Private Echelon: Pirates versus Privateers

Chapter Five

Finale

For his action in Somalia and Indian Ocean, Nate wins his superiors' favor including Jonin (A top leader in Ninja hierarchy. But this time, it is the company's CEO). A secret conference is held to place Nate as one of the Jonin's succesor candidates. 

Paphos

Coral Bay Beach

Republic of Cyprus

August 14, 2009
09:04 hour


" Daddy, let's make our castle over there!" says Alyson.  " Okay, let's make a big one." Answers Nate. After hearing Nate, she runs away ahead.  Nate and his family are walking on beach on Coral bay Beach in Paphos.


" Arrgh, I'm still tired. Hope to get extended vacation." Says Nate. 


" Do the gunshot wounds still hurt?" Asks Shiori.


" No, they are not wounds but still hurt. Ouch." Answers Nate.

 " Was the place you went to similar with this?" Asks Shiori.

" No. Not at all. Here, I see peace. There, I spread death. I don't want our children to see and experience what I saw there." Replies him.

Suddenly, Brandon comes to Nate and asks, " Dad, will you tell me a story about the place you went?"

Nate smiles a bit and replies, " Well, Brandon, daddy prefers to tell you a fairy tale."

The family then continues their walk.

The End

License: Personal use and read only. Further usage requiring permission from author.

Disclaimer: All contents are fiction.    

Private Echelon: Pirates versus Privateers

Chapter Four

Pirates versus Privateers

Indian Ocean
MV Kalina

August 12, 2009

06:30 hour


The liberated ship with its crew and their saviors sail to Egypt. Sailors from various nationalities hold party on the front deck. They sing and shout around. For the ninjas, the mission is not over yet. Their last task is to ensure the crew and the ship reach safety. They patrol around within the ship to keep order and protect prisoners. They are detained on a storage chamber on a lower deck guarded by four ninjas. On the bridge, Nate and Captain Kozlovsky control the ship. Suddenly a ninja approaches Nate.


" Sir, MV Stealth reported they are ten miles eastward and is coming to us."; 


" Good. Tell them to send escort gunships and prepare medical units." orders Nate.


" Yes, sir." Says the ninja


MV Stealth is a pun name for a merchant ship used by Private Echelon Corporation as a disguise for their naval operations.


" The weather's nice. Right, Captain?" Asks Nate.; 


\" Yes, sir. Fragrance of liberty." Says The Captain. 


He continues " The experience made me appreciate life more. I was more careless before." 


"You were?"


" Indeed. I didn't even think about my life during voyages. But when I was held,all I thought was about to survive for my wife and my only daughter."


The Captain shows Nate a photograph, " This is my wife, Galina, and my little girl, Nastasha."


Nate only stares at the photo then asked by the Captain, " Do you have a child?"


Nate answers, " I am a father of a boy and a girl." 


" I really wonder from the first." The Captain asks again, " Who are you actually? Who's your name? I don't recognize your uniform and.. you carry a Japanese sword on your back." He continues, " Are you of Japan or South Korea or China Navy? But your accent points that you're not from any of the countries or forces I mentioned. Sounds to be from North America." 


For his questions, Nate replies, " Now I can't reveal them to you for some reasons. But my name card will explain everything."


Suddenly, Dmirty reports, " Sir, numerous boats and a large ship are heading to our way from behind. They are getting close in high speed."   


The report alerts Nate and the captain, " Have my men check on the stern." Orders The Captain. When they see toward the horizon from the stern,  a line of skiffs appear. After a brief binocular focus toward a skiff, it is revealed that the coming skiffs are boarded with pirates. The news then passed on Nate and the captain. Sirens are turned on. Ninjas and sailors carrying multiple weapons and boxes filled with cocktail bombs rushing around to their positions on stern, deck and superstructure. Captured RPK and M2 machine guns, RPG-7 rocket launchers and a mortar are prepared at all ship directions at hedges. Snipers take any positions at the ship's superstructure. Everyone becomes silent, waiting order from Nate or Sam.


The twenty skiffs are getting closer and closer. Nate orders his men and armed sailors to wait from the bridge, " Everyone, fire on my command." The twenty five boats fire a barrage of RPG rockets. Some hit the ship but only give minor damages while others miss. Nate then order, " Return fire!" Lines of bullets from machine guns and rockets are aimed at the coming skiffs from the stern. Three skiffs are hit and burnt. Their passengers are shot and some of them are thrown to water. All RPG rockets  but one miss and plunge to water.


" Reload!" Shouts Sam to his ninjas and sailors who fired RPG rockets. The situation is very tense, ninjas and sailors reload their RPG launchers in haste but relieved by their training to face emergency situations. The other skiffs are quickly closer and some even manage to overtake the ship triggering shootout on all sides of the ship. Several skiffs aim their RPG and rifle fires at the bridge, wounding a ninja and a sailor. Nate and Captain Kozlovsky as well his officers immediately throw themselves to ground. The fires at the bridge are very tense. It is obviously the pirates are targeting the bridge. Bullets breaking through bridge windows. Glasses rains Nate, Captain Kozlovsky and his men. One of Nate's ninja has been busy requesting immediate air support and reinforcement.


" Shark One to Mother Whale. We need reinforcement and fire support! We are under heavy fire! We request them immediately. Over."


