Chapter 145.1: What Happened (2)
Chapter 145 - Book 9 Chapter 6: What happened? (2)
Du-du-du-du-du! Bannng!
As they felt the cargo plane slowly descend, they heard the engine making noises.
“Ugh!” Seok Kang-Ho shook the coffee that he spilled off his hand, then quickly wiped his hand on his clothes. Thanks to his little accident, Kang Chan no longer had to reply to Gérard’s question about how he felt about this operation.
“Stop talking nonsense and get the map,” Kang Chan told Gérard.
“Copy that. I’ll bring it over.”
Gérard went through the curtains. After a short moment, he came back with four map pages. Since the map was as wide as a desk, it was big enough for all of the soldiers in the plane to see when he placed it down on the floor.
“This is our target location, the Col des Corbeaux in Switzerland. We have been informed that the SBS will be in this area,” Gérard explained.
“I was told that we would be crossing from the French side.”
“That’s right. It’ll be much more advantageous for us to fight them head-on, so this plane will land at the military base in Col du Genévrier. That’s where we will take a helicopter to our destination.”
“There’s really only one path that people can take on this rough mountain. The SBS aren’t stupid, though, so I doubt they’ll actually use that path.”
Gérard nodded in response to Kang Chan’s explanation. He then said, “Take a look at this.”
He spread out the newspaper-sized map, which had been folded in half, in front of Kang Chan. “There’s only one road that connects the two places. However, this five-kilometer section starting from here to here might become a problem—this spot is flat enough for the enemy to lay in wait and ambush us. Moreover, in case of emergencies, they can just easily retreat into the mountain.”
“How long has it been since the SBS arrived?”
“Today’s their third day in the area.”
Kang Chan looked at the map with a frown. “It’ll probably be difficult to just drop down.”
“Their snipers will be more than glad to shoot us down.”
If they parachuted to where the SBS were lying in ambush, then they would sooner or later find out that Gérard was right.
“Gérard,” Kang Chan called.
Gérard looked up.
“About the Hadron Collider—if the SBS is going there to destroy it, wouldn’t it be better to strengthen its security?” Kang Chan asked.
“I heard that they have already done that. They dispatched the GIGN to guard it.”
“I see. What’s with the other map?”
“This map has a more detailed outline of the surrounding area. It’s all mountains, though, so there isn’t really anything in particular that we have to take a closer look at. To go over this side of the mountain, people have to be an expert in mountain climbing. Even then, they won’t be able to move quickly. At that height, oxygen is quite thin.”
“What weapons are they equipped with?” Kang Chan asked again.
“The MP5SD.”
Kang Chan nodded. The special forces preferred that weapon the most.
Not only were its noises extremely suppressed, but it also had great accuracy and high magazine capacity.
“Captain, is it really okay for the Korean team to take part in this operation alone?”
Why is this fucker being so serious?
When Kang Chan smirked at Gérard, the latter pointed to a spot on the map. “I think this is the best place to stand guard and ambush our enemies from. This is the very reason we planned for you to head over to Switzerland from France. The helicopter will go right in front of this area to get… to this place here.”
Gérard was pointing to a one-way access road that people had to stop over to go into France. It was an excellent enough location for everyone to choose no matter who they asked.
“How far will you accompany us?” Kang Chan asked.
Gérard looked at Kang Chan with a dissatisfied look in his eyes.
“I can’t afford to look after someone with a hole in his shoulder. I know how you feel, but we have to make rational judgments.”
“I’m supposed to return with the helicopter,” Gérard admitted with a deep sigh. He knew how burdensome it was to have a wounded person butt into an operation. He wanted to come with them, but he couldn’t argue further.
“Gérard, listen carefully. From now on, we will call this area right here Alpha. This is Beta.” Kang Chan leaned his head closer to Gérard as he spoke, and Gérard quickly checked where Kang Chan had pointed to.
“If we run into a problem, plan a rescue operation with one of these two areas as the starting point once you get back. How do I contact you?” Kang Chan asked.
“We will be using a satellite phone like last time.”
Kang Chan shook his head. “Our locations will be exposed too easily if we do that. Every day, I’m going to turn on the phone at eight in the morning and eight in the evening. I’ll turn it off after ten minutes. If you have to contact me, then do it within those time frames. However, unlike us, you have to be on standby at all times in case we have to contact you.”
“Understood.” Gérard anxiously looked at Kang Chan.
