Two days after visiting the tribe, Lt. Col. Nara received a distress call from Captain Morgan.
"Sir, we are under attack. Requesting for backup."
Drake can hear the sounds of gunfire and explosions on the other line.
"Captain Shane will back you up; hang in there."
Drake immediately ordered Shane to aid Morgan; Shane followed and mobilized her army without delaying a second.
"Captain, report the situation!"
"Sir, our base was bombed,our defense is weak, and the casualties are in need of immediate care. Plan D is already in motion. I sent the reserved squad to infiltrate the enemy's camp as soon as they attacked us."
During their last meeting, they decided that in case where a company is attacked, they will deploy a squad to infiltrate the enemy's camp as soon as possible.
They will use the enemy's attack to their advantage as a decoy, while men will tactically enter Saiku's camp and blow it up with IEDs.
"Tell the squad to report directly to me," he ordered.
"Copy Sir"
"Strengthen your defense; reinforcement will arrive in 10 minutes. Be careful"
"Sir, yes, sir."
A while later, Nara got connected to another call, which was from the squad leader with the codename Seagull of the infiltration unit that Captain Morgan assigned.
"Sir, seagull reporting, sir, we successfully entered the underground base dressed as one of the terrorists."
"How many people are in there?"
"Half of Saiku's army, sir, including himself. The other half is out attacking our camp, over."
"Alright, best of luck. Report your progress."
Drake said this and then switched to another call from Shane.
"Sir, Captain Morgan is shot, and only one medic is alive, but she's out there on the other side of the base tending to other soldiers," Shane reported.
"How is Captain Morgan?" Drake asked anxiously.
Captain Morgan is special to Drake.
Be was the first ever captain to work under him, and they both went through a lot. Morgan is also his roommate back in the military camp and has helped him once when he got sick. Their relationship has basically stood the test of time.
"He's losing too much blood; I'm putting pressure on it."
"Call Zula immediately!"
Drake ordered the soldier standing right before him, which happens to be Ryan.
"Sir, yes sir," Ryan said, and he ran towards Zula's home.
"Zula, the colonel ordered you to come." Zula immediately followed without any questions.
She knew things were bad. From the moment Shane and her company left the base, she knew they were being called in as reinforcements.
Shane didn't even bother to insult her even if she saw Zula, which signifies how urgently they are needed.
And now that she was being called to the base, her instincts told her that she would be needed for medical assistance.
"Sir, she's here," Ryan said.
"Zula, please share your medical knowledge with us," Drake sincerely asked.
His face is as intimidating as ever, but his eyes were filled with sorrow. At that moment, Zula clearly knew that someone important to him was in danger.
"I will," Zula told Drake, and she went over the phone.
"Status?" she asked.
"Captain Morgan was shot on his left chest with a bullet of 7.62 mm in diameter and is losing too much blood; blood keeps on flowing. We're currently putting pressure on it, but his fever is off the chart." Shane immediately explained
"Keep putting pressure on and use any medical kit available." Zula said this and turned to Drake.
"Lt. Col., how many minutes will it take to go there?"
"10 at full speed"
"Let's go," Zula said.
"I can't let you, a civilian, be in danger!" Drake said in a firm, ominous tone
"Trust me, I won't be in danger." Zula reassured him with a smile.
"Keep putting pressure on it as hard as you can, and try to let him stay awake." Zula spoke on the phone and looked at Drake.
"We're going. Secure our communication and transportation."
She said this as she ran and immediately grabbed the medicinal kit and a stretcher from her house.
The soldiers present in the control room were a bit surprised as to how the mighty Lt. Colonel was easily ordered by a stranger and a civilian; however, that didn't matter compared to the danger at hand.
Drake, along with a squad that included Ryan, went inside a truck.
Zula followed, and upon entering, she went over to the phone.
"Is there a medicinal kit?" She asked
"Yes, inside are gauze, antiseptic, bandage, scalpel, and staple."
"Lay him down on a flat and safe surface. Disinfect the wound while putting pressure on it; loosen his clothing and everything that may hinder the blood flow, including his belt and shoes."
"We'll arrive there in a few minutes; just keep putting pressure on it," Zula explained.
Shane, who was on the other phone, followed everything but got mad when she heard that she was just going to put pressure on it for the next 10 minutes.
"What nonsense is that? He's losing blood; you're a doctor; you know better! Shouldn't you at least do something to stop the bleeding?" Shane burst into anger.
