Bayji, Refinery, Command Post.
The buzzing sound unique to satellite phones broke the silence of waiting.
Song Heping opened his eyes from the chair and glanced at the caller ID—a number encrypted through multiple jumps, but he knew who it was.
He did not pick up imdiately, allowing it to ring five or six tis as if completing so trivial task before leisurely picking up the receiver.
"This is the 'Musician' Bayji Command Post." His voice was unremarkable.
"Mr. Song, this is Miller."
Admiral Miller's voice ca through from the other end of the line, trying to maintain composure, but with a trace of tension.
It was a private satellite phone, but Song Heping answered with "Command Post."
The implication was clear.
"I presu you are already aware of the situation in the Titrick and Hulmatu directions," he said.
"I've heard a little," Song Heping's tone betrayed no emotion, "I'm sorry to hear about Colonel Kote. The situation seems unfavorable."
Miller decided not to beat around the bush, as ti did not allow him to do so.
"Yes, the situation is dire, very unfavorable. Hulmatu faces a significant risk of falling. We need your help, Mr. Song. As an ally, you should deploy forces to assist us in preventing the 1515 Ard from occupying Hulmatu."
"Ally?"
Song Heping softly repeated the term, and on the other end, Miller's heartbeat seed to skip.
"Yes, ally."
Miller affird, "Despite so...differences and misunderstandings between us, our interests align in fighting extre terrorism. Hulmatu falling into 1515's hands would be a disaster for everyone. We need your ground forces to quickly intervene, stabilize the Hulmatu defense line, or at least, effectively flank and delay the 1515 attack forces. We can provide real-ti satellite intelligence, aerial reconnaissance footage, and coordinate air support for your operations when necessary."
The conditions were laid out, though for Song Heping, intelligence sharing was sothing he could partially acquire through other channels, and the coordination of air support was more nuanced, but he didn't imdiately point these out.
He paused for a few seconds, a brief silence that was excruciating for Miller on the other end.
He had to let the other party feel this agony.
But not too much.
It's like fishing, once the fish is hooked, you can't yank the rod too hard, or the line will break; nor too slow, or the fish will escape...
If Miller really turns hostile, then this big fish would unhook, and that's not what he wanted to see.
"Hulmatu's defenses are weak, 1515 is gaining montum, and a direct reinforcent would result in heavy casualties for my forces, and we may not even arrive in ti."
Song Heping said slowly, his tone sounding very prudent, as if weighing the pros and cons, making a difficult decision before committing.
"I need a more effective entry point to disrupt their deploynt and shake their resolve."
"What plan do you have?" Miller imdiately asked, with a tone of expectation.
"I've looked at the map, and Tuz to the west of Titrick, and Feihate to the north, both seem interesting."
Song Heping said directly, "These two towns currently have weak 1515 garrison forces, but are strategically important. Capturing them could severely threaten the flanks and logistics lines of the main 1515 force attacking Hulmatu. If Ahd doesn't want to be cut off and trapped outside Hulmatu City, he must either retreat, or at least split forces for defense, naturally hindering the offensive montum."
On the other side, Miller's people were evidently quickly examining the map, talking quietly.
Soon, Miller's voice ca back, with a hint of relief and deeper apprehension: "A very...ingenious flanking strategy. This is indeed more effective than directly entering the Hulmatu at grinder. What support do you need?"
"My people will act together with our Persian friends."
Song Heping took the opportunity to make public the "secret" of the Persians' presence in Northwest Illinois.
Previously, although everyone was aware.
But no one pointed it out.
Now, Song Heping wanted to take the opportunity to "normalize" it.
"I need your intelligence to confirm the garrison situation, defense weaknesses of these two targets, and once the attack begins, closely monitor the reinforcents 1515 might send from the Titrick and Mosul directions. As for air support...when my forces have very clear markings and make explicit requests, I hope you can respond tily."
He did not ask the US Army to directly bomb the 1515 forces on the Hulmatu front, which would result in complex collateral damage and political issues, and could easily expose deeper intentions.
"Agreed!"
Miller agreed without much hesitation.
Song Heping's plan sounded feasible and didn't imdiately demand sensitive things like control over Hulmatu, which made him feel slightly reassured.
"We will imdiately coordinate intelligence support. Please keep this communication channel open. Mr. Song...Hulmatu rests in your hands."
"I will do my best to prevent 1515 from occupying Hulmatu, keeping it within your control range."
Song Heping gave a very precise commitnt—prevent occupation, rather than ensure complete control or defeat of the enemy.
Miller might have noticed the nuance, but he had no ti to delve deeper at the mont. "Thank you for your promise and help. Then it's settled, I will imdiately convene a eting to concentrate resources to assist you, please stay in touch."
The call ended.
Song Heping put down the receiver, his face showing no change in expression, only a fleeting glint of a smile in his eyes.
He stood up and spoke to Jiang Feng, who had been waiting at the side and Naxin, who had just been called back: "The ti has co. Act according to plan."
Several people then walked out of the slightly stuffy command post, onto a relatively open hardened ground inside the refinery.
The open ground was filled with an air of solemnity.
On the left, about three thousand soldiers of the Persian Revolutionary Guard Holy City Brigade.
They were dressed in desert camouflage combat uniforms, well-equipped, with solemn expressions, carrying a sense of religious mission and determination.
Armored vehicles, modified pickups, anti-tank missile launchers, and mortars were arranged in order.
On the right, the 'Musician' Defense Company's two reinforced battalions, about eight hundred people.
The mbers varied in skin color, but were equally disciplined, with cold and professional eyes. Their equipnt was more "international" and modular, with heavy machine guns, sniper teams, UAV operation stations, and communication relay vehicles all present. Jiang Feng stood straight at the front of the formation.
Song Heping walked to a slightly elevated spot between the two forces, without a rousing speech, his voice, through a simple amplifier, clearly and calmly reaching everyone's ears:
"Mission targets: Tuz Town, Feihate Town. The Persian Brigade is responsible for Tuz, 'Musician' First Battalion, and Second Battalion for Feihate. Intelligence shows the garrison is small, but do not underestimate. We aim for a swift assault, precisely destroying key resistance nodes, capturing the outskirts' high points and traffic hubs, then imdiately transitioning into defense fortifications."
"This is not the end. After taking it, the real test will begin. The 1515 main force is likely to return and support, we need to be prepared for tough and fierce battles. Rember your training, trust your comrades, and follow the commander's orders."
"Action!"
No superfluous words.
The order was given.
The two forces, like war machines wound tight, sprang into action.
The roar of engines blended into a low rumble, tracks and wheels crushing the ground, kicking up clouds of dust, dividing into two torrents of steel rolling towards Tuz and Feihate.
Song Heping stood in place, watching the dust billow away, and softly instructed his adjutant beside him:
"Inform Samir to strengthen the blockades at the Siria border passage, especially focusing on the Mosul direction. Tell the Bayji City defense forces to raise their alert level. And, connect our backup communication channels with Moscow and Tehran...certain situations need to be communicated in advance."
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