Chapter 482: Tail

The 12-member team split into two groups, each consisting of three Delta operators, and made their way along the ridgeline for about two kilometers. They circled around to the back of the marked cave.

The reason for such a roundabout approach, instead of a direct assault, was clear—precision and thoroughness, even in something as seemingly simple as this. 

Though they had drones equipped with advanced sensors overhead, and every member was outfitted with top-tier night vision equipment, giving them a significant advantage over the poorly trained and ill-equipped drug cartel soldiers, military operations were never just parades of firepower. One small mistake could lead to irreversible consequences.

In covert missions, there was no such thing as being too cautious. Jack remembered that even back in his previous life, old farmers along the border would instinctively crawl on their bellies to watch battles unfold, crunching sunflower seeds in the process. 

In contrast, some soldiers had the audacity to smoke cigarettes while standing at a balcony during urban warfare—such carelessness seemed absurd.

When both teams regrouped at the tunnel entrance, Michael, who was monitoring everything from the base, chimed in through their earpieces.

"Team A, Team B, heads up. Targets are twenty meters ahead."

"Copy that. We're short on time. Two men, cause a distraction and take out the guards," Matt whispered.

Without further confirmation, two Delta operators silently drew their knives and crept into the cave. A few muffled grunts followed, and a voice in their earpieces confirmed the guards were down.

"Move, move, move!" Matt urged in a low voice, and the rest of the team advanced in pairs into the tunnel.

The night vision goggles turned the world into shades of green. Any variance in temperature or terrain stood out vividly, even a puddle could leave clearly visible footprints.

The professionals led the way—Delta forged ahead while Jack and Jane obediently followed Alessandro at the rear, entering last.

After only a few meters in, the tunnel became illuminated. Surprisingly, despite its low ceiling and narrow width, forcing even Jane to crouch as she moved, the cartel had wired it for electricity.

Jack removed his night vision goggles and stuffed them into his backpack. With the tunnel lit, they were more of a hindrance than a help. The Delta operators moved swiftly, and within minutes, they were engaged in a firefight with the cartel inside the tunnel.

Gunfire echoed violently in the narrow space, causing dirt to tremble and fall from the walls. It was a deafening sound that could unsettle even the most hardened soldiers.

Fortunately, their noise-cancelling headsets did an excellent job of muting the overwhelming sound to a manageable level without hindering communication. The Delta operators' AR rifles weren't equipped with suppressors, likely to avoid further lengthening the barrels in the confined space.

Concerned about the risk of a collapse, no one used explosives—not even a flashbang. Relying solely on their superior individual skills and tactical coordination, they mowed through the opposition as if they were nothing.

Soon, the tunnel reached a fork. Matt, half-crouching at the corner, held his rifle at the ready while gunfire and Spanish curses echoed from the other passage, followed by agonized screams.

When Alessandro arrived, Matt simply nodded in the direction of the other branch, signaling where they needed to go. Alessandro gave him a silent pat on the shoulder and proceeded without a word.

Jack knew they were getting close. He pulled Jane aside and whispered, "Stick close to him."

Jane, already briefed, crouched beside Matt, cradling her rifle and clutching her helmet. Her wide, worried eyes met Jack's, but she said nothing.

Everything that needed to be said had already been made clear through her actions over the past few days.

The tunnel grew even narrower up ahead, prompting Jack to sling his HK417 behind his back and draw the suppressed MK24. He quickened his pace.

Bang! Bang! Two gunshots rang out. Alessandro had just taken down a cartel soldier who had been lying in wait around a corner. He glanced back at Jack.

"You can still turn back. What's coming isn't something for FBI agents," Alessandro warned, his voice low and serious.

Jack sidestepped him without looking back, his voice steady. "Then don't think of me as FBI. I'm here for personal revenge, just like you. This isn't federal ground anymore, is it?"

A chilling grin spread across Alessandro's face, his eagerness for revenge practically radiating from him. "Maybe you're right. The exit's just ahead. Let's see what you're made of."

The tunnel opened up into a warehouse disguised as part of a ventilation system. Outside, a cartel soldier and a Mexican police officer were in a heated argument next to a police car.

The car's trunk was open, revealing several large packages of drugs. The cartel soldier, sensing the situation was going south, seemed ready to flee using the police car. Meanwhile, the officer, oblivious to the danger, was insisting on finishing unloading the drugs—until the cartel soldier pulled out a gun. The officer quickly raised his hands in surrender.

Piu! Piu! Two barely audible gunshots, and both men collapsed into a pool of blood.

"Nice shooting!" Alessandro remarked as he followed Jack out of the tunnel, eyeing the two corpses, each with a clean headshot.

Jack holstered his MK24 and stepped over to the fallen police officer. He retrieved the car keys from the man's pocket and, after a moment of thought, also took the officer's jacket, putting it on himself.

Tossing his backpack into the passenger seat, Jack climbed into the driver's seat without a word. "I'll drive. You give directions."

Time was running out—Díaz had a 20-minute head start, and Jack had no intention of letting things fall apart at the last moment.

Alessandro climbed into the backseat. As the police car roared out of the warehouse and onto the road, he removed his hood and put his headset back on to contact the command center.

"We're through. Have you confirmed his location?"

A moment later, Michael's voice came through both their headsets. "I see you. The target's heading northeast. It looks like he's planning to take Route 56 and merge onto Highway 17."

Jack slammed his foot down on the accelerator, and the Mexican police cruiser howled as it sped out of the compound and onto the road. "Tell me how to get to that damn highway."

"Take the next ramp on the left. If you keep this speed, you'll catch him in 25 minutes tops," Michael replied, sounding a little too enthusiastic.

"How's Matt's side of things?" Jack asked, though what he really cared about was Jane.

"They're already pulling out. The operation was a success—they seized at least 200 kilos, which should keep the higher-ups satisfied."

Michael paused briefly before adding, "They'll wait for you until dawn at most. After that, the tunnel will be blown, and you'll have to find your own way back."

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