Dark Weapon Book One: Time of Bombing

Chapter 5

Examination had finally arrived and the trainees were scared they weren’t ready to write the theoretical aspect of what they taught. They were confident in perfecting the practical aspect but not the theoretical. Some of them had smuggled bombs into the examination hall hoping to set it off when the instructors weren’t looking. Now these weren’t actual bombs, there were what people knew as expos or tap-me’s. 

“Write as many answers as possible and no cheating. Good luck” Swart said and turned to the chalk board. The trainees didn’t wait for him to turn around completely before they began to ask questions. Like Cathy.

“Hey Dana, what's the name of that explosive that makes a loud noise when going off?” Cathy asked

“There are a lot of explosives that makes loud noises when going off” Dana replied

“No, I'm talking about the one you read bout yesterday” Cathy insisted

“C4?” Dana said

“Yes, thanks”

The exam was a success as none of the trainees failed when their results were posted. Their bombs paid off but immediately after the exam was a test. Personal test so there was no hiding behind your partner this time around.

“Your personal test begins now! Who's up?”

The other trainees were scared to go up first but Dana wanted to get it done and over with so she made to step up but as she did so someone else came up. Daniel. She groaned and tried to get back in line but he held her back and asked her to go first with a smile.

“Military sniper guns. The first thing to find out is the range, accuracy, firepower, penetration and reliability. Take for example, Beretta M82 USA. A semi automatic anti material rifle designed and developed by Beretta fire arms manufacturer in 1982. It is a long range anti personal sniper weapon that neutralizes enemy snipers at standoff range and enemy weapons. Examples like trucks, guns and planes. It hits enemy soldiers hiding behind walls and it can penetrate through bricks and concrete. 12.7x99mm (.50BMG). It costs $8,900” she said

Swart was impressed. He had personally taught about the Beretta fire arms and she had chosen it and delivered it better than he taught. She glanced at Daniel and he gave her the thumbs up with a smile and walked up to take his own test. Their shoulders brushed against each other and he leaned in to whisper something in her ears

“That was hot”

“Now the next training!”

“They are fifteen doors and each of these doors has a picture on it. You are expected to pick up your guns, be vigilant and aim at your target” Swart instructed. They were going to work on their shooting stance and quick response to danger and threat.

“Sir, question! Who is our target?”

“When you see an enemy would you come to me to ask if he's an enemy?” Swart asked

“No sir” 

“That's what this is about. Use your discretion to identify the enemy and take him down”

Dana picked up a CZ 75. She walked slowly towards the doors. The first door opened and a picture of a woman with a child was on the door. She didn't pull her trigger. The next door opened and picture of a man selling clothes came up. She still didn't pull her trigger

The next door opened and a picture of a man with a gun came up. Enemy. 

She took her stance. The fighting stance and shot at the picture. The trainees applauded her.

Trouble began eight months later at the training center. Not for the trainees but for the Commanders. The President and the Defense Minister weren’t in support of the training any longer and that explained why they were absent from the oath taking of the trainees and other activities they were supposed to attend.

“Like I said earlier today, the training of these children here is bringing criticisms to the President and Minister of Defense” George said

“What do you mean by that? You were the very person who welcomed these trainees with an open arm when they arrived” Commander Swart said

“Look here, that was then and this is now” George said

“I agree with General George, these youngsters will pose a big problem for the President’s second tenure” Commander Philips said

“As expected Philips, you see things my way. Unlike someone else” George said looking at Swart

“Tell me the reason why you even accepted them” Swart demanded to know

“Well, you know, just to make the headlines. Think about it- ‘HORKI ACCEPTS YOUNGSTERS WILLING TO BE TRAINED TO BECOME FUTURE MILITARY OFFICERS’ Catchy, isn’t it?” George said

“Good, then why do you want to go back on your words now?” Swart asked

‘Not me but the President, George replied, he wants them gone out of this country or else, he’s opponent might use it against him” he added

“Fine, we’ll send then back to their various homes” Swart said getting up from his chair

“No. Eliminate them” George said looking stern now

“What do you mean?” Swart asked 

“It’s almost a year they have been here; do you think that if they leave through the airports the news wouldn’t spread?” George asked

