Operation: Special Warfare Episode 18 Recap
> Operation: Special Warfare Recap
Despite suffering from a high fever due to heatstroke that began the previous night, Tong Mengyao bravely pushed herself to continue, insisting she must persist for the team to win the cup. Qin Guan, observing her unusual determination, noted that she seemed to have truly changed from her usual playful self. Recognizing her deteriorating condition, Qin Guan devised a method to cool her down.
The team quickly set up a tent, laid Tong Mengyao inside, and covered her with wet sand, a technique that slowly brought her temperature down. During this brief respite, the team shared some lighthearted moments, with one soldier jokingly comparing Tong Mengyao to a "popsicle covered with quilts." As they were resting, a camel team appeared in the distance. Ning Meng expressed her confusion, wondering about the presence of a camel team in such a remote no-man's land.
Qin Guan approached the camel team's leader, an old man, to gather information. The old man explained that he was a local who had been traveling this path for over ten years, collecting goods once a year to cover his annual expenses. However, when Qin Guan pressed him about who hired him to transport the goods, the old man fell silent.
Ning Meng had been discreetly observing the camel team and shared her suspicions with Qin Guan: their behavior was deliberate and aggressive, suggesting they were armed, though not professionally trained. She also found it strange that there were eight people but only four camels, and that they weren't carrying more goods for such a difficult journey. Publicly, Qin Guan dismissed her concerns, saying she was "thinking too much," but this was a tactic.
The old man offered camel milk, claiming it was for their heat-stricken soldier. Qin Guan instructed Ning Meng to distribute it, subtly signaling his own suspicion. Ning Meng understood the hint and deliberately spilled the milk, later explaining to Chen Haozhe that she believed both the camel team and the milk itself were problematic.
Determined to uncover the nature of the cargo, Ning Meng pretended to be fascinated by the camels, claiming it was her first time seeing one and asking if she could touch it. As she approached, she tried to inspect the cargo, tapping on what appeared to be lead cans. This action agitated one of the camel team members, who reacted angrily. Qin Guan quickly intervened, scolding Ning Meng for her "lack of discipline" and apologizing profusely to the old man.
The old man chuckled, saying there was "nothing to lose," but his eyes darted to the camels and cargo, confirming his nervousness. Soon after, the camel team departed. Ning Meng concluded that the cargo in the lead cans must be dangerous chemical items, given lead's radiation-shielding properties. Qin Guan immediately dispatched Guo Xiaowei, Li Sisi, and Jing Ke to covertly follow the camel team, instructing them to maintain cover and provide updates.
The camel team, proving their cautiousness, stopped and removed their camel bells, burying them in the sand to move silently. During this time, the camel team leader received a phone call. Using binoculars, Li Sisi expertly lip-read the conversation, discovering that they were members of the "Treasure Gathering Group," working for the "S Group," a notorious international terrorist organization.
Their mission was to deliver goods that would enable the S Group to disrupt the upcoming New Energy Conference and monopolize global new energy resources. After the call, the leader concealed his gun. Li Sisi quickly returned to report her findings to Qin Guan, while Guo Xiaowei and Jing Ke continued their pursuit. She warned Qin Guan that the terrorists were armed with AK47s, whereas Blue Lightning only had two blank rounds per soldier.
In an urgent provisional party group meeting, Qin Guan confirmed that the camel team was indeed a disguised terrorist cell transporting dangerous goods for the S Group. With their communication equipment lost and unable to contact the command center, Qin Guan proposed a critical change: their "Devil's Week" training would be immediately re-tasked into a real mission to pursue and eliminate these terrorists, preventing them from carrying out their destructive plans.
All the team members unanimously agreed to this urgent mission. Qin Guan then instructed Lin Yi to run northwest for twenty kilometers to Luolong Town, a location outside the no-man's land where friendly troops were stationed. Lin Yi's vital task was to report the situation, request immediate support, and act as their sole hope for reinforcements. Qin Guan and Chen Haozhe gave Lin Yi all their remaining water to aid him on his arduous journey.
Lin Yi, burdened by the immense responsibility, set off towards Luolong Town. Xu Dongdong silently offered a prayer for his safe return. Meanwhile, at the command center, the detachment leader was growing increasingly worried about the lack of contact from Blue Lightning. He knew their training area had been meticulously planned, leaving no room for unexpected variables.
Despite dispatching helicopters to search their designated march route, no trace of Blue Lightning could be found, prompting the detachment leader to order an expansion of the search area. Qin Guan's team pressed on, following the markers left by Guo Xiaowei. Guo Xiaowei and Jing Ke, parched and weary, could only watch enviously as the camel team refreshed themselves with food and water.
Lin Yi, despite being stung by a scorpion, continued his desperate run, battling extreme exhaustion and dwindling water supplies, knowing he had to reach Luolong Town. Guo Xiaowei's latest marker was a stark warning: it indicated a strong enemy with heavy firepower and urged Qin Guan's team to accelerate their pace to intercept them before the goods were delivered. Tragically, Tong Mengyao, still suffering from severe dehydration, collapsed.
Qin Guan immediately took her onto his back and continued the urgent march. As their water reserves completely ran out, Tong Mengyao's life hung precariously in the balance. Qin Guan instructed Jing Ke to find a water source immediately. Li Sisi, through further lip-reading, discovered that the camel team's destination was Yanggu'gou, a water source and a likely meeting point for more terrorists. She desperately hoped Lin Yi would return with reinforcements before the terrorists reached their rendezvous.
Lin Yi, battered and exhausted, stumbled and fell down a sand dune, sustaining injuries, but he relentlessly pushed forward. Concurrently, the camel team leader went to fetch water and inadvertently stumbled upon Jing Ke's hidden position. Despite Jing Ke's attempts to remain concealed, a small sound betrayed his presence. Realizing they were discovered, Qin Guan ordered his team to prepare for battle, intending to use their blank ammunition to draw the terrorists' attention.
