1 THE RESCUE

Around twenty years ago…

It was dusk. Daylight was fast disappearing from the horizon. The two friends, still in their mountain climbing outfits, after leaving their gear in the woods behind them, were sneaking up to several large dilapidated and aged buildings that looked like they'd been recycled to become a smuggler's hideout.

Hence, what originally was a hiking expedition to explore the ruins, had now become an on-the-spot rescue operation. And Reuben was not happy about it…

"Called this in on the radio. They said they could drop in with the chopper in like ten minutes. Aren't we going to wait for backup, Marion?"

"Sure we can, Rube, but look, they're already carting away those women at the back. That's quite a number of girls there. If we wait for the cavalry to arrive, most of them will be part of the slave trade by early morning!"

"Damn it, Orion, if you wanted girls that badly we should have just gone to my father's Midnight resort!"

"Oh you mean your family bordello, right?"

"Hey, at least our women are willing and will never be the kidnapped kind!"

"Well, you're as bad as those kidnappers right now if we do nothing and just let them get away."

"That's easy for you to say! If anything happens to me, my father isn't gonna give a shit! If anything happens to you, MY father and YOUR father will kill ME!"

"That gives you more reason to follow my lead and help me. Get bloody ready on the count of three… THREE!"

"Fucking hell… MARION! WAIT UP!"

By the time the Sciarillo military copter arrived, the girls had all been freed and the skilful and muscular pair had managed to kill about thirty of the illegal human traffickers.

Miraculously, Marion sustained only minor injuries despite him taking more enemies down than Reuben. The Rube would be wounded almost fatally which meant staying in the hospital for a while.

However, while the heroic duo was being looked at and prepped for transport to the hospital by the medics, one girl in the group of freed females was intently looking at the less wounded of the two. She wanted so much to thank him but she knew he would probably not give a damn about a randomly rescued damsel in distress.

She would never forget his name or his face… She would also keep the knowledge of knowing him a secret which she shared only with her best friend.

After all, she believed it was for the best.