" Reinforcement will be sent. Hold your ground until their arrival. Over." Says a voice on the ninja's radio

Indian Ocean
MV Stealth, Private Echelon Corporation Naval Command Post

August 12, 2009

09:04 hour

Near four Mi-8 and a Mi-24 helicopter, ninjas and air crews are running around and embarking the helicopters. The ninja reinforcement leader shouts and waves to his men, 


" Go! Go! Go! They are waiting for us." He continues while pointing a ninja fireteam, " You and your team on that chopper!"


Suddenly, a woman approaches him from behind and speaks to him.


" Excuse me, sir. From now, I'll take charge the reinforcement."


The ninja turns and replies in displeasure, " Who are you?" When he alarmed who he is talking to, the ninja becomes becomes silent and politely replies while giving salute, "... Ma'am!"

Indian Ocean
MV Kalina

August 12, 2009

09:06 hour

" Captain! we must evacuate the bridge. They are targeting this place." Shouts Nate.


" How will we drive this ship?!" Asks the Captain


" Captain, your life and your men's lives are more important! My reinforcement are coming here." Shouts Nate


" Okay!" Answers the Captain. " Dmitry! Andrij! Take Pavel and the wounded soldier outside!" Orders him.


" You! Take your this wounded ninja outside. Follow me." Orders Nate


On the third count, Nate and the Captain evacuate the bridge through a stair. The ninjas and sailors each carry their wounded friends. Suddenly, RPG rockets destroy the bridge, just above them, prompting them to throw themselves to floor. Smoke comes below and choke people on downstairs. A pirate on a skiff sees that the bridge has been destroyed and engulfed with smoke. He reports it to his friend through a radio.


" Their bridge is down! Time to charge!"


" Ooorah!!" Shout the men in skiffs


The skiffs driven around the stopped ship while exchanging fire with defenders. The fighting start to take casualties on the ninjas' side. Several sailors and a ninja are killed and heavily wounded. Some skiffs are successfully stopped on their tracks when their passengers are striken by hail of bullets. Meanwhile, the pirate's mothership boarded by one hundred and fifty armed men are closing by. Heavier casualties are suffered by the pirates due to the ninjas' and sailors' advantage fighting from higher and more entrenched position along the ship's hedge against smaller skiffs attacking from below. That slowly pushes most of the skiffs back toward their mothership though some of them try to climb the ship with hooked rope believing the sides they climb are not guarded but eventually wiped out on their ropes and skiffs by showering bullets.


The mothership is coming in from the ship's left stern, exchanging fire with MV Kalina defenders who manage to kill several pirates. RPG and rifle fires are targeted at the helpless ship. Their impacts shaking the ninjas and sailors guarding on lower decks as well the wounded ones. All sailors and Captain Kozlovsky are ordered to go to lower decks and lock themselves. The mothership's passengers shout battlecry while raising their rifles and machetes on the air. Nate had been on the left deck to lead his men. A micro uzi held on his lef hand, a ninja sword in his right crouching lower than the ship's hedge waiting for the pirates' boarding attack. His ninjas do the same, Sniper ninjas on the upper deck hide themselves to prepare for ambush.


The pirates' mothership slowly approach and starting to stop side by side with MV Kalina.  Boarding planes are set between the two ships. Numerous pirates crowd the ship's right deck. Volley of rifle fires are shot randomly by the pirates at the ship. After they stop, to their surprise, no one is seen around. The curious but frenzy pirates leaps to MV Kalina while shouting battlecries. Just when they board the MV Kalina. The ninjas delivers them a salvo of thick automatic uzi fires from close range, dropping all pirates on the first line of attack. Then they charges forward with their swords to contain the pirates' second line. The panicked pirates are confused, their rear lines do not know what happen on the front so they keep pushing the front lines.


The pushed pirates on the front lines are pushed and mauled by the ninjas' sword. The situation becomes chaotic initially at the pirates's side but the virus then spreads to the ninjas as more pirates flood the ship's left deck. The fighting is on very close range that both sides has no choice but to resort to mercilles melee. The ninjas' martial arts and melee weapons against the overwhelming pirates with their machetes, knives and rifle butts.  Ninjas and pirates wrestle sometimes when swords and knives tips are on their throats. Dying and angry screams shouted. Nate manages to cut down several pirates and shoot one in point blank on belly. Sam impales a pirate on belly and pushes his through him to deck floor. The pirate shrieks and blood gushes from his mouth. Nate suddenly runs into a 6'5 feet pirates carrying a large axe and a machete. The two now target at each other. Nate reaches a fallen ninja sword on floor and prepare himself in fighting stance. The two soon involved in a harsh duel. The duel ends when Nate successfully delivers a cut on the pirate's left feet that prompts him kneeling down and he continues by a double slashes at the pirate's neck.


The ninjas manage to inflict heavy casualties on the pirates but outnumbered, slowly they are pushed back to the superstructure wall. The pirates have flooded a quarter of the ship's left deck despite of snipers' deadly fires. Just when Nate is about to issue an order for his men to perform a desperate counter attack, machine gun fires suddenly sweeps the pirates' rear line who are still boarding their own ship. A desert camouflaged Mil-35 Helicopter flies through the pirates' ship's right deck to the rear and turns back and start to deliver another fire. Some pirates are trying to fight back using rifles but eventually killed and routed. 


