?: *in Arabic* For Urzikstan!

?: *in Arabic* Freedom, my brothers!

[Al-Raab Military Airbase 1920 Hours]

Chaos erupted in the Russian airbase as Urzik rebels and their bright leader launch a siege into the walls of the military base. The Russians were in disarray, scrambling their soldiers to defend the base and hoping to find a way out. During the onslaught, a dazed Pvt. Sokolov tries to get on track of what is happening

Russian Soldier: *in Russian* Right flank's breached! We need to do something here

Russian Soldier #2: *in Russian* Where the fuck's our reinforcements?!

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* What's going on?

Russian Soldier: *in Russian* It's the damn rebels, they're attacking the base!

Russian Soldier #2: *in Russian* Hey don't just stand there idiot, help us over here!

Pvt. Sokolov realized what's happening and after that he realized, Cpl. Borkhaev is the one where they can help each other out. He quickly rushed to the barracks where Cpl. Borkhaev is, bumping into other Russian soldiers, until someone snatched him from behind and dragged him into one of the rooms

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Remember me?

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* Anatoli? Oh thank god

Pvt. Sokolov saw two rucksacks sitting on the bunks, one belonged to him

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* Why do you have my gear?

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* We're leaving

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* Wait what?

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* You said that you wanted revenge on the Major for killing that kid huh? Well now is the time, we go back to Russia and tell Moscow about it

Cpl. Borkhaev hands Pvt. Sokolov his rucksack and an AK

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Hey, it's for our own good, so we can get the fuck out of Urzikstan

Reluctantly agreeing, the pair goes outside and finds a plan to escape

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* So what's our plan?

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Can't go to the East wing because Barkov's men will find out, can't go to the West wing or the rebels will shoot us

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* Anything else?

Cpl. Borkhaev thinks for a while

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* I got it, though it's gonna be risky

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* How so?

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* The sewage tunnel, it'll take us to the main town if we traverse through it

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* And the risky part?

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* The sewage, expect to smell like shit after this

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* Ha, funny

The two head to a small shed at the far side of the base, it is the sewage plant where most of the base's garbage and sewage are disposed. Cpl. Borkhaev goes in first, having to step on human feces and rotten food pieces, then Pvt. Sokolov jumps in, also getting his feet smothered in shit

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* Fucking hell, stinks in here

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Better than up there, let's go

The two Russians marched through the dark sewer lines, having to brave themselves through the scent of the sewage. After what felt like hours of walking, they reached one end of the tunnel and find a door on the side

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* We're here, I'm surprised neither us nor the rebels knew of this place

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* Is this the way out?

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Close

Pvt. *in Russian* What do you mean close?

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Let's not rush this too much, yes?

Cpl. Borkhaev kicks the door open while Pvt. Sokolov watches their backs. Echoes of the gunfire can still be heard from here, they press on forward and find some unusual discoveries during that

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* Gunshots, on that wall

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* So?

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* We're not the first ones here I suppose

The two reached another door, a steel door locked with a chain. Cpl. Borkhaev hits the lock with the stock of his gun and after several hits with it, he manages to break the lock and open the door

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* I have a question

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Yeah?

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* Won't they find out that we deserted from the base? What if Barkov finds out?

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Hey there are times where you have to do stupid shit, and it may be worth it

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* Oh boy

They find a ladder that goes up and leads to a hatch. The two climbs up the ladder, Cpl. Borkhaev tries to push the hatch but it seemed to be stuck. He tries to bust it open with his gun, just like earlier ago, and it loosened the hatch, he pushed it to one side and the two finally found themselves in the surface

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* Where are we anyway?

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Doesn't matter, we're far away from the base, that's for sure

They walked through this deserted town in the middle of nowhere, now that the gunshots have been silenced and only the sounds of the gusting wind and the heavy gear fill their ears. The area is dark and their only light is the moonlight itself, they're wondering if this attempted escape was worth it or not? Either way, they're away from the danger, for now

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* Should we take shelter in one of these buildings?

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* We could but we're uncertain if this place is safe or not

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* It does look abandoned to me

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* I wouldn't push my luck if I were you

They come across one house on the far side, this house had a car sitting on the garage. The two find it a good idea to steal the car and head off somewhere else

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Look a car, what do you think?

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* What's what?

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Steal the car and drive off

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* But what about the owner of the car?

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* C'mon, in a country of turmoil and thousands of people dying everyday, who's gonna miss an old broken down car?

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* Okay genius, whatever suits you

The two proceed to the garage. Cpl. Borkhaev opens the car door and attempts to jumpstart it, while Pvt. Sokolov watches the area for security. After a few moments, the car jumpstarts and the two are ready to go

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Haha, let's go

The two hop onboard of the car with Cpl. Borkhaev driving and Pvt. Sokolov shotgun, they drive off and leave the deserted town for good

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* So, where to next?

