Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1245 The Gameplay Techniques of Masters

Then, the next second——

"Shhh!!"

All eyes, filled with shock and scrutiny, instantly focused on Colonel Kurt.

Kurt's heart was pounding in his throat.

After all, it was his own idea to send Delta Force.

At the last meeting, Austin agreed to make a final effort to salvage the situation within 48 hours, and if that failed, to take action against Song Heping.

After the meeting, Kurt deployed a Delta Force team to airdrop near Hurmatu. He intended to prepare for both possibilities, so that if the Pentagon decided to take military action against Song Heping, his team could immediately locate Song Heping's position and then cooperate with the Air Force to strike.

But to everyone's surprise, things went awry.

Now the CIA knows.

It is clear that the objectives and plans for the operation will also fall into Simon's hands.

This means that things have really gotten out of hand this time, and the situation can no longer be controlled within the military.

This also means that one is likely to become the scapegoat for the failure of the operation.

After all, all bureaucrats in the world are the same.

Secretary Austin will not take responsibility for this failed operation; after all, he has every reason to shift the blame.

He didn't order Kurt to send Delta Force to Hurmatu, at least not explicitly. He was just making early deployments to curry favor with his superiors.

"Nonsense! Utter fabrication!!"

Kurt tried to mask his inner panic and guilt with loud volume and anger.

"This is Song Heping's conspiracy! It's a synthesized voice! It's a carefully planned smear campaign! He wants to escape punishment and find an excuse for attacking US special forces!"

Simon showed no surprise at Kurt's yelling, merely glancing at Kurt on the screen with a hint of pity in his eyes.

He didn't waste his breath arguing; he simply swiped his finger across the tablet screen once more, calmly and methodically.

A video began playing on the big screen.

The image is stable, the lighting is sufficient, and the resolution is high.

Everyone could clearly recognize the young soldier in the picture sitting on a simple iron bunk bed, wearing the standard desert camouflage uniform of the Iligo Special Forces, with fresh wounds and bruises on his face, and eyes filled with fear and despair.

Those are ISOF members!

The interrogator's face is not visible in the video; only a calm voice repeating similar questions can be heard.

Meanwhile, the ISOF soldier in the scene stammered as he repeated and added details of the mission:
"...We...our team is equipped with AN/PEQ laser designators and...and satellite data link terminals...the plan is to...after confirming Commander Song Heping's exact location, immediately guide...guide the 'Hellfire' missiles from the 'Reaper' drone platform...We...our orders are to ensure the target is completely eliminated at all costs..."

A few minutes later, the video finished playing.

Simon gave everyone no time to catch their breath and digest this astonishing information, and then presented more crucial pieces of evidence, like pieces of a puzzle:

Several of these were encrypted instruction fragments that were quickly verified by the CIA's top technical team and were found to be tamper-proof.

The digital signatures and transmission paths of these fragments, once traced, clearly point to a specific communication node and server address closely related to Colonel Kurt's daily work and command.

There is also a timeline comparison chart accurate to the second.

The above clearly shows that within a few hours before and after this ISOF team secretly infiltrated the Z-7 area of ​​Hurmatu, a US military MQ-9 Reaper drone with a specific designation conducted unusually long-duration high-altitude loitering and reconnaissance activities in and around Hurmatu, and its activity trajectory closely matched the observation area pre-set by the ISOF team.

There was even a copy of a summary report from the "Musician" defense's internal intelligence department.

The report explicitly states that recently, they have repeatedly discovered small, unidentified, well-equipped groups conducting high-precision GPS positioning and marking activities and unusual electromagnetic signal monitoring activities outside the Hurmatu controlled area. The report concludes by pointing directly to—

This is suspected to be reconnaissance and preparation for a targeted decapitation operation!
Audio, video, technical evidence, timelines, intelligence reports...

Simon truly lives up to his reputation as a spymaster; he has plenty of excellent analysts under his command.

