Half an hour before Song Heping and Admiral Miller reached a deal, in the northwest direction of Titrick, the desert and hilly area, the 1515 army was advancing steadily northward.
The scene here was vastly different from the orderly Bayji, filled with the noise of victors and the desolation of those defeated.
The dry hot wind stirred up dust but could not dispel the pungent mix of strong gunpowder, blood, and diesel exhaust.
The sight along tens of kiloters of road was distressing.
Abandoned or destroyed vehicles were everywhere; mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles (MRAP) marked with Thunder Defense symbols were overturned in road ditches, still emitting black smoke from burnt wreckage; so Kurd Ard pickup trucks lay with wheels upturned, others burned down to the chassis; scattered ammunition boxes, personal gear, and even torn flags covered the road and sand on both sides.
More disturbing were those fallen corpses, soldiers wearing different uniforms frozen permanently on this land in various twisted postures, many half-covered by dust, with swarms of flies buzzing around.
So severely wounded unable to retreat rested against wrecked vehicle bodies or rocks, gazing emptily at the sky, moaning softly or lying silent.
This was the true depiction of a defeat; when orderly withdrawal turns into escape, casualties often occur during the retreat.
Amidst this chaos, a large, fanatical force was advancing forward with unstoppable montum.
This was the main force of the 1515 Ard led by Ahd.
Riding various vehicles, including captured Arican Humrs, MRAP, modified Toyota pickups and cargo trucks mounted with heavy machine guns, recoilless rifles, and even simple rocket launchers, forming an endless roaring column.
On and around the vehicles were crowds of militants dressed in black or dark clothing, wearing black hoods or wrapped in Arabic headscarves.
They waved their AK-47s and RPGs toward the sky, shouting excitedly and uttering religious slogans.
Black flags flapped fiercely atop the vehicles, with white Arabic proclamations glaring conspicuously in the dust-laden wind.
Beside an armored and heavy machine gun-equipped, antenna-filled command type Humr, Ahd leaned out halfway from the roof, holding binoculars, gazing at the silhouette of villages and towns faintly erging on the distant horizon—Hulmatu Region.
The sandstorm battered his bearded face yet failed to extinguish the fiery glow in his eyes.
His radio was full of excited reports from unit commanders:
"The vanguard has reached the Salah al-Din River crossing, no resistance t!"
"The right-wing cluster seized K Town, captured a lot of ammunition!"
"Allah's warriors, Hulmatu is just ahead! Speed up!"
Every ssage inflated his sense of power and "mission" a bit more.
The victory in Titrick not only dealt a heavy blow to the forces supported by Aricans but also greatly enhanced the prestige of the "Islamic State," strengthening his position within the organization second only to Buckdadi.
Capturing Hulmatu would be another personal pinnacle for him and would add a crucial piece to the territorial map of the "Caliphate."
Picking up another encrypted radio microphone, he tuned it directly to the highest leader Buckdadi's channel, speaking with a tone full of respect and excitent:
"Honorable leader, may Allah bless you. Your fighter Ahd reports to you: With Allah's help, Titrick has been completely purified, and the armies of heretics and traitors have collapsed, being ruthlessly pursued by us. Now, the banner of victory is guiding us to advance toward Hulmatu! The defenders there are in panic; we have absolute confidence to bring Hulmatu under the rule of the 'Islamic State' within twenty-four hours! This is Allah's will, the result of your wise leadership!"
"Very good, well done! Ahd!"
A deep and slow voice from Buckdadi transmitted from the radio.
Far in Siria, this head of the 1515 gave Ahd brief praise and religious encouragent, instructing him to report progress regularly and pay attention to potential reactions from "other forces."
Ahd put down the microphone, satisfied.
Other forces?
What else can Aricans do now other than dropping bombs from above?
The Iliko Governnt Army they supported was separated by Ozham!
Russian?
They are more focused on Syria's coast.
As for Song Heping...
Ahd sneered, he might have so strength in Bayji, but would he dare leave the fortified refinery base to provoke the flourishing 1515 main force?
Furthermore, he now has continuous aid entering from Siria.
Unless he's gone mad.
Thinking this, an unprecedented self-confidence surged in Ahd's heart.
Then he turned around and ordered the staff inside the vehicle:
"Order the vanguard not to push too far ahead, maintain overall formation pressure. Artillery units advance, reach the predefined positions and imdiately prepare fire against Hulmatu's outer defenses. Tell the insiders in the city to prepare, once our shelling starts, create chaos inside and coordinate our siege!"
"Yes!" the staff responded loudly.
Victory seed within reach.
Inside Hulmatu City, defenders' radios were already picking up panic conversations and signals for help.
Ahd seed to see the scene of the black flag rising atop the Hulmatu governnt building.
However, just when his ambition was soaring and he was about to issue the final orders for the assault—
Suddenly...
"Commander! Urgent communication! Tuz Town is calling for help! Tuz Town is calling for help!"
A panicked voice suddenly ca from the vehicle-mounted radio, originating from a rear communications node.
