Operation: Special Warfare Episode 19 Recap
> Operation: Special Warfare Recap
Jing Ke, while attempting to retrieve water, was nearly discovered by the terrorist camel team after they heard a noise and began to search the vicinity. He managed to evade detection by hiding underwater, much to the relief of the Blue Lightning Commando members. The terrorist leader, convinced that armed police were tracking them, quickly ordered his team to pack up and depart early, defiantly declaring, "Who's afraid of who?" in the desolate no-man's land.
After Jing Ke returned with the water, Qin Guan immediately gave it to Tong Mengyao, who, despite her lingering weakness, felt significantly better. Qin Guan, realizing that Jing Ke's close call had alerted the enemy and made a direct engagement more challenging, instructed Xu Dongdong to stay behind with Tong Mengyao while he led the rest of the team.
Tong Mengyao, though unwell, pleaded for Xu Dongdong to join the operation, but Qin Guan firmly reiterated his orders, stressing the critical importance of their assigned task. He commanded Xu Dongdong and Tong Mengyao to light a fire and signal Lin Yi's reinforcements to head for Yanggu Ditch once the main team had advanced further.
Qin Guan emphasized that if the terrorists successfully linked up with their contacts at Yanggu Ditch, the Blue Lightning Commando would lose their chance to intervene. Xu Dongdong blamed herself for the loss of their communication equipment, believing it was the cause of their current plight. She embraced Tong Mengyao for warmth, gathered more fuel, and waited until the camel team was completely out of sight before lighting a substantial fire.
To keep Tong Mengyao awake and engaged, Xu Dongdong initiated a conversation. Tong Mengyao confessed her deep admiration for Captain Qin Guan, describing his broad, reassuring shoulders and wishing he were her brother, noting that his strict exterior masked his genuine care for everyone. Xu Dongdong concurred, feeling fortunate to have such an exemplary captain, much like the good fortune of having Lin Yi in Blue Lightning.
Xu Dongdong then voiced her concern for Lin Yi, expressing hope that he was safe and suggesting they make the smoke from their fire even larger so he could spot them. She reminisced about Lin Yi's unwavering support, recalling how he once took punishment for her without a word of blame, instead offering encouragement. Tong Mengyao affectionately called Xu Dongdong her "best friend." Seeing her friend still ill, Xu Dongdong wished her a swift recovery.
Meanwhile, Lin Yi, after being poisoned by scorpions, finally reached a military outpost but collapsed upon arrival. He regained consciousness during an IV drip and urgently requested to speak with the squadron leader, to whom he conveyed the general location of the Blue Lightning Commando. In the desert, Tong Mengyao and Xu Dongdong spotted a drone. They frantically waved and shouted for help, but it initially flew away. Their persistence paid off as the drone soon returned.
Realizing it lacked a voice receiver when it shook its head, Xu Dongdong suggested they write their message in the sand. Together, they inscribed "Yanggugou," hoping to guide the incoming reinforcements. The drone appeared to acknowledge their message with a nod before departing. Xu Dongdong voiced her fervent hope that Lin Yi would successfully bring aid to Yanggu Ditch. As the Blue Lightning Commando trailed the camel team, they realized they were approaching Yanggu Ditch.
The terrorist leader, Hunian, contacted Ms. Li, informing her that armed police were on their tail but likely only had training ammunition. He instructed Ms. Li to dispatch reinforcements to Yanggu Ditch to "kill them all" in the desolate area. Ms. Li agreed to send additional personnel and meet him in advance, stressing the critical importance of their mission.
Qin Guan, aware that the terrorists had detected them and that his own reinforcements had not yet arrived, understood their increasingly precarious position. He determined they had to eliminate the terrorists before they could link up with their backup at Yanggu Ditch and gave the order to proceed. Hunian, meanwhile, urged his men to hasten their pace, assuring them that their rendezvous at Yanggu Ditch would provide the necessary support to deal with the soldiers.
He ordered his men to load real bullets and shoot the armed police on sight, intending to use them as targets. The Blue Lightning Commando ambushed the terrorist camel team from a hillside. Qin Guan directed Ning Meng to outflank the enemy and seize their weapons, while he focused on neutralizing the main "criminal." The battle quickly escalated with gunfire and close-quarters combat. However, the terrorists' reinforcements soon arrived, armed with rocket launchers.
As a rocket was launched, Qin Guan bravely shielded Ning Meng from the blast. After a moment of ringing in his ears, he quickly rose, fired two decisive shots, and the full-scale firefight intensified. The Blue Lightning team, running low on ammunition, valiantly switched to knives, engaging in fierce hand-to-hand combat. Just as their situation grew desperate, Lin Yi's reinforcements arrived, bringing much-needed ammunition. Qin Guan, rallying his team, urged them to demonstrate their full strength.
He then called for "Eagle One," an armed helicopter, to provide air support, instructing it to deliver a "warm meal" to a terrorist wielding a bazooka. With the combined efforts of the Blue Lightning Commando, the ground reinforcements, and the aerial support, the terrorist forces were successfully neutralized. Following the intense confrontation, Ning Meng reflected on the fear and despair she had experienced, yet also on the deep impact Qin Guan's bravery in saving her had made.
She thanked him and, noting the familiar setting, invited him to hotpot, this time as her treat. Qin Guan questioned her about her fear at Yanggu Ditch and if she had considered her mother's well-being should she have died.
He admitted that his previous attempts to discourage her from joining the Blue Lightning Commando stemmed from his apprehension about such dangers, acknowledging that he couldn't always protect her on an unpredictable battlefield where even he might eventually meet an "honorable" end. Ning Meng firmly dismissed his words, reaffirming her understanding of her mission and echoing his own adage: "Soldiers who don't want to be heroes are not good soldiers."
Qin Guan, in turn, affirmed that she and all of them were indeed excellent soldiers. Later, at a commendation ceremony, it was announced that the Blue Lightning Commando had achieved first place in the "Devil's Week Extreme Confrontation Training" and successfully eliminated terrorists in the desert. The team members discussed potential promotions, agreeing that whoever received one would bring honor to the entire Blue Lightning team and treat everyone to dinner.
Qin Guan, entering the venue to applause, humbly redirected praise for his leadership to Instructor Wen, who then lauded Qin Guan's command and modesty. The Chief of Staff then announced the official results: Blue Lightning Commando secured first place in the training, with the Special Training Team taking second. The commander presented awards, recognizing the Blue Lightning Commando with a collective second-class merit and the Special Training Team with a collective third-class merit.
Ning Meng, Chen Haozhe, and Yang Shu were each awarded individual second-class merits, while Qin Guan, Zhuang Qian, Guo Xiaowei, Tong Mengyao, Xu Dongdong, and Lin Yi received commendations. Finally, the Director of the Political Work Department announced that three members of the Blue Lightning Commando—Sergeant Chen Haozhe, Sergeant Yang Shu, and Corporal Ning Meng—were specially approved for promotion to the rank of second lieutenant.
They would be sent to the Armed Police Command Academy for further study and training upon completing their current mission. Ning Meng's face lit up with a genuine smile, overjoyed by the news.
