My Third Cycle

6. Civil War

There were six mercenaries in charge of about four thousand commandos; their leader Alpha dog, Big bale, Marco the brave, Yemen the hunter, Pit Bull and the youngest, machine.
Professional fighters and brilliant tacticians they were, employed by Ochukwu the year before to train the Biafran army. Before the war, during preparations they told me we needed anti-tank missiles which I arranged
for with the French.

They had studied the landscape of Biafra knowing we were outmatched and outgunned. The only way to ensure victory was by precise, detailed strategy and using our environment to our advantage.

When I returned to Biafra from Paris the next day, I was led immediately to the war room. I met every one on the war council there. Many of them were high ranking officers who had defected and Ochukwu and the mercenaries stood at the table before them. Ochukwu was clearly happy to see me, he pointed out a spot he'd kept vacant for me. I sat quietly listening to the officers argue and plan. After about 3 hours, they were satisfied with their plans and they left the room one after another.

Ochukwu motioned for me to come over once we were alone. He asked how soon the anti-tank missiles would be delivered and when I told him they would arrive in a week's time, he informed me I had three days to get them delivered. He did not
ask about Uche and I did not volunteer information.

"Nigerian tanks have blasted through our border outpost and they have taken over our Western border. Our men had to fall back as we have nothing strong enough to neutralize the tanks. If we wait one week, they will advance and get to us. We
cannot afford to have them get this far. Am I clear?"

"Yes, sir. I'll try, Sir"

"Don't try. Get it done."

I spent the next couple of hours trying to sweet talk the French into delivering the anti-tank weaponry earlier than planned. The best deal I could get was four days.

The next three days were crucial as the Biafran army changed strategy. Knowing we could not face off the Nigerian troops with their tanks protecting them, we lured them into a city they believed we needed to protect -but had been evacuated beforehand, by deploying small teams led by commandos to carry out brief assaults and draw back. We knew they would believe we were retreating and keep on advancing and we carried on, knowing our anti-tank missiles would arrive any day now.

When the Nigerian army got to the city, we were prepared, our missiles had arrived and they were ready. As they got in range, we let hell loose on theNigerian army and destroyed all their tanks. Their troops now vulnerable, machine guns took out a majority of them and those of them that retreated into thenearby forest had a blast as the mines we had planted went off in hundreds, creating beautiful disco sounds you would dance to if you were not in the forest.

The damage we had done was beautiful anarchy.
The explosions wereglorious as the unexpected French arsenal shun a light of hope for us, a light that showed a nation had come to stay.

"This is Biafra you dogs!!!", Pitbull yelled at their retreating backs

That had to be the best part of the war for me, being there when we won our first victory. Listening to him scream that at the Nigerians made something in me roar and push to be released. I was willing to fight to the end for Biafra and so was every Biafran present that day.