Nate stares at the helicopter and mutters, " What..Who..?" Suddenly, his secure line phone rings. When he is about to answer it, two pirate comes to him swinging an AK rifle and an axe. Nate immediately kicks the first pirate in his belly, smashes his face with his sword grip end  then slash the second and finally turns back to the first and pins him using his sword on right hand underhandedly to deck floor.


Finally Nate answers the calling through speaker phone and a woman whose voice she knows well speaks through it, " Nate, dear! Come home! Kids are waiting!" 


Nate replies, " Ohh.. No, no, not now." 


" I'm coming for you, dear. Where are you? I can't see you from above." Answers Shiori looking from windows on the Mil-24.


Hearing that, Nate smiles, " Ah, yes, dear. Give them all you've got. But you have to come down first."

Indian Ocean
MV Kalina
Crew Decks, Lower Decks

August 12, 2009

09:32 hour

A large muscular Greek sailor named Alexander addresses other sailors, " We can't let them fighting alone above while we're sitting here! I will go up and fight. Those who are with me, follow me!" The man runs  upstairs followed by numerous sailors armed from knives to AK rifles.

Indian Ocean
MV Kalina
Crew Decks, Lower Decks

August 12, 2009

09:32 hour

The helicopter's second attack routes the pirates' rear line. Suddenly, a mass of sailors appear and charge at the crowding ninjas and pirates. Not long, half of the standing pirates immediately are brought down wallowing in blood. Seeing this, Nate stands and points his sword at the ship, " Men, charge enemy ship!"


Two gunfire are heard simultaneously. Nate is shot twice on his right chest and belly. Everything suddenly seems to be in slow motion for everyone. The sight of collapsing Nate drives the ninjas and sailors in fury. Battlecries are shouted.


" Aahhhh!!!" 


Crowds of ninjas and sailors suddenly dash into the pirates. The enemies are overrun within seconds. The surviving pirates break away and run to the ship's other side. Several fleeing insurgents are shot on their backs while others jump from the ship to water. The ninjas and sailors eventually flood the ship's superstructure and compartment as well lower decks. Most of the pirates inside the ship is captured except five begging for their life found hiding inside a cargo storage.


Two floating ships become mute witnesses of a naval battle. Ninjas and sailors are walking to and fro carrying captured from the pirates' ship as well bodies of dead pirates. While others walking around checking bodies of pirates not yet carried whether one is still alive or not.  Nate is sitting on a box assisted by a medical officer ninja drinking from a water canteen with Shiori sitting near him. Nate isn't wounded. The bullets hit Nate's body armor.  Nate suddenly asks Shiori,


" Who is taking care of children back there?"


Shiori answers, " Well, I call Cory and she flies from United States to Cyprus. Kids are with her now. She really loves them. Don't you know that?" Cory is Shiori's maternal cousin.


" So they are in good hand now. Good." He continues, " Thanks for coming, dear."


" It's okay, Nate." Answers Shiori. She continues, ' By the way, don't we sound to be privateers,private soldiers fighting under a kingdom's commission like ones centuries ago?"


" Privateers? So it was pirates versus privateers." replies Nate while smiling.


Captain Kozlovsky comes and greets Nate, " Sir, I hereby give your our thanks. Thank you, sir. We owe you our life."


" Your gratitude accepted. Good luck, Captain." Greets Nate while giving the Captain a handshake.


Suddenly, Sam approaches and asks for permission from Nate, " Sir, we need for your permission to scuttle enemy ship."


" Permission granted. But first, recover enemy bodies. Somali government have right over their own citizens." replies Nate.


Sam replies," Sir, according to agreement. We're never here and there in Somalia. I understand your order but that will cause an international dispute."


" Alright. Lay all of them on the ship's deck. Scuttle the ship and all skiffs. Hand over weapon and enemy weapons to Nato Navy." Orders Nate


" Yes, sir!" Says Sam while giving salute. 


Nate turns to Captain Kozlovsky " Captain. Now I hope it has exlained some things you asked before."


" Yes, I hope to see you again on land." Says The Captain.


" Sure, take your family with you."      




Indian Ocean

MV Stealth

Crew Decks, Lower Decks

August 12, 2009

11:32 hour


MV Stealth sails away from MV Kalina and the pirates' mothership. Suddenly, the pirates' mothership explodes simultaneously from its deck and within its bodies, tilts to its left and slowly sinking followed by victorious cries from ninjas and sailors crowding the stern. The sailors, Captain Kozlovsky and pirates as well captured goods have been moved to MV Stealth. They would be transferred to a New Zealand carrier that will bring the sailors to Egypt. The Captain and sailors are asked not to tell anybody about the operation. The pirates would be tried at Ukraine and Kenya.

To be continued

License: Personal use and read only. Further usage requiring permission from author.

Disclaimer: All contents are fiction.               

    

Private Echelon: Pirates versus Privateers

Chapter Three

Operation Trojan Horse

Galmudug

Kiyo Village
Somalia

Pirate Compound
August 12, 2009

04:15 hour

Captain Kozlovsky and his men and other prisoners from different countries are detained separately inside small houses within a small shore village named Kiyo on east Galmudug. His men are constantly under physical and psychological torture. Scream of pain is heard from Kozlovsky's chamber. He, Dmitry and other prisoners can only stare helplessly when they hear those screams. " Why do they torture us? What have we done wrong to them?" Weeps Dmitry. " Pull yourself together, Dmitry. It is what they're looking from us. Broken spirits. As a tool to force our families and government for ransom." Says the Captain. " Do we have chance to escape?" Asks an Indian sailor. Captain Kozlovsky answers, " So far I don't. Guards are everywhere and we've been weakened by being deprived of sufficient food. We won't make it through the sea even if we managed to get a ship or boat." " Do you think our countries we'll pay?" Asks the Indian sailor. " I don't know." Answers the Captain. 

