Chapter 1931 - 1419: Seizing the Initiative

The most terrifying thing is, Song Heping didn't just sneakily steal the goods and be done with it.

He brazenly stole them, and after that, he came to your door with evidence, forcing you to admit that the goods were originally his, forcing you to help him make up a complete story, forcing you to continue handing over the rest of the goods.

This is humiliation!

Walker gritted his teeth through his fingers, this is the most thorough humiliation.

"Mr. Song."

Swift finally spoke: "I think there might be some misunderstanding here. These items were indeed marked in the previous official report as battlefield loss or missing during the transfer, but they fell into the hands of some individuals trying to smuggle them across the border, just happened to encounter Samir's Tenth Division..."

He was giving Walker a lifeline.

It's not that Walker betrayed and stole, it's the terrorists who were too cunning; it's not that Song Heping set up a robbery, it's the Tenth Division that happened to stumble upon them.

Although this step is shaky, it is at least a step, and it can be explained on the surface.

Song Heping turned towards Swift, and their eyes briefly met.

Swift's eyes carried a nearly imperceptible hint: don't go too far, give him some face, or he'll jump the wall.

Song Heping received this information.

He was silent for two seconds, then slowly nodded.

"Coincidence?" He looked back at Walker, deliberately adding a touch of uncertainty to his tone: "The Tenth Division's exercise plan was made up on the spot, and Amadiye Canyon was the designated area for the exercise. If this was a coincidence..."

He deliberately paused, giving Walker and Swift time to digest this information.

"Then the probability of such a coincidence is roughly equivalent to winning the jackpot in Las Vegas with one US dollar, ten times in a row."

Song Heping said coldly sarcastically: "But sometimes, I am willing to believe in miracles."

He locked his gaze on Walker: "I am more inclined to believe another explanation, Major. Certain individuals—could be one of your officers, could be some leech in the logistics system, or could be a traitor collaborating with external forces—stole the equipment that was supposed to be handed over to me, selling it privately, trying to ship it abroad to the black market. Unfortunately, either the terrorists double-crossed them, or..."

He purposely slowed down his speech: "'Coincidentally' intercepted by the Tenth Division in the exercise."

The office fell silent again.

Outside the window, the training ground seemed to have finished the drill, and the sound of soldiers assembling orders came faintly.

Sunlight slanted through the explosion-proof glass, casting a bright beam onto the photo-covered table, making the equipment numbers more glaring under the light.

Walker finally lowered the hand covering his face.

His eyes were still red, but the frantic anger had subsided, replaced by a deep, icy resentment.

He stared at Song Heping, like a snake fixating on its prey.

"What do you want?"

He squeezed out this sentence through his teeth, each word seeming to exhaust all his strength.

"Three things."

Song Heping raised three fingers.

"First, all equipment on the contract list including the previously 'missing' two hundred and fifty-two items must be delivered within forty-eight hours. I will send people to supervise the entire transfer process, every piece of equipment must have its serial number verified, and receive documents signed."

Walker's lips moved but made no sound.

"Second," Song Heping continued: "Regarding last night's incident in Amadiye Canyon, the official report must be written according to the version I provide: remnants of 1515 forces looted a convoy of 'unknown armed forces,' attempting to smuggle US-made equipment out of the country. The Tenth Mountain Division discovered and intercepted it during routine drills, completely annihilating the terrorists through firefight and capturing all equipment. These items will be handed over to the legitimate contractor according to the established contract."

He paused, then added: "The report will be under your review and signed by you, submitted to the Central Command Iraq War Zone Command Headquarters by five PM today, and a copy sent to the Department of Defense Contractor Supervision Office. I will keep a copy of the report."

"Walker." Swift interjected at the right time, his tone carrying a clear intention to "reconcile": "I believe Song's proposal... is a reasonable solution. It can explain the whereabouts of these pieces of equipment and also avoid unnecessary suspicion and investigation. Walker, what do you think?"

Walker didn't even look at Swift.

His gaze was still locked onto Song Heping as if wanting to etch the man's face into his bones.

"What's the third?" he hissed.

"Third," Song Heping leaned back against the chair: "The 'unpleasantness' between us ends here. You continue to be the logistics supervisor of your base, and I continue my contractor business. As for your... hmm, 'extra activities' outside the contract..."

He intentionally paused, his gaze sweeping over Walker's ashen face.

"I can act like I don't know," Song Heping said: "The premise is from now on your hands won't reach into my bowl anymore. We stay out of each other's way, you do your work, I do mine. The base's equipment transfer must strictly follow the contract, with no more 'loss,' 'missing,' or 'damage.'"

He stood up, looking down at Walker: "This is the final chance, Major Walker. If you agree, I will receive the formal timeline for the equipment transfer this afternoon. If you don't agree..."

Song Heping smiled.

"Then you can pick up the phone now, call Washington, call your 'friends' at the Pentagon, and report to them: equipment worth hundreds of millions of US dollars of active US Army has been 'taken by terrorists' in Iraq War Zone."

He leaned forward, his hands resting on the table, his face close to Walker, his voice pressed low, but every word stabbed Walker's ears like an ice pick:

"But I suggest, before you make the call, ask those behind you—Brigadier General Hamilton, Senator Drake, and that Assistant Deputy Secretary of Defense who is at Andrews Air Force Base golf course every Friday afternoon—ask them if they would like to see this matter exposed."

With every name mentioned, Walker's body stiffened a bit.

When Song Heping finally said "Assistant Deputy Secretary," Walker collapsed completely in the chair, and the last trace of resistance in his eyes died out.

He knew.

Walker thought despairingly, Song Heping knows everything.

"After all..." Song Heping straightened up, his voice returned to normal: "According to our intelligence, the final destination of that convoy was Tripoli in Libya, the recipient being the 'National Army' controlled by Haftar. But there's one thing you're sure not to know, Haftar entered Tripoli years ago, because I gave him a big help; without me, he wouldn't touch the gates of Tripoli."

"Furthermore, I must give you and your high-ranking friends some advice, Haftar is currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity. If this matter is exposed, if media finds out US Army active equipment being smuggled to a warlord under investigation for war crimes..."

He purposely didn't finish, but the meaning was already clear.

"This is not just a corruption issue, Major Walker."

Song Heping's tone carried a slight pity: "This is treason. It's a serious crime enough to make you and all your 'friends' spend your lives in Leavenworth Military Prison."

He walked to the door, his hand on the doorknob, turning once more to look at Walker.

"I give you twenty-four hours to consider. Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, if I haven't received the formal notification of equipment transfer and the draft of the official report of last night's incident, then by Amadiye Canyon, another version of the story will start to circulate."

Song Heping opened the door, and the hallway light poured into the dim office.