(Survival) Chapter Eight: Watch Your Six

The search for Officer Leila Espion must stop!

A few weeks have already gone by, and we still do not know where she is. Where could she go? I have no idea. But her sudden disappearance is causing a little panic amongst people around me and also becoming a roadblock, which I do not need right now. We are on the brink of a vicious war with Banks and life itself, and I rather not have another headache thinking about her.

I know times are difficult, but I only have two shoulders to lend for people to cry on. There is not enough time for emotional therapy to comfort everyone while also dealing with many impediments at hand, and worrying about missing people, too.

My priority now is laying out a viable blueprint that keeps us alive for another day.

There are always hurdles standing in the way of progress, however, with a good strategy, we can be well-prepared to fight enemies within or foreign. We are battling for survival, and that real combat will be tough and requires sacrifice. It demands a sharp and focused mind of peripheral vision to see the abrupt issues ahead of time that could hinder our mission. I want to keep on moving forward.

Things are looking upbeat, reconstructing the City of Angels from the shambles, trying to mimic what once used to be a shining and vibrant city full of promises, beauty, and mystery, where many people yearned to get lost in their dreams. All we need is a clear road map that could save most lives, so we can enjoy the sunset later on the beaches whenever the chaos is over.

I hold an emergency meeting about Leila’s disappearance. I know everyone is getting tired of these gatherings but this one is critical.

The room is crowded as usual. I clear my throat and speak with a fiercely loud voice to not show my exhaustion and fear of the unknown. Leaders must suck up setbacks and implement resolutions; they’re thought to never show fear or failure or hesitation. You cannot win a war with that kind of attitude or tactic, especially the unknown battles that are lurking in the shadows.

“Listen up everyone, with the inadequate manpower and resources we’ve got, we’ve exhausted searching for Leila, and we need to quit and proceed with our work. We have a lot to do. I know it’s not something you’d like to hear from me but that’s all we can do now.”

I am not a statesman or a guru of motivational speakers, but a grit of pressure can do justice today. Looking around the room at all the sullen and worn-out expressions, I resume. I need to be honest and transparent.

“It’s been a few weeks where no one has heard from her. She has either joined the rebels, given up her responsibility, or the worst-case scenario; is dead, lying in a ditch somewhere. No one knows her location. But we cannot afford to be distracted in repairing our city by just wasting another minute, day, or weeks looking for a dead or deserting soldier. For all we know, her disappearance might be another Lionel Banks’ doing. We just don’t know anything!”

I can feel a dread of smoke filling the room when I mentioned Banks’ name. I do not blame them though; the man is a ruthless sociopath and a killer.

“No worries folks, from this point on, we’re going to be paired with someone to watch our six in a group of two or three at most. We will be joined in holy matrimony until this thing ends. More than ever, we must be true soldiers now; that way, we can stay vigilant and safer until everything becomes normal again. Can I get a volunteer to take Leila’s place, please?”

I can see the disappointment on their faces, but everyone nods to show their support on this decision.

Then, Haley Kings raises her hands to take Leila’s place.

“Haley, you know what to do, and Veronica will be your wing woman. Watch your backs please!”

“Yes,” both say.

“Good. But before we are adjourned, can I also get two volunteers? I have a new mission for you.”

Miles Thomson and Sue Jenkins signaled their desires for the new mission. Both were young teens when things went down. They lost their parents and many of their friends, but the two remained close and are very much in love with each other. Where one goes, so does the other. In these times we live in, they still have that look of youth on their side.

Everything now seems in order.

As a marine, carrying responsibility on my shoulders is nothing new. I got used to it. I have the scars to prove it. The weight only becomes heavier and burdensome when I lose soldiers on the battlefield. That is something you can never get used to or get over. It haunts your soul, searing your entire being from the inside out. Now, I am about to send Miles and Sue undercover into the underground and mobster organizations.

I cannot stop the eerie feeling inside my head. Planning a mission like this, especially with such untrained and unequipped individuals is often deadly; we could easily be exposed to an attack, targeted by Banks and his crews overnight. Banks is a dangerous and unpredictable man who stops at nothing to achieve his goals. Miles and Sue, however, are not trained in the politics of disguise and pretense, to hunt and kill a shark mercilessly, even while it's sleeping with its eyes closed. I'd be disappointed if something bad happens to them; it is like feeding them to a pack of famished wolves; anything could go wrong unexpectedly; a slight slip of the tongue from Miles or Sue could get their heads cut off, if not bullets between their eyes. Thinking of such kinds of outcomes makes the worrying feeling in my guts even worse; I know the risk, but it must be done under the current circumstances, even though I cannot guarantee their well-being.

A good shepherd keeps his herds safely in the barns. Now Leila’s missing, we are down to 1,999 people. That is not a good badge for a leader. It could also cripple or slow down the pace of our advancement. Thus, every breathing soul is vital to repairing a brighter future, our future, and I cannot afford to lose another person on my watch again.

We must open our eyes and stay alert because there are many sharks in the shallow waters. The culprits are waging dangerous wars with what is left of our lives. We will not let that happen.

“Our meeting is adjourned for today. Miles and Sue, please stay behind. Let us discuss your missions!”

It is time to infiltrate Banks’ underground organization.