Indian Ocean
MV Ardent, captured pirates mothership
Bridge

August 12, 2009
04:21 hour

" Sir, we'll arrive at Galmudug shore in five minutes." Reports a ninja. " Alright! Prepare all men as planned. Sniper, security and mortar teams stay on the ship. Others, gather on the deck!" Orders Nate. Men in black suits and balaclava rally to the front deck. They sit down in front of Nate who is about to give a briefing. " Men, as we have planned. We'll conduct a raid on Kiyo Village. Your tasks are to liberate prisoners and kill or capture all pirates. Remember not to harm civilians. Restrain all unarmed military age men." He continues, "  We'll be divided into three, my team is to liberate prisoners. Sam's team is to locate missing merchant ships and destroy all pirate ships as well ammo dumps. Hector's is to block the village's main road to intercept any pirate reinforcement. Maintain stealth. Use firearm only when needed. Sniper, security and mortar teams will guard captured prisoner and provide fire support from the ship. Understand?", " Yes, sir!" Answer all ninjas.


The ship treads approaching the shore. From afar, on a dark beach, houses are spread out. A little light is seen from windows and doors. A wooden pier spreads out lengthways where some ships are docked. From Nate's night vision binocular several pirates are patrolling while others come and out from a small house on the beach. " A dock post." Thinks Nate. At the bridge, the ship's radio calls in Somali, 


" Gadid, come in, Gadid, What is your status?" 


The ninja interpreter behind him says to the pirate commander, " Answer him. Don't play a trick. I understand what you say." 


The commander speaks in Somali, " This is Gadid, we found no merchant ship today. We will land." 


The voice from the radio replies, " Welcome home. We'll send crews aboard to help."


The ninja forces the pirate commander, " Tell the men to go to bridge directly."


The pirate commander says, " We need them at the bridge."


The voice replies, " They will be there."


The ship slowly moors to the pier and lowers its anchor. A pirate group  of five places a bridge to the ship then they board the ship through it. All of them are eventually ambushed by the ninjas on the deck.

Galmudug

Kiyo Village Shore
Somalia

Pirate Compound
August 12, 2009

04:28 hour


Ropes are thrown below from deck and hang on the ship's railing. A moment later, massive black figures rappel down to water and pier. Little by little, the sword-gun wielding black figures creeps and swims through pier platform and water. Zip - zip sounds are hard. The sniper team, using night vision goggles, shoot all pirates on shore, pier platform and dock guard post then gather on the shore in front of the village. The attacking party are divided into two flanks and one main groups with Nate's leading on the middle. The village is quiet and dark, no one is around except several strolling armed pirates. Nate whispers on his radio, " Commence Operation Trojan Horse! Go! Go! Go!". The raid commences.


Nate and his ninjas charge at the village, wielding silenced micro-uzi and various bladed weapons. Soon they flood a part of the village and kill all armed men they run into by bladed weapons and crossbows. A pirate is walking near the first houses closest to the beach and turns his head toward the street behind him, when he turns again, Nate appears and has his sword slashes the pirate's neck. Another is grabbed and thrown to the ninjas following him. He and his fireteams rush at the street, kill armed pirates they run into using swords, sometimes one pirate is stabbed or slashed by more than three ninjas. They sweep street by street, House by house, room by room, alley by alley. Civilians inside houses scream in fear when their houses breached. The houses armed occupants both sleeping and awake are mostly slashed or stabbed, the unarmed are rounded up and herded toward the beach. 'Urban' shootouts and violent hand to hand combat between pirates and attacking ninjas in close range. Bludgeoning, stabbing, slashing beating, strangling take place. Prisoners are liberated from chambers and a torture room. They take any weapons around from dead pirates. Captain Kozlovsky and sailors are startled when they hear eerie commotions around. The sailors inside the chamber become panic and think there are mass executions outside. Suddenly, the noise approaches and ended with a bloody sword blade break through the chamber door. When the door is bashed open from outside, a pirate body falls inside the room surprising the hostages inside. Four men in black pointing gun and wielding blade breach the chamber. " Gentlemen, you are free. You are to follow the men outside." Says a ninja. Captain Kozlovsky answers, " Is this for real?" Tears coming down from his eyes. " Hurray!" Shouts the sailor. Under a ninja, they are guided outside. Around Kozlovsky and his men during their run, a pirate is punched repeatedly in his face by a large muscular Greek sailor while three Turkish ones are beating and stomping another pirate on floor. On another corner a mix of several Russian and Nigerian sailors hack and beat  three pirates mercilessly using various rifle butts, machetes and axes. Three pirates are herded by several sailors, forced to kneel and executed using captured AK by shooting them at chests and heads. Some burn enemy technical jeeps, houses and motorcycles. Enemy weapon and ammunition caches are looted. Bodies of pirates are strewn on alleys, streets and below house walls. The frenzy and angry sailors are immediately taken by the ninjas and ordered to gather on the pier in order to restore order. The heavily wounded pirates are either left or herded to captivity by ninjas. Some angry sailors crowd to harm cowering civilians that is suspected as pirates relatives but soon dismissed by the ninjas.  Alerted pirates fight back using machetes, axes and firearms from houses and on streets but eventually are all subdued.  Houses start to burn.


