RAW Deception (Round 2 in the RAW Instinct Series)

Chapter 1

Tuesday

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

North Kivu Province

A worn woman, well into her eighties, made the sign of the cross, while a middle-aged man closed his eyes and invoked a few words of prayer as the Oryx descended onto a makeshift helipad made from clay on the outskirts of Northern Kivu in the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In the hour before dusk, a platoon of South African infantrymen, weapons ready, surrounded the aircraft well out of the way of the rotor downwash. A few moments later the passengers disembarked, some smiling, some scattering away from the heady downward wind. A man fell prostrate and kissed the ground, overjoyed to be safe and alive. All of them victims of heartbreak without a safety net. Each living like this day would be their last.

Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Basye Sander turned to his crew, Lieutenant Jacob Morwane and flight engineer Warrant Officer Dirk Pieterse. Both had served with him on previous occasions throughout the DRC during the last ten years. "Let's get this bird back to base, gentlemen. Tomorrow we hit South Africa. Time to celebrate!"

He elbow punched the air and his heart beat faster in anticipation of returning to a place of sanity. His emotions were always visible in his readable, lean face with dark-brown eyes and charcoal hair with short wings of grey above his ears. His pilot's uniform, the pride of his wardrobe, seemed never to lose it's stature, even if he'd been in it all day and night.

"One more sleep and we're out of here," Dirk said, checking the instrument panels above him. "We're good to go, Sir." The unbearable heat manifested itself in the droplets of sweat above his brow treacling around his eyes.

Gregory turned to face Dirk and winked. For a moment, Dirk's lips twitched into a brief smile. His strong, chiselled face glowed with confidence.

"I bet you're looking forward to seeing your boys again hey, Dirk," Gregory said, pulling up slowly on the collective. The aircraft slowly left the ground, hovered, and gently moved forward, aggravating the loose gravel surrounding the helipad.

"Those twins are more trouble than pleasure," Dirk said. "But, you're right, nothing like family." Even as he said the word 'family', his almond eyes sagged. Thick lips twitched momentarily. He scratched the stubble on his chin.

Family.

Gregory flinched at the mention of the word.

His family was the South African Air Force. His home, Waterkloof Air Base. The love of his life, the Oryx helicopter.

To hell with the rest.

"Base to OryxB12. We have a situation. Handing you over to General Miyani. Over."

Gregory frowned. Impossible. Miyani did not communicate down the ranks. He had a chain of command. "We're listening," Gregory replied.

The next voice he heard was Miyani's. "Colonel, we have a situation. I need you to redirect and offer support to the UN ground forces. Militia insurgency just south of Kivu. A full unit of United Nations soldiers and personnel"

"Do we have additional air support, General?" Gregory asked.

"Unfortunately not. The ground forces are busy with a massive operation against the rebels. They're in trouble and there are no attack helicopters for the UN this evening, they've asked us to assist with the Oryx."

"Situation analysis, General." Gregory said.

"A full contingent of United Nations ground forces cornered in natural surroundings. Rebel forces have mortar, grenade and AK47 firepower. Two hundred civilians have been surrounded on one side buy our forces, and on the other side by rebel forces."