Chapter 1937 - 1422: Frost Raven Infiltration_3

"Scarface" shook his head, dispelling these doubts.

A mission is a mission; analysis of intelligence is not his job. His task is to complete the target, then evacuate.

Clean and swift, leaving no traces.

He walked towards the armory and began assembling his gear.

While the "Frost Raven" team started planning the assassination operation, in another safe house in Baghdad, another team initiated its actions.

This team, codenamed "Sentry," is one of the three covert operation teams of the CIA within Illiguo, reporting directly to Director Simon.

Unlike the "Frost Raven" mercenaries, the "Sentry" team is composed of current CIA special operations officers and military Special Forces personnel on loan, with higher authority and more advanced equipment.

The team leader, codenamed "Grey Eagle," real name Evan Mitchell, is forty-five years old, a former Army Intelligence Support Activity agent, worked in the Middle East for twelve years.

His team members include a communications specialist, surveillance specialist, intelligence analyst, and commando, totaling seven people.

At this moment, the tactical screen in their safe house is displaying real-time satellite imagery around the "Frost Raven" team's safe house.

"The target has entered the safe house three hours and seventeen minutes ago," reported the communications specialist. "During this period, there was a visitor, male, aged forty to fifty, in an unlicensed Toyota sedan. Stayed inside for one hour and forty-two minutes, now left."

"Can you confirm the visitor's identity?" Evan asked.

"Facial recognition matches at 67%, could be Major Walker from the US Army equipment transfer office in Iraq." The analyst pulled up photos from the database for comparison. "But clearer images are needed for confirmation."

"Major Walker."

Evan repeated the name, deep in thought.

"Listening status?"

"The building has basic signal jamming, but our drone can capture some vibrational signals."

The communications specialist pulled up a spectrogram.

"Using glass vibration analysis, partial conversation fragments can be reconstructed. Keywords include: 'route,' 'ambush,' 'Song Heping,' 'two days later,' 'evacuation.'

Evan's face darkened.

Indeed, Walker is planning an assassination against Song Heping.

Foolish, reckless, and potentially disastrous.

"Should we report to headquarters?" the deputy leader asked.

"Twenty-two minutes until the hourly briefing," Evan checked his watch. "Gather more evidence. I want to know their specific plan: time, place, method, personnel configuration, weapons list."

"The drone has already scanned the building's structure. There's a large space underground, heat signals indicate multiple activities, possibly an armory," the surveillance expert said. "Also, there's an observation post on the roof, professionally arranged, equipped with sniper gear."

Professional team, professional equipment, clear target.

Evan assessed the threat level in his mind: high. Extremely high.

He went to the encrypted communication equipment, preparing to report to Simon. But before that, he needed more information, needed to confirm the specific action plan of the "Frost Raven" team and the extent of Walker's involvement.

"Continue 'Nightingale' protocol," Evan commanded. "Collect more information."

"Nightingale" protocol is one of the CIA's most advanced surveillance technologies, using a laser microphone to reconstruct indoor conversations from the faint vibrations of window glass.

Though not as clear as direct eavesdropping, it's the most effective remote listening method when targets employ anti-surveillance measures.

"Protocol activated."

The technician adjusted the parameters.

"Calibrating... audio signal obtained, quality average, but identifiable speech."

Fragmented conversation pieces emerged from the speaker:

"...highway... hills... optimal location..."

"...sniper position... high ground..."

"...explosive device... force to stop..."

"...armored vehicle... RPG..."

"...evacuation... mountains... plane support..."

As Evan listened, he marked the map.

From the fragmented dialogue, the approximate plan can be pieced together.

Two days later, a planned ambush on Song Heping's convoy on a highway north of Baghdad, using a combination of sniper, explosive, and close-quarters assault tactics, followed by a northward retreat, supported by an aircraft exit from Illiguo.

Professional, lethal, typical Special Forces combat mode.

"Record all audio, analyze the complete plan," Evan said. "I need to know the exact time, coordinates, personnel allocation, weapon configuration. Everything."

"Processing," the technician replied. "Voice recognition software is separating different speakers, building voiceprint files. Expected extraction of key information within thirty minutes."

Evan nodded and walked to the window, quietly observing the liquid crystal outside.

The mission of the "Sentry" team is to monitor the "Frost Raven" team, prevent them from successfully assassinating Song Heping, but without exposing the CIA's involvement, without leaving any official traces.

This is almost an impossible task.

But Evan Mitchell never questions orders.

In twenty-three years at the CIA, he has learned to execute without asking questions.

Especially when ordered directly by Director Simon, signaling a high level of command.

The indicator light on the encrypted communication device began to blink; the hourly briefing time had arrived.

Evan put on the headphones, entered the encryption code, and awaited the connection.

"This is 'Grey Eagle,'" he said.

"This is 'Night Watcher,'" Simon's voice came from Washington, via satellite link, still clear and stable. "Report the status."

"'Frost Raven' team has confirmed arrival in Baghdad, currently located at a safe house in the western suburbs. Five-member team, all former Special Forces personnel, professional configuration. Confirmed meeting with Major Walker, stayed about an hour and forty minutes. Signal intelligence and vibrational analysis confirm the team is planning an assassination against Song Heping, estimated time two days later, location somewhere on Highway 7 north of Baghdad."