“What are you saying right now?” Swart asked confused

“You and I know full well that these trainees aren’t getting trained to become Military Officers in their country but to be mercenaries for Horki right. It was stated in their oath” George said

“We are aware of that fact but what else are you talking about?” Swart asked 

“In 1954, there was an agency just like this one here, to train men for defense. We also had plans of turning them against their country and making them our mercenaries” George began

“However, the word spread and the plan failed, the men turn their backs on us and killed 15 Generals. Not only that, they spread like wild fire and Horki became a burial ground” he concluded

“So?” Swart asked

“I see those young men in these trainees, and if we don’t want the past to be repeated, we should eliminate them all before becomes too late” George said

“I don’t care what you do, but there are good people here and very skilled at that in the female category and a few of them in the male, why waste these talents?” Swart said

George made to give him a reason but a noise outside interrupted him.

“What was that?” George asked

“Probably a night animal” Philips said

“It has been decided Swart, there is nothing you can do now. I just came to pass the message” George said as he walked towards the door

“I’m not staining my hands with innocent blood” Swart stated

“Thought as much and that’s why we hired people to do the job” George said

“Before night fall tomorrow you two should vacate this place as quick as possible” George said referring to Swart and Philips

“Let not a word about this conversation be heard outside” George said

“And Swart, you have a very beautiful wife and lovely children” he added

“Don’t you dare threaten me with my family” Swart said

“Good day” George said as he walked out of the office

“Goddamn it!” Swart said as he began throwing things around the office

“Enough of that Swart, you’re making a fool out of yourself” Philips said

“What?” Swart asked perplexed

“He already told you what to do, get your things before night fall and vacate this place. Think about your family, what would happen to them if you still insist on being a righteous man with good virtues?” Philips said

“When you took up this job, you should have prepared your mind for something like this” Philips said 

“Their ID’s will be wiped off to leave no trace and luckily not too many people know about this place” he added

“Get out, now!” Swart ordered

“Think about this over the night and see if being stubborn for these trainees is worth it” Philips said and walked out

The oblivious trainees went about their activities without knowing their lives and dreams were soon to be cut off. Dana and her room mates were still awake, waiting turns to use the bathroom. Even though they were exhausted from training it wasn’t an excuse to sleep with a sweat and germ infested body. Izzy wanted to get buried in the shower but Jasmine was acting like she was giving birth to a set of twins in there.

 “Ahhhh… finally I feel fresh” Jasmine said coming out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her

“All that running at the training ground today made me sweaty and dirty” she added

“Truth is; you were dirty from the beginning” Cathy said

 “What?” Jasmine asked

“The words of your mouth are dirty, your mind and heart is dirty, and lastly your body is dirty” Cathy answered

“I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear that” Jasmine said

“Why pretend? I said it so hear me again. Jasmine! You are dirty” Cathy screamed in her ears

“Today you are dead for sure” Jasmine said as she chased Cathy around the room

“Jasmine, go put on some clothes Commander Swart is coming” Chelsea who stood by the door announced

“Well, let him come and see how a pretty skin looks” Jasmine said

“Your mind is really dirty” Dana said

“Agreed, I can’t believe you just said that” Izzy said taken aback by her words

“Who said it huh? Who called it? I did” Cathy said as she sat on her bed

“Fine, I’d go put some on” Jasmine said walking slothfully back to the bathroom

“Salute” Chelsea said as soon as he entered into the room

The others joined her as well except Jasmine who was lurking behind the doors

“Why is your room in so much mess?” Swart asked

“It’s Cathy and Jasmine. They have been running around the room” Izzy spoke up while Cathy elbowed her

“Whatever, Swart laughed, and here Dana, your Father sent this present” he added handing a big box to Dana

“Thank you” Dana said as she accepted the box

“Open it, I’m curious” Cathy said like a child

“Can I open it now?” Dana asked Swart

“Ummm no, when I leave” Swart said

“Okay. But what’s with your own bag too?” Dana asked pointing at the bag Swart was holding

