"This is no time for jokes. I would advise keeping whatever jokes to yourself until our mission is accomplished. We have lives at stake, there is nothing funny about it," Cal said, his tone sharp and commanding as he looked each one of us in the eyes. "We need to be as professional as possible, strictly follow the plan, and most importantly, ensure that you are safe. Without you, we wouldn't be able to carry out this mission. You are as valuable as the victims we are going to rescue."
"Yes, sir!" we all chorused with military crispness.
Carl raised the walkie-talkie to his lips. "IQ, over. We have landed."
The dense air buzzed with insects, and the earthy scent of jungle rot filled my lungs. We headed into the bushes, foliage brushing against our uniforms, boots crunching softly on undergrowth. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadowy cover of leaves.
It was the Colonel.
