Chapter 40

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A week later, Muhammad finally received a reply from Bauer. The United States agreed to transport a batch of Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and TOW anti-tank missiles. However, because the Stinger missiles were currently in a low-production phase, only ten could be sent initially. More missiles would be delivered later. Thirty TOW anti-tank missiles were also sent.

As for RPG-7s, firearms, bullets, and grenades, there were also a certain number of each. Ten days later, when the plane carrying the weapons arrived, they would be transported through the mountains to Afghanistan at night. Muhammad would also return with this shipment of weapons.

Upon receiving Bauer's message, Muhammad knew that his brief time in Peshawar was finally over, and he would return to the battlefield in Afghanistan. He felt the blood in his body slowly reviving.

However, how to explain this to Aisha was a problem for Muhammad. These days, Aisha would always come to be with him as soon as she finished work, completely immersed in a passionate love.

Although it was a harsh reality, Muhammad tried to tell her several times but, seeing Aisha's happy face, he would always swallow his words. It wasn't until this evening, after it got dark, that Muhammad finally said, "Aisha, I'm leaving."

Aisha seemed not to hear him and continued to eat the noodles in her plate.

So, Muhammad continued, "Aisha, I'm going back to the battlefield. You can continue working at the radio station, but don't do the part-time job as a bartender anymore. I can help you raise enough money to treat your mother."

Aisha continued eating until she finished the last noodle, then she looked up at Muhammad and said, "Dear, you won't be alone. I will go to Afghanistan with you."

"No," Muhammad said, hearing Aisha's words. "There's chaos everywhere there. You escaped from there, how can you go back?"

"I wouldn't go back if it were before, but now I have you, Muhammad. Wherever you go, I will go with you. I don't want to be separated from you anymore."

"No," Muhammad immediately refused. "You don't know how to fight, you can't even use a gun. Who will take care of you in the mountains?"

"I don't need anyone to take care of me; I want to take care of you," Aisha said. "Muhammad, in short, I won't be separated from you anymore. If you encounter any misfortune there, I will die with you."

Aisha looked at Muhammad with passionate eyes. "We will be together in life and death."

Faced with Aisha's gaze, Muhammad finally gave in. "You can come with me, but you can't stay with the guerrillas. I will temporarily arrange for you to stay in a village there."

Aisha, hearing Muhammad finally agree to her request, had an excited look on her face and kissed Muhammad deeply.

It was already very dark. Muhammad took Aisha and rode in a jeep to the Peshawar military airport, where an American C-130 Hercules transport plane was parked on the runway.

"Damn, Lieutenant Muhammad, why did you bring this ** here?" Two military trucks drove up and stopped at the rear door of the transport plane. When the driver jumped down, he saw Muhammad and Aisha and couldn't help but curse.

In the dim light of the runway, Muhammad could clearly see the face of the man who deserved a beating—it was James, the guy whose arm he had dislocated in the bar.

"James, clean your mouth," Muhammad said. "If you say one more insulting word about Aisha, I'll tear your mouth apart."

The tension was thick. Under Muhammad's gaze, James finally gave in. "Damn, why did the boss send me on a mission with a guy like you!"

This James was also from the CIA, and he was responsible for this mission to transport the weapons through the mountains to Afghanistan.

"Hello, my name is Bill," another American said as he came down. "Lieutenant Muhammad, our president admires you very much. These weapons are specially supplied to your guerrilla group. We hope you will give the Soviets a good lesson."

"Praise be to Allah, I represent the guerrillas in thanking you," Muhammad said.

The crates of weapons on the plane were loaded onto the two trucks. A platoon of Pakistani soldiers also climbed onto the trucks to escort the shipment. When they reached the border mountains, Afghan people would come to meet them.

Sitting in one of the trucks, the crates of weapons jolted with the vehicle's movement. Aisha held Muhammad's arm, looking at the serious faces of the soldiers in front and the unfriendly James behind.

"Are you scared?" Muhammad asked. "It's still not too late to go back."

