Chapter 1807 - 1377: The Price of Victory (2)

Weather data shows that tonight's wind direction will blow these toxic clouds towards the southeast, where several newly established civilian camps are located.

"US Army..."

Song Heping suddenly muttered absent-mindedly.

Samir was taken aback: "What?"

"The US Army must have related resources. Although they've withdrawn most of their troops from Illiguo, their logistics base is still there. I think we can talk to them. Moreover, Major General Duke is currently at the civilian evacuation point, and I can request him to provide some resources."

Samir was taken aback: "Duke is at the civilian evacuation point? And at this time—"

"They're looking for someone. They say it's a messenger sent by Buckdadi to Tetric, possibly blending in with the civilians to escape," Song Heping said.

Hearing this, Samir squinted his eyes.

Years of war experience immediately made him sense something unusual.

"So they already knew Zakavi had chemical weapons? They knew what would happen today?"

"I'm not sure." Song Heping said, "But their timing is too 'coincidental.' Moreover, Duke presented a strategic cooperation agreement, saying the Illigo Government is already informed and has approved their actions."

"Too damn coincidental."

Samir punched the side of the armored vehicle.

"My soldiers are being killed by poison gas in the city, while the Americans are safely behind grabbing their high-value target. Those sons of bitches!"

"Anger is of no use, Samir." Song Heping said, "Now, I need you to do something."

"What is it?"

"Collect as much evidence of the chemical weapon attack as possible. Drone footage, ground troop reports, descriptions of victims' symptoms, samples of shrapnel and residuals—everything."

Song Heping's gaze turned fierce.

"If the Americans knew Zakavi had chemical weapons but didn't warn us, I need solid evidence. Not just speculation, I want hard proof to put on the negotiating table."

Samir nodded slowly, his expression turning from anger to calm: "Understood. I will personally lead a team to collect. The remnants of those chemical weapon storage tanks, fragments of the detonation devices, and... if there are bodies, I'll have the military doctor do a detailed autopsy report."

"Be careful, there may still be residual agents in those areas."

"Don't worry, I know how to handle these filthy things."

With that, Samir cut the communication.

The screen went dark, switching back to the drone feed.

Song Heping turned to his staff team: "Re-evaluate the battle situation. What is the impact range of the chemical weapons? How long until it dissipates to safe levels? How many troops do we have that can still fight?"

The staff members began to busy themselves.

The map was spread out again, the sound of calculators clicking intensified, radio communications were buzzing.

The entire command center was like a brain running at high speed, trying to sort things out amidst the disaster.

The technical officer pulled up the latest weather data and chemical sensor readings:

"Based on current wind direction and speed, the toxic clouds will cover forty percent of the downtown area within three hours, although concentration will be diluted. But the issue is, some agents will remain on the ground, walls, and rubble surfaces, forming lasting contamination. According to sensor data, the ground concentration of mustard gas on certain streets has reached 300 milligrams per square meter—three times the lethal dose. Without professional chemical decontamination equipment, even if we capture this city, we cannot safely enter the core area for at least two weeks."

"So, practically speaking, the battle for Tetric is already over," Song Heping said.

"From a military perspective, yes."

The technical officer's tone was heavy: "Zakavi's 'mutually assured destruction' plan makes it impossible to occupy this city in the foreseeable future, and it doomed themselves and innocent civilians. And..."

He hesitated for a moment.

"According to drone sensor data, the distribution of the chemical weapon release points... is very systematic."

He pulled up a city map, with all areas detected with high concentrations of toxic gas marked in red.

Seventeen red dots were not randomly distributed but formed an intricate grid—

Three major release points form an equilateral triangle, covering the city center; the remaining fourteen secondary release points are distributed along major streets and strategic points, like nodes on a chessboard.

"Look, the selection of these points is very professional."

The technical officer enlarged the buildings near one of the release points.

"These chemical weapon storage tanks were placed in the basements and underground shelters of buildings, connected through ventilation systems and underground pipelines. The explosions were not just for releasing toxic gas but also for creating airflows to maximize the spread of the gas. These require fluid dynamics calculations, chemical engineering knowledge, and precise blasting techniques—things terrorists can't easily achieve."

Song Heping stared at the map, his eyes narrowing to a line: "The 1515 cells in Tetric City don't have this level of craftsmanship; they have someone guiding them..."

"Notify all units." After a brief silence, he ordered, "Establish a ten-kilometer lockdown around Tetric. No one is allowed in or out. Especially in the direction north towards the evacuation point, every roadblock should have double checkpoints. If anyone attempts to force through... fire warning shots."

"Sir, do you think that messenger might still be in the city?"

"No." Song Heping said, his gaze falling on the screen at the yellow clouds of smoke, "I believe he has already gotten out, and the Americans know it too. Otherwise, they wouldn't be rushing to find someone at the civilian evacuation point."