A SORDID PACT part1

A SORDID PACT
Dusk was beginning to set in at the Headquarters of the Battalion of Air-
Transported Troops (BATT or BTAP as commonly referred to) in Koutaba.
The Cameroon flag, hanging on an imperturbable rod swayed from side to
side moved by the cool dry breeze, and the setting sun with its 'last gap' rays
made the colours of green, red and yellow shine even brighter. The aspirant
soldiers were just returning from their daily walk, carrying their heavily loaded
packs on their backs. They were all perspiring and panting greatly,
apparently returning from an utterly demanding exercise. The eyes of the
elements who managed to reach the Training Centre first, shone like those
of the Israelites who had just fled from the hell of bondage in Egypt and had
finally attained the Promised Land. As they saw the gates from a distance,
they all stampeded into the compound until they reached the yard, where
most of them fell to the ground like huge bags of cocoyams and let in sighs
of relief. A while later, the remnant elements were managing to stride into
the camp wave after wave, with some even crying in pain, either limping or
being carried along by the most resistant of the fold. Their instructors,
standing not far away from the group kept teasing and cheering them as they
watched their pupils moan in agony.
At sunset, they had all succeeded in getting in and gathered in the middle of
the yard, their chief instructor with a vicious smile on his lips spoke out:
"Aspiring soldiers are all becoming weaker as years go by!!!
These ajebo kids nowadays ..." "During our days, we used to eat strong food
like cassava, corn and avocadoes. These days, you are just stuffed with
chocolate, pap and yoghurt," he continued. "This is definitely the laziest
batch I've had to handle." His co-instructors burst out into crazy laughter.
"You don't know what you are talking about Captain," one of the aspirants
took off. "That was then!!!" some others followed. "Walking with heavily
loaded packs for about twenty-five kilometers or more..." "Under a burning
and unforgiving sun for that matter; that was living Hellfire!" "Oh! And you
think that was a mountain to climb?" one of the instructors asked in
amusement. "You are really pampered these days compared to the
treatment we used to receive," another instructor added. From then on,
voices were raised from various sections of the group in choruses, each one
wanting to pass his or her point across. The brouhaha was growing so
intense and the tones of their voices were so deafening that it became
virtually impossible to figure out what each was expressing.
"Now,...QUIET!!!" the chief instructor screamed with a ferocious look on his
face, as he raised his right hand to appeal for silence. Suddenly, the groans

emanating from different sections of the lousy crowd started dropping
progressively until there was quintessential serenity. The camp which a few
minutes ago was bursting with cacophony became even quieter than a
graveyard. "You all get in place for the national anthem. After that, you'll all
move to your dormitories to drop your packs and rush to the refectory for
supper!"
Captain Tsimi Jacques, a quite huge guy about a meter and eighty three tall,
slightly dark in complexion; probably in his forties. He had a scar on his left
eyebrow shaped like a slash. From his face, you could guess he was an old
battle wolf. For close to a decade, he had been charged with training soldiers
for the elite corps. Over the years, he had gained the reputation of an
excellent trainer, very protective of his students who could be extremely cool
and friendly but could become rather strict and a monster of harshness when
the occasion called it.
As he was still talking to his disgruntled pupils, a voice came from a distance:
"RAMBO!!! RAMBO!!!" The captain immediately turned to look back and he
saw running in his direction one of his colleagues, Captain Ndongo. "What's
wrong, Marco?!" Captain Tsimi asked as his colleague drew nearer.
'Rambo' was the nickname given to Captain Tsimi Jacques by his peers
following some of his heroics during the Bakassi Peninsula Conflict. He was
of course named after the eponymous war hero played by Sylvester Stallone.
Rambo was a living legend among the soldiers in the Cameroon Armed
Forces. His exploits were numerous such as: fighting crocodiles inside a river
with bear hands, knocking out a gorilla with a single punch, surviving for
close to a week after a viper's bite before its venom was finally extracted
from his body; he was equally credited with single-handedly dealing with a
Nigerian patrol and masterminding the rescue of a Bakassi Divisional Officer
who had been abducted by pirates. This last exploit might have even seen
him decorated Commander of the Order of Valor by the Head of State.
Though he may have had his skeptics, he equally served as a role model
and an inspiration to many, who saw his appointment as trainer, as a
relegation given he was seen to be fitter for the warfront. But still, he carried
out the latter duty expertly.
"Come on Marco," he urged his friend; "Take your breath and speak out!"
Captain Marc Ndongo clasped on to his knees and breathed with difficulty
as though he had just run a marathon. When he finally got his breath back-
"Stone Cold asks you to report to his office with immediate effect once you're
done with the anthem," he whispered in Rambo's ear. At that, the expression
on Rambo's face turned to worry. "What? Did you tell him about the events

