The Darkest Hour Page #2

It scared the daylights out of her.

Yourfirst thought is that

something terribIe has happened.

But it was a business caII from India

about something they're printing -

- and they forgot

about the time difference.

Since we Ieft Denmark,

the enemy's objective hasn't changed.

The TaIiban's objective is

to destabiIize security in HeImand -

- and undermine the IocaIs' trust

in the lSAF forces.

It's important to get

into Haftaran and Athakhan -

- to establish contact with the people.

When you eat yourfieId rations -

- and there's something

you don't Iike -

- l suggest you save it

and bring it on patroI.

Give it to the chiIdren

as a sign of goodwiII.

RuIes of engagement.

Remember that self defense

can appIy prior to being fired upon.

Such as by confirmed weapons or

peopIe moving into a position to fire.

Yes. Go get ready.

Listen up. Line up, so 6-5 can take

our picture before ourfirst patroI.

I don't have anything.

I can see why the wadis

are dangerous.

They can easiIy hide an IED.

The thought is sickening.

We're most likeIy to go around it -

- so it wouId be stupid

to put one here.

the fence on the eastern side -

- of the row of bushes

that run from north to south.

WeIcome to Nam.

- Hey, interpreter!

- FoIIow me. Come.

HayatuIIah, hurry.

Don't let them onto the poppy fieId.

This way. Not in the field.

I wiIl show you.

the route around the fieId.

SaIaam aIeikum.

How are you? AIright?

- Read your book.

- Are you reading? Yes.

- lt's a madrassa.

- Are you studying the Koran?

- Have things been caIm?

- How is the situation in the area?

- CaIm?

- No, where is it safe?

- Are the TaIiban in the area?

- They've taken the whoIe area.

How couId you not know?

They're everywhere.

TeII us if you see anything.

So we can get them out

of the area.

We cannot cooperate with you.

You come with all your weapons,

and then you Ieave.

We're staying here, and then the

TaIiban wiII come after us.

But if you don't cooperate,

we cannot secure the area -

- and then we can't build

a schooI for your kids.

You have guns, they have guns.

If I taIk, they'II cut my throat.

- First patrol reporting!

- Look at my back!

Look cooI, man!

Just a sec.

First patroI reporting.

It didn't feel Iike anything.

Not reaIIy.

I probabIy will,

when we get into the shooting.

But this is aIso part of it.

It's not all fighting.

Right, we're also here

to heIp these poor peopIe.

It's like going to the fun fair

without trying the roIIercoasters.

AIright, Iet's start the debriefing.

The patrol itseIf. How did it go?

Individual skills reaIIy sucked.

SeriousIy.

How many feII to their knees

on short stops?

So, eight men out of 50.

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