"They're circling around. If we keep this up, it's definitely over."
In the wilderness, inside the speeding vehicle, Hunter glanced at the situation outside and couldn't help but say to Song Heping, "If we're still running in a place like this when dawn breaks, we'll be sitting ducks if we're spotted."
Song Heping looked out through the gun hole, seeing the vast wilderness everywhere. Three deep green "Typhoon" mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles appeared so stark and conspicuous against the monotonous yellow plain.
Glancing at the direction, the convoy was heading east of Siria.
Latamira Village was to the northeast, and heading directly east now meant they were taking a detour.
Petrovsky's intent was obvious—go east first to create the illusion of crossing Siria's border into Illiguo, trying to avoid 1515 and Kurd Armed's pursuit, then loop back.
However, doing so was clearly foolish.
They underestimated the US Army's aerial surveillance capabilities.
Even though the Americans had announced a withdrawal from Illiguo, they still had Air Force deployments in the Baghdad direction. Dispatching a drone here for aerial reconnaissance was incredibly easy.
"Give me the map."
Song Heping extended his hand.
Hunter handed the military tablet back to Song Heping.
He opened it and checked.
Song Heping's eyes swiftly scanned over the electronic map.
Soon, he looked up at Petrovsky.
"Major."
"What's the problem now?!"
Petrovsky seemed a bit impatient.
Song Heping's frequent suggestions already had him feeling tense and annoyed.
"We can't keep heading east. You're making a big circle! I know you want to create the illusion of heading east, then circle back to Latamira, but it won't work. Believe me, no one is more familiar with the US Army's aerial reconnaissance capabilities in this area than I am."
He wasn't exaggerating.
Ever since 1515 clashed with the Americans and grew stronger in Illiguo and Eastern Syria, the Americans had kept a close watch here.
Even though 1515 originally received some secret funding from the CIA when they were starting up, a wolf will never be truly tamed.
The Americans' vigilance towards 1515 never ceased, constantly conducting high-density aerial reconnaissance over their operational areas.
Now, with the knowledge that Russian Special Forces have infiltrated here, the US advisors and Special Forces units within the Kurd-controlled areas will undoubtedly deploy drones patrolling nearby to keep an eye on things.
By then, the three mine-resistant ambush vehicles racing across the open wilderness would be like lice on a bald man's head—impossible to hide!
Song Heping's words brought the tension inside the vehicle to its peak.
Petrovsky's forehead was drenched in sweat.
He wasn't a fool.
He knew Song Heping was telling the truth.
Russian intelligence capabilities, while not as good as the US, were not so inadequate that they didn't understand the situation in the Siria and Illiguo border areas.
He just wanted to take a gamble, relying on the convoy's speed to shake off any pursuers in the wilderness, then create the illusion of crossing into Song Heping's controlled area near the Illiguo border, causing 1515 and the US Army to abandon their pursuit.
Then, he'd make a sudden reverse maneuver towards Latamira Village, less than sixty kilometers from the border.
From the perspective of handling a sudden situation, there was nothing wrong with Petrovsky's strategy.
But Da Mao's temperament was always to gamble.
They favored simple and crude methods.
And underestimated others.
Should he listen to Song?
Or not?
Thoughts clashed in Petrovsky's mind.
Faintly, he felt there was some truth to Song Heping's words.
Perhaps his reminder signaled another plan in mind.
Listening might not hurt…
"Alright, I'd like to hear…"
Just as he decided to hear what Song Heping had in mind, an unexpected event hit like a truck bursting from the side of an intersection.
"Report, three kilometers ahead, at ten o'clock direction, suspicious vehicle movement spotted! Unknown quantity, moving fast!"
"Hawkeye's" voice exploded over the channel.
"Closing in… thermal imaging recognition… two vehicles! Suspected armed pickups with heavy machine guns! Model… Toyota Hilux! Ownership cannot be determined!"
Bad news, as expected.
Armed pickups!
In this area, they could be "1515," or they could be Kurds, or even local tribal forces instructed by the US Army.
But no matter who they belonged to, they were enemies!
"Everyone, be ready, prepare to engage!"
Petrovsky shouted, "Weapons teams, get in position!"
On the top of the lead and tail vehicles, the remote weapon stations emitted a faint hum of motors, the thick barrel of the 12.7mm Kord heavy machine gun slowly rising, locking onto the two rapidly approaching dust clouds in the distance.
Song Heping removed the safety from his HK416, saying to Hunter, "Looks like sneaking past quietly isn't an option. Get ready for some action."
Hunter remained silent, but he had already turned, aiming the barrel of his SV-98 through a narrow firing port, pre-sighting the direction where the two pickups might appear, breathing as calm as in slumber.
The two pickups obviously spotted this conspicuous convoy as well, showing no hesitation, they charged forward in a pincer formation with the desperado's audacity.
In the pickup beds, shadowy figures could be seen moving, and the barrels of heavy machine guns glistening coldly.
And, a black flag waving from the front of the vehicle…
1515 armed personnel!
The distance rapidly shrank to fifteen hundred meters…
One thousand meters…
"Fire!"
When the distance closed to 800 meters, Petrovsky swiftly ordered.