of last night?" he inquired lowering the tone of his voice. "Of course not!"
Marc exclaimed in denial.
Stone Cold was the nickname given to Lieutenant-Colonel Emmanuel
Kamto, the BTAP Commander. A very stern man and a disciplinarian; an
absolutely no-nonsense fellow who believed a soldier had three dutiesto
obey, defend and protect ("ODP" as he often outlined them), and nothing
else. Therefore no default from those objectives was to be tolerated. A
graduate of the illustrious Combined Armed Services Military
Academy (EMIA) who had also been trained at prestigious military schools
abroad like the Military Academy of Cairo, the Israeli Air Force Flight
Academy of Beer Sheva and the Republic of China Military Academy,
he had previously occupied the coveted post of Deputy Head of Security at
the Presidency. Having been appointed a few months prior as Base
Commander, he had brought in several new radical changes which were in
line with 'his' vision and most of which didn't quite match with the modus
operandi of the doyens at the base.
Once the soldiers were done with the singing of the national anthem and the
fanfare which usually follows, Rambo asked two aspirant soldiers to lower
the flag. Then, he dismissed the assembly and turning to Marc, patted him
on the shoulder and lowered his head towards his lips as if to get more
details. "What did he tell you exactly? Does he know what happened
yesterday?" he asked his friend gently. They were panic-stricken because
the previous night, Rambo and some other instructors-Marc included, had
let in a group of hookers into the camp and had arranged with some owners
of local off-licences around for crates of beer to be sneaked in. Of course,
Rambo had made it a habit such that it had almost become a tradition, to
organize 'illegal boogies' at the base on the last Saturday of each month.
This he said was necessary for the serenity of his men, as it helped them "kill
off tension and boost their morale" especially when training became "a real
form of torture" and was thence necessary to turn it into "a game of pleasure"
(in his own words). All previous commanders who had been opposed to the
idea at first, had ended up buying it-they themselves know best why. But
Stone Cold had proven a stark conservative as he formally forbade such
activities, hell-bent on his vision of the 'ideal soldier' and his obsession to
lead by example, making his base "the quintessence of military excellence"
(as he had said in his inaugural speech).
"Rambo, I can assure you that I said nothing to him about our hot night,"
Marc told him raising both his hands. "Believe me, Mac! I do not know
personally why he's calling for you." "If he knows about it, it's not from me,"
he further added. Rambo then looked at the other co-instructors who had

accompanied him on the walk, as they seemed to be listening with great
interest. But they all shrugged their shoulders and nodded their heads in
disapproval. "I just don't hope it's one of these 'golden spoon-fed kids' looking
to gain the Commander's favours," he muttered to himself. "Let me go and
hear what he has to say," he finally said confidently, taking off the beret which
had been hung under one of his epaulettes and placing it on his head. "Wish
me good luck," he continued putting on a bright smile on his face and
twinkling his eye at his comrades as he marched towards Stone Cold's office.
When he finally got in front of the Commander's office door, he raised his
knuckles to hit at the door, then paused for a moment. He took a deep breath
then knocked at the door; no one answered. He knocked a second time;
nothing still. This made him more nervous. He felt as going away pretending
to have heard no reply and using it as justification were things not to go his
way. "Bollocks!" he exclaimed to himself. "Is this me the great Rambo
trembling for a rollicking like a primary school kid?! Dammit!!!" He knocked
harder the third time. "Come in," a fierce voice said from inside. Rambo
opened the door and performed the military salute. "My Colonel! I ... hear
...yyyoouu..." he said chewing his words. "Yes, close the door," Lt. Colonel
Kamto said with an austere expression on his face. "You've got mail from
Yaoundé," he continued stretching out an envelope at Rambo. Immediately,
Rambo let in a sigh of relief and excitedly took the envelope from his boss'
hand. It was actually addressed to him and bore the seal of the Ministry of
Security. He tore open the envelope and removed a carefully folded piece
of paper from it. "I've just had the Minister on phone. It's an order of
detachment," Kamto pursued. "You are called upon to different functions."
Rambo quickly unfolded the piece of paper and this is how it read:

REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN
*Paix-Travail-Patrie*
Ministère de la Sécurité
REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
*Peace-Work-Fatherland*
Ministry of Security
El Hadj Amadou BOUBA
MINISTER OF SECURITY
Thursday, March 9th, 2017
Captain TSIMI EVINA JACQUES PHILIPPE
BATTALION OF AIR-TRANSPORTED TROOPS
KOUTABA
Sir,
AN ORDER OF DETACHMENT
Following the declaration of war by the Head of State, the President of the
Republic of Cameroon, His Excellency, Tabi Ronald, on the extremist
Islamic group, Movement for the Establishment of the Sahel
Sultanate (MESS); and as outlined in his Triennial Plan of Economic growth
and sustainable development as well as peace and stability upon the entirety
of the national territory, you are hereby detached from your actual position in
the BTAP base of Koutaba where you have served as Chief Instructor since
2008, to the Northern part of the country where your vast experience and
skills are needed to aid us achieve this objective.
You are hence, required to get attach with your new field of operation at the
main base in Maroua within the next 168 hours, following the reception of
this letter. Receive our best wishes in your next assignment from the whole
nation, MINSEC crew and most of all, from our Head of State, Beloved
Father of the Nation, Eternal benefactor and Goodwill Ambassador of the
entire territory.
Best Regards,
El Hadj Amadou BOUBA

As he finished reading the letter, Rambo stood speechless for a few minutes.
He would be returning to the warfront after close to a decade of apparent
inactivity. He did not know how to take the news. Should he jump up to the
ceiling? Should he cry? Which was the most appropriate way to react? It is
true, he had often cursed his years as an instructor, yearning for the thrill and
excitement he faced during his memorable years in Bakassi. It was equally
true that with time, he had got to love his life as instructor- passing the
knowledge and experience he had acquired on the warfront to the next
generations. Once again, his country needed him and at such a delicate
period in her history, he could not let her down. From the various questions
which flooded his mind at that moment, one major preoccupation stood out:
After all these years, did he still have the verve and stamina to survive on
the battle field?
"Captain!!" Lt. Colonel Kamto's voice shook him out of his daydreaming.
"There's your wish come true. You had always hoped for a return to the front;
there you are served."
- Well, my Colonel, I just do not know how to react. In as much as I would
really love a return to the fields, I equally have unforgettable memories down
here. This is where I live now, this is where I got to meet my wife, this is
where my children were born. This place has got such a huge symbolic in
my life now
- But this is a direct order from the ministry and ignoring it will be tantamount
to desertion, Kamto stole in in proper killjoy fashion pointing his pen at
Rambo
"So I've got a week, to iron things out before I move to the Far-North," Rambo
said unperturbed now. "But who'll take care of the formation of these kids
once I'm gone?"
- That should be the least of your worries but given your years of experience
here and knowledge of the milieu, I'm willing to take your suggestions
- I think Captain Marc Ndongo will do fine. He's one of the most experienced
trainers I know and he knows the terrain quite well
- I'll think about that, Colonel Kamto concluded as he was lighting a cigarette.
You may take your leave

