418: Chapter Four Hundred and Fifteen: Scouting Ahead 418: Chapter Four Hundred and Fifteen: Scouting Ahead Gao Yang walked at the front, with Li Jinfang and Sirte on his left and right, approaching Teodulo’s camp in a triangular formation.
The three used night vision goggles to quietly traverse the jungle.
Gao Yang wasn’t using his shotgun but held the Blade of Satan in his hands instead.
His rifle was equipped with a thermal imaging scope, which served as an effective complement to the light amplification night vision device.
At least at close range, the night vision device might not detect an enemy in camouflage, but the thermal imaging scope could.
Sirte had been to Teodulo’s camp before, but beyond the camp’s perimeter, his memory was of no use.
Never mind that he hardly ever left the camp—even if he had wandered around outside every day, finding a distinctive target in the rainforest was harder than ascending to heaven.
Everything looked the same, so even with Sirte guiding them, Gao Yang and his team still had to grope their way forward.
Every now and then, Gao Yang would raise his rifle to survey the area through the scope, not only watching the ground but also checking the treetops in case someone was hiding there.
As they got very close to the camp, Gao Yang, leading from the front, suddenly stopped and raised his right fist, signaling that he had spotted enemies.
Then he extended two fingers and pointed toward the air on the front right, indicating the presence of two men.
Gao Yang noticed two figures in the trees with his thermal imaging scope.
They were likely sentries from the camp, and he was less than forty meters away from the tree where the sentries were concealed.
Gao Yang only detected two sentries and still couldn’t see the buildings inside the camp, but he knew they were just a stone’s throw away.
Perhaps they would see the camp hidden behind the trees after moving forward a few steps.
If the sentries in the trees were not equipped with night vision devices, then they could only rely on their hearing to keep watch.
According to Sirte, Teodulo’s men weren’t equipped with night vision devices.
After making a gesture for cautious advancement, the three continued to move closer.
They had only walked a dozen meters when a clear campsite suddenly appeared before them.
Sirte and Li Jinfang kneeled on one knee to the left and right of Gao Yang, maintaining their guard and protective posture, while Gao Yang, after sweeping the area, continued to observe with his thermal imaging scope.
The camp seemed rather scattered, with all the large trees left intact.
However, the bushes and weeds under the trees had been cleared, which greatly improved visibility within the camp.
Gao Yang’s thermal imaging scope could see farther off.
Having seen the blueprints, even just a sketch, one can also conjure the scenes depicted there in one’s mind.
This is an essential skill for a good commander.
Gao Yang had performed very well in this area during his training in Israel.
Even in the darkness, Gao Yang compared what he saw with the mental map from his memory.
Justin’s drawings were very accurate, as the seen scenery highly matched the blueprints, which increased Gao Yang’s confidence in Justin’s maps.
Gao Yang discovered nine men hidden in the trees as sentries, but he couldn’t see any heat sources within the camp’s boundary.
There were many possibilities for this, such as everyone being inside the houses with thick walls blocking the heat signature.
But Sirte had mentioned that the wooden walls of the houses here were very thin, neither suitable for defense nor effective at blocking heat.
So, it was more likely that the people were on the other side of the camp, or, perhaps, an empty camp.
The presence of sentries made the likelihood of an empty camp slim.
Gao Yang and the others took a detour and changed direction to continue their reconnaissance.
This time, Gao Yang spotted heat sources inside two houses, and they were numerous.
After determining the general direction, they quietly retreated a distance and then Gao Yang and his team lay in ambush not far from the camp, signaling the follow-up personnel to enter the battlefield and meet up with them.
When conducting operations at night, Gao Yang and his team distinguished friend from foe using IR lamps visible through night vision devices.
They also left a trail of luminous markers along the way, visible only through night vision goggles, to serve as guideposts.
After waiting for about an hour, Glolov and the rest arrived.
Once everyone gathered, Gao Yang briefed them on the situation he discovered, then said, “Our target is to take out Teodulo.
The primary attack point is his house, because we need to confirm the target at close quarters.
Toad, Can Opener, and I will form Group A and advance as the first wave to get as close as possible to Teodulo’s house.
Little Fly, Test Tube, Glolov will be Group B, the second wave, providing fire support.
Worker Bee, the camp’s space is small, but it’s enough for you to use the mortar.
Rabbit, you’ll accompany Worker Bee as Group C.
Besides covering him to ensure continuous mortar fire, you’ll also provide us with precision shooting cover.
