Chapter 1443 - 1201

The United States is like a flaky girl.

This is an opinion Song Heping has never changed.

Washington politicians want loyal dogs.

But Song Heping is not a dog.

Nor can he be a dog.

So, even after clearing his name and regaining legal status, Song Heping still thinks he might fall out with the Americans in the future.

Even being a dog for Americans isn't guaranteed; one might end up cooked and served on the table as food any day, not to mention someone like him who has always been autonomous.

It wouldn't be surprising if the high-levels over in Old America already had plans to act against him after annihilating the 1515 Armed.

Never overestimate the moral bottom line of those in power in a hegemonic country.

Forewarned is forearmed; be vigilant in peace.

The wisdom of the ancestors is never wrong.

So, Song Heping must maximize benefits now.

Money, weapons, personnel!

Children make choices, but adults take everything.

The next morning, at ten to ten.

Baghdad's "Green Zone," the core area, the Alliance Command Center building emanates an icy aura of stranger danger under the scorching sunlight.

The reinforced concrete walls are thick, windows narrow and embedded with explosion-proof mesh, and faint outlines of communication antennas and suspected close-defense weapons can be seen on the rooftop.

US soldiers surrounding the building are wearing fully armed "Interceptor" bulletproof vests, with dark goggles, their M4A1 carbine gun muzzles slightly lowered, but their fingers tightly against the trigger guard.

Song Heping and "Hunter," both clad in Multicam camo combat uniforms, walked into the building, passed through layers of stringent identity verification, metal detectors, and biometric recognition, guided by a stone-faced US liaison officer, into the interior of the command center building.

The bomb-proof door of the conference room was pushed open from inside by a guard.

Instantly, all eyes in the room—whether scrutinizing, curious, or openly hostile—unanimously focused on Song Heping standing at the door.

Most US military officers here have never seen Song Heping.

But quite a few have long heard of Song Heping.

All know this guy is a former legendary figure here.

A notorious leader once listed as a terrorist, now swaggering into the US military command center, becoming an honored guest here.

Aside from surprise, everyone can only marvel at how strange the world is.

Reaching a hundred is always newsworthy.

At the center of the conference room is an enormous rectangular table, topped with mineral water, notebooks, and several small encrypted communicators.

On one side of the wall is a high-resolution electronic tactical map occupying the entire wall, currently on standby, displaying satellite base maps of Illiguo and surrounding areas.

On the other side hung multiple LCD monitors, two of which were already lit up, showing video feeds of the Persian representative Avanti and the Russian side representative Brigadier General Niezov.

A few people were already seated at the table.

Among them is the current Illinois US Army troops Commander, Colonel Kote. Since over three years ago, the US Army has been gradually withdrawing from Illiguo.

To date, the US presence here consists of only one Air Force base and a small number of Army and logistics personnel.

There are not many real combat troops, less than a thousand soldiers.

This is why the White House agreed to cooperate with the former "terrorist" Song Heping.

Unless there is another large-scale troop deployment in Illiguo, the US Army now, relying on barely over two thousand troops in the Green Zone and nearby bases, genuinely cannot clear out tens of thousands of 1515 Armed and local forces allied with Organization 1515 in the Northwest.

Colonel Kote inherently bears a distrust towards Song Heping.

Yet the real tension arises from that person beside Colonel Kote.

Major James.

US Special Forces Major Commander.

When Song Heping's gaze met his, there seemed to be sparks exploding in the air.

If looks could kill, Major James would want to kill Song Heping with his gaze over a thousand times.

Chases in the Siria Desert and mountains, the screams of subordinates dying through the radio, countless carefully planned traps dodged by the opponent like slippery eels...

The failures and losses of those operations are like scars engraved in his memory.

Now, his superiors ordered him to sit at the same table with this former sworn enemy and even call him "ally."

This is simply the greatest mockery to him and those sacrificed subordinates.

Song Heping could clearly feel the hostility.

The other side is upset.

Song Heping just wants these people even more upset.

So, facing Colonel Kote and Major James, he walked forward and greeted proactively, "Gentlemen, do we need introductions?"

Colonel Kote was taken aback for a moment, then stood up first.

Out of basic courtesy, and also to maintain the current cooperative situation.

He extended his hand, the movement standard yet slightly stiff, "Mr. Song, welcome. I hope our cooperation will proceed smoothly."

His English carries the distinctive drawl of Texas, official tone, hardly revealing much emotion.

Song Heping reached out and shook it lightly, feeling dry and firm.

"Colonel Kote."

He replied simply, voice steady.

"I've heard of you."

Soon, his gaze turned to Major James, still seated there.

Major James finally moved.

He stood up extremely slowly, movements like a rusted machine, each joint showing reluctance.

He did not extend his hand, merely stared at Song Heping with icy eyes, jaw muscles tight, squeezing out three words through gritted teeth like throwing ice:

"Song Heping."