Attacks in the Past Years
In March 17 1992, a bomb exploded in an international airport, killing twelve and injuring at least one hundred and twenty eight people.
A group sprayed saren gas in a residential neighborhood that killed seven injured two hundred and seventy. A suicide bomber blows up a bus. Extremists are suspected. Twenty six people were killed and some eighty others injured. Eight militants carried out a series of bombings, and forty three people were killed, while two hundred people were injured.
Members of a group carried six packages onto subway trains, in March 20 1995 and released deadly saren gas, which killed twelve and injured more than five thousand. Since it is obvious that all the attacks are carried out by religious, right wing, or ethnic terrorist. Wouldnt it be better to call on all individual heads of these extremists to review their doctrines or orientation by themselves? The West has faced terror attack more than can be recorded in any other country. In a Western City, 26th of Feb, 1993, religious extremists explode a massive bomb below the Department of trade; killing six injured some one thousand more.
A truck exploded at a Federal building and killed one hundred and sixty eight and injured more than five hundred in April 19, 1995. In August 7, 1998, the Western embassies were bombed, killing two hundred and fifty people and injuring two hundred.
September 11th recorded the highest terror attack in history when two airmobile crashed into the Western Department of Trade, killing thousands. In fact this is the height of dis-regard for humanity. Acts of terror has to stop, even if it is not immediately we have to try our best to see that we handle this problem of world torment.
Even if theres little or nothing to be done, people should try to break bounds and show some love, who knows maybe a doctrine received over a generation, could be altered a good bit by peoples concern. People should try and go into as many lives as possible, trying to observe the slightest display of terror attitude, and tackle it even if it requires an additional support.
People should be careful, even when theres no cause to be, and should get close to perfection in all field of endeavors. Who knows what terror-minds are up to, even after the anthrax attacks they could be planning another attack, but notwithstanding people trust in God because they live by faith in Him, knowing that the battle is not to the strong neither is the race to the swift. Whatever torment-minded people try to come out with, there will always be a way out. Hopefully, before they have time to plan, Gods light will shine on them and there will be a change of heart.
It is between human conviction and the conviction of terror. The conviction of terror motivates terror people to sacrifice their lives for the cause of terror. Let the terror-free conviction always abide in human heart of hearts and whatever people think, say and do, they should remember the new conviction, and if it abides in hearts, people would touch the life of a terror-minded person without even knowing, thereby helping them give life a second thought. Always remember to be conscious of freedom the same way you are conscious of terror attacks. People will live to look at terror as a thing of the past.
Wow, can a book enlighten a person as much as this, thought Max as he closed the book and stood up.
The time taken for Preyes new clothes to arrive had exceeded the time interval given to him by the sailor that took his measurement, so when Malcolm asked Preye to accompany him to the laundry, which was located on the same deck with the tailor, he consented without giving it a second thought.
As they climbed the stairs to the sixth deck which was a linking deck to other parts of the aircraft carrier, Malcolm asked Preye if he knew why his clothes were not delivered to him: I do not know replied Preye. It is because nobody likes to go as far as we are about to go right now, said Malcolm. Why? Preye asked. You will soon find out for yourself, concluded Malcolm. They walked up to the end of the stair and the only way forward was to climb the ladder made of rope. Preye cling to the rope tight as he descended to another world in the carrier that was congested with recycled air and as he opened his mouth to speak, a terrible smell filled his nose and he almost choked.
That smell is the most terrible smell I have ever perceived in a long time, Preye cried out as soon as they passed the place. What is that smell? Preye asked. It is the laundry and after we get your clothes from the tailor, we will return there for mine Malcolm said. This place is stuffy and very strenuous too, said Preye. You see why nobody likes visiting this part of the carrier, Malcolm said. As they walked on, they entered a different world where there is no natural light and the air is breathable because it is circulated and re-circulated as it is meant to be by giant fans reaching the furthest part of the Carrier.
