Chapter 1374 - 1153: No Way Through

Time ticked away second by second, each moment accompanied by an increase in risk.

Petrovsky's gaze repeatedly flickered between the A, B, and C routes on the map. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "There's no better choice! Switch to the C route!"

He picked up the radio: "Attention all vehicles, we have entered a high-danger zone and may encounter the enemy at any moment. Maintain maximum alertness, increase vehicle spacing to three hundred meters, and advance with alternating cover! 'Hawkeye,' deploy drones to monitor key points three kilometers ahead along the C route, especially mountain passes and valley entrances. Report any thermal signals or unusual dust immediately!"

"Captain, the drone's battery might not last..."

"Hawkeye" seemed a bit troubled.

After all, they weren't using medium or large drones, but small reconnaissance drones commonly used by special teams, powered by batteries with limited endurance, while needing some remaining power for operational support upon reaching Latamira Village.

Continuous deployment might leave the drone powerless upon reaching the target area.

"Then deploy it at critical points!"

Petrovsky was resolute.

"Roger that, boss."

"Hawkeye" had to comply unconditionally.

The order was given, and the convoy carved a swift, heavy arc across the desolate night, leaving the relatively "comfortable" flat lands and plunging into the more desolate, rugged mountains that seemed forgotten by civilization since ancient times.

From now on, they were like lone wolves venturing into a minefield, with every step potentially triggering a deadly trap, and every moment risking an encounter with enemy forces tracking them.

"Major, I have a suggestion. How about we don't take the C route and drive directly to Latamira Village without changing routes?"

In the darkness, Song Heping offered his opinion like an observer sitting in the corner.

"Don't change the route?"

Petrovsky didn't quite understand.

The team might have been exposed, with both Kurd Armed and 1515 having detected the presence of this small team.

Yet Song Heping suggested not to change the route?

Insane?

"You mean, continue on the A route?"

"Yes." Song Heping was confident: "Proceed with the initially set route."

Everyone was stunned.

The vehicle fell silent once more.

After a long while, Petrovsky said, "Song, this is a covert operation, not a gamble. We've been spotted, sticking to the original route is asking for death, it's like throwing ourselves into the arms of the Kurd Armed!"

"Precisely to collide." Song Heping said, "If they come head-on, it works in our favor..."

"Okay, cut the crap." Petrovsky seemed a bit annoyed, unwilling to hear Song Heping dissect his suggestion: "I'm the Commander, follow my lead! Once the mission is completed and we withdraw into Illiguo, you can call the shots!"

Seeing this, Song Heping fell silent.

Sometimes Da Maozi is just that stubborn and hard-headed.

Arguing with them is pointless.

It reminded him of Chef.

Initially, when he first met Chef, the guy also had this bad temper, but after countless instances verifying he was right, Chef fully submitted.

It's fine...

People teaching people won't achieve results even after a thousand times.

Events teaching people get through with just one.

He glanced at Hunter and made a gesture.

Hunter immediately understood.

Song Heping meant — stay extremely alert, be careful later, don't follow them into a death trap!

Three "Typhoon" anti-mine ambush vehicles roared as they plunged into the embrace of the C route.

This so-called "road" resembled a ghastly scar left after the earth had been torn apart, scattered with sharp-edged stones, bottomless erosion grooves, and wind and sand-carved ridges as sharp as blades.

The "Typhoon" K armored vehicle, despite its renowned off-road capability, had to emit painful groans at this moment.

Its heavy body jolted and shook violently on the rugged terrain, seemingly about to fall apart at any moment.

Tires ground against loose stones, creating a tooth-aching friction sound, and fist-sized rocks occasionally flew off, clashing against the chassis with a dull thud.

Inside the vehicle, the team members had already fastened their seat belts, gripping tightly onto nearby fixtures, yet their bodies uncontrollably swayed left and right, their internal organs seemingly shifting.

Everyone's eyes were wide open, tensely watching the danger-laden darkness outside through night vision goggles or observation windows.

Song Heping focused on the reinforced tablet spread upon his knees, viewing the downloaded offline satellite map.

His brow furrowed increasingly. The map showed they needed to traverse a narrow "V" shaped valley five kilometers ahead, the relatively quickest passage across this rugged mountain range.

However, according to the note, this map's data update was six months ago.

In Siria, six months is enough to alter the landscape completely due to warfare.

"Major, we are approaching 'Canyon No. 1' passage ahead."

Song Heping looked at Petrovsky, speaking gravely: "The map data is outdated, requiring high vigilance. Suggest 'Hawkeye' prioritize reconnaissance of the valley entrance."

"Alright."

This time, Petrovsky didn't offer any rebuttal.

"'Hawkeye,' dispatch the drone, focus on scanning the entrance and high ground of 'Canyon No. 1.' Watch for unusual thermal sources, reflections, or traces of any man-made structures."

"Understood, boss."

Responded Aleksey, "Hawkeye."

Soon, a slight buzzing from the top of the lead vehicle indicated a small quadcopter drone ascending into the night like a bat, silently heading into the darkness ahead.

The convoy's pace further slowed, almost crawling.

Tires cautiously chose landing spots, avoiding soft sand or potential punctures by sharp rocks.

Inside the vehicle, silence prevailed, punctuated by the engine's low rumble, tire noise over the ground, and occasional whispered real-time reports from the drone operator:

"The drone has reached the sky above the valley entrance... Visibility is moderate, slight dust... Scanning... No obvious thermal signals detected... Wait!"

Aleksey's voice paused suddenly, then quickened: "Left side high ground of the valley entrance, at about +50 meters elevation, scattered irregular stone heaps suspected of artificial camouflage! Enlarging image... Metal reflection identified! Repeat, metal reflection point identified! Suspected... Suspected triggering line or observation equipment for an Improvised Explosive Device (IED)!"

Everyone's hearts were in their throats.

"Can you determine if it was recently deployed?" Petrovsky promptly asked.

"Can't make an exact judgment, but the stone heap arrangement differs from surrounding natural weathering. Recommend maintaining distance." Aleksey answered.

"Convoy stop advancing!" Petrovsky decisively ordered, "Keep engines running! All vehicles prepare for combat!"

The three "Typhoon" vehicles braked hard, extinguished the headlights, and like lurking beasts, concealed themselves in the shadows of rocks.

The team hastily checked weapons, pulled back bolts, nervously watching through shooting ports at the looming darkness of the valley beyond.

"Song, what do you think?" Petrovsky looked at Song Heping.

Song Heping stared at the drone's live feed, that reflective point like a demon's eye, ominously glimmering in the darkness.

"IEDs imply ambush potential. Even if there are no ambushers, forcibly clearing mines or detouring will consume significant time, and the explosion sound will reveal our precise location like a beacon. This canyon... is now blocked."

His fingers rapidly moved on the tablet, searching for an alternative route.

"I still say, return to the A route..."

"A route?" Petrovsky's face showed displeasure: "Another three hours until daylight, taking that route and running into Kurd Armed while 1515 catches up, we become sandwich filling!"

"I know the risk, but..."

Before Song Heping could finish, "Hawkeye" Aleksey's voice rang again, with a touch of surprise.

"Boss! The drone discovered more anomalies about one kilometer inside the canyon! Loads of stones blocking the passage, they appear... like a recent blast-induced landslide! The passage is completely sealed!"

The outdated satellite images indeed betrayed them! Intense armed conflict had already altered the terrain here.

The IED might have been set as a warning device to prevent attempts to clear the landslide.

The last shred of false hope was thoroughly shattered.