By 12.15, we were already out front, lining up for the vehicle we were boarding to head closer towards our objective.

“I thought you said we’re walking,” I said to Stubs, who was getting his driver ready.

“I thought so, too,” he answered, “But Major said we could use the vehicles halfway through. Don’t want to tire this little lady over here,” he added, looking at Q. she grinned.

These trucks are big, and it could be a bullet magnet if we drive all the way up to the front. Besides, we’re supposed to be a surprise element. It makes sense if we were to be dropped halfway. “Oh, yeah. Tell your radio guy to leave his pack. I got one with me,”

“Alright,” I said, “Mason!” I called him.

“This is it, folks,” Red announced up front. “Go for equipment check,”

We did as we were told, and found nothing wrong. We carried enough ammunition and explosives—even Q carried 8 magazines—and brought water and several food items we can fit inside our vest. Because we were going far from base, we didn’