Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1268 Catching the "Tongue"

About sixty kilometers north of Titrick in northern Iligo lies a vast and desolate desert.

The scorching heat of 40 to 50 degrees Celsius on the ground during the day has long since faded, replaced by the bone-chilling cold of the desert night, cold enough to freeze one to the bone.

A massive convoy of hundreds of vehicles of various types, like a group of steel behemoths lurking in the darkness, stood quietly in a natural depression that offered some shelter from the wind and sand.

The entire convoy strictly adhered to battlefield lighting regulations. All vehicle headlights, taillights, and even cab lights were turned off. Only a few red parking lights, with their power reduced to the lowest setting, emitted an extremely faint glow at the rear of the vehicles, like dying fireflies in the dark.

Inside the specially modified command vehicle at the heart of the convoy, Song Heping was focused on a screen displaying real-time information about five kilometers ahead. On the screen, several small white dots representing vital heat sources were moving slowly and cautiously.

"Boss, target confirmed. It's a standard six-man 1515 armed reconnaissance team. The observed weapon configuration is: 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 intention is likely to establish a forward observation and sentry post to monitor the movement of major transportation lines."

The young technical sergeant in charge of operating the drone control console skillfully manipulated the high-performance quadcopter reconnaissance drone controller in his hand—which looked like a large, high-end toy but was actually custom-made by the Dongda Huaqiangbei Electronics Market—while giving a clear report without turning his head.

Don't be fooled by the fact that this thing is a civilian-grade product; it's a specially customized version.

The rotor noise is kept to an extremely low level, and its infrared thermal imaging and low-light night vision camera modules are surprisingly effective. Most importantly, they are inexpensive, and losses are completely acceptable even in high-risk reconnaissance missions. Therefore, they have long been an indispensable "eye in the sky" for Musical Defence on the battlefield.

Jiang Feng couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "Damn it, these guys have a really sharp nose. Our main force just stopped for tactical reorganization, and their scouts have already gotten this close. It seems the enemy on Titrick's side is very vigilant."

Song Heping calmly ordered: "Notify Milos to personally lead a reinforced platoon to carry out the elimination mission. The requirements are: the operation must be swift, covert, and thorough. But guarantee the capture of at least one person alive. We need to know the latest specific situation of Titrick's defenses."

"understand!"

Jiang Feng immediately grabbed the military-grade encrypted radio handheld device, skillfully switched to the mercenary battalion's dedicated communication channel, and clearly called out:

"'Knight' calls 'Gladiator,' repeat, 'Knight' calls 'Gladiator.' Boss order: A small number of 'wild dogs' have been spotted in Area A. Your unit is to immediately move out and eliminate them. Be clean and bring back any live specimens that can 'open'. Over."

A brief response in a thick Eastern European accent quickly came through the radio headset: "Gladiator received orders. Expected to be ready to attack and depart within ten minutes. Over."

Milos, codenamed "Gladiator," is a veteran retired officer from a special forces unit in an Eastern European country, renowned for his extensive experience in urban warfare and field reconnaissance.

Upon receiving the order, he did not delay at all and immediately began to organize the attacking force.

There's no need to mobilize a large force to deal with six people, but we must ensure we have superior numbers. Without absolute superior firepower and manpower, it's not easy to capture them alive.

He selected a reinforced platoon, consisting of three elite infantry squads, with a total strength of about thirty-five men.

The attack vehicles were three battlefield-modified pickup trucks.

The lead vehicle was equipped with an M2HB 12.7mm heavy machine gun, operated by the most experienced machine gunner; the second vehicle was equipped with an MK19 automatic grenade launcher, providing area-effect firepower; the third vehicle served as an assault transport vehicle, 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 to the cab doors and key areas of the passenger compartment to provide basic bulletproof protection.

Milos himself sat in the passenger seat of the lead vehicle, quickly put on his night vision goggles, and the previously pitch-black world in front of him instantly transformed into a clear, light green monochrome image, revealing all the details of the terrain and potential threats.