Meanwhile , Sam's fireteams storm all ships and plant charges on ammunition dumps and pirate motherships as well their skiffs. The pirates on the dock guard post and ammo dumps are unprepared. They are overwhelmed by the ninjas' massive firepower and those who are overrun are stabbed or slashed. Seven pirates retreat to a pirate mothership and resist from  its deck. One is shot during his run. After a brief but pitched fire exchange and massive grenade throwing that kill half of them, the remaining three surrender. There was few hiding places and chances for the pirates to organize an organized defense due to the ninja's attack speed. Hector's ten men are waiting on the west side of the village, where the main road to the village is. Some previously fleeing pirates warned others nearby. Not long after, a group of attacking pirates and vehicles are going at the village right to berms where Hector's ninjas have been waiting. The group are in massive formation, with three makeshift armed vehicles driven in fast speed and pirates running around them shooting at the village. The two approaching vehicles are quickly destroyed by the ninjas' anti-tank fires. The following pirates are peppered by bullets. The ambushed attackers stop and start to fight behind the intact vehicle and floor triggering an exchange fire. Hector calls for artillery support. " Support. We need three artillery fire on the west. North of you. At coordinate 4, 3,6, 1. Over." The mortar team answers, " Understood. Firing mortar." Three rounds strike around the attacking convoy route. Enemy resistance suddenly becomes silent.


Nate stands in the village center around a bon fire site where village inhabitant usually gather surrounded by Ninjas, captured pirates and liberated sailors. A ninja reports to him, " Sir, we have five ninjas severely wounded and three lightly. They are under medical assistance now. We manage to liberate a total of a hundred and five sailors including Captain Kozlovsky, some of them are sick and weakened. Sam's team have planted all charges on enemy boats. An enemy counter attack have been repelled. We also captured 30 pirates, weapon caches and dumps as well many civilians. MV Kalina is also found. Its tank is found to be full." Nate replies, " Call Captain Kozlovsky." The Captain is called and then a middle aged man strides forward from between sailors. 


Nate speaks to the Captain, "Are you Captain Viktor Kozlovsky?" The Captain answers, " Yes, sir. I am."


Nate replies, "We were tasked to search you and take you and your men home." The Captain shakes Nate's hand, " Thank you, sir. Please let me know if I can help you." 


Nate replies by asking, " Do you see any prisoner beside ones in this village?"
," I don't think so, sir." Answers Kozlovsky.


" Are you sure?", " Yes, sir."


Nate asks other prisoners, " Do any of you see any prisoner other than you in this village?", " No, sir." Answer them 


Nate orders, " Bring the thirty pirates in front of me." Thirty pirates are herded to Nate while being thrown with rocks and bottles by the sailors and forced to kneel in front of Nate. Some sailors try to beat and hack during their march them using but deterred by ninjas.


" Kill them!", " Burn them alive!", " Cut their heads with your sword, sir!" Such shouts are heard from the sailors. They are again thrown with projectiles. 


Nate stretches his left hands at the sailors to tell them to be calm. The sailors become quiet. Nate orders his interpreter, " Interpret my words to them."


Nate starts interrogating in his usual fashion, " If you don't want thirty more heads roll to ground, you better to answer everything I ask with honest. If I find you lie, the sailors will be your judge."


Nate orders the sailors, " Friends, shout at these men." The sailors shout furiously to them, " Kill them! Give them to me! I'll tear them! Aaaahh!!"


When they figure out what Nate and the sailors say, they quake in fear. The pirate, one by one speaks. Then it is found out that all prisoners on the area are all  held within the village. Nate then orders them again to show who between captured civilians are pirates. Two men are dragged from them.


When the interrogation finishes, Nate asks Captain Kozlovsky " Captain, we need your ship to extract from this place. Are you willing to lead us out?" " Yes, sir." Says Captain Kozlovsky. 


" Good, Captain, let's get out from here." The Captain turns and call his men, " Everybody! Board the ship, we'll get out of here." " Oorah!!" Shouts his men. 


Nate orders his ninjas, " Sam, take the sailors and prisoners to MV Kalina, follow Captain Kozlovsky. Hector, you're our rear guard. Make a safe passage for the civilians and them  to leave this village as far as they can through the west road." Lastly,  Nate orders his men to take all enemy heavy weapons and rocket launchers.


Columns of humans walk toward and board MV Kalina. The first is joyful armed sailors and ninjas escorting   marched pirates prisoners whose hands are told to be put behind their heads and ninjas carrying machine guns, grenades, ammunition boxes, rifles, and rocket launchers. Lastly, Hector's rear guard board the ship. The ship now become busy. Moments later, it leaves the shore.


On its stern, as the ship is leaving. Nate, crowded by ninjas and sailors orders Sam to detonate all planted charges on the village. Explosions occur simultaneously within the village and on anchored boats that scuttle them on the pier followed by victory cries from the ninjas and sailors. The explosions on ammunition and weapons dumps and caches ignite fire that spread between houses. Reddish burning houses marks the village in darkness from afar.

