Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 811 Killing someone with a borrowed knife

Campbell didn't immediately respond; instead, he reached out and pressed a button on the table.

A minute later, the waiter pushed in a cart with steaks and side dishes for two people.

During the meal, they chatted about trivial matters—golf, the latest congressional hearings, and Campbell's daughter's studies at Princeton.

This is an instinct for intelligence personnel—to remain vigilant even in the most private settings.

After the food cart was moved, Campbell locked the door and activated the electronic jammer under the desk. The room was immediately blocked from receiving signals.

“Speak,” Campbell said, lighting a Cuban cigar. “Your plan.”

Pence took a tablet computer out of his briefcase and pulled up a map of North Darfur.

The areas controlled by several armed groups are marked with different colors.

“Song Heping now has two advantages,” Pence analyzed. “First, the official protection of the Sudanese government; second, the air defense system he controls. Directly deploying special forces or drones is impractical.”

He zoomed in on the area surrounding the Atron Oasis: "But there's a natural weakness here—at least six major armed factions are vying for control of the gold mines and smuggling routes. Song Heping's camp is situated right at the intersection of two main smuggling routes."

Campbell exhaled a smoke ring: "You want to provoke a conflict between them?"

“More precisely, it’s about arming them against Song Heping.” Pence pulled up a set of photos. “This is Abdul Hakim, leader of the Justice and Equality Movement, who controls the Huwar gold mine; this is Makur, commander of the Sudan Liberation Front, who occupies the Darka gold mine. Both are hostile to the Khartoum government, but also rivals.”

Pence's finger slid across the tablet, displaying two detailed files: "Interestingly, we just received intelligence that the Sudanese government is planning to use the mining rights to these two gold mines to trade for more weapons with Song Heping."

Campbell narrowed his eyes: "Trading with gold mines they can't control?"

“A classic Khartoum-style scheme to get something for nothing,” Pence sneered. “But this also gives us an opportunity. What if Hakim and Makul knew that Song Heping was going to take their gold mine?”

“They’ll strike first,” Campbell continued, “The problem is, these local militias lack heavy weapons and can’t handle Song Heping’s professional mercenaries.”

Pence wore a confident expression: "This is where the 'Elders' need to get involved. Provide them with mortars, anti-tank missiles, and man-portable air defense systems through the black market. We'll handle the funding and weapons; they'll provide the personnel."

Campbell pondered for a moment: "What about the risks?"

“Absolutely undeniable,” Pence emphasized. “The weapons are smuggled through Libya and Chad, and the funds are transferred through shell companies in Dubai. Even if the operation fails, it won’t trace back to the United States.”

The firelight from the fireplace cast flickering shadows on Campbell's face. He slowly stubbed out his cigar and made his decision.

“At least $50 million in start-up capital is needed,” he stated. “In addition, this includes twenty Javelin anti-tank missile systems, fifty RPG-7 missiles, and two thousand AK-103 rifles. Is that enough?”

Pence's heart raced—twice as fast as he'd expected. "That's enough. We can mount the first wave of attack within two weeks."

Campbell took a satellite phone from his desk drawer and pushed it in front of Pence: “Use this to contact our liaison in Chad, codenamed ‘Shepherd.’ He’ll arrange the weapons transport.”

Pence took the phone and felt a long-lost sense of power.

What does being fired from the CIA mean?
He now works directly for the "Elders' Council," which is the real center of power.

“There’s a condition,” Campbell’s voice suddenly turned cold. “This operation must completely eliminate Song Heping and his ‘Musician’ company. Leave no survivors, leave no evidence.”

Pence nodded: "I suggest we first have the local armed forces launch a probing attack, and then use mercenary squads to carry out precision strikes once Song Heping's air defense system has been exposed."

"Mercenaries?" Campbell raised an eyebrow.

“The South African company ‘EO’ has a group of retired special forces soldiers who are skilled in desert warfare.” Pence pulled up a file: “They have worked with the CIA, but ostensibly as private contractors.”

Campbell smiled with satisfaction: "Looks like you were prepared."

Pence did not deny it.

In fact, he had been conceiving this plan from the moment the drone was shot down.

Did Song Heping think he had won?
Get excited too soon! This game has only just begun.

Atron Oasis, Sudan.

Song Heping squatted in front of the sand table, pointing the tip of his dagger at a miniature model of the Huvar gold mine. Surrounding him sat Jiang Feng, Ferrari, and other core members, the tent filled with smoke.

"Southeast of the gold mine is Hakim's main camp, garrisoned by about 4 militants from the 'Justice and Equality Movement.'" Song Heping's knife tip moved: "The northwest pass is controlled by his cousin, Ajiji, and is equipped with three DShK heavy machine guns."

"Justice and peace?" Jiang Feng sneered from the side, "I've noticed that these armed groups all like to give themselves fancy names."

"Otherwise, how can we unite people's hearts?" the hunter said. "We can't exactly call ourselves an 'Evil and Violence' organization, can we?"

Jiang Feng chuckled: "That's true."

Ferrari stared at the sand table and whistled, "The Defense Minister is really generous, giving us a tough nut to crack."

Jiang Feng frowned as he studied the sand table: "The Huvar gold mine isn't the most troublesome; the Darka gold mine is far more problematic. Makul has been operating there for five years, commanding over 500 men and constructing sophisticated underground fortifications. A direct assault would require at least two battalions."

The polar bear said, "We only have about two hundred people now, so it might be a bit troublesome to take on these two tough challenges."

Song Heping stood up straight and sheathed his dagger: "Who said we were going to launch a full-scale attack?"

Everyone looked at him in confusion.

Song Heping walked to the corner of the tent, opened a metal box, and took out a thick stack of documents.

"Over the past 48 hours, I have had all the intelligence gathered on these two armed groups."

He spread the documents out on the table.

"An interesting phenomenon has been observed—Hakim and Makur, while both anti-government, are also mortal enemies."

Jiang Feng quickly understood his intention: "You want to incite them to fight each other?"

"To be more precise, it's about helping them find a common enemy." Song Heping revealed a sly smile: "Henry has obtained some intelligence; it's said that recently a mysterious person has made contact with the 'Justice and Equality Movement' and the 'Sudan Liberation Front.'"

He turned his gaze to the others.

Guess who it could be?

Ferrari jumped to his feet: "Even a fool could tell it's the Americans behind this. They got humiliated before, even Pence resigned, so they're probably still upset."

“Smart,” Song Heping nodded. “And I bet they’ll hint to those two organizations that we’re going to rob the gold mine. They’ll also provide them with weapons and funding to turn against us.”

Ferrari said, "If the two of them team up against us, it will be a bit tricky. It will take some time to transfer our two special operations companies from South America. Now, everyone associated with us is being watched, and they will probably be watched when they cross into other countries. I can only have them smuggled over... It will probably take a month."

The atmosphere inside the tent immediately became heavy.

If no one instigates those two armed groups to attack us, then a month is acceptable.

There's obviously no time now.

Jiang Feng quickly drew several lines on the map: "If they attack from both the east and west sides simultaneously, we'll be surrounded."

Song Heping laughed: "So I plan to give them a big gift."

"What kind of gift?"

All eyes were on Song Heping.

"Keep it a secret for now. I need to think about it tonight and come up with a comprehensive plan."

(End of this chapter)