NOVEL WEB Chapter 891 Various Schemes
The group followed Ronnie's lead, sprinting through the jungle for roughly four or five kilometers before faint gunfire began echoing in the distance.
Ronnie's chosen route was excellent, narrowly evading the helicopter patrols overhead with each step.
After venturing deep into the jungle and meeting up with sniper 'Xiao Luo' at the observation point for his guidance to locate the other three members of Team C, the four Little Bird helicopters above suddenly turned and headed toward the source of the gunfire.
The battle unfolded on American soil, and the Little Birds deployed carried no missiles. However, the gunmen perched on both sides of the helicopters rained hell upon 'Bloody Mary' in the jungle.
The National Guard wasn't just targeting Joe Ga; they were intent on wiping out both mercenary teams in one fell swoop.
Joe Ga and his team followed 'Xiao Luo' to a hill. Just as they started to settle into cover and send a message to Poison Wolf's team, the distant battle took an unexpected turn…
Two 'Stinger' missiles shot into the air, striking the tails of two Little Bird helicopters with pinpoint accuracy.
Watching the smoking helicopters spiral downward, crashing hopelessly into the jungle, Joe Ga pulled out his satellite phone and dialed Cooper…
"Brother, the National Guard's helicopters have been shot down. If you're not taking action soon, this fight will escalate further.
I'd rather not kill those clueless soldiers, but if push comes to shove, I will…"
"Hu Lang, hang in there. I've obtained authorization from the Department of Justice. I'm about to meet the National Guard leader.
Hold on. Block those mercenaries—you know what to do…"
Joe Ga hung up the phone, glanced at the helicopter crews scrambling due to the 'Stinger' strikes, and told 'Xiao Luo', "Contact Poison Wolf's team and have them stall Bloody Mary. We're heading their way…
We have to bring them down. Someone's got to take the fall for this mess!"
Just as Joe Ga spoke, Poison Wolf's voice suddenly crackled to life…
"Boss, we're near the northern ridge. Bloody Mary's team is trying to cross the ridge and escape. They've planned their retreat path ahead. If you want to bring them all down, you better hurry."
Joe Ga didn't hesitate and nodded firmly, saying, "Hold out, we'll be there soon."
Saying this, Joe Ga patted Dorian's shoulder, saying, "Elephant, let's move out…"
But this time, Dorian didn't comply with Joe Ga's orders. He shook his head decisively, saying, "Boss…"
Beside him, Spurs and Orange Cat exchanged a glance, then stepped up and said, "Boss, this time we lead the charge…"
Spurs glanced back at Depp from the Fallen Angels Squad and said, "You won't disappoint us, will you?"
Depp nodded seriously, saying, "We're going to leave all those lawless bastards behind and give the National Guard bastards a little 'greeting'…"
As Depp was speaking, a blinding flash erupted in the jungle behind them, followed by a thunderous boom. Everyone turned to look and heard a barrage of gunfire erupt in that sector of the forest…
Knowing the National Guard was closing in, Joe Ga looked at Ronnie and Jack, saying, "You'll handle stopping them, right?"
Ronnie glanced at the darkening sky and grinned, "No problem, boss. These people can't fight a proper battle; I'll make sure they back off obediently."
............
At a makeshift camp near a southern town…
Cooper led a group of agents, armed with a Department of Justice mandate, forcing past several armed soldiers blocking their way and stormed into the camp, running toward a neatly arranged field tent…
In the distance, Cooper noticed a large group of soldiers, fully armed, rushing toward armored vehicles, and spotted two Black Hawk helicopters preparing for takeoff, their rocket pods now installed…
Cooper stormed into the tent in fury, shouting at a General in the midst of giving orders, "Call your people off now! You're attacking FBI personnel!"
The gray-haired General looked up at Cooper and sneered, "FBI personnel destroyed our artillery battalion, resulting in the deaths of 23 soldiers?
The FBI took down two of our helicopters with Stingers?
Now it's your turn to explain why your people are barging into our exercise grounds!"
Ignoring Cooper's documents, the General turned to his guards, instructing, "Detain them—our brothers are under attack, and our helicopter pilots are still alive.
We'll do our job; it's their turn to explain themselves!"
Lesler drew his gun and confronted the approaching armed soldiers…
Taking advantage, Cooper shouted, "I have the Department of Justice's file, General Ogen. You're making a grave mistake.
There's a deadly foreign mercenary team in the jungle, and our HRT is engaged in combat with them.
You've recklessly interfered with the FBI's mission and attacked the site of engagement with mortar fire.
You owe me an explanation—otherwise, every single one of you here is coming before a military court!
Attacking the HRT without authorization is treason!"
A flicker of panic crossed General Ogen's face, but he had no retreat.