Lucica, you five will follow Worker Bee, but do not engage in the combat.
Just make sure the mortar rounds are delivered to Worker Bee on time.
Alright, any questions now?”
Gao Yang had made it very clear, and the rest was to assign positions on the battlefield on the spot.
No one had any questions, except Lucica suddenly said, “We want to attack with you.”
“No, that’s not possible.
You have two injured people who can’t move well, and you yourself are not in a condition to act.
I can’t accept your condition.”
After speaking briefly in Spanish with Kamp, Lucica then said to Gao Yang, “They can stay behind.
I’m fine now.
I can join the attack with you on my own.
None of you speak Spanish, and you need me.
I can follow along with the medic.”
Having said that, Lucica patted her M16 rifle and said solemnly, “I’m not a burden to you.
I’ve been fighting for a longer time than any of you.”
Gao Yang knew Lucica was right; being a witness was secondary.
However, Lucica’s Spanish was very useful, and indeed, her combat abilities should be quite formidable, especially in the jungle.
“Test Tube, is Lucica fit enough to fight?”
Bruce pondered for a moment before nodding, “Although I don’t think it’s a good idea, her physical condition allows her to fight.”
Since Lucica was indeed useful and in good physical condition, there was no need for Gao Yang to refuse her participation in the battle, just not as a vanguard.
“Lucica, you can join Team B for combat, stick with Test Tube.
Right now, hand the mortar shells over to Worker Bee and Rabbit, and leave the unnecessary gear with the guide to carry.”
Glolov nodded, “Understood, but wait a moment.”
After speaking, Glolov pulled a plate carrier out of the front of his bulletproof vest and passed it to Gao, “Put it on.”
Gao had lost his own plate while clearing mines.
Looking at the ceramic plate Glolov handed him, he shook his head, “No need, keep it for yourself.”
Glolov frowned, “Don’t make me say it a third time, put it on!”
Just then, Tommy quietly took the plate from his own bulletproof vest and tossed it to Gao, speaking softly, “Following the principle of greater risk necessitates enhanced protection, don’t argue anymore.
I’ll stay on the perimeter without the risk of being attacked from behind, and I’ll move the rear plate to the front.”
Gao was taken aback for a moment but finally nodded.
Without a word, he inserted the plate into his bulletproof vest, while Glolov also gave Tommy a nod and readjusted his vest.
Once all preparations were in place, Gao spoke in a deep voice, “We must eliminate the sentry close to us from the book; they are too great a threat.
If they have something like a machine gun, it could be very troublesome.
Toad and I have the quietest pistol shots.
We’ll get within twenty meters and take them out with our pistols.
If this plan succeeds, the first team will continue to infiltrate; if it fails, then we’ll start a full assault.”
Sirte shrugged, “I suggest using an MP7 instead.
It’s too risky with a pistol.
Or, you can let me take care of one target with a pistol.
I am more confident with my own.”
Gao smiled, “I’m not familiar enough with the MP7, and it’s too much trouble to switch guns now.
Besides, we’re also quite confident with our own pistols.”
Hanging the shotgun at the front and pulling out his pistol to attach the suppressor, once he confirmed everyone was ready, Gao waved his hand, “Move out!”
With Sirte covering with the shotgun, Gao and Lee Jinfang, each with a pistol, were the first three to set out toward the tree where the sentry was hidden.
The jungle environment was a double-edged sword.
The dense vegetation created a significant obstacle for launching an attack, but it also provided excellent cover for Gao and his team, who approached the tree silently and without discovery to within just a few meters.
Looking up from beneath the tree, they could see a small platform built on the branches, with two people sitting on it, back to the tree, their heads drooping motionlessly, seemingly asleep.
To prevent either sentry from sounding an alert, they needed to fire simultaneously.
Gao gave Lee a hand signal to indicate who was responsible for which target.
Then, he took his pistol with both hands, raised it, and aimed at the head of the left sentry above.
Lee also took aim, and with Sirte in front of Gao and Lee, confirming that both had their targets, Sirte raised his left arm high and then swung it down forcefully.
As Sirte’s left arm dropped, Gao immediately pulled the trigger.
With the suppressed noise of the gun, he clearly heard the click of the firing pin.
The gunshots from Lee and Gao were almost simultaneous, like a strong clap of the hand, but no other sound was made.
The two people on the tree slumped sideways, neither falling from the tree nor making any noise.
(To be continued.
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