Chapter 1565 - 1268: Capture a "Tongue

Northern Illiguo, approximately sixty kilometers north of Tetric City, on a vast and desolate stretch of the Gobi Desert.

The scorching daytime temperatures of forty or fifty degrees had already quickly dissipated, replaced by the bone-chilling cold of the desert night, enough to freeze the marrow.

A large convoy composed of hundreds of various types of vehicles now lay dormant like a horde of steel beasts in the dark, quietly stationed in a natural depression that offered slight protection against the wind and sand.

The entire convoy strictly adhered to battlefield lighting control regulations; all the headlights, taillights, and even the interior lights of the cabs were turned off, only a few red safety lights adjusted to their lowest power glowed faintly like dying fireflies, emitting extremely weak light at the rear of the vehicles.

Inside the specially modified command vehicle located at the core of the convoy, Song Heping was focusing on a screen displaying real-time dynamics approximately five kilometers ahead. On the screen, several white dots representing life heat sources were moving slowly and cautiously.

"Boss, target confirmed. It's a standard six-man 1515 Armed reconnaissance team. Observed weapon configuration includes five AK series automatic rifles, one PKM general-purpose machine gun, and one RPG-7 rocket launcher. Judging from their movement trajectory and current deployment position, their mission is likely to establish a forward observation post to monitor main traffic lines."

The young technical sergeant responsible for operating the drone control console was expertly maneuvering the controller in his hands, which externally looked like a large high-end toy but was actually a high-performance quad-rotor reconnaissance drone controller custom-made by the Dongdahuaqiangbei Electronics Market, clearly reporting without even turning his head.

Don't be fooled by its civilian-grade appearance; it's a specially customized version.

The rotor noise is controlled at a very low level, and its integrated infrared thermal imaging and low-light night vision camera modules perform exceptionally well. Most importantly, the cost is low, so even losses during high-risk reconnaissance missions are entirely bearable. Therefore, it has long become an indispensable "eye in the sky" for the Musician Defense Company on the battlefield.

Jiang Feng couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "Damn, these guys have really sharp noses. Our main force just stopped for tactical adjustments and their reconnaissance vanguard has already sneaked in this close. Seems like the enemy's vigilance on the Tetric City side is quite high."

Song Heping calmly ordered, "Notify Milosh to personally lead an enhanced platoon to execute the cleanup mission. The requirements are: swift, covert, and thorough action. But ensure capturing at least one live prisoner, we need to understand the latest specific condition of Tetric City's defenses."

"Understood!"

Jiang Feng immediately picked up the military encrypted wireless radio beside him, expertly switched to the mercenary battalion's dedicated communication channel, and called out clearly:

"'Knight' calling 'Gladiator,' repeat, 'Knight' calling 'Gladiator.' Boss's order, small 'Wild dogs' activity observed in area A, instruct your forces to advance and eliminate immediately. Keep it clean, try to bring back a live sample that can 'talk.' Over."

Soon, a brief response with a heavy Eastern European accent came through the radio earpiece: "Gladiator received the order. Expect to finish preparation for advance and departure in ten minutes. Over."

Code-named "Gladiator," Milosh, a seasoned retired officer of a former Eastern European country's Special Forces, is renowned for his extensive experience in urban and field reconnaissance combat.

Upon receiving the order, he wasted no time in organizing the strike force.

There's no need to mobilize a large force against six people, but an advantage in manpower must be guaranteed; without absolute superior firepower and manpower, capturing a live prisoner is quite difficult.

He chose an enhanced platoon composed of three elite infantry squads, totaling approximately thirty-five personnel.

The strike vehicles were three battlefield-modified pickup trucks—

The lead vehicle was equipped with an M2HB 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, operated by the most experienced machine gunner; the second vehicle was equipped with an MK19 automatic grenade launcher for area damage; the third vehicle served as an assault transport, carrying the main infantry squad with an M240B general-purpose machine gun mounted on its roof.

All vehicles had additional 5-8 mm homogeneous steel plates welded onto key parts of the cab and truck beds for basic bulletproof capability.

Milosh himself sat in the front passenger seat of the lead vehicle, swiftly donned night vision goggles, and the pitch-black world before him instantly transformed into a clear light-green monochrome image, with terrain details and potential threats becoming fully visible.

"All units, check communications, secure channel 'Delta-7.'"

Through the helmet-mounted noise-canceling headset and microphone, Milosh issued an order over the platoon-level encrypted communication network, "'Crow' (the tactical codename for the drone operator), report the target's real-time location and status."

High above, the "Crow" drone operator immediately responded:

"'Crow' reporting, target group still located in area A1, coordinates updated to your terminals. Six personnel, two in the outer perimeter on guard, posture relaxed; four gathered at the center point, likely resting. Weapons placed separately. No signs of other abnormal activity or support forces."

"Received."

Milosh analyzed the information received on the tactical terminal and quickly made a deployment:

"Group A will take vehicle number two, led by Sergeant Ivanov, and perform a wide flanking maneuver along the 'Yellow route' from the left flank, without a sound, to reach the rear side of the target area to establish a blockade line, cutting off any possible escape route. Group B will take vehicles one and three, and approach gradually from the front according to the 'Blue route.' Emphasizing this point: maintain radio silence and movement concealment throughout the operation, without my explicit command, no one fires! Sniper team advance immediately, occupy that rocky hilltop to my right and establish a sniping position. Petrov, your priorities are: first, the enemy RPG shooter; second, PKM machine gunner; third, anyone attempting to command or use communication equipment. Initiate attack upon my command."