บท 49: The silent extraction
The plane's wheels kissed the tarmac with a gentle screech, and the engines sighed into silence as if they, too, were relieved to have completed the long journey. The aircraft, a grey bird among the vibrant commercial liners, rolled to a stop. Inside, Ling Xiao remained calm, his expression unreadable behind his sharp eyes. As the engines wound down to a quiet hum, he turned to his team, his voice low but firm. "We're here. Remember, leave no trace."
His words hung in the air like a commandment. Ling Xiao's team was made up of the best of the best, each handpicked for their skills, loyalty, and discretion. They had been through missions that most would deem impossible, yet this one felt different. It was personal—Professor Li Jiaren was not just a target; he was a mentor, a friend to Ling Xiao. The stakes were higher, and failure was not an option.
As the team disembarked, their movements were synchronized, silent, and purposeful. They were more than just soldiers; they were shadows slipping through the bustling airport, unnoticed, and unseen. Each member was dressed casually, blending seamlessly with the flood of travelers that drifted past, but beneath their calm exteriors lay a readiness for anything. Their mission: to rescue Professor Li Jiaren, the brilliant scientist who had been taken by forces that operated in the dark, far from the eyes of the law.
The airport was a hive of activity—travelers dragging suitcases, businesspeople hurrying to their next flight, and families reuniting with loved ones. But Ling Xiao and his team moved with a different purpose. They were invisible, blending into the crowd, moving as one toward the exit where a nondescript sedan awaited them.
Lin Zhou, the team's tech specialist known as "Hawk," slid into the passenger seat without a word. His laptop, an extension of himself, was already active, humming softly as he tapped into the city's surveillance network. As he worked, the team settled into the car, the tension from the flight beginning to ease.
As they pulled away from the airport, the atmosphere inside the car was calm but focused. Ling Xiao was in the drivers seat, his eyes scanning the surroundings out of habit, while Lin Zhou's gaze remained fixed on the screen, his fingers flying over the keyboard. The silence stretched out, comfortable yet filled with unspoken thoughts.
Su Chen, the weapon specialist (Blue Beaver) broke the silence with a low chuckle. "You know, Hawk, one day you're going to get caught messing with these surveillance systems."
Lin Zhou smirked, his eyes still on the screen. "Not today, Blue Beaver. Besides, if I get caught, you'll be the first one I call to bail me out."
Xiao Yuchen, the mechanic whose nickname was "Black Bear," leaned back in his seat, stretching his legs. "If Hawk gets caught, we'll need more than guns to fix that mess. Maybe a new identity."
"Or a new face," Qin Yu added from the backseat, his voice light but serious. His nickname, "White Eagle," fit his sharp mind and eagle-eyed precision, especially when it came to maps and strategy. He was already studying the satellite images on his tablet, his brows furrowed in concentration.
"Or we just leave him behind," Xiao Yuchen teased, earning a light jab from Su Chen.
"Hey, I'm not the one who broke three gadgets in one mission," Su Chen shot back playfully. "Remember that, Bear?"
Xiao Yuchen rolled his eyes. "Those gadgets were junk, and you know it. I just happened to be the one who had to make them work."
Ling Xiao listened to the banter with a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. His team was good—better than good. They were the best. They worked hard, but they also knew how to keep the mood light when it mattered. It was a delicate balance, one that Ling Xiao had always admired about his squad. Even in the face of danger, they could joke, banter, and keep their cool.
As the cityscape rolled by, the team fell into a comfortable silence once more, each member lost in their thoughts. The sedan moved smoothly through the streets, guided by Lin Zhou's knowledge of the city's blind spots and surveillance-free zones. It was a maze that only someone like him could navigate flawlessly.
Eventually, they reached the outskirts of the city, where the buildings grew sparser and the roads less traveled. Their destination was a temporary bunker—a forgotten warehouse that had seen better days. The area was desolate, with rusting structures and overgrown weeds hinting at a time when this place had been alive with industry. Now, it was just another piece of the city's forgotten history, perfect for their purposes.
