Just as we were packing our things, Bartolov came to us, looked at us and then stepped aside and said, "It's time for you to go." ”

We also had the guide and his companion from last night to follow him to the place where he got off last night, and there were many cars parked here, and there were a lot of supplies in the car, but there were still a lot of things piled up on the ground. It seems that the pressure here is still quite high.

Bartolov took us to a truck and motioned for us to get in. Before I got into the car, the old guy Younis said to me, "Remember what I said, be careful." ”

The truck we got into also had a lot of supplies in it, and we got into the car and looked at it, there were some food and some medicines. Soon after we got on the bus, the convoy was moving. Bartolov set off with us in the convoy, but he didn't sit with us, he was like a head of the convoy, and he had a lot to do. The convoy consisted of six vehicles, and in addition to the driver and a few auto mechanics, there were also some armed guards, all of whom seemed to be listening to Bartolov's command and arrangement.

After the departure of the convoy all the way south, although the road conditions are often not very bumpy, the speed is not fast, but fortunately the road is smooth without any accidents, after a day and a half we drove out of Badgis province where Golmaci is located, into Gurland province. After the sun went down we arrived at the edge of a city that the guide told us that it should be Chagchalan, and if we didn't stay overnight and the journey went well, we would be able to enter Uruzgan province at dawn tomorrow.

But after the convoy stopped, Bartolov came to our car, looked around, looked at us in the car and said: "Today we will spend the night here, and tomorrow we will continue walking." And now there is a trouble, let's say that the road to the south is not very quiet recently, so we may have to wait for the news ahead after tomorrow starts. “

"What's up ahead?" I asked.

"I don't want to fail." The guide in the car said, "I guess it's the people who broke up." Walked around here. Just look at the convoy and sneak attack. “

Bartolov nodded in agreement with Ahmet's statement, "Everyone. We're not leaving tonight. You can take a good rest, and you may not have to get up early tomorrow. ”

I nodded, jumped out of the car and looked around, it was still cold at night, I looked at Balotov and said, "Shall we rest in the car?" ”

"Yes. Everybody's like that. There's no place unless you've brought a tent sleeping bag or something. As he spoke, Balotov turned and walked over to the other cars.

I nodded, we naturally have sleeping bags, but tents... I thought for a moment and looked at the others, "Let's just sleep for the night." I said and looked at the guide, who was already sitting in the truck with his glasses closed, and said, "Do you want to send someone to guard the guard?" “

"No, I don't. Those Tajiks will have a sentry, but if you think they are unreliable, you can arrange your own people, as long as you don't arrange for me and my companions. “

I nodded and looked at Said, "Arrange for someone to keep vigil, the two of you, and then Salim for the two of you." “

After arranging the personnel, we each got into the car and sat in the truck and spent the night in a daze. The space in the car is small, it is impossible to lie down, and it is uncomfortable to sit, so I finally waited until dawn and looked forward to continuing to set off, when the accident happened again.

As we began to eat our dry food for breakfast, Balotov came to our car and said, "I just got the news. A team of Americans would come and pick us up and take us all the way to Kadiran. “

"Is this here to protect us? How many of them are there? I asked.

"There's probably a platoon. Not much more than you guys. But they will have their own means of transport, with armored vehicles at the head and Humvees behind them, and they will move the convoy in the middle. Bartolov said.

"When will they arrive?"

Balotov glanced at his watch, "It should arrive soon." As previously instructed, we must enter Uruzgan province today and reach Gargarib. It's a bit tight for us, so they won't be delayed. “

"Will they find out about us? Will a car be inspected? Said asked.

Guide Ahmed looked at Said and smiled, "They won't check." Their mission is to defend the convoy, not to raid it. But the presence of these Yankees is not a good thing for us. He looked at Bartolov, "Even more so for you." This shows that the front is dangerous, much more serious than what you said last night. It's serious enough to send someone to protect the convoy. “

Bartolov nodded with an ugly face and said, "No matter what, we have to move on." I hope I don't run into those crazy people. He looked at us, "That's it, don't just get out of the truck for a while." When the car sets off again, be ready for battle at any time. ”

We watched Bartolov leave, and I looked at the guide and said, "What if we are attacked?" ”

The guide looked at me and said, "That depends on the size of the attack." If only a couple of deadly guys fired a rocket, or planted a roadside bomb or something. As long as it doesn't blow us up, then we will continue to move forward with these Tajiks under the protection of these Yankees. But if the attackers are more numerous and more determined, then we will have to figure it out ourselves. “

"Figure it out for yourself, what does that mean? Does it mean that we have to find a way to help the Tajiks and the Yankees repel the attackers? I asked.

"Help them fight off the attackers? Says who? The guide looked at me in surprise, "Don't dream. Although many of those people are crazy, they are not stupid, and if they attack, there will definitely be no fewer people, and there will be a lot of preparation. You're here on a mission, aren't you? Shouldn't you be here to play TLB? ”

"So what do you mean? We don't care about the attackers, nor the Tajiks and Yankees, but take advantage of the chaos and leave alone? I asked.

"Looks like you've figured it out." The guide nodded, "Then we'll continue south to our scheduled meeting point." Leave nothing else. Unless those lunatics block our path, it doesn't matter what they do. ”

"Okay. I understand. I said and looked at the others, "Then we'll do as Mr. Guide says." If something happens, don't attack indiscriminately and join the fight. ”

As we spoke, there was movement outside the car, the sound of the vehicle's engine, and a moment later the sound of a person talking loudly. Bartolov appeared in front of us again, "The Americans are coming." Don't come out, all of you. We will be leaving soon. I'll put you in the middle of the convoy. With that, he put down the tarpaulin of the truck.

(End of chapter)