PRIMAL Vengeance

Chapter 23



M25 'Punisher'



SFF Village, Abyei District



While Mirza and Bishop were out chasing the Janjaweed, Mitch had returned in Dragonfly and been busy at the village. He had flown in solar panels and supplies as well as a water purification pump. A team of local workers had wired the main SFF hut with power and converted another hut into a basic medical clinic, complete with an operating table. They had also planted more ground sensors on the road to the village, hidden Dragonfly under camouflage netting and stockpiled ammunition and weapons in one of the huts.

It was the new weapons that Bishop was most interested in as he prepared for the next operation. He needed something to give him an edge over the heavily armed Janjaweed.

"That looks pretty high tech," said Jess as she entered the hut.

It was mid-afternoon and Bishop had spent the last hour sorting through Mitch's latest delivery.

"Hey, Jess," he said absent-mindedly, still engrossed in one of the new weapons he was inspecting. It was an M25 grenade launcher, a highly sophisticated weapon that had only recently been introduced to frontline soldiers in Afghanistan. The launcher fired programmable 25mm grenades from a four round magazine. With its integrated laser rangefinder, it looked like something out of a sci-fi movie.

"Probably a little too complex for Garang's boys." He put the launcher back in its case. "Might come in handy though."

"I just wanted to give you this back." Jess held out the PX4 pistol that Bishop had lent her.

He checked it was loaded and slid it into the holster on his hip. "You know, we should probably give you a weapon of your own." He opened one of the crates and pulled out an AK104. "Ever fired one of these?"

Jess shook her head. "Plenty of handguns but only hunting rifles."

Bishop grabbed a handful of magazines from another crate and dropped them in an empty cloth bag. "I've got a spare ten minutes. I'll give you a quick lesson."

They left the armory hut and walked a short distance to where the SFF had set up a rifle range facing into the cliffs that surrounded the village.

"It's pretty simple." Bishop showed her where the key parts were located on the AK. "Cocking handle, safety, magazine release and trigger." He ran her through the basic operating procedures.

"You ready to put a few rounds down range?"

"Yeah, I think I've got the hang of it."

Bishop set up a target at twenty-five meters. He gave her two full magazines and showed her the proper stance to compensate for the recoil of the weapon. "It's well balanced but will still kick." He reached around showing her how to hold it tight in against the shoulder. "You need to be ready but not tense. That's the trick." His face was next to hers as he showed her how to line the red dot up with the target.

Bishop felt her press back against his body and for a moment he thought about kissing her.

The AK barked, snapping him out of the fantasy. The rounds smacked into the target and Jess laughed. "It's so easy."

Bishop let her go and stepped back. She fired off another few rounds sending them through the target.

"Try it full auto," he said.

The AK shuddered as Jess blasted the rest of the clip down range. She held her stance keeping a firm grip on the weapon. Bullets churned up dust behind the target as she riddled it with rounds. When the magazine was empty she depressed the release and dropped it into the dust. The second mag left her pocket and was slammed home in a matter of seconds before she re-cocked the weapon. Then she was back at it, hammering the target with short bursts until she was out of ammo.

"You're a natural," said Bishop.

Jess was standing with the AK in her hands, a whisp of smoke leaving the barrel as she laughed. "It must be your teaching, Aden."

"Yes, thank you, Aden." Garang was standing behind them, his arms folded across his chest.

"No problem at all," said Bishop. "Jess, you can grab some more magazines and belt rig from the hut. If you want to throw a few more rounds down range I'm sure Garang or one of his boys can help you out."

Garang gave the doctor a stern look as she smiled and wandered off with her new weapon.

"Women are not fighters," said Garang once she was out of earshot.

"She may not fight but she needs to be able to protect herself," responded Bishop.

"That is my job."

"Garang, you're not always going to be there. You've got men to lead, battle plans to make, orders to deliver. Everyone needs to be able to look after themselves to allow you to do your job."

The SFF leader sighed and sat down on a log. The excitement of the recent ambush had worn off and now Garang looked tired.

Bishop sat next to him. "What's wrong?"

"You say I have to lead men, make plans, give orders."

"Yes, you are a commander. These men need you to make the decisions."

Garang spoke more quietly. "I want to lead these men, I want revenge against Sagrib, but I don't think I'm right for this, Aden."

"You did great today—"

"No, you did great," interrupted Garang. "I was along for the ride. Last time I led my men, we were massacred."

"It's normal to have doubts, Garang. The most competent warriors I've ever met have all had doubts. So far the odds have been stacked against you. Your enemy has had superior firepower and the element of surprise. That's all about to change."

"But what about the men? If they have doubts in me, then how can I lead them?"

"They might have doubts but they're still here, so don't let them down."

"You're right," Garang said half-heartedly. "I suppose we need to get ready for orders. Right?"

"Mirza's already got the men assembled." Bishop gripped Garang's shoulder.

As they walked back they could see the SFF soldiers congregated around a model that Mirza had constructed out of rocks and dirt. They were sitting in their teams, laid out exactly how they would be during the fight. Although they were still dressed in an assortment of uniforms, now they all had the same equipment. South African-style chest harnesses were weighed down with ammunition and grenades. Their weapons were new, with modern sights bolted to their AKs and PKMs. Even the doctor looked the part with her AK and magazine pouches around her waist. The whole SFF team looked professional and Garang's confidence grew. He felt ready to deal with whatever the next twenty-four hours would throw at them.