The film starts with the Navy SEALs

Chapter 2303 Zayev and Ariana

In his heart, as the leader of the team, he felt an inescapable responsibility for what happened to Stonbug, and this self-blame was like a venomous snake, constantly gnawing at his heart.

"The pressure is immense. You're just repeating the same mistakes. Do you remember last time? It was something similar that caused you to break down from self-blame, and the deaths of your men caused you immense pain," Jim said earnestly, looking at Colonel Ke Chuan. He knew the pain and struggle Colonel Ke Chuan was going through and was worried that he would fall into the abyss of self-blame again, affecting future decision-making and the morale of his team.

"I am indeed to blame. I am the commander, and the life and death of the entire team rest on my shoulders. If something goes wrong, who else can I blame but myself?" Colonel Ke Chuan said, his brows furrowed tightly. In his mind, as the commander, he had to be responsible for the safety of every team member, and he felt that the sacrifice of any team member was his dereliction of duty.

“Then act like a commander. This is not the time to wallow in self-blame. The Americans just shared crucial intelligence with us. Reliable reports from jihadist strongholds in Europe indicate that Zayev has openly sworn to unite all armed forces into a powerful terrorist force.” Jimus’s expression grew increasingly serious, his tone grave. This revelation served as a wake-up call for Colonel Ke Chuan, making him acutely aware of the urgency and severity of the situation.

"If he truly acquires Kalmedi's weapons, the consequences will be unimaginable. If this batch of weapons falls into Zayev's hands, it will be like giving terrorists a shot in the arm; they will be even more powerful, posing a huge threat to the security of all of Europe and even the world," Colonel Kochuan said with a furrowed brow and deep concern. He knew all too well the terrible disaster that would befall the world if Zayev's terrorist forces were armed with this batch of weapons.

“We’ve been on high alert against lone wolf attacks, constantly worried that they might drive trucks loaded with explosives and recklessly ram into their targets, causing massive casualties. But if this arsenal leaves the Balkans, the consequences will be far more dire. Terrorists in major European cities will then be equipped with military-grade weapons, their destructive power will increase exponentially, and the potential casualties will be far more devastating and shocking than the Munich attack. Therefore, you must get your team ready immediately, seize every second, and launch the operation. We cannot allow Sergeant Stunbitch to have sacrificed himself in vain.” Jimus spoke earnestly, his tone unwavering, attempting to make Colonel Ke Chuan fully understand the importance and urgency of this operation, emphasizing that there could be no room for complacency.

Colonel Ke Chuan remained frowning, lost in thought for a moment, and showed no intention of issuing the order immediately. He was well aware of the immense responsibility this decision carried; every word and every action could determine the lives of the team members and the success or failure of the mission, and he had to consider it carefully.

"What's wrong?" Jim asked Colonel Ke Chuan, looking at him with a puzzled expression.

“You’ve been doing this so often lately, always trying to find ways to give me a nudge, but it’s really unnecessary. I understand your good intentions and I’m aware of the importance and danger of this mission, but this constant reminder sometimes makes me feel a bit pressured,” Colonel Ke Chuan said. He understood that Jims was acting out of responsibility for the mission and his team, but this frequent reminder made him feel somewhat uneasy.

“We have already lost soldiers in this, and I cannot bear to see more casualties. Every soldier is our pride and a precious asset to the nation. I must do everything in my power to ensure their safety and complete the mission to stop the expansion of terrorist forces,” Jim said solemnly, his eyes revealing his deep respect for the lives of his soldiers and his strong sense of responsibility for the mission. His gaze was firm and unwavering, as if conveying a steadfast belief to Colonel Ke Chuan.

"Alright, sorry." Colonel Ke Chuan took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and turned to leave without saying anything more. At this moment, he had made a firm decision: he must put aside his burdens and lead his team to bravely meet the challenge, for the sake of their mission, to prevent further sacrifices, and to protect world peace and tranquility, and give it his all.

Upon arriving at the area assigned to Team B, Colonel Ke Chuan's expression was resolute, his eyes revealing unwavering determination. He surveyed his surroundings, taking in the familiar yet spirited faces, then took a deep breath and addressed Long Zhan and the others in a firm and powerful voice: "20th Division, prepare for action! Apprehend the target!" His voice resonated throughout the area like a booming bell, instantly igniting the team's fighting spirit. Excitement and anticipation shone in their eyes as they swiftly sprang into action, making final preparations for the impending capture operation. A thrilling and crucial battle was about to unfold; they would embark on an unknown and challenging journey, carrying a mission and responsibility.

In the vast, desolate Stovaniko region of Bosnia, night falls like a heavy, impenetrable black blanket, completely enveloping the wilderness. In this wilderness, a solitary detached house stands out like an island in the darkness. No modern lights are on inside; only a dilapidated kerosene lamp flickers and sways forlornly in the pitch-black space. The dim, yellowish light seems to be waging a difficult and futile struggle against the darkness, barely dispelling a small patch of gloom, unable to penetrate the inky blackness of the night.

Inside, a group of terrorists, like wolves lurking in the shadows, each with a fierce expression, stood with various weapons neatly arranged around them. These weapons gleamed coldly in the dim light, seemingly silently foreshadowing the impending bloodshed and violence. The terrorists exuded a chilling aura of ruthlessness and restlessness. They stared intently at their surroundings, ready to pounce on their prey like hungry wolves, unleashing a brutal slaughter at any moment. A tense and oppressive atmosphere filled the air, as if the slightest spark could ignite this lurking crisis.

