Above the sky, two Apache attack helicopters and two Black Hawks were flying side by side in two columns, followed by a CH-47D Chinook transport helicopter.
The Apache helicopters were responsible for escorting, while Colonel Brown's men were seated in the two Black Hawks, and the entire cabin of the CH-47D was filled with GRS team members.
"Ten minutes from the target!"
Fully armed, Thomas looked at his watch, raised his finger, and shouted at all the team members lined on both sides to signal them.
To deal with the Musician, Thomas took it upon himself to go personally this time.
He mobilized the two most elite Scorpion action squads that GRS currently had deployed in Illiguo.
"This time... they must be dead, right?"
Thomas felt a certain obsession in his heart without reason.
He just wanted to eliminate those few people from the kitchen staff.
He couldn't even explain this obsession to himself.
Especially regarding Song Heping.
Although the other party really had a life-and-death relationship with him, every time Thomas saw Song Heping, he felt an uncomfortable sensation all over his body as if a sharp knife were pressed against his back. Even though it hadn't broken his skin, it felt chilling.
One of Thomas's instructors during his time in Special Forces used to say that if one day you felt a sudden chill down your spine during an operation, it meant that a master was watching you from nearby.
Perhaps, this was that feeling.
"Five minutes to go!"
Time passed quickly.
Thomas walked to the rear of the Chinook cabin, where the exit was. The Scorpion squad members behind him stood up one after another, everyone pulling up their camouflage scarves to cover their noses and mouths. This served two purposes: one was to hide their identities, and the other was to block dust during the helicopter's landing.
"When we get down, spread out in combat formation. I won't remind you again. Team one, follow me for the handover. As soon as we confirm we've got the goods, take action!"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
The Scorpion squad members were filled with a fierce fighting spirit, eager for action.
At the farm, White Bear ran up to the cook and said, "It's done, I've checked, they are all dead, it's safe here now."
The cook "Hmm'd" in response, nodded his head, and turned to Song Heping.
He had gotten used to discussing things with Song Heping.
Yet Song Heping was anxiously watching his watch.
"Why hasn't she arrived yet?"
"Who?"
"Angel!"
"Here she comes."
Grey Wolf raised his hand, pointing into the distance.
Following his direction, Song Heping did see an armored Lincoln speeding toward them.
As the car approached, Song Heping hurriedly opened the door, and without waiting for Angel to get out, he asked, "Are you sure everything's taken care of?"
"All set! Don't worry!" Angel was full of confidence, "Song, you underestimate me!"
Underestimate?
Song Heping didn't want to clash with the foreign lady, but he did indeed underestimate her a bit. She would get all weepy over the smallest issues.
And yet she claimed to be from a distinguished family, an Ivy League graduate, a major newspaper journalist. He reckoned if he could wring her out, he could probably get a bucket full of water.
"Where's Sayif?" Angel asked impatiently.
Song Heping gave Grey Wolf a look.
Grey Wolf went over to the pickup and dragged Sayif over.
Sayif was injured, and as Grey Wolf moved rough, he started to wail again.
Seeing Sayif, Angel's eyes lit up and she crouched in front of him out of habit, extending her hand, "Mr. Sayif, I'm Angel..."
Then she felt quite awkward.
Sayif glared at her.
She looked at Sayif.
Suddenly, she realized Sayif was tied up like a rice dumpling.
His hands were immovable, so what was there to shake?
"Heh heh..."
She somewhat awkwardly retracted her hand.
"I mean, could you give me the information?"
Sayif glared bitterly at Angel.
In his eyes, if it were not for this woman, he wouldn't have fallen to such straits.
"I only deal with honest people, you are a lying devil!"
Seeing Sayif cursing her, Angel felt her face burning but still threatened, "Give me the information and maybe I can find a way out for you. If you don't hand it over, the people from Langley have many ways to make you talk. By then, you, your secrets, and even the chance to clear your name will be buried in hell."
With a miserable smile, Sayif said, "Since when have you Americans kept your word?"
Angel felt awkward once again.
She wanted to keep persuading Sayif, but suddenly she heard the dull sound of helicopter rotors from the sky.
"They've arrived," said Grey Wolf.
The members of the Mercenary Group instinctively drew closer together.