These seemingly independent fragments of information were perfectly linked together by a clear and chilling logical chain under his calm presentation, forming a complete and irrefutable picture:
On the U.S. military side, or more accurately, a group led by Colonel Kurt had already secretly planned and actually launched a decapitation operation against Song Heping!
The confessions of the ISOF members captured by the "Musician" defense team, along with the equipment they carried, constitute the most direct and irrefutable evidence!
Everything Song Heping did before was a fierce act of self-defense, forced upon him to survive after he had irrefutably confirmed that he and his subordinates were facing a death threat from their "allies"!

He is trying to save himself!
"Generals,"

Simon said coldly:

"These original interrogation audio and video recordings from captured members of the Iligo government's special forces, along with all relevant technical verification documents and intelligence evidence, were sent by Song Heping to the CIA's secure mailbox through an absolutely confidential channel after he was 100% certain that he and his 'Musician' defense had become targets of elimination planned by certain individuals in the U.S. military."

He paused slightly, allowing the weight of his words to settle.

"Clearly, he wanted to convey a very simple and very clear message to everyone here, and to the Pentagon, through me—he never intended to be an enemy of the powerful U.S. military. However, he and his men were even less willing to sit in Hurmatu and wait to die. I don't think he'll just send this to me alone; I suspect this is just the appetizer, and it's hard to say whether he'll send it to the Russians or the Persians next..."

Simon's gaze swept over Kurt's deathly pale face, and over every general present, whose expression shifted and whose eyes held complex emotions.

"He was warning those who planned and executed all of this that if they continue to be hostile to him, they will pay a political, diplomatic, and strategic price!"

At this point, his tone softened.

"I think we can temporarily set aside that controversial and risky decapitation order and calmly reassess whether it is still necessary and worthwhile to continue implementing the plan you previously wanted to put into practice."

"Even if...even if there were some communication misunderstandings at the operational level...or deviations in certain aspects..."

Colonel Kurt's forehead veins bulged like wriggling earthworms, and he almost squeezed out the sound through his teeth.

"And...it also cannot change the fact that Song Heping now commands a large military force, is too powerful to be controlled, and seriously threatens our entire regional strategic layout! This person is a malignant tumor and must be eliminated! This...this is for the greater, overall interests! It is for the national security of the United States of America!!"

"Eliminate him? For greater interests? For national security?"

Simon scoffed, his laughter filled with mockery and contempt.

"Then, my dear Colonel Kurt, please tell me, what will fill the enormous power vacuum that suddenly appeared in Hurmatu after Song Heping was 'eliminated'?"

Simon's voice suddenly rose, carrying an aggressive questioning tone.

"Is it to use those tribal militias, who have been completely bought off and armed by Song Heping with real money, weapons, ammunition, and huge contracts for future reconstruction, yet who have a century-old blood feud with each other, to immediately start killing each other and causing rivers of blood to flow in order to fight for territory and smuggling routes?! Or... after Song Heping's death, when 1515 returned to the northwest, was it because you personally paid for the military expenses to have Congress send troops back to Iligo?"

He stared intently at Kurt and continued:

"Or should we leave that 'passage' from Iligor to Seria wide open, allowing the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guard and their agents to swagger into the heart of Iligor?!"

His tone became faster and faster, and his momentum grew stronger:

"or……"

Simon once again operated the tablet in his hand.

"...Or will it be tomorrow—oh no, considering the time difference and the efficiency of news organizations, it will most likely be later today—that earth-shattering scandal that will sweep across the front pages of all major television stations, newspapers, and online media worldwide like a plague, destined to ignite global public opinion—'US military betrays its promise and massacres anti-terrorism heroes'?!" The screen switched instantly again!

It redirected to a live news broadcast interface.

The background is clearly the war-torn town of Hurmatu.

James Miller—the highly recognizable face of Horizon News’s top chief correspondent, known for his insightful reporting and unique perspective—appeared on camera.

Behind him were soldiers wearing the "Musician" defense's signature combat uniforms, as well as some local children who curiously gathered around and peered at the camera.

