Ferrari and others returned to the Green Zone from the Cook Oil Field that afternoon, and everything seed to have returned to normal.
"Ferrari, I plan to return to China."
Song Heping called Ferrari to his office and began to discuss all the business arrangents that followed.
"Going back to visit family?"
Ferrari was initially stunned, but then he rembered that Song Heping hadn't been ho for over a year, so it was natural for him to want to visit.
"It's a good idea to go back, it seems like there's no problem on Peter's end. As long as that line holds, we can continue our business in Illigo."
Song Heping said, "I always feel like that guy seems to know sothing."
Ferrari noticed Song Heping's wariness towards Peter, so he comforted him, "If he knows and doesn't take action against you, it proves that you and our company still have their uses. Don't think too much, the boat will straighten when it reaches the bridge."
After a pause, he added, "When do you plan to go back?"
Song Heping said, "Within half a month, as soon as the land lease contract in Venezuela is formally signed, I need to go back imdiately."
"You should also visit your younger siblings." Ferrari said, "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on things here in Illigo."
Song Heping smiled bitterly, "Visiting family is just along the way; finding a construction team is the priority. I've calculated the timing, if we can successfully secure that plot of land in Venezuela after 15 days, then I need to go back to find a construction team that can build the basic runway and hangars within three months to ensure we can be useful in supporting the ELN operations later."
"Supporting the ELN?"
It was the first ti Ferrari heard about this from Song Heping.
"Yes."
Song Heping decided to disclose his plan to Ferrari.
"I promised Morins. He offered eight million dollars to buy weapons worth three million from us, and five million of that is consultancy fees for our company, to support their defeat of the AUC forces and take over their territory."
"Oh! My God!"
Ferrari was stunned.
This was a major move.
He quickly did the math in his head.
Then, puzzled, he said, "Is this why you said you needed to buy two Su-24s?"
"Exactly," Song Heping said. "I've considered this, the ELN has only three to four thousand troops, while the AUC not only has more than double the manpower, but importantly, they have the covert support of the Colombian governnt army and their weapons and equipnt are much more advanced than what ELN has. To completely defeat the AUC, we must use the Air Force."
"My heavens..."
Ferrari was montarily speechless.
The plan was vast.
And it involved too much.
In just four months, to complete the purchase and delivery of the planes, and to find pilots...
Even if the planes were bought, how would they be transported to Venezuela?
"Don't worry, I've got it all arranged," Song Heping saw his concern. "I asked Dominic, and he said he could fly the Su-24. Back when he served in the Gaul Air Force, he took part in flight combat training against the Russian Army, which included the Su-24. Now, we only lack three pilots. I'll ask White Bear and Grey Wolf to go to Russia and scout a few for ."
As he spoke, he took out a map of South Arica and pointed to the location of Maro Town.
"Our future base in South Arica will be here. From here, it only takes pushing the throttle to reach Colombian territory—it's very close. The Su-24 has strong low-altitude capabilities; if the pilots are skilled enough, the troops on the Colombian governnt's border will be unable to detect these two aircraft. After the attack, they can quickly retreat back to Venezuelan territory, and they might not even know where these planes ca from."
"It sounds like a good plan..."
Ferrari also felt that using a force of three to four thousand to directly confront the AUC would be hard to achieve a resounding victory, but if they had two planes performing a surprise attack, the situation would be entirely different.
Especially if they could destroy the enemy's headquarters, and wipe out their command layer, it would be akin to executing a decapitation strike, and the effect would be very good.
Thus, the ELN ard forces might truly have the possibility to completely defeat the AUC.
"But I still don't quite understand... where did you get your aircraft? How will they be transported to Venezuela?"
"The aircraft are readily available. Illigo has them. I saw them last ti at a simple airfield, not only Su-24s but also Su-25s. Now that the Illigo Interim Governnt is buying all Arican equipnt, the old weapons will be phased out. Even if we don't buy them, soone else will, so I'm thinking of buying two."
"Aircraft like the Su-24 aren't cheap. We currently only have twenty million dollars of liquid assets, and we still need to invest in building the training base in Venezuela. Will what's left be enough to buy two Su-24 bombers?" Ferrari asked.
Song Heping put away the map, set it aside, and then asked Ferrari, "How much do you think one would cost?"
Ferrari said, "I don't know, but I know the previous public export price for the Su-24. Depending on the model and configuration, one could cost between ten and twelve million dollars."
"I've budgeted one million dollars for each Su-24," Song Heping said.
Ferrari exclaid, "One million?! Even junk sells for more than that!"
Song Heping said, "For every aircraft purchased, I will give Yusuf and the involved parties a dividend of one million dollars. Moreover, they must equip with the relevant rocket launching pods and bombs."
With nothing more to add, Ferrari could only give a thumbs-up, "Boss, you sure have a big appetite!"
Song Heping said, "These two planes won't be bought for nothing. Once the base is established and we have the planes, it's not just training services we can provide, but also promote Soviet model fighters. Illigo still has a considerable inventory. If we can sell all of those, we'll make a fortune. If we don't even have a place for training, who would buy them?"
Ferrari nodded incessantly, "That's true..."
Song Heping said, "Prepare the budget for the Venezuelan base in a few days. Also, the three million dollars worth of arms, contact the shipping group that smuggled the SA-9 to us last ti, discuss the price with them, and make sure this goes through. As for purchasing the combat bombers, I'll take care of that. How to get past customs and transported to Venezuela will depend on what Yusuf's people say. If that doesn't work, I'll find another way. I'll handle these issues here. We're not afraid to spend money, the second paynt from the US Army transport services is coming soon, and the oil field is still bringing in over a million dollars a month. As long as nothing goes wrong, this inco is steady. When the second paynt cos in, you'll be responsible for continuing operations through our companies in the Cayman and Viking Islands, wiring one million to Prince Peter's charity foundation."
"Okay, leave it to . I'll handle it."
"Alright, go on with your work, and call Grey Wolf and White Bear in."
Soon after Ferrari left, White Bear and Grey Wolf ca and knocked on the door.
"Boss, what do you need?"
Song Heping waved them over to sit.
"Sit down first."
Once the two were seated opposite him, Song Heping then asked, "I rember you both served in the Russian paratroopers, right?"
"Yes."
"That's right."
White Bear and Grey Wolf nodded, looking puzzled, wondering why the boss was suddenly asking about this.
"Do you know any pilots in Russia capable of handling the Su-24 and Su-25 fighters? Also, I need a team specialized in maintaining Soviet aircraft and providing ground support."
Song Heping was straightforward, emphasizing at the end, "I want good people, those who are highly skilled."
White Bear and Grey Wolf exchanged looks.
Grey Wolf asked, "Boss, are you buying aircraft?"
Song Heping nodded, "That's right. I plan to buy a piece of land in Venezuela to build a special operations training school, which will include an aircraft runway. There will be two Su-24s there, and possibly more in the future."
White Bear's face showed shock, "Boss, are you saying our company will have an Air Force rcenary?"
"Why not?" Song Heping spread his hands, "Do you know anyone qualified?"
After so thought, Grey Wolf replied, "We do know people, but we were paratroopers, not very familiar with the Air Force side. It would take a lot of networking to find them and then persuade them afterward. It could take so ti..."
Song Heping said, "I don't have ti. You have one month to find three Su-24 pilots and a four-person ground crew team, can you do it?"
Grey Wolf did not dare to answer.
After all, one month was too tight.
Suddenly, White Bear chid in, "Boss, why not contact Cook? He has a lot of connections in Russia. I think he could help you find the people you need."
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