Two nations—East and West—had been locked in a shadow war for years. Neither side declared it openly, but both struck at each other in the dark. The East favored infiltration, using spies and terrorists to break down the West from within. The West relied on its military and a handful of special units that carried out dangerous missions.
One day, the West received a secret tip: a large terrorist base had been located in the desert, and their leader would be there that night. The generals approved a covert strike. The mission was given a name that only the elite would ever know: "Midnight Takedown."
The Briefing
At the Western military HQ, twelve soldiers gathered in a dim room filled with maps and screens. Leading them was Lt. Colonel SinRung Novan—a man in his late twenties, tall, calm, and hardened by countless battles. He wore the black-and-grey uniform of special forces, his rifle slung across his chest. His sharp eyes studied the maps while the others whispered.
"I heard we're hitting a big base tonight."
"Yeah… but with SinRung leading, we'll make it out alive because Lt. Colonel SinRung Novan is a special force commando and have lot of secret missions"
SinRung raised his hand, silencing the chatter.
"Listen carefully," he began in a steady voice.
"The East is planning another large attack. Thanks to our spy, we found their base before they could move. Tonight, we strike. You eleven were chosen because you're the best. At midnight, while they sleep, we'll cut them down."
The soldiers straightened and answered in unison:
"YES, SIR!"
Desert Approach
The team moved under the cover of night in an armored truck, driving through a barren mountain valley. The desert stretched endlessly, the cold winds cutting like knives.
SinRung briefed them again.
"We're twelve. But the enemy could be fifty or more. And if their leader is there, expect heavier weapons. Stay sharp."
One young soldier asked quietly, "Sir… what do you really think of this war?"
SinRung glanced at him, then gave a faint smile.
"Wars don't start without a reason. Sometimes it's revenge, sometimes jealousy. But as soldiers, we don't always get to choose peace. We fight for the people who can't fight and protect our nation at all cost. That's our duty."
The words gave the squad courage.
"You know sir, after we finished this mission my daughter is waiting for me on her birthday, which is tomorrow"
"That's good to hear Sergeant"
They reach the location and park the vechicle a bit far then the location of the base.They left the vehicle behind and advanced on foot, moving quietly over rocks and sand.
"Hold," SinRung ordered, raising his hand.
A scout returned, panting.
"Sir, only 5–10 guards outside. But… we've lost contact with the spy."
SinRung's eyes narrowed.
"Too few guards. And the spy disappears now? Something isn't right. Everyone, regroup."
He spoke firmly to the squad.
"Three of you will cover from above with sniper rifles. The rest, follow me. We finish this before sunrise. And remember—we cannot trust the intel anymore. Stay alert."
"YES, SIR!"
The Trap
The snipers took out the outer guards swiftly. The squad slipped inside, clearing rooms one by one. Strangely, each was empty.
Finally, they found a heavy steel door leading underground.
Without hesitation, SinRung led the way.
The moment the last soldier closed the door behind them, bright lights exploded on. Gunfire erupted from hidden walls. Bullets tore through the squad.
It was a trap.
SinRung's men fell one after another until only he remained standing, shielded by his training and instincts.
From the shadows stepped the enemy leader—and beside him, the spy.
The terrorist sneered.
"Well, well… Lt. Colonel SinRung Novan, the 'mission expert.' Walked right into our game."
SinRung's voice was cold.
"Wakbi Sulat. I should've known."
The man grinned.
"Surprised? You left me to die once. Now I've returned stronger. I joined the East, and thanks to me, your own commanders approved this suicide mission."
SinRung's jaw tightened.
"You think betrayal makes you strong? No—it just makes you weak."
Wakbi raised his gun.
"This is your end."
But SinRung smiled faintly, pulling out a small remote.
"You think I came unprepared? Before entering, my men and I planted explosives on ourselves. If this was a trap, we'd make sure no one walked away."
Wakbi's eyes widened.
"WHAT?!"
SinRung look back at his companions with guilt and pressed the button.
A deafening explosion tore through the underground base. The ground shook, fire swallowed everything, and the desert echoed with thunder.
The terrorist base was destroyed.
So was SinRung Novan…
Or so it seemed.
The End of a Soldier… and the Beginning of Something Greater
SinRung's sacrifice saved countless lives in the West. His name would be remembered as a hero.
But his story did not end in that explosion.
Because fate had other plans for him.
This was only the beginning of SinRung Novan's second life.