“Selection style?” Tim asked, and Nate nodded.
The meaning was clear to all of the men. They would form a single-file line with the first man carrying both water cans. Two was easier than one, as it wouldn’t set them off balance as they walked. The first man would carry the cans until he needed a rest. In this environment it would likely be a single terrain feature. He would then drop the cans and the next man would pick up the burden while the first went to the end of the line, and they would repeat. It was simple and effective, and something they had all practiced in various assessment and selection courses.
“Let’s get to it, then,” Shane said, moving forward and lifting both jugs before trudging up the hill.
Within a few minutes, he swapped out and Nate took his spot. And then Tim, followed by Wally. They continued that way as the sun set, with Ana walking in front to ensure the ground was stable and there were no hidden obstacles in the dark that would send the heavily burdened men tumbling down a sand dune. After four hours of walking, they took a rest on top of a dune, pulling 360-degree security as they did so. As they drank water and refilled their bottles, the jerry cans became lighter, and they were careful to draw from both to keep the weight evenly distributed. The movement became easier and they were able to move more quickly across the desert.
They stopped again after four more hours to rest and have a bite to eat. “Thisisbeginning to feel like selection all over again,” Shane said, and Nate didn’t disagree with him. They ate in silence awhile until Wally made a noise, getting their attention.
“I’ve got a group walking in the distance out there. Four, maybe five. Looks like a couple of camels as well.”
Nate pulled out his binoculars and strained to see in the dark. He would have liked to have had night vision, but the UHD of the Vortex optic helped him to see well enough in the moonlight. He could make out the figures, some taller than the others, though he didn’t see any weapons, and they didn’t appear hostile.
“I think these are locals,” he said.
“You might be right,” Wally agreed.
“Let them pass?” Shane offered, but Nate wasn’t so sure.
“I think we should talk to them.”
“What if they’re not friendlies? Or they pass our location off to the local shitheads and they come after us again?” Shane asked.
“Most people out here aren’t bad,” Tim countered. “They just want to live.”
“And they might have some information about the area,” Nate added. He could see Shane wasn’t convinced. “Shane, why don’t you and Wally pull out the long guns and cover us from here. I’ll take Tim with me for local security, and Ana as well. Maybe seeing a woman will put them at ease.”
“Okay,” Ana said, nodding. “Let’s do it.”
“I suppose enthusiasm counts for something,” Shane grumbled as he untied the Mosin-Nagant from his pack.
Nate and Ana made their way down toward the strangers with Tim in tow. Nate kept Kendall’s pistol tucked in the small of his back where he could reach it if need be, and Tim openly brandished his AK-47,though he kept it slung and at the low ready as they approached the travelers.
“As-salamu alaykum,” Nate said to the group, putting his hand up in greeting. He could now see that there was a man, a woman, and three children. The man led the first camel, and the eldest boy the second.
“Wa alaykum assalam,” the man responded, looking confused to see a light-skinned man in the middle of the Arabian Desert at night.
“Are you from this area?” he asked the man in Arabic, not really knowing where to begin.
“Na’am,” he said suspiciously. “My family has always lived in these parts.”
“We are searching for something,” Nate said. “Perhaps you can help.”
“I don’t think I can,” the man said and began walking.
“Wait,” Ana shouted out. “Please, it is late, and your children look hungry. Will you join us for a meal?”
The man and Nate both stared at her. She glanced over at the former Green Beret and then back at the man, who in turn looked over at his children. They did indeed look hungry, and food was undoubtedly hard to come by when traveling out here.
“Yes,” Nate said, realizing the intention of her plan. “Please, share a meal with us, and then be on your way.”
The man looked at his wife, who nodded. It was clear that he was conflicted, but he eventually acquiesced. Tim slung the rifle onto his back.
“Shukran,” he said.Thank you. “You are most kind.” Nate knew that Ana had made the right call. Hospitality was an integral part of Bedouin culture.
Tim walked up the hill to gather Wally and their gear, while Nate and Ana sat at the bottom of the hill with them. Shane remained up top on watch while the rest began unpacking bread and dates from theirpacks. The Bedouin woman spread a blanket out on the desert floor and they all sat down. Nate first offered them food, which they gladly accepted, and then water, which they did not. The man handed out food to his wife and children before feeding himself.
“You said you were from this region,” Ana stated.