Ling Xiao pulled the car into the warehouse, parking it out of sight. As they stepped out, the sound of their footsteps echoed in the large, empty space. The warehouse was dimly lit, with sunlight barely filtering through the dirty, broken windows. Inside, the air was thick with dust, carrying the faint scent of rust and decay.
"Home sweet home," Su Chen muttered, looking around at the derelict building
"It'll do," Ling Xiao replied, already assessing the space. They had used worse locations before. The team quickly got to work, transforming the warehouse into a temporary command center. Cots were unrolled along the walls, and crates were stacked neatly in one corner, their contents ready for use. Lin Zhou set up his equipment on a makeshift table, his laptop, and several other devices blinking to life. Meanwhile, Su Chen began laying out weapons on another table, checking each one with a practiced eye.
As they worked, the camaraderie between them became more evident. Despite the seriousness of the mission, there was a lightness in their interactions—a sense of trust and understanding that only came from years of working together.
Xiao Yuchen, always the perfectionist, was busy inspecting their gear, tightening straps, and making sure everything was in perfect working order. "If any of you break something," he warned, not looking up, "don't expect me to fix it quickly."
"Noted," Qin Yu replied dryly, still focused on the map. "But how about you don't break anything first, Bear baby?"
"Yeah, last time you nearly blew us up with that 'quick fix' of yours," Su Chen added, grinning.
Xiao Yuchen shot them both a glare. "That was one time. And I saved your asses, didn't I?"
Lin Zhou chuckled. "We'd be lost without you, Baby Bear."
As they set up, Ling Xiao laid out a topographical map on the table, his eyes scanning the details of the terrain. He could feel the weight of the mission pressing on him, but he also felt the familiar surge of determination. This was what he lived for—planning, leading, and executing missions that others deemed impossible. He knew every inch of the map, every potential threat, and every possible route they could take.
"Alright," Ling Xiao began, drawing the team's attention. They gathered around the table, their expressions serious. "Here's the plan. We're heading into the mountains to locate the old textile factory where Professor Li is being held. The factory is heavily guarded, so we'll need to be precise."
Qin Yu leaned in, tracing the map with his finger. "The factory is here, deep in the mountains, surrounded by dense forest. We'll have to navigate through rough terrain to reach it."
"And once we're there?" Su Chen asked, his eyes sharp.
"We'll enter through a service tunnel," Ling Xiao replied, pointing to a specific spot on the map. "It's hidden, and from the satellite images, it looks like it's been abandoned for years. Hawk, you'll need to jam their communications as soon as we're inside. Blue Beaver, you're with me—we'll take out the guards silently. Black Bear, you'll secure our exit. White Eagle, you'll have eyes on the sky, ready to signal if anything goes south."
The team nodded, absorbing the information. They had done this a hundred times before, but each mission was different, each one with its own risks and challenges.
Ling Xiao continued, "Once we have the professor, we'll exfiltrate through the tunnel, then head to the border. We'll cross on foot, blend in with the locals, and rendezvous back here."
Xiao Yuchen spoke up. "What if we run into more resistance than expected?"
"Adapt," Ling Xiao answered. "We've been through worse. Stick to the plan, but be ready to change tactics if necessary."
The discussion shifted to the details, with each member chiming in with their expertise. Qin Yu mapped out the most efficient routes, while Lin Zhou identified potential weak points in the factory's security. Su Chen discussed contingencies for dealing with unexpected threats, and Xiao Yuchen provided input on the technical aspects of the mission.
As the conversation flowed, the team's dynamic became even more evident. There was respect and trust, but also a comfort that allowed them to joke and tease each other even as they planned something as serious as a rescue mission.
