Chapter 1811 - 1378: $250 Million Deal_3

Duke didn't respond.

"Second, medical assistance. Every soldier who's been poisoned must receive professional treatment. The US Army has to provide antidotes, respiratory support equipment, and at least twenty CBRN medical specialists. The critically wounded need to be evacuated by your helicopters to the Baghdad Green Zone and treated in either a US Army field hospital or an Illigo Government hospital, with all costs covered by you."

Duke's mouth twitched.

"Third," Song Heping lowered his hand. "I want full knowledge and partial command authority over the operation to hunt down Misu. Not 'assist'—a joint operation. All intel shared in real time, the op plan drafted by both sides, and on the battlefield my commander has independent decision-making authority. If Misu is captured, my people must be present during the interrogation."

"Do you know what you're asking for?"

Duke's voice was as cold as a Siberian wind in the dead of winter.

"You're asking the US Army to provide equipment worth tens of millions of US Dollars to a private military company, to shoulder the medical costs for potentially hundreds of casualties, and to share command authority in a covert operation."

"I know." Song Heping nodded, a contemptuous look on his face. "I also know that if I hand my evidence to CNN, the BBC, or the New York Times, tomorrow's headline will be something like: 'US Army knew chemical weapons were present but let allies die anyway.' Or more to the point: 'To catch one man, they let thousands of soldiers inhale poisonous gas.' Or maybe, 'US Army allows terrorist groups to use chemical weapons in Iraq.'"

He paused, letting the words settle in the air.

"I remember a few years back, the Washington Post exposed how the US Army's 'selective intel sharing' during the Mosul campaign led to heavy losses for the Kurd forces. That report forced the Pentagon to spend three months on damage control. How long do you think it would take to clean up the fallout if Titrick's case goes public?"

Duke's stone-hard expression finally cracked.

Not a big change—more like a subtle crumbling.

The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepened, his lower lip drew slightly inward, and his fingers clenched and unclenched at his sides.

It was anger, frustration, the struggle of weighing costs and benefits.

"You're threatening the US Army." he said, each word squeezed out between his teeth.

"I'm laying out the options." Song Heping corrected him. "Option one: you provide support, we cooperate in hunting Misu, and Titrick's tragedy gets filed under 'unfortunate events in wartime' and everyone moves on. Option two: I go public with the evidence, the international media launches investigations, Congress holds hearings, your 'high-value target' operation goes down the drain while 1515's chemical weapons network keeps running."

He walked to the car door and placed his hand on the handle.

"I'm giving you one hour to think it over. If my people haven't received confirmation on the equipment transfer within that hour, I'll assume you've chosen the second path."

"Wait." Duke said.

Song Heping stopped, but didn't turn around.

"You're asking for a bit too much."

Duke walked over to the control console and pulled up a supply list.

"Thirty decontamination vehicles is impossible. I can give you fifteen at most. I can give you eight hundred protective suits and three mobile labs. For medical assistance… we can provide antidotes and ten specialists, but casualty evacuation will use our helicopters."

"Twenty-five decontamination vehicles, nine hundred protective suits, four mobile field labs, fifteen medical specialists, and priority on casualty evacuation." Song Heping turned around. "That's my bottom line."

Duke stared at him.

Their gazes clashed in midair like two blades colliding in silence.

"A joint operation is possible, but the chain of command has to be clear." Duke finally said. "JSOC will draw up the overall plan. Your people will assist Delta Force with ground recon and targeting. The capture operation will be led by Delta. Intel sharing… can be real-time, but intel from sensitive sources will have a four-hour delay."

"Two-hour delay." Song Heping said. "And our side must be present during interrogation."

Duke fell silent.

His fingers tapped on the console as he entered commands and brought up an authorization screen.

The light from the screen reflected on his face, making his expression look like a mummified mask.

"If these terms leak to the media—"

He began.

"Then I'll lose the cooperation of the US Army, lose any hope of that 250 million US Dollars reward, and might even end up on certain 'unwelcome lists.'"

Song Heping cut him off immediately. "I'm not an idiot, General. This deal benefits both sides, and both sides pay a price. I'm choosing a win–win, not mutual destruction."

Duke drew in a deep breath and then exhaled slowly.

That was a signal of giving up resistance.

"The equipment will be in place within twenty-four hours, shipped directly from the warehouses in Kowe."

He hit the confirm key on the console.

"The medical team will arrive tomorrow morning. As for the joint operation… I need twenty-four hours to get authorization from Washington. But in principle, I agree."

He extended his hand.

This handshake was harder than the first, and shorter, like the sealing of a contract.

"Pleasure working together."

Duke said, though there wasn't a trace of pleasure in his eyes.

"Pleasure working together."

Song Heping replied, then got out of the vehicle with Jiang Feng.

As the car door closed behind them, the wind of the wasteland slammed into their faces, carrying sand and the scent of distant death.

The sky was fully dark now. The lights at the evacuation point stood alone in the blackness, like the last outpost of the civilized world in this savage land.

"He agreed."

Once inside the vehicle, Jiang Feng spoke in a low voice, incredulous.

"He had no choice." Song Heping leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. "The evidence I have is enough to trigger a political earthquake. 2016 is their election year—any scandal will be magnified. The donkey and elephant parties and the Pentagon can't afford another 'intel failure' accusation, especially on chemical weapons."