Chapter 1941 - 1423: Departure! Mosul! (3)

The surveillance expert "Lens" stared at the screen reporting. The six display screens before him separately showed real-time satellite imagery, drone aerial photography, city traffic cameras, and signals sent back from multiple covert cameras.

The counter-assassination team leader "Grey Eagle" was talking via encrypted satellite phone with Simon, far away at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base.

"They're on the move, just as predicted, heading towards the Amadiye Mountain Area," Grey Eagle said, "All six members are present."

Simon said, "Don't alert them prematurely, avoid engaging in Baghdad City. Wait until they enter the designated ambush point and begin setting up equipment before making a move. Try to leave one alive; I need a confession."

Grey Eagle frowned, "'Frost Raven' aren't ordinary characters, they're all former Special Forces. If they resist..."

"Then do what's necessary," Simon decisively said. "The primary task is to ensure Song Heping safely passes through that area this afternoon. If the 'Frost Raven' team resists, then eliminate them completely."

"What about Song Heping? Should we inform him of our presence?"

"No need. He probably has already guessed when you'll make your move; this guy isn't a fool," Simon's tone carried some self-deprecation. "He's sure to have his convoy depart on time and travel the original route, you just need to carry out your plan."

"Yes, sir."

The conversation ended.

Grey Eagle walked to the command post where his deputy "Bull" was analyzing drone-transmitted thermal imaging footage.

"They're very cautious, still circling around the city."

"Bull" pointed to two moving dots on the screen: "They've changed routes three times, but ultimately headed towards Highway 7."

"Let them circle," Grey Eagle chuckled coldly. "Our 'Cleaner' has enough patience. How are the ambush point arrangements?"

"Perfect."

Bull pulled up another set of images.

These were real-time images overlooking the terrain of Highway 7's ambush point from above, clearly showing twelve tiny heat signals concealed behind rocks, bushes, and natural covers, forming an invisible encirclement.

"Are the snipers in position?"

"Each vantage point has one. 'Hawkeye' on the northeast side, 'Divine Shooter' on the southwest side. They're both equipped with .338 Lapua Magnum sniper rifles capable of covering the entire area."

"Communication jammers?"

"Low-frequency jamming has been activated, it doesn't affect our encrypted channels but will gradually weaken 'Frost Raven's' radio signals, although they won't easily notice, attributing it to terrain issues, and when firing starts, it'll be cut off instantly."

"Well done," Grey Eagle nodded in satisfaction. "Now, we just need to wait for the prey to walk into the trap."

He looked at the clock on the wall.

8:17 AM.

About two hours until 'Frost Raven' reaches the ambush point, and nearly seven hours until Song Heping's convoy passes through.

The time is sufficient, but complacency is the most forbidden in intelligence work.

Grey Eagle knows well even the most perfect plan might collapse due to a minor variable.

"Lens, check all surveillance nodes. Bull, keep the drone a safe distance to avoid visual detection. Also, contact those watching outside the hotel in the Green Zone and confirm Song Heping's convoy is departing as planned."

Orders were swiftly executed.

In the command center, only the sound of keyboard tapping and low reports could be heard, tense yet orderly.

At 9:40 AM, two pickup trucks from the 'Frost Raven' team left the main road, turning into a secondary road leading to the Amadiye Mountain Area. The number of vehicles on the road significantly decreased, occasionally spotting herdsmen transporting sheep or battered trucks.

"Entering the last ten kilometer stretch," Crow reported from the lead vehicle, "No checkpoints on the road, extremely low traffic flow."

"Stay alert," Scarface's voice came over the radio, "Falcon, watch for any tailing vehicles."

"Rear is clear, no suspicious vehicles within at least three kilometers," Falcon reported.

What they didn't know was that two drones were silently following them at an altitude of six kilometers, almost impossible to detect by the naked eye.

And on the ridge near the ambush point off Highway 7, the CIA's "Cleaners" had already occupied advantageous positions and were fully camouflaged.

"Everything is set," Grey Eagle received the report from the front at the command center: "All units are at Level One alert. Repeat, all units are at Level One alert."