Eric was a commander with a dovish approach, unlike the hawkish commanders who were far more aggressive. This preference shaped his operational command style.
His initial instinct was to order Team B to retreat, avoiding a direct confrontation with General Lionheart's forces.
Failing to capture Samir this time didn't matter too much; there would be other chances to act. After all, Samir had been on the run for over 20 years. A few more days wouldn't make much of a difference.
On the other hand, if Team B suffered casualties during the operation, there would be no way to try again.
However, ordering Team B to retreat would mean ending their unblemished record. The team's long-standing honor of never having failed a mission would be lost here.
Soldiers fight for personal and national honor, and most hold their honor above their own lives.
Eric understood Jason's temperament well. If he forced a retreat order, the strong rapport they had as superior and subordinate would undoubtedly be irreparably damaged.
After deliberating for several seconds, Eric chose another path—
To respect Team B's decision!
He decided to fully utilize the combat autonomy of the lower units, encouraging independent decision-making—an attribute that had always been a hallmark of the SEALs.
"H2, this is the operations center. Permission granted to return immediately."
"H1, your task is to extract the rescue target. You must retreat within three minutes."
Eric issued two orders, directed at the two armed helicopters responsible for the evacuation. His priority was ensuring the completion of at least part of the mission.
"H2, roger. Beginning return flight."
"H1, roger. Preparing to approach the evacuation point."
After hearing the two pilots confirm, Eric switched to Team B's command channel.
"B1, this is the operations center. H2 has experienced mechanical failure and is returning; it cannot carry out the extraction. H1 cannot accommodate all of you.
General Lionheart's forces are en route to your location and are expected to arrive at the target building in approximately three minutes.
I recommend abandoning the capture of Samir and immediately evacuating the target building via ground to avoid engaging with Lionheart's forces.
However, if you choose to proceed with the mission, I will respect your decision."
Inside the tunnel of the target building, the military dog, Hellfire, which had been leading the way, suddenly stopped and crouched at a corner, staring ahead.
This behavior signaled the presence of the target, directly within its field of view.
Jason, realizing the target was likely Samir, their mission's objective, felt a surge of joy and was about to lead the team forward.
But at that moment, Eric's urgent communication from the operations center came through.
Hearing that one helicopter had malfunctioned and could no longer assist in extraction, Jason's brow furrowed.
Upon learning that General Lionheart's forces would arrive within three minutes, the joy of discovering the target was doused like a cold bucket of water, leaving him chilled inside and out.
He knew capturing Samir and escaping in three minutes was impossible.
But with Samir so close—just around the corner—it was gut-wrenching to give up now.
As the most elite squad of the Red Team, undefeated and unparalleled, Jason could not accept such an outcome.
Even though retreating at this point would carry no consequences—no penalties for a failed mission—Jason still chose the latter without hesitation.
"B1, roger. We have located Samir and are preparing to move in for capture. We will attempt to complete the mission within three minutes and then withdraw from the southeast direction. Request additional support for extraction along the route."
After responding, Jason signaled his squad to advance with a sharp hand gesture, leading them toward the corner where Hellfire was stationed.
Behind Jason, Sonny and Trent couldn't hear the communications on the command channel, but based on Jason's mention of a ground evacuation, coupled with their years of counterterrorism special operations experience, they could surmise something was amiss.
In a town structured like a military base, retreating via ground was exceptionally challenging—something they knew instinctively.
Realizing the severity of the situation, Sonny and Trent's expressions grew grim.
The tension in the air thickened.
Determined to preserve Team B's honor and dignity, Jason decided to take the risk of capturing Samir and retreating via ground.
On the rooftop, Long Zhan and Brock were still unaware of the unfolding situation.
They saw a helicopter approaching and continued with their orders to escort Marshal onto the aircraft.
Due to the limited space on the rooftop, the helicopter couldn't land.
It hovered in place, dropping a rope ladder for Marshal and his escorts, Long Zhan and Brock, to climb into the aircraft, which was over five meters above the ground.
However, Marshal, having been held captive for an extended period, was weak and overwhelmed with excitement after being rescued, making it impossible for her to climb the swaying ladder on her own.
With no other choice, Long Zhan used his physical strength to his advantage. He carried Marshal on his back, instructing her to wrap her legs around his waist and hold onto his neck like roots wrapping around a tree.
He then climbed the rope ladder with Marshal clinging to him, delivering her into the helicopter cabin.
As Long Zhan entered the cabin, an A-Team operative stationed by the door called down to Brock, "Buddy, we're running out of time. Get up here!"
"Running out of time?"
Long Zhan had already found it strange that one helicopter had left earlier. Hearing the A-Team operative's comment now made him even more suspicious.
He patted the operative on the shoulder and shouted over the noise of the rotor blades, "What do you mean by 'running out of time'? Our people are still down there!"
The rotor blades' deafening noise meant shouting was the only way to communicate, even with noise-canceling headsets.