MISSED TARGET

Please note: All characters in this story are fictional as well as the main locations related to the story. Hence, you may find some names of( persons or states) totally strange or very Unfamiliar

Chapter ONE

____ 17th July 1993

General Lati picked a meat from the grill on the fire, he had a bite and immediately dropped it :"This tastes Wack!. Gideon you don't know how to aim well now you can't make a smoked meat perfectly!" he rolled his eyes as he dropped the remaining meat on the grill with an unsatisfied and angry expression. The other officers on the field laughed so hard. They all sat around the fire. Gideon, a junior officer of twenty -seven year old looked down timidly and bowed his head: "I am sorry Sir"

"Come on guys! It's not funny. You can't believe Gideon was only able to get one target correctly in the fire arms last week. Now he can't smoke a meat!" Lati said annoyed. Gideon wasn't able to follow them to the war fronts as he was still lagging behind in the required skills. When they came back from the battle, Lati implored him to at least be useful and make them smoked meat.

"Come on Lati. The meat is not bad. It's just short of some spices! Besides Gideon has only spent a month here, I am sure he will catch up soon" Camp, an army officer and also a friend to Lati said in Gideon's defense as he also laughed.

"Well..what happened to the military school he went to? He didn't learn that? How come he is with a certificate? Was it Forged? I do not entirely blame him. He got so lucky because of his father's position that he got a job immediately in the State army. With that kind of shooting skills, he should still be in the remote places and still as a junior officer!" Lati said emphatically

"Come on Lati. Let's just give him more time. He will come around!" Camp, said his laughter gradually fading away from his face. Lati stared on with contempt. He further changed the topic stressing the fact that he wouldn't allow Gideon ruin his bad day. Actually the soldiers just finished fighting for the protection of the territorial integrity of their country from their enemy state and it was a victorious match. They sat down on the field and decided to celebrate and merry with bush meat made from the fire around them and lots of wines. The soldiers all had black temporary marks on their faces. Their state name, Liba while their enemy's state is Zerafi. Zerafi had a higher population of army than Liba. However, the Liba army was strong and well trained.

General Lati Hamzah was one of them and the second in command. Lati whose name at birth was 'Latif' a name from an Arabic origin' was fondly called 'Lati' by his paternal grandmother hence since when he was little, he had been addressed as "Lati' formally and informally. He was a fine officer in his mid-fifties; a man who never played around with his work. All his other colleagues were happy but he was the happiest. This was because they were finally done with the territorial war and he would set eyes on his only and precious daughter again after Six weeks of leaving home. He was a courageous soldier and his colleagues feared and respected him. He had won several wars for the territory and received outstanding awards and honours before being made the deputy General of the Liba Army. He was the second highest paid army officer in the state. He was a fine man in his mid fiftees. He had built a nice luxurious bungalow. He could be described as a rich man as he also had a big poultry farm where he sells birds, chickens and ducks. He sold it mostly for people who wants to sell it back as retail. The business was grooming well for him and he made quite lots of money from it ranging from one million plus to two million monthly. He employed about 5 staffs in the poultry house, he also employed some bodyguards, as some thieves had broken into the farm house at night twice to ransack and loot poultry animals. Ever since then he employed hefty and well trained bodyguards to secure the place.

About five years ago, Lati travelled to an European country on a work trip. He and his other officers lodged in a hotel. He was lucky to come across a successful business man, an Arabian millionaire who had resided in Europe for many years. He was the owner of the hotel. One of the hotel workers who had lived in Lati's country before told him he was a very skilled military man with numerous awards. The Arabian man was impressed and approached Lati. He asked him if he could privately tutor his son to pass the upcoming Military Academy practical exam in the Country so he could also be a successful Military man. Lati explained to him that he does not reside in Europe but another Continent entirely. He said he could only help him if he could come to his country. The Arabian man agreed and sent his son over. Lati used majority of his annual leave days to train the boy and even during weekends. All through the period,(Four months) the young man resided in Lati's home. He was very dedicated to helping him. The boy successfully passed the exams with distinction, an exam he had written four different times and failed. His father was very elated. He even came to Lati's country and appreciated him by giving him five million.

This money was what Lati used to begin his poultry business and it blossomed but not without Independent Service against corruption in the state investigating his source of wealth. During this investigation, the Arabian millionaire came out publicly to explain he had rewarded Lati with huge money for coaching his son to pass the European Military exams presenting the son's results and pictures of Matriculation. Lati was 'saved' eventually.

Lati's daughter, Mitah was still in her final year in the state university. She was twenty-four years old and his only child. Lati had lost his wife many years ago to a plane crash and all the care and responsibilities of their daughter fell solely on him. One thing was certain about the love he had for his daughter - he could give his life for her.

The next day Lati arrived home, a well constructed spacious bungalow with four rooms and tastefully furnished. The interior decoration was amazing. The person he saw with his daughter angered him. He angrily dropped his suitcase. It was his daughter's boyfriend, Dino. Dino was through with his first degree already as a trained pharmacist and was then pursuing his Master's degree in pharmacology. Lati wouldn't just let the gentleman marry his daughter.

"What are you doing here, you stupid boy? Haven't I warned you to stop coming here" He yelled at him. Dino immediately released his hands from Mitah's. Mitah who was at first excited to set her eyes on her father after months of leaving home for the war fronts was suddenly defeated in her expectation. She was frightened too and fed up with her father's unwelcoming attitude and hatred for her lover. However, she kept mute and folded her hands. Good day and welcome Sir". Dino greeted. He drew the tips of his shirt tightly beneath his chin and gave a bow "Keep your greetings. Now listen, the next time I see you around my daughter, I am going to shoot you to death. It is what I can do". Lati said raging and pointing his finger at him.