          

 To be continued

License: Personal use and read only. Further usage requiring permission from author.Disclaimer: All contents are fiction.              

Private Echelon: Pirates versus Privateers

Chapter Two

Somali Cab

Indian Ocean

Somali East Coast

August 12, 2009 

Pirate Mothership, formerly MV 'Ardent'

03:34 hour

Twenty frogmen are swimming underwater approaching a pirate mothership in darkness. When they have reached the ship, several of them shoot hooks with ropes attached behind at the ship's stern to climb it. On the stern deck,  two guarding pirates are quickly slit and dumped to the sea by ninja swords. The stern deck situation is quiet, subtle chatters of pirates are heard. Light comes from windows and doors. Four stories compartment stands in front of them. All ninjas now start to silently sneak to the ship interior. First, they will clear the upper compartments and bridge. They slash, slit , stab and break neck of all pirates they run into with speed and silence, they flood corridors and overrun rooms, leaving dead bodies and blood on walls and floors. 

When they reach, the bridge entrance, a guarding pirate is pulled aside and stabbed then they split into two, the other ten will deal with pirates on the front deck. It is much easier than who the ninjas opposed on Operation Daimyo in Iraq. This time it will be different. Nate's goal is to take the pirates officers alive. All ninjas using swords flips their swords to put the blunt side to the front, others using sickles switches to bare hands, others issue their nunchaku.  Nate gives order in gesture for a ninja who then throw a flashbang grenade inside. A pirate lieutenant sees the grenade falls on floor that and screams to warn others, " Watch out! Watch out!" but it is too late. The explosion throws the pirates into frantic staggering. Nate and his ninjas storm the bridge. The four pirates and its leader pirates are severely beaten and bludgeoned to pulp. On the front deck, dead pirates are strewn around where ninjas standing. The ship's decks and upper compartements are on the ninjas' hand.

Nate calls through his radio, " Sea lion to Seagulfs. Sea lion to Seagulfs. Over." A voice replies from the radio, " This is seagulls. Come in, Sea Lion. Over." Nate replies, " Seagulls. The deck is clear. Land your men. Over." " Understood. ETA 60." replies the voice. Sixty seconds later, three unmarked blue camouflaged Mil-8 helicopters appear and lower themselves at the ship's front deck. The first one hovers 2.5 feet from the deck. Armed men in black uniform and balaclava with most of them having swords on their back disembark from the helicopter passenger door. Their helicopter then ascends and leaves them. The same steps are followed by the the second and third helicopters. Three of the coming ninjas run to the bridge to see Nate. When they reach Nate, one of them salutes Nate, " Nakajima reporting, sir. What's your order?" Nate replies, " Welcome aboard, Sam. I want your men to go down there and sweep clean this ship." Sam answers, " Yes, sir." then turns and run to his men on the front deck.


The ship's clearing works the same way as the first ninja attack. All lower compartments are quickly overrun and flooded by sixty ninjas. In total, thirty seven armed pirates are killed and only three captured. The ninjas capture numerous AK rifles, RPG launchers  and rockets, sidearms, knives, axes, four GPS device, ten cellphones and four skiffs. All captured pirate are gathered on the front deck. They are told to kneel with theirs hands handcuffed behind surrounded by the ninjas. Ninjas are coming back and forth carrying pirates bodies and dump them to the sea. 'Splash' sounds are heard repeatedly. Nate moves forward accompanied by an interpreter ninja. He begins questioning the cowering prisoner, " Who is your leader in this ship?"


The cowering prisoners points one of them in Somali language. Nate understands it, " Bring that man here." A ninja drags him and kneels him in front of Nate. Nate starts speaking to him.


" Who is your name? Are you their leader?"; "......." The pirate mute with his face looks down.
" Take up his face." Orders Nate. The ninja behind him grasp the pirate's head and pull it behind so his face to look at Nate.


" You don't answer me. You are playing strong?"; "....."
" Okay, tell him. He and his men will lose their heads and fed to fish just like their friends. One by one." Orders Nate to his ninja.


The interpreter ninja tells the pirate leader but it is replied by an insult and fear between other pirates. Seeing this, Nate executes his usual method of interrogation, a swift mock execution. A ninja approaches the tied pirate leader unsheathing his ninja sword. The pirate's back is pushed down so he comes to bowing position. The pirate is startled and begins rattling. He struggles but the ninja behind him holds him even firmer. The sword wielding ninja swings his sword at the pirate's neck in full view of the terrorized captured pirates. The pirates and other ones starts struggling and screaming in mixed Somali and English language such as, " No!!", " I'm sorry!!", " Please don't..", " I have kids..". The scared pirate leader cries in fear. Nate orders a ninja near him, " Take him and his three lieutenants to the bridge. We have jobs for them." 


A helicopter is called to take five pirates. On the bridge, the pirate captain and his two lieutenant are forced to  drive the vessel to Galmudug.

To be continued

License: Personal use and read only. Further usage requiring permission from author.Disclaimer: All contents are fiction.              