As Rambo left the office and was shutting the door behind him, Marc and the
others rushed towards him. "What did he want?" they surrounded him
inquisitively. He simply directed his detachment order at them. In as much
as they felt glad for him, given he had several times in the past hoped for a
return to a battle ground, they equally felt sad he was leaving. "Let's not allow
ourselves to be stricken by grief," one of them said. "Let's just remain at the
positives."
- Rambo we're thirsty! Do offer us a 'farewell drink' for the night, Ndongo said
rubbing his hands together
- Have you forgotten, that there are no more beers for sale at the canteen?
Rambo smiled shrewdly
- Yes but I think I saved a crate of Booster from yester night's events, we can
proceed to liquidating it, one of the instructors burst in
"Well given there's nothing better on our hands; let's just settle for this," they
all agreed.
That evening when Rambo returned home, he was astonished to find his
wife and children were all still awake. As he opened the main door, his son
and daughter rushed to hug him. "But what are you still doing up at this late
hour?" Rambo inquired. "They said they wanted their daddy to kiss them
good night before they went to bed," his wife, Sorelle explained.
-Daddy, what did you keep for us? His children asked him excitedly
-Here's a packet of biscuits and some doughnuts, but you'd have to promise
me to brush your teeth before you go to bed, OK?
-Yesssss!!!! They chorused energetically, as the elder one, the boy, took the
wrapping containing their gifts from their father's hands. After which he raced
to their room with his sibling following suit.
-Uuuhhh, and isn't there anything for their dedicated mum? Sorelle asked.
-Of course, Rambo said, holding out a parcel at her.
She hurriedly undid the parcel, and from it withdrew a pair of brand new
slingbacks. "Wooww darling, you are wonderful!!!" she exclaimed as she
clasped him tightly in her arms and kissed him. "Thank you soo much
sweetheart."
"On my way back, I met a hawker. Quite tough at bargaining but I
successfully broke through," Rambo explained. "Now, tell me what did you
cook today?" he asked with great interest. "You'd never guess..." Sorelle said
with a mysterious air.

-Hummm....fufu and okro soup? –Nooo
-Garri and eru???-Wrong sir!
-Rice and stew???- Try again oohh!!
-Dunno dearie!!!! Rambo said desperately; -Guess again, Sorelle said bent
on maintaining the suspense
-Bobolo and tea???? He asked mockingly; - Stupid man!!! She burst out
laughing, then sulked to give herself a more serious appearance
-You don't want to tell me??? Rambo said as he advanced towards her with
menacing hands
-Stay away from me, she replied drifting away from him and stretching out
her arms as if panic-stricken. That's not funny; she continued folding her
arms and sulking even more
-If you will not tell me, I will extract the information by do or die, her husband
said cracking his knuckles and wearing a vicious smile on his face
As she tried to run, he dived on her and they fell to the sofa, then they rolled
to the floor. There he began tickling her until she could hold no more and
shouted: "Achu and vegetables!!"
"Yum! Yum!" Rambo clapped his hands and licked his lips. "Leave me alone!
You Cheat!!!" she said grudgingly, pushing her husband away.
"But it's been quite a while you haven't cooked that..." Rambo interrupted her
now feigning innocence
-Wanted to try something different and equally wanted to surprise you. I know
how much you love it
-That's caring my lovely wife
-Well, you go and take your shower while I warm the food
-As you command, boss, Rambo agreed with a military salute
Once Rambo was done with his shower, he rushed to the dining hall to eat
his meal. His children came to surround him while he was eating. He carried
his daughter on his laps while devouring his dish with great appetite and his
son watched him terminate his food with amazed eyes. Sorelle on the other
hand, watched her husband eat with admiring eyes like she were
daydreaming. "Al," she called her seven year old son. "Go fetch a can of beer
from the fridge and come place it in front of your dad." Immediately the young
boy rushed to the kitchen, opened the fridge and did just as his mother had

ordered him. When Rambo had totally 'cleaned' his plate, he emptied the can
of beer into the tumbler placed before him, and absorbed the beverage in
almost a single sip. When he was done, he went down to the sofa to watch
television while his kids surrounded him pestering him with questions about
each 'new thing' they saw on TV: why things happen the way they do in the
animal kingdom or if it were possible for a monster that they had seen on a
particular channel while their dad zapped, could come to attack them in their
sleep (based on a classmate's assertion). When they'd both fallen asleep,
their parents carried them to their bedroom. Then they proceeded to
switching off the lights in the living room before converging to their room.
Once they were in bed, Sorelle noticed that her husband's mood radically
changed. His facial appearance no longer expressed joviality or exuberance
but drastically changed to morose.
"Hun... What's troubling you?"
"Nothing baby, don't worry! Nothing really important!"
"Jacques, I know you very well and if you are this way, means something is
troubling your mind."
Rambo sat up, thought for a moment, and then told her about the day's
events at the camp. Tears flowed from her eyes as he completed his
narration. "Does that mean, my husband will go to the North to combat MESS
leaving my children and myself as potential orphans and widow?"
-Don't say that my angel. I'm still alive you know, and I'm seated just next to
you at the moment, Rambo said trying to soothe her
-Yes but what will it be once you're gone to the warfront?
-Sweetie you know, I'm an old battle wolf; it's true that I may have lost some
reflexes given the time I spent away from actual ground activities but I believe
I've still got good remains.
There was a long pause. "Tell me what the source of your anguish is," Sorelle
broke off. "Well arriving here nine years ago, I had no family, no attach my
life meant nothing. It had no real sense unless when I was out there
defending my country's interests," he began. "Then, I met you, and we had
these beautiful children which God offered us and then my life took a different
turn. In as much as it's somewhat of an old wish come true, I can't escape
from the reality of today."
"Yes, but you can't equally deny that you relish returning to the battle front.
That's where you feel you belong," Sorelle remarked.

