Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1266 Evacuation from Hurmatu
The evacuation order was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.

As the next morning dawned, Hurmatu's militia was shrouded in a strange atmosphere—

It was no longer the joy and relaxation of conquering a city, but a mix of confusion, dissatisfaction, and loss.

The camp was bustling with noise, but unlike the tense and orderly preparations before the battle, there was more of a resentful chaos at this moment.

Inside a partially collapsed courtyard that had originally served as a makeshift ammunition depot, a group of militiamen were silently, or rather, emotionally, packing up their equipment.

The sounds of gunfire were louder than usual, and the sound of leather boots crunching over rubble seemed particularly heavy.

An old soldier with a scar on his face was disassembling the tripod of a DShK heavy machine gun while cursing and swearing. His movements were rough, as if he was sulking with someone.

"We haven't even had a chance to properly enjoy the spoils before we have to give them away? Several of my brothers died here for nothing!"

He muttered, his voice not loud, but still clear in the noisy environment.

A young militiaman nearby, who was stacking ammunition boxes onto a dilapidated pickup truck, chimed in:
"Exactly! I heard they took over from those American lackeys, Thunder Defense! We bleed, they reap the rewards!"

"Who knows what the higher-ups are thinking?"

Another militiaman, who was squatting on the ground mechanically wiping the RPG-7 rocket launcher tube with a rag stained with oil, looked up with a bewildered expression.

"Is the pressure from the Americans too great? Is even Boss Song unable to withstand it?"

"fart!"

The scarred veteran slammed the disassembled tripod into the car with a loud crash. "Is Boss Song a coward? I bet there's more to this than meets the eye! It's just... it's just that I'm so frustrated!"

Whispers spread quietly throughout the camp, like an uneasy undercurrent.

Despite their basic trust and respect for Samir and Song Heping, the militiamen found it hard to understand why the territory they had won with blood and lives was so easily relinquished.

They obeyed orders in silence, but the confusion in their eyes and the occasional bursts of exertion revealed their true thoughts.

In a relatively tidy area next to the command post, two mercenary battalions directly under the "Musician" were also preparing for evacuation.

Their movements were equally swift, but they appeared more silent and professional, with a kind of professional indifference.

They inspected weapons, inventoried equipment, and loaded necessary supplies onto reinforced off-road vehicles and trucks.

Unlike the militiamen who openly express their emotions, they tend to keep their thoughts to themselves, occasionally exchanging glances, with everything understood without words.

They trusted Song Heping's judgment, but this unconventional decision also raised questions in their minds.

Outside the command post, Song Heping stood with his hands in his pockets, expressionless as he watched the busy yet somewhat chaotic scene before him.

His gaze swept over the familiar faces, finally settling on Ferrari and the White Bear couple as they walked out of the command center.

He needed to see off his comrades who were about to head to another battlefield.

"Are you all ready?"

Song Heping went to greet him.

Ferrari nodded: "We can depart at any time. The contact in Bakda has confirmed again that the US military's C-130 transport plane will take off on time this afternoon."

"Ah."

Song Heping responded and turned his gaze to the white bear and the queen: "Take good care of yourselves. Afghanistan is a place with high mountains and long roads, and the situation is complicated. It's not as easy as here."

The polar bear grinned widely, looking completely unconcerned, and said:

"Boss, don't worry! Those bumpkins in the mountains haven't even figured out how to make bullets that can take down my White Bear yet!"

The Queen remained silent, only nodding slightly to Song Heping as a farewell.

The group began walking towards the helicopter landing pad.

On the way, Song Heping gave the instructions:

"Ferrari, be careful when you get to Afghanistan. The situation there is just as complicated and complex. Be extra cautious and prioritize safety. If... I mean if, you encounter trouble that you can't handle on your own, don't try to tough it out. Staying alive is the most important thing. Contact me anytime."

As he spoke, he pulled out a folded piece of paper from a concealed pocket in his tactical vest. The paper contained the encrypted communication frequency and a simple identification code, and he handed it to Ferrari.

"The Persians have intelligence networks over there, which might come in handy in a critical moment, providing some intelligence or cover. Keep it for emergencies."

Ferrari solemnly accepted the seemingly ordinary but potentially life-saving note, carefully tucked it into his inner pocket, and pressed it firmly:

"Understood, don't worry! Your attack on Baiji won't be an easy battle either."

"War is never easy."

Song Heping's tone remained calm, as if he were talking about something completely ordinary. His gaze once again fell on the helipad not far away.

There, a Mi-8 helicopter had already started its engine. The huge rotor began to spin from slow to fast, emitting an increasingly loud roar and kicking up clouds of dust, announcing the arrival of the moment of parting.

When we arrived at the helicopter, the powerful downdraft made it almost impossible to open our eyes, our clothes clung tightly to our bodies, and we had to shout to speak.

Song Heping shook hands firmly with the White Bear couple, and finally patted Ferrari heavily on the shoulder: "Take care!" "You take care too, boss! Wait for our good news!"

The polar bear shouted at the top of its lungs, then resolutely turned around and walked into the noisy cabin, braving the strong airflow that could almost blow a person over.

The helicopter's heavy cabin door slowly closed and locked.

With the rotor speed reaching its peak, the massive aircraft struggled slightly as it lifted off the ground amidst the roar of the engine and the swirling dust. After hovering briefly in the air to adjust its direction, it accelerated towards Bakda in the southeast. The aircraft grew smaller and smaller until it finally merged into the azure sky, leaving only a fading buzzing sound.

Not long after Ferrari left, as the withdrawal of the main force of the "Liberation Force" entered its final stage, the sound of propellers could be heard in the sky.

A UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter in U.S. military livery, escorted by two attack helicopters carrying rocket pods, landed steadily in the spot where the old Mi-8 had just been parked, with an almost ostentatious air.

As the Black Hawk's hatch slid open, four fully armed soldiers from the U.S. 75th Ranger Regiment swiftly jumped out. They quickly spread out in standard tactical formation, taking up several key high points and cover positions around the tarmac, their guns slightly lowered but maintaining a state of readiness to fire at any moment.

Then, Colonel Kurt leisurely climbed out of the cabin.

With the superiority of an inspector and a victor, he scanned the chaotic camp before him, where people and vehicles were leaving one after another. Finally, his eyes fixed precisely on Song Heping, who stood expressionless.

Colonel Kurt immediately put on a formulaic smile, strode forward, and extended his hand to Song Heping:
"Song! I am pleased to see that you have kept your promise. On behalf of the Allied Command, I thank you and your brave personnel for your outstanding contributions to the international fight against terrorism, and for this... very timely and constructive cooperation."

His wording was official and dignified.

Song Heping reached out and shook hands with him briefly.

"It's just a matter of mutual benefit, Colonel. No need to be polite."

Colonel Kurt seemed to thoroughly enjoy this feeling of absolute dominance. Glancing around at the final scenes of the evacuation, he raised his voice meaningfully, making sure his men and any remaining "Liberation Forces" personnel could hear him:

"Hurmatu is undoubtedly a strategically important location. Entrusting its defense to a more professional, capable, and reputable military contractor will undoubtedly be more effective in ensuring the long-term security and stability of this region."

His words seemed to be addressed to Song Heping, but also to himself and his men in a pre-battle mobilization and affirmation.

Song Heping nodded, his tone carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible meaning:

"Of course, the Thunder's defense is strong, and 'holding out' Hurmatu will definitely be no problem. Good luck."

He deliberately used extremely slight emphasis on the words "hold on" and "good luck," as if to emphasize a certain uncertainty and potential cost.

However, Colonel Kurt was clearly completely immersed in his smugness and joy, either completely unaware of the subtle warning in Song Heping's words, or if he was aware of it, he completely disregarded it.

In his view, this was nothing more than the powerless rhetoric of a loser.

"So, according to the agreement, all the handover work should now be considered basically completed?"

Colonel Kurt pressed on, his gaze sweeping across Song Heping's face like a searchlight, as if trying to catch even the slightest hint of helplessness or frustration in any subtle change in his expression.

"Basically completed."

Song Heping's answer was crisp and decisive. He raised his hand and casually pointed to the edge of the camp in the distance, where the last few trucks loaded with supplies and personnel were slowly starting up and leaving the camp, belching black smoke.

"My men are to evacuate immediately. The relevant town defense fortification maps and the general area where the remaining enemy forces might be active have already been left with the people who came to take over earlier."

"Excellent! Very efficient!"

Colonel Kurt nodded in satisfaction, his smile widening. He then changed the subject, his tone inquisitive, "So, if I may ask, are you heading to Teterrick next? Do you need any form of assistance from the Allied Command?"

He tried to find out Song Heping's next move.

"No need for the colonel to trouble himself."

Song Heping skillfully avoided the question, instead asking with a hint of sarcasm, "You personally took a helicopter and risked your life to come and supervise this small handover, are you worried that I, Song Heping, might change my mind and go back on my word?"

Upon hearing this, Kurt immediately chuckled, trying to hide the slight embarrassment of having his thoughts exposed.
"Not at all! You're overthinking it. I came in person simply to ensure a smooth and efficient handover process, and to avoid any potential...unnecessary misunderstandings. After all, at this stage, we are still...important partners."

He deliberately emphasized the word "partner," but the sense of superiority in his tone was unmistakable.

He then changed the subject again, speaking in a condescending tone of "appreciation":
Song Heping sneered inwardly, but his face remained impassive, as if he hadn't grasped the other party's underlying meaning at all.
"It's getting late, so we won't stay any longer and disturb Colonel's full takeover and deployment of defenses. Goodbye."

After saying that, he didn't give Colonel Kurt another glance, turned around decisively, and walked towards the command vehicle not far away.

Colonel Kurt stood there, watching Song Heping's departing figure. The smile on his face quickly vanished, replaced by an undisguised contempt and disdain.

In his view, no matter how arrogant and difficult this Eastern mercenary leader, who always liked to take unconventional paths, was before, he would eventually have to bow down and admit defeat in the face of absolute strength.
He turned around and instructed the adjutant beside him:
"Notify the field commander of Thunder Defense to have his men immediately and completely take over all key tactical positions in Hurmatu! Especially the main road entrance to Titrick in the north, and all the small roads leading to the desert in the west! We must strengthen vigilance and set up sentries and sensors! I want to see every inch of Hurmatu completely under our and Thunder Defense's absolute control before sunset! This will be our new starting point on the northern front!"

On the other side, Song Heping opened the car door, got into the passenger seat, and simply said to Jiang Feng, who was also looking rather grim in the driver's seat, "Everyone's here, let's go."

The driver skillfully shifted gears and gently pressed the accelerator.

The command vehicle paused slightly, then started smoothly and drove away from the Hurmatu camp.

In the vehicle's rearview mirror, Colonel Kurt's tall and arrogant figure, along with the helicopters painted with U.S. military insignia, grew smaller and smaller, becoming increasingly blurry, until they were completely obscured by the yellow dust kicked up by the vehicle, as if they had never existed.

　Asking for a monthly ticket! Asking for a monthly ticket!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)