A silence hung over the shooting range.
Only the low hum of the exhaust fan could be heard.
Song Heping's words were deeply shocking to Avanti.
This young man harbored such a profound strategic mindset and astonishing destructive power!
His plan was bold, daring, and yet laser-focused, ingeniously weaving the strategic interests of the United States, Russia, extremist groups, regional powers, and even Persia itself into a web of counterattack.
"Samir..."
Avanti spoke slowly, "He's currently the leader of the Eligo Liberation Force, but the situation in Northwest Eligo is terrible now. They had taken Mosul previously, but soon got repelled by the 1515. Are you sure you can rely on those Eligo militian to defeat those brainwashed lunatics from 1515?"
Song Heping affird confidently, "Before coming here, I talked over the phone with him to understand the current situation. Indeed, at present, the 1515 ard forces are unstoppable in northern Eligo. Samir's forces have dwindled to just over a thousand, hiding in the mountainous regions and deserts of the north to wage guerrilla warfare. The situation is tough; they lack manpower, weapons, money, and intelligence. The 1515 are encircling them severely. I need to go as soon as possible to help him stabilize his position, consolidate forces, and reclaim territory from 1515!"
"Song." Avanti said, "Your plan... is bold and very dangerous. But I think the probability of success is no more than thirty percent. The 1515 are not scattered forces; they have external support, funds, and are extrely ruthless. Even if the Aricans return, they might not follow your script. The Russians are notorious for their greed and unpredictability."
"I know."
Song Heping admitted candidly, "But the thirty percent chance is worth risking my life for. It's better than waiting for another assassination attempt by the CIA here. Besides, your Shiye Arc also needs to open up the Eligo corridor, right?"
"What do you need?"
Avanti asked directly, revealing his interest.
Avanti had always wanted to open up the northern Eligo corridor to link Siria and Persia together.
For organizations like Samir's Eligo Liberation Forces against 1515, Avanti had always wanted to recruit them.
However, due to historical and sectarian reasons, progress in this area had been elusive.
Now Song Heping proposed to go to northern Eligo to seize territory from 1515, which couldn't be better.
As long as Song Heping succeeds, it equates to the success of his Shiye Arc plan.
Therefore, supporting Song Heping also ant fighting for his own interests.
Song Heping understood Avanti's thoughts; he deliberately spoke at length to hint that this matter was not just about his personal interests but also about Persian interests.
As a prominent and influential figure in Persia, if he could gain Avanti's support, obtaining arms and intelligence would not be an issue.
"I need the best personal equipnt—night vision goggles, communication equipnt, anti-tank missiles, enough ammunition, especially sniper rifles and heavy machine guns. Also, robust intelligence support."
"And money." Song Heping added, "Samir's side needs money to recruit troops, buy supplies, and purchase intelligence. This startup fund is essential and can't be omitted."
Avanti didn't answer imdiately, seeming to make calculations in his mind.
After a mont, he nodded, saying, "I'll handle the equipnt and intelligence. How much money do you need?"
"One hundred million, US dollars."
Song Heping gave a number.
Avanti didn't flinch: "Fine. But not in cash."
Song Heping was surprised: "Don't tell it's equivalent to arms."
Avanti shook his head: "Arms are a separate account, but it's challenging for to allocate that much cash."
Song Heping remarked, "A leader of the Persian Revolutionary Guard can't cough up a hundred million?"
Avanti responded awkwardly, "It's not that I can't. We have many funding obligations, and I can't give you that much money all at once."
"Then what will you give ?" Song Heping asked.
A cunning gleam flashed in Avanti's eyes: "Oil, petroleum. I can give you a significant oil quota, allowing you to get the cheapest oil from Persia and sell it—that's your money."
Oil?
Song Heping was slightly surprised but then realized it made sense.
Persia's oil smuggling business had long been an open secret.
The Aricans had continuously sanction Persia's oil, so much of Persia's oil was smuggled abroad, processed in other countries, and then sold worldwide under a different na.
This old fox was reluctant to give real hard cash.
But Persia had plenty of oil, so for Avanti, giving oil was effortless.
Smuggling business...
Hmm...
Song Heping thought of Nura.
This young lady used to get her start in smuggling.
She had been active in the Middle East and North Africa and probably had experience dealing with smuggled oil businesses.
He could ask her when the ti ca, likely paving the way to offload this oil.
"Alright, oil it is." Song Heping said, "It's better than nothing."
"But, Song..." Avanti's tone turned extrely serious, "I also have a condition."
Song Heping chuckled, "There's no such thing as a free lunch, I knew you'd have conditions, tell ."
"I will assign a reliable person as your deputy and liaison officer. He will be accountable only to , ensuring our investnt is not misused and that when necessary... judgnts are made in line with Persian interests."
Worried that Song Heping might not agree, he quickly added: "The person I'll assign is soone you know, Naxin, he's trustworthy."
"Naxin?"
"Yes, Naxin, your old acquaintance."
Avanti wasn't wrong; this guy was an old acquaintance of Song Heping.
"No problem."
It was a form of checks and balances, which Song Heping completely understood.
"Also, in Eligo, you're 'Freedom Fighters', local forces resisting 1515 tyranny. You have no official connection with Persia. All actions are unrelated to Tehran. This is an ironclad rule!"
Avanti, seeing Song Heping agree, threw out a second condition.
"I understand. We are just rcenaries and local resistance fighters fighting for money and revenge."
Song Heping replied crisply.
"One last point, and the most crucial."
Avanti's eyes were sharp as blades, staring straight into Song Heping's gaze, "'The Shiye Sect Arc' is of the highest strategic confidentiality. In Eligo, strictly ban any attempt to connect or coordinate local Shiite ard groups! At least in the initial stage, absolutely not! This will instantly expose your background, attract a frenzied onslaught from 1515 and the Sunni tribal groups, even the Aricans. You're just ordinary militia forces! Understood? Control of territory is the first priority; other matters, discuss them once you're securely established and the ti is ripe! Impatience is dangerous!"
He emphasized it heavily.
Song Heping solemnly nodded, "Don't worry, I know my limits. Survival first, then talk about everything else."
Avanti seed to relax, patting Song Heping's shoulder: "Recover well, get into your best state. I'll have the personnel and equipnt ready for you within three days. I'll have Naxin personally deliver the intelligence materials to you. We'll plan the departure ti and route in detail."
"Three days?"
Song Heping was a bit surprised by Avanti's efficiency.
"Ti is of the essence, Song."
Avanti gazed towards the deep entrance of the shooting range, as if seeing the smoke lingering over Northwest Eligo.
"The 1515 are growing, the Aricans are watching, the Russians are anxious... We must move first. That ga of chess in the northwest, since you dare to play, I'll gamble with you on it!"
He turned to leave, walked a couple of steps, then stopped without turning back, his voice low but tinged with complex emotion: "Song... co back alive."
Having said that, Avanti's towering figure rged into the shadows of the shooting range corridor, his footsteps fading away.
Song Heping stood in place, looking in the direction where Avanti had disappeared, then lowered his gaze to view the map with water stains almost dried by the wind on the table.
Northwest Eligo...
Anbar Province...
Nineveh Plains...
He picked up the M4 carbine, pulled the bolt, the clear sound of tal collision ringing sharply in the silent shooting range.
He slamd a new magazine loaded with live rounds into the chamber with a crisp "click" sound.
Song Heping muttered quietly, "Alright, let's play big this ti."
He raised the rifle, aid, and pulled the trigger.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Bullets whizzed out, piercing the bullseye fifty ters away with precision.
User Comments
0 comments from readers