Chapter 42: No Abandonment

The return trip was much shorter than the journey there because there was no need to explore on the way back, but it still took an hour.

George and Rubber seemed fine, but Frank was different. He was covered in mud and looked extremely dejected.

Arthur finished explaining his conversation. Now it was Frank's turn to speak.

"After we landed, we didn't go far. The underbrush and ferns were very dense. Bottle Cap was leading the way, and I was behind him, about ten meters apart. Suddenly, someone from the bushes tackled him. Bottle Cap raised his gun to shoot but was hit. I immediately took cover and returned fire."

Frank recounted in a numb tone, his eyes vacant as he glanced at the three of them before continuing, "There were a lot of enemies, but I only saw two, wearing green clothes like military uniforms. I started to retreat. The enemy pursued, but escaping through the rainforest wasn't too difficult. Also, I believe they don't have a boat and won't enter the water. In the swamp, they can't chase, which is why I escaped."

Arthur stayed silent, but George spoke seriously, "So, we're relatively safe here."

Rubber, on the other hand, was agitated. He gritted his teeth and said, "Why is there a guerrilla group here? There shouldn't be any! The Gowu organization surrendered! They disarmed completely last year, and they should be in the southeast!"

George replied in a low voice, "No, only part of the Gowu organization surrendered to the government. The organization split into three parts: the main body surrendered, the second faction joined Venezuela and operated along the border, but the third faction had internal strife with the second faction. The third faction's activity area roughly covers where we are now, so... it's complicated."

The Gowu organization was Colombia's largest guerrilla group, fighting against the government for years. Arthur didn't know where the Gowu organization was based.

Frank sighed deeply, looking lost. "So... what do we do?"

Yes, what to do indeed.

This area was a swamp, which wasn't very dangerous. Even if the enemy had been active here for years, they couldn't pursue through the swamp because it wasn't a challenge of willpower or physical strength but rather an insurmountable difficulty.

The plane wasn't in much danger here, and they could easily retreat. If so, Frank and his group would lose their main motivation to fight. As for whether to rescue John, it depended on their decision.

Arthur's thinking was simple: he wanted to save John. If Frank and the others didn't want to, then no one would leave.

Rubber sighed and said, "Of course, we need to rescue Bottle Cap."

George nodded solemnly.

Frank, looking listless, turned to Arthur and said, "You're the only one who can speak Spanish. Will you go negotiate with the enemy?"

Arthur was a bit surprised because he thought Rubber and the others wouldn't want to rescue John, especially Frank, who seemed mentally broken.

Arthur nodded without hesitation and said in a deep voice, "I'll go!"

George shook his head and quietly said, "Forget about negotiation. It's unrealistic. The third faction of the Gowu organization is known for its toughness and cruelty. Their main income comes from cocaine, so... going there is just suicide."

Rubber, very agitated, said, "Are you kidding? Just the four of us going in to rescue Bottle Cap? You're joking!"

Frank, looking expressionless, said, "If negotiation is just suicide, then I'll go rescue Bottle Cap myself. It's my responsibility. Guys, I'm sorry."

The meaning behind his apology was complex, but it was clear that Frank's mental state had truly collapsed. He wanted to die or didn't want to live anymore.

At this point, Arthur didn't care if Frank had mentally collapsed. He was just glad that Frank was willing to rescue John and surprised that Rubber and George were also willing.

"Then let's go. We only have four hours."

Arthur made the suggestion, and after a moment of silence, Frank weakly waved his hand and said, "Let's go."

They got into Frank's boat. The electric motor started, and the inflatable boat began to glide at its maximum speed. No one mentioned whether the plane left behind might be discovered or what would happen if George died and the remaining three couldn't leave.

This small team was more united than expected. Arthur felt like he had wrongfully assumed the worst.

The waterway was winding and not very fast. Sometimes, they had to get out and carry the inflatable boat overland for a short distance before re-entering the water. Such terrain explained why the guerrillas wouldn't pursue them; traversing the swamp was exhausting.

Despite the slow pace, they returned to the ambush site in about forty minutes.

At this point, Rubber, from the boat behind, shouted, "Captain, was it the enemy's camp you encountered or just a few sentries?"

Frank opened his mouth but didn't speak. Rubber continued, "If it was just a few sentries, you could have..."

"Shut up!"

It was George who interrupted Rubber.

Even though Arthur was new, he could tell Rubber was trying to blame Frank. Rubber wanted to suggest that if Frank hadn't been so quick to retreat, he might have saved John then and there, rather than having to return now.

John had surely been taken to the camp by now, making the rescue mission infinitely harder.

Rubber's accusation had some merit, but now wasn't the time for this. Fortunately, George cut Rubber off, preventing potential infighting.

Rubber was interrupted but didn't stay silent. He sighed and said loudly, "Captain, you're not fit to command right now. I'll take over."

Frank nodded without speaking.

The two inflatable boats weren't far apart, so they had to speak loudly, but nodding was easy to see.

No internal strife meant the rescue mission still had a chance. Arthur patted Frank's back and said quietly, "Captain, pull yourself together. It's not hopeless yet. In this terrain, even with many people, they can't search thoroughly. Without a clear goal, they won't search at all."

Frank sighed and said softly, "Do you think Mr. Smith knew there was a guerrilla camp here when he told me about this place?"

Arthur couldn't answer that question. Frank continued softly, "We'll ask if we get the chance. If we get the chance. We should get off the boat now."

They couldn't disembark at the original spot. Frank maneuvered Rubber's boat to a stop, jumped into the water, and waded through the mud a few steps before saying to the others, "Let's start here. The solid ground isn't far."

Rubber said firmly, "I'll take command. Disembark here. Joe, Kung Fu Kid, cover us. Captain, give me your rifle. You secure the boat."

Arthur got off the inflatable boat, watching Rubber solemnly take the rifle from Frank.

There were only two rifles, and now it was clear Frank shouldn't have one.

"Follow us, rookie. Be careful, stay silent. Don't worry about the Captain; even if he's lost it, he knows how to fight. You're just a rookie!"

After warning Arthur, Rubber, and George led the way, trudging slowly through the mud.

Fortunately, the solid ground wasn't far. After struggling through the swamp for about ten meters and crawling over some unknown plants, Arthur's hands finally touched firm ground.

Frank was the last to come ashore. Rubber scanned the surroundings warily before signaling to move forward.

At that moment, Arthur said softly, "Wait a minute."

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Arthur continued quietly, "I hid the plane keys under some moss on the tree where we tied the rope. It's about two meters high. Lift the moss, and you'll find it. It's easy to locate."

Rubber and Joe looked at Arthur with complex expressions but said nothing. After a moment, Rubber sighed quietly and said, "Let's move on."