Chapter 1819 - 1381: Lemont's Threat

The dawn had yet to pierce the horizon to the east of Mosul, with the engines' low roar rising and falling, headlights slicing through the fog, casting long beams on the sandy ground.

Song Heping stood beside the command vehicle, watching his subordinates depart in batches.

This cooperation, ostensibly hired to provide support, was in fact a marriage of convenience, understood by both parties.

Major General Duke invited his company to join under the guise of "coordinating counter-terrorism," with a bounty of 250 million US Dollars, and contract terms so favorable they aroused suspicion.

After last night's USB incident, Song Heping smelled a conspiracy in the air.

Having mingled in Illiguo for many years, Song Heping knew all too well the style of the Americans.

Behind generous rewards often lay dirty work they were unwilling to soil their own hands with.

"Team A, check the communication equipment."

He pressed the earpiece, beginning to test communications.

Starting today, the twenty squads led by Milosh would be spread out like scattered beans near Badi Town on the Siria border, monitoring multiple traffic routes to provide peripheral support for Delta's capture operation in Badi Town.

Deploying his people to surveillance positions made it clear that Lemont and Duke didn't want him involved in their core actions.

"Team A, received, all channels are clear."

"Team B, nighttime identification signals."

"The fluorescent bands have been worn, Boss."

…

Every vehicle paused slightly in front of him as the team leader poked their head out to receive Song Heping's final instructions.

Among the faces were Serbians, Poles, and Colombians, and even two former French Foreign Legion members.

They were artisans of war, technicians of death, each with ample battlefield experience.

When Milosh's Hummer approached, Song Heping gestured.

The vehicle stopped, and Milosh jumped out.

"All squads have been dispatched, Boss." Milosh reported: "According to the plan, we will set up ten observation points around Badi Town and go in to clean up the scene after Delta is done."

"Remember the communication protocol."

Song Heping stepped closer, lowering his voice to ensure only the two could hear.

"The satellite phone channel is for emergency contact with me, the radio channel is public, understand?"

The hint was clear enough.

Milosh looked at Song Heping, seemingly not understanding.

"Boss, you think the Americans are untrustworthy, right?"

He asked tentatively.

"Hmm... last night." Song Heping slowly started, "Someone slipped a USB under my room door."

Milosh's brow furrowed.

"The USB contained seven files." Song Heping continued: "Four were about Misu, including his educational background, employment records in the United States, and immigration information. The other three... were about Lemont."

Milosh asked: "Is it that CIA station chief?"

Song Heping said: "Yes. The files show that Lemont was Misu's 'academic advisor' in the Chemical Engineering Department at Johns Hopkins University from 2011 to 2013. But this identity was a cover; in reality, he was Misu's recruiting officer and handler."

Milosh seemed to understand: "So... Misu once worked for the CIA."

"Once, perhaps." Song Heping repeated the word, with meaning in his tone:

"In 2014, Misu suddenly cut off all contact. A few months later, he suddenly appeared in Organization 1515's dark web video, claiming to 'purify the world with science.' Internal CIA reports listed him as a 'high-risk defector,' suggesting 'extreme measures if necessary.'

Milosh was curious: "But why catch him now? He's been missing for almost three years."

"That's the problem."

Song Heping looked around, confirming no one was paying attention to him and Milosh before speaking again: "The last file in the USB was a screenshot of an encrypted email, sent six weeks ago. The sender's address was erased, but the recipient was a law firm in Washington, specializing in Whistleblower Protection Act cases. The email attachment was titled 'Project White Flame.'"

Milosh's gaze turned sharp.

"What are you suspecting?"

"I suspect someone wants to use us to uncover a secret the CIA wishes to bury forever."

Song Heping looked towards the east, the golden light on the horizon spreading.

"And the most ironic thing is, the person who handed me the USB is very likely within this joint action group, but I don't know who."

The two were silent for a moment.

Song Heping added: "So be cautious, the Americans are untrustworthy; preserve your life if anything out of the ordinary occurs."

"OK!"

Milosh turned and climbed into the car.

The Hummer rolled over the gravel, the red glow of its taillights gradually blurring in the dust.

Song Heping stood his ground until the last vehicle drove out of the base gate.

He looked up at the main building, where a shadow flickered behind a second-floor window.

Too far to discern who it was, but that position was Lemont's office.

Song Heping instinctively reached for the Glock pistol at his waist, his customary action.

In the US Military Base, he never completely let down his guard.

Returning to the building, the sound of military boots echoed on the hallway floor.

At the corner of the second-floor staircase, he encountered Lemont.

This guy was evidently waiting there, a cup of steaming coffee in hand.

"Mr. Song, you're up early."

Lemont's smile was right on point, appearing friendly yet maintaining distance.

The typical intelligence officer's smile, never entirely sincere.

"Employer's request; naturally, one should be diligent." Song Heping responded briefly, preparing to sidestep past him.

In dealings with Lemont, he always maintained this slightly distant politeness, neither overly close nor rude.