Mitah wanted to talk but he shut her off and told Dino to get out of his house immediately. Dino stepped out in anger and Mitah followed him. "Come back here", Lati called. Mitah ignored her father. She went ahead to meet Dino who had sat in his car ready to start it. He had a slightly furious expression on his face. "I am sorry" ... Mitah said talking to him through his car window. Dino heaved a sigh then said:" It's okay but I am just in how long this will continue". Mitah assured him she was going to keep talking to her father and if he still refused; she wasn't ready to leave him yet. Dino nodded and started booting up his car engine. He told her that they would talk later on the telephone. Mitah entered the car attempting to kiss him

"No..Mitah, not right now please. I do not want your father shouting at me on top of his voice again. Let me just go, I have some medications to approve to the teaching hospital".Dino said. Obviously, he was already angry. But Mitah wouldn't blame him, that would be the fifth time Lati would see them together and walk Dino out of his house or yell at him

"Its okay. Drive safe"Mitah muttered to him as she opened the car door. Dino nodded and zoomed off. After few seconds, she walked into the house. She met her father already sipping from a glass of whiskey, his favourite alcoholic beverage. He was seated ready to listen to the 4pm news broadcast "Dad, why are you being like this? Dino has done nothing wrong".

"Really? Lati said diverting his attention from the TV. "you are going on a perilous path if you don't know. Do you know the history of their family?" Lati queried.

But Mitah said she didn't care about any history and she loved him no matter what.

"Are you alright Mitah?" His father too was an ex-soldier of Zerafi, our enemy state. His father murdered over fifty of my men under my command in cold blood. He is more or less my enemy. Lati stressed.

"Dad, you have no point. That was during the war. I mean you killed his men too", Mitah argued.

"You can't understand, their family have a bad history. Believe me".

"No Dad. There is more to this than mere history you based your decision on. You have so much hatred for Dino's father, something else is behind this and I need to know".

Lati just stood up and went inside. He was tired and had no interest in the news broadcast anymore. Not in his lifetime would Mitah marry Dino". But Mitah wondered why her father despised Dino's family.

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Dino's father was a very rich man before he died and a Soldier. But he voluntarily retired and opted for politics. Dino had a younger sister, Amanda, who was staying at Dino's place. She was still pursuing her degree in Law. Their father left behind a couple of properties including four mansions, Six luxurious cars and money worth 70 million. His company was also later sold out for 150 million as Dino and Amanda said they were not interested in

managing it. However, Dino bought a luxurious bungalow while he refused to live in the mansions his father left. He had studied Pharmacy and already secured a job in a government hospital. He received a very good salary. In addition, he owned a big pharmacy where he employed pharmacists with certified diploma and degrees. Their father had left four houses. As his next of kin Dino rented out two of the house and was using half of the money for charity. He had given Amanda a duplex house which she let out for rentage. The remaining house, Dino allocated it to their maternal grandmother, Gwen, a 85 year old woman living in a far away town .Gwen was the one taking care of Dino and his sister in her house when their mother left their father, they were still kids then, but 10 years after, the woman came up with severe athritis, and the Children were transferred back to Paul's residence, while Martins employed a maid Nurse to take care of Gwen. Paul Martins had left no will, but Dino was his next of kin, hence Martins lawyer said he had the right to all the properties. In short, Dino and her sister are living in prominent wealth and did not lack anything. Their mother, Helen, divorced their father many years ago and refused to show up to claim her children even after their father's death, and rarely contacted her own mother too. It was later heard that she got re married to a prominent entertainer in Paris.

Mitah was a very attractive girl, fair skinned, who had a lot of admirers. She was slim and tall with a good set of legs and teeth. She had a lot of male admirers but then she chose Dino as She loved only him.

Dino was a caring guy with a lovely accent. He was an admirable, soft spoken man. He was also always calm unless terribly provoked. He loved Mitah and made up his mind not to let her go despite her father's strong refusal even though sometimes he felt quite despaired. Dino and Mitah had been friends since Mitah was in secondary school though Dino attended a different School but they started dating during Mitah's second year in the University.

But out of all Mitah's admirers, there was a guy who wouldn't give up, his name was Nopaz. He and Mitah were Secondary school mates. Nopaz was also from a very rich family but he was a spoilt child. His Father was the current Minister of Finance as at that time. That day he called Mitah on the phone to pressure her into dating him. It was the fourth time he was going to try to persuade her. The first time was in a restaurant, Mitah had gone to get some snacks and they stumbled on each other. The rest of the times were in a bank and through phone calls.

"Please, let me be alone. Nopaz, you are stressing me out! I don't have any romantic feelings towards you. We are only friends and that's what we will ever be! I have another man in my life I have told you this severally". Mitah screamed on the top of her voice angrily.

"I really want to know that your jerk of a boyfriend. Who is he? I have lots of money. Are you such a fool?" However, Mitah told him blankly she didn't need his money. "If you must know my boyfriend is rich too!" she added and hanged up on the telephone. What a pest! She said under her breath. Nopaz scoofed: "Well, let's see how it goes"

It was a weekend and Mitah decided to go see Dino. She told their maid, Lupam that if her father should ask of her, she should report that she went to the post office and should not disclose her actual location.

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