Since the radio is loud, everyone inside the truck heard it and looked at Zula with contemplation, as if questioning her ability. Except, of course, for Drake and Ryan, who put their trust in her.
Drake was furious upon hearing Shane and even got angrier when he saw the look of the soldiers towards Zula. He was about to say something when Zula spoke.
"Since you are so adamant, why don't you treat him yourself? Go on and stop the bleeding yourself!
As you said, I knew better. The bullet might have hit one of the arteries, which is why blood keeps pouring. Once I tell you to remove the bullet, it will leave the artery open, and he might die due to blood loss.
Fine then, tell me, can you stitch the artery just after you remove the bullet? If you can then go, I've got no problem with that!" Zula said in a dominant tone
She's a member of the medical staff who is known to be gentle and caring. But she's also a fierce woman who knows her worth.
"This is my sworn duty; even if I'm on vacation, I'm still risking my life to help you, considering the fact that this isn't my jurisdiction. The choice is yours; use the scalpel to cut the skin, then let the bullet out. You must be quick enough to stitch the artery and wipe the blood with gauze. After that, stitch the wound, and then you're good to go." Zula continued
Shane was speechless.
Everyone in the truck who doubted her felt ashamed of themselves.
Ryan, on the other hand, couldn't help but be more amazed by Zula.
Drake was speechless as well; he knew Zula to be a gentle, soft, and feminine lady, but he was surprised to know that she had a badass personality, which he finds really attractive.
"Don't worry, he's going to be alright."
Zula gently told Drake, who is staring at her with a blank expression,
"I know; I trust you," he replied.
Zula smiled at him with a smile of reassurance that everything was going to be fine.
Everyone on the truck, despite knowing about the war at hand, couldn't help but smile.
The great lieutenant colonel they always respected and depended on is now finally going soft on a woman. Not only that, but the two of them are sure to be a beautiful match.
The truck stopped a few meters away from the war zone for safety purposes, and everyone took their weapons and communication tools.
"Wear this." Drake gave Zula a bulletproof vest, which she immediately wore on top of her black shirt.
"Lend me a gun, a Colt 45," she asked, which surprised everyone.
Drake, who is also surprised, subconsciously gave her a handgun without saying anything.
He doesn't actually understand why he loses his authority towards this woman, which seems pretty concerning.
"Zula, don't worry too much; we'll protect you." Ryan said, which the other soldiers immediately approved.
"Thank you," Zula said, smiling at everyone.
"Let's go," Drake ordered.
The squad moved into line position, with Drake in the middle and Zula behind him.
Gunfire is everywhere; soldiers and terrorists are lying on the ground.
Though Drake is worried about his men, he's even more worried about Zula because he knows pretty well that he's risking a civilian.
However,Zula can't seem to stop surprising him; she's very vigilant and didn't seem to be bothered at all by the fact that she's stepping into a grave.
Soon after that, they arrived where Captain Morgan was and saw Shane putting pressure on the wound with her hand covered in blood.
Drake joined the battle, commanding his men, while the squad that just arrived was tasked with protecting Zula and Captain Morgan.
"You assist me," Zula told Shane.
Shane has no choice but to agree.
After setting up everything and wearing a glove, Zula disinfected the wound, took a scalpel, and made an incision in Captain Morgan's chest. Using a retractor, the skin was held open. Surgical drains, forceps, gauze, and sutures are all ready. The blood transfusions and IV fluids are also set up and injected into Morgan's arm.
After a few minutes, they successfully took the bullet out and immediately mended the artery. After draining the excess blood and fluids, Zula sutured Captain Morgan's flesh.
Zula then ordered the men to put him on the stretcher, which she had brought earlier.
"Let's get him back to the car."
"That's too dangerous," Shane opposed.
"Just as dangerous as staying here," Zula said, calling Drake.
"Status"
"Lt. Colonel, Captain Morgan is out of danger. I request that he be transported back to the base.
She asked
"I'll leave you to it; I trust you."
Although Captain Morgan has passed through the dangerous situation, Zula still needs to constantly monitor him.
Drake ordered another squad to carry the stretcher, while Ryan and his companions will be in charge of their safety.
They immediately went to the truck, leaving Shane dumbfounded.
While on transport, Zula is holding the IV and the blood bag as high as she can.
Fortunately, they arrived at the truck safely. The squad that held the stretcher left them and went back to their posts, while Ryan and the others stayed to ensure the safe return of Zula and Captain Morgan back to the base.