Beside him, Utekin furrowed his brows tightly and imdiately proposed the most realistic plan: "Song, the enemy is a company! We only have thirteen people and two broken vehicles! Confronting them head-on is suicide! Let's take a detour and avoid them, going either north or south!"
Utekin's suggestion received quite a bit of approval.
Even Jiang Feng said, "I think Da Maozi has a point. Engaging in a head-on clash with a hundred or so 1515 terrorist fighters will likely result in significant losses and delay our ti."
Song Heping did not respond imdiately.
He remained silent, turned around, his sharp gaze scanning over the desolate street, looking towards the eastern entrance of the town.
In his line of sight, civilians, who had just been hiding due to fierce crossfire, now seed to confirm that the battle had ended and started to erge from the ruins and houses in twos and threes.
They carried simple luggage, dragged crying children, supported the elderly, faces filled with numbness and fear, like migrating ant swarms, continuing their desperate journey to flee Isriye.
This scene prompted his sympathy.
A strategic town with at least a hundred thousand population, yet no sign of organized resistance.
It's not necessarily the case that this nation's people aren't capable.
But the complete collapse of morale and will to resist is unstoppable, like a flood breaking through a dam.
In the end, people's hearts have scattered.
This country, this army...
Didn't the Russian authorities essentially send Vakner here treating them as expendable cannon fodder?
Using the flesh and blood of rcenaries to delay the offensive of the opposition forces and buy ti for a political solution?
It's likely that even those high-ranking people in Moscow don't hold much hope deep down that rcenaries can genuinely "stabilize" such chaos.
Otherwise, how could that bastard Zhaoyi Valley dare to act so recklessly against the cook?
Precisely because they know rcenaries are expendable assets, pawns that can be sacrificed at any ti, he dared to so openly settle personal grudges.
A cold chill spread along his spine.
Song Heping suddenly had the urge to retreat, wanting to quickly rescue the cook and leave this hellish mire of a place.
Getting involved in such a war, no amount of money is worth it.
At the mont, Song Heping abruptly retracted his gaze, his eyes becoming determined once more.
He swiftly pulled out a folded military map and spread it over the dusty hood.
His fingers quickly traced across the map.
"Detour?"
His voice was low, carrying an irrefutable analysis.
"Detouring to the north..."
His finger pointed to the northern side of the map.
"Based on the current northern situation, we might very well encounter the 'Freedom Army' or 'Kurd Ard.' The Freedom Army is supported openly and covertly by those old farts in Europe, equipped excellently. The Kurd Ard are 'allies' hand-raised by the Aricans, and their equipnt and training aren't bad. With our few people, bearing Vakner's banner, we are nothing but 'Russian dogs' in their eyes. If we encounter them, those guys will definitely pounce on us like mad dogs and tear us apart."
His finger heavily jabbed the southern side of the map.
"Going south, it's all continuous mountains! The road conditions are terrible, and it's quite suitable for ambush warfare. Though the chance of encountering opposition forces is relatively lower, it's always better to be safe than sorry."
He pointed at the nearby BPM-97 personnel carriers.
"Mountain paths, they can't get through at all! Abandoning the vehicles and going on foot? By the ti we reach Ashala Town, the cook might have decomposed."
He sighed heavily and checked his watch; the dial was stained with a bit of dark red blood.
"The 'Sandstorm' will be here in just over ten minutes. This amount of ti won't delay us much."
His gaze swept over everyone around him.
"We may not be many, but 1515 ard are wanted terrorists worldwide! Now, even the Aricans have fallen out with them. Here, they have no air support, no artillery cover, no reliable intelligence network, just a bunch of poorly equipped, tactically rough, fanatics! Against these scumbags, it's actually the safest option among all our choices right now!"
Utekin widened his eyes in disbelief: "Song, you an... we're staying? You think we can take down a company-level unit of 1515 and leave with just thirteen people?!"
His tone was full of doubt; it sounded like a fantasy.
"Yes."
Song Heping's answer was a single word.
He frowned and said, "We have no other choice. Judging comprehensively by ti, route, and enemy situation, avoiding them is not optimal. Instead of encountering a stronger enemy on a detour, why not fight them right here in Isriye using the buildings and fortifications available?"
Utekin glanced at the surrounding buildings, thinking Song Heping must be crazy: "You're planning to engage in urban combat with a company of 1515 terrorists?! With just us thirteen? Even if we hold ground in one building, they can besiege us to death and call for more reinforcents, leaving us trapped!"
"No! Who said anything about urban combat?"
Song Heping sneered at Utekin, not because he underestimated the GRU's combat capability, but because Da Maozi's brain wasn't very nimble.
"Urban combat? That's the last resort. Utekin, you're from special operations, 'GRU,' you should understand what I'm talking about."
He fixed his eyes on Utekin and spoke slowly, word by word: "Capture— the— leader— first— to— destroy— the— enemy!"
Utekin looked blank.
He was proficient in Russian-style assault and demolition but knew nothing about the tactical culture filled with stratagems from the east.
He spread his hands, indicating he understood nothing.
Song Heping had no ti and no ti to explain the essence of Chinese military tactics.
He sped up his speech decisively: "There's no ti! From now on, follow my orders! If my plan succeeds, there's at least an eighty percent chance of taking out these extremists."
Utekin looked into the undeniable confidence in Song Heping's eyes, recalling everything seen along the way...
There was an indescribable power in this Chinese person.
Although reason told him the plan was still insane, Song Heping's previous display of command ability and battlefield judgnt forced him to believe a little.
Moreover, as Song said, detouring is risky, holding ground is waiting for doom.
"Alright!"
Utekin ground his teeth, and the hesitation on his face was instantly replaced by a peculiar fierceness unique to veterans.
He nodded firmly, accepting this crazy plan.
"You're the boss now, we all listen to you! Since you've decided, let's do it!"
Utekin was a typical Russian veteran, who had long co to terms with life and death.
He took out a hand grenade from the side pouch of his tactical vest and solemnly placed it on the most prominent position of his chest on the vest, the cold tal touch bringing a strange calm.
If it ca to the crunch, this thing could end his suffering swiftly and certainly drag a few terrorists to hell with him.
He stretched his mouth into a nearly ferocious smile.
Song Heping watched Utekin's actions without stopping him. He knew that this was a veteran's resolve.
He took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Feng, Isam, and the other Death God Squad soldiers gathered around, quickly deploying his "Capture the Leader" plan.
Three minutes later, everyone dispersed, disappearing in different directions.
User Comments
0 comments from readers