Song Heping told Grey Wolf, "You go to the back and watch Sayif."
"Alright."
Grey Wolf did as told.
Two Black Hawks and a Chinook landed slowly in the clearing of the farm.
The strong air currents kicked up the dry grass and dust on the ground, enveloping a good half of the farm in a yellow dust storm.
There was already a glimmer of dawn on the horizon, but it wasn't fully light yet.
Thomas, leading the "Scorpion" operatives, emerged from the dust cloud and slowly approached Song Heping and the others.
Song Heping noticed that as soon as his men got off the plane, they dispersed, and upon closer inspection, they were in groups of four, seemingly casual but intentionally occupying different exits and positions around the farm.
The two Black Hawks touched down on either side of the farm, and the people who disembarked seemed to be not with Thomas's group, having no military branch insignia or rank, only an American flag badge on their chests.
This display...
I had no idea which secret military unit of the mighty Country M it might be.
Was it necessary to deal with a few freelance mercenaries like us in such a way?
From the way the other side was positioned, all routes of escape had basically been cut off.
All of them were experts...
With this move, they set up a crossfire net, offering no chance at all for resistance.
It was clear they were after lives.
Song Heping couldn't help but feel extreme contempt towards Thomas.
Even if you are ruthless, there's no need to treat me like this.
Did I desecrate your Thomas family's ancestral grave?
"Hey! Sang!" Thomas initiated the greeting.
"I said my name is Song!"
Song Heping didn't give him a warm reception; his words were colder than ice.
Thomas didn't mind, and greeted the chef as well.
The chef simply ignored him, squeezing out a "hmph" through his teeth.
"Sayif?"
Thomas's gaze fell on Sayif, who was beside Grey Wolf.
Angel said, "Thomas, he's my interview informant."
Thomas said, "Unfortunately, Miss Angel, he is a wanted person with a reward on his head, as well as a high-level target. You'd better not get any ideas about us."
After that, he signaled with his eyes and two Scorpion operatives stepped forward, snatched Sayif from Grey Wolf's hands, and took him behind Thomas.
"How dare you! Thomas, aren't you afraid of making the headlines tomorrow in the newspaper?!" Angel roared.
Thomas yanked her to his side and put her in a rear chokehold, trapping Angel's neck.
Angel immediately became like a helpless little lamb, struggling futilely.
The chef cursed, "What are you doing!? Is this how you Americans treat a lady?!"
Song Heping remained silent.
He was very clear about Thomas's intentions.
Angel had a Whip Aunt backing her up, and if she was harmed, it wouldn't be easy to explain to Langley.
So, Angel should be safe.
"Thomas, now that we've given you the person, when can we get our five million dollars?"
Song Heping went straight to the point.
"Five million dollars?" Thomas let out a sly chuckle, then looked around: "Who will testify? Did I ever promise you?"
Song Heping continued, "Sayif is on the poker card wanted list, it's a public bounty."
"Kid..." Thomas's sly smile faded: "This is Illiguo, do you think this is Chicago?"
After saying that, he began to slowly back away.
Song Heping knew he was about to make a move.
"Hold on!"
Song Heping suddenly shouted, "If we don't take the money, can we go?"
"Sang, I'm sorry..." Thomas shook his head: "You can't."
Song Heping asked, "Did I kill your whole family?"
"What?" Thomas was startled for a moment.
"Then why do you have to finish us off?"
"Do you need a reason?" Thomas smiled again, pointing to the bodies around: "People die here every day, also without a reason."
After finishing his words, Thomas suddenly felt something was off.
Without realizing it, he had been bantering with Song Heping for too long.
Just as he decided to take action without further delay, a warning sound suddenly came through his earpiece: "Base to Scorpion, respond if you hear this."
Why call at this time?
Thomas quickly responded: "Scorpion here, go ahead."
"A convoy is approaching the farm from the east, less than one kilometer away from you."
"Who are they?!"
A surge of alarm went through him. He turned to everyone and said: "Team D, on guard!"
A Scorpion squad immediately spread out in all directions, establishing a defensive perimeter around the farm.
"Calling Falcon 1, unidentified personnel approaching from the east, please confirm their identity immediately!"
"Roger that."
An Apache that had been circling in the sky immediately turned and flew east.