The Royal Contract

"The transportations are already arranged." Ethan walked to the room where the elite unit was busy preparing for their departure.

Tim had assured him that he had chosen the best of his men to join the rescue mission. His men had been trained as soldiers but had loyalty and honor like noblemen. 

They would not hesitate to fight and die to accomplish their goal. Not because of money, but motivated by the thought of saving a member of their family. Just like what they did for Ben.

"Do you think those arms would be enough?" He added, seeing the men doing their final checks on their weapons.

He had supplied them with all the latest arms and equipment money could buy. He believed that skills alone would not be sufficient if their enemies were armed with more advanced technology than their team. 

They would be battling at a disadvantage if that was the case. The mission would more likely fail. Playing on an even field or having more advanced weaponry would give them a higher percentage of success.

"We are ready, Sir," Tim answered as he and his team stood straight, bags packed, body armed in full battle gear, and ready to roll out at any second notice.

This time, he was not allowing his team to tackle the task without him. He knew he would be more efficient in the field with his men, coordinating their attacks where he could see the actual scene. 

He felt helpless, commanding blindly on the safety of the four walls around him. While his men fought with courage on the open battlefield.

He already had wounded men lying in hospital beds. He could not help but be responsible for them. He could not afford to add more nor wait for someone to end up in a coffin. 

As of now, he was the best man on the job to lead his team. He could not let Alex and his men down just because of his injuries. He did not need to fight a one on one battle. But his team needed his eyes and his mind to lead them.

"You are not saying that you are going to deploy with them. Your wounds are still fresh. You can hardly move." Ethan expressed his concern, surprised to see the injured team leader wearing his black uniform.

He could understand his want to be part of this operation, but he did not believe it was wise. He would only hurt himself further by joining in the bloodbath.

He could already picture that the criminals would not easily give up. He assumed these mercenaries would fight hard to protect their fortress and keep their hostages. 

Money was a great motivation for them, but fear was far more effective. He believed that whoever was running this show knew quite well how to manipulate his men. He had dealt with hard criminals like them before. 

Men like them would not show fear or mercy. They would fight till the death because there was just no other choice. They would still die if they ran.

"I assure you that I had been in worse condition than this," Tim answered him, seeing the concern in his eyes. "If you are worried that I will compromise the mission because of my condition."

He was explaining, but he was cut off by Ethan. "No, I am not questioning your ability as a soldier and a great leader." Ethan quickly said before the man misinterpreted his intention.

"You need not worry about me if that is your concern." Tim quickly interjected. "I can handle myself just fine."

He would not give Ethan a chance to doubt his usefulness to the team despite his condition. He could still move, and he could still shoot. But what mattered most would be his tactical expertise in situations like this. That had always been his strong suit.

"Then, I wish you godspeed." Ethan already knew when it was best to just agree than to argue.

Even if Tim had been doing this for almost half of his life. He was still not in his best condition at the moment. Ethan could only hope that Tim knew what he was doing. Because the consequence was far too great.

Ethan could only watch with hope and a prayer that the mission would succeed in bringing home his family, safe and sound. Moreover, he swore that he would hunt down the true mastermind behind the attack in his family.

"Men, let us move out," Tim ordered his men, carrying their bags and arsenal with them, walking towards the waiting transport.

Each one of them knew that every time they stepped on a mission, they were already putting one of their foot on the brink of death. With just one false move, they could end up digging up their own grave.

On the island, two of his best scouts checked the place and had gone closer to the fortress. Using high-powered binoculars with night vision capabilities, they immediately counted as many hostiles they could spot in their position.

So far, they were more than two dozen they had seen roaming the grounds and the perimeter. There could be more hiding in the shadows and inside the structures. 

"Do you think Alex and Dani are inside?" One of the men asked the other man beside him, guarding their position against possible threats until their other teammates arrived.

He could see that they were outnumbered, but he was confident they could take them all down. The other team might have more, but it did not mean they were better.

With Tim leading them, he had no doubt that their leader could pull out some tricks up his sleeves that would help them obtain their objective.

"With that kind of operation, I had no doubt." The other man answered, studying the perimeter for possible entrance and exit points.

As he scanned the place more, something had caught his attention. A movement on the far side of one of the smaller structures. He focused the lens of his binoculars on that area.

Something was peculiar about the scene that he could not take his eyes away as he stared at them.. He wondered if he might have just hit a big jackpot.