Mercenaries, I Will Be King Chapter 1470 1216: Colonel Kote at His Wits' End (Part 2)

He knew that he had to shift all the responsibility onto that ambitious rcenary leader.

Song Heping's "betrayal" was his best excuse.

Washington D.C., 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

As Colonel Kote headed towards the video conference room, a black Chevrolet Suburban silently glided through the drizzly streets towards the northwest gate of the White House.

Inside, CIA Director Simon was leaning on the soft leather seat in the back, reading the day's newspaper.

The raindrops outside the car window, illuminated by the streetlights, traced silver lines on his expressionless face.

What caught his interest in the newspaper was the dia storm suddenly whipped up in the past few hours by the "Horizon" News Group, controlled by Angel.

The covert anti-terrorism actions in the Illiguo and Siria regions had now beco common knowledge.

Simon's mouth twitched slightly.

Angel, the new dia queen, really has far-reaching tentacles.

The car smoothly stopped at the checkpoint and, after thorough security checks, slowly drove into the White House grounds.

Simon opened his eyes, his deep gaze passing through the glasses, sweeping over the familiar scenery outside the window.

Even in the rain, this building representing the pinnacle of United States power still exudes a solemn and oppressive aura.

But he knew that the atmosphere inside today was probably not much better than the command center on the Illiguo front.

He picked up the secure briefcase beside him, which contained the CIA's latest assessnt report on the current situation, as well as so...

"background materials" not suitable for unveiling at a public eting.

The driver opened the car door for him, and a White House staff mber was already waiting beside it.

"Director Simon, Mr. Brenan and the other attendees are already waiting in the situation room," the staffer's voice carried a hint of tension.

Simon nodded slightly, following the person briskly towards the famous secret room in the White House West Wing—the President's Situation Room.

The hallway leading to the West Wing was carpeted thickly, with portraits of successive presidents on the walls, their gaze seemingly fixed on the quickly passing intelligence chief.

The oak door of the situation room was pushed open, with a massive oval conference table occupying the center of the room, and screens covering the walls broadcasting footage from global hotspots.

The largest screen clearly displayed real-ti combat updates from the Baghdad Green Zone command center—the spreading red was shocking.

National Security Advisor Brenan sat in the main seat, his face as dark as the weather outside.

To his left was the Defense Minister, a resolute forr four-star general, his brows furrowed, staring at the red arrows on the screen; to his right was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, equally stern-faced.

On other split screens, senior officials from relevant agencies like the Pentagon and the State Departnt were also online.

Colonel Kote's forced calm yet pale face appeared on one of the smaller screens, like a prisoner awaiting judgnt.

"Simon, you're here."

Brenan gestured to the empty seat opposite him, "Have a seat, we've just started."

Simon nodded and sat in his place, placing the briefcase beside him.

He noticed Brenan's desk had a tablet open, displaying the hopage of "Horizon" News.

A bold headline was exceptionally conspicuous: "Strategic Misjudgnt or Betrayal? - Illiguo Allies Trapped, Why is the Mysterious Contractor Holding Back?"

The article was accompanied by images taken by drones of Dagula Town, clearly showing vehicles and personnel from "Musician" Defense Company in a stationary state, starkly contrasting with the fierce fighting towards the Ozham and Agra directions.

The article didn't directly na the United States but was full of suggestive questions: Why did the contractors heavily relied upon by the US Army cease actions at the critical mont?

Is there an unknown deal or conflict involved? Whose decisions led to the abandonnt of frontline allies?

The article quoted "unnad military analysts" and "local informants", painting Song Heping as a complex figure "forced to defend himself due to unjust treatnt", while subtly pointing fingers at "certain US Army frontline commanders trying to manipulate power and ultimately burning themselves."

Clever tactics!

Simon silently praised.

He believed that the news disclosed in the paper was definitely leaked intentionally by Song Heping through certain channels to these dia.

This article, along with similar reports from other dia influenced by "Horizon," had already dropped a bomb in Washington's opinion circles.

It not only linked Song Heping's "inaction" with potential "blunders" of the US Army but, more importantly, it publicized Song Heping's dealings with the US military.

Before, everything was under wraps and secretive.

This was an invisible binding!

The tactics were simply high-level!

The video conference formally began.

Without any pleasantries, Brenan directly questioned Kote on the screen: "Colonel Kote, please explain why the situation in Northwest Illiguo deteriorated overnight to such an extent? Why did Song Heping suddenly cease all military actions after occupying Dagula? I need a reasonable explanation!"

Colonel Kote's expression noticeably stiffened.

"Mr. Brenan, distinguished officers. The situation, as you can see, is extrely dire and continues to worsen. All of this stems from Song Heping's breach of faith and inflated ambition! After successfully occupying Dagula and gaining significant reputation and practical benefits, he thought he no longer requires our support, blatantly tore up the secret agreent with us, and unilaterally halted the advance towards Hulmatu!"

He was sowhat into the act, becoming increasingly agitated: "His sudden halt caused crucial pressure towards Hulmatu to abruptly decrease, allowing the 1515 Ard to deploy its main force, including elite strike teams and heavy weapons, towards the Ozham and Agra directions! This directly led to the rapid collapse of our defense line!"

He took a deep breath, attempting to steer everyone's attention to Song Heping's "conspiracy": "We have ample reason to believe that Song Heping's actions are a ploy to leverage the frontline crisis to force us to acknowledge his greater autonomy in Northwest Illiguo, even securing more funding and equipnt aid! He harbors more unspeakable intents! His actions directly led our loyal allies—the Illigo Governnt Army and Kurd Ard into desperate straits, severely undermined our anti-terror strategy, and damaged the United States' credibility and leadership in the region! Commander, I think we must take resolute asures to harshly counter such blatant provocation and betrayal, including considering cutting off all support to his forces, or even..."

"Enough, Colonel Kote."

A voice as calm as water interrupted him, from Simon who had remained silent beside the conference table.

All eyes instantly focused on Simon.

He maintained a poised posture, just slightly lifting his head, his sharp gaze cutting through the screen, directly targeting Kote on the other side.

His tone was steady but carried an all-knowing pressure.

"You keep saying Song Heping has torn up cooperation agreents..."

Simon's voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears, "Then please explain to Mr. Brenan and everyone here, why before the ambush in Tuz Valley, you, as the commander of the joint task force in the theater, secretively ordered your intelligence analysis departnt to deliberately filter and delay the signal intelligence about the possible elite guard attached to that 1515 transport fleet before transmitting it to 'Musician' Defense Company—what strategic consideration was behind this?"

Inside the conference room, there was instant dead silence.

The air seed to cease flowing.