“Oh this, I’m going this weekend to see my family” Swart said

“Okay, have fun” the girls said

“Sure” Swart said as he walked to the door

“I’m very sorry” he said turning around

“For what Commander?” Izzy and the rest asked surprised

“Oh, for nothing, I’m saying sorry for the harsh way I treated you all during your training” he lied

“Ahhhh…” they said

“So he’s aware the training was harsh, huh?” Cathy muttered under her breath

“Are you okay Commander? You look sick. Is something wrong?” Dana asked

“Nothing is wrong, I’ll get going now” he said as he walked out

“Isn’t he acting peculiarly?” Dana asked

“He’s a peculiar man to begin with anyway” Cathy said

“What’s up with the box?” Jasmine asked as she walked out of the bathroom

“Yeah right, open it up” Cathy said

“Okay” Dana said as they all knelt beside the box

“Wow, it’s a guitar!” Dana exclaimed after she opened the box

“I thought it was food” Cathy grumbled and sat on her bed

“Congrats, you’ve always wanted one and here it is” Chelsea said patting her back

“Okay, bed time, everyone go to sleep and Jasmine keep your phone away” Izzy ordered

“Seriously, always ordering me around” Jasmine muttered as she dropped her phone

“I’m gonna go out to the field and play a few lyrics” Dana said as she took the guitar and her headphone before she walked out of the room.

“Why? Is the inspiration flowing?” Cathy asked

“Izzy, keep that big window and door open, it’s hot in here” Chelsea requested

“Yes madam” Izzy said

“Thank you” Chelsea said as they all lay down

Shortly after the girls turned off their lights and went to bed, Izzy’s eyes went open and she saw a shadow moving about through their open door. Her first thought was that the boys from the other dormitory had come to see the girls they were screwing in the next room. She shook her head negatively, disappointed in the female race but stopped when she saw the shadow leave that room and go into another then another. She sat up now and wondered what was going on. Was it an intruder? A pervert looking for naked trainees? Perhaps Phillips? Yeah, he was like a pervert.

 “Huh?” Izzy said as she got up from bed

“What’s wrong?” Chelsea asked

“What is it?” Cathy asked as she woke Jasmine up

“Isn’t that Mr. Francis who got us here? What is he doing here?” Izzy said. She had recognized him after straining the hell out of her eyes.

They tiptoed to the door and began eavesdropping on the conversation he was having with someone else.

“He’s my Uncle” Chelsea said 

“Don’t leave a trace, let everything and every soul in this building be destroyed” the other person said

“Plant the bombs in their various rooms, that way we’ll be sure of their deaths” the person added

“I’ll take the boys dorm while you take the girls and remember no soul should escape”

The four girls held their lips tightly to avoid shouting as they tiptoed back to their beds.

“Pretend to sleep” Izzy said

Jasmine was shaking badly as she used her bedspread to cover herself. Someone walked into their room but the light was turned off so they couldn’t see who walked in but they heard the person drop something on the floor and exited the room.

After about 5 minutes Izzy shot up from the bed and told everyone in the room to come to her bed.

“Is it an invasion? Like the commies?” Jasmine asked

“Probably? They want to kill us all, but there is no way we can wake everyone up so we save ourselves first, right?” she said

“Let’s just get outta here” Cathy said. She was shaking in fear. Suddenly the box the person dropped in their room began to tick.

“Izzy I’m scared” Jasmine said holding her hands 

“Dana said she is in the field, I hope she isn’t coming back to the dorm” Chelsea said

“You all should hold hands because we are going to jump through the window” Izzy said

“Jump through the window? We might die!” Jasmine half yelled

“It’s better than staying here waiting for this thing to explode” Izzy said as they walked to the window

“On my call 1, 2, 3 Jump!” Izzy screamed as they jumped at once

Immediately they jumped from the window the bomb in their room exploded. Dana who was on the field, looked up to see fire coming out from their room. The guitar she had in her hands dropped and she began to walk slowly to the dorms with fear. She thought she was hallucinating. Probably, the girls were playing tricks on her. 

“Help us!” Jasmine screamed and Dana turned to the direction where they were. She stopped walking towards the dorm and rushed towards them.