"But I can always find a way to desert for you...you know."
-And risk bearing a stain on your name?
-What does my reputation mean to me when my family's balance is at stake?
-Baby I need you to answer one question, just one and answer from the
bottom of your heart
-Yes, I'm all ears
- Promise to be as honest as possible
-Speak out
-Do you want to go to Maroua?
-Frankly, my conscience orders me to go but my heart tells me to stay
-Then, go!!! She urged her husband
-To abandon you with two very little children?!!! Out of the question!!!!! I'm
not irresponsible
While speaking, he pulled out of bed and sat on the edge. His wife stretched
her arms towards him and began caressing his muscular arms from shoulder
to elbow. As she passed her hands across his body, she touched the insignia
of the Cameroon Armed Forces which he had tattooed on his right arm. She
lay her head on his back and continued reassuring him and encouraging him
to go up North and take his newly assigned role. "I want you to be happy
Rambo. I remember when I first met you eight years ago, you loved to tell
me stories about your adventures in Bakassi and how you loved ruining the
enemy's plans. Each time I heard those stories, I often noticed an
incandescent spark in your eyes whenever you narrated them."
-Don't be bothered by us, sweetie. It's your destiny, your country needs you!
We need you!!!
-You're right sweetie! Furthermore, this detachment comes as a godsend
given the tough last few months we've had. My salary at the moment can
hardly permit us to cover all our expenses, so with this new appointment we
can start hoping again of acquiring our dream home given my prospective
financial upgrade
-You see now that there are positives, Sorelle added as she punched her
husband's chest. But I'll for sure miss you baby; the kids and myself
-Thank you for being my eternal adviser and my prop, my little angel, Rambo
said looking now in her direction

-Welcome my lovely bag of muscles! She answered grasping him tighter and
wearing a broad smile
At these words, they kissed passionately and both fell back onto the bed,
rolling themselves into their blanket.
**************************
Finally came the D-day. That morning, Rambo was sitting in his room, tying
up the laces of his boots. Once he was done, he went into the living room
where Sorelle already dressed up, was waiting for him. "Today is the big day,
my love," she said after giving him a peck on the lips. "Oh yeah... Really
surprised Stone Cold insisted in buying me a few more days and improvised
this send-off," he pondered. Then looking around he asked for his kids. "In
the car, waiting for their daddy to take them on a ride," Sorelle replied
reassuringly.
-Greeaat! I forgot I've got the best and the most orderly wife of all
-You'll not kill me with your flatteries, she said shyly as she arranged the
fringes on her bun
-Mrs Tsimi, did I tell you, I love your suit and your skirt? He asked as he took
her by the hips
-Thank you Mr Gentleman!!! Needed to be the finest this day to say farewell
to my beloved! You won't expect me to disgrace my lovely husband on his
big day
Suddenly, like her subconscious reminded her of an important detail, she
pointed at a pack on the dining table. "There are your provisions! You will
find some bread which I bought from the bakery this morning, a bottle of
groundnuts, some smoked fish and meat."
"Wow!!! All that for me alone?" Rambo asked naively. "Yep! There is beef
and also some pork! I know that's what you prefer." "That's wonderful," her
husband said licking his lips.
When they had packed all the bags into the boot, they locked up all the doors
of their house and drove off to the base.
There, they discovered that everything was set in place for a 'mega sendoff'.
Rambo could hardly believe his eyes. A platform had been arranged and
the whole camp had been decorated. An event worthy of a presidential
reception. As he parked his car, an aspirant soldier had been appointed to
direct him and his family to the ceremonial platform where they were shown

