"The gateway to Benghazi (Benghazi) is wide open. Haftar will control over half of Libya's territory and population, and... over 60% of the proven oil reserves."
On the screen, a cluster of yellow dots representing oil fields tily lit up, densely scattered within the blue areas soon to be controlled by the LNA, with a few especially dazzling super oil fields.
The conference room was dead silent, with only the low hum of equipnt.
Levin stared at the screen, eyes burning with unwilling fury.
Ms. M's fingertips habitually tapped lightly on the table, rhythm steady, as if calculating sothing.
"So."
Vincent broke the silence, leaning back against the wide backrest, hands crossed over his abdon, relaxed in posture but eyes sharp as a hawk.
"That's the situation. Sayif is a helpless weakling, barely surviving with our and European allies' lifeline, now beaten senseless by Song Heping and allied Haftar forces. And this retired Eastern soldier has made it clear—he doesn't care about offending anyone, including all of you present."
His gaze swept over Levin and Ms. M.
"What are we waiting for?!"
Levin said coldly, "Since he's openly defiant, let's crush him in the most direct way! Deploy the carrier battle group stationed in the diterranean! B-2? F-35? Erase Song Heping and his rcenaries, along with Haftar's rabble, and their command centers from the map completely! Let them know with absolute air power who the real rule-makers are!"
His voice carried a bloodthirsty impulse, as if he could already see the desert burning.
"Erase?"
Ms. M spoke coldly, interrupting Levin's roar, her gaze turning to Vincent with a barely perceptible warning.
"Use our most advanced fighters, repeat the fiasco of that night? Director Levin, I think you haven't forgotten, just seven days ago, Song Heping, in the diterranean airspace, efficiently shot down four F-15I fighters in a way we still cannot comprehend. The pilots didn't even have ti to send a complete distress signal."
She paused, emphasizing her tone, "'Musician's' air defense capability is a huge mystery. Recklessly sending high-value aerial platforms into its unknown lethal radius is an extrely irresponsible gamble. If further losses occur, be it internally or externally, it will be... difficult to justify."
Her words were like cold water, pouring over Levin's fierce fla.
Vincent's relaxed look completely disappeared.
He put down the cigar cutter, leaned forward, elbows on the table, fingers interlocked, eyes wandering between Levin and Ms. M.
"Mystery? Gamble? Certainly!"
He acknowledged, his lips curling into a calculating arc, "Song Heping is a dangerous variable, no doubt. But to remove this thorn, the risks... need to match the rewards."
His fingers again pointed to the yellow area on the screen representing oil fields.
"Look here, look at these plots flowing with black gold. The French control their share in the northwest Zawiya port, and the British have stable interest channels in Misrata. What about us Aricans?"
His voice conveyed obvious dissatisfaction, "We supported Sayif against Colonel Ka initially, providing the key 'asymtric advantage.' Yet now, aside from so war-torn, temporarily unexploitable oil fields, what have we earned? A chaotic Libya, a Song Heping more troubleso than Colonel Ka!"
His gaze beca aggressive, like a businessman collecting debts, "Now, you want our CIA to fully mobilize precious strategic resources, risking expensive aircraft and personnel, possibly sparking larger international disputes, to help you... or rather, help our European allies, eliminate this common threat?"
He deliberately paused, letting the pressure accumulate in the air, "Then, once it's done, how should the interests in this soon-to-be 'liberated' oil-rich southern area be redistributed? Can't let the warriors leading the charge settle for re scraps, right?"
His intent was blatant and clear—to demand benefits, to demand oil.
Ms. M's brow furrowed truly for the first ti, a trace of anger flashing in her eyes: "Vincent, Song Heping is not just Britain's or Daishe Bird Country's trouble, he is a 'global wanted criminal,' prominently ranked on your CIA's bounty list as the 'KB molecule leader'! Eliminating him aligns with Arica's core interests! It's a responsibility, an obligation, not a matter for extortion!"
Her voice remained calm but quickened, like ice beads hitting the ground.
"Responsibility? Obligation?"
Vincent sneered, as if looking at a spoiled child, his tone unyielding, "Ms. M, in this room, we all know national interest is the eternal driving force. Responsibility and obligation? Those are pretty words for Congress Hill's dignitaries in reports. The reality is, to mobilize B-2 or F-35 squadrons, I need direct presidential authorization and ample reasons. The best reason is ensuring the great risks and resources invested by Arican taxpayers can translate into tangible, long-term strategic returns—such as, dominant developnt rights in the southern oil fields."
He raised a finger, "My demand is clear: After successfully expelling Song Heping and stabilizing the Libyan situation, Arican companies must occupy the main share of the oil revenue from the newly controlled southern region. This is the premise for cooperation."
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