Chapter 313 Dilemma
The future clashes had begun. With Xiao Yue's words, Ling Qingyu had reaffirmed her mind to put down the gangs starting from Boss Hu once and for all.
While the big bosses were strategizing for the future, Su Ruomei and the rest of the sisters were focusing on the current mission.
Different levels had different worries and strategies. The girls couldn't think further from the current perspectives. Perhaps this was the reason why there was a difference between leaders and subordinates.
If Su Ruomei learned to contemplate issues from a high level, her potential was to become a military general if she stayed in the barracks.
However, the situation already told the highest rank she could obtain was likely Lieutenant Colonel.
Now, Su Ruomei looked bored, her eyes gazing at the fast-passing scenes. Initially, ten vehicles were racing in a convoy. Their appearances spewed greetings from other road users.
Of course, not one dared to honk, especially seeing such a large group in similar vans, in different colors. Most attributed the girls to the unscrupulous gang members.
Seeing those black, grey, and white speed past and disappear from their sight, everyone let out the heavy air held inside. News related to gangs had popped up one after another, tickling people's fragile hearts.
Before, they might even curse and drive in a way to teach the maniac road users lessons. But after hearing repetitive bombardment of news related to gangs, their courage dissipated. Their lives were far more important than respect and dignity.
Su Ruomei's groups had no idea that ordinary people were thinking wrongly. Their minds prepared various scenarios their missions had pushed them to.
Su Ruomei gazed at the side mirror and only saw one van behind, where Jiang Yu led another team. There were only two teams. The convoy had separated at one juncture, each dashed toward different cities, as pointed out by Athena.
Because the situation was still unfolding, the group wasn't sure of the gang's attack. But their side's intelligence already discovered where the enemy scouts were and who they had laid their eyes on.
So, throughout the entire journey, the vans traveled a little over the maximum speed, to avoid attracting police surveillance.
Apart from the City N police force, headed by Yang Qingyue, none of the girls could be relieved. Who knew if their movement would be leaked and ruin the plan?
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While Su Ruomei waited for Athena's further investigation, her hands brushed the rail on her assault rifle as if it were a flower.
She held QBU-191 or QBZ-192. The other sisters were equipped with the same rifle. In fact, according to the mission requirement, having a pistol was already fine.
In a firearm-restricted country, flagging a small pistol was enough to arrest resisting criminals.
The mission also let Su Ruomei know her enemies weren't equipped with firearms. Athena had already listed out what weapons they held after nonstop monitoring.
They were heavy sticks, metal batons, and machetes. Only one was suspected of carrying a revolver.
Based on the info, Su Ruomei's team should carry a few submachine guns with pistols. However, Su Ruomei understood the volatility of Province N. Storms raged underneath the false calm.
To prevent the situation from losing control, or in other words, spilling over the chaos, she brought strong deterrence. What if the gangs saw the groups only equipped themselves with pistols and raised the enemies' bravery?
Now with rifles, probably, no one dared to stand against her group. The gang already learned the hard lesson once.
"1-1, 1-2. You better slam the accelerator. The area you're responsible for needs haste. The gang wants to kidnap a little girl, a cousin of your Finance department director." Athena's calm voice came in despite her words sending urgency.
Touching her headset, Su Ruomei asked. "1-1 here. Where exactly? How many minutes do we have?"
Su Ruomei didn't waste a moment to gain important facts.
"Less than 30 minutes. Don't worry yet. Their plan is to drag the girl away and leave her unharmed by dropping someone and making threats to the workers. They don't dare to make a big fuss." Athena replied. "I've already updated the locations on your PDA. Just follow the course."
"Thanks. But we must never let these bastards rampage around destroying other's peaceful life." Su Ruomei replied.
"Sister Su sounds more like a righteous police officer." Jiang Yu entered the chat with a teasing tone.
Because Athena controlled the channels meticulously, the girls didn't need to worry about blurring the chatter on the radios. Of course, once serious, nobody would talk. Even if they wanted to, Athena would relay the message for them.
No one knew how Athena did but they had experimented and seen the results with their own eyes.
"After all, we are also part of the family. Seeing familiar people going through hardships because of our unresponsiveness, I can't bear it." Su Ruomei said.
Since Su Ruomei considered herself part of Ling Qingyu's member, she didn't want unnecessary bad impacts on Ling Qingyu's enterprise. The other guards thought the same. Who else but Ling Qingyu could give them, the life and hobbies they desired?
"Yeah, it'll be too impolite for us to not respond against their declaration of war." Athena said. "We show these cunning rats through today's action, we don't like being provoked. The same for ordinary people."