“What is going on? Are you guys okay? Which one of you assholes used that mini gas again?!” Dana asked. She thought they had carelessly left the gas they sneaked into the dorm.

“Shhhhhh….” Izzy said as she placed her index finger on her lips

“Nobody talks loudly, she said, we are getting out of this place now” she added

Apparently the sound of the bomb going off woke every one up but it was too late as more rooms began to get engulfed in fire. They were trapped in their various rooms because they shut their doors.

“What the hell is going on? Wasn’t the first fire an accident? Why the hell is it spreading?” Dana asked

The other girls were still shaking. They couldn’t explain what they saw and heard because they just escaped being turned into burnt offerings.

“Let’s go and help” Dana said

“Are you nuts? Do you think the person who did this isn't still here, huh?” Izzy said dragging her back

“It was Uncle, Chelsea said, Uncle Francis”

 The cries and screams of those who were in the building was ear piercing. Suddenly the boys’ dorms too exploded at once not room by room any more.

“What’s going on? What’s this?’ Dana asked as they stayed hidden in the darkness

“It’s done Minister” Francis said over the phone as he stepped out of the darkness into light. He couldn’t see the girls hiding but they could see him.

“I am going to set the field now on fire” he added

“Yes, I’ll be there” he said as he placed the phone back into his pockets

“Let get outta here, he says he’s gonna blow this place up too” Dana said

“Take off your shoes Dana” Cathy said as they began to crawl out of the field with tears in their eyes. Dana took off her shoes and brought out a marker from her pocket. She inscribed something on her shoes before she turned away and went with the girls.

The cries of the people in the dorms died down suggesting they were all dead. Turning around, Dana looked at the fire coming out of most of the buildings, she saw Francis drop the bomb he already set on the ground and took off.

“He’s gone now, let’s run and get ready to jump over the fence” Dana said as she got up and broke into a run with the others running as fast as they could too.

One after another they jumped the fence and just as Cathy landed on the other side the bomb went off.

“Let’s get the hell outta here” she said as they all ran off

 “This is the capital of Horki, Danima and I am Diana Harwell reporting live. A gas explosion occurred in the military training center in Horki. The night before today is said to have been the day the gas explosion happened and there is no sign of a single survivor in the entire building. The bodies found were all burnt beyond recognition and there are no ID’s of the victims available either”

“I have with me Commander Swart and Commander Philips of the military training center here with me today. What can you say Sir about the incident that occurred?” the reporter asked

“Ummm… just for clarification, it wasn’t a bomb or any other kind of explosive that went off but the fire was as a result of the gas being left on in the dining hall. We've verified that” Philips said

“Could it be possible Sir that the gas explosion would have affected all the dorms in the training center and not just the dining hall?” Diana asked

“Well it depends on how the fire was, plus there was power and it must have been what spread it throughout the dorms” Philips said

“Where exactly where you Sir when this incident happened?” she asked.

“Well you see it was a weekend so we wanted to go see our families, if only we were around this would not have happened” Philips said pretending to cry and Swart gave him the devils eye.

“Commander Swart, what do you have to say about this incident?” the reporter asked

“I have nothing to say except I’m sorry. That I didn’t have the power to stop this from happening” Swart said as he turned around and walked away

“It seems they are pretty shaken about this incident. The Horki government sympathizes with the families of the late trainees and it has been announced that a mass burial would be held later today for the trainees. Reporting from Danima’s Military training center, I am Diana Harwell”

Swart walked into the field and saw it was damaged beyond repair. The possibility of any plant or weed growing on that field ever again amounted to zero. He looked around and remembered when he had the trainees run around the field, doing sit-ups and other trainings. He bent to the field and picked up whatever was left from the bombing. 

He got up and began to look around until he spotted a pair of half burnt shoes on the ground. He raced towards it and picked it up. By the side of the shoe he found something written.

“Till our hearts stops beating, we will find you for this thing you have done and we will kill you all! 5.” It read

Swart quickly placed the shoes at his back and went into his car with the thought of who wrote the note and what the number 5 meant.