Zayev was alone in a small room nearby. His thick, unruly hair and beard, like a tangled thicket of thorns, almost completely obscured his head, revealing only a pair of deep, unfathomable eyes. He was wearing a short-sleeved shirt and holding a pair of scissors, carefully and slowly trimming his beard in front of a worn mirror. However, in this seemingly ordinary scene, something strange happened. Mach, who should have been reduced to dust and ashes in the explosion, appeared silently behind Zayev like a ghost. Mach's eyes were empty and lost, as if he had lost his soul. He stared blankly at Zaev's back, his lips trembling slightly, and he began to mutter, "You're quite the powerful and influential person you are now, aren't you? All the major organizations in Europe are bowing down at your feet, submitting to you. My great and incomparable leader Zaev, you've endured countless twists and turns and hardships to get to where you are today. It hasn't been easy. Do you remember our unbearable childhood? Back then, we..." Weak and helpless, I could only hide in that cramped, dark, and damp hole under the eaves, watching helplessly as the soldiers roamed freely outside. Back then, to protect you, I racked my brains, tried every possible method, and gave it my all. But now? I am trapped in endless torment of hell, beyond redemption. All of this is thanks to you, my dear brother. You cruelly pushed me into this abyss of hell…”

"Bang! Crash!" Upon hearing Mach's curse-like words, Zaev's inner rage erupted like a volcano. He whirled around and, with all his might, slammed his fist into the glass in front of him. With a deafening crash, the glass hanging on the wall shattered into countless pieces, sharp shards flying like projectiles in all directions. His fist was mercilessly pierced by the glass in the violent impact, and crimson blood gushed out like a spring, dripping down his arm and gradually pooling into a small, shocking red stain on the ground. With that crash, Mach, who had been muttering, vanished without a trace, like a fleeting bubble. However, Zaev seemed completely oblivious to the excruciating pain in his hand, standing there blankly, staring at nothing in the distance, lost in thought. Only the blood continued to flow, as if telling the painful story of this cruel past. The next day, in a desolate, eerily silent wilderness, a fierce wind howled like a runaway horse, whipping up dust and forming yellow plumes in the air. Zaev stood alone, proudly defiant in the wilderness, facing Ariana and her group. Zaev's face showed no fear or concern; his cold gaze swept over the faces of those opposite him, as if they were nothing more than insignificant ants. About ten meters behind each side, two black sedans were parked, their bodies reflecting a cold gleam in the sunlight. The men who stepped out were all burly, their eyes revealing a fierce and wary nature; they were clearly not benevolent. Like a pack of well-trained hunting dogs, they were ready to attack at their master's command.

"Did you understand what I just said?" Ariana crossed her arms, her expression cold and serious, her tone carrying an unquestionable authority, as if conveying a firm will to Zaev.

“Of course, you said you couldn’t deliver on time.” Zaev tilted his head and replied expressionlessly, a hint of dissatisfaction in his eyes, as if he had expected this news but was still unwilling to accept it.

“That Calmedy guy wouldn’t give in, and he actually got away. We’re now searching for him with all our might, and we’ve used every resource we can.” Ariana’s brow furrowed slightly, her tone tinged with helplessness and frustration, clearly finding Calmedy’s escape very troublesome.

"Do we really have to rely on him? Isn't there any other way?" Zaev questioned, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Ariana and Rorik, trying to find the answer in their expressions, his eyes revealing a hint of urgency and doubt.

“Only by knowing the container's combination can we successfully locate that crucial batch of weapons. Currently, it seems that Kalmedy is the only one who knows the combination.” Rorek stepped forward, speaking calmly and steadily, his voice clear and firm, trying to make Zaev understand the complexity of the situation.

“But I bet you have another plan, so stop beating around the bush.” Zaev lowered his head and glanced at Rorek with a scrutinizing and probing look in his eyes, as if trying to see through Rorek’s thoughts.

“That’s right, there are other ways, but doing so would be quite a big deal and could lead to a series of unpredictable consequences,” Rorek admitted. He seemed to be weighing the pros and cons and was quite conflicted about the feasibility and potential risks of this approach.

"It doesn't matter if there's a commotion, I don't care about any of that," Zaev said nonchalantly, his tone brimming with arrogance and determination, as if any difficulties or obstacles were insignificant to him.

“Being too conspicuous is not good; it could easily cause unnecessary trouble. If we make too much noise, it could attract the attention of various forces, and then we would be in an even more passive situation.” Rorek patiently explained, trying to make Zaev understand the stakes involved. He knew that in this complex situation, any careless move could have disastrous consequences.

“Your son doesn’t seem to trust me much,” Zaev said to Ariana with a hint of sarcasm. A meaningful smile played on his lips, but there was no real mirth in his eyes.

“Your brother almost killed his father back then. We’ve always remembered that blood debt.” Ariana replied expressionlessly, her brief words containing deep hatred and a complex past. A cold glint flashed in her eyes, as if recalling that painful memory, the hatred in her heart was reignited.

“I’m not my brother, and he’s not his father. I desperately need that batch of weapons to realize my plans. You, on the other hand, need the million dollars Mach left me to strengthen your own power. Western soldiers are still in the Balkans, and the situation is constantly changing. This might be our last chance to get what we want. If we miss this opportunity, it will be hard to find another like it,” Zaev said, a hint of urgency and greed flashing in his eyes. He was well aware of the urgency of the current situation and understood the interests of both sides, trying to persuade Ariana and Rorek to cooperate with him. (End of Chapter)

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