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

Milos issued commands via noise-canceling headphones and a microphone mounted on his helmet over a platoon-level encrypted communication network: “'Raven' (the drone operator’s tactical code name), report the target’s real-time location and status.”

The "Crow" drone operator in the sky responded immediately:
“'Raven' reports: The target group remains in area A1, and the coordinates have been updated to all terminals. There are six personnel; two are on the outer perimeter and appear relaxed; four are gathered at the center, seemingly resting. Weapons are scattered. No other unusual activity or signs of support have been detected.”

"receive."

Milos analyzed the information received on the tactical terminal and quickly made a deployment:
"Team A, in vehicle number two, under the command of Sergeant Major Ivanov, will make a wide-ranging flanking maneuver along the 'yellow route' from the left flank, moving stealthily to the rear of the target area to establish a blockade and completely cut off any possible retreat routes. Team B, in vehicles number one and three, will approach from the front along the 'blue route.' One crucial point: maintain radio silence and covert movement throughout. No one is permitted to fire without my explicit orders! The sniper team will immediately advance and occupy the high ground on the rocky hill to my right, establishing a sniper position. Petrov, your priorities are: first, enemy RPG shooters; second, PKM machine gunners; third, anyone attempting to command or use communications equipment. Attack simultaneously upon my command."

The orders were communicated and executed quickly and accurately.

The three pickup trucks turned off their engines about two kilometers away from the target area, and the team members quickly and silently got out of the vehicles and deployed in a standard tactical formation.

Led by Sergeant Major Ivanov, Group A, in a wedge formation, began to infiltrate the left flank under the cover of the dry riverbed and undulating sand dunes.

Wearing PVS-31 binoculars, the team members maintained strict noise and light discipline and communicated with each other using well-practiced hand signals.

Their movements were nimble and steady. Even when moving across the gravelly Gobi Desert, their footsteps were barely audible. Only when their combat boots occasionally stepped on particularly loose stones would they make an extremely slight "crack" sound, which was immediately swallowed up by the howling night wind.

Meanwhile, Group B, personally commanded by Milos, advanced towards the target area from the front in an inverted "V" formation with one in front and two behind.

The "Crow" drone high in the sky, like the eye of death suspended in the night sky, firmly locks its high-definition infrared camera onto the 1515 reconnaissance team below.

Through the data link, real-time high-definition images were transmitted to Milos and Song Heping's screen in the command vehicle behind him.

In the scene, the six enemies were completely unaware of the impending catastrophe. They seemed to have set up a temporary observation post here, intending to wait for Song Heping's army to arrive and then report the various intelligence they observed to the Titrick command.

450 meters away...

Three hundred meters...

Two hundred meters...

Milos calmly estimated the distance in his mind, while constantly observing the enemy situation and the positions of our various groups through night vision goggles.

He would occasionally raise his left hand to give simple and clear hand gestures to the team members behind him, such as "slow down," "pause," and "crawl."

Under his precise command, the entire encirclement was like a deadly noose that was silently tightening.

Sniper Petrov and the spotter had silently reached the high ground.

This was a rocky hill about fifteen meters above the surrounding ground, offering excellent visibility and a panoramic view of the entire target area. Petrov quickly set up his .308 caliber marksman rifle equipped with a silencer, while the spotter beside him used a high-magnification scope to whisper the final target parameters:

"Wind direction: northwest, wind speed: 3 meters per second, light gusts. Distance: 185 meters. RPG handgun, unprotected. PKM machine gun, located on a rock two meters to the left. Target confirmed."

Petrov adjusted his breathing, placed the crosshairs firmly on the side of the unsuspecting RPG shooter's head, and gently pressed the trigger.

At that moment, Ivanov's voice, spoken at an extremely low volume, came through the encrypted channel from Team A: "Team A in position, evacuation route secured. No anomalies detected."

