Song Heping's gaze swept over the fully armed SSO operatives inside the car, then he turned his head towards Major Petrovsky next to him, who was frowning:
"Fight?"
He deliberately paused for a moment and then teased:
"Major, are you sure your men can take on a hundred each? The opposition isn't just militia with sticks, they're organized armed forces and possibly even US Special Forces, with heavy machine guns, mortars, and maybe even anti-tank missiles."
Petrovsky's Adam's apple rolled up and down with difficulty, swallowing hard.
He opened his mouth, but ultimately couldn't produce a sound, only shook his head slowly.
"I can't guarantee…"
Indeed, no one dares to make such a bet.
Special soldiers are human too, not gods.
They might achieve miracles of one against ten thanks to their exceptional skills, advanced equipment, and seamless cooperation in local battles, but against an absolute numerical advantage, the result is only one — not even bones left.
Even the proud soldiers of Russia's elite Special Forces, who believe in "the aesthetics of violence", wouldn't boast about such a hopeless fight at the moment.
After a brief silence, Petrovsky took a deep breath, as if deciding on something.
He turned to Song Heping, speaking with more pragmatism rather than the stubbornness he had shown earlier:
"Alright, Song. I think, by bringing this up, you must have a more complete plan in mind. Can you elaborate? We need any viable suggestions now."
He used the word "suggestions", a significantly lowered stance than before.
Song Heping didn't answer immediately but reached for the reinforced electronic tactical tablet fixed on the car frame, quickly sliding his fingers over the cold screen to bring up a high-precision satellite map.
"Look here."
His finger pointed at the area marked by the rolling mountains on the screen—the Gunei Mountain Area.
"This vast region on the Northeast Syria border with Illinois and Turkey is mostly such impassable highland terrain, and the Gunei Mountain Area is the closest to our target, Latamira, with the most complex terrain."
His finger moved across the map.
"To the north, it links to the Kurd Armed's controlled zone, to the south is the traditional territory of those '1515' lunatics. Our current situation is like sheep entering the territories of wolves and hyenas, watched by two groups of crazed madmen."
His finger jabbed into the mountainous heart, making a slight "thud" sound.
"On the plain, we are sitting ducks, a dead end. But once we dive into this mountain area…"
Song Heping's eyes glimmered with cunning, and he couldn't help but smile.
"We can weaken their absolute advantage in manpower and heavy weapons to the greatest extent. And my goal isn't to play Rambo and fight them to the death in the mountains…"
He looked up, eyes sharp at Petrovsky, speaking word by word: "I want them to fight themselves!"
"Fight themselves?"
Petrovsky was stunned, for a moment not fully understanding the deeper meaning behind the seemingly paradoxical words.
"Exactly!"
Song Heping's tone was decisive, "The geographical conditions there are extremely complex, with ravines crisscrossing, caves dotted, and limited visibility, preventing the deployment of large troops. If we lead the Kurd Armed, '1515' lunatics, and possibly already involved US Special Forces into this region…"
The cold smile at his lips widened, carrying a near-sly calculation.
"Guess what, when a group of crazed '1515' militants head-on collide with Kurds or Americans searching for us, or a bunch of proud American soldiers suddenly encounters '1515' in dark mountain valleys... Will they have the patience to sit down and have a cup of coffee to properly explain that they're merely hunting down us few 'Russian little mice'?"
Song Heping chuckled as he spoke, the laughter seeming a bit sudden in the tense cabin, yet carrying a kind of mocking understanding of chaotic nature.
"Imagine that scene, Major. The principle of muddying the waters first is the simplest and often the most effective tactic in absolute disadvantage. Only when these waters are thoroughly muddied, turned upside down, can we small fry, seize the chaos to slip away."
"Brilliant!"
Major Petrovsky slapped his thigh forcefully.
He's not a foolish man, instantly grasping the essence of Song Heping's words, his eyes suddenly brightening.
"Let them, the two beasts tear at each other! If they really get into a fierce battle, naturally they can't care about us, we can seize the opportunity to escape, flee the mountains, shake off their pursuit!"
"Exactly!"
Song Heping nodded in approval, "Whether '1515', Kurds, or those well-equipped Americans, now alone we can't handle them. So, let them fight amongst themselves, and we reap the benefits. After all, they're also in a hostile state with each other, in dark mountain conditions, if they collide, they have to fight, whether they want to or not."
He picked up the stylus again, adeptly drawing several clear action routes on the electronic map, red lines like the tongue of a poison snake, penetrating into the most rugged, complex area of the Gunei Mountain.
"We cut in from here, guiding all of them into this gorge area. Look here, ravines crisscross, terrain heavily segmented, many places are impassable by vehicles, ideal for ambushes and chaotic battlefields. At our current pace, full speed ahead, we should reach the edge of the mountainous region by afternoon. By the time they confirm our direction and deploy forces to enter the mountains for search, it will definitely be dark."
His pen tip moved again, pointing to an inconspicuous small dot on the eastern edge of the Gunei Mountain Area—Kubai Town.
"Nightfall will be our best shield and assault attire. Once their various forces misunderstand or for any reason break into fire, the situation will inevitably spiral out of control, and by then, they won't be able to care about us…"
Song Heping's tone carried immense confidence: "By then, we'll exploit the chaos to slip out of the mountains, move east at top speed, and head straight for here—Kubai Town."
He looked at Petrovsky.
"I'll have my men immediately dispatch an elite 'Sand Fox' team from the Northwest Illinois base, carrying necessary equipment and additional vehicles, infiltrate across the border at top speed, reach Kubai Town to lay in wait, ready with the evacuation vehicles and support. While Americans, Kurds, and '1515' turn the mountain into a boiling mess, we head north from Kubai Town, straight to Latamira, executing your mission!"
Clap clap clap—
Major Petrovsky couldn't help but gently clap a few times, a look of admiration all over his face.
"Song, I've reviewed parts of your dossier, stating 'a master of outstanding tactical intuition and asymmetrical warfare thinking.' To be honest, I was skeptical before, but now… I believe it. This plan sounds extremely bold, even somewhat risky, but it's interlocking, taking full advantage of all potential factors. In the current deadlock, I truly can't think of a cleverer method."
"Don't rush into praising me."
Song Heping raised his hand, making a decisive pressing down motion, his face instantly regaining the previous sternness.
"I've provided you with a tactical approach to break the situation, even deploying my core resources for rendezvous. So, Major, in exchange, I hope for the same sincerity. You're heading to Latamira, not for any crap 'rescue' mission, right? Tell me, what's the real target?"
These words were like casting a giant stone into calm waters, instantly drawing the attention of all SSO operatives in the car, including Petrovsky.
The atmosphere solidified abruptly, several operatives exchanged glances subconsciously, wary, hesitant, questioning…
Various complex emotions collided silently in the confined space.
After a suffocating few seconds of silence, Petrovsky seemed to lay down a heavy burden, long and silently sighing.
He met Song Heping's indisputable gaze, finally choosing to come clean:
"Alright, Song. As comrades fighting side by side, sharing life and death, I believe you have the right to know the truth. Yes, you guessed right, it's not a rescue mission. It's capture and raid."