The voice came through the walkie-talkie. Hearing the order from the command center, Zhang Like froze.
Hadn't the plan been for the Special Counter-Terrorism unit to handle this?
He asked, "Team Leader Lin, this isn't what we agreed on at the start. The boys aren't prepared for this."
"Circumstances changed abruptly," the deputy team leader explained over the line. "Yesterday, another gang of criminals escaped to Ruinan. They're large in number, so part of the Special Counter-Terrorism force was diverted to reinforce that front.
"The Special Counter-Terrorism unit remains the primary assault force. We just need you to fill the gaps."
The border defense soldiers around him looked at one another. Zhang Like badly wanted to curse, but as a serviceman, all he could do was answer firmly, "Yes, sir! We will complete the mission!"
Lowering the walkie-talkie, he looked at the men present. "There's been a change in our mission. We'll be serving as one of the assault teams."
Everyone saluted. "Yes, sir!"
20:36.
Zhang Like and his squad drove to the designated position. Looking out through the window, the street was completely deserted.
The surrounding crowds had already been dispersed.
At night, the county seat's streets were vast and dead silent under the dim yellow glow of streetlights, punctuated only by occasional dog barks in the distance.
Through the glass, Zhang Like stared at a three-story building about fifty meters away. A faint neon sign glowed at the ground-floor entrance, flickering with three characters: 'Mahjong Parlor.'
Time crawled by minute by minute. Occasionally, a teammate's low voice came through his earpiece with confirmation:
"Team One in position."
"Team Two in position."
"Team Three has encountered an unexpected hitch. The roof door lock on a nearby building is broken."
"Smash it open immediately."
Zhang Like began checking his bullets, and the teammates around him did the same.
In the silent air, the only sounds were the faint rustling of fabric and bullets chambering into weapons.
Suddenly, Zhang Like felt a surge of restless anxiety. He badly wanted to pull out his phone and call Lu Zhao.
The original plan had called for six teams. Now only three were left, including their own.
That meant every team had to shoulder twice the workload and face far greater risks, bringing with it countless worries.
What if they slip past through a blind spot I didn't notice?
What if they try to force their way through?
What if we can't secure the scene in an instant, and a firefight breaks out, causing casualties?
They weren't surrounding two ordinary people, but two superhumans possessing divine powers. Even though the large-caliber firearms in their hands guaranteed a fatal shot to any vital area, they still had to tread with immense caution.
In a real operation, enemies weren't target dummies; there was always cover for them to hide behind.
Driven by intense unease, Zhang Like turned to look at the squad around him and said, "I need to contact Lu Zhao."
This was a breach of protocol. He needed them to keep it quiet.
The men showed mixed reactions; for a moment, no one dared to be the first to speak up.
When a leader decides to bend the rules, backing him might earn you trust and advancement, while refusing will get you marginalized.
Yet if something went wrong, everyone would share the blame.
Some of the shrewder men thought even further ahead: by stating this openly, Zhang Like was forcing them to pick a side. Lu Zhao held a grudge against the station chief, and recently Captain Zhang had also openly clashed with Lü.
After a brief silence, a squad member close to Zhang Like said, "I'm with Captain Zhang. Lu Zhao is capable. Having him here makes us a lot safer."
With someone taking the lead, the rest immediately chimed in with their agreement.
Opposing it now would mean directly defying Zhang Like, whereas any future fallout wouldn't fall solely on one person's shoulders.
Besides, Zhang Like had been battalion commander for five years; almost everyone present had been promoted by him.
A smile appeared on Zhang Like's face, and he reassured them, "Don't worry too much, everyone. If blame is assigned, it won't land on your heads. We're all brothers here; I won't lead you into trouble."
Then he pulled out his phone and dialed Lu Zhao's number.
While waiting, the atmosphere in the vehicle felt strangely tense yet harmonious.
As the frontline backbone of the border defense station, they all knew each other well, but they had never felt as closely bound as they did right now.
Nothing forged closer bonds than facing risks together.
Beep!
The call connected.
"Something happen?"
Lu Zhao was concise and direct.
Zhang Like briefly recounted the situation and said, "I need you ready for deployment at any moment. I'll submit a request to higher-ups for a temporary transfer shortly."
"Location."
"No. 301 Huarong Road, Ning County. An internet café."
Hanging up the phone, Zhang Like hurriedly called the command center.
"This is Zhang Like from Team Three. Due to insufficient manpower, I request the temporary deployment of First Company Platoon Leader Lu Zhao."
Command center.
Set up inside a specially modified bus three kilometers away from the target.
Lin Zhiyan picked up the walkie-talkie and replied, "There's less than an hour until the operation begins. A temporary transfer cannot be processed in time."
When she learned of the manpower shortage that morning, Lin Zhiyan had considered bringing Lu Zhao in to help, but after recalling what happened last night, she had dismissed the idea.
Going to plead with Lu Zhao now would only make him all the more brazen.
Besides, there were only two enemies. Even with three fewer squads, they still held an overwhelming numerical advantage.
Lastly, time truly was running out; there was no time for the special investigation team to clear the administrative procedures.
Lin Zhiyan was not about to break protocol for Lu Zhao's sake.
The voice on the other end of the walkie-talkie answered, "I will submit a formal explanation to the organization afterward."
Beside her, the assistant spoke up: "Team Leader Lin, we really are short-handed. One more person guarantees success. As for the procedural issues, I've already prepared the documentation beforehand."
Lin Zhiyan dropped her objection and nodded. "Transfer approved. Send the request to Ant Ridge border defense station now."
Shortly after the transfer request was transmitted, a response came back.
The communications officer reported, "Ant Ridge border defense station has rejected the request."
Lin Zhiyan said expressionlessly, "Relay this to Zhang Like: the operation proceeds as planned."
The assistant said nothing more.
Power shifted with the circumstances. Before the operation began, Lin Zhiyan had held Lü Jinshan firmly under her thumb.
Yet with less than an hour remaining, unless a Martial Marquis from the prefecture gave the order, deploying Lu Zhao required going through Lü Jinshan.
When jurisdictions clashed, vertical management held priority as a basic rule.
Ant Ridge border defense station held personnel veto power.
Even if Lin Zhiyan wanted to settle scores afterward, it would be difficult to make an issue of it, because Lü Jinshan's refusal was strictly within regulations.
Bang!
Zhang Like slammed his fist against the car door window and cursed under his breath, "Fuck! That old dog Lü!"
Chapter 23