The day after Avanti left, just as Song Heping had predicted, the encrypted satellite phone did indeed ring.
This ti, the caller was not Admiral Miller, but a familiar yet distant voice to Song Heping—the Director of the CIA, Simon.
"Song, long ti no see."
Simon's voice sounded relaxed, even with a hint of cordiality like an old friend, "I heard you're doing well in Bayji. Congratulations."
"Director Simon calling personally, it must not just be to congratulate ?" Song Heping asked directly.
A low chuckle ca from the other end: "You're still so direct. Alright, let's talk business—the folks at the Pentagon and the State Departnt had a eting, argued for three whole days. Finally, they ca to , asking for my opinion."
Song Heping didn't respond, quietly waiting.
"My suggestion is simple—acknowledge reality."
Simon's tone turned serious: "That fool Kote screwed everything up. Now the Pentagon faces a choice: continue treating you as an enemy, pouring more resources into the swamp of Northern Iligo to grind against you; or... acknowledge that you are already an undeniable force, and attempt cooperation."
"So you changed the commander?" Song Heping asked, "The highest commander of the US troops in Iraq should have been replaced, right?"
"Sharp."
Simon praised, "Major General Duke, forr Director of Operations at Central Command, rich in combat experience. Unlike that fool Kote who only knows brute force, Duke is... a smart man. He wants to et you, talk face to face."
Song Heping was silent for a few seconds.
The na Duke rang a bell—during the Afghan era, this person commanded several successful special operations, known for his skill in integrating various forces and being cunning.
From this point of view, he was indeed much more troubleso than Kote, who had been stuck in a desk job at the Pentagon.
"Where to et? Bayji?" Song Heping asked.
"Baghdad," Simon said, "Green Zone, US Army Command. General Duke wishes to receive you with formal diplomatic etiquette as a gesture of sincerity."
This proposal was quite interesting.
Entering the Baghdad Green Zone, known as the safest place in Iligo, and actually the most tightly controlled area by the US forces, required considerable courage and trust.
But at the sa ti, it was also a gesture: the Aricans were willing to let him into their core territory, which to so extent was acknowledging his status.
"When?" Song Heping asked.
"As soon as possible. General Duke said he's waiting at any ti."
"Alright, I'll set a ti, then notify you."
After hanging up, Song Heping thought for ten minutes, then picked up another phone and dialed a number in Mosul.
"Samir, co to Bayji. There's a task."
Two days later, a UH-60 "Black Hawk" helicopter with the logo of the "Musician" Defense Company painted on it landed on the private tarmac of Baghdad International Airport.
The cabin door opened, and Song Heping was the first to disembark from the helicopter.
Still dressed in desert-colored combat uniform, without military rank or insignia, only a small company emblem on the right arm.
Behind him followed six fully ard bodyguards and the slightly tense-looking Samir.
A convoy was already waiting at the airport.
To Song Heping's surprise, Simon actually ca in person.
"Song, welco to Baghdad." Simon ca forward and shook hands with Song Heping.
"Your personal greeting makes flattered," Song Heping smiled.
"For important partners, we always give the highest courtesy," Simon smiled, his gaze sweeping over Samir, "Is this Samir?"
"Yes, it is." Song Heping introduced, "My important partner."
Simon warmly shook hands with Samir: "I've heard much about you, Commander Samir. Thank you for your battles on the border region with the 1515 Ard, saving us a lot of trouble."
Samir rely nodded, not speaking.
His wariness of the Aricans was evidently still heavy.
The convoy left the airport, driving along a dedicated route into the Baghdad Green Zone.
High walls, barbed wires, checkpoints, armored vehicles...
This "city within a city" in the center of Baghdad, covering about ten square kiloters, still maintained warti strict vigilance.
The convoy finally stopped in front of an unassuming four-story building.
There was no sign, but Song He Ping knew this was the location of the US Joint Special Operations Command in Iraq.
Before entering the conference room, Simon said to Samir: "Samir, General Duke and Mr. Song have so important matters to discuss, which may take so ti. Shall I have soone take you to the lounge first? Or... if you're interested, I can arrange for soone to show you around the Green Zone."
Samir looked at Song Heping. Song Heping nodded: "Go ahead, Samir. We have other arrangents later."
Only then did Samir follow an officer away.
The door to the conference room opened, and a figure stood up from the end of the long table.
Major General Duke appeared to be in his early fifties, about 1.8 ters tall, maintaining good physique without the common bloatedness of many middle-aged officers.
He wore a neatly pressed Army dress uniform, a chest full of dals, but most striking were his eyes—gray-blue, gaze calm and deep, as if able to see through people.
"Mr. Song, I am Joseph Duke."
He stepped forward, extending his hand, "It's an honor to finally et you. I've heard a lot about your exploits in Northern Iligo."
