Glory of Special Forces Episode 44 Recap
> Glory of Special Forces Recap
R Country's team completed their mission to resolve the hijacking, but the committee expressed strong disapproval because they had used anesthetics on the injured passengers without verifying their identities or medical conditions, deeming it an extremely dangerous act that could induce sudden illnesses. A Team R member defended their actions, arguing that eliminating terrorists quickly was paramount, and minor injuries were acceptable as no hostages died.
However, another committee member praised R Country for their quick and decisive judgment in identifying disguised terrorists, highlighting their keen battle sense. Next, Team A, a technologically advanced nation, commenced their mission. Gu Meng initially believed their advanced technology ensured victory, stating that the battlefield was unilaterally transparent, but Lv Tu cautioned against overconfidence, stating that while one must ensure not to fight a battle without confidence, every battle involved unpredictable variables and no absolute certainty.
After completing their mission in 10 minutes and 54 seconds, Team A reported killing four terrorists. The committee noted one hostage and one team member casualty. Team A clarified that their soldier's "death" was a simulated asphyxiation, implying they did not use full force in the exercise as it was only a competition. Lv Tu observed that each team's drill setup was unique and meticulously designed.
Soon after, it was the Chinese Cheetah Commando's turn, and the committee expressed high expectations for their performance, acknowledging China's strong track record in recent international competitions. As the Chinese team began, a terrorist's voice message warned that bombs were installed on all hostages' necks and both cabin doors, threatening detonation upon any forced entry. Pei Ta Yan immediately canceled their original assault plan, which involved conventional entry, and opted for negotiation, instructing B group snipers to stand by.
Yan Poyue suggested that women were better suited for negotiation to gain trust quickly. Guo Xiaoxiao, despite her limited English, volunteered, instructed to act on instinct as prior plans were obsolete. Simultaneously, the team learned from intercepted intelligence that a critical hostage, the CEO of the multinational Fila Company, was suffering from an acute heart attack and needed urgent heart surgery, with his surgery time already delayed, putting his life at risk.
Guo Xiaoxiao, having removed all her weapons, approached the plane to negotiate. Utilizing the intelligence about the CEO's critical condition, she offered herself as a hostage in exchange for him, arguing that his influence could help relay the terrorists' demands and that taking her as a hostage would control her entire team. Her female identity successfully diffused the tension and lowered the terrorists' guard. Upon entering the cabin, she was immediately tied up.
As soon as the team confirmed the remote-controlled bombs were defused, Guo Xiaoxiao launched her counter-attack. Yan Poyue and Pei Ta Yan, along with other team members, swiftly entered the cabin, neutralizing the terrorists, including one hidden among the hostages. The mission was completed in 8 minutes and 15 seconds with four terrorists killed and two captured, with no casualties to hostages or the team.
Pei Ta Yan attributed the success primarily to Guo Xiaoxiao, but she humbly insisted it was a collective effort. Despite the successful mission, Yan Poyue felt an underlying uneasiness, finding the plane "too clean." Xiao Yunjie dismissed his concerns, attributing the cleanliness to facilitating various countries' actions. Soon after, Pei Ta Yan encountered Jason, the captain of Team A, whom he knew from hunter school.
Jason expressed that while they were now rivals, their friendship remained, acknowledging that comrades and rivals could switch at any time. Pei Ta Yan thought Jason was extreme and petty, and that being targeted by him was a good thing, interpreting it as a sign that Cheetah was currently ahead of Team A in the competition. The committee then announced that the assessment was far from over; in fact, the real mission had just begun.
All teams were required to quickly analyze gathered information, deduce the terrorists' true motives, potential ripple effects, and formulate a detailed plan within an hour, using prepared computers and materials in their rest areas. While Lv Tu and Gu Meng focused on filtering valuable intelligence, Yan Poyue meticulously sorted through data. He questioned the terrorists' lack of demands and the use of an obsolete An-26 aircraft, which he found suspicious.