Private Echelon: Pirates versus Privateers

Chapter One

Naval Task

Gulf of Aden

Yemen

August 4, 2009

Ukrainian Merchant Vessel ' Kalina'

Ukrainian Flag

07:01 hour

Merchant Ship Kalina of Ukraine sails through Gulf of Aden to Sri Lanka. It is morning.  The gulf water is tranquilizing  but doesn't succeed to lower its sailors's alertness. No other ships are around. Suddenly, three skiffs appear and approach the ship from behind. " Captain! Three ships appear on the radar. It approaches us quickly!" Reports a propagator. Captain Viktor Kozlovsky immediately sees the radar and orders one of his sailor, " Dmitry, Andrij, see who is following us!" He fears that the following ships are pirates as he had heard from news. The two sailors run at the stern. A group of sailors have already gathered there. When he reach one of them, the person turns and says to him, " Look.". The three skiffs are approaching. At first, it isn't clear who are boarding them. When it is closer, a man in each skiff stands at shoots at the air. The sailors scream, " Pirates! Pirates!" They quickly disperse. Some run at the bridge, some are manning a high powered water canon, the others run to hide. Dmitry runs to Captain Kozlovsky, " Captain, they are pirates! What's your order?" The Captain replies, " Man the four water canons. You, Igor, send distress call to Navy nearby. The other seek cover and ready yourselves to be called for assistance at any moment." Dmitry passes the order to all sailors. Two men manning water canon on the stern start firing it. A long firm line of water bursts out. Initially, a standing pirate in the first boat is hit and thrown to water. The skiff has to strafe left and right to prevent being poured by the water canon burst. The other two skiffs break formation and approach the ship from its right and left. The crews on left and right side of the ship starting to resist with a water canon on each side and improvised fire bomb cocktail in bottles. " Hurry Up! Maximum speed!" orders Captain to his propagator. Seeing that to seize the ship is harder than expected. The pirate leader orders his men to open fire," Fire at the ship! Aim at the bridge!" The pirates starts shooting with AK rifles and RPG-7. The AK shootings force the defending sailors to throw themselves to ground. On the bridge, an RPG rocket suddenly flies passing the view from the front bridge windows. " Watch out!" shouts the Captain. All of the occupiers in the bridge throw themselves down. Bullets comes and breaks through the bridge's windows from right to left. Captain Kozlovsky addresses his propagater, Yuri, " Are you alright?" The propagator answers, "Yes, sir. Only pieces of glass hit my thigh." The gunfires still continues. Captain Kozlovsky decides to surrender.  He then reaches a radio and speaks," All men, throw your arms down, we surrender." The propagator crawls at navigating device array and stops the ship. The Captain comes out from bridge and raises his arm, a sign of surrender. The pirate on the left who sees it shouts around joyfully. In short time, using ladders, the pirates board the ship. Captain Kozlovsky and his men are rounded up on the front deck. The ship and her crew are taken to Galmudug, Somalia.


Paphos
Republic of Cyprus        

August 6, 2009
Hellena Hotel
Smyrna Pavilion
09:35 hour


Nathaniel and Shiori Kato with their two children, four years old Brandon and three years old Alyson are sitting enjoying their breakfast on Hellena Hotel's restaurant named Smyrna Pavilion. They are having their one month family vacation. Brandon runs to Nathaniel also called 'Nate' and embraced by his dad. Nate is undercover of a young American businessman while Shiori as housewife.  " Dad, can we play at the beach after breakfast?" Nate answers, " Okay, but make sure you finish your breakfast nicely. Now go to mom and make her task easy,  Okay? Give dad a high five." " Thanks, daddy." The child and dad have their high five. Shiori is feeding Alyson with small pieces of soft pancake. " Nice isn't it?" Asks Nate to Shiori, " The morning sun and the horizon." Shiori answers, " Isn't it  to bright?" Nate replies, " Well, I think that's because our table is placed directly in the middle of where the sun rays come. By the way, four years has passed since Iraq, isn't it?" Shiori smiles but answers nothing. She suddenly speaks, " I'm grateful for your current position now. It is less dangerous and you have more time for family." Two years after Operation Daimyo at 2004, Natahaniel is promoted and mutated to Mediterranean Branch as a Head Chunin (Executive Officer within Ninja Rank system). A middle rank.). His branch's current task is to provide Atlantic states security information and assessment as well confidential security operation. It is based on Malta.

Suddenly, Nate's cellphone rings. 'Unknown Number' words appears on the screen. Nate knows who the caller is. The words are the codename used by his superior, The Jonin (a name for High Ranked Ninja). " Yes, sir." Answers Nate. " A new task awaits. I want you in Malta this evening at 17:00. Understood?" Orders The Jonin. "Understood, sir." Confirms Nate. When Shiori sees Nate's expression, she knows what the call was about. " New task, dear?" Nate answers, " Yes.. I'm sorry. I got to be on Crete this evening. I'll be back again soon and continue our vacation." Shiori understands the nature of Nate's job from first person point of view, as she was with Nate in previous jobs within the company, even now, she is an inactive corporation employee, ready to be tasked anytime.

