Marcus, Murphy, and Dietz took the last remaining Claymore and moved out, transitioning the team from its usual close-knit fireteam tactics into decentralized coordinated operations.
Each man was now spread out over 50 meters apart, able to communicate only via radio.
Whether they could hold their assigned sectors depended almost entirely on their individual combat experience and capabilities—support from teammates could account for, at most, thirty percent of their chances.
Long Zhan's weapon loadout was best suited for this kind of engagement, and so was his mission—the most demanding of all.
To ensure Shah couldn't escape by vehicle, Long Zhan deployed the last remaining Claymore mine approximately 30 meters outside the road leading out of the village, positioning it on a small earthen rise about three meters high, just off the left side of the road.
He aligned the Claymore's **"Front Toward Enemy"** face at a downward slant toward the road.
This angled placement meant a slightly reduced effective range compared to a flat orientation, but the lethality would be significantly amplified.
The roofs of vehicles are generally thin; the steel balls inside the Claymore could easily punch through.
As long as any vehicle attempted to rush out of the village and entered the mine's blast arc, its 700 steel balls would shred it like "black silk stockings."
Once the Claymore was set and wired with an electronic detonator, Long Zhan began choosing a position for his machine gun nest.
To maximize the Claymore's road-blocking potential, he needed a location that would allow him to focus 90% of his attention on the village—terrain ideal for suppressive fire from a light machine gun.
He needed not only to dominate his own sector, but also to be in a position to support his flanks with overlapping fields of fire.
With those criteria in mind, Long Zhan quickly found a suitable spot.
Roughly 80 meters outside the village entrance, the terrain was elevated about 4 meters above the village, offering an unobstructed line of fire and a clear view over more than half of it.
He trimmed the brush, stacked some stones on either side for both concealment and protection, forming a crude but functional machine gun shield.
He then pulled every ammo pouch from his kit and backpack, arranging them within arm's reach.
His one-man machine gun nest was now operational.
Long Zhan's preparations were nearly complete. The remaining four members of Murphy's team had also finished their own setups.
Up on the hillside to Long Zhan's left, Matt had already set up the laser designator.
Once he received the target coordinates and estimated time of arrival for the laser-guided missile, he'd be able to provide precise ground-based guidance for it.
Next to the designator position, he had also hastily constructed a sniper hide.
Using the high-magnification scope on his sniper rifle, Matt could bring the entire village into his sights and provide pinpoint suppressive fire on any area as needed.
Marcus, too, was armed with an SPR sniper rifle. While not ideal for defense, the semi-automatic marksman rifle offered speed and flexibility.
If the Taliban in the village launched a coordinated rush, he'd be under immense pressure—once enemy numbers exceeded fifteen in a single push, it would be extremely difficult to hold the line.
Fortunately, they had a Claymore covering the approach, with Matt providing overwatch from the hillside and teammates supporting both flanks.
In theory, they could hold out for a while.
Murphy and Dietz were equipped with M4A1 rifles. Backed by another Claymore to counter mass assaults and with eighteen magazines of ammunition, any Taliban attempt to force their position would also come at a steep cost.
With all tactical positions and fields of fire established, the time ticked past 1400 hours. They were entering a fresh satellite communication window.
It would be the final opportunity to speak with command before the Rick James operation commenced.
Because of how critical this communication was, both Murphy on the ground and Command—represented by Kristensen—paid meticulous attention to every second of the call.
After confirming each other's identities, Murphy got straight to the point.
> "One and a half hours ago, two vehicles entered the village. There's over an 80% chance Shah has relocated. We've repositioned to the village perimeter and set up an ambush."
> "Too many Taliban fighters inside the village. We can't hold them off for long. The Rick James operation needs to start immediately."
Hearing that Murphy's team had entered a live combat situation, Kristensen's mood turned even more somber.
Fortunately, the mission planning conference had concluded. All participating units were on standby, ready to deploy at a moment's notice.
> "Strike units are on standby. Estimated arrival at Kataku Village is 1500 hours," Kristensen replied, stating the exact timeline. He then stressed the importance of stopping Shah and urged Murphy's team to stay alive at all costs.
Finally, he relayed key information: missile launch times, expected time on target, and the laser designation codes for guidance.
Kristensen had wanted to ask for updated intelligence on the current situation inside Kataku Village—
—but the roar of engines and the sight of more than a hundred Taliban fighters gathering in the village square, preparing to board vehicles, forced Murphy to end the transmission.
> "Good luck," Kristensen said. He knew war was about to erupt—and that it would be five men going up against over two hundred. He had so much more to say, but in the end, all he could offer was one final blessing.
The moment the satellite call ended, Kristensen gave the order to initiate the operation.
An F-15 fighter, armed with an AGM-65E Maverick laser-guided air-to-surface missile, taxied onto the runway at Bagram Air Base.
Once the strike time came, it would tear into the sky and deliver a decisive blow to the enemy.
At the Jebad Forward Military Base airfield, the Bravo Team of the QRF—over thirty men—had long since been fully armed and ready.
Receiving the go signal from command, they boarded four Black Hawk helicopters preparing for takeoff.
Two Longbow Apache attack helicopters were already airborne, ready to provide full-spectrum cover for the Black Hawks.
Command had officially entered a combat posture. The combined force—drawn from multiple units—was now en route to Kataku Village.
On Murphy's side, the situation had reached a razor's edge. The battle was about to begin.