gnovel Chapter 23 Abandoned Pawns and Helping Hands
Chapter 23 Abandoned Pawns and Helping Hands
"The coordinates of the temporary camp have been completely exposed, and we have now moved all of us to the new secret defense zone," Colonel Igor's voice continued.
"At 22:00 tonight, a military Mi-8 helicopter will be heading to the abandoned farm five kilometers west of Camp 17 to carry out a wounded evacuation mission. I've secured six evacuation slots for your squad."
"Six?" Dmitry paused, his brows furrowing instantly. "Colonel, our squad, including the wounded, has seven men in total!"
"Lu can't get on the plane." Igor's words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing Lu Ye's hopes and ruining the atmosphere in the tent.
"Why?" Dmitry practically roared. "Lu is practically one of our team now! And what about Seryozha's body?!"
"Dmitri, watch your tone!" Igor's voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable air of authority.
"The enemy's HIMARS rocket launchers almost wiped us out! The intelligence department investigated the camp's leak overnight."
"They suspect that the leak of the coordinates is related to the recent arrival of outsiders in the camp! The guide named Vasily has been taken back to his original unit by the military police for isolation and investigation."
"As for that cannon fodder mercenary, needless to say! Until the security level of the new camp is downgraded, absolutely no one will be allowed to enter the new camp without thorough vetting!"
"Bullshit!" Alexei, enraged, kicked over a nearby ammunition box. "Lu took out an enemy sniper yesterday! If he were a spy, we'd be dead on the way here!"
"Colonel, I swear on my integrity and my epaulets, Lu is absolutely not a mole!" Dmitry said urgently, barely suppressing his anger.
"After Seryozha's death, Lu took over as sniper, and he demonstrated exceptional marksmanship! Leaving him alone in this cannon fodder battalion is tantamount to sending him to his death!"
"Your guarantee is worthless in the military court, Dmitry!" Igor interrupted him mercilessly.
"An order is an order! At 22:00 PM tonight, the helicopter will be waiting for you at the farm for five minutes. I will try my best to obtain Seryozha's body. But if you disobey orders and refuse to board, the Seventh Squad will be charged with desertion!"
After he finished speaking, the radio went dead, completely extinguishing Lu Ye's hopes.
The tent was deathly silent, save for the howling wind outside that whipped up the tent canvas and made a rustling sound.
Alexei's eyes were red, Anton slumped to the ground in a daze, and Maxim and Victor lowered their heads, not daring to look Lu Ye in the eye.
Lu Ye stood quietly in the corner, the cold, hard light shining on his face, revealing no emotional fluctuations.
But he knew in his heart that he had been completely abandoned. He did not resent Dmitry and the others; a soldier's duty is to obey orders.
He felt only a deep sorrow and a chilling cold.
Here, on this battlefield, no one can truly rely on anything except the gun in their own hand and the system that suddenly appeared in their mind.
"Fifteen days of lifespan, 1400 points," Lu Ye muttered to himself, a cruel and cold smile curving his lips.
Since we've been driven to the brink, we have no choice but to survive as outlaws!
"Clang!"
Dmitry suddenly slammed the microphone he was holding onto the table, rubbed his rough hands on his face, turned around, and stared intently at Lu Ye.
"If the colonel doesn't take you with him, I can't disobey orders." Dmitri's voice was terribly hoarse. "But I, Dmitri, am not the kind of person who forgets kindness."
He grabbed the AK-74M assault rifle from the cot, cocked it, and shouted, "Lu, take your money, take your gun! Come with me!"
"Captain, what are you doing?" Alexei suddenly looked up.
"Go to command post! Go find that bastard Vorov!" Dmitry gritted his teeth. "Even if it costs me my life, I'll get this money home for you today!"
"Captain, don't be impulsive!" Anton hurriedly stood up to stop him.
"Get out of my way!" Dmitry shoved Anton aside and strode out of the tent.
A hint of surprise flashed in Lu Ye's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a ruthless glint.
Without hesitation, he picked up his SVD sniper rifle and quickly followed. Alexei and the others exchanged glances, then grabbed their weapons and silently followed behind the two.
The command post of Camp 17 was located in the very heart of the entire position. It was surrounded by sandbags as tall as a person, and two Kord heavy machine guns were mounted on either side behind the sandbags, their dark muzzles exuding an aura of death.
A dozen or so fully armed soldiers wearing black hoods were patrolling around the perimeter of the command post, leading several barking Caucasian Shepherds.
"stop!"
Just as Dmitry and Lu Ye approached the command post within twenty meters, two burly guards from the supervisory team blocked their path with assault rifles.
One of the guards, a burly man with a scar over his left eye, sized up the furious Dmitri before turning his gaze to Lu Ye, who was following behind him, a malicious smirk playing on his lips.
"Isn't this Captain Dmitry? What, you've already come to your senses so quickly and are ready to take over Major Vorov's mission?" The scarred guard spat, his gun barrel seemingly pointing intentionally or unintentionally at Dmitry's chest.
"Get out of the way, I need to see Wolf," Demeter said expressionlessly.
"The major is inside formulating battle plans and doesn't have time to see you," Scarface sneered.
As he spoke, Scarface suddenly stretched out his thick, large hand and grabbed at Lu Ye's collar without any hesitation.
[Ding! Mission triggered]
[Mission Description 1: Your well-liked teammates are about to leave you, forcing you to remain in this cannibalistic camp. Bare your fangs, prove yourself, and instill fear in others while demonstrating your worth!]
[Mission Description 2: The forced abandonment by your teammates makes you realize that in the world of mercenaries, you can only rely on yourself! Put aside your illusions and prepare for battle!]
[Mission Reward: Basic Camouflage (LV1), Skill Points +1]
The moment Lu Ye saw the mission, his mindset underwent a huge change! He might have been considering the team's interests, trying to gain the trust of his teammates, and feeling a little touched by his captain's protection.
Now all of these are trampled under his feet. He is a pawn with only fifteen days left to live, a person who is not even afraid of death. How could he be restricted by such rules and regulations!
Just as the scarred man's hand was about to touch Lu Ye's collar!
Lu Ye made a move.
Instead of retreating, he suddenly took half a step forward, like a cheetah that had been holding back for a long time suddenly bursting forth!
He swiftly grabbed the scarred man's outstretched wrist with his left hand. Using the momentum of his forward thrust, Lu Ye suddenly exerted force in his waist, causing his entire body to rotate rapidly to the right.
"Snap!"
A chilling sound of bones cracking suddenly rang out!
Scarface's thick wrist was bent at a sharp ninety-degree angle! The white bone pierced through the skin and was exposed to the cold air.