Chapter 465 Aleppo
April 2nd, 10am.
In a remote Turkish town called Kemach, members of the Dongfeng Corps stopped on their way to make temporary repairs.
People pretending to be tourists were sitting in the only dessert coffee shop in this town, drinking coffee and discussing the next route.
The bodies of the seriously injured and dead members have been transported through the Black Sea. There are currently 8 combatants left in the Dongfeng Corps, and 4 intelligence personnel from Wu Cong's side are left.
Chen Chen's left arm was still unable to support a wide range of movements, but after being splinted and re-handled by Pingchuan, at least the pain was no longer unbearable.
Wu Cong, who was sitting opposite him, pretended to look at the tourist map casually and said:
"We have to get to Ovacik as soon as possible."
"These thirty kilometers are basically no-man's land. After passing through this no-man's land, we change cars in Ovacik, and then we can enter the mountainous area."
"Coming out of Ovacik, we drove southwest."
“Go around Elazig to Chelmik and then around Adiyaman to Nikip.”
"After arriving at Nikip, the next round of support should also arrive."
"From here, we will be escorted to Gilis. After Gilis, we will reach Aleppo in Syria."
"In urban areas, it is almost impossible for them to find us, and it is also much more difficult to launch air strikes."
"So, once we enter Aleppo, we should be able to take a short break."
Hearing his words, Chen Chen nodded slightly.
Then, he asked:
"How far behind are we now that the CIA is behind us?"
"Judging from the opponent's scheduling, they will not be behind us for more than two hours."
"But it's strange. With their intelligence capabilities, it's impossible for them to not close the gap even after 20 hours."
"The best-case scenario is that Andrea's death has really dealt a heavy blow to their intelligence system, and they don't have the extra power to track us."
"The worst-case scenario is that they have actually bitten us, but instead of taking action immediately, they create the illusion of lagging behind."
"Both are possible, but neither is supported by clear evidence."
"So all we can do is continue to move faster."
"No matter what the other side does, as long as we can enter Aleppo, we are basically safe for the time being."
"As for how to carry out the subsequent tasks, that is a matter later."
After the words fell, everyone in the coffee shop nodded subconsciously.
But at this moment, Chen Chen suddenly noticed a problem.
He remembered that Wu Cong said at the time that there was a special force in Istanbul, a special force who did not know who it was.
But since the chaos in Istanbul until now, this special force has still not shown its face.
Where are they and what is their mission?
What matters are so important that even Andrea's death is not enough to mobilize them?
In other words, they are no longer in Istanbul but have gone to other places?
Thinking of this, Chen Chen's expression suddenly became a little solemn.
This time the evacuation went too smoothly, as if we had left the enemy far behind.
So is it possible that our enemy is not behind us, but waiting in front?
Chen Chen immediately explained his thoughts to Wu Cong, and Wu Cong felt exactly the same as him.
“Should we change the point of entry?”
Chen Chen asked.
"It can be changed, but I don't know if it's necessary."
"There is no way our responders were exposed because they have not conducted any activity to date."
"It can be said that the only purpose of their existence is to respond to this incident."
"If that's the case, the only reason the other party can find us is because we ourselves have been targeted."
"So, switching entry points is actually useless."
"Understood."
Chen Chen nodded slightly, and then asked curiously:
"Why is there such a response team there? Is it a temporary arrangement?"
"No, when we arrived in Turkey, they had already arrived in Syria at the same time."
"There are only three of them, but all three of them can sacrifice themselves for us."
"Because once the evacuation occurs, it means that a major change has occurred in Türkiye."
"And the people who are evacuated from Turkey will definitely carry something that can change everything."
"Whether it's intelligence or something else."
An incredibly long-term move.
Chen Chen exhaled in admiration. At this moment, what he saw seemed to be an exquisite chess game.
When the players from both sides were fighting for a piece of corner territory and White's dragon was almost beheaded, the seemingly useless chess piece that landed near Tianyuan actually connected for the dragon. He took a breath and took stock of the whole situation.
