Northwest outskirts of Hulmatu, Tuz Valley.
The terrain here is not particularly steep, but on both sides are hills formed by weathered stones and sand, crafted by nature over centuries.
For soldiers, encountering such terrain while serving as the vanguard team for a large force is most dreaded.
Joseph, captain of the mercenary battalion's recon team, was currently seated inside the sultry cabin of the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle.
His hands, gripping the periscope control stick, were slick with cold sweat.
Through the limited, slightly distorted field of vision, he carefully scanned the outside world that was deathly silent, suffocatingly so.
Too quiet...
So quiet it's abnormal...
"Boss... This goddamn place... there's something wrong…"
A slightly tense voice came through the headset from the observer on the vanguard pickup truck ahead.
"It's too quiet... can't even see a damn bird... it's making my skin crawl..."