He deduced that the hijacking was a diversion, a "smoke and mirrors" tactic, and that the evaluation criteria (time and kills) prevented thorough cabin inspection. His theory was that the terrorists used the hijacked plane to transport a missing dirty bomb, which was then smuggled out by their accomplices disguised as security personnel during the post-hijacking cleanup.
The real objective, he hypothesized, was to detonate the dirty bomb an hour later during the debriefing meeting attended by all national leaders and captains. Pei Ta Yan, however, poured cold water on Yan Poyue's theory, calling it mere speculation and insisting they stick to their current deduction process. Nevertheless, he acknowledged Yan Poyue's authority as vice-captain to command the team. Yan Poyue soon confirmed his suspicions.
While searching, he discovered a dirty bomb in Zone B of the rest area at coordinates B07, with just over nine minutes left until detonation. He immediately alerted the Cheetah team and initiated a full camp evacuation, calling for bomb disposal experts, while the committee was still verifying the intelligence. Yan Poyue burst through a checkpoint, declaring it "not a competition, but a war." With only two minutes remaining, Sergei and Jason, the designated bomb disposal experts, were still arguing.
Sergei recognized the dirty bomb as equipment from their country's nuclear power device, while Jason recognized the detonator as a device from their country, leaving them at a loss on how to proceed, as both approaches seemed to lead to detonation. Yan Poyue, acting decisively, fired his weapon, destroying the detonator and stopping the countdown at 0 minutes, 0 seconds, preventing a catastrophic explosion.
The committee announced that the Chinese Cheetah Commando had passed the first assessment with full marks, praising them for destroying the dirty bomb's detonator at the last moment. Although Pei Ta Yan apologized on Yan Poyue's behalf for his aggressive actions, a high-ranking officer commended Yan Poyue for his courage, excellent mind, sharp intuition, and sense of responsibility, recognizing him as a true soldier who possessed the essential qualities of a commander. His decisive action earned him widespread respect.
Later, Sergei approached Xiao Yunjie with vodka and then confided in Pei Ta Yan, claiming to know the details of the next assessment. He proposed an alliance to collectively oppose Team A, after first checking Pei Ta Yan for listening devices. Yan Poyue remained distrustful, advising them to simply focus on their own responsibilities.
The committee then announced that the second round had already begun 30 minutes prior, and that the intelligence on the computers was part of it, granting qualified commanders a valuable thirty minutes of planning time. Although the dirty bomb in the camp was disarmed, the mastermind behind it, 'S', remained at large. The new mission required a coordinated multinational military operation to capture 'S', with scores determined by each country's contributions.
Amid arguments between Team A and Team R over tactical arrangements, Lv Tu proposed a viable plan for joint operations, emphasizing the need for a supreme commander, unified commands, and coordinated operations leveraging each nation's strengths. The plan involved a six-member reconnaissance team (two from each of the three countries), using Team A's advanced equipment, China's satellite support, and R Country's vehicles, to scout the target village and meet an informant.
After confirming Target S's location, a Quick Response Force would be deployed by helicopter, with remaining personnel forming a ground reception unit. As the three-nation special forces reconnaissance team approached the village, they encountered three armed locals, who claimed to be shepherds carrying guns for protection against wolves, stating they had to go far for grazing and wolves were dangerous. This presented a dilemma reminiscent of "Operation Red Wings," which Pei Ta Yan (or another team member) immediately recognized.
Yan Poyue recalled Yue Kong's past teachings about dealing with suspicious individuals during missions, where escorting them hindered progress, releasing them risked exposure, detaining them endangered their lives, and killing them was too cruel. Facing this classic moral and tactical challenge, Yan Poyue proposed a solution: disguise themselves as the shepherds using their clothes and sheep, then infiltrate the village to contact the informant without revealing their presence or harming the locals. He insisted that the three team captains remain behind to command in case of an emergency.
