The conversation between Medved-One and Russian high command was short, brief, and not at all pleasant. "Captain, the Su-25s are still loading and require ten minutes before they are on station. However, for the moment we have support from a battery of 122 millimeter howitzers and a battery of Smerch rocket artillery. Be warned that the Smerch's will be firing thermobaric weaponry, so call them only if you are sure that you need the area devastated." He said and moved up alongside the captain, with Zhenya trailing just behind them and the rest of Medved in a loose formation bringing up the rear.

The captain's comment about not leaving any intelligence for Medved to collect was unpleasant, but not unexpected. "We are not here to collect information." Medved-One said stiffly, sounding offended, and in Zhenya's opinion, rightfully so. Jan was his captain, and Zhenya was obliged to follow him wherever he went, but he found the captain's manner of speaking to be a bit too antagonistic and could not resist speaking up.

"With respect, captain." Zhenya began slowly. "Your distrust of us Russians will not make things go any more smoothly. Medved is here to help us."

He said nothing more, as they soon cleared a ridge and visually identified a patrol of enemy combatants. Zhenya quickly took cover behind a rock, just beside Medved-Three. The muffled coughs of silenced guns preceded the thumps of bodies hitting the hard ground. Although he hated it, Zhenya held his fire for the engagement. Despite all the modifications to the RPD, it still used an old-styled sound suppressor. It made the weapon relatively silent, but it still carried a distinctive crack. While it was not loud enough to be heard over a long distance, in such silent conditions, it would almost certainly give away their position.

"Medved-Two has kill." An accented voice said over his headset.

"Medved-Four reports hostile eliminated." Another voice said. "Area looks clear."