All hunting elements are in place.

Milos's gaze swept across the entire battlefield through the screen, confirming that all units were ready.

He took a deep breath and gave the final death order:

"All units, take note... execute the clearance. Snipers, fire!"

The moment the order was given, the battle erupted in a flash!
puff--

laugh!
A sniper rifle shot, silenced by a high-performance suppressor, came from the high vantage point.

Almost at the same second, a cloud of blood mist, mixed with bone fragments and brain tissue, suddenly exploded from the side of the head of the 1515 armed RPG shooter sitting around the fire.

His body felt as if his bones had been removed, and he slumped to one side, the RPG launcher in his hand falling to the rock with a clatter.

That suppressed gunshot was like the signal to start a party of death!
Puff puff!
Puff puff!
Puff puff!
The surrounding "Musician" defense mercenaries, armed with high-end silencers, unleashed two rapid bursts of fire from their assault rifles almost simultaneously.

The scorching hot warheads were fired with extremely high precision at their assigned targets.

The two sentries on guard duty on the perimeter didn't even have time to make any effective evasive or retaliatory maneuvers before they were instantly killed by several accurately hit bullets, falling to the ground without uttering a sound.

The remaining three enemies were completely stunned by this precise and deadly sudden attack, momentarily momentarily stunned. One of the quicker-reacting militants instinctively lunged towards the PKM general-purpose machine gun mounted on a nearby rock, attempting to gain powerful suppressive fire.

However, the moment his fingers touched the cold barrel of the gun—

puff--

laugh!
The second .308 bullet, with unavoidable speed, precisely pierced his chest cavity.

The immense kinetic energy instantly tore apart his internal organs and major blood vessels. He was thrown backward and fell heavily to the ground, his body convulsing violently a few times before falling silent again.

The two remaining players displayed drastically different behaviors.

The older militant, who appeared to be the squad leader, displayed remarkable battlefield reflexes and survival instincts.

The instant the sniper rifle fired, he executed a swift tactical roll, narrowly avoiding being caught behind a large, waist-high rock.

Then he quickly drew the pistol from his waist, not daring to show his face, and blindly pulled the trigger repeatedly in the general direction from which the gunshots came, relying only on his senses.

bang bang bang-

The sound of a 9mm pistol firing seemed particularly weak in the quiet night.

The last militant was a young white man with fair skin.

He was utterly terrified by the bloody and cruel scene before him, and his instinct for survival overwhelmed all so-called "faith" and "honor".

He screamed, and like throwing away a hot potato, he forcefully tossed the AK rifle he was holding far away. Then, he raised his hands high and shouted hysterically in heavily accented British English:

"Don't shoot! Don't shoot! I surrender! I give up!"

Upon seeing this, Milos immediately issued new instructions over the communication channel:
"Fire team, keep suppressing the target behind the rocks. Don't let him look up or throw explosives! B team assault team, move in and subdue the surrendering man! Quickly! Don't let him silence him!"

Following his command, the two team members on the flank of Group B immediately began to bombard the rock that served as cover with precise long bursts of fire.

The bullets sent debris flying and sparks flying across the rock surface, forming an effective fire blockade that pinned the stubborn veteran behind the rocks, preventing him from making any effective observation or counterattack.

Meanwhile, two commandos responsible for the capture stealthily approached the rocks like cheetahs. Using the undulating ground and the cover of their teammates' fire, they rushed to the young white prisoner, who was trembling like a leaf with his hands raised.

One of the mercenaries pressed his gun firmly against the prisoner's temple and growled in English, "Face down! On the ground! Now!"

Another mercenary quickly stepped forward, kicked away the AK rifle that had been thrown to the ground, and simultaneously slammed his knee into the prisoner's lower back, forcibly pinning him to the ground.

