Washington, Pentagon.
The late-night lights couldn't dispel the anxiety and oppressive atmosphere perating the Ergency Operations Center.
On the huge electronic screen, a real-ti situation map of Northern Illiguo was displayed. The red arrow representing the 1515 Ard was like a nacing poison snake, bursting aggressively from the position of Titrick, heading straight for the blue mark representing Hulmatu.
The blue defensive circle was constantly flashing and shrinking, and the numbers indicating the enemy and our forces' comparison beside it were shocking.
Admiral Miller tugged at his tightly buttoned collar, finding it sowhat difficult to breathe.
The detailed battle report that had just been delivered was spread before him, filled with glaring words like "defeat," "collapse," "unable to establish an effective defense line," "Commander Colonel Kote committed suicide."
Several photos taken by high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft were more intuitive: endless fleeing convoys on the highway, abandoned Humrs, armored vehicles, even artillery, and those humanoid black dots fallen on the sand that would never rise again.
"Gentlen,"
Miller's voice was sowhat hoarse as he looked around at his colleagues seated across the conference table, whose complexions were worse with each passing mont—there were generals from the Army, Special Operations Command, and senior civil officials from the Central Intelligence Agency and the Ministry of Defense.
"Everyone sees the situation. We've lost Titrick. Kote... perished in service. Now, the extremist forces 'Islamic State's' main force is exploiting the fervor brought by this victory, frantically charging towards Hulmatu. A small number of Thunder Defense rcenaries and so Kurd 'Brave Warriors' are currently low in morale and ammunition. Based on frontline evaluations, they can hold out for 48 hours at most, maybe even less."
Silence fell over the conference room, disrupted only by the low humming from the air conditioning's vent.
Soone stared at the red arrows on the map, their brows furrowed; another flipped through the report, as if trying to find so miracle within; others simply lowered their heads, avoiding eye contact with Miller.
"What about air support?"
An Air Force Lieutenant General spoke first, "B-52s are already on standby, and squadrons can take off at any ti from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. We need authorization for an intensive, indiscriminate carpet bombing, turning the path to Hulmatu into a Hellfire corridor!"
"Bombing can solve part of the problem,"
A regional manager from the Central Intelligence Agency interjected, his tone cautious, "But the premise is that our ground forces can stabilize, guide the airstrike, and withstand the political pressure of potential civilian casualties. The problem now is that ground forces are retreating, and there's a lack of effective guidance and reconnaissance. Blind bombing might cause collateral damage to retreating soldiers and civilians and might not even stop the 1515 Ard from breaking into smaller units and infiltrating."
"Are we just going to watch Hulmatu fall?"
Another Army general raised his voice, "We've invested a lot of resources there over the past few years! It's a significant foothold for us to show our presence in the North! Losing Hulmatu would directly expose Elbil to threats, and the Kurd people and Illiguo Governnt would completely lose faith in us! The strategic balance of Northern Illiguo would be shattered!"
The room fell into a brief silence, perhaps because the situation was too severe and irresolvable.
"Maybe... we should consider sending ergency reinforcents?"
Almost half a minute later, soone quietly proposed, "Deploying a Striker Brigade quickly northward from Kuwait?"
"Ti!"
Miller tapped the table, "We don't have ti! Deploynt, maneuver, establishing defense lines—all would take at least a week! Hulmatu can't wait a week! The 1515 Ard won't give us a week! Moreover, we've just withdrawn less than a year ago, and the President announced this to the world. Are we going to contradict ourselves so soon? Furthermore, what about the funding? Are the Congressn willing to buy this?"
The conference fell into a stalemate once more.
Everyone clearly understood the severity of the problem, yet it seed they were all helpless.
Conventional thods seed slow and cumberso in the face of the rapidly deteriorating situation.
Eventually, Miller took a deep breath, scanning the crowd, and slowly said, "Maybe... we need to resort to so 'non-traditional' forces. So forces that can quickly react on-site."
Eyes focused on his face as so had already guessed what he was going to say, their expressions becoming complicated.
"Are you referring to... 'Musician'? Song Heping?"
The Central Intelligence Agency's Middle East director furrowed his brows, "General, don't forget Colonel Kote's affair. Although investigations showed Kote committed suicide, it's hard to say it wasn't related to his prior conflict with Song Heping. Song Heping's influence has grown large in Bayji, seriously affecting our layout and influence in that area. Asking him to take action—isn't that drinking poison to quench thirst? Even if Hulmatu is preserved, will it beco another Bayji, ultimately falling under his control?"
Concerns spread throughout the conference room.
The na Song Heping had already transford from a rcenary leader worth utilizing to a potential strategic adversary requiring high vigilance and precaution in the Pentagon and Langley.
This man is cunning, calm, with surprising battlefield instincts and strategic vision, and maintains unsettling close ties with the Persians and Russians.
"I acknowledge the risks,"
Miller didn't shy away from the issue, "but now it's ti to choose the lesser of two evils. Dear colleagues, take a clear look: if Hulmatu is occupied by the 1515, what are the consequences? 'Islamic State' will announce they have achieved yet another substantial victory over the United States and its allies! They gain a solid strategic foothold in Northern Illiguo! It's a major setback for the counter-terrorism achievents of the past few years! It's our regional allies completely questioning our ability to provide protection!"
"Whereas if Song Heping takes action, even if he has ulterior motives, at least Hulmatu remains in the hands of 'non-extremist forces,' we still have the chance to exert influence through political and diplomatic ans in the future or find other balance points."
He paused, emphasizing, "Song Heping, however difficult to deal with, is a rational, communicable, and negotiable opponent. Whereas the 1515... are pure terrorists. I think everyone is clear in their minds about who is easier to deal with."
Voices of support and opposition intertwined softly.
So considered it too risky, likening it to a deal with the Devil; others gradually beca convinced, considering it perhaps the only viable option under the current desperate circumstances.
"Does he have the ability to stop the 1515?"
A Marine Corps General questioned, "Based on intelligence, the forces directly under him in Bayji amount to only two battalions, even if you add the Persians..."
"He has the capability."
Miller affird, pulling out another intelligence summary, "He has a mobile unit southeast of Titrick and elite rcenaries with Persian Holy City Brigade's support in Bayji. More importantly, he's cunning enough and a tactical expert. Kote failed because he underestimated him and was too eager to succeed. If we formally request his assistance in defending Hulmatu and provide necessary intelligence support and even limited aerial coordination, he's likely capable of delaying or even thwarting the sharp offensive of the 1515 Ard. At the very least, he would buy precious ti for Hulmatu, allowing us an opportunity to mobilize other resources."
Finally, under the heavy pressure of reality, opposition voices gradually waned.
Although everyone knew this was akin to admitting the official United States forces had failed in a localized aspect and were handing over more chips to that unsettling Easterner, they were left with no choice.
"Then... contact him."
A Deputy Minister of Defense rubbed his temples, speaking wearily, "Make clear our request and... possibly hint at so future cooperation possibilities. However, emphasize that control over the operation and ultimate control of Hulmatu must be..."
"Sir," Miller interrupted him with a trace of a bitter smile, "At this point, the hard chips we can bring to the negotiation table are not many. Control over the operation and Hulmatu… is likely beyond our 'emphasis.' We are requesting help, not commanding."
He picked up the encrypted phone directly connected to a specific satellite frequency band, paused his finger on the keypad for a mont, and then resolutely dialed the number stored in the confidential files.
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