Six o'clock in the afternoon.
It was exactly dinner time.
Santos sat at the dining table on time, holding his bowl quietly, waiting for the broadcast of "Guadalupe Island Current Affairs News".
This was a newly launched program.
Its main purpose was to convey current affairs of Guadalupe Island and Mr. Victor's "important instructions".
"Duke of the Island" Victor.
"The following is a message released by the police station,"
the male presenter said, reading from his script with glasses on.
"Guadalupe Island will conduct a major sweep against drug residues, and no one shall engage in the production, concealment, or sale of drugs. Offenders will face the death penalty! Drug users can be sent to rehab centers for compulsory detox."
"Residents of the island are not allowed to illegally possess firearms and ammunition. They must be turned in within three days, or else forced measures will be implemented."
"December 27th will be designated as the 'Freedom Day of Guadalupe Island,' celebrating the successful drug eradication."
"Spokesperson for the police, Officer Casare said, 'Guadalupe Island will open two large processing plants, capable of employing 2,000 people. In order to improve employment chances and work benefits for islanders, a 'manual piecemeal' system will be implemented, with an hourly wage not lower than 1 Peso. Those in need may register at the police station,'"
Cheers could be heard upstairs, downstairs, and from neighbors to the left and right.
Everything else didn't matter to them; this was a real "people's welfare project," and moreover, with an hourly wage not lower than 1 Peso, that would be considered a high salary in Mexico, even if one worked 18 hours a day.
Close to 200 US Dollars a month.
Valentina patted his shoulder, signaling him to eat. Santos nodded and was about to bite into his corn tortilla when he heard another announcement from the TV.
"The police department responsible, Mr. Victor stated that a 3-year police academy will be established on Guadalupe Island, focusing on training special talents in line with Mexico's national conditions. It will recruit 14 to 19-year-olds. The school will not charge any fees, and a monthly allowance will also be provided.
Outstanding performers will have the opportunity to intern at the police department."
Santos suddenly lifted his head, still with food at the corner of his mouth, listening to the host's announcement, his eyes shining with excitement.
"Mom, I want to participate in this!"
Valentina frowned at the TV, as no Mexican parent would want their child to become a police officer.
In Mexico, being a bandit had more future prospects than that.
Perhaps sensing Valentina's hesitation, Santos jumped down from the chair and hugged her, "I want to be a brave man like dad."
Valentina touched his head, "But it will be very hard."
"What's there to fear about hardship? I am a man; what should really be feared is stagnation, not charging forward."
Santos was actually already 14, but he looked underdeveloped compared to his peers, at least a head shorter, yet the words he spoke were so powerful.
"Mom, Mr. Victor said!"
"¡¡El éxito no tiene que estar en mí! ¡¡El éxito debe estar en mí!!" ("Success doesn't have to come from me; success must involve me!")
A certain light burst from Santos's eyes.
"My name is destined to be written in the history of Mexico."
Valentina was also moved by Santos's words. A child having such thoughts, what parents hope most is for their child to grow up. She covered her mouth, remembering the hardships of raising a child alone over the years, and couldn't help but hug Santos and start crying.
"Mom, don't worry, I will protect you, I will also protect Mr. Victor, and I will protect the whole of Mexico!"
Suddenly, he felt the glass trembling, and the sound of an engine's vibration filled his ears. Santos thought the noise sounded familiar.
"Shoot them down!"
Victor decisively gave the order.
Guatemalan or spicy next door, you just barge in without saying hello?
Uncle Victor won't tolerate that!
...
Alvaro Colom clung tightly to the handle, his gaze falling upon the crowd below, waving at the helicopter, revealing a maniacal smile on his gaunt face.
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"Kill them!" he ordered the gunman.
As the commander of the Guatemalan Special Forces "Kaibil," Alvaro was known for his brutality, cold-bloodedness, and ruthlessness. He had also committed numerous crimes domestically.
He had been participating in a military exhibition in Lower California with his troops and the Mexican Military, but the news of a 5 million US Dollar bounty for a police officer's head excited the bold Alvaro. He took his team and headed straight for Guadalupe Island during a break in the exercises.
This was utterly unheard of elsewhere...
While calling it commonplace in the fantastical Latin American region would be a stretch, such things had occurred.
Back in 1968, a Honduran farmer's sheep strayed into Salvadoran territory, leading to a conflict with the locals, and a fight ensued.
Then Honduran patrol soldiers invaded the opposing territory and killed seven people, including a local chieftain. It's said that this incident was related to the war that broke out between the two countries the following year.
Hearing Alvaro's command, the gunman fired his GAU-16 .50 caliber heavy machine gun at the crowd below, mowing down at least a dozen people who had no chance to escape. The survivors screamed while the wounded cried out for help.
Alvaro laughed aloud, relishing the thrill. He'd done this before domestically, capturing those who opposed the Government Forces and tying them to rocks before leaving them to the tides, taking pleasure in their screams.
But suddenly, he saw the pilot's body jolt as if frightened, yanking the control stick to rise as if trying to avoid something.
The next second...
The alarm inside the helicopter began to blare, piercingly loud.
It even made Alvaro shiver inside.
"What's happening!" he yelled, gripping the handle tightly.
"Tu madre! (Damn it), we've been hit," the pilot roared as the helicopter spun and fell straight from the sky, its nose grinding against the ground, sparking flames and dragging a long black streak before finally crashing into a wall and coming to a stop.
Thick smoke billowed from the aircraft.
The EDM squad inside the police station, already prepared, drove towards the target at full speed.
Alvaro survived, he and a few teammates struggled out of the helicopter. As soon as he climbed out, he was met with a gun to his head.
He brazenly raised his hands, even wearing a carefree smile on his face, "I surrender!"
"I am Lieutenant Alvaro Colom from the Guatemalan Special Forces, I demand you treat prisoners humanely!"
Victor, arriving with the second group, jumped off the vehicle and laughed upon hearing this.
"What falls from the sky are criminals, not prisoners!"
Victor stood over him, looking down from his superior position, squinting his eyes, gesturing to Kennedy to approach. When he came close, Victor pulled out Kennedy's dagger, grabbed one of Alvaro's teammates, and plunged the blade into the side of his neck!
The man struggled vigorously, looking at his captain with pleading eyes, hoping to be saved.
"No rush, after I've had my fun with him, I'll send him to join you!" Victor whispered into his ear.
...