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Contrary to expectations, Jack, who appeared to be the most seriously injured, didn't receive the same level of attention. The women made way for him, and Jeje helped him inside. Concerned about leaving any traces that might be noticed during wound examination, and since his injuries were mostly superficial, Jack hadn't used his healing skills. As a result, the blood from his wounds had clotted, sticking to his clothes.

Jeje led him to a small bathroom on the third floor, where she cut away his damaged clothes and pants, cleaning his wounds with clean water. However, as she prepared to disinfect and bandage him, she frowned.

"Your wound on the waist is quite deep; it needs stitches."

Jack, not wanting to endure the pain of stitches and the discomfort of removing them later, handed her a needleless suture kit, "Use this; my wounds heal quickly."

The needleless suture kit consisted of two adhesive strips placed on either side of the wound, connected by a flexible line. By pulling the line tight, the wound edges were brought together, mimicking the effect of stitches.

As Jeje meticulously cleaned and dressed his wounds, her careful and gentle manner made Jack's breathing slightly labored.

"Jennifer, it was dangerous earlier," Jack began, using her full name.

"I know, I was worried about you. I only relaxed when you came back," Jeje responded, still focused on adjusting the sutures, seemingly unfazed by Jack's use of her first name.

"I mean, I was really close to not making it. Shebek detonated those Claymores at the last second," Jack continued, his confidence wavered, feeling he might be overstepping.

"I heard. The PMC left a communicator with us, and everyone was worried. When you returned to communication range, everyone cheered," Jeje said, finally looking up, concern evident in her eyes. Jack found himself unable to say anything more.

"It's fine; I'm okay now. I should check in with Brie Teri to see how her communication with Garcia and Taylor Kelly is going," Jack said, trying to get up, but Jeje quickly pushed him back down, straddling him with a determined look.

"Who are you going to see?" she asked, her eyes narrowing with a hint of possessiveness.

Jack couldn't help but smile, amused by her transparency. As the treatment continued, the small bathroom began to feel like a sauna, the tension between them palpable.

The successful ambush and subsequent defense made the survivors' second night on Holo Island much more relaxed. The PMC took turns on watch, allowing Jack to sleep peacefully under the mosquito net.

At dawn, with the jungle mist still hanging low, a column of smoke rose from the abandoned mine as parachutes blossomed in the sky—SEAL Team Bravo had arrived. This time, the survivors were more composed, calmly going about their duties.

Jason Hayes, still sporting a full beard and an intense gaze, approached Jack, extending his hand. "Long time no see, old friend."

Jack responded with a warm hug, "If we're old friends, you don't need to be so formal."

After greeting Clay, Sonny, Ray, and the rest of Bravo Team, Shebek approached, puzzled. "Is it my imagination, or are they happier to see you than me?"

Jack shrugged, unsure of the relationship between Shebek and the Bravo Team, but he had shared a significant bond with them, involving real gold—a rare and deep connection.

Bravo Team had been briefed on the latest situation. What had previously been a potentially high-risk A-level mission, likely escalating to S-level, had now been downgraded to a D or even E-level mission. The island's largest armed group had been effectively dismantled, and their leader captured.

The "Abu Sayyaf" group, essentially a guerrilla terrorist organization, was not a trained military force. Whether a new leader could emerge or someone could rally the remaining forces for a rescue mission, it would not happen quickly. The locals were inherently lax, and neither the Philippine government forces nor the rebels showed any urgency or efficiency.

Two days had passed without any official statement from the Philippine government, nor had anyone contacted the crash survivors who had regained communication. As the SEALs landed, Jeje organized the survivors for evacuation.

The evacuation point was a beach less than 10 kilometers from the mine, with the destroyer USS Milius waiting offshore. Alongside the SEALs came two airborne all-terrain vehicles equipped with heavy machine guns. Six SEALs in the vehicles led the way, with five PMC members covering the rear.

By 10 a.m., all preparations were complete, and the convoy left the abandoned mine. They set fire to any supplies and ammunition they couldn't take with them.

Jack's pickup was in the middle of the convoy, driven by Gaspare, with Jeje in the passenger seat. The two pilots, now acting as guards, sat in the back with their only prisoner, the one-armed Raduran Shasilun.

The old man had been running a high fever since the previous night. His forehead wound was clearly infected, and with no one willing or able to remove the embedded steel balls, his condition was deteriorating. With no interest from the US government or military in the prisoner, and the Philippine government showing no concern, Captain Torrance even shrugged at the suggestion of handing him over to the authorities.

Shasilun's life was now on a countdown, but they didn't abandon him in the jungle out of humanitarian concern. Jack considered him a potential bargaining chip if they encountered any more resistance on their way out.

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