With practiced ease, he pulled out a nylon plastic strap he carried with him, crossed the prisoner's hands behind his back, and tied them tightly. Then he took out a roll of special tape and quickly sealed the prisoner's mouth to prevent him from shouting or biting his tongue.

The whole process was clean and efficient, taking no more than twenty seconds.

"Clear the area! Team A, establish an outer perimeter! Team B, the rest of you, check all downed targets, confirm their vitals, and collect all intelligence items! Medic, stand by!"

Milos rose from his command post, scanning the surroundings for any other potential threats.

From the first sniper shot to complete control of the situation and the capture of a prisoner, the entire process took less than two minutes.

Of the six enemies, four were killed on the spot, one was captured, and only the last experienced veteran remained, stubbornly resisting against the rocks.

"The main objective has been cleared. One enemy has been captured alive and is in stable condition. One remaining enemy is continuing to resist from cover and requests further instructions."

Milos's voice was clearly transmitted back to the command vehicle behind him via radio.

Inside the command vehicle, Song Heping calmly observed the entire operation through drone footage.

He picked up the microphone and replied directly: "Try to capture the target behind the rocks alive. If he resists fiercely, then take him out. You guys be careful."

"clear."

Milos gave a brief response and then began planning the capture of the last enemy.

The old soldier behind the rock was extremely stubborn. After running out of bullets, he showed no signs of surrendering. Instead, he let out a fanatical roar and then pulled out an F1 defensive grenade from his waist. He quickly released the safety and pulled out the pin.

Clearly, this guy, who had been thoroughly brainwashed, was prepared to die together with the mercenaries who tried to approach, and then go to his imagined paradise to live a shameless life with 72 virgins...

At this critical moment!
Without hesitation, a mercenary on the flank pulled an M84 stun grenade from his sling bag, pulled the safety pin with lightning speed, and after estimating the angle and distance, threw it with all his might toward the back of the rocks!

boom--

hum! ! !
The stun grenade exploded violently at a very close distance behind the rocks!

The enormous noise exceeding 170 decibels and the blinding light of millions of candrades generated by this thing instantly stunned the veteran.

He let out a painful groan, and instantly fell into a state of brief deafness, dizziness, and blurred vision, and his hand holding the grenade involuntarily loosened.

In that precious one or two seconds of his distraction, several assault team members charged in from the other side like tigers descending a mountain!
The first mercenary to rush to the 1515 veteran did not hesitate to swing the butt of his rifle and smash it hard against the 1515 veteran's wrist that was holding the bullet!
"Crack!"

A clear cracking sound rang out.

"what--!"

The veteran let out a shrill scream as the grenade, which he had been unable to hold, slipped from his grasp and fell to the sand at his feet!

The other mercenary, without even thinking, kicked the deadly grenade further away into an open area.

"Boom!"

After a loud bang, a small crater was blasted into the sand.

Two other mercenaries rushed forward, pinning the stubborn 1515 veteran to the ground and binding his feet tightly with thicker straps. They also gagged him, thus completing the capture of the second prisoner.

"Threat cleared! Repeat: All threats have been cleared!"

After confirming that the grenade explosion had not caused any casualties on his side, Milos immediately reported this in the channel.

The two prisoners were each covered with thick black hoods to blind them, and then roughly but professionally stuffed into the back of a pickup truck and guarded by designated personnel.

The remaining team members quickly and efficiently cleaned up the battlefield.

Confirm the life status of all killed enemies and collect their weapons, ammunition, identification documents, cell phones, walkie-talkies, and any paper or electronic items that may contain intelligence value.

All traces, such as spent shell casings, left behind by our side were carefully cleaned up.

After completing all this, the elite hunting team silently drove away from the firefight area and successfully returned to the main convoy's base along the predetermined route.

The entire capture mission, from departure to return, took less than forty minutes, demonstrating the high level of professionalism and tactical execution of these mercenaries trained at the South American Hunter School.

　Asking for a monthly ticket! Asking for a monthly ticket!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)