The civilian evacuation point was set up on a wasteland 15 kilometers north of Titrick, like a temporary patch attached to the scar of war.
Within the area enclosed by barbed wire, thousands of civilians huddled like startled flocks of sheep among the flimsy tents, the air filled with dust, sweat, and a faint smell of chemical agents—an odor of death wafting from the south of Titrick.
The US Army checkpoint was solemnly stationed at the entrance of the camp.
When Song Heping's convoy arrived, five fully-armed American soldiers immediately fanned out, with fingers lightly resting on the trigger guards.
A captain stepped forward, his gaze swept over the license plates and markings of Song Heping's convoy, and nodded slightly.
"Mr. Song, General Duke is waiting for you in the command vehicle." The captain's tone was like a rehearsed line, "Please follow me, your guards can stay outside the alert line."
Song Heping glanced behind the checkpoint.
