Chapter 1724 - 1350: Infiltration Operation (Part 3)

But this time, it's two reinforced brigades...

It's easy to invite gods, but hard to send them away.

Once these Persians enter, it's exceedingly difficult to get them to withdraw.

Yet, if we don't agree, it would be akin to watching Barzani and Rashid completely take control of the Kurd regime, which would be a fatal blow to the United States' strategy in the Middle East.

"I authorize you to proceed with the deployment."

Finally, Duke made a decision: "Mobilize the 'Liberation Forces' and those mercenaries in your 'Musician' defense plan to take action according to your strategy. I will personally conduct 'informal communications' with the command level of the Holy City Brigade, attempting to reach a temporary border defense agreement. But you must be clear: The movement range of the Persians must be strictly limited, absolutely no entering any Kurd region."

"Don't worry." Song Heping said, "They are limited to activities in areas like Mosul and Bayji, not entering the Kold Autonomous Region."

"As for the task in Elbil..."

Duke returned to the console, pulling up a complex building structure and security layout diagram.

"These are the complete blueprints for the national television station and communication center. Tor Khan will be stationed there, with roughly fifty permanent Security Bureau alert personnel in the area, rotating in three shifts. Here is their shift schedule and patrol routes, these are the known surveillance blind spots, you can sneak in and make contact with him."

Song Heping quickly scanned through the scrolling data on the screen.

Infiltration routes, contingency plans, emergency rally points, evacuation routes...

All the details rapidly constructed into a three-dimensional action blueprint in his mind.

"What about Little Masoud's hideout?" he inquired.

"I investigated it. The last place he disappeared was at the women's vocational-technical school run by Fatima."

Duke pulled up a street view picture and brief information.

"This lady is a veteran of the Socialist Party with strong grassroots influence in the south of the city and has old ties with the Masoud family. However, this also means Rashid likely also considers it a key search area."

"I'll head there first to have a look for Little Masoud. After all, with Old Masoud in a coma now, if necessary, get Little Masoud on camera."

Song Heping noted down the address and features.

"Leave it to me, I'll handle it."

Duke took out a reinforced tactical tablet from the safe and handed it to Song Heping:

"All encrypted communication protocols, one-time identification codes, and emergency contact frequencies are inside. There's also a list evaluating Barzani and Rashid's core circle and potential swing players—green for approachable, yellow to observe, red for elimination."

Song Heping took the tablet, swiftly scrolling through the screen.

The list was detailed, covering political, military, business, and tribal layers, with each person's background, tendencies, and weaknesses succinctly marked.

The power map of the Kold Autonomous Region was now laid bare in data form.

"When do I depart?"

"In one hour, a C-130 will take off from Baghdad Military Airport. You will perform a HALO infiltration in the designated airspace, avoiding all ground checkpoints and radar-dense areas."

Duke glanced at the time, "Your team members? What configuration do you need?"

"Four people, not too many; too many will attract attention. I'll personally lead the team."

Song Heping already had a plan in mind.

"I'll arrange the personnel, in place within an hour."

Duke extended his hand, "Good luck, Song. I'll be waiting here for your good news."

Two hours later, in the eastern airspace of Elbil.

The four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprop engines of the C-130J "Super Hercules" transport aircraft roared thunderously, its giant propellers tearing through the air.

Inside the cabin, the lights were adjusted to a dark red.

Song Heping and his team were already fully geared up, sitting with their backs against the cabin wall, conducting the final checks before the jump.

Parachutes, oxygen masks, altimeters, GPS locators, weapons, ammunition, supplies...

Every aspect was repeatedly confirmed.

Song Heping glanced at his multifunction watch, switching to countdown mode.

The red light in the cabin began flashing.

The pilot's voice came over the internal communication channel:

"Arriving at the starting airspace, altitude 8,500 meters, high layer wind speed is strong. Thirty seconds to the drop point. Prepare oxygen, final check!"

The team members checked each other's parachutes and oxygen connections.

Song Heping took a deep breath, the oxygen inside the mask was icy cold.

He peered through the porthole; below was a pitch-black desert, with the distant lights of Elbil on the horizon like a faint, struggling spot of light in the darkness.

"Ten seconds!" shouted the pilot.

The rear ramp slowly lowered, and a violent cold airflow rushed in instantly. Even with thickened parachute suits, the biting cold could still be felt.

The night sky outside, with stars seemingly within reach.

The red light turned green.

"Jump! Jump! Jump!"

Song Heping was the first to leap out of the cabin, the intense feeling of weightlessness enveloping him instantly.

Following him, the other three elite mercenaries from Jiang Feng leaped out one after another.

They plummeted into the boundless night like five black stones.

Free fall.

The only sound was the rushing wind past their ears.

The ground in view quickly enlarged, transforming from a blurred color block into clarity.

Song Heping maintained a standard diving posture, using the altimeter and GPS navigation to precisely adjust his direction.

At the designated altitude, he deployed the parachute.

A massive force struck, stopping the descent abruptly and turning it into a slow float.

Through night vision goggles, the ground revealed a ghostly green world.

Below, the outline of the designated landing zone—the abandoned farm—was faintly discernible.

Further ahead were the city lights of Elbil.

He maneuvered the parachute cords, aiming accurately for what seemed like a flat barren area.

Landing with his feet, he rolled to dissipate the impact, swiftly detaching the parachute gear.

Almost simultaneously, the other four parachutes also landed safely not far away.

The night wind rustled the wild grass, producing a gentle rustling sound.

In the distance, there were the howls of wild dogs; further away came the muted sound of vehicle engines.

Song Heping signaled a series of tactical hand gestures.

The team quickly gathered, packing up the parachutes and lightly burying them, then, in a guard formation, silently merged into the darkness, heading toward the city, toward the center of the storm.