"No, with you, I'm not afraid of anything," Aisha said. "Dear, teach me how to use these weapons. I want to fight the Soviets too!"

"Aisha, there are some medicines here. When we get to Afghanistan, your task will be to treat the wounded. Do you know basic medical care?" Muhammad asked.

"No problem," Aisha said, hugging Muhammad's arm, her face beaming with happiness.

The vehicles traveled for most of the night. Before dawn, the two trucks had already entered the mountainous area bordering Afghanistan. The rugged mountain roads made the journey extremely difficult.

Finally, at a canyon, the two trucks stopped. The cars could not go any further.

Getting out of the car, Muhammad and Aisha felt a bit dizzy and uncomfortable. Aisha held onto a rock by the roadside, feeling a bit nauseous.

"Aisha, how are you?" Muhammad asked.

"I'm fine, dear," Aisha said. "The road ahead is impassable, but I can help carry these two first-aid kits."

"We don't need to do it ourselves," Muhammad said.

As he spoke, a jingling sound came from ahead, ding, ding, dang, dang!

Aisha looked over and saw about twenty donkeys coming out of the valley. These donkeys had long ears, bits in their mouths, and bells hanging under their necks, which made the jingling sound.

In the mountains, transportation was difficult, and even armored vehicles couldn't go up. On these rugged mountain roads, donkeys were the most suitable means of transport.

The people driving the donkeys all had guns on their backs. When they saw the two trucks, they smiled broadly.

"Sir Instructor, you're finally back!" the leader called out to Muhammad. It was Khwaja.

After receiving the Americans' confirmation, Muhammad had sent Khwaja to lead a group from the mountains north of Jalalabad to the border, and they met here.

"Quickly unload these weapons. As soon as it gets light, Soviet planes will come to investigate," Muhammad said. They were now in Afghanistan, and the Soviets always kept a close watch on the border with Pakistan.

The Pakistani soldiers helped unload the weapons and load them onto the racks on both sides of the donkeys. The donkeys, burdened with the heavy ammunition, raised their heads and brayed.

"James, please convey my thanks to your government," Muhammad said. "We will show the Soviets our strength!"

"Lieutenant Muhammad, you don't have to say goodbye to me so soon," James said. "I will go into Afghanistan with you."

It was already a big favor for the American to help transport the weapons here, and now he was going to Afghanistan with them? Especially since Muhammad had beaten him the first time they met. Muhammad wondered if this was an opportunity for revenge.

"Mr. James, Afghanistan is very dangerous," Muhammad said.

"This is a damn mission," James said. "Lieutenant Muhammad, I feel nauseous every time I see this **... no, this woman. But the president personally ordered me to help you master the operation of these weapons. I must go to Afghanistan with you and teach you how to use them before I can leave. This is a shit mission!"

James used several "FUCKs" to express his dissatisfaction and also to warn Muhammad to be nice to him, or he wouldn't teach him how to use the weapons.

The Stinger missiles were newly equipped in the U.S., and few people knew how to use them. James had received training for these missiles in the U.S. and was sent to accompany Muhammad.

James had the capital to do this, but he didn't dare to say anything bad about Aisha anymore. When he almost said the word **, Muhammad's veins bulged, and he was ready to tear his mouth. So, he swallowed the word.

If it were in modern times, only a few people would know how to use these weapons, but for Muhammad, who came from the future, it was easy.

However, Muhammad couldn't reveal his skills yet. If he showed his extraordinary abilities now, the Americans might become suspicious, thinking their secrets had been leaked.

"James, remember my advice. I will protect your safety in Afghanistan," Muhammad said.

This was also a threat. James was ordered to go to Afghanistan, where he could die at any moment. His safety depended on Muhammad's protection.

Aisha stood quietly, looking as gentle and harmless as a little white rabbit. When Muhammad looked at her, she shook her head, her eyes speaking, telling Muhammad not to conflict with the American, as he was beneficial to the guerrillas.

The weapons from the trucks were all loaded onto the donkeys. Everyone was walking, and the rugged mountain road lay ahead, waiting for them to traverse it.

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