This may seem like destiny or luck, but in fact, the long-term strategic plan behind it is what is truly breathtaking.
"Come on, we have to move on."
Chen Chen put down the finished coffee cup in his hand, and then everyone stood up one after another.
Their formation was sparse, as if they were travelers crossing the desert in pursuit of the beautiful scenery.
But no one knows what kind of arduous trek they have experienced in the past 20 hours.
Chen Chen opened the door of the off-road vehicle parked outside and got into the passenger seat.
Immediately afterwards, everyone got into the car one after another. Lin He stepped on the accelerator and sped away along the road from Kaimach to Ovacik.
I have to say that Türkiye’s natural scenery is truly unique.
On both sides of the road are light yellow sand dunes and mountains. The mountains are dotted with a little green, but more of them are endless dust.
At this time, it was sunset, and the red sunset hung far away on the right side of the car. The sunlight penetrated through the car window and dyed everyone's faces red.
Music was already playing in the car. Chen Chen looked out the window and discovered a continuous stretch of city walls and fortresses on the sand dunes not far away.
"What is that?"
Chen Chen asked.
Looking in his direction, Wu Cong shook his head, but Xia Xing answered:
“That’s the Castle of Kemakh, also called Anikamak, the seat of the Parthian Armenian dynasty—the site of the mausoleum, to be precise.”
"The tomb of Tiridates III, a man who played a major role in popularizing Christianity, is here."
"Of course, in a sense, he was also responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of Armenians."
"Why?"
Chen Chen asked doubtfully.
"Because of the Kiama Canyon Massacre."
"During World War I, some radical elements massacred more than 2,500 Armenians here alone in order to force them to convert their faith."
"So in fact, this is not just a Parthian cemetery, it's an Armenian cemetery."
"We don't know how many bones are buried under our wheels."
After hearing Xia Xing's words, Chen Chen fell silent for a moment.
This was a rare opportunity for him to come into contact with the history of other countries and other regions, and in Xia Xing's narration, he did experience that "heaviness".
Thousands of years have passed, and only the ruins of the once glorious empire remain, but the disputes have continued from thousands of years ago to modern times.
——
Maybe it's actually now.
What's the point?
Chen Chen has always felt that religions are illusory things.
It is just the comfort that human beings pray to the non-existent nothingness when they are unable to control their own destiny.
But it seems that some people in this world regard this as their only solace.
Chen Shen has no way to judge their beliefs or their values.
He was just confused.
Is this kind of belief really "useful"?
At least according to his values, a useless god is not worthy of enjoying incense.
Not to mention the paradise and virginity that can only be fulfilled after death. If you burn incense today and it doesn’t rain tomorrow, the cannons will shoot you in the sky.
Of course, this is just an exaggeration.
However, such weak sparks flickering on the surface may also show the differences between some huge systems.
Chen Chen sighed softly, and the vehicle continued to drive forward. The ruins of Kemach Castle were far behind, and after driving more than 20 kilometers, a large waterfall suddenly appeared in front of everyone.
This also means that their destination for changing cars is approaching.
The car entered Ovacik all the way. In order to get rid of the possible aerial reconnaissance or satellite reconnaissance dispatched by the CIA, everyone entered the city of Ovacik and dispersed to various places to purchase necessary food and drinking water.
Immediately afterwards, the group waited for 4 hours in Ovacik and took different vehicles out of the city in 6 batches.
The six vehicles drove in completely different directions and had to be more than 20 kilometers apart before they turned in the right direction.
Moreover, from the beginning to the end, the six vehicles did not merge again. Instead, they reported their positions and directions to each other through satellite phones and radios, and each drove to the next target.
This method of hiding their whereabouts was only a small trick for Wu Cong and others. They successfully arrived at Chelmik, and then spent another 4 hours to reach Nikip.
