Slowly moving toward the gathered cluster of invaders, Avidan glanced to the side as a small number of Alistair's team moved from their place and engaged the enemy. It was surprising how deadly they were, but their numbers needed reinforcements. Silent signals flew as those stationed in the village converged on the group. The fighting started silently, moving from silent gunshots to intense, deadly hand-to-hand, and mainly quiet. However, even the occasional cry and grunt became louder than they wanted; Avidan knew it would draw more invaders. They could not afford it now or at any time during the night. Moving to one side and neatly avoiding a pair heavily engaged in the art of termination of life. Avidan and Ben checked the area as Alistair and his teams terminated the last of the village invaders.
"Do you think they will send more this way?" Ben asked.
Avidan shook his head, "I don't know," he raised his hand at the soft German words coming to him in the silent air, which had him snapping his head toward the entrance, "... perhaps they will."
"How will they get in?" Ben whispered the question.
"I'm not sure, but we'll have to be vigilant. I have authorisation to ensure none of these invaders leaves this place," Avidan sighed as he changed position in the courtyard.
"They don't want anyone for questioning?" Ben asked, frowning.
"Apparently not," Avidan whispered, pulling his tablet out and checking the surrounding area, "there is fighting on all fronts. The reinforcements are looking for a way in, and some are already heading towards the entrance," he signalled their other teammates to join them shaking his head as they ambled over to the pair, "this is not a training session to watch." The pair chuckled but remained silent as Avidan continued, "We need silent and deadly terminations; no more can come this way. We are needed elsewhere."
Two silent nods were given, and they disappeared on the next blink.
"That still freaks me out after all these years," Ben whispered.
"I know what you mean, and I've worked with them for decades," Avdian said, glancing at Alistair as he joined them, "we're seeing to those coming through the entrance as quietly as possible," he said, showing the tablet to Alistair, "they may require assistance with those that get through. Then a few can be left here to keep the village safe while we help in other areas."
"We're on it," Alistair murmured, nodding as he turned on his heels and moved toward the teams; the hushed commands were barely heard, but Avidan and Ben noticed a small group break away and establish a perimeter within the village as the others surged through the entrance engaging those trying to enter.
"Is it strange that they seem to enjoy this line of work?" Ben asked as the courtyard slowly emptied.
"I can't say, but they are seeming to take a perverse enjoyment out of what they are doing," Avidan murmured, shaking his head and watching the tablet and seeing the invader's heat signatures slowly fade from the screen, "I think its the fact the enemy is who they are."
"You mean payback is very sweet in this instance," Ben nodded, "I can understand that ..." he sighed, "... it has been a long time coming."
"It has," Avidan said, "Alistair and his brethren are fanning out ..." he frowned, "I never realised they were so many."
"Their force is deceptive in that way," Ben said, "here come our silent partners."
They watched their teammates wiping at their faces as they came toward them, silently waiting until they stopped before them.
"Status?" Avidan whispered.
"We have moved all the bodies away from the village so they are unaware of where the incident happened," one said, glancing at the other.
"We covered any blood trails with sand, and as those coming here are unaware of how tidy and clean our villagers keep this place," the other whispered, clearing his throat, "no one will think it strange that there is sand everywhere."
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"If it covers the trail and the smell of blood and death, I'll be happy indeed," Avidan said, "Alistair and his team are doing well," he adjusted the view so everyone could see what was happening, "they are pushing the invaders back and ..." he paused, "... are they ..." he paused again frowning, "... I haven't seen that strategy for decades."
"What are you talking about?" Ben asked.
Avidan pointed at the screen, "These are the teams who are driving them back toward the village," Avidan murmured, "look here," he pointed to the reinforcement teams arriving at the back of the fighting, "these are the teams that were here, they are making a circle or is it another shape," he drew on the screen, "they will encase the enemy and slaughter as them close around them."
"Do they have the numbers to do that?" Ben asked.
"Yes, they do," Avidan said, "we need to work our way along the beach and get to the tunnels before whoever survives the cliff path gets to the islands' entrance."
"Do you think Sage is concluding her journey yet?" one of the others asked, glancing at his watch, "It has been just over half an hour."
"We have no way of knowing," Avidan said, "advise the village team of our destiny and let's get moving."
Avidan and Ben waited while the others disappeared, "We need to succeed in totality. Have you heard from the other side of this mission?"
Ben checked his phone, "There are few texts ..." he quickly worked through them, "... huh ... the destruction of the other side of the mission seems to be doing well ..." he paused as another update popped up on his screen, "... they communication companies have been seized and closed down ... they should be losing their technological backup ....about ... now."
They looked at the tablet screen, noticing several flickers on the tablet screen, leaving only their coverage of the enemy. Those fighting near the village seemed to continue without noticing the difference. Avidan felt his blood run cold as another smaller group near the road appeared.
"Damn," he whispered, "they had cloaking software running," he sighed, "How many do you think there are?"
Ben moved his fingers over the screen, zooming into that area, "Ten ... perhaps fifteen," he mumbled, "we're going to have to stop them before they get organised."
"The tunnels will have to wait," Avidan said as the others joined them, "we need to clear the land entrance first."
Nodding, one returned to the teams to update them while the other looked over the newfound enemy.
"We can take them if we come from these four points," he said, glancing at his returning teammate, "we can use silencers on our weapons, stars … anything to diminish their numbers silently and before they know what is going on."
"Let's get moving," Avidan said, nodding at his teammate, "this is yours to command … it is your area of expertise."
Nodding with a smile, he continued, "If we can get close enough, I can do a little hand-to-hand …" he chuckled at the raised eyebrows, "… yes I'm enjoying the workout … don't judge … how many times do we get across the board authorisation for multiple terminations."
"He has a point," his teammate grinned, "let's get to work."
The four left the village to deal out their lethal brand of justice.
In the shadows, two vigilant League members watched over the silent village. One shook his head, glancing at the other before sweeping the area again.
"This is definitely different," he whispered.
"What is?" his teammate asked.
"Well … all of this," he murmured, "watching over a village instead of being in the thick of the battle. Not being called crazy for a change and watching some crazier people do their thing."
"Yeah, I see what you mean," came the soft reply, "whoever these people are, they are truly lethal and perhaps more bloodthirsty in their dealings than we are."
"Do you know who they are?" his teammate asked.
"My guess … some organisation from Israel," the whisper came on a suddenly alert breath, "… who is that?"
Pointing toward a moving shadow, the other guard lifted a night vision scope to his eye and scanned the area.
"We have a boggy in the far corner," he whispered into their open comms, "seems to be heading toward the house with the large pot plants on the far side of the courtyard … will be with you in five … four … three ... two … one ... contact."
They watched as a shadow stepped away from the large pot plant, dealing with the intruder quickly and dragging the crumpled body toward the entrance of the village.
"And I thought we were going to be bored," a voice murmured as he left the body and returned to his position.
"This is Team Lead ... good work ... stay frosty, team," the voice of their team leader came to them on the ocean air as they returned to scanning the interior of the courtyard and village, "we're not out of the woods yet."
"Not until the Magi's Coronet is found and in the hands of those who will protect this place," one of the vigilant guards murmured before their leader spoke again, "All positions, sit rep."
One by one, the guards reported in regarding their village section, declaring the village was once more secure.