In the picture—

Miller (speaking to the camera, his tone filled with a profound sense of awe and powerful emotional impact):

"...Ladies and gentlemen, I am James Miller. I stand here in northern Iligor, on this land called Hurmatu, a place recently ravaged by blood and fire! Just days ago, this was a major stronghold of the terrorist organization 1515, a synonym for hell on earth. But today, turn your gaze behind me! What do you see?"

The camera pans along with his words, showing a series of meticulously captured yet incredibly realistic images:

With serious expressions but disciplined movements, the "music" soldiers are distributing food and clean drinking water from international aid to the local people who are queuing up.

At a makeshift medical station set up in a tent, medical staff wearing Red Cross armbands are patiently examining the injuries of a mother holding her child.

On a clearing cleared of the ruins, a small market has reopened. The few stalls displaying a handful of goods have attracted many local residents to stop and watch.

Miller's magnetic narration began at just the right moment:
"...Here, in this corner of the world that has been almost forgotten, I witnessed an amazing sight—a private military company that maintains an almost harsh and strict military discipline, and with the people they claim to protect, there is an indescribable, almost inseparable bond."

The driving force behind all of this, Mr. Song Heping, the commander of the 'Musician' defense, summarized his goal in a simple and unadorned sentence during our brief conversation: he only wanted to protect that faint, yet incredibly precious, glimmer of 'peace' for this land ruthlessly torn apart by war.

The scene shifts again, this time to the edge of a neighborhood that has just experienced intense fighting, where the air still seems to be filled with the smell of gunpowder.

Several "musician" soldiers, armed and on guard, escorted a dozen or so dejected 1515 militant prisoners, their hands bound, through the ruined streets.

Miller's voice carried a barely perceptible hint of excitement, and his speech quickened:
"...And less than 24 hours ago, I myself had the privilege of witnessing a short but intense defensive battle! The warriors of 'Musician' Defense, with impressive efficiency and professionalism, completely crushed a 1515 molecule that was trying to infiltrate!"

They are not merely security guards collecting commissions here! They are guardians rooted here, genuinely fighting terrorism, protecting the fragile, glass-like security of this region with their lives and blood! They are the cornerstone that keeps Hurmatu from falling back into the abyss of darkness!

Finally, the camera focused on a brief but highly symbolic close-up—Song Heping's profile.

He stood on a slightly elevated earthen slope, speaking in hushed tones with a tribal elder with a white beard, dressed in a traditional Arabic robe.

The afterglow of the setting sun outlined his sharply defined profile; his expression was focused and composed, carrying a firmness beyond his years.

Miller's voice-over added a final layer of glamour:
"...In that brief but profound exchange with Commander Song Heping, I deeply felt that he was not, as some outsiders speculated, a warlord who pursued personal power and territory."

On the contrary, he was an extremely pragmatic, calm, and... a key figure who truly tied himself to the fate of this land and its people, and dedicated himself to stabilizing the region and bringing order.

Furthermore, some analysts have pointed out that there is a tacit, de facto cooperation between 'Musician' Defense and the US military in Iraq, jointly maintaining this fragile yet crucial strategic defense line in northwestern Iligo…”

The news footage continued to play, but no one in the conference room could concentrate on watching it anymore.

Quiet.

Deathly silence.

Every general's face looked as if a palette of colors had been overturned, a mixture of red and blue, extremely unsightly.

Secretary Austin, in particular, had his brows furrowed so deeply they were almost knotted together.

James Miller's report, with its timing, angle, carefully edited content, and highly persuasive and misleading narration...

Everything was coordinated perfectly, making it a model of information warfare! It successfully transformed Song Heping, the former "war hyena" and "PMC leader," into an "anti-terrorism hero," "peace guardian," and "cornerstone of regional stability" who safeguarded order, protected civilians, and was deeply relied upon and loved by the people in a chaotic world!
Furthermore, the seemingly casual yet insightful "analysis" at the end of the report cleverly and subtly links the "Musician's" defense with the U.S. military, implying a certain "cooperative" relationship.