In Nikip, Chen Chen met the long-awaited response staff. Here, the intelligence team led by Wu Cong parted ways with the Dongfeng Corps.
Wu Cong and three others stayed in Nikip to lurk on standby, while Xia Xing continued to Gilis with eight members of the Dongfeng Corps.
Following the D850 highway, the Dongfeng Corps finally arrived at the border of Türkiye and Syria.
This place has been heavily guarded. At first glance, it seems that there is no chance of crossing the border.
——
However, under the leadership of the connector, the convoy turned off the D850 highway less than 1 kilometer from the border.
After traveling 5 kilometers westward, the two off-road vehicles passed a lightly defended checkpoint, crossed the Turkish-Syrian border, and entered the Syrian border.
After traveling a few kilometers into Syria and escaping from Turkish military surveillance, the contact person stopped the car and said to Xia Xing:
"Then it's up to you."
"It's only 70 kilometers from here to Aleppo. If everything goes well, we can get there within an hour."
"After arriving in Aleppo, go directly to the scheduled pick-up location."
"Our friends will provide you with temporary shelter and provide details of the next mission."
"You have worked hard."
"be safe."
"clear."
Xia Xing nodded slightly, and then the contact person turned and left.
He didn't drive, and Chen Chen didn't know how he was going to return, but it seemed that Xia Xing didn't pay much attention to this issue.
Compared to Chen Chen, she understands intelligence work better, or the logic of intelligence workers. In her opinion, the other party will always have their own way.
Without looking back, everyone drove straight to Aleppo.
Along the way, Chen Chen didn't see many traces of war.
There are no ruins, no endless flames, no gunmen running around, no armored vehicles, and no pickup trucks with gas cannons.
This place seems to be as peaceful as the Turkey they just left. Although the residential areas are a bit dilapidated, there are not many "sad" expressions on the faces of people on the roadside.
Maybe for them, war is still a far away thing?
It's just civil unrest, that's a crisis that the higher-ups should deal with.
For ordinary people, they just need to live their own lives, right?
However, it is not.
Chen Chen knew that the peace here was only temporary.
According to Wu Cong's intelligence analysis, the Free Syrian Army will soon launch a full-scale attack on Aleppo, and once the battle begins, the entire Aleppo will be reduced to ruins!
War is always so cruel, and all beautiful things will be destroyed in gunfire.
——
However, Chen Chen is now in no mood to mourn their upcoming suffering.
The motorcade continued to move toward Aleppo, and the closer it got to Aleppo, the tighter Chen Chen's emotions became.
He became increasingly certain that his enemy was waiting in Aleppo.
But in what form they will appear, he has no idea.
We can only get through as soon as possible.
Chen Chen tightened his grip on the gun he had just taken out of the trunk. Even though his left arm was still aching, he ignored it.
He was ready for a fight, no matter where it took place.
Meanwhile, north of Aleppo, Tal Rifat.
An elite team wearing desert camouflage is lurking in the desert. The antennas arranged by the communications troops are covered by rotten and dry branches. Under the branches, a screen that is not too big is showing aerial footage from a drone. .
The pilot operating the drone adjusted the zoom ratio of the high-precision optical lens. After confirming the captured target license plate, he said to the team leader who was standing by:
"Target confirmed, 9 people, 3 vehicles."
"The location is near Ghabur, a village in the east of Afrin, 4.9 kilometers away, heading due north."
"They are on their way to Aleppo and are expected to arrive in 25 minutes."
"Optional interception locations, Mayer, Nabo, Haja."
"The fighter jets have taken off and are expected to arrive in 40 minutes."
"We need to hold the opponent back for 15 minutes until the fighter locks their position."
"The window period is very narrow, I recommend starting right away."
"receive."
After hearing his words, the team leader put away the telescope in his hand.
Then, he ordered:
"Leave immediately and go to Mayer to set up defenses."
"Issue mission information briefing."
"Our goal is to stop them and then use hellfire to blow them all to death!"