Su Ruomei gestured the driver to speed up. The girl on the steering wheel nodded and smashed the pedal. The two vans accelerated.
The girls no longer cared about the traffic law enforcement but they still kept their presence low.
"Should I turn on sirens and light?" Su Ruomei asked. "The informant will alert these gang members and the kidnapping won't happen. We seem to be late no matter what, right?"
Su Ruomei's words silenced Athena. Jiang Yu also didn't disturb. After a while, Athena spoke: "Yes. The scenario will transform into hostage rescue if the status quo remains the same."
"But the poor girl won't have to go through unnecessary traumatic experiences because they fear our presence. Once alerted, we can arrest them safely without risking a hostage situation."
"For what crimes then?" Athena's voice contained rejection. "You should understand, the weak order in Province N can't punish them. Don't include our lack of solid evidence."
"Don't you already have intel and their motives?"
"Why don't you try bullshitting with the lawyers and judges about that?" Athena chided.
"But, but." Su Ruomei was in a dilemma. Even Jiang Yu didn't speak. Though she supported Su Ruomei's choice, she also desired to punish these gang members heavily.
On the one side with sirens and lights alerting the criminals, since there was a chance not to involve innocence, Su Ruomei's heart told her she shouldn't take unnecessary risk and endanger the girl's life.
On the other side going covert ensured mission success of catching them in the act, if they didn't have the gang's handle, today's operation was useless. She already foresaw these bastards would be released soon. What was the crime of stalking someone? Malicious intent? It might work in a country with strong law and order.
In fact, the girls intended to capture them while on the act but because only Su Ruomei's group was a bit late or the gang members moved too fast, the situation rose to a hostage rescue crisis.
In Province N, the corrupted judicial system would ignore these unless there was strong evidence and pressure that they couldn't bear to look the other way.
"How about the other teams?" Su Ruomei asked. The palpation inside the van was high. Nobody interfered with Su Ruomei's decision, including Athena who was communicating with her.
"Their teams are fine. They won't have to be on fire like yours." Athena replied. "Listen, Captain Su, I know about the controversy here. Think about your Instructor Tang, Sister Xiao and President Ling, who have already made numerous plans after our mission. Although your decision won't impact too much, the chain might break and everything will change. The plane has already taken off the runway."
"1-2, any suggestion?" Su Ruomei asked Jiang Yu on the channel.
"Negative. The decision's yours. I'll follow your order without hesitation."
Su Ruomei had a complicated expression and sighed. Nonetheless, time wouldn't stop because of her indecision. The vans were rushing toward the scenes.
"Don't pressure yourself too much." With a soft sigh, Tang Ziyi appeared.
"Sister Tang."
"Sister Tang."
Su Ruomei and Jiang Yu were relieved.
This was the prestige Tang Ziyi wielded. Once she gave orders, nobody would have a doubt.
"Okay, I'm just monitoring you girls. I won't give any advice." Tang Ziyi said. "The decision is all yours. Captain Su, this is a test you must take, and don't worry about the consequences. You're all trained sufficiently to prepare for any circumstances. I believe in you."
Su Ruomei's eyes shone brightly. She regained her confidence and made a decision. That was all Su Ruomei needed—support and trust from a capable one. "Thank you, Sister Tang."
"Go ahead. We have your back." Tang Ziyi left the channel.
Though Su Ruomei didn't want to exploit the poor victim, the situation called for it. Su Ruomei informed Athena. "Athena, continue the plan. Please brief us on the rescue target and the kidnappers."
Now that the opponents released a handle, why must she ignore and not take advantage? Once done, the blows to the gang would be more impactful. As for the poor girl, she believed in her team's skills to rescue her safely.
Su Ruomei told her decision to everyone and laid out plans, along with suggestions from Athena, who had drawn several paths to intercept the kidnappers once the event unfolded.
"Captain Su, actually, your decision is the best. Only after we completely eradicate the gang once and for all, such a similar situation will never happen." Athena comforted. "As for the girl, we can only say sorry and provide the best psychological counseling."
Su Ruomei smiled. "I never knew, you also know how to console others. By the way, Athena, your plan counts everything. We're lucky to not have you as our opponents."
Listening to Athena's lists of plan A, B, C…etc, it wasn't false to say, Su Ruomei, including the girls who were paying attention, had their minds blown and were horrified. Such meticulousness, such high level of calculation precisely with time variables. They had never seen this big scene.
"It's a pleasure to be complimented." Athena replied cheerfully.