Working as a police officer in Mexico-Chapter 1672 - 761: The Thirty-Six Stratagems – Heavy Blow! (Part 2)

The Mexican soldiers appeared even more "frantic" as they crossed the valley, with some even falling, scrambling back up to continue running, losing their helmets along the way.

"They're done for! Charge ahead, finish them!" the Italian company commander shouted excitedly, directing the armored vehicles to accelerate, while the infantry began to run and chase.

Salvador followed into the valley, stepping through the stream, causing water to splash everywhere. However, just as they were about to catch up with the "routing troops," a sudden change occurred!

The Mexican soldiers suddenly vanished like groundhogs behind grass and rocks, and at the same time, both sides of the valley erupted with extremely dense firepower!

That wasn't the previously sporadic rifle fire, but a deadly web of firepower composed of heavy machine guns shooting low, automatic grenade launchers, and countless assault rifles!!

Bullets poured down like a torrential rain from both sides, instantly turning the foremost Italian armored vehicles into sieves, their gas tanks exploding into fierce flames.

The infantry fell like cut wheat in large swathes.

"Ambush! We're ambushed!" Victor shouted hoarsely, pulling Salvador down behind a rock. Bullets ricocheted off the rock, sending fragments flying.

Salvador's heart nearly leapt out of his chest, fear instantly gripping him. He looked up, only to see the slope that was empty moments ago now swarmed with desert camouflaged Mexican soldiers, gun muzzles spewing deadly flames.

That wasn't all.

The sky was pierced by the shrill whistle of artillery shells, as the heavy guns of Mexico's 3rd Artillery Brigade fired, dense shells like hailstorm pounded the Italian ranks and the roads in the rear, the massive explosions almost rupturing eardrums, soil, rock fragments, and severed limbs tossed into the air. In an instant, the entire valley transformed into a hell of flames and death.

The retreat path was completely severed by fierce artillery fire! Italian vehicles and soldiers attempting to turn around and retreat were swallowed up by precise artillery fire.

"Call for artillery support! Call for air support!" the Italian commanders desperately cried out over the radio.

But their communication channels were heavily disrupted, intermittent. Even when connected, the rear reported terrible news, their own artillery positions suppressed by enemy counter-battery fire, promised air support nowhere in sight, Mexico's "Warthog" attack planes already patrolling the battle zone perimeter, repelling any NATO aircraft attempting to approach.

Tanks and infantry fighting vehicles from the Mexican 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment charged out of preset concealed positions like steel beasts, blocking both ends of the valley, picking off any still-moving Italian targets with precise firepower. Quick Reaction Brigade soldiers swept down from the slopes like descending tigers, beginning to clean up the remnants.

Salvador and Victor relied on the rock to make a dogged stand, but they were surrounded on all sides by the enemy, completely suppressed by firepower.

A hand grenade landed nearby, Victor suddenly tackled Salvador.

"Boom!" Salvador felt a wave of heat and shock pass over his back, ringing in his ears.

He struggled to get up, finding Victor covered in blood, no longer breathing.

Despair engulfed Salvador. He saw the company commander's radio blown away, saw the platoon leader shot by a sniper, saw comrades falling one by one, those surrendering raising their hands, but some enraged Mexican soldiers seemed unwilling to leave anyone alive.

Salvador expended his last magazine, discarded his rifle, and like the others, raised his hands high, crying out tearfully, "Surrender! We surrender! (¡Rendición! ¡Nos rendimos!)"

A Mexican sergeant with camo-painted face and cold eyes approached, pointing his gun at him. Salvador closed his eyes, awaiting the end of his fate.

However, the anticipated gunshot didn't ring out.

He felt the gun muzzle tap his head, then move away. He opened his eyes to see the sergeant gesturing to others, seemingly to gather and guard the prisoners.

Maybe not all Mexican soldiers were willing to execute the cruel "no prisoners" order, or perhaps they needed some live captives for intelligence gathering.

Colonel Bertolini felt his heart quiver in the rear command post.

Desperate cries, screams, and explosions filled the radio.

Previously smooth communications were now fragmented, filled with sharp static noise and final curses in Italian.

"We're surrounded!"

"Enemies everywhere! Their firepower is too fierce!"

"Armored vehicles are all gone!"

"Help! We need support!"

"Ah---!"

After a final piercing scream, a channel went completely silent.

The staff ran over with a pale face, voice trembling, "Colonel! The lead assault battalion has lost contact! Last reports were of a devastating ambush in a valley, enemy deployed at least one brigade, with heavy artillery and tanks! Our retreat path is also blocked by artillery fire!"

"A brigade?! Impossible! How could their main force appear here so quickly?!"

Bertolini roared, grabbing the communications officer's shoulder, "Quick! Connect me to the British Army command on the right flank! Connect the French Army on the left flank! Hurry!"

The communications soldiers frantically tried to get through the channels, but interference persisted, finally connecting the British Army Brigadier General's headquarters.

"Brigadier General! This is Bertolini! My advance unit was ambushed by Mexico main forces in Komodo River Valley, suffering heavy losses, retreat path cut off! Request immediate support! Request air cover and artillery assistance!" Bertolini shouted into the microphone, his voice warped by fear and urgency.