“Team Colombia here. We have the targets in our sights and will have them in our control within the next five minutes,” reported Marco.
The twins were ill. They had never felt so ill in their lives. The stomach pains had started in the morning and neither could understand why, not that they had much time to discuss it. As one left the toilet, the other was waiting to go in. They were lucky that they were the only two in their barracks block. All the other barracks housed around ten men and had only two latrines. The twins did not know how the other men were coping as they had discovered that there were around thirty soldiers who were struck down by the same mysterious bug. The doctor assured them that it was a 24–36 hour bug and they would soon be fine. They just had to make sure they kept themselves hydrated.
“Team Idaho here. We have an eyeball on the targets and will pick them up in two minutes.”
“Sir, what’s wrong?” asked Tom again. The Accounts teacher was not responding. The main screen burst into life and a very concerned looking Mr Sakamoto accompanied by a uniformed officer was staring down at them.
“What’s going on Tom?” Lela asked.
“I’ve got no idea, but whatever it is, it’s bad, very bad.”
Heather started to hyperventilate. Suddenly, everything else was forgotten as the class hunted for a paper bag to normalise her breathing. Eventually one was found and she calmed down.
“Students, teachers and colleagues, it is with deep regret that I talk to you today,” Mr Sakamoto began.
“Team Zimbabwe here. We have a location on our targets and will have them in less than two.”
Reaper could not believe how well the operation was progressing. Everything so far had followed the exact plan, without deviation.
“Team Syria here. We have a problem. One of our targets is down and it appears out. The other target is OK and secured.”
Rachel and Saki watched on in terror as events unfolded. They could not believe what was happening but the TV cameras showed everything. Dead soldiers surrounded the buildings and it appeared a number of students had been killed.
Rachel tried Tom’s mobile, it rang and rang but no answer.
Saki was trying Lela’s. It rang and rang but no answer.