**In buildings in the Middle East, any structure leading underground represents the highest level of risk.**
Ray and Brock served as the vanguard of Bravo Team. With Brock leading, accompanied by his Hellhound donning a gas mask, they proceeded through the entrance and down the staircase. Ray, as per protocol, followed closely behind, prepared to descend.
However, as Ray approached the doorway, a burly figure shoved him aside.
It was Jason.
"This is on me, Ray."
Jason pushed Ray aside and took his place. Without hesitation, he followed Brock, forming a new two-man vanguard team.
Ordinarily, the team leader, acting as commander, should not expose themselves to the highest risk of action. Yet, here it was.
Standing behind, Long Zhan observed the scene with a smile tinged with admiration.
He understood Jason's motives—Jason was protecting Ray. With Ray about to become a father, Jason wanted to shield him from injury or, worse, sacrifice at such a crucial time.
Jason, as the team leader, took responsibility and assumed the risk on Ray's behalf.
Even as an outsider, Long Zhan could see Jason's intentions. Ray, Jason's closest comrade on the battlefield and best friend in everyday life, understood as well.
Ray said nothing. However, the look of profound gratitude in his eyes as he glanced at Jason spoke volumes.
With the vanguard team advancing, the rest of Bravo Team maintained a standard CQB formation, progressing steadily down the staircase toward the basement.
The basement was eerily silent, with only the heavy breathing of Bravo Team through their gas masks breaking the quiet.
After descending about one and a half flights of stairs and rounding the final corner, the space opened up.
Before them was a spacious basement, exceeding 100 square meters. Six functional lights illuminated the room, casting a dim glow.
The room was filled with long laboratory tables, cluttered with an assortment of jars and containers. Discarded shells and experimental apparatus lay haphazardly on the ground.
The signs were clear—the room had been abandoned for quite some time and deliberately damaged, likely in an attempt to destroy evidence.
"Clear!"
After a thorough sweep by Bravo Team, the basement was confirmed secure.
Jason turned to Long Zhan. "B6, bring the specialists down here. It's their turn to get to work."
"Understood."
Long Zhan nodded, heading back toward the staircase.
**A few minutes later.**
The specialist team, consisting of three individuals and all wearing gas masks per Long Zhan's advice, arrived in the basement.
"Damn it," muttered Dr. Lucien as soon as he descended, frowning deeply. "The damage is worse than I expected. Collecting samples is going to be difficult. We'll need to clean the equipment and organize this mess first."
"Will this affect our plans?" Jason asked.
"It's hard to say for sure, but it's definitely not good," Dr. Lucien replied helplessly.
"Alright, the room is yours," Jason said decisively. "Ray, come with me. The rest of you, stay here to assist and conduct a thorough search of the area."
Jason wasn't an expert in biochemistry, so he didn't bother pretending to understand the specialists' work. Instead, he efficiently delegated tasks.
His reason for bringing Ray along wasn't favoritism—it was purely practical. Ray carried the team's communication equipment. Without leaving the basement, Jason wouldn't be able to communicate with headquarters due to the lack of signal.
Jason and Ray exited the basement, returning to the first floor of the hospital and sealing the lab's secure door behind them. Removing his gas mask, Jason activated his radio.
"Command Center, this is Bravo One. We've secured the laboratory. External specialists are collecting samples. Estimated extraction time is one hour."
**Iraq, Sykes Forward Military Base.**
Receiving Jason's transmission, Mandy, responsible for overseeing Bravo Team's extraction, responded:
"Command Center copies. We've secured local transportation for your extraction. However, there's bad news.
Satellite night vision images show worsening combat east of your position. Federal Security Bureau forces are retreating rapidly, but the Syrian forces aren't pursuing. While they're currently inactive, this isn't a good sign.
If they decide to attack you, you'll have about 20 minutes to escape before being encircled. I recommend moving as quickly as possible. I'll notify you of any updates."
Jason absorbed Mandy's report without panic. Furrowing his brow slightly, he replied:
"Bravo One copies. It won't be a problem. We'll be long gone before that happens."
Just as Jason ended his call with Command, a voice came through his earpiece.
"Bravo One, this is Bravo Six. You need to come to the second floor. I've found something."
"The second floor?"
Jason was momentarily puzzled. "The staircase to the second floor was destroyed. How did you get up there?"
"There's another exit at the far end of the basement. It leads straight to the second floor. The situation here is serious. You need to see this," Long Zhan explained.
"On my way."
Jason could sense the gravity of the situation from Long Zhan's tone.
Re-donning his gas mask, Jason led Ray back into the basement, passing the bustling specialists in the lab hall. Crossing through two doors, they reached the end of the basement and found a staircase leading upward.
Ascending the stairs, they passed through another sealed iron door and emerged into the second-floor corridor.
The sight that greeted them made both men's hearts sink.
The narrow corridor, barely a meter wide, was littered with bodies. Some had been dead for a long time, their corpses beginning to decay. Others were more recently deceased, their skin pale.
Under the sporadically flickering corridor lights, the scene was reminiscent of a horror movie.
Closer inspection under the dim lighting revealed that the victims were civilians—not armed militants or terrorists.
The hospital had been evacuated, and the staircase to the first floor destroyed. Six armed "security guards" were stationed on the hospital's first floor.
With the hospital sealed off, how could so many civilians have ended up here?
Jason and Ray exchanged glances. Though neither spoke, their instincts screamed that something was gravely amiss.