One day later, Baghdad, Green Zone, US Military Command Center eting room.
Heavy multi-layer explosion-proof curtains tightly sealed off the outside heat, while the central air conditioning system emitted a low hum, maintaining the indoor temperature at a cool 22 degrees Celsius.
However, the atmosphere inside the eting room was far gloomier and oppressive than outside, with a palpable sense of tension looming over everyone.
At one end of the long faux mahogany conference table sat Colonel Kote, the US military commander responsible for the overall security affairs of the Northwest Illinois region.
Seated around the table were several US Army field-grade officers from intelligence, operations, and logistics departnts, as well as Carl Hoffman, the senior manager of Thunder Defense Company's operations in Illinois.
Hoffman, once a Marine Corps mber, was now a senior regional manager for a defense company, and at this mont his face looked as if it could wring out water.
Before Hoffman lay a preliminary damage assessnt report just urgently compiled and printed by the rear team, with the edges of the paper even slightly warm.
"Colonel, everyone,"
Hoffman cleared his throat, his voice unusually dry from staying up all night and anxiety.
"Regarding the attack incident at checkpoint 4 in the Hulmatu region yesterday morning, this is our preliminary loss assessnt."
He picked up the report, eyes scanning the numbers on it as if every number was thorny, involuntarily furrowing his brow.
"We confird six fatalities, four seriously injured, and six minor injuries on our side. A total of sixteen casualties, exceeding half of the original stationed force. All vehicles transported to and deployed at the checkpoint, including two armored M1151 Humrs, a modified Land Cruiser specialized for technical reconnaissance, and three pickup trucks, have all been destroyed and are beyond repair."
"In terms of critical equipnt, two 30-kilowatt high-power diesel generators, an AN/PAS-13 long-range infrared surveillance system (TWS), two sets of 'Guardian' small portable radars, and multiple communication devices and observation instrunts including AN/PRC-117F satellite radios were directly blown up during the attack. Initial estimates of direct equipnt losses exceed four million US Dollars. This does not include subsequent high compensations for fatalities, disability claims, and long-term dical expenses."
He paused, lifted his head, and glanced around at the officers seated, his gaze finally landing on Colonel Kote's expressionless face, continuing:
"More importantly, we were guarding the northwest direction of Hulmatu, an essential strategic outpost and intelligence collection station leading to the Siria border at checkpoint 4, currently temporarily 'taken over' by local militia forces under Song Heping's control. We believe there are many suspicious aspects in the attack itself and the subsequent artillery support. The timing, coverage, and distribution of the artillery are highly abnormal, warranting a thorough investigation. We have substantial reasons to suspect that Song Heping, head of Musician Defense Company, played a dishonorable role in the incident, with significant suspicion."
A murmur of subdued, restrained discussion filled the eting room.
So whispered to each other, while others frowned in contemplation.
A Major from the intelligence analysis departnt was the first to speak:
"Mr. Hoffman, I fully understand the sentints of you and Thunder Defense at this mont and the losses suffered. However, according to our field reports received at the ti, checkpoint 4 was indeed subjected to organized, fierce attacks by more than 400 heavily ard 1515 militants. Song Heping's militia did follow the standard procedures to provide artillery support when the checkpoint was in crisis. The final result was a tactical defeat of the enemy's main force, assisting you in holding the checkpoint—though the position is temporarily controlled by them. But based on all the 'direct evidence' we have, there is no way to conclusively prove that Song Heping deliberately targeted Thunder Defense personnel for hostile actions. Perhaps... this was indeed just an unfortunate, unavoidable misfire amid the intense firefight?"
"No evidence? Misfire?"
Another officer with a Lieutenant Colonel rank couldn't help but sneer, his tone filled with undisguised sarcasm:
"Major, forgive my bluntness, but you seem to rely too much on paper reports and those so-called 'standard procedures.' The entire Hulmatu region, from intelligence networks to material supply, to the allegiance of local ard forces, is almost entirely under the covert control of Song Heping. His intelligence sources are sotis more sensitive, more grounded than our drones."
"Would he not know of such large-scale assembly of militants on his territory's periphery? Why wasn't the bombardnt conducted during the initial engagent, when the enemy was just exposed, but rather chosen at the mont Sanders and them ran out of ammunition, and the line was on the verge of being breached? Do the near-miss shells that landed within the checkpoint's defensive periter match artillery shooting error paraters? Or do they resemble a calculated deterrence and clearance more?"
"Nonsense! This is a carefully orchestrated plot, a typical case of using a borrowed knife to kill! Using 1515 to deplete Thunder Defense, then using artillery to clear 1515, conveniently 'misfiring,' allowing him to regain control bloodlessly, and we even have to thank him for his 'lifesaving grace!' This trick, I've seen more than once on other fronts!"
He was known in the eting room as a representative of the hardliners, advocating for a resolute counterattack against any behavior challenging US authority.
Hoffman imdiately seized the opportunity to chi in: "The Lieutenant Colonel's analysis is spot on! Absolutely correct! Song Heping's intentions are already clear as day; he wants to completely push us—Thunder Defense, and even the United States' influence in the entire Northwest Illinois—out, especially from Hulmatu, this strategic location."
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