Operation Storm Forge: Enemy Territory

The Sea Falcon cut through the choppy waters of the Adriatic as the team journeyed to Yugoslavia. They knew that this was going to be the most dangerous mission of their lives, but they were determined as the German’s needed to be stopped.

Katsaros stood at the bow of the ship, his eyes looking into the dark horizon. He could see the lights of distant villages flickering across the coastline, but none of them felt safe. The bridge had to be destroyed. They could not let the Germans succeed.

“We’re getting closer,” Colonel Antoniou said, stepping up beside him. The Colonel’s voice was calm, but there was an edge of tension underneath. “Get ready, Alexios. Once we’re in Yugoslavian waters, it’s all on us.”

Katsaros nodded, his gaze still fixed on the distant shore. “I know. Let’s be ready for anything.”

By the time the ship reached the Yugoslavian coastline, the sun had set. Darkness made it easier for them to land undetected. The team moved fast, disembarking in small groups, with weapons in hand and their equipment packed securely. They were now in enemy territory, and every second counted.

The first steps on alien land were clumsy and awkward; as if all of the burdens in the world weighed on her shoulders. Yet, Katsaros had cast the thought away. There was a task that needed doing. No room for fear. They rushed towards the cover of trees where they’d wait in obscurity until finding a way to the bridge.

As they were going through the thick forest, the silence was almost unbearable. Bird sounds and insects produced the only noise, a stark contrast to chaos they knew they’d soon face. But the silence was broken when Georgiou, the explosives expert, stopped suddenly, raising his hand to signal for the team to halt.

“German patrol ahead,” he whispered, nodding his head toward the narrow path in front of them. The team bent down and began to track the movement of the German soldiers as they moved down the hillside.

Katsaros’s heart leaped. Germans seemed to be lurking everywhere in this part of Yugoslavia. And they were both well-armed and very alert. No one could pass without being noticed. But they had to. There was no alternative.

Katsaros made an intuitive decision. With some silent hand signals, he showed them all how to disperse and go around the patrol. They would take the longer way, that is, not the direct path in front of them. It was certainly not the easiest or convenient way, but it was the safest.

The men moved like shadows, careful not to make a sound as they navigated the dense forest. The minutes dragged on, and Katsaros could feel the sweat on his brow, the nerves building with each passing moment. One mistake could be the reason for the failure of entire mission. But after what seemed like hours, they were finally on the other end of the forest. Katsaros silently exhaled as if relieved to still be breathing. They still had their lives. The team readied themselves and quietly scanned their surroundings for possible dangers.

However, the toughest part was still yet to come.

The Bridge.

It loomed in the distance, a dark silhouette against the night sky. This massive steel structure spanned the river, with its presence standing as a mighty symbol of German dominance over the region. The Germans guarded it heavily, and their soldiers were patrolling on both sides with sharp eyes and watchful gazes.

We need to hurry,” Katsaros said, his voice low but urgent. “Once we get closer, we’ll have to split up and find a way to get past the guards. We can’t let them see us.”

Antoniou nodded, his expression hardening. “We’ll do what we must. Let’s get to work.

The team moved, dropping low to the ground as they crested the final rise to the bridge. A few hundred yards away, the guards were moving along the metal surface of the bridge, their boots clicking in rhythmic cadence. Katsaros’ heart was racing. He could feel the tension in his muscles, his mind running through all the things that could go wrong. He had to suppress those thoughts. They had to make it through.

The plan was simple: split up, sneak past the guards, and plant the explosives. But nothing was ever simple in enemy territory.

With every step closer, the feeling of danger grew stronger. Katsaros could feel the eyes of the guards on his back, even though they couldn’t see him. The night air felt colder as they closed in on their target.

They reached the edge of the bridge, and the moment of truth arrived.