“Honestly, I don’t have a good feeling about this. I have been feeling uneasy for the past few days already. It’s such a relief that you’re the guide,” Kang Chan explained.
“How bad is it?”
Kang Chan quickly looked around their surroundings. “I don’t know yet. I’m sure you’re already aware of this, but I only feel things right before the situation arises. If by any chance the operation goes south, then you have to do what it takes to launch another operation. If you have no choice but to pass on incorrect information to us, then make sure to include Dayeru in a sentence. I will take that as a code that you’re being threatened. The moment you use it, I’ll come get you alone.”
“Is it that bad?”
“The only reason we can do this is because we already know each other. If we had someone else as our guide, I couldn’t have told them something like this. Anyway, think of what I just said as a backup plan.”
Gérard nodded after pursing his lips.
“Still, it’s such a relief that you’re here—at least I won’t have to be suspicious about your intentions.”
Gérard simply smirked in response.
“We can’t be flying nonstop straight to Switzerland, so where’s the layover?” Kang Chan asked.
“We will be refueling at the United States’ military base in Qatar.”
They still had plenty of time.
“What weapons do we have?” Kang Chan asked again.
“Let me get them. Can someone help me out?” Gérard asked.
Seok Kang-Ho stood up when Kang Chan glanced at him. They had experienced this before.
Drrrrr. Clank. Clank. Drrrrr.
They moved a big box and opened its lid, revealing military uniforms and weapons.
“We brought our own military uniforms,” Cha Dong-Gyun said.
“Your own military uniforms? Let me see them.”
Cha Dong-Gyun quickly opened his jump bag and showed Kang Chan the light gray military uniform that they had brought. When turned inside out, it could offer adequate camouflage on green fields.
It was late fall in France, but since they were going to be in the mountains, it wouldn’t be wrong to assume that it would be as cold as the beginning of winter.
The uniform was light gray, so it offered decent camouflage in such areas.
“Put that on,” Kang Chan said.
“We brought a few more uniforms. We’re hoping everyone would find one that fits them.” At Cha Dong-Gyun’s command, a soldier brought over clothes, bandanas, and helmets.
Everyone changed into their uniforms and military boots, put on a bandana and a helmet, and attached a walkie-talkie to themselves.
Next up were weapons.
“We don’t know how long this will take, so bring as much ammo as you can. Make sure to have a sleeping bag and other necessary tools and equipment in your bags as well,” Kang Chan ordered.
Like what he did in his previous operations, Kang Chan attached six rifle magazines, two pistols, four pistol magazines, and a bowie knife to him.
He also stashed away another magazine in his bag along with a sleeping bag, a field ax, a shovel, a rope, and other equipment he thought could come in handy.
After finishing up his preparations, Kang Chan felt more reassured.
“The teams will be the same as last time. I will be commanding one, and Seok Kang-Ho will be commanding team two. Team one!” Kang Chan yelled.
Twelve soldiers raised their hands. One of them was Choi Jong-Il.
“Team two!” Seok Kang-Ho called. He then looked at the soldiers who raised their hands.
With basic preparations out of the way, Kang Chan sat down in his seat. Not long after, Cha Dong-Gyun handed him and Seok Kang-Ho a watch that had black leather straps.
There was no harm in wearing a watch, so Kang Chan just put it on and smoked a cigarette.
“It’s about time we get some sleep, isn’t it?” Kang Chan asked Gérard.
“There’s a bed inside. It’s more comfortable than the ones here.”
“It’s fine, I’ll sleep here. Why would I sleep on a bed that’s meant for patients? I’ll see you when it’s time to eat.”
“Alright.”
As Kang Chan looked at the beds, Gérard stood up.
More than half of the members were already laying down.
“Are you going to sleep?” Seok Kang-Ho asked Kang Chan.
“Yeah. You should sleep as well.”
“Don’t worry. I will.”
After Seok Kang-Ho climbed up to the top bunk, Kang Chan lay down. The sound of the engine and the strange vibration that they felt from the bottom of the aircraft sounded like a lullaby.
1. Col des Corbeaux is a mountain pass in Vallorcine, Switzerland
2. Col du Genévrier is a mountain pass in Vallorcine, France
3. It was written as ??? in the raws, but the GIGN (Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale) is the elite police tactical unit of the National Gendarmerie (one of two national law enforcement forces) of France
4. the MP5SD is a variant of the MP5, a submachine gun manufactured by Heckler and Koch
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