Song Heping moved to a more open position on the dilapidated second floor, where he could overlook most of the warehouse's eastern area as well as keep an eye on the convoy's hiding spot and possible retreat routes.
He adjusted his earpiece to ensure the channel was clear, then raised his assault rifle, meticulously scanning every detail of the warehouse through the high-magnification scope.
Time ticked by second by second, each moment resonating with the sound of Grim Reaper's wings flapping.
Five minutes later, dull gunfire echoed in the channel.
Then, "Iron Hammer's" restrained voice came through the radio: "Perimeter cleared, west side passage secure. Discovered and dealt with two concealed outposts, confirmed as Mossad perimeter personnel."
"Received. 'Hawkeye,' report your status."
Song Heping spoke into the microphone.
"The warehouse roof is clear, no snipers found. However, thermal signals indicate at least twelve people inside the warehouse, stationed at various positions, seemingly on alert. No other anomalies detected in the surroundings."
"Hawkeye's" voice came through the headset.
"Action!"
Petrovsky roared and leaped out from behind cover.
"Shadow" and "Thunder God" closed in from left and right, the trio forming a standard attack triangle, swiftly and cautiously approaching the eastern gate of the warehouse.
Sky, eastern airspace of Latamira, altitude 22,000 feet.
"Poison Snake 1-1, CAOC updating target data link information. Based on the latest KEYHOLE-12 satellite imagery and Global Hawk UAV infrared monitoring analysis, confirmed target convoy stopped at Kabul freight transshipment area three minutes ago. Concentrated thermal signals and continuous small flash signals suggest engaging or urgently searching the facility."
The voice of the rear Commander, laced with urgency, came through the communication channel.
"Poison Snake 1-1 received. Adjusting course, heading directly for Kabul transshipment station. Arrival at JDAM optimal deployment radius in seven minutes."
"Poison Snake 1-1" calmly replied, making fine-tuned adjustments to the joystick and throttle as the aircraft's course changed.
"Dark Blade adjusting course in sync, estimated arrival overhead target in eight minutes, establishing attack route."
The AC-130U's response followed closely.
The countdown to death, at ten kilometers high and between barren terrain, accelerated with an asphyxiating synchrony.
Ground level, east gate of Warehouse No. 3.
Petrovsky's team had advanced to within less than thirty meters of the gate.
He signaled with tactical hand gestures, and "Shadow" and "Thunder God" immediately split left and right, taking firing positions with rifles aimed at the gate and potential enemies.
"Thunder God" retrieved a palm-sized block of C4 explosive from a specific compartment in his tactical vest, expertly attached a micro detonator, then adhered it like a patch precisely onto the exceptionally sturdy-looking steel lock's core.
The trio swiftly retreated behind the nearest concrete block.
"Boom!"
A not overly loud yet deeply muffled explosion sounded. The steel lock and part of the connecting bolt shattered on cue, twisted metal fragments scattering in all directions.
"Breach! Breach!" Petrovsky roared, dashing out from behind cover first, his rifle poised towards the darkness within the gate.
Almost at the same instant as the explosion resonated and the gate flew open!
"Ratatatatata——"
"Bang bang bang!"
Inside the warehouse, at least three pre-set fire points spewed deadly flames simultaneously!
Bullets showered like a torrential storm, tearing through the cement of the doorframe, clattering off metal containers nearby, sparks flying.
Scorching Warheads scraped through the air, emitting piercing whistles.
"Find cover!"
Petrovsky dived sideways, tumbling behind a massive lathe, bullets carving trails of dust behind his former path.
The enemies reacted extremely fast, their shooting precise, responding rapidly to the sudden attack; these were evidently operatives with rigorous training.
"Attention! Nine o'clock direction, machine gun on top of the cargo stack!"
Song Heping's voice came swiftly and calmly through to the assault team's earphones as he squeezed the trigger.
"Bang! Bang!"
Two precise single shots fired.
The machine gunner atop the cargo stack at nine o'clock, having just exhausted one ammo belt and about to reload, abruptly jerked, collapsing.
"There's an enemy on the upper corner steel frame! He's got me pinned!"
"Shadow's" voice was tinged with urgency; as he attempted to move, a bullet drilled into the edge of the container he had just been hiding behind, leaving a smoking hole.
Petrovsky swung his rifle towards the upper left steel frame at the faint silhouette, firing continuously.
Bullets struck the steel frame, sparking in brilliant flashes.
The Mossad Agent hiding in the shadows was forced to retreat, unable to maintain effective targeting.
At that moment, "Iron Hammer's" team also stormed into the warehouse from a small door they quietly opened on the west side, launching an aggressive attack from the enemy's flank and rear.
TAR-21 shots and V-AR Rifle roars intermingled fiercely within the warehouse, occasional explosions of Hand Grenades shaking the warehouse with a constant hum, dust falling everywhere.
The battle plunged instantly into the most brutal, chaotic stage of close-quarter combat.
Every second someone fell, the air thick with gunpowder, blood, and the strained tension of nerves.
While Song Heping provided suppressive fire with precise shots in all directions, he shouted into the public channel: "Speed it up! We're out of time! Major, report your internal status! If not, I'll launch an assault from the back door."