"General Duke." Song Heping shook his hand, feeling the other's grip firm and dry, "I've also heard a lot about you. Your counter-Taliban operations in Afghanistan Kandahar, textbook level special operations."
A glint of surprise flashed in Duke's eyes, imdiately turning into a sincere smile: "Didn't expect you to rember that small-scale operation. Please, have a seat."
The three people took their seats.
There were no other people in the eting room, only Song Heping, Duke, and Simon acting as the interdiary.
"I know you like being direct, so I'll get straight to the point."
Duke crossed his hands on the table and leaned forward slightly, "Colonel Kote's mistakes have complicated the situation and caused unnecessary misunderstandings between us. My primary task after taking over is to correct these errors."
Song Heping listened quietly.
"First, regarding Hulmatu."
Duke spoke slowly, every word clear and forceful, "Thunder Defense has already proven they are incapable of securing that strategic location. Continuing to keep them there will only allow 1515 to exploit the opportunity. So... we've decided to transfer Hulmatu's defense to you."
This proposal made Song Heping raise his eyebrows slightly.
He had envisioned many possibilities, but a direct handover of Hulmatu was unexpected.
"What are the conditions?" Song Heping asked directly.
"There are no conditions." Duke shook his head, "Or rather, the only condition is that you secure it and prevent 1515 from taking hold. We will provide intelligence support and necessary air cover, but the ground defense is entirely your responsibility. From now on, you will lead the affairs against 1515 in the Northwest, and we will no longer directly intervene."
Simon added from the side, "This ans, in Northwest Illigo, you will beco the de facto security chief. Accordingly, the responsibility for stabilizing the region will mainly fall on you."
Song Heping's mind raced.
This isn't a gift; it's a ticulously wrapped transfer of responsibility.
The Aricans are throwing a hot potato at him, transferring defense pressure and dia scrutiny along with it.
If he takes on Hulmatu, it ans deploying extensive forces for defense and bearing the political fallout should it fall.
But on the other hand, this is indeed what he needs.
Securing Hulmatu, along with existing Tuz and Feihate, he could create a complete arc-shaped encirclent to the north and west of Titrick, effectively locking the Ahd Tribe in the Titrick-Ozham area.
This seems like a worthwhile calculation.
"I need to consider."
Song Heping did not imdiately agree, leaving himself so leeway.
"Of course." Duke nodded, "You can discuss it with your team. But I believe, with your vision, you can see the... strategic value in this."
The eting lasted an hour.
Duke displayed a style that was entirely different from Kote's — humble, rational, willing to listen, and even showing considerable flexibility on certain issues.
But Song Heping could feel that beneath this gentle façade was a heart more calculating and cold than Kote's.
This person is more difficult to deal with but also worth collaborating with — if their interests align.
After the eting, Simon escorted Song Heping out of the headquarters building.
"What do you think of Duke?" Simon asked casually.
"A smart man," Song Heping said, "knows when to be tough and when to compromise."
Simon chuckled, "I like dealing with smart people, though sotis they're too smart, which is unsettling. By the way, you kept Samir in Baghdad, not just to show him around, right?"
Song Heping glanced at Simon, not hiding anything, "I'm taking him to et Yusuf."
Simon paused, a gleam flashing in his eyes, "Deputy Speaker Yusuf... I should have thought of that. He's Samir's cousin, right?"
"Distant cousin," Song Heping corrected, "but there's blood relation."
"You want to get Samir into politics?" Simon directly pointed out, "Using Yusuf's connections to give 'Liberation Forces' an official status?"
Song Heping did not deny, "Samir controls over 400 kiloters of the border, and he has nearly eight thousand ard n. They need legitimate status and stable financial resources."
Simon pondered for a mont, "Yusuf is a big shot now. Started as materials director, climbed to Deputy Speaker in just a few years... So say he has mysterious support behind him. I guess that person is you?"
"We're old friends."
Song Heping openly admitted.
His relationship with Yusuf had always been kept secret, but there's no need to keep it from Simon now.
The intelligence chief had already sniffed out so clues.
Besides, Song Heping held leverage over him.
He wouldn't dare act rashly.
"Just helping each other," Song Heping hinted, "like you and ."
Simon gave him a aningful look, no longer prying, "Do you need to arrange a car for you? Yusuf's residence is in the Green Zone East District, not far from here."
"No need, I'll arrange it myself."
"Then..." Simon extended his hand, "It's ti to say goodbye. I'm flying back ho tomorrow."
"So soon? Not staying a few more days." Song Heping joked, "Experience the charm of Illigo?"
Simon glanced around, "I've experienced enough of it here."
He gave a faint smile.
"Besides, there's nothing worth lingering over in this kind of place. I've finished my role as peacemaker, it's better to return to the United States."
"Then I wish you a safe journey." Song Heping didn't try to persuade him to stay.
As a CIA director, Simon had many matters to attend to.
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