Soon, Song Heping led the two to the edge of the shantytown area.
"The fish market is just ahead!"
Song Heping growled, pointing to a row of low shops not far away.
This is the edge of Pier No. 3 area.
Pier No. 3 is a fishing pier, and the shops selling seafood are inside the pier area, densely packed. Now it's quiet, but judging from the scale, it used to be very lively.
Finally, they found the meeting point. Recalling the close-range gunfight earlier, Antonov spat and wiped the dust off his face: "This damned place is livelier than Chechnya!"
Nura's eyes scanned the surroundings above her scarf cautiously: "Something's not right... It's too quiet."
The vendors at the fish market had already evacuated, leaving only smashed wooden boxes and scattered fish entrails.
Many shop signs hung askew, the doors ajar, with no light seeping out.
"What's so strange about that? The place is a mess. Anyone who can run would have; let's not think too much, I don't want to stay here a minute longer. Let's find the contact and hide in a safe place, then figure out a way to leave this damned place!"
Antonov wasn't concerned, thinking Nura was being neurotic.
"Better to be cautious."
Song Heping stopped Antonov, who was about to move forward, and looked towards the seafood shops in the distance within the pier.
"Find a place to scout the perimeter first. Better safe than sorry."
"You're being too cautious..."
Antonov looked back at the way they came.
"There are four corpses lying back there; their comrades will definitely search for us. If we don't quickly find a safe place, we're all dead."
"No matter how dangerous, we can't rush!"
Song Heping glared at the burly Da Maozi in front of him.
"Assemble your weapons immediately; Anton, find a vantage point, get some distance, and use your camera equipment to check if there are any snipers around. Be careful."
"Alright..."
Antonov had to compromise.
Song Heping was the boss. He had absolute authority. What he said went.
The group found a secluded corner, took out the components and ammunition from their backpacks, and began assembling their weapons.
Song Heping had an AKM assault rifle, Nura a AK74U, and Anton a VSS Vintorez sniper rifle.
Once the trio finished assembling, Song Heping glanced around and said, "Nura, you and Anton are in charge of the observation post. I'll go by myself."
"Are you insane?!"
Antonov's eyes widened.
"How will you manage on your own?"
"It's safer if I'm alone."
Song Heping didn't want to say anything that would hurt their pride.
A former Russian Air Force officer, a woman.
Taking them along would be a burden, as he'd have to protect them.
But saying that seemed too harsh, so Song Heping added, "We don't need so many people for the meeting. Besides, if there's a problem, bringing all three of us would be pointless. It's better for me to go alone—the buildings there are chaotic, making it easier to escape alone."
Those words finally calmed Antonov, who felt a bit embarrassed. He nodded, "You do have a point... "
"Test the communication channel; start immediately once it's clear."
Song Heping turned on the switch of the small tactical radio from his backpack.
This was a small tactical radio that could establish a communication channel for team operations within a 5-10 kilometer range.
Soon after, Antonov and Nura's voices came through the earpiece.
"Boss, I'm in position."
"I'm in position too, on a water tower."
Both had taken vantage points on the perimeter.
Song Heping started checking his ammunition while speaking, "Anton, scout using your camera equipment."
Among the three, Antonov was the one with the camera equipment.
The lens could magnify, serving as a makeshift surveillance device.
"Doesn't look like I see anything."
After a while, Antonov reported through the channel, "But I also feel it's too quiet..."
"Do you see Shop 17?"
"I roughly see the location; it's pitch black."
Antonov sighed, "Can't see anything clearly."