their seats. The Divisional Officer of the Noun Division had been invited as
well as some traditional rulers and notables of neighbouring villages.
Rambo during his time at the BTAP base had gained the respect and
admiration of many of the local figure heads. It was therefore not surprising
to see certain personalities attend this event. First, there was the opening
speech given by the D.O., then some traditional rulers who had come in
contact with Rambo during his time in the area and finally, came Lt. Colonel
Kamto who delivered his own "ode" to an "exemplary person who led by his
discipline, pertinacity and strength of character" and "whose living example
should inspire future generations of soldiers". Believe it or not, all who knew
Kamto were bewildered by the numerous praises he poured on Rambo. Him,
a man so austere and scant on praises, more inclined towards criticism and
lambasting. None could believe his or her ears. The ceremony continued
with a military march past and concluded with a fanfare.
When he had advocated for an extension of Rambo's stay for a few more
days in order to organize a proper send-off to reward the latter for his years
of loyalty and dedication at the camp, everyone at first thought Kamto was
merely joking. The eulogy he delivered in Rambo's honour made many
realize his harsh side was just a facet, an armour and made his critics
appreciate and respect him even more. Then, came the moment he called
Rambo on stage to present him with a testimonial in recognition for his years
of service at the Koutaba base. Our outgoing chief instructor could not
contain his emotion. He thanked everyone who had supported him all
through his stay in Koutaba as well as all the batches he had trained because
they proved a constant challenge and that made him even better and urged
new generations to keep the flame shining. He showed his appreciation for
the local population and expressed his infinite gratitude to God Almighty and
last but not least, to his wife and kids. Then came the fateful moment for
hand-over during which Rambo congratulated his successor Captain
Ndongo and wished him the best of luck and a mountain fold of courage and
determination in his new duties, despite the hardships which await him.
At the end of the ceremony, everyone- colleagues, pupils and civilians, came
to express their regards to their departing officer. Followed item 11 and
refreshments. At 5 pm, a helicopter landed in the middle of the yard; a Mi-
8 model. It was filled with BTAP operatives stationed in Nkongsamba, most
of whom would as reinforcements for the forces at the warfront. They
transported supplies of food and fuel, and equally carried some boxes loaded
with weaponry destined for the base of operations at Maroua. Colonel Kamto
had decided to take advantage of this shift to ease transport costs for Rambo
(given his status and years of faithful service) who was also heading in the

same direction. As he was moving towards the helicopter, Rambo held his
children strongly in his arms and kissed them. Sorelle placed her hand on
his back and began consoling him. At once, he stood up and cuddled her. "I
love you! You know that?" he asked cuddling her even harder. "I do, my
honey!" she replied already soaked in tears. He proceeded to carry his bags
and moved towards the helicopter. The constant swing of its blade was so
powerful that it gave the impression the scenery around was trembling as if
shaken by an earthquake, and the grass and leaves of the surrounding plants
rotated around the aircraft like though they had been uplifted by a whirlwind.
Once Rambo had dropped his bags into the helicopter, he looked back. At
the same instant, Marc ordered everyone to stand in their lines. "Hold your
rifles up!!!" he screamed. "Down! Up!" he continued. "FIRE!!!" Everyone gave
a shot in the air. "Down! Up!" They repeated the gesture three times.
"Saaaaluuute!!!!" Captain Marc pursued. All the soldiers in their lines all gave
the military salute to Rambo. Rambo looked back and responded to the
salute in the same fashion. Stone Cold did same. Rambo got into the aircraft
and when the door had been shut, it arose at once into the air. Al, who
certainly could not withstand his father's departure rushed in the direction of
the helicopter and jumped as if he thought he could stand a chance of holding
it back. Lisa (Rambo's daughter) on the other hand, held on tight to her
mother who was carrying her.
Rambo from the height of the craft, continued watching the people below him
getting tinier and tinier. When they had at last reached the level of the clouds,
he began pondering about what the future holds for him, what adventures
await him in a field which he knows so well but yet remains so unaware of.