This is tantamount to using global public opinion to dress Song Heping in an impenetrable "moral armor" and "public opinion bulletproof vest" before the Pentagon even pressed the missile launch button!
This placed him on an absolute moral high ground and under the protection of global media attention!

"Generals, have you all seen it clearly?"

Simon turned off the news feed, and the screen went dark again, reflecting the various, yet equally unpleasant, faces in the conference room.

“The current Song Heping is no longer an ‘unstable PMC leader’ who can be easily removed from the list like deleting junk files on a computer.”

Simon emphasized, enunciating each word clearly: "He is a 'hero' that the media is working hard to create and package, and who will soon be recognized by countless viewers around the world! He is a 'symbol' of peace and stability in Hurmatu!"

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing everyone like a knife:

"If at this moment, we had listened to the 'decisive' advice of some people and sent F-35s or drones to precisely wipe him and his command post off the map of Hurmatu..."

Simon deliberately paused for a full five seconds, allowing each general present to fully use their imagination to predict the future situation and scenarios in northwestern Iligor.

"...Then I can assure you all one hundred percent what we will face tomorrow, no, even tonight?"

His voice suddenly rose, carrying a prophetic heaviness:

"It's the overwhelming barrage of questions, condemnations, and verbal attacks from CNN, BBC, France 24... all the major media outlets around the world! It's the endless, in-depth hearings and investigations organized by those members of Congress who have long been dissatisfied with the military budget and overseas operations! It will last for months or even years! It's the suspicious, disappointed, and even fearful gazes cast upon us by all our European allies and Asian partners! It's a large-scale, live lesson in 'American treachery' that our main geostrategic competitors are relentlessly and openly mocking in the United Nations and various international forums!"

Simon's gaze finally returned to Kurt, whose face was ashen, and the sarcasm in his tone reached its peak:

"This is a complete and utter collapse and devastating blow to the strategic position and regional influence that our United States of America has barely maintained in Iligo and the Middle East, after investing trillions of dollars in military spending and sacrificing the precious lives of thousands of outstanding soldiers!!"

"Colonel Kurt!"

He smiled calmly, and said with a hint of sarcasm:
"Is this what you keep saying, 'for the greater good'?! For such 'good', you're going to drag the whole of America down with you, to be buried with your stupid and reckless purge?!"

Colonel Kurt opened his mouth wide, as if trying to say something, but couldn't utter a single word.

Simon's predictions went far beyond the simple gains and losses of military operations, and the consequences were something that even Secretary of Defense Austin, sitting at the head of the conference room, could not afford, let alone a mere colonel like him!
Seeing that everyone was silent, Simon pressed his advantage and said:
"Gentlemen, based on the above sober understanding of the current complex situation and the highest consideration of the core national interests, I firmly believe that not only should Song Heping not be regarded as an enemy and eliminated, but we must immediately adjust our strategy and turn to a limited, transparent, but absolutely necessary cooperation with him!"

He held up a finger:
"First, there is the lock of practical interests. The temporary stability of Hurmatu and even the entire northwestern region of Iriego is entirely in line with our current core strategic interests of curbing the resurgence of the 1515 rebellion and preventing the infiltration and expansion of Persian and its proxies."

He raised his second finger:

"Secondly, the media and information lock. James Miller's report is just the beginning, the vanguard of the first wave of media tsunami. Once Song Heping is dead, more and more sensitive information will be fully and ruthlessly detonated!"

He raised his third finger, his gaze sweeping across the entire room:
"Third, the cost assessment is crucial. The combined cost of a full-scale war with Song Heping, both militarily and politically, is far, far greater than the cost of limited cooperation with him."

Simon's gaze finally settled on the face of the key decision-maker—Defense Secretary Austin.

“Minister, Generals,”

He was cold but clear-headed.

"The choice is now in your hands. Do you choose a war with absolutely catastrophic consequences and no winners? Or do you choose a path of cooperation that best protects the actual national interests and strategic security of the United States of America? It is time to make the final choice."

　Please vote for me, please vote for me!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)