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* The harbor is a few kilometers from here, it'll take a couple of hours. Hopefully we have enough gas for the entire trip

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* It better

The two drive through the lawless sandy Urzik roads, again passing through destroyed vehicles and run down buildings. Pvt. Sokolov looked through the window, thinking if they have finally escaped from this chaotic conflict and hoping to be in somewhere else other than here. After a few hours, the car stopped by an abandoned gas station, looking to refuel

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* I have to refuel, if only this thing didn't eat the gas like a hungry toddler

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* I'll go inside and see if there's something worth to scavenge

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Go ahead, I'll stay here

Pvt. Sokolov enters the outlet of the gas station and finds the place nearly empty, only empty cans and broken bottles make up for what's left in the shelves. While desperately scouring through the abandoned shop, Cpl. Borkhaev notices something far off the distance, he grabs the binoculars he took from the base and uses it to get a clear view of the objects. He did not like what he saw

Cpl. Borkhaev: Igor?

Pvt. Sokolov: Da?

Cpl. Borkhaev hurriedly gets back to the car and starts it back up

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* We need to fucking go now, get in!

Pvt. Sokolov also sees what's coming, trucks full of angry Urzik rebels

Pvt. Sokolov: Chyort

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Get in dumbass, let's go!

Pvt. Sokolov gets in the back of the car, out of fear, and they drove up. The rebels started shooting at them while Pvt. Sokolov fires back at them, both are not hitting their targets. Cpl. Borkhaev started to drive back and forth, in a zigzag motion, to evade the bullets flying through their car

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* Keep it steady over there, I can't hit shit

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* How about you drive? Be glad you're in the backseat

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* Just drive like a normal person!

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Got any mags there?

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* I'm all out, lost my AK in the wreckage

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Do you want to get shot or not, huh?!

The two continue to drive recklessly through the roads, dodging bullets left and right. Pvt. Sokolov started to fire with his pistol in a desperate attempt, and a rebel jeep stops at the middle of the road

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* Look out!

Cpl. Borkhaev barely dodges the roadblock but he soon lost control and the car crashed and rolls down into the bottom of the hill. A dazed feeling, a blacked out vision, cries of an angry rebel destined to murder every Russian in their nation, all what is heard until his fellow comrade dragged him out of the mangled car

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Wake up, are you okay?

Pvt. Sokolov: Huh?

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* C'mon, get up now

Cpl. Borkhaev dragged Pvt. Sokolov behind a rock to protect themselves, Cpl. Borkhaev fires his AK at the rebels

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* C'mon you fucking idiot, wake up, hey!

Pvt. Sokolov finally snaps back into reality

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* Wh-what's going on?

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* What else? We're in deep shit, we need to get the hell out of here

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* Can't we just tell them we defected from Barkov?

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Oh yeah! And get our heads chopped off in front of our families

The rebels were starting to overwhelm them, they were completely cornered. Cpl. Borkhaev have spent his last AK mag and used his pistol, Pvt. Sokolov keeps firing back with his own pistol, there were more rebels coming in and they have nowhere to run

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* You got any mags there?

Pvt. Sokolov: *in Russian* I'm out as well, I left my AK at the wreckage

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* Just great

As they kill several more rebels, a rebel with an RPG was spotted

Cpl. Borkhaev: *in Russian* RPG! Get down!

The rebel fired his RPG and flied into the two Russians, Pvt. Sokolov was knocked backed and his head collided with a rock and his body shut down. It felt like his brain was bleeding and his eyes are seeing double, the loud and chaotic sounds of gunshots turned into nothing but a ringing sound that numbed his eardrums

Sometime

Darkness filled his vision, limbs became cold, the body can barely move an inch, only his lips can be felt. Slowly, the vision regained, the sky blue color with shades of white are the only things seen, soon his touch was also felt, he can feel the cool breeze of the air dancing through him, the ocean carrying his light body around, he could barely turned his neck as if he was paralyzed. Only the sounds of the seas and the birds are heard, other than that, it is plain silence that fills the air

?: Mom, look!

?: What is it?

?: It's a... guy! He's just floating around, I think he's-

?: Calm down. Honey?

?: No offense, but after the stuff we've been through a lot, I don't think we can trust him

?: So you're just gonna leave him there to drown huh?

?: *sigh* Fine, we couldn't find fish, but we found a dude instead

His limp body felt it was being carried, by another person, as he felt a dry surface warming his body

?: What's this?

?: What?

?: Some sort of... briefcase?

?: That must be his stuff, he might need it

?: Sir, are you alright? Are you okay?

?: Honey, take us back to the marina now!

?: Already on it

?: Don't worry sir, you're... gonna... be...fine

Those faint words were the last thing he heard before his vision became imprisoned in darkness again