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Wanting to know what he’s up against, he attempts to turn around.
A voice with a heavy Arabic accent warns him: Don’t be stupid.
Vihaan looks into Keshika’s sparkling eyes.
She bats her eyes in rapid succession for five consecutive times. “Five men,” she gestures with her eyes.
“Get up,” the voice orders.
Vihaan does as he’s told. His weapons are retrieved, and hands instantly bound with a thick rope.
The freed hostages are bound once again.
“Tie him to that chair,” the voice orders again.
Vihaan is led to a wooden post, forced around and bound. He is now face to face with his enemy combatants and their leader – Col. Masoud Ahmed. He has an unkind, battle-scarred face and seems like late 30’s to mid-40’s.
COL. MASOUD - You’ve done enough damage out here. Thank your lucky stars for the Geneva Pact or I would have skinned you and your mates alive.
To his horror, they bring in Alpha 2. He too is bound to a chair.
COL. MASOUD - He’s the only one left. The rest will be packed in a casket and sent back home.
Vihaan’s heart sinks. His brothers in arms… are dead. Though he never felt any sort of attachment towards these action figures in the game, the case is different now. His short bonding over the battle field makes him cringe with the loss. His heart goes out to those soldiers who share a much closer relationship with each other. How do they manage to cope up with the loss? Truth is, they never do.
COL. MASOUD - (checking his watch) The hostages were due to be executed in four hours. (Glaring at Vihaan) You just sped that up. (to his subordinate) Get that girl over here.
SOLDIER - Yes sir!
Vihaan is flustered! What is this guy going to do?
Col. Masoud loads his g*n while the soldier forces Keshika on to her feet and drags her to his leader.
She shrieks in sheer panic.
VIHAAN - No-no-no! Wait-wait-wait! Just listen to me-just listen to me! Please!
Col. Masoud ignores him. He jabs the barrel of his loaded pistol onto her forehead and prepares to shoot!
VIHAAN - (panics) No! Don’t hurt her! I’ll do anything!
Col. Masoud pauses.
COL. MASOUD - (smiles shrewdly) Anything?
VIHAAN - Yes.
COL. MASOUD - (sarcastically) Anything?
VIHAAN - You heard me!
COL. MASOUD - (laughs) Wow! So precious, eh? Well, in that case…
He puts the g*n to Vihaan’s head.
The hostages gasp and plead with Masoud to spare Vihaan. But he pays no attention.
One of his soldiers’ come into the tent.
SOLDIER - Sir, it’s time for the namaz.
COL. MASOUD - (after a brief pause) I’ll decide your fate after the prayer.
Masoud exits with his soldiers for prayer.
Vihaan and the others take a deep breath.
ALPHA 2: (whistles) That was close.
Vihaan checks out his family and Keshika. She looks shaken up.
He looks around. They don’t have much time. Somehow, they must escape.
Quietly, he tips over on his chair. Alpha 2 follows the same cue, crawls over to Vihaan and chews at the ropes. All the while, they take nervous glances at the entrance, hoping and praying that none of the Iraqis turn up.
In a moment, Vihaan’s hands are free. He goes on to untie his family and his man, Alpha 2.
Alpha 2 moves to the entrance and peeks out. He can see Masoud and the other soldiers engaged in prayer.
ALPHA 2: (whispers to Vihaan) Sir, it’s risky to exit unnoticed. The Iraqis are right across this tent. They will easily spot us.
Vihaan acquires his weapons.
VIHAAN: We’ll need to find another way then.
MOMENTS LATER
Masoud and his men finish their prayers and proceed to the tent.
What greets their eyes leave their jaws hanging in disbelief.
The hostages and POW’s are gone – a gaping hole has been cut open on the other side of the tent.
MASOUD: (furious) What are you gawking at? Go-go-go! Go find them! Kill them at sight!
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- Writer
