The tent was hot and humid; sweat slid down Song Heping's neck, soaking the collar of his camouflage uniform.
Since returning from Lumar's place, he had been staring at the wrinkled map of Sena on the table, lost in thought.
According to Lumar's plan, tomorrow night after dark, the two brigades he controls and two brigades of the opposition deployed in the north will launch a full-scale attack on the capital Butare simultaneously from the west and north.
The purpose is to prevent President Noel's six brigades from securing both ends, thereby breaking through the governnt army's defenses, and more importantly, shattering the psychological defenses of the governnt army soldiers.
In terms of troop strength, the forces controlled by the Sena military opposition leaders are actually less than those of President Noel, and Noel still has his last two MiG-23s; a fight might not necessarily lead to an advantage.
Therefore, Lumar is very keen on Song Heping joining the coup, leveraging these elite rcenaries to perfectly execute a special operation, occupy the capital's radio station, and broadcast the opposition leader Du Er's speech.
The national radio station is in the capital; if the opposition leader's speech is published on both the station and its website, it ans the opposition has entered the capital.
This would be a psychological bomb for the governnt army akin to a mushroom explosion.
As long as the broadcast can be controlled within hours after the opposition army launches a full attack, it will lead to internal chaos among the frontline governnt troops.
Thus, Lumar offers rich rewards including two mining areas and a base to entice Song Heping to join.
Without Song Heping, Lumar questions his ability to execute such an infiltration operation.
After staring at the map for a full half hour, Song Heping's finger heavily tapped twice on Butare's location.
He turned and asked Jiang Feng, "How's the situation with the brothers now?"
His voice was sowhat hoarse.
The imnse pressure along with exhaustion from not having closed his eyes for over ten hours made Song Heping's vocal cords sound slightly weary.
Jiang Feng and Ferrari exchanged a glance.
Ferrari uneasily scratched his chin with his hand and shook his head. "Not too good. Hunter's abdon was penetrated, White Bear's left leg artery was nearly severed. Our dical kit can only provide ergency treatnt; field dical conditions here are too poor, and for now, only ergency treatnt can be carried out. If they don't receive proper treatnt within 48 hours..."
He did not finish, but all three in the tent understood what that ant.
"So we have to go to Butare."
Song Heping raised his head, eyes flashing with a determined light.
"Not just for the rewards Lumar promised, but for our brothers."
Jiang Feng slamd a fist onto the ammo box, producing a dull thud.
"But that son of a bitch Lumar already cost us a platoon of brothers! Continue cooperating with him?"
Suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard outside the tent, making all three silent simultaneously.
Once the footsteps faded, Song Heping slowly exhaled.
"Listen,", he lowered his voice, "I know Lumar is a slick guy. But right now, only he in the opposition has enough force to support Du Er's ascension. If we pull out now, we'll gain nothing and it will cost White Bear and Hunter their lives."
Ferrari nodded thoughtfully, "Plus, our people need a hospital. There is a French-built hospital in Butare with decent equipnt that can offer better dical services."
"But how do we cross the 300 kiloters of battle lines?"
Jiang Feng unfolded the map, pointing at the dozen or so checkpoints marked in red pen.
"The president has declared warti status, and the governnt army is now fully on alert; there are likely checkpoints on all roads leading to the capital. Currently, all we have is a platoon brought by Ferrari from the Akent Oasis, which we can't break through."
Song Heping's mouth slightly curved into a smile without warmth, "Who said we need to bring a platoon?"
"How many do you want to bring then?"
Ferrari asked puzzledly, "I brought a platoon of rcenaries from Darfur, the rest are missile company soldiers; do you expect them to also take up arms and infiltrate with you?"
"Only five people."
"Five people?"
Ferrari and Jiang Feng were initially stunned, then exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.
"Song, what kind of international joke are you making?! Taking five people to Butare!? Are you insane?!"
"Does more people have a use? More people, greater target."
While speaking, Song Heping pulled out a satellite phone.
"I've already planned everything. Lady M owes a favor. I'll have her provide assistance. We have three people here now; later we'll call Collins, his injury isn't serious. The four of us will then ask Lumar for soone who knows the situation, then disguise as journalists, a five-person team will lightly infiltrate."
"Journalists?"
Jiang Feng raised an eyebrow.
He pointed at Ferrari, "He looks more like Mafia than a war correspondent."
Ferrari made a comical hurt expression, "Hey! Jiang, don't underestimate ! I actually studied journalism at Milan University!"
"Enough."
Song Heping interrupted them.
"I'll have M provide a full set of BBC docunts and equipnt for us."
He checked his watch.
"We have three hours to prepare. Jiang Feng, go find Lumar and ask him to pick a local knowledgeable officer for us; Ferrari, prepare light weapons and communications gear; I'll go check on the wounded."
As Song Heping lifted the tent flap of the dical tent, the intense sll of blood and disinfectant hit him.
Hunter lay on a makeshift stretcher, his face as pale as paper, each breath accompanied by a slight hissing sound.
White Bear's condition was slightly better, but the bandage on his left leg was soaked in fresh blood.
"Boss..." Hunter weakly raised his hand, "Forget...about us...you all leave..."
"I don't have the habit of abandoning my own people."
Song Heping held his hand, realizing this hand that could once easily twist an enemy's neck was now cold as a corpse.
"Shut up, focus on recovering."
He turned to the dical orderly changing White Bear's dressing and asked, "How long can they hold out?"
The dical orderly shook his head, "One requires abdominal drainage, the other needs vascular repair, and there are other critically injured...no surgical conditions...at most two or three days."
Song Heping nodded, comforting Hunter and White Bear, "Currently, you two are the most seriously injured, but don't worry, I'll ensure you receive better treatnt within two days."
He turned to Collins, "You're coming with ."
After speaking, he wasted no more words, turned and left the tent.
Words won't solve problems.
Instead of saying more comforting words here, it's better to act imdiately.
The setting sun stained the barren Sena land red.
He fished out the satellite phone and dialed the number from mory.
"It's , Song."
Once connected, he said briefly, "I need five sets of BBC journalist credentials, full equipnt. Have Weber get it ready, tonight at twelve we hand over at the border."
A calm female voice ca from the other end, "I heard you're taking part in a coup?"
Song Heping replied coldly, "Isn't this the outco you've always wanted to see?"
"Deal. Weber will arrive on ti, send the coordinates. Don't be late."
Lady M was straightforward, answering and imdiately hanging up the phone.
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