Chapter 1938 - 1422: "Frost Raven" Entry_4

Evan paused for a moment, giving Simon time to digest the information, then continued, "The specific plan is still under analysis, but the initial assessment points to a combined tactic of long‑range sniping, road bombing, and close‑quarters assault. The objective is clear: kill Song Heping and his protective detail, then withdraw north and exfil by air out of Illiguo."

There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds.

"Threat assessment?" Simon asked.

"High. The team's professional level is extremely high, they're well equipped, and the plan is meticulous," Evan reported truthfully.

"Walker's level of involvement?"

"Confirmed on site in person, providing intel and resources. Assessed as the task initiator and financial backer."

Simon fell silent again.

Evan could picture him weighing the options.

"Your recommendation?" Simon finally said.

Evan had already thought this through: "We can let the Frost Raven team continue planning but intervene at the execution phase. The optimal insertion point is when they leave the safe house en route to the ambush site—intercept them under the banner of the Eligo Security Forces at a highway checkpoint, 'discover' their weapons, and arrest them. That way we stop the assassination without exposing our presence."

"Acceptable," Simon agreed. "But I want a more detailed package. Timing, location, personnel, exfil plan. And I need you to prepare contingency options in case the Frost Raven team slips the net, or initiates the operation before we can intercept."

"Understood," Evan said. "We're analyzing their full plan now and expect detailed intel within an hour. At that point we can draft a precise interdiction plan."

"Maintain contact. Report any changes immediately," Simon said. "Remember, this is top priority. Song Heping cannot die. Understood?"

"Understood, sir."

The transmission ended.

Evan took off his headset and went back to the tactical display.

Several potential ambush sites were already marked on the map, with analysts running probability calculations based on terrain, distance, and egress routes.

"These are the three most likely locations," an analyst pointed at the screen. "Highway 7, kilometer markers 47 to 53—hilly terrain, vegetation cover, no towns before or after, and the nearest checkpoint is thirty kilometers away. If it were me, I'd pick here."

Evan studied the topo map carefully. That stretch really was a textbook ambush site.

The road snaked through the hills, with plenty of elevated positions on both sides to place snipers. The roadway itself narrowed, ideal for roadblocks or explosive charges. And it was far enough from Baghdad that gunfire and blasts wouldn't trigger an immediate large‑scale response; far enough from Mosul that reinforcements would take time to arrive.

"We need surveillance on all three sites," Evan said. "But our resources are limited. We have to nail down which one they'll actually choose."

"We're analyzing their recorded comms," a tech said. "There are several key phrases: 'the third bend,' 'the eastern high ground,' 'the abandoned watchtower.' Cross‑referencing the map, this is likely the spot—"

He zoomed in on one sector, showing a particularly twisty stretch of road. On the eastern side stood a low hill, and on the hill a half‑collapsed structure that looked like an old regime border outpost.

"Here," Evan pointed at the location. "Priority surveillance on this area. Put a drone over it, establish twenty‑four‑hour coverage. At the same time, prep the interception plan. We'll set our own ambush on their route from the safe house to this site, about twenty kilometers out of Baghdad. There's an abandoned gas station here—perfect for a makeshift checkpoint."

"Manpower?"

"The seven of us, plus four field operators we can pull from Baghdad Station—eleven total. Enough to stop a five‑man team even if they fight," Evan calculated. "We'll need two civilian vehicles, disguised as Iraq Ministry of Internal Affairs counterterrorism units."

"Timing?"

"They'll almost certainly conduct a site recce the day before the hit, and on D‑day they'll occupy the ambush position three to four hours early," Evan said. "We can intercept them either on the way to the recce or en route to the kill zone. The sweet spot is twenty‑four hours before the operation—by then they'll be carrying weapons but not yet on full combat alert."

The team began detailed planning for the interception op. Meanwhile, the tech finished a deep‑dive analysis of the Frost Raven team's comms, pulling out an almost complete action plan.

Evan encrypted the full plan and sent it to Simon.

Ten minutes later, the reply came back—

"Interception plan approved. Execution time: tomorrow at 15:00 hours. Set the ambush at the abandoned gas station at kilometer 23 on Highway 7. Ensure at least one member is taken alive for follow‑on interrogation."

"Copy," Evan replied.

He turned to the team. "Gear up. We move tomorrow at 12:00, must be in position by 13:30. Target ETA 15:00. Shoot to kill."