"What solution? Speak quickly!"
Upon hearing that Song Heping had a better solution, Kote eagerly pressed for details.
"I have a direct artillery battalion deployed within Hulmatu City, equipped with Soviet-made D-30 122mm towed howitzers."
Song Heping finally "with difficulty" offered a plan.
"Although these old cannons can't match your Aricans' advanced artillery in terms of accuracy and rate of fire, their maximum range is at least about 20 kiloters, more than enough to cover Checkpoint Four and its surrounding area. If..."
"If you agree and give authorization, I can imdiately order that artillery company to launch a covering fire assault on the main enemy assembly points surrounding the checkpoint, as well as mortar positions and possible command nodes, to minimize the defensive pressure on Captain Sanders and possibly buy them precious ti."
Artillery support?
Kote was montarily stunned on the other end of the line.
This indeed was the fastest support that could have an imdiate effect under the current circumstances.
But instinctively, he beca wary. Would Song Heping be so kind?
Using valuable artillery resources to rescue the Thunder Defense personnel he didn't like?
"Artillery strike?"
Kote's tone was filled with concern and doubt.
"Can the accuracy be guaranteed? The D-30's spread isn't small! Will there be friendly fire? What if a shell lands inside the checkpoint..."
He didn't dare to imagine what catastrophic consequences would follow if their own artillery shells landed on Sanders' already precarious defensive line.
"Colonel, regarding accuracy, I can only assure you that my artilleryn and I will 'do our best.'"
Song Heping deliberately put a slight emphasis on "do our best," but it still sounded like so kind of promise.
"But you must understand, those operating these D-30 howitzers are local militia under my command. Their training ti is limited, 'not skilled enough,' so so 'errors' in long-distance indirect aiming or a certain range of 'dispersion' at the impact point is unavoidable. I think, with your soldiers' rich battlefield experience, as long as they make appropriate preparations in advance to guard against artillery fire, the risks should be minimized."
Song Heping once again used a seemingly helpless but actually emphatic manner to say "not skilled enough," "errors," and "dispersion," as if to preemptively prepare an excuse for possible upcoming scenarios.
Kote fell into an intense struggle and weighing in his mind.
He knew clearly that accepting artillery support from Song Heping was tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst, containing enormous, uncontrollable risks.
While he hesitated, Song Heping "conveniently" and very "considerately" added a comnt: "Ahem, actually, I'm just suggesting this. I'm also worried my artillery might cause so harm to Sanders and his team, so perhaps it's best to let Samir continue to make an effort and see if they can reach the checkpoint soon."
These words directly pushed Sanders to a crossroads of choices.
Song Heping seed as if he was about to end the call.
Did he have any other choice?
Wait for Samir?
That's a ridiculous international joke!
Those militia couldn't care less if Sanders and his team died.
It might take them more than half an hour to reach the checkpoint?
But Sanders and his team might not last another ten minutes!
Air support was unreachable, and ground reinforcent also required more ti.
Accepting artillery support, Sanders and his team might have a glimr of hope; not accepting, they were almost certainly dood to total annihilation.
This was essentially a choice-less choice!
"...Alright!"
Kote gritted his back molars, as if swallowing a fly, he said:
"On behalf of Thunder Defense Company, I agree to your unit providing imdiate artillery support to the surrounding area of Checkpoint Four! Please... hurry!"
He ultimately agreed to the "deal" which was obviously laced with poison, his heart filled with humiliation and unwillingness.
"Received. I will imdiately order the artillery company to prepare for firing and coordinate with the forward observer to provide target guidance."
Song Heping's response was crisp and neat, without any hesitation, and then he hung up the phone.
"Click."
The sound of the receiver being placed back into the phone was crisp and decisive.
At the mont the call ended, Song Heping couldn't help but chuckle.
He quickly shouted towards the door: "Samir, co over here, I know you haven't left yet."
Almost the second his words fell, the sowhat shabby wooden door of the command post was pushed open, Samir's tall figure flickered in, showing no surprise on his face—
He was evidently already waiting outside the door, possibly even eavesdropping through the crack.
Their eyes t, speech wasn't necessary, the smile curling at the corners of their mouths explained everything.
Others in the command room wisely lowered their heads, pretending to be focused on the docunts or radios in front of them, turning a blind eye to this silent exchange between the officers.
"Boss, that old guy Kote must be pulling his hair out by now, right?"
Samir stepped closer, lowered his voice, and, with undisguised mockery, asked.
"Hmm,"
Song Heping casually responded, raising his hand to check his sowhat worn military watch.
The luminescent hands on the dial were clearly visible under the dim lighting.
"Order the artillery company, the targets are the pre-designated strike areas A, B, C around Checkpoint Four. Ammunition base, three rounds. Don't rush, start the first round of artillery coverage in ten minutes on ti, adjust the firing paraters as necessary according to the 'actual battlefield situation.'"
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