Chapter 1844 - 1390: The Missing Major General Duke (Part 2)

The soil of Harab Town.

The town chosen as a testing ground by the "Seeder" project, slaughtered with biochemical weapons, then blamed on the Syria Hafez Regime.

"You..." He screamed at Song Heping while being dragged down the corridor, "What do you plan to do with the evidence once you have it? Expose it? Blackmail? You've got the wrong target! You don't even know who your opponent is!"

Song Heping raised his head and glanced at him.

"The White House? Or the president, maybe your entire United States?"

He laughed at this.

"We've crossed paths before. Not impressed."

Blake wanted to say something more, but a piece of black cloth was placed over his eyes.

He felt himself being lifted and shoved into a car; the engine started.

The vehicle jolted away from the oil field.

The entire mission, from start to finish, was within someone else's script.

And he was just a character about to be flipped over.

At the same time, in the equipment room of the control building.

Misu trembled as he let the medic examine him.

His eyes were fixed on Song Heping.

"Who... who are you exactly?" he finally asked.

Song Heping carefully placed the hard drives and film into a shockproof box: "I'm just a mercenary leader."

"You said earlier that you know about Harab Town..."

"I know more than you imagine," Song Heping closed the box: "I know the 'Seeder' project, know about your operations before and after Syria, and even know the shell company responsible for transporting your supplies is called 'Alpha Logistics.'

Misu's face turned pale: "How is it possible..."

"Nothing is impossible; we have an old saying back home: 'There is no wall in the world that doesn't let in wind.'"

Song Heping stood up, looking down at him: "Cooperate, or die. Choose one."

Misu looked at Song Heping for several seconds.

"Cooperate."

Finally, he lowered his head.

Song Heping nodded and gestured to his team.

Two men picked up Misu and quickly left the room.

The traces of explosions were clearly visible in the corridor.

Fragments were embedded in the walls, and the air was filled with a mixture of smoke and the smell of blood.

Song Heping walked at the back, pausing briefly as he passed the bodies of the Blake Squad members.

Victor was still alive but severely injured and unconscious.

Derek and Quinn were no longer breathing.

Song Heping sighed, drew his pistol, and fired a shot at Victor's head.

Bang—

Victor no longer moved.

For operatives in departments like his, it's better to be dead than captured with severe injuries.

Death is a release.

The team quickly passed through the control building and exited by the rear door.

Outside, the security guards of the oil field had been frightened away by explosions and gunfire, leaving the entire area eerily silent.

Three disguised Toyota Land Cruisers waited at the designated spot.

Song Heping shoved Misu into the back seat of the middle vehicle and sat next to him.

"Drive."

The engine rumbled, and the vehicle plunged into darkness.

Song Heping looked through the rear window at the distant outline of the oil field. The flames still burned, painting the night sky an eerie orange-red.

"Where... where are we going?" Misu asked softly.

"A safe point," Song Heping said, "Then we'll see. We have a lot to do."

"What situation?"

Song Heping did not answer.

He took out his satellite phone, dialing Duke's number.

However, until the line cut off, no one answered.

Song Heping frowned and dialed again.

Still, no one answered.

"Something's not right..."

He had a bad feeling.

At 0:47 a.m., Iraq-Syria border, safe point.

This was a natural cave deep in the desert, with a hidden entrance and enough space inside to accommodate three vehicles and more than ten people.

Inside the camp, only the emergency lights provided dim illumination, and the air was filled with the smell of dust and engine oil.

Song Heping leaned against the hood of a car, checking the items taken from Misu's backpack.

Joseph walked over and handed him a cup of instant coffee.

"Casualties?" Song Heping asked, not looking up.

"Two lightly injured, scratches, already treated. Ammo consumption about 40%."

Song Heping nodded, his eyes falling on a bottle of soil sample: "This thing contains degradation products of VX nerve agent."

Joseph said, "Is it to be handed over to Duke?"

"Can't reach Duke."

Song Heping took a sip of coffee, the bitter taste spreading in his mouth.

He turned to look deeper into the cave, where Misu sat in a corner wrapped in a blanket, clutching a cup of hot tea.

Blake was tied up on the opposite side, the headgear had been removed, and his eyes were fixed on Misu.

"Has he started talking?" Song Heping asked, "I need his recording."

"Blake? No. The typical tough guy, only said his name, nothing else."

"There is no such thing as a hundred-percent tough guy."

Song Heping walked to Blake, squatting down.

"Have you figured it out?" he asked.

Blake raised his head, his eyes shot like a wolf in the dim light: "Figured out what? Figured out you've messed with the wrong people?"

Song Heping said, "Figured out that your squad members died for nothing. Figured out that those you've been working for might not even care about your life or death right now. Look, you've been out of contact for so long, guess what they're doing? Maybe they're thinking, it would be better if you were dead."

He pointed to Misu opposite.

"Just like him back then, right?"

Blake gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his neck.

"I know you guys are from the 'Witness' department, but I want you to admit, who gave you the orders, and what were the orders," Song Heping said.

Blake was silent for a long time, then suddenly laughed, the sound echoing in the cave with an air of madness.

"You think you've won?" he stared at Song Heping: "You think having this evidence will take them down? Do you know how many people the 'Seeder' project involves? The Senate Military Committee chairman, the deputy minister of the Ministry of Defense, board members of at least three military giants, and—"

He stopped, taking a deep breath.

"And the Clinton family and Donkey Party, right?"

Song Heping's expression didn't change, but Blake's face visibly stiffened.

Seeing Blake still holding firm, Song Heping continued: "You've been reminding me of my current situation, but I must also remind you of your situation. Remember, people like you cannot be exposed to the light; I know you well. Once a mission fails, you're a discard, a liability in the eyes of those big shots. You and Misu alike would likely be targeted for elimination."

Blake still didn't speak, but his expression changed significantly.

Song Heping seized the opportunity: "You've heard of me, right?"

Blake nodded, considered it admission.

"Then you must have seen my background check," Song Heping said.

Blake nodded again.

Song Heping said, "Then, I'll give you a chance, a chance to survive. If you cooperate with me, give me what I want, then I can guarantee your survival. I can shelter you, you might even work for my company."

Blake was first surprised, then piled up a mocking laugh: "You? With just your PMC Company, shelter me? Song, you're beyond arrogant!"

Song Heping said, "Guess how many intelligence agencies have put bounties on me at my peak?"

Blake was slightly taken aback, didn't speak.

Song Heping continued, "Remember, you now have no way back; you can only bet on me winning, because if I win, you live. Even if I let you go now, do you believe that when you dial the emergency help number, the people who come to rescue you won't reach out a hand but rather a bullet will greet you?"

Blake shuddered.

He realized the man in front of him from the East wasn't lying.

Not at all.

In fact, it seemed truly so.

He nailed it all.

But...

The natural fear of the organization made him hesitate to speak.

"Think about it carefully, you have some time to consider for yourself. There are likely many things ahead, I can't take care of you, and maybe..."

Song Heping smiled.

"I might really let you go."