"Tuz Town is under large-scale attack! The enemy has armored vehicles and heavy artillery! Identity confird… it should be Persian Holy City Brigade! Their offensive is fierce, outer outposts are lost, the town's east and south are simultaneously attacked!"
Ahd's smile froze instantly.
Before he could digest this news, another more urgent call broke in: "Feihate! Feihate Town ergency! We're under attack by elite rcenaries! Their firepower is fierce, tactics proficient, we can't hold them! Request support! Request imdiate support!"
Tuz?
Feihate?!
Ahd suddenly recoiled into the car, diving onto the spread-out map.
The advisor had already nervously marked these two locations with red circles.
Tuz is to the west of Titrick, controlling the flank passage and an oasis area; Feihate is to the north of Titrick, guarding the road leading to the desert and mountains.
These places are not big cities, but like two nails, they are pinned at the joint of Titrick's extending appendages.
More importantly, if these two points are firmly occupied by the enemy, his army advancing toward Hulmatu will be severely threatened on its flank and rear! The supply lines might be cut off!
"Song... He... Ping!"
Ahd squeezed out the na from between his teeth, slamming his fist heavily on the map, his eyes bloodshot with fury.
He understood everything!
Previously, Song Heping had been inactive, and he thought Song had suffered significant losses in the pursuit battle at Bayji and was afraid to provoke him.
Apparently...
It wasn't fear at all!
It was all a façade!
This cunning guy had been waiting for the right mont, waiting for Ahd's main forces to leave Titrick's lair and head towards Hulmatu, striking suddenly and precisely at his vulnerable spot!
This is no coincidence; it's a ticulously planned conspiracy!
The attack on Tuz and Feihate is to force him to divide his troops or directly support them, dismantling his offensive against Hulmatu!
"Damn heretics! Despicable mongrel!"
Ahd cursed loudly.
Continue the attack on Hulmatu?
The risk is too great.
If Tuz and Feihate fall, the enemy stands firm, and even continues to pressure Titrick, his army could be isolated under the walls of Hulmatu City, facing a desperate situation of being attacked from all sides.
If logistics break down, tens of thousands of troops will collapse without enemy action.
Imdiately turn back to support and reclaim Tuz and Feihate?
What about Hulmatu, which is within reach?
Abandon the victory that is almost at hand?
Can the morale-boosted troops accept such an order?
Additionally, returning support takes ti, and once the flank threat is cleared, Hulmatu's defenders may have recuperated, fortified their defenses, or even received other reinforcents.
Ahd's chest heaved violently, staring fixedly at those glaring red circles on the map, and the faint dotted line pointing to his rear and flank.
Song Heping's move was precise and ruthless, hitting him in the most painful spot.
He could almost see the Easterner far away in Bayji calmly observing the map, maneuvering this ga.
"Order..."
Ahd's voice trembled slightly due to extre anger.
He struggled to make the final decision.
"The vanguard continues to pressure Hulmatu with reconnaissance and harassnt, but halts the large-scale siege temporarily. Divert... no, imdiately redirect the left flank group to rush and assist Feihate! Send part of the central reserve to quickly reinforce Tuz! Tell the defenders of Tuz and Feihate to hold at all costs for reinforcents! Allah will bless the steadfast warriors!"
He had no choice but to divide his troops.
The offensive against Hulmatu was forced to slow down, and may even be thwarted.
The massive victory, just about to be tasted, was forcibly carved away.
"Song Heping... I will tear you to pieces!"
Ahd gazed in the direction of Bayji, a fire of resentnt and madness blazing in his eyes. But he knew that for now, he had to first deal with this deadly threat from the flank.
On the chessboard of the ga, the initiative seems to be quietly shifting.
The sunset has fully sank below the horizon, and the desert is shrouded in dusk.
The unstoppable black torrent of the 1515 Ard appeared visibly chaotic and divided not far outside Hulmatu City.
So continue to eye the direction of the city, but more vehicles and personnel began to turn, with reluctance and anger, kicking up swirling dust, speeding back towards Tuz and Feihate.
Far away in Bayji, Song Heping soon received reports from the frontline reconnaissance units about the changes in the movent of the 1515 troops.
He stepped outside the command post, looking at the newly appeared crescent moon in the distant night.
Compared to the previous sandstorm weather, today's air felt much fresher, making one feel relaxed and happy.
Now.
The crisis at Hulmatu is temporarily averted, or at least greatly alleviated.
The nails at Tuz and Feihate have been hamred down, let's see how Ahd removes them and at what cost.
What follows is a contest between him and Ahd.
And the Aricans...
They have found so reprieve, but have also once again seen clearly their "value" and "thods."
However, the interest ga in the Northwest Region of Iligo is far from over; this strike at Tuz and Feihate is just an exquisite move.
The upcoming counterattacks, defenses, and behind-the-scenes dealings are the true tests of patience and wisdom.
The night in Northern Iligo is still long, still dark.
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