Paphos
Republic of Cyprus        

August 6, 2009
Paphos International Airport

15:31 hour

" Dad, do you have to go?" Asks Alyson. " I have to, my dear. But I will be back soon. Wait for me, okay?" Answers Nate. " Okay, Daddy. Will we go to the beach again when you are back?" " Of course, Alyson, we'll make bigger sand castle than before and you'll be the princess of the castle." Alyson chuckles, " You'll be the king, Daddy and Mom the queen. Brandon will be a prince. And I want a big white horse." Nate answers, " Nice idea, you'll get other two colors if you want." " Dad, I'm afraid you won't be back again." Says Brandon cowering. Nate embraces the two child, " Come here." He continues, " Daddy will be back. Daddy will be back. We'll continue our vacation. Brandon, remember, always obey what Mom says and be nice to your sister. Alyson, always obey mom and always do well on your meal, okay? Daddy loves you and mom." The family embraces each other. " Shiori, take care and protect our kids. I count on you. Call me  anytime through the safe line." " Yes, dear. Be careful on your mission. I love you." Shiori starts to sob, " If only I was able to.. I would go with you and fight alongside you just like the old days.." Nate answers, " You have proved yourself surpassing what was asked. Every time you were with me. It was always less dangerous. I love you, Shiori. You know I always think about you. When I fight, I fight for you. I'm the happiest man in the earth to have you." Nate's tears appear on his eyes. He continues, " And always remember this, You are a very capable ninja, friend and wife. You always do your duty exceed what is asked. Protect the children for me and always remind them that their father loves them." " I will." Answers Shiori. " I'll be back, dear." Says Nate. " Good bye, Daddy! When you come back, Daddy will be a king on the castle.", " Dad, come back again. I want to play soccer with you.", " Take care, dear! I love you!", " I will! Wait for me, okay?" shouts Nate's family and him as they and Nate wave each other. Then Nate turns, walking to his airline portal.

Valletta 
Republic of Malta        

August 6, 2009
Private Echelon Corporation Mediterranean Headquarter
Meeting Room

19:00 hour

Five men are sitting around a long rectangle table inside sound proof metting room on the Private Echelon Corporation headquarter building. An Ukrainian diplomat, Andrij Batko, opens the conferrence, " Two days, one of our merchant ship, MV Kalina, was under attack and captured by Somalian pirates at Gulf of Aden. A South Korean destroyer and helicopter was dispatched to help but the ship was already captured along its crew and brought back to Somalia. According to satelite view which is confirmed by NATO informant, they are brought to Kayo village in east Galmudug, Somalia. My government wants to hire your company under permission of NATO forces to free the hostages and if possible, to recapture our lost ship." Nate answers, " Understood, please fill and sign these document." as he passes a thin pile of papers to the Ukrainian diplomat. Two NATO Navy officers from New Zealand and United States in civilian suits representing Combined Task Force 151, an international task force established to fight piracy in Somalia who attend the meeting alongside Batko speaks to Nate, " Mr. Kato, we also offer a task for you. There are still about a hundred sailors held by the pirates on Somalia. We commission you to locate and liberate them." Nate asks, " Agreed. Please fill and sign this documents as well. A negotiation about price can be appealed after administration and document submission." Admiral Tim Seymour from Royal New Zealand Navy pleads Nate, " And representing NATO forces, I ask you to keep our agreement and operation in discreet." Ambassador Batko also pleads, " Please do the same about us as well." Nate replies, " Yes, sir. As being written on our company operational policy. Client agreements and operations are kept closed from public except being asked by lawful party." Nate continues, " Sir, when will we do our task?"

Valletta 

Republic of Malta        

August 9, 2009
Private Echelon Corporation Mediterranean Headquarter
Officer Room

10:01 hour

" Sam, prepare eighty of our men. Mission date, place and time will be disclosed later at its time." Orders Nate " yes, sir." Answers Sam. Nate then reaches his phone and calls, " Dear, it's me. How are you? And how are the kids?" Shiori answers gladly, " Oh, I'm good, dear. It's very nice here. We've been to beach these two days. How are you? Is everything good? Kids now are playing on the shore with me, building a sand castle. They are having good time. Alyson always cheerfully tells me about you coming back as her king. Brandon is okay, but he looks a bit quiet and sad. He is thinking about you all the time. I'm a bit worry." Nate replies, " Can I speak with him?" " Sure." Shiori calls Brandon. " Daddy, where are you?" Nate replies, " Hi, Brandon, I am on the place I can't tell you. But I wish I can. How are you? Is everything okay? I hear from mom you're sad." Brandon answers, " Yes, dad. But when I'm talking with you now, I am not anymore. I love you dad." " I love you too, son." Nate continues, " Can I talk with your sister?" " Of course." Brandon runs at Alyson, " Aly, it's dad." and he places the phone at Alyson's ear. "Daddy." " Yes, Aly? How are you?" Asks Nate. " Where are you, daddy?" " Daddy's on a place." Answers Nate. " Daddy, come back soon, okay?" asks Alyson cheerfully. " I will, dear, I love you." Says Nate. Alyson gives the phone to Shiori, " Ahahaha, the kids miss you, dear." " Hmm (Smiles). Is everything okay? Is there I can do for you?" Asks Nate. Shiori smiles while walking on beach, " Nothing, dear. Everything's okay. I hope you'll return soon. I'll take the kids around the island tomorrow." Nate replies, " I think they will like it. Get Brandon to places he could run around." Shiori answers, " I will, dear. Take care and be careful on your mission. Don't jump yourself to dangerous shootout again. I love you.", " I love you too. Take care, Shiori.", " I'll be waiting for you.", " I'll be back soon." Says them. Then,  both ended their conversation.

To be continued

License: Personal use and read only. Further usage requiring permission from author.

Disclaimer: All contents are fiction.