James reiterated.
Robert got emotional and cried emotionally.
"Sir, what is wrong?" James asked
"We've lost our loved ones as a result of Jacobs's action one day he is going to pay dearly," Robert said
"I lost my parents my sisters and brothers I escaped narrowly by fighting them fearlessly" James reiterated.
"You are welcome my brother," Robert said
He stood and went outside the house James followed him.
His soldiers moved closer James' soldiers moved closer.
"Here with us are good friends from Kindu they are going for a mission to go and buy ammunition at Kasongo" Robert explained
His soldiers relaxed and sat on the ground to listen to their leader.
James spoke.
"Thank you for your welcome we talked with your leader, we experience the same problems from Jacob the thunder. we must unite to fight our common enemy" James reiterated.
The soldiers clapped.
"We are going to host you until tomorrow morning but first let's celebrate our meeting," Robert said
Women came and served them food and later they brought some wine to enjoy.
Robert called some women to come and whispered.
"Prepare that tent over there for our visitors to spend the night," Robert told them
They prepared the tent and put enough bedding and table, they brought extra food and wine.
James was very surprised at how they were welcomed with expensive drinks and food as the night approached, James' soldiers were led to the tent to spend the night.
We are going to show you a shortcut to Kasongo and also save a route where you cannot encounter any danger" Robert said