Chapter 2041 - 843: The Ones Who Did It Are Getting Anxious

On the screen, the blue arrows representing Mexican forces were advancing rapidly toward Quito. The red arrows representing Ecuadorian forces were in disarray, scattering everywhere; some were retreating, some moving sideways, and some were simply staying put—possibly surrendering.

"Report from Brigade Commander Garcia." Bramo handed over a document.

Victor took it and glanced at it.

"The vanguard has reached a position thirty kilometers from Quito. The Third Division of Ecuador is still resisting, but they're running low on ammunition. The Second Division has surrendered, and their commander has been captured. The Fourth Division… is in contact with our advance party, saying they want to 'negotiate'."

Victor set the report down.

"Negotiate? About what?"

"About the terms of surrender."

Victor didn't say anything.

Casare stood beside him, a cigar in his mouth.

"Boss, at this pace, we'll be able to enter Quito by dawn tomorrow."

Victor nodded.

"Tell Garcia, there's no rush. Surround it first, don't attack."

Casare was taken aback.

"Surround? Isn't the goal to annihilate the country?"

Victor looked at him.

"Annihilation is not the goal. The goal is to make them understand what overwhelming power means."

He stood up and walked to the map.

On the map, Quito was circled in red pen.

"There are three million people around Quito. If they're surrounded without an attack, after three days, food within the city will become scarce. After a week, there will be issues with water and electricity. In two weeks—those who are cheering in the square today will start blaming the government for not surrendering."

He turned around.

"This is called siege warfare."

Casare understood.

"Let them cause chaos on their own."

Victor nodded.

"Tell them to open a passage for civilians to leave the city. But no soldiers, police, or government officials—none are allowed to escape."

1 AM, north of Quito.

The position of the Third Division had been surrounded for six hours.

Division Commander Carlos Salcedo stood in the trench, looking at the dark silhouettes in the distance. The Mexican armored vehicles were lined up, headlights off, like a group of giant beasts crouching in the dark.

"Commander, we only have enough ammunition left for two rounds." The adjutant ran over, his voice trembling.

Salcedo didn't speak.

"Commander, what should we do?"

Salcedo looked at him.

"Who do you still have at home?"

The adjutant was stunned for a moment.

"I have... a wife, two kids, and my mother."

Salcedo nodded.

"Take them and head towards the city. You should still be able to get out before dawn."

The adjutant was stupefied.

"Commander, what about you?"

Salcedo didn't answer.

He turned to look at those dark silhouettes.

"I'll stay."

2 AM, the adjutant led his family and mingled with the civilians heading toward Quito.

3 AM, gunshots were heard from Salcedo's position—they were not from an attack, but a signal for retreat.

The Mexicans did not pursue.

They simply advanced 500 meters forward and resumed the siege.

4 AM, south of Quito.

Negotiations on the Fourth Division's position had been underway for an hour.

Division Commander Gilberto Menendez sat in a jeep, across from the deputy brigade commander of the 1st Armored Brigade of Mexico, a forty-something colonel with a stoic expression.

"General Menendez," the colonel began, speaking Spanish with a distinct Mexican accent, "we have considered your demands."

Menendez waited for him to continue.

"Surrender is acceptable, but it must be unconditional. You and your men must surrender all weapons and accept our custody. After the war, depending on behavior, you may be released."

Menendez was silent for a few seconds.

"What about my subordinates?"

"They will be treated the same."

"What about their families?"

"Families can leave. We will establish a humanitarian corridor."

Menendez closed his eyes.

He remembered a phone call from General Acuña this afternoon. In it, Acuña had said, "Brother, hold on, reinforcements are coming soon."

Where were the reinforcements?

He also recalled the speech delivered by the President on television. "Justice will prevail! Ecuador will triumph!"

Who is triumphant now?

He opened his eyes.

"I accept."

The colonel nodded.

"Very well. Before dawn, please have your troops lay down their arms and gather on the east side of the position. We will send people to receive them."

Menendez said nothing more.

He got out of the car and returned to his position.

Behind him, the deputy brigade commander's jeep started up and disappeared into the night.

5 AM, Quito, Presidential Palace.

Alarcón hadn't slept all night.

He sat behind his desk, with three reports spread out before him.

First: The Third Division has surrendered. Division Commander Salcedo committed suicide.

Second: The Fourth Division has surrendered. Division Commander Menendez was captured.

Third: To the north, the Mexican armored vehicles were already visible.

He set the reports down.

Acuña stood in front of him, his face pale.

"Mr. President, we've lost."

Alarcón looked up.

"What about Sinopiquiar?"

Acuña shook his head.

"Can't reach him. Some say he flew out last night, went to Peru."

Alarcón was silent for a long time.

Then he laughed.

It was a bitter laugh.

"He ran away. The one who caused the most deaths, ran away."

He stood up and walked to the window.

Outside, dawn was breaking. A faint streak of pale white appeared in the eastern sky, like a thin layer of ash.

In the distance, the Mexican armored vehicles were slowly advancing. Their headlights were on, like strings of moving lights, barely visible in the morning mist.

"Acuña."

Acuña stepped closer.

"Here."

"You should leave too."

Acuña was dumbfounded.

"Mr. President—"

"Leave," Alarcón interrupted him, "while there's still time. Head north, or south, go anywhere. Don't stay here."