More than two hours later.
When Song Heping and his group finally crossed the most dangerous area in the city center and arrived at the relatively quiet north district, it was already half past midnight.
But the distant firelight still illuminated half the sky, and the intermittent sounds of explosions reminded them that danger wasn't far off.
"Head south now, two more blocks and we'll reach the safe house."
Collins checked the GPS.
Ferrari stared ahead and warned, "There seems to be a checkpoint up ahead."
"You guys hide here, I'll go take a look."
Song Heping motioned for the team to conceal themselves, while he carefully approached to observe.
A makeshift barricade blocked the center of the street, with five or six soldiers inspecting passing vehicles.
But to his surprise, these soldiers weren't wearing government army uniforms, but rather some kind of mixed attire.
"They're not government soldiers." He returned to Jiang Feng and the others, giving his assessment: "Looks like local militia."
Abdul's eyes lit up: "They might be our people! The opposition has supporters in the northern part of the city!"
"Or they could be bandits taking advantage of the chaos." Song Heping poured cold water, "Either way, we can't take risks. Let's choose another route."
Just then, a burst of intense gunfire erupted from the direction of the checkpoint.
Everyone swiftly drew their pistols and immediately prepared for battle, but soon realized the gunfire wasn't aiming at them.
A squad of government soldiers had flanked and attacked the checkpoint, igniting fierce fighting between the two sides.
"Opportunity!" Song Heping whispered, "Seize the chance, while they're engaged, we'll circle around from the rear!"
He didn't want to get entangled here.
After all, they only had Glock pistols.
Facing off against either militia or government soldiers armed with assault rifles wouldn't end well.
Everyone quickly moved along buildings, successfully bypassing the combat zone.
When they finally reached the neighborhood where the safe house was located, the sight before them made everyone gasp— the entire area had been reduced to rubble.
A raging fire was burning intensely.
Amid the flames, heart-wrenching cries for help could be heard.
"The safe house isn't safe anymore..."
Ferrari sighed.
Jiang Feng asked, "Should we go over and take a look?"
Before Song Heping could answer, a dull rotor noise sounded from above.
"Find cover and hide!"
Song Heping shouted, diving into a nearby ruin.
The others quickly took cover as well.
The sky was thunderous with the roar of helicopter rotors, as two Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters swept across the sky like giant birds, their GSH-23-1 cannons installed on the weapon mounts under the fuselage indiscriminately strafing the nearby area.
The scene was brutal, like a cleansing fire from heaven.
The crowds who were running and shouting moments ago were shattered under the barrage of the large-caliber cannons.
A few opposition militia members holding weapons futilely raised their AK47s to shoot at the sky.
Their weak firepower couldn't even scratch the Mi-24, yet effectively revealed their position.
The Hind helicopters turned their heads, targeting the position of these individuals with another round of strafing.
The whole world fell silent.
Song Heping and the others lay in the debris, not daring to move an inch, fearing discovery by the government helicopters.
In the face of martial force, humans were as insignificant as dust.
"They're not suppressing a riot." Jiang Feng murmured, "They're cleansing the entire neighborhood!"
"There are pro-opposition militia here..." Ferrari said, unable to help glancing at Abdul, leaving the rest unspoken.
Because the safe house was set up here, it was evident that many people among the locals supported the opposition, and there must have been people Abdul knew inside.
Abdul knelt on the ground, dazedly staring at the destroyed safe house: "It's over... all over..."
Song Heping quickly contemplated alternative options.
The original plan was no longer feasible, they needed a new hiding place and escape route.
Now the entire capital was engulfed in turmoil, and no one could distinguish which armed personnel belonged to whom.
One mistake could lead to the complete annihilation of the team.
Song Heping dared not take risks.
"What do we do?" Ferrari asked him, "The safe house is gone. Where do we go?"