Petrov seed to notice his confusion and continued: "The battle in Homs will be taken over by a reinforced battalion of the Marines tomorrow; it's within the scope of tasks for regular forces. Our SSO resources are precious and won't be easily committed to such frontal defense battles. In fact, our original plan was just to stop by Homs for a brief rest and resupply, then continue moving northeast."
"Oh?"
Song Heping beca interested, "What prompted you to make a move on the way, and specifically find ?"
Petrov's gaze sharpened: "Because we received intelligence on the way, confirming you were in Homs. And our next task might... require your assistance."
"Require my assistance?"
Song Heping was even more surprised.
The Russian Army's most elite SSO undertakes top-secret missions, why would they need the help of a foreign defense company boss?
This sounds sowhat like a fantasy.
"Yes."
Petrovsky's expression beca unusually serious, "We received an urgent rescue mission. A very important person is currently being held in the Al-Hasakah Province, near the Latamira Village on the border with Iraq."
Hasakah?
Latamira Village?
Song Heping quickly called up a map of Northeast Syria in his mind.
That area is under the control of the Kurdish Ard (YPG/SDF), with the US Army backing the Kurds. At the sa ti, the region is also an active zone for the extremist organization "1515", making the situation extrely complex and sensitive.
The Russian Army's power barely projects there, and the no-fly zone set up by the US Army is a huge obstacle for them.
"Hasakah..."
Song Heping mused, "That is now Kurd territory, adjacent to the ISIS activity area, with the presence of the US Army. Although your SSO is elite, carrying out a rescue mission deep there is highly risky, isn't it? And what does this have to do with ?"
Petrov leaned forward, lowering his voice: "The risk is indeed extrely high. Precisely because the situation is complex, we cannot deploy large-scale forces, and even aerial support will be highly restricted. Conventional infiltration and rescue routes are full of uncertainties. However, the latest intelligence indicates... the target person's condition is very bad, and imdiate action is necessary."
He paused, fixing his gaze on Song Heping: "The reason we ca to you is because Al-Hasakah is close to the Illinois border. We learned that you have a sizable force operating on the Persian Plateau and in the Northwestern Illinois area, reportedly numbering in the tens of thousands, with considerable combat effectiveness, and very familiar with the local terrain and power distribution."
Song Heping's heart shook.
The other party knows his situation so clearly?
The scale and activity range of the secret camp on the Persian Plateau have been kept quite confidential.
It seems the Russian intelligence agencies have done their howork.
He smiled imperceptibly: "Major Petrovsky, your intelligence work is ticulous. However, you are correct, I do have so forces on the Persian Plateau. But sending my troops into Syria, especially into Kurdish Control Zone, is equivalent to directly challenging the US Army's baseline, potentially leading to unforeseen consequences. Why should I take such a big risk to help you rescue soone I don't even know?"
"We can offer compensation."
Petrov imdiately said, "A very considerable fee, enough to offset your risk and losses."
Song Heping shook his head, his tone flat but firm: "Money? Major, at my level, money is important, but it's no longer the primary consideration. Especially with risks like potentially getting involved in great power gas, triggering regional conflicts, plain money doesn't weigh enough."
He looked at Petrovsky and slowly continued: "I, Song Heping, do business, focusing on interest balance and risk control. Helping you cos with high risks, and what can I gain? Apart from potentially troubleso US Dollars, what else? Geopolitical benefits? Security guarantees? Or perhaps... a higher-level promise from Moscow?"
Petrovsky was stunned; he evidently didn't expect Song Heping to so directly refuse and elevate the issue to a political and strategic level.
He was just a mission-executing field-grade officer, with limited authority, and truly couldn't offer promises beyond military operations.
The atmosphere in the room beca sowhat stagnant for a mont.
Song Heping stood up, adjusted his collar, his tone softening a bit but without changing his stance: "Major, I understand the urgency of your mission. And I thank you for the assistance in Homs earlier. On Yevgeny's behalf, I personally respect the professionalism of your SSO. However, helping is possible, the transaction requires equal chips."
He walked to the door, stopped, looking back at the dusky-faced Petrovsky: "If you truly think this mission can't proceed without my assistance, then have soone who can offer a sufficient price co to talk with . My intention is clear; if you need , Song Heping, to use my forces on the Illinois border to provide guarantees or even cover for your operation, then please have the higher-ups from the Kremlin directly talk to . Otherwise, I'm sorry, I can't assist."
After saying that, Song Heping opened the door and walked straight out, leaving Major Petrovsky alone in the room, his face heavy in contemplation.
Back at the command post, "Chef" imdiately ca up, concerned, "How was it? What did that guy want from you? All secretive."
Song Heping simply recounted Petrovsky's request.
"Rescue soone? In Hasakah? And they want you to send troops to support?"
"Chef" listened, eyes wide, face full of disbelief.
"Crazy? That's the territory of the Aricans and the Kurds! Did you agree?"
"I didn't directly refuse, but I also didn't agree."
Song Heping sat down, picked up a kettle and took a sip of water, "I told him to have soone from the Kremlin who can make decisions co to talk."
"The Kremlin?!"
"Chef" gasped, his voice rising eight degrees, "Suka… just to rescue one person, does it warrant involving the Kremlin? What kind of level of person would it take?"
Song Heping's gaze was profound, and he said slowly: "Chef, think about it, what kind of 'important person' is worth the Russian Army deploying its elite SSO special team, and risking direct conflict with the US Army, going deep behind enemy lines to rescue? Moreover, the detention location is so sensitive, and the ti so urgent? Ordinary scientists, engineers, or even so captured officer probably wouldn't warrant such a big fuss, let alone have them co seek help from an 'outsider' like ."
He paused, lowering his voice: "I suspect, this person's identity probably involves highly sensitive political, military, or technological secrets, and might even directly affect the Russian side's strategic layout in Syria and the broader Middle East. So, they are so eager, even willing to lower themselves to co find . Since it's such a big deal, whoever negotiates with naturally can't be just a field-grade officer. I want to see how much the Kremlin is willing to pay for this person."
"Chef" listened, unable to speak for a long ti, just muttering: "Damn... things have gotten big now..."
Their conversation wasn't over when Major Petrovsky's silhouette once again appeared at the entrance of the command post.
His face was more serious than earlier, even carrying a hint of hard-to-detect urgency.
He quickly walked up to Song Heping, his tone succinct: "Mr. Song, please co with again. Moscow... has a call for you, right now online."
Song Heping and "Chef" exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes.
So quickly?
It seems the weight of that "important person" is heavier than they imagined.
Song Heping took a deep breath, stood up, organized his thoughts, and nodded to Petrovsky: "Let's go."
He knew, what was about to take place would be a negotiation truly concerning major interests. And the voice from the Russian high-ups on the other end of the call would determine whether he would step into the more dangerous and complex chess ga of Northeast Syria.
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