At one point, Su Chen leaned back and stretched. "You know, after this is over, I'm thinking of taking a vacation. Somewhere warm, with no guns, no enemies—just a beach and a drink in my hand."
Xiao Yuchen snorted. "You? Relax? I'll believe it when I see it."
"Hey, I can relax," Su Chen retorted. "I just choose not to."
Lin Zhou grinned. "I'll join you. I could use a break from all this tech."
At dawn, the team set out, moving stealthily through the dense forest that blanketed the mountains. The path was narrow and winding, with towering trees casting long shadows that seemed to swallow the early morning light. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of pine and damp earth, and the only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the occasional call of a distant bird. They were deep in enemy territory, where one mistake could mean death.
As they rounded a bend, Ling Xiao suddenly raised a hand, signaling for the team to halt. His senses, honed by years of training, had picked up something—an almost imperceptible shift in the atmosphere. He turned to his team, his voice barely above a whisper, "Ambush ahead. Stay alert."
The forest was alive with sound—the rustling leaves, the chirping birds, the distant roar of a waterfall. But beneath this natural symphony, something sinister lurked. Ling Xiao and his team were ready, their bodies taut with anticipation. Then, like a match to dry tinder, chaos erupted. Enemies sprang from hidden positions, guns blazing as they charged forward.
But Ling Xiao's team was prepared. They had faced worse odds before and had always come out on top. Gunfire crackled through the trees as they returned fire with precision and deadly accuracy. Ling Xiao was a blur of motion, his instincts guiding him as he moved. His gun barked sharply, each shot finding its mark, and one by one, the attackers fell.
His team followed his lead, their movements synchronized and efficient. They were a well-oiled machine, each member knowing their role and executing it flawlessly. Years of training had forged them into a cohesive unit, capable of operating under the most extreme conditions. Amidst the chaos, Captain Ling Xiao's voice cut through the noise, issuing commands with clarity and purpose.
"White Eagle, take the high ground!" he ordered his sniper to gain a vantage point.
"Blue Beaver, flank left!" he directed his assault specialist to move around the enemy's side.
"Black Bear, suppressive fire!" his heavy gunner was tasked with keeping the enemy's heads down.
"Hawk, secure our six! And keep a lookout for any injuries." The rear guard was to ensure no enemies could sneak up on them from behind.
As the battle raged on, Ling Xiao continued to adapt, issuing new orders as the situation evolved. His sharp mind was constantly calculating, always three steps ahead of the enemy.
"White Eagle, target their leader!" Taking out the enemy's leader could disrupt their coordination.
"Blue Beaver, use the flashbangs!" A well-placed flashbang could disorient the enemy, giving his team the upper hand.
"Black Bear, focus fire on their heavy gunner!" Neutralizing the enemy's heavy firepower was crucial to their success.
"Hawk, prepare for possible retreat!" Ling Xiao knew that it was always important to have an exit strategy.
Despite the overwhelming odds, Ling Xiao's team held their ground. Their captain was a force of nature, his strength and skill unmatched. He moved through the forest like a ghost, his every shot finding its target with lethal precision. The enemies were relentless, but so were Ling Xiao and his team. They fought back with everything they had, their determination unshakable. The forest floor was soon littered with the bodies of those foolish enough to stand in their way.
Finally, the gunfire ceased. Ling Xiao stood amidst the carnage, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His team was safe, and the mission was still on track. As the dust settled, they surveyed the battlefield, taking stock of their situation. They had managed to escape without injuries, a testament to their training, and Ling Xiao's leadership. The forest, once again, fell into a peaceful silence, the echoes of the fight fading away like a distant memory.
With the ambush behind them, Ling Xiao led his team toward the border of Country M. They moved quickly and quietly, leaving the forest and the fallen enemies behind. As they crossed the border, Ling Xiao turned to his team, his voice steady and confident, "We made it. Now, let's rescue the scientist." His words were met with determined nods, their resolve unbroken. The mission was far from over.
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