Chapter 1526 - 1245: Experts' Strategies in the Game (Part 2)

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

"It is quite clear that he wants to convey a very simple and clear message through me to everyone present here, and to the Pentagon—he never intended to be an enemy of the mighty US Army. However, he and his people are even more unwilling to sit and wait for death in Hulmatu. I think he won't just send this message to me alone; I guess this is just the appetizer, and who knows if the next move will involve sending it to the Russians or the Persians..."

Simon's gaze swept over Kote's ashen face, and across the room of generals whose expressions were ever-changing and eyes complex.

"He is warning those who planned and executed all this that if they continue to oppose him, it will come at a political, diplomatic, and strategic cost!"

Upon saying this, his tone relaxed a bit.

"I think we can temporarily set aside that controversial and highly risky order for a decapitation strike, and calmly reassess whether it is still necessary, and whether it's worth continuing the implementation of your previously intended plans."

"Even if... even if there are some operational-level... communication misunderstandings... or certain aspects have... deviated..."

Colonel Kote's forehead veins bulged like wriggling earthworms, his voice almost squeezed through his teeth.

"It also... also cannot change the fact that Song Heping is now wielding military power for his own purposes, with a tail that cannot be cut off, posing a severe threat to our entire regional strategic layout! This person is a cancer that must be removed! This... this is for greater, overall interests! It's for the national security of the United States of America!!"

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

Simon chuckled, a sneer and contempt in his laughter.

"Then, my dear Colonel Kote, please tell me, then what will fill the massive power vacuum that will immediately appear in Hulmatu after Song Heping is 'removed'?"

Simon's voice suddenly rose, carrying a questioning aggressiveness.

"Will it be those tribal forces, already thoroughly bought and armed by Song Heping with real money, weapons, and massive contracts for future reconstruction, who have centuries-old blood feuds amongst themselves, start to slaughter each other for territory and smuggling routes, with rivers of blood flowing?! Or perhaps... will 1515 return to the Northwest after Song Heping's death, is it you who will pay the military expenses out of your pocket to let Congress send troops back to Illigo?"

He continued to stare intently at Kote:

"Or will you let that 'passage' from Illigo to Siria remain wide open, allowing the Revolutionary Guard's Holy City Brigade and their agents to swagger into the heartland of Illigo?!"

His tone quickened, the momentum grew stronger:

"Or..."

Simon continued to manipulate the tablet in his hand.

"...or will it be letting the breaking scandal, destined to ignite global public opinion, dominate the front pages of all major television stations, newspapers, and online media worldwide, like a plague later today,—oh no, considering the time difference and news organization efficiency, it's very likely later today—'US Army breaks faith, slaughters anti-terrorism hero'?!"

The screen switched again in an instant!

It switched to a real-time news broadcast interface.

The background was prominently the war-torn small town of Hulmatu.

James Miller—Horizon News' renowned lead reporter, famous for his profound reporting and unique perspective, appeared in front of the camera with his highly recognizable face.

Behind him were soldiers dressed in the distinctive combat uniforms of "Musician" defense, along with some local children who gathered curiously around, peering at the camera.

On screen—

[Miller (facing the camera, his tone filled with an immersive shock and strong infectiousness):

"...Ladies and gentlemen, I am James Miller. I am currently standing in Northern Illigo, on the land named Hulmatu, which has just undergone a brutal baptism of blood and fire! Just a few days ago, this was an important nest occupied by the terrorist group 1515, synonymous with hell on earth. But today, please turn your attention to what's behind me! What do you see?"]

The camera switched with his speech, showing meticulously captured yet vividly realistic scenes:

The solemn, but meticulously acting "Musician" soldiers distributing international aid food and clean drinking water to the queuing local people.

In front of a temporary medical point set up with tents, medical staff with red cross armbands patiently examined a mother holding her child for injuries.

In a clearing carved out among the ruins, a small marketplace surprisingly reopened, with a few stalls displaying a sparse selection of goods, still attracting many local residents to stop by.

Miller's magnetic voiceover came in at the right time:

["...Here, in this corner of the world, almost forgotten, I witnessed an amazing sight with my own eyes—a private military company maintaining nearly stringent military discipline, presenting a seemingly indescribable, almost symbiotic intimate relationship with the people they claim to protect.

And the driving force behind all this, Mr. Song Heping, the commander of 'Musician' defense, during my brief exchange with him, summed up his goal in one simple, unpretentious sentence—he only wants to guard that faint, yet incredibly precious light of 'peace' for this land mercilessly torn apart by war."]

The scene shifted again, this time to the edge of a district that just experienced intense fighting, the air seemingly still filled with the smell of gunpowder.