Chapter 207: Safe zone

Meanwhile, the chopper finally landed in the war zone. As soon as the group walked out of the chopper, the first thing they heard was a bomb going off somewhere in the area and a tremor ran down everybody's spine including Ian. This was the first time they were hearing a bomb explode and god, it sounded as though it had blown up right next to their ears.

The helicopter had stopped at a region that was quite far from the actual war zone. From here, they had to go in military jeeps to the location. Other than assault helicopters, no other kind of helicopters were allowed to go near the zone. Before the troop was asked to get on the jeep, Kevin stood in the front of them again.

"Guys, now that we are here, please be careful. As much as we are responsible for your safety, you too are responsible for taking care of yourself. Again I am reminding you not to do anything that you are not supposed to. If you have any issues or need any sort of help, you can approach any of us and we will try to help you as much as possible. After reaching the battle zone, you will again be asked to report to Major Ethan Meyers and he will give you more orders for you to follow. So, brace yourself." As he said that, another bomb exploded and everybody trembled again.

Kevin did not say anything to curb their nervousness. They had to get adjusted to it as it would be a daily occurrence here. This was like a sound of death to many, but they could not do anything about it. The only choice they had was to accept it and get tuned to it.

"Please get on the jeeps in groups of three. Don't worry about the medical kits. We will get it. Take only your luggage with you" Kevin then led them to the jeeps that were already on standby. Aria, Ian and Stuart got on one jeep while the others occupied the remaining ones. When everybody had boarded the jeeps carefully and were sitting tight, the soldiers started driving the jeep.

Aria's eyes darted around, but other than trees and hilly areas, she could not see anything. But as they got closer to the camps, the sounds of gunshots and riffle reports became louder. The bomb explosions become louder too and the trio felt as though their eardrums would shatter if this continued. They immediately wore the earplugs they were provided with to protect their ears.

After twenty minutes of driving, they arrived at the military pavilions. Kevin had informed them this was the safe zone and no harm would befall them if they stayed in this zone. Everybody got off the jeeps along with their luggage and accompanied Kevin and the two other soldiers inside one of the pavilions.

At the farther end of the pavilion, there were seven or more men clad in their uniforms waiting for them. Kevin led them towards the troop. He and his two mates walked forward and saluted the man who was leading the troop. He returned their salute and the three men went and stood behind him. 

The man who was in the front stepped forward. "I, Major Ethan Meyers, welcome you all here, though this is not a place for you guys." Aria was stunned seeing the man. She had seen his photo already but he looked very different in person. He looked more rugged and rough when compared to the photograph. He was more tanned and his hair was cut short. So, she could not recognize the man at all.

"I sincerely thank you all for agreeing to come here despite the abnormal circumstances. It takes a great deal of courage for agreeing to come here and we appreciate it all the more. Every one of us who is taking part in this war will be grateful to you forever for giving us a helping hand." Ethan smiled at them and everybody returned it.

"Now that we are here, we will skip the introductions. We will get to know each other as time passes. So, let's not waste time on it. Let me give you your orders and I expect all of you to follow them at all costs. Remember these are for your own safety."

Ethan took a look at all of them, not missing the curious glances in some of them. He could also sense the nervousness and fear from them and it was not unusual. He then continued, "At all costs, stay in the safe zone. Do not cross this zone. You are safe here. But if you cross the zone, there is no guarantee of what may happen to you. Once you walk out of here, you will see a white line, a few meters from here, that runs across the area. You are not allowed to cross the line as long as you stay here. We will bring the injured soldiers to the pavilions itself. This is a request as well as an order. Any questions so far?"

"No." Everybody answered at once. 

"Good. It is up to you guys how you are going to decide the shifts. But we want doctors ready at all times. As you already know the situation, we never know when one of us soldiers might get injured. We will be providing you three pavilions for you to treat the injured soldiers. We have two tents set up for you. The ladies can occupy one of them and the gentlemen here can use the other. The tents have bathrooms inside them. So, you do not have to worry. Any questions now?"

Again he got the same answer. "Great. Remember what I have told you about the white line. If you have any issues or worries, feel free to approach any of us. We will do as best as we can to help you. I, once again, thank you all for coming here. Kevin, lead them to their tents. You can take rest for some time or you can start working immediately. It's up to you."

"Another thing. Your mobile phones do not work here. So, if you have to call someone, you will have to come to the main building. There is a telephone. You can make a call there. But I request you to restrict the number of calls you make. Now you may leave."

After getting their orders, the group went along with Kevin to their tents. The two tents were right opposite to each other. "Ladies, this your tent." He pointed to the one towards his right. "And the gentlemen here can occupy the other. Please keep your luggage here and let me take you around the safe zone."

Ten minutes later, the group was taking a mini-tour along with Kevin. He showed them all the places they had access to as well as the main building where they could make a call.

"Excuse me, where are the already injured soldiers being treated right now?" Aria interrupted him. 

"Do you want to start work right away?"

Aria gave him a look as though he was a fool for asking such a question. They were here to treat the injured, not on a trip. They could get accustomed to their surroundings gradually. What was more important right now was to provide medical assistance. Kevin smiled in awkwardness seeing her questioning gaze.

"Please split into two groups. One of them will work the day shift and the other will do a night shift. Before that let me take you to the treatment center." 

Kevin again led them to one of the huge pavilions. It was huge, bigger than the previous one they had been to, almost two meters in length and fifty meters in width. As soon as the group went in, they gasped at the sight. There were a lot of soldiers who were being provided with care and treatment. There were at least two hundred soldiers in there and everybody was injured. They were being treated by the local doctors who were not that proficient. 

Seeing the ghastly sight, Aria could not stop herself. She gave Ian one knowing look and they immediately sorted themselves into two groups. They had to begin their work as early as possible. Ian, Aria, Stuart, and two other nurses were in one group and the remaining five members were in the other. 

Though they were asked to work in shifts, they had decided to start their work first. If anybody felt tired or sleepy, they could take some rest and join again when they got their energy back.

But before they could even start their work, they could hear voices from outside. Four soldiers were helping three other soldiers who were severely injured. Two of them had bullet wounds on their arms. They were not in a critical situation. However, the third one had two bullet shots on his chest. 

Since Ian already had experience in treating gunshot wounds, he immediately rushed to treat the man who had been shot in his chest. Two nurses joined him to assist him. Meanwhile, Aria and Stuart each went to assist the other two wounded soldiers. The remaining members started to take a look at the other soldiers who were already present in the pavilion when they had come in.