As soon as Preye thought the walk was going to last forever, Malcolm stopped in front of a cabin about 5ft by 7ft that was loaded with clothes that were finished and half finished. It took about half a minute for the tailor to acknowledge their presence. Not collecting order today, said the small Japanese man. I want to collect the smallest size of clothes available in your cabin because I believe it belongs to this young man standing beside me, Malcolm said. Need your receipt because I need the number to locate the clothes, the tailor said. Its ok, said Malcolm showing him the receipt of for Preyes clothes. The tailor took a closer look at the receipt and with the look of annoyance written all over his face, he searched for the clothes and handed them over to Preye, who thanked him with a smile, relieved he was about to get out of that stuffy place.
A few yards from the tailor, they got back to the laundry and Preye was a little bit relieved to find the air in the place tempered by soapy smell. After a few minutes they left the laundry with Malcolms clothes and headed back to where they were used to breathing freely. Is the cloth department being run by a Japanese firm, Preye Inquired? I think that is correct but I do not know how the Japanese firm and the Navy arrived at such a deal, but I know that it is as good as a naval tradition that had been going on for years on almost all the naval ships, said Malcolm. The business must be very lucrative, said Preye. obviously because every couple of days, people send clothes to the laundry and since there are at least a thousand people on a carrier, coupled with the number of days on sea, which could last up to half a year or more, I think these guys are in for a big time cash, concluded Malcolm
As they got back to Malcolms cabin, a sailor ran up to them that they were urgently needed in the control room. When they got there, Malcolm knew he just had to get airborne as soon as possible and ordered for his favorite wingman Max, who was nowhere to be found. The last time I saw him, was when he picked a book after which he disappeared.
Get the rescue crew aboard their helicopters, and I want you and a wingman to protect our crew, even if it means destroying and saving at the same time, ordered Captain Matins. An announcement was heard that all duty Captains should fly to a target.
As Malcolm launched off the carrier and pulled back on the nozzle lever, positioning the jet pipes 30 degrees to help Punch him into the sky, everything went black. The ships light was behind Malcolm and there was nothing except a blue void in front and beside the cockpit. Since the ramp is inclined to at 14 degrees, instincts told Malcolm he was pitching up excessively, but he knew he was not and that it was an Illusion. He was tempted to push down on the yolk but he fought his senses to avoid flying into the sea.
Malcolm grabbed a map and studied the topography. He was now down to only 8000ft when the Oily Lands Swamp came towards him and he veered past it, pulling into a dumbbell maneuver that brought him back again in another direction. By changing his direction of approach, he hoped to retain some surprise, but it is just as strenuous as it is as advantageous.
As Malcolm hauled back at the stick, feeling the gas pressure on his oxygen mask and sucking his guts into his boots, his brain tried to review every nook and cranny of the swamp forest he had just seen. The forest appeared calm.
Tag one three, did you notice any disturbance in the forest? Malcolm asked. His wingman was 600yards behind him and a little off to the left. Malcolm was 500ft below the base of the cloud, his wingman a little higher watching out for him. Negative replied his wingman. Malcolm lowered the aircraft and peered hard and his eyes watered with the strain. He pulled round and went into another dumb bell but this time a little lower and saw a portion of the swamp forest being cleared as if it had been swept from the bottom.
Tag one three, target seen, screamed Malcolm. Positive, responded the wingman as he saw the forest being swept.
That is your target, announced the airborne command post. They circled the parameter as Malcolm asked for clearance from the defense Headquarters. Tag zero two this is Sly, came a voice from the airborne command post. I require clearance to engage, said Malcolm. Cleared full, was the order for a bomb release, but Malcolm wanted to be sure. Crew members within reach of forest destruction, replied Malcolm. You are cleared full for engagement, came the reply.
