63: Unexplained emotions

"Don't thank me, I'm just repaying a favor."

"Your country is great, it once defeated a formidable enemy."

Taleb looked up at the clouds in the sky and murmured softly:

"If it were possible, I truly wish I were a member of your country..."

After speaking, he gently closed the hatch and returned to the cockpit.

Masoum was already sitting in the driver's seat, waiting for instructions.

Through the monitor, he also saw the enemy tank formation ahead.

Looking at the silent Masoum, Taleb smiled:

"Why are you so quiet today, you big mouth?"

Masoum was startled for a moment, then also laughed:

"Platoon Leader, I'm not used to you talking so much today."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

"Are you scared?"

"Yes, of course I'm scared, but even if I'm scared, I want to die heroically."

"Platoon Leader, if we can destroy two tanks, will that count as revenge for Ibn and the others?"

Taleb grinned: "Then let's take out four!"

"Platoon Leader, I'm really not used to this energy you have today."

"You'll get used to it when we go to that endless shore together."

"Advance!"

"Yes, Platoon Leader!" Masoum replied, then operated the [Vanguard 90 Main Battle Tank] to start.

The tank's tracks left deep imprints in the sand as it slowly crossed the ridge ahead, exposing itself to the enemy armored formation's view.

Illuminated by the setting sun, the tank faced the enemy armor cluster like a lone hero.

After Taleb completed the target lock, the 125mm smoothbore gun was ready.

Based on previous engagement experience, Taleb knew the M1A1 was equipped with explosive reactive armor, so this shot had to precisely hit its weak points.

"Fire!"

With his command, the shell was fired instantly.

"Boom!"

An M1A1 that couldn't react in time was immediately engulfed in flames.

Taleb succeeded, destroying an M1A1 with just one shot.

But the other tanks quickly adjusted their guns to target them.

However, the Vanguard 90 Main Battle Tank quickly completed reloading.

Taleb locked onto another target.

"This shot is for Ibn and the others! Fire!"

"Boom!"

The shell burst from the barrel, stirring up a cloud of smoke, and another distant tank immediately exploded.

In this critical moment, Taleb's concentration reached its peak, hitting the target again!

With two consecutive shots, they destroyed two M1A1s.

This was an achievement they couldn't have imagined before, but they did it today.

As they fired, Masoum accelerated the tank to its limit.

Due to the lack of cover and the explosive reactive armor being damaged in the previous airstrike, they could only attempt to evade enemy fire by performing S-shaped maneuvers.

"Boom, boom, boom..."

The enemy tank formation fired almost simultaneously.

Shells exploded around the Vanguard 90, kicking up dust everywhere.

Fortunately, Masoum's maneuver allowed them to evade this volley.

"Haha, Platoon Leader, these guys' shooting is terrible!"

Taleb didn't get distracted.

Instead, he used the smoke screen to continue aiming precisely.

The shell was loaded and ready to fire.

"Let us show you how powerful we are!"

"Hit it for me!"

Taleb pressed the fire button firmly.

"Bang!" The shell tore through the sky.

The muzzle blast tore through the surrounding smoke screen, exposing their position once again to the enemy M1A1 formation.

Another flash of fire, and Taleb hit the target precisely.

After destroying three tanks in a row, the enemy no longer underestimated them and began to move to evade.

Several predictive shots flew towards them.

"Bang, bang, bang..."

Masoum desperately controlled the tank.

However, this time, luck seemed to have left them.

"Bang!" With a loud crash, the BH90 Tank was almost flipped over.

"Damn it, Platoon Leader, the left track is broken, we can't move."

Masoum was covered in sweat, trying to keep the tank stable.

Although not directly destroyed, they lost their mobility, becoming an easier target.

However, Taleb was completely focused on the locked-on enemy tank.

The shell was automatically loaded.

"Bang!" The sound of the gun was deafening.

Time seemed to freeze.

Taleb turned to Masoum and said:

"Masoum, we did it."

"I told you I wouldn't lie to you."

Flames ignited again in the distance, but the two paid them no mind.

Masoum took out a pack of cigarettes.

Normally, the Platoon Leader would never allow him to smoke in the tank.

But now, he wanted to hear the Platoon Leader's nagging again.

He lit two cigarettes, took a deep drag, and handed one to the Platoon Leader.

Taleb took the cigarette and smiled: "Smoking is bad for your health."

Masoum also smiled:

"I know... Platoon Leader."

The tank engine had long since stopped.

The wind whipped up swirls of yellow sand.

The setting sun's afterglow shone on the silent war machine, coating it with a golden edge, like a dream.

The broken track creaked in the wind, eventually falling silent.

Inside the tank, continuous explosions echoed in their ears, but they knew those whistling shells no longer mattered.

Destroying four enemy tanks, this record was enough to make them proud.

The two closed their eyes to rest, enjoying the cigarettes in their hands.

Puff after puff, smoke curled around them.

It wasn't until the cigarette butt burned hot that Masoum was suddenly startled and casually threw the butt out.

An inexplicable emotion welled up in his heart.

"Platoon Leader, are there also hot cigarettes in Allah's embrace?"

Taleb opened his eyes, his face full of confusion.

"It seems we're still alive."

"Then the explosion just now was..."

Taleb quickly put out the cigarette butt and turned to the monitor.

Both of them had previously thought their time was up, and neither had paid attention to what was happening outside.

Taleb stared at the screen, his expression suddenly changing.

"What's wrong, Platoon Leader?" Masoum asked.

"The enemy tanks... they seem to have all been destroyed."

"What?"

Masoum was incredulous and also looked at the screen.

They saw flames soaring from the enemy position.

He turned back, his eyes wide.

"Platoon Leader, was your last shot a nuclear bomb?"

Taleb gave him a look.

"If I had a nuclear bomb, would I need to be afraid of them?"

"I would have blown up the Eagle's command post with one shot long ago."

Although he said that, he still looked confused.

Suddenly, several missiles streaked across the sky like meteors, heading straight for the enemy.

Igniting dazzling flames once again.

Now, they were certain of the enemy's destruction.

Following the missile's trajectory, a dark shape gradually approached, its outline becoming clearer.

A whirring sound gradually became audible.

Taleb frowned and guessed: "Is that the sound of an attack helicopter?"

Masoum's eyesight wasn't as good as Taleb's.

He squinted and looked for a while before saying affirmatively: "Platoon Leader, it seems so."

The helicopter got closer and closer, and the sound grew louder and louder.

Suddenly, Masoum excitedly pointed at the tail and shouted: "Platoon Leader, look at that marking!"

"It's our own attack helicopter!"

Taleb also saw the symbol representing the Iraq army.

Although he felt a slight doubt, he also breathed a sigh of relief.