Only by citing the National Guard's assault justification and eliminating everyone in the jungle could he secure his position.
He and the Governor of Oregon have an arrangement with Rashiri's faction: as long as everyone involved was dead, someone from Rashiri's side would clean up their mess.
This political struggle tied to the presidency was ironic, considering most people involved had no idea what was really happening…
Seeing his guards hesitating, General Ogen barked, "Why are you standing still?
Our men are still fighting on the frontlines—detain them! If there's a problem, I'll take responsibility!"
As the soldiers raised guns and edged closer, their fingers ready to fire, Cooper furiously raised his phone and documents, filming while shouting, "I'm holding a Department of Justice mandate, recording every action here, and everyone involved will face consequences.
You're part of the National Guard—don't follow Cliff Ogen's mistakes. There are FBI personnel among your targets. Cease your actions immediately, or I swear you'll end up rotting in prison."
The National Guardsmen, notoriously undertrained and low morale, hesitated under Cooper's denouncement…
This exercise had been dubious from the start, and now Cooper was casting Ogen as a traitor, planting doubts among the troops.
Sensing the hesitation, General Ogen declared, "The National Guard operates under state government jurisdiction. The Department of Justice has no authority over our actions.
I'm giving you one chance to lay down your weapons, or else…"
Cooper cut him off, shouting, "This is a crisis situation. The Department of Justice is invoking Article 172 of the Constitution. During emergencies, the National Guard must comply with federal directives.
Contact your headquarters. The Department of Homeland Security must have relayed the order.
Ogen, don't act foolishly. These soldiers are innocent; they shouldn't die for this."
General Ogen frowned and waved dismissively, saying, "Our helicopters were downed, and two pilots are alive.
My men are going to rescue them now. Step aside, and when we've eradicated those mercenaries, we'll discuss the rest."
Ogen's 'rescue' excuse robbed Cooper of the upper hand.
As guards fired warning shots into the ground, demanding Lesler and his team disarm, Cooper shook his head, saying, "You'll regret this…"
General Ogen shook his head, saying, "Unless the Governor himself calls me, I will not abandon the mission to save my men."
............
Joe Ga was unaware of Cooper's setbacks, nor did he realize unprofessional National Guard units were advancing into the jungle despite their lack of proper knowledge about their targets…
The leading units comprised General Ogen's loyalists, ordered to eliminate everyone.
The soldiers had no idea they were targeting FBI personnel!
With two Black Hawk helicopters fitted with rockets, along with two Little Birds returning after retreating earlier, the jungle's dynamics began to slip beyond Joe Ga's control.
.........
Bloody Mary was utterly bewildered, not comprehending their predicament.
'Cactus' somewhat knew they'd been betrayed but couldn't fathom why they'd be sold out before completing their mission.
With forces blocking them along the ridge ahead and National Guard units pressing in from behind, Cactus was trapped in the middle.
Frustrated, he dialed the contact multiple times via satellite phone.
When no answer came, he angrily contacted the international intermediary company…
"We've been betrayed…"
As the smooth-voiced operator cheerfully greeted, Cactus furiously explained their situation, shouting, "Get us out of here! It's a setup—our client intended to kill us from the start!"
............
Aaron sat in his luxuriously furnished prison cell, listening to passionate symphonies as he enjoyed steak and wine. Receiving the company's call, he paused briefly before a sardonic smile spread across his lips…
"Notify the investigators and Executors. Detain the intermediary immediately, and arrange for someone to invite the Governor and National Guard leader's families over for a chat.
We need to discuss what happens to those who betray us.
Well, how long has it been since the international intermediary company saw a major incident like this?
The North American stakeholders have been too comfortable for too long—perhaps some of them need to relinquish their shares…"
............
As various factions strategized, Joe Ga's team prepared to flank the battlefront…
Meanwhile, two Black Hawks descended, unleashing rockets across Bloody Mary's position.
The pine canopy shielded Bloody Mary's squad, as most rockets detonated among the treetops. Though fire rained upon the mercenaries, it failed to deliver a decisive blow…
However, Joe Ga's flank attack was a different story…
With HRT units leading the charge, precision shooting began harvesting mercenary lives. The helicopters' side-mounted guns resumed their barrage…
But they didn't last long—a swarm of Springblade drones struck low-flying helicopter rotors, triggering explosions that rendered two Black Hawks and two Little Birds unsteady, forcing them into the jungle for crash landings.
Simultaneously, more drones descended on Bloody Mary's ranks, detonating in their midst...
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Joe Ga leapt from cover. On his sides, Dorian and Ayula spaced out, providing ranged firepower to cover the advancing HRT units…
In the dark, Joe Ga scanned through his goggles, swiftly locking onto one target after another…
"Tat, tat-tat, tat-tat…"