Malcolm selected the weapons by means of a switch beside his right knee. He twisted the knob anticlockwise to load the cluster bomb. He switched over to the ground attack mode and weapon delivery mode and after focusing on the target over his right shoulder, he swirled the aircraft into a dive. A portion of the forest slid into the middle of the head-up display. He pressed the accept button and a cluster of bomb dropped, releasing several bomb lets that caused several small explosions within the parameter. Malcolm hauled back on the stick and pulled into a 5g, 30 degrees climb.
Captain Gilbert wrapped the diamond and kept it in his survival waistcoat pocket and directed the crew towards the opposite direction as the forest trees kept crashing and what was obviously a cluster of bomb was causing explosions here and there. He brought out the coded personal radio with transmission facility and emergency beacon, so he could confirm that the rescue party was around.
Captain Harry brought out his electronic hand-held set, which enabled them to plot their position to the nearest 100 meters or more. It computed their position to the aircraft carrier and their position was calculated and their actual bearing given to the soldiers from the 73rd Airborne division which was about taking off from the carrier.
Some of the Captains inspected their combat survival waist coat to ensure the pocket housed the adequate medical kit, complete with needles, razor blades, painkillers and bandages, while some pulled on their anti-g trousers, speed jeans, over their flying suits and clipped on leg restraints to avoid the legs being amputated by the instrument. These are attached to a part of the seat which, in case of ejection, will snap the legs into the seat for a clean ejection from the aircraft, the others inspected other stuffs which include a holster and a few extra clips of ammunition, a hanky with the map of the Oily Lands printed on it, an equipment for sending signals by the reflected light from the sun, a fixed sum of hard currency and a packet of cigarette.
Malcolm, aware of the crews location, used cluster bombs to keep the attack under calm, till the special operations force arrived. In less than no time, soldiers from the 73rd airborne division took off from the carrier. The rescue at midnight local time was a classic special operations raid, with Western commandos in swift Hawk helicopters engaging a gigantic boar as it tried to cross the pond, heading in the direction of the crew.
Acting on information from operatives of the Defense Headquarters, a special operations force of Marines, Army rangers and Air force combat controllers touched down in blackout conditions with their night vision aid. An EC 240 gunship, able to fire 3,200 rounds a minute from 35mm cannon circled overhead opening full fire on the boar that seemed desperate to cross the pond and at the same time trying to destroy the swamp forest. A reconnaissance aircraft provided video imagery of the operation as it unfolded.
Commandos whisked the crew and the injured guides to the swift Hawk Helicopter that had landed in the open space before the pond. The gigantic boar stretched itself to its full height and the sight was awesome and terrific. Malcolms finger pressed the accept button as the snake dropped itself with an intent of smashing the rescue helicopter, and the bomb scattered the boar mid-air. Malcolm smiled as he saw elephants running into the depths of the Oily Lands. I am sure these hunters can always return to their ponds since it is snake and elephant free, he thought. He saw the crew being dropped close to their aircrafts and he headed for the carrier knowing they will come over after a brief stop at the village.
The night was bright and cold and white clouds could be seen sailing through the skies. The Captains celebrated the success of their rescue mission with drinks in the bar. The bar was lively and the chattering of several crewmembers could be heard amidst the sound of the television set. Max could not believe his ears when they told him of the rescue mission and argued until he was given the benefit of seeing some of the recorded video clip.
Preye sat down and was lost in deep thoughts. He remembered when their school was on holiday and he spent his time in Donalds cousins apartment in the federal university located in the orchard metropolis. He remembered attending lectures, making friends and it was as if Donalds cousin gave his apartment to him, because a lot of people thought it belonged to Preye since Donalds cousin preferred staying with his friends close to the school. Preye had always removed his mind from his angel since he was very far from her and not settled, but today he couldnt get his mind off, so he decided to enjoy the pleasant memories.
After Preye excused himself from the company of his friends, he walked to the outer part of the carrier, where he could see the sky and feel the wind hard on his skin. His mind tried to wander to what he had been avoiding all the while, and he tried getting his mind back but the memories were so pleasant that they